very well written and told story, with realistic feeling characters and a nice plot.
I enjoyed this book a lot.

This is basically the story of 2 English sister. They are not Amish but the story does take place in Amish country with the Amish people. The 2 sister Angela and Rose have always been rivals but they do try to get along but being totally different it doesn't always make for a smooth relationship.



Angela is married with kids all though she is not happy with her life or relationship. Rose is single and looking for a life that includes a husband and children. They are in their mid to late thirties and know they are kind of running out of time. Their mother has just passed away and they receive a letter from their Aunt Silvia. Who is their mothers sister and is a Mennonite living int he heart of Amish country.



The sisters decide to go visit Aunt Silvia. While there they find out more about their Mother's past, and take a deep look at themselves. As well as meeting Glenn an undecided Amish man. He is in his late 30's and has still not decided to join the Amish Church or not. Both women fall hard or him, but can either one of them ever have him or is he connected in ways that there should be no intimate connection?



The books chapters alternate between Rose and Angela's point of view and at times got a bit confusing. The book could of been a bit better if the the women weren't always either whining and complaining about their lives, or insulting each other. Sibling rivalry can be pretty bad I get that but in the book it is a constant thing.



With a lot of series the first book is either awesome or not so great. in this case it is the not so great. i will be giving this series a 2nd chance with the 2nd book in the series. I have read other Kate Lloyd books and enjoyed them very much, so I don't want to count this series out just yet.



I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

Not a good read... couldn’t even finish it. Normally love Amish books but this was just too dull

This is not just a story of two sisters who though aren't that close, still make efforts, this is a story of a family with long-buried secrets. I don't usually read drama and when I do, I make sure it is a story I would love. And this one didn't disappoint me. It's a perfect blend drama, love and intriguing plot points.

I can say, that this one speaks to me in an intimate way and that's a plus point. Overall, this is a delightful tale of love, family, and relationships. Should-be read by many!!!

So Sisters who have differences in their lives must find a way to overcome and strengthen their relationship after family secrets come out. Enjoy this author's characters and flow to the story.
Ebook from Netgalley and publishers with thanks. .Opinions are entirely my own

Kate Lloyd writes impeccably. Her characters are always fully developed and fit into the scenes where they are placed. Saying this, I could not get myself interested in her book, A Letter from Lancaster County. I have read other of her books and enjoyed them all, but even with a well-liked author, the random book will come along that just doesn't fit my taste. This is no criticism on Kate or on her book. It's a matter of personal taste.

Angela and Rose have received a letter from their Aunt Silvia in Lancaster County asking them to come for a visit. Each chapter is devoted to Angela or Rose in alternating fashion, giving their viewpoints on the things that are happening.

I just wish I could have lost myself in the book like I do with so many of the books I read, but this one eluded me. Three stars--just because I didn't like it doesn't mean you won't.

My thanks to Harvest House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

Having sisters, I can surely relate to the misunderstandings between Rose & Angela. My sisters and I have had a few (many) misinterpreted moments that should have never happened. As I have grown older and (hopefully) wiser, I now have come to that communicative is so important. If you have sisters read this novel!

Ik mocht wederom een Engels boek lezen over het leven van de Amish deze keer. Dit boek is geschreven door Kate Lloyd.

Het gaat over de zussen Angela en Rose. Zij gaan samen naar een tante in Pennsylvania. Hun moeder was daar geboren.

Het boek is geschreven als Angela spreekt Rose spreekt.

Angela is getrouwd met Frederik, hun huwelijk is niet echt oke. Ze heeft 2 kinderen. Het leven zoals het nu voor haar is geeft haar veel vraag tekens.

Rose daarin tegen is single, heeft haar eigen bedrijfje. Haar leven draait om haar werk en haar hondje.

Beide vrouwen worstelen met de dood van hun moeder 2 jaar geleden.

Dit boek is een zoek tocht naar de roots en God.

Een mooi boek dat eerst even wennen was om te lezen omdat je het ene hoofdstuk Angela leest en het volgende hoofdstuk Rose. Maar de moeite waard.

A Letter From Lancaster County , what a doosy of a sibling strife story, and yet they don't want to really want to admit how bad - and in a way they don't consciously know themselves-neither are totally happy with their life as it is - Angela is overwhelmed at home - maybe secretly she had her sisters easy single life (yeah right) and Rose wishes she had the loving family life her sister has (yeah right) - everything always looks greener don't they folks? They get the chance, after receiving a letter from their Aunt in Amish country to go to Lancaster- but what little did they know how majorly their lives would change - is it good or is it bad? Do they invite GOD to help them in their lives? Do they have JESUS in their hearts? you must find out these secrets and all the other secrets and boy are there other major secrets - for yourselves when you get this book.

I loved this novel. The simplicity of the cover captivated my attention....however, the story line captured my heart and soul. So much so that I did not want to finish this book. I have highly recommended it to all of my reading friends...and it will be at my local library soon. Thanks for the opportunity to read...and share...Kate Lloyd's latest masterpiece.

This was quite an enjoyable read and is the first time that i have read any novels by Kate Lloyd. I have always enjoyed Amish stories and this one made a change from many of the Amish books that i have read over the years. I am not that fond of stories whereby each chapter switches from one character to another, hence the four stars. In this case, it was two sisters - Angela and Rose. I am not going to write what the story is about for fear of spoiling for others, but if you enjoy a good Amish story, then this is worth a read.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers and this is my honest review.

In A Letter from Lancaster County, we find two sisters who are so far apart from each other that it hurts to watch their relationship at time. Both of them love each other so much but there are years of hurt, distrust, jealousy and regrets that have put up huge walls between the two of them. Their Mother’s death seems to be the icing on the cake for their relationship to spiral even further downwards.

When they receive a letter from their Aunt that they haven’t spoken to in years because of a strained relationship between their Father and their Mother’s family, they decide to visit her and the Amish town. It is here where they discover family secrets, the Mother they never truly knew and the family they were not allowed to really get to know.

We watch as the two sisters struggle not only with their past, their family but also with each other. They both have to come to terms with the unhappiness that is currently plaguing them in their life at home but also the past that is eating them up inside. A Letter from Lancaster County is a beautiful story of pain, regret, sister love, hope and faith. Even when we struggle and are in pain, we can always find a way to move forward if we have hope, faith and love in each other. It is a truly inspirational novel that you will love to read over and over again.

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

A Letter From Lancaster County by Kate Lloyd was a good book. I wasn’t sure that I was going to like this book, but in the end, it is a sweet story and one that I could see reading again in the future. At times I got bored while reading this book because there were parts that I think had too many details in it but that could just be me. I loved watching the relationship between Rose and Angela change throughout the book because it made the characters more relatable. I also liked that this book things from the Amish and Mennonite communities because I am a sucker for those types of books. I love that this book covered both worlds and I am sure that is one reason I enjoyed this book as much as I did. If you love contemporary fiction books, I am sure that you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

The first book in the Lancaster Discoveries series, Author Kate Lloyd bounces the story between two sisters, Angela and Rose. Seen from each perspective, the reader realizes that life is like that. Two people can see the same situation but from entirely different viewpoints.

Kate isn’t afraid to address such things at temptation and forgiveness, but does it very well; she doesn’t just write what people may want to hear but gives the truth.

Tension and second chances, this is a book worth reading if you enjoy Christian fiction that encompasses both the English and Mennonite world.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review

Was unsure if I would like this book but found I couldn't put it down. Sister, Rosa and Angela are completely opposite of each other. Each yearning for what the other wants but learning to be content it what they have. Travel to their Aunt Silvia's home they each find something about themselves and their late mother. The story was very descriptive with the scenery and what Silvia's house looks like. I think we can all relate to each of the characters. Thank you Litfuse and Kate Lloyd.

When I first read the title of this book, I thought I would be reading another Amish novel from a talented author. However, after sitting down and opening the first pages of the book, I quickly realized it wasn't your normal Amish fiction. This book was truly well written and kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved the sisters and visiting the country side of Lancaster County! 

I loved getting to know the sisters! Angela and Rose,sisters who long to reconnect their relationship, really kept me captivated through out this story. I enjoyed following them to Lancaster County to visit sweet Aunt Sylvia, their Mennonite aunt, watching them change and grow in their relationship and learning to accept what God has in store for them, instead of what they had in store for themselves. 

This story of faith, hope and longing is beautifully written and highly captivating. If you want your normal Amish fiction novel, that will be solely about the Amish, then this isn't the book for you. If you are looking for a 4 star, wonderfully chiseled contemporary story filled with heart capturing characters and a whirlwind plot line, that keeps you hanging on every word, then this is definitely the book for you! I can't wait to see the next book Ms. Lloyd has in store for her fans, especially if she mixes English, Mennonite and Amish together in a fantabulous read!

A Letter from Lancaster County is – at the outset – an intriguing blend of sibling rivalry, long-buried secrets, and romance. All set in Amish country (but only a couple of the characters are truly Amish).

The chapters alternate between sisters Angela and Rose (each in their mid-late thirties), and we follow them as they spend time with their aunt Silvia who has summoned them with a letter. Through the course of life with Silvia, the two sisters meet Glenn – a young man of Amish roots who has not yet joined the church (despite being in his late thirties as well) – and they both fall head over heels for him. Besides exacerbating the ever-present rivalry between Angela and Rose, the situation with Glenn is problematic because Angela is already (unhappily) married.

The alternating perspectives, which normally doesn’t bother me, did confuse me this time. I’m not sure why exactly – if it was writing style or characterization or something altogether different. But I had a difficult time keeping up with who was narrating.

Unearthing family mysteries is one of my fave elements in a novel. I enjoyed the bits and pieces we were given throughout this story – who was Angela & Rose’s mother before she met their father, why is there an Amish dress hanging in the attic, is Glenn possibly connected to the sisters on a much more profound level than just their disjointed love triangle? These were all questions I eagerly waited to answer as the story continued, and I’m still not sure I got the resolution I was seeking.

Bottom Line: I wanted so badly to love this novel. I love women’s fiction. I love books set in Amish country. I love books with long-buried family secrets. But I didn’t love A Letter from Lancaster County. There are aspects which I liked, but particularly Angela and Rose felt disjointed to me. Maybe it was the alternating perspectives that I mentioned earlier. Maybe it was their multiple emotional/relational/spiritual issues. Normally, I like dimension in a character but in this case each new ‘layer’ felt disconnected from the others. I can’t really pinpoint an exact reason for my lack of excitement over this story, which probably means it’s limited to me and most people will really enjoy it! So don’t let my ‘meh’ review keep you from trying it out for yourself!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Angela and Rose are on two different tracks. This makes sense they are sisters not the same person, but they both feel unfulfilled in their respective lives. Rose made me feel like she was a free spirit but looking to find her breeze to settle in life. Angela was a lot more like me as a mother, and feeling at moments that she hasn’t met her glory. Both ladies have to come to Lancaster county to see an aunt, and this is where the story gets great.

Going back to the area brings ups feelings and emotions that pull the reader in. I was breathless with excitment on seeing Rose bloom into a new character, and finding love. She needed some love. Both ladies face pieces of their family that were unknown and hidden, making them have questions that needed answers. Both women learn to embrace God, and hear his message, through time they grow to be women of strong faith.

The author did a great job of dialect in this book, the conversations were amazing and led the reader to feel like a fly on the wall hearing these first hand. I was swept into this wonderful county and could smell the fresh breeze, bread and feel the love that was all around. It was a moving start to what I anticipate to be a great series.

A Letter from Lancaster County by Kate Lloyd is the first book in the Lancaster Discoveries series. Aunt Silvia writes a letter to her two nieces inviting them to visit her in Lancaster County. Angela and Rose take Aunt Silvia up on her invitation and leave their homes in Seattle. Angela is married to Frederick, an attorney, who spends most of his time working. Her two children are focused on their friends, cell phones, and video games. They are overly indulged by their parents. Angela feels a void in her life and envies Rose who is single. Rose owns a mail order business that sends out handmade bird houses, wind chimes, etc. out to customers. She is jealous of Angela with her husband and children. Both ladies are unhappy with their lives. The two sisters are very different and have never been close. This could be the perfect opportunity for the sisters to bond and grow closer. Aunt Silvia lives in the old family homestead and, upon exploration of the attic, the two sisters uncover secrets. This discovery further divides Rose and Angela. Will these two sisters find a way to come together? Why did Aunt Silvia invite Rose and Angela for a visit? Join Rose and Angela on their journey of discovery in A Letter from Lancaster County.

The writing in A Letter from Lancaster County is different from the books in Kate Lloyd’s Legacy of Lancaster trilogy. Reading this Amish novel is akin to slogging through a giant pool of mud. The pace was lethargic. I did not think I would ever finish the tome. The chapters alternate between Rose and Angela’s POV (first person). It was hard to tell which one was talking. The first 80% of the book is the two sisters whining, complaining, criticizing, insulting, blaming (reminds me of two bickering teenagers) and thinking. I did like the last 20% of the book, but I do not see many people making it that far in the book. There is a nice epilogue at the end of the book (best part of the book). I am rating A Letter from Lancaster County 2 out of 5 stars. While I disliked the sisters, I was a fan of Aunt Silvia. She had a good outlook on life. I really liked it when Aunt Silvia said, “accept our losses, make the best of them, and trust the Lord to guide us.” The Christian element is very light (almost nonexistent). The cover, though, for A Letter from Lancaster County is beautiful. There is a preview for Simply Delicious at the end of the book. It is the second book in the Lancaster Discoveries series. I did like the sample provided. It has me intrigued. I wish A Letter from Lancaster County had been as appealing.

I wanted to like A Letter from Lancaster County. The cover is nice -- but I"m afraid that (and the Seattle references peppered throughout) was the nicest part for me. Angela and Rose spent so much of the book bickering, I quickly tired of them and found myself skimming until the end just to find out the novel's ultimate resolution.

The faith element hinted at on the back cover was just that, a hint; the promise of God's healing got little "screen time", overarched instead by sibling rivalry. I also felt that Angela's fangirling over Glenn -- when she was clearly married, despite her marital health or lack thereof -- was unnecessary and completely out of place for a Christian novel.