Marriage "Ain't" Easy

Marriage definitely "ain't" easy, and Ms. Lillard brought that to the forefront with More Than A Marriage. She wove a story about a young couple and the realities of adjustments that take place in a marriage. In the end, it all comes down to trust, faith, and above all love.

Tess loves Jacob, but lately he is being bossy, ignoring her and worse he won’t take her to visit her parents. She had had enough and decided she would go back to live with her parents. She only made it to her neighbors house where her friend kept trying to put her off for one day after another.
Since she is Amish she has to arrange for a driver which also slows her down.
Their neighbors invite Jacob over for supper so Tess and he can talk some things out, but things seem to go from bad to worse. Jacob doesn’t understand what she is so upset about, but threatening to sell her goats might have been that straw that broke the camels back.
They are both frustrated about no land available for them to purchase so they can setup own household. Jacob has been working roofing houses and can’t wait until they find a farm so he can return to doing the work he loves.
It’s unusual to see this side of an Amish relationship much less marriage. I liked this book a lot. I was provided an e-copy of this book through NetGalley.
The opinions are my own and while encouraged to provide a review it in not required.

I found this to be kind of boring a d while I like this type of book - this did not interest me and kind of drug on.

love this book. Amy style of writing will have you reading till the end. Her books mix humor and knowledge in the books.

Love the book will recommend it to anyone love it love it

I thought it was terrible, Jacob was a pain, unfeeling and selfish and she apologies.
I didn't like Jacob much at all, and Tess seems to apologise and give in when i felt she should have stood her ground. Not very impressed.

Jacob and Tess have only been married three years. They’re still newlyweds right? It doesn’t seem that way to Tess. They moved from Clarita where her parents live to Wells Landing where his parents live. Not being able to afford a farm, Jacob got a job as a roofer until he can save up enough money. He therefore is allowed a cellphone for work.

Tess is lonely for her parents and she’s lonely for her husband. If only he could pay as much attention to her as he does his cellphone. Other women’s husbands don’t ignore their wives like Jacob does. She finds solace in her goats but the pesky critters keep getting out and eating the neighbor’s crops. Jacob has threatened to get rid of them.

Tess is terribly unhappy and finally decides she’s had enough. She’s going home to Clarita. She packs her bag and goes to spend the night at her friend Clara Rose’s house until she can call a driver the next morning. Clara Rose and Obie have a wonderful marriage. Why doesn’t Jacob look at her like that anymore?

Read Tess and Jacob’s story. Tess is having a huge pity party. She’s feeling quite sorry for herself. It isn’t until she stays with Clara Rose and Obie for a while…Clara Rose keeps coming up with reasons Tess needs to stay another day….that she starts to see how selfish she’s been.

Does Tess ever leave Jacob and Wells Landing? Does Jacob ever put the cellphone down long enough to pay attention to his wife? Do they work out their differences and save their marriage?

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a different book this Amish romance is! Amy Lillard has taken a huge step outside the typical Amish fiction work and I love it! I appreciate the fact that she steps away and dares to risk acceptance of a different storyline than the norm. This book is inviting and one I read with relish!

Tess is upset when Jacob uses his cellphone that he received from his work boss to use for business. The Amish normally do not use cellphones except for business, but Jacob makes a facebook page and stays on it all the time. Tess feels forgotten and disrespected. Jacob just doesn't see that he is hurting Tess.

I can understand how Tess feels to want to be noticed and cherished by her husband. In marriage, it is important for couples to do things together and feel happy to be with their spouse. I would feel neglected as well, but I would continue to be faithful to my marriage and would not consider giving up. I really love that this book veers from the works of Amish fiction.

My rating for this book is 5 stars *****
I received an ebook of this Amish fiction from netgalley. No review was required. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Struggle is Real!

Want a quick, good read in the coming days? Then Amy Lillard’s Latest novella, More Than a Marriage, is what you are looking for!

Lillard takes readers back to Wells Landing and tells us the story of Jacob and Tess Smiley. Jacob, who works hard away from home – and spends too much time on his cell phone…and Facebook. Tess, who has two goats she adores, that provide extra income – and give her an outlet for her frustration over Jacob. Although Jacob and Tess have been married three years, their future looks dismal – separation seems to be the only solution…or is it?

I was given More Than a Marriage in exchange for my honest review. Although other characters from previous novels in the Wells Landing series are mentioned, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. I found this novella to be a very interesting read, as Lillard came upon a storyline in the Amish genre that you do not see very frequently – marital strife to the point of separation. More Than a Marriage reminds readers that the Amish are human too – even troubles with their marriages. We outsiders/Englischers tend to idolize and romanticize the Amish – even putting them on a pedestal at times. Amy Lillard reminds us that we’re all human, all have struggles, and all need the help of others and God. PS. For Wells Landing fans…Jonah’s story is next!!!

Good book about the struggle of keeping a marriage together and finding true love in each other while keeping the reader invested in the characters.
Ebook from Netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions entirely my own.

More Than a Marriage by Amy Lillard is about the ways of marriage, faith and romance. It is the story of Tess and Jacob of Well's Landing drew me in immediately. More than a Marriage is part of the Quilting Circle series. I have enjoyed this series. The characters are well developed and her story lines are well researched. More than a Marriage covers an issue that is not often thought about when one thinks of Amish and marriage vows. I was delightfully surprised at how she approached this topic. Her plot takes us to the story of Tess and her husband Jacob. They are new to the community of Wells Landing. This community has a way of helping their own. They are a growing community that has somewhat embraced new ideas and technology while still trying to stay within the community rules.

Jacob’s family resides in Wells Land while Tess’s family remained in Clairta. Tess wanted to live a simple life while Jacob was becoming more absorbed into the Englisher life with him working for a roofing company. He was more focus on his cell phone than listening to Tess when they did have time alone. There were great struggles and Tess felt like she was all alone when she would see her quilting circle friends and their happiness being married. Marriage takes work and Tess felt as if she had done all she could to have Jacob’s attention. When Jacob mentioned selling her goats---well that was the end for Tess. She was going to leave and return to her family in Clairta. She spent time with Clare Rose and Ollie.

Amy Lillard keeps her readers on the edge of their seats. The characters come to life right off the pages. Her characters go through real life struggles.

I received a free copy from NetGalley with the only request to write an honest review about the book. No money was exchanged. This is my review written in my own words.

This book is fantastically enchanting. This has a kaleidoscope of emotions and is enlightening to show that marriage isn't perfect and that you shouldn't expect it to be - it is work - hard work and if you love the person you are married to you will fight hard to keep the marriage together. GOD is love and if you keep HIM the center of your lives you cannot lose. If you have a good bunch of friends like Tess and Jacob did then you should have great advice to listen to - if you are smart enough to listen to them. Tess and Jacob are married and they are struggling because Tess feels neglected and Jacob feels misunderstood and neither are talking it out with the other, so what is going to happen? will they work things out? How does GOD fix this? how do the friends intervene?

More Than A Marriage by Amy Lillard is A Quilting Circle Novella. Tess Smiley has been married to her husband, Jacob for three years. This last year they moved from Clarita to Wells Landing, Oklahoma where the land is not as expensive. Tess is now three hours away from her family, and she does not get to visit them as often as she would like. Jacob has taken a job with A-1 Roofing and works long hours. When Jacob is not working, he is on his work phone. Tess looks forward to Jacob coming home, but, he spends all his spare time playing with his phone. He even has a Facebook account. Tess has yet to become pregnant, but she has her goats. They are her babies. Tess sells their raw goat milk and also makes it into lotions, soap, and cheese. She puts the money aside to help them purchase the farm of their dreams. Jacob sees things differently from Tess. He thoroughly dislikes her goats. He is sick of them escaping from their pen (they would quit if he built them a proper enclosure). After escaping again, Jacob tells Tess that he is selling the goats. Jacobs (this is a big mistake) states he is the head of the household and it is his decision. Frustrated and unhappy, Tess packs her belongings and leaves. She only intends to spend one night with nearby neighbors, and then head home to her parents. The kindly neighbors try to bring Jacob and Tess back together. Is there a chance for Jacob and Tess’s marriage?

More Than A Marriage is a well-written novella with a good life lesson for all couples. Before computers, cell phones, tablets, and computer games, families used to talk and spend time together. Communication is important to all relationships, but especially with couples. It was interesting to see both sides of the argument. I liked how the author showed us how Jacob and Tess felt. I give More Than A Marriage 4 out of 5 stars. I thought the novella was just the right length for the storyline. The book is easy to read with a good flow. I appreciated the characters and it was nice to get an update on the characters from the previous novels. The ending is expected, but it is heartwarming. More Than A Marriage can be read as a stand-alone story. I look forward to returning to Wells Landing soon courtesy of Amy Lillard.

This is a more modern Amish story and I liked it! This young couple has found that a job outside of the Amish community and the cell phone that the husband needs to check in with his boss causes a rift in their marriage.. I enjoyed the true to life situations in this Amish romance. I requested and received a copy through NetGalley.

Communication is the key to any relationship and especially so in a marriage. The Amish are not immune to this problem. Book Three of the Quilting Circle novella series takes the reader back to Wells Landing, Oklahoma and finds Amish newlyweds Tess and Jacob Smiley at an impasse. Tess feels neglected by Jacob. Jacob doesn’t understand why after a long, hard day at work he can’t just relax, check messages and play games on his smartphone he uses for work. When Jacob threatens to get rid of Tess’s precious goats she decides she’s had enough and makes plans to go back to her family in Clarita, Oklahoma. Will the friends she’s made in Wells Landing convince Tess her place is with her husband at home, or will she finally leave Jacob, her goats and new friends and return to Clarita? Will Jacob realize he has been selfish and change his attitude? Author Amy Lillard writes endearing stories with relatable characters. It’s like going home to Wells Landing and getting an update on ‘friends’ you’ve met from other books in the series. A quick-read that I enjoyed and recommend with five stars!
I was provided a complimentary copy from Net Galley.

Such a wonderful novella. I had to finish right away. I loved Tess and Jacob. This shows that no matter who you are you need to communicate. Always have to keep this in mind. I cried many times throughout this book. I received an ebook copy of this from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

More Than A Marriage is the first book in a long time, I started reading and could not stop until I was finished at one sitting. What an awesome book! I don't think about the Amish having problems like everyone else from their marriage to their cellphones and most of all communication. In all of us, if we don't communicate how can we solve our problems, especially in relationships and marriage? The Author splendidly wrote this novel in every way. I will be recommending More Than A Marriage by Author Amy Lillard to my family, friends, our library and anyone else who will listen.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and NetGalley. This review is one hundred percent my opinion.

Once again Amy Lillard has convinced me that I must visit this special place known as Wells Landing, when the series started I was planning a vacation to this new Amish destination, only to find out I must travel through the pages of this wonderful series. I am blessed to have the honor of reading this book prior to it's release. In this return to Wells Landing we walk with Tess and Jacob Smiley who have been married for three years and Tess is feeling disconnected from her husband whom she adores and that is obvious. Tess feels the need to make changes after Jacob tells her he is getting rid of her goats. This journey of the heart is a lesson in love and the 10th commandment "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.” Tess has a jealous longing for what her friends all seem to have and her relationship with Jacob is lacking. Is their love strong enough to show Tess how much she really has? I so enjoyed this journey to Wells Landing it truly makes you step back and reflect on all the things you have in your own life and how wonderful your life truly is. Thank you Amy Lillard for sharing your talent with everyone.

More Than a Marriage is another great addition to the Quilting Circle novella series. This story had me turning pages like crazy to see what would happen between these two characters!

Tess and Jacob had quite a few serious marital problems rising up between them. It was painful to read about the way Tess felt neglected and lonely. I have to admit that I really felt for Tess and I did not like Jacob very much. He did grow on me throughout the course of the novel, a little bit.

I thought that the author did a very good job of showing the lack of communication between Tess and Jacob, as well as problems that arose relating to the way women and men’s roles were viewed in the Amish family. This novella was a fascinating peek into an Amish marriage that needed help.

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Once I started reading this book I didn't want to put it down. I woke up at 2am just to finish it. That's how good it is. Had me kept guessing what was going to happen next. This is the third book in Quilting Circle novella series. Tess and Jacob have been married for 3 years. After they got married they started having problems. Jacob worked for the English and he had a cell phone that he was always on. Tess feels that he doesn't spend time with her. She also feels that he doesn't pay her any attention. Tess see's how her friends marriage's are and she wants the same thing as them. Are they strong enough to make their marriage work? Or will it fail? I highly recommend this book.
I was given this book by the author and Net Galley. I was not required to write a review.