Written in Love by Kathleen Fuller is An Amish Letters Novel. One day Phoebe Bontrager picks up the mail and there is a misdirected letter. She sends the letter back to the sender with a note. Soon Phoebe receives a thank you reply from Jalon Chupp. This is the beginning of their correspondence. Phoebe is staying with her Aunt Bertha in Dover. Aunt Bertha is very stern and strict, and Jalon’s letters are a welcome respite. Jalon lives in Birch Creek and Phoebe’s letters are the high spot of his day. An accident in his youth has clouded his life and led to many poor choices. He is now working a construction job, and it actually thinking about the future. Over the next few months, their letters continue and get longer in length. Both of them, though, have secrets that they have yet to reveal. Phoebe has made sure to get the mail each day before her aunt. But then one day, Aunt Bertha comes in with the mail in her hand. She has opened Jalon’s latest letter to Phoebe. Aunt Bertha forbids Phoebe from having any more contact with him and destroys the letter. After three weeks with no letters from Phoebe, Jalon heads to Dover. Jalon is shocked at how Phoebe is being treated by her aunt and stands up to Aunt Bertha. This leads to Phoebe being ushered out of the woman’s home (I am putting it nicely). Jalon suggests that Phoebe come home with him to Birch Creek (properly chaperoned, of course). These two will need to overcome their pasts in order to have a future together. Their faith and love will be tested. Is there a chance for Jalon and Phoebe to be together?

Written in Love is a sweet Amish novel. It is nicely written and has some good characters. I only told you about three characters in my summary. My favorite character was Jalon’s sister, Leanna who is an unusual Amish woman. Leanna is a mechanic and likes to travel. She has a strong personality yet she is friendly. I am hoping the author will give Leanna her own book. The religious aspect is light. I am glad it is not overwhelming (the author gave it just the right touch). I give Written in Love 4 out of 5 stars. I wish the author had not taken so long to reveal the characters’ secrets. By the time, they are disclosed, the reader has already guessed (quite accurately) what the characters were determined to keep hidden. I was frustrated at times by Phoebe and Jalon’s lack of communication. Phoebe was particularly vexing, but she has a reason behind her reticence. I liked the basic premise of the misdirected letter. It is an old-fashioned idea in these modern times. I am curious to see what will occur in the next book in Kathleen Fuller’s An Amish Letters Novel.

Ok, I just finished this book, and I am sad that it is over, yes, it is one of those books you never want to end, and will linger with you.
The thought of mail going to the wrong person, is perfect, and that it goes to another Amish person, is wild, but what a great premise for a story, and it is and thus begins a letter writing courtship, without the participants even realizing they are doing so. The letter writers are both holding secrets, ones that may make the other not want to be with them, but they do withhold them at first.
We see with some other characters in this book that try to live their faith at the detriment of others, and they don’t seem to care how much they hurt others, which will make you rather sad and angry.
This is one book you don’t want to miss, and by the sounds of it there may be more in this same line of topic, I sure hope so.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

A misdelivered letter starts a penpal communication between Phoebe and Jalon. Several chapters in the beginning of the book were in letter form as they communicated with each other. Those feelings developed into something more than friendship though. This book is a bit darker than some Amish books, it's not just the good times here. Phoebe and Jalon both have hurting hearts from errors made in their youthful pasts. They both struggle deeply with these and are not sure how to tell each other about their past. When you love someone you can not let the past hold you back though. This books shows how they work together in love,understanding and faith to overcome the past and make a faith filled life together. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series and revisiting the characters that have become like friends.
Pub Date 14 Mar 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a review copy for my honest opinion.

I had to wait a day before writing my review. I really didn't want this book to end. It was so different and also something that could actually occur and I loved it. Phoebe received a letter addressed to someone else. Instead of throwing it out, she mailed it back to it's sender. Jalon (who I loved in this book) responded back to her and there friendship began through letters.

Both Phoebe and Jalon were hiding shameful secrets and feeling low about themselves. Even with this going on writing got them both through the day. When the two finally met in person things quickly go back and forth from rocky to good.

Kathleen Fuller created an amazing story with new characters you will love. Leanna outspoken and daring grew on me. Malachi will keep a smile on your face throughout the whole book. Adam and Karen I also like and I'm hoping book #2 will focus on those two. I'm sure it's more to learn there than what was said.

If you are looking for a touching & heart warming story, Written in Love will give you that and more!!!!!

How honored to receive this book from Kathleen Fuller to give an honest review, and trust me after reading this book I am honored and humbled to be able to offer this review. This story begins with a brief note written to Jalon when his letter is misdirected. Phoebe is stunned and surprised to receive a return Thank you for returning the misdirected mail, and so our story begins. As you read you get so wrapped up in the next letter exchange you are unable to put the book down. Suddenly Phoebe does not write Jalon and he fears all is lost, until a friend suggest that maybe something is wrong or has happened to Phoebe, Jalon must investigate and make sure that Phoebe is okay only to learn that her home live is not the best. Jalon takes matters into his own hands and the love story begins and the letters continue to be a part of their relationship. If you are searching for that truly enjoyable book to read, this my be one of the best that this season of new releases has to offer. Thank you Kathleen for the honor of reading this wonderful story, I love Jalon and Phoebe.

Loved the way the story began with letters! Looking forward to this new series of wholesome Amish stories. Everyone has regrets in life so readers will be able to relate with the characters in this book. Highly recommended.

EXCERPT

"What's got you so out of sorts"? "Nix" " I don't believe you, " she said. I don't care. "Really I'm fine. Everything's fine. Other than this weather." "Yeah, it's a mess out there." She looked toward the window, then back at him. "That's not what's got you bent out of shape, though." She was relentless as her mother. "I'm just....deep in thought." "About what?" "Karen, it's none of your business."


After her bishop tells her that being a single mom is a sin and demands she marry within the community, Phoebe decides that she and her son must leave home.

Phoebe knew that she could never marry someone unless it was for love. She quickly decides to leave her community and move in with her Aunt, who doesn't seem to be welcoming as Phoebe had thought. She soon realizes that living with her Aunt is not going to be the escape she needs, but insists on making it work. When an incorrectly addressed letter shows up, Phoebe has no idea just how much this will change her life.

MY THOUGHTS

Where do I begin reading, I loved the way Kathleen Fuller open with this book. A very unique way for you to get to know who the characters were right from the beginning and and love them. Sit back and grab your favorite snack and beverage and get ready to be touched and have your heart skip a beat or two by this story. I promise you will not be disappointed with this story of love, faith and sacrifice.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my review which I have given above.

I really liked this book. It begins with letters stemming from a mail mix up that leads to more. The main characters Jalon and Phoebe begin a friendship and fall in love through these letter. Yet if it was so easy, there happily ever after is not so readily secured. They both have secrets and wounds that need to be shared and healed. Obstacles to overcome including themselves. I loved watching them grow and heal and come to terms with their pasts. Letting go and learning to trust.
I did feel like banging my head on the table when they had one too many hurdles, like let them be together already. I'm still not a fan of it but I do like seeing the resolution and seeing the role it played in more healing and growing.
The secondary characters were enjoyable and I hope to see some of them in later books.
This book has a glossary of Amish words at the beginning and I was very thankful for it. I read a lot of Amish romance, I know a lot of the words but I ran into a few new ones in this book.

WRITTEN IN LOVE by Kathleen Fuller. Phoebe and Jalon postal mix up of letters, by chance or destiny. They correspond, questions and secrets, as a courtship between two pen pals begins. Until he shows up at her aunt's doorsteps, will all be lost. A moving story of getting past the mistakes of the past, and letting go, for new. Great book for all ages to read and enjoy Given ARC by Net Galley for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

Kathleen Fuller has started her new Amish Letters series with a beautiful first novel, Written in Love. It starts off drawing you in with a series of letters between two Amish, Jalon and Phoebe. Phoebe received a misdirected letter that Jalon had mailed and felt the need to return it to him along with a simple note. This started a wonderful pen-pal relationship that develops into something deeper.
Both has past that they want to keep secret until the relationship develops into something more lasting. Jalon has worked hard to overcome his youthful mistakes and looks forward to the letters that he receives from Phoebe. Phoebe lives with her overbearing Aenti Bertha and holds their secret letters dear to her heart. But when Jalon suggests they meet in person, she panics because she has not shared everything about her past. Jalon shows up on her Aenti’s doorstep and some of her secrets are reveled.
They must trust each other despite the withholdings and put their trust in God to get them through the upcoming months ahead.

From the start to the finish, I had a hard time putting down the book. Kathleen does a masterful job with character development and it pays off with the reader rooting for everything to work out for them all. I can’t wait until the next novel is released so that I can hopefully read about another character’s story.

I received this book from netgalley in return for providing my honest opinion.

I started writing in 2000, and published my first short story a year later. Since then I have authored several short stories, novellas, novels, and have done a lot of freelance non-fiction work. I have also worked as an editor.

Kathleen Fuller writes incredible Amish Fiction that is not only easy to read, but it draws the reader in from the very first page until the very last words. Her latest offering: Written in Love is no different. Phoebe lives with her Aenti Bertha--a woman of such strict standards that they seem higher than God's standards. Quite by accident, a letter from Jalon Chubb ends up at Phoebe and Aunt Bertha's home, so Phoebe sends it back to Jalon with a quick note. Jalon writes back and then a pen pal relationship begins. Everything was flying along until Aenti Bertha got to the mail before Phoebe and found Jalon's latest letter. Aenti Bertha went off her deep end and prohibited Phoebe from writing to Jalon again.

From Aenti Bertha to Bishop Weaver, things just don't work out for Phoebe. During her rumschpringe, she ends up pregnant, but since then, she's tried to live by the Ordnung and raise her son right. Because of the bishop, she had to leave her community and Aenti Bertha is the one relative who would take her in.

Jalon had his own secrets he wasn't telling Phoebe that were bothering him. The problem is, Jalon's secrets weren't his fault in any way, and it kept him from friendship with his favorite cousin, Adam.

One of the reasons I loved this book is that Jalon's sister is named Leanna--my daughter's name, even down to the same spelling. Kathleen's characters are so personable that the reader wants to befriend them (except Bishop Weaver and Aenti Bertha). The place-settings seem like places I'd like to visit.

This is a five star book, two thumbs up, and a love letter in your mail box.

Kathleen Fuller has penned another heart felt story. I liked Phoebe and Jalon immediately and enjoyed the unique approach that the author took in making them pen pals. I completely understood how Jalon’s letters became such an important part of Phoebe’s life since she had to deal with her overbearing Aunt Bertha. I looked forward to reading their letters as much as they did. Jalon was one of my favorite characters because of his kindness to others.
Jalon and Phoebe are both filled with guilt over things that have happened in their past, and it’s the past that’s holding them from their future. This is a story of love, forgiveness and moving forward. The story moves a good pace and is a sweet read.
I received a copy of Written in Love from Netgalley and have given my honest opinion.

Written in Love is a pretty good read. I thought it was a unique Amish story. It was interesting how Jalon and Phoebe became pen pals and friends by accident. They have to overcome their past and learn to forgive and move on. 
Recommended. 
4 stars