Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Pennsylvania Patchwork

by Kate Lloyd
David C. Cook

ONE HEART. TWO LOVES. ONE CHOICE.

Seattle native Holly Fisher is smitten by Lancaster County, its simplicity and her long lost relatives. In the sequel to bestselling Leaving Lancaster, Holly embraces the Amish culture, learning to slow down to see what  - and who – really matters.

Meeting the family that her mother had kept hidden from her, Holly comes face to face with her real life and blood legacy. She also falls for the charming Zach, a handsome Mennonite veterinarian who is everything she’s ever wanted in a husband: confident, kind, successful, and authentic. And Zach proposes marriage. Is this too soon? Is this the right choice? Mother and Amish grandmother think she’s rushing into too much of a lifestyle change. Holly is in love with Zach and that precludes everything. Until she meets an attractive Amish man. And an old suitor shows up.

Pennsylvania Patchwork is the moving, richly told story of one woman’s heart, her faith and trust, and the choices she makes. Never easy, but one choice can change your destiny.

My Review: 

My initial impression of Holly as a character in Leaving Lancaster was not a very good one. For a woman her age, she is self-centered and selfish, and has no backbone whatsoever. In this novel, she makes a complete turn-around that is rather confusing. I understand she wants to connect with her family and be a part of that family, but she goes from an Englisher mentality, to complete openness about the Amish life and ways. 

While that sounds like criticism for Lloyd's work and this novel, the elements of Holly's emotions and actions as a character is the reason why I loved this book. So many Amish novels out there portray their characters as people with a problem/situation, and of course it gets solved within the course of the book. In this book, Holly's personality is akin to someone in their teens, but I found her to be a more realistic character to real life than the storybook characters that run rampant in our Christian Amish Fiction genre. 

Overall, the book was an excellent sequel, and has all the ups and downs expected when someone from a completely different world and upbringing attempts to change their life. Very good reading, and I promise it is well worth the read. 

This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. 

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