Starting from Scratch is an awesome Amish story about Eva Lapp, a twenty-nine-year-old that finds herself contemplating the rest of her life. She feels as though she is going to become an old maid. Finally, after she finds herself needing new lodging and a job, she takes a position managing a small cafe.

Altogether a well-rounded story that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what Eva would do next. Her choice between being Amish and also being intrigued by the Englisher lifestyle kept the drama going strong.

The characters were well developed and I found myself feeling like I actually knew them. The author's descriptions of the countryside made me feel like I was there with them.

I was provided with a copy of the book but all opinions are my own.

The second book in the Lancaster Discoveries series is as different from the first as sausage gravy and brown gravy. If you haven't read my review of 'A Letter from Lancaster County' you should. It was set in Amish county but wasn't specifically about the Amish. We are in the same community, the same plant nursery, and mentions of some of the same characters. This book however? Pure Amish-ish. In 'Starting from Scratch' we meet Eva Lapp, a proper Amish woman, who takes a job at the nursery owned by a former Amish man (never baptized so never shunned) and lives in a small cottage on the property. Having been in love when she was younger with Jake Miller, a troubled young man from her community, he went away and she never moved on. At 29 the world thinks her an old maid and passing her prime. At 29 she's as skittish as a someone more than half her age. At 29 she embarks on real life for the first time.

I had such hopes for this book. I was looking forward to picking up where Angela and Rose left off in the previous book. I mean Rose is mentioned but she's off screen and out of town throughout the entire story. Her and Glenn have apparently had a daughter but are away during all that happens in this book. I'm going to do this review a little different but I think you'll understand why when I'm done. There was a LOT that happened in this book. Eva going out on her own, someone breaking into the cafe, friends running away, trouble with the law, and a barn fire. These scene was extremely difficult for me to read. To be honest I don't know that I'll ever be able to read about a structure fire without a great deal of anxiety again. I need to move past this quickly so here goes. I love Kate Lloyd's ability to tell a story, however this one didn't hit it for me. I'm gonna tell ya why . . .

Ach. Every. Single. Person. Said this. Constantly. Eva was the biggest offender but oh the tomatoes I was hearing it even when it wasn't written.

Love star. I'm not a fan of love triangles, as a rule, but you add more to that and just um, nope. I struggle to understand how everyone thinks that Eva is an old maid but then blam, she takes this job and her lost love returns home and have the district, and an outsider, takes a likin' to her. She goes from no prospects to four in the blink of an eye. Now, she doesn't necessarily like all of them but still. . .four!?! And not to spoiler it for ya but I'm not a fan of the one she ended up with.

Secondary characters. I felt meh about some of the character development here. Beatrice was sold as a hard-edged judgemental Englisher but she didn't stay that way and I didn't see any catalyst or development really for that to change. Perhaps I'm just dense? Same with Eva's sister-in-law Marta. Something gave but I've yet to figure out what.

Eva. I'm sorry but I seriously felt like Eva was very immature and a bit over-the-top. I mean, I get that she's lived at home with her parents for 29 years. Yes, she's 29. But she came across as never having been even left home alone much less had an independent thought.

That all being said, though seriously 4!?!, I still enjoyed this book. It's not my favorite by this author but that's OK. I do want to address that reason behind why I didn't care for whom Eva ended up with in her little star thing. He came across as overbearing, wanting his way, somewhat childish, and not necessarily all in for the right reasons. I mean I'm sure they will be happy together and that the things he felt lacking were in there somewhere but they definitely didn't come across to me. Eva was an interesting woman with a lot of trepidation of being independent and living life on life's terms. She came a little way through this book and I'd be interested to see her truly grow up in the future. And I'm still waiting for some things from book one to be wrapped up as well. Hint. Hint.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Harvest House, NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Kate Lloyd put a different spin on Amish life in Starting from Scratch, that I never thought about before, leaving me captivated in the first few pages. With her vivid descriptions she deposited me right in to the midst of mystery and romance.

So many great charactors kept this story going for me. I cared for each one but Eva just captured my heart with the way she was treated and the words spoken against her. She was loving, hard working, and followed God. It reminds me not to believe everything I hear.

This story kept me guessing on how it would end. Then, it didn't go as I imagined it would. I'm over it though and I enjoyed every page.

A great great read.

In so many romances, it is easy to tell who will be the bride and groom from the very beginning. Kate Lloyd has written a book that doesn't give away this secret until the very end.

Eva Lapp is still living at home and single at the age of twenty-nine. She had a love once but he left town and "jumped the fence" as the Amish put it. Now Eva hears he's back in town since his father's had an accident. The Amish grapevine says that he has a beard which means he's married, that he brought a girl home with him who is pregnant and that he's the father of her babe.

Eva knows the speed at which the grapevine moves, since they've already declared that the few months she spent with her aunt were so that she could have a baby and give it up for adoption.

When the opportunity comes for her to work as the cafe manager that's associated with the greenhouse nursery, Eva finds herself with more male attention than she ever anticipated, but still her heart longed for Jake.

Kate has woven together a story like no other Amish story I've ever read, there is a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and growing friendships that add color to the novel.

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and an African violet for your kitchen shelf

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

Eva has become an old maid at the age of 29 or so she thinks. During her rumspringa she has made some choices that has caused unsavory rumors to be spread. When her brother's family moves into the family home she finds herself needing to find a job and a place to live. She finds both at the local plant nursery managing their café. There she meets Stephen, a Mennonite and starts asking herself if life would be better living in the English world. Shortly after starting her new job she learns the love of her life, Jake, is back to help his dad run the farm after a terrible accident. Will true love overcome past obstacles?

Eva, Eva, Eva. I liked her character but at the same time I wanted to shake her. She was so timid and meek it made me furious at her. I wanted to reach in the novel and tell her to grow a back bone. She let too many people, relatives and friends included, walk all over her. Starting with the day her sister-in-law, Marta, moved in. At 29 Eva should be able to stand up for herself but she rarely did until almost the very end of the novel. She had very little self respect for herself. I know the Amish are not to be proud and are non confrontational but I don't think you are to let everyone run over you.

I don't want to give the ending away but I don't think Eva made the best choice in men. I was very disappointed in the ending due to that one fact alone.

Even though I was disappointed in the ending this was a great book and I enjoyed reading it. You don't always get the ending you want in life or in the books you read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harvest House Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book is from one point of view. Eva is trying for find independence and when the past comes back she starts to question everything she does and what the future holds. Can she figure out what she wants or will it all be to much for her and she seeks her parents help?

At the beginning of this I really enjoyed it. I loved how this sweet "old Maid" amish girl was seeking her independence and finding herself on a new journey. I didn’t like the ending at all I didn’t like who she ended up with I felt like it was pushed on her instead of letting Eva make her choice. I felt like through the whole book the author seemed to be portraying this need for independence with Eva and the in the end she really didn’t have it, the choice was made for her and she was going with it no matter what. I also wish the author would have given the point of view from other characters the story seem to be missing something if that make sense. This book is a good clean read and was over all a fun I really enjoyed Beatrice and Stephan.

The author has presented us with a story of an Amish woman whom the rumor mill has tried to destroy her reputation, and at twenty-nine has still not joined the church.
While Eva Lapp has tried to go on with her life after the love of her life left their community, she is in for a surprise when Jake comes back. Here is another character that gossip has tried to destroy his character, and now he has returned after many years and he wants Eva.
Eva is now in a position of working and being on her own, and there are at least three men interested in this sweet lady. Will she end up with any of them? I found myself rooting for one and then the other.
We are given a bit of romance, mystery, and family dynamics, as Eva’s brother moves home to take over the farm.
What a great story here, and there is never a dull moment, and when the book ended, I really wanted more!

I received this book through the Publisher Harvest House, and ws not required to give a positive review.

This is my new favorite book by Kate Lloyd! I loved it!! The character's dealt with issues that we all deal with and, like all of us, some handled them better than others. Pick up a copy of Starting from Scratch and read Eva's story. She'll draw you in and keep you guessing til the very end!

I found this book very different from other Amish novels. It was not as believable as other stories. Eva, a spinster at all almost thirty years old was very naive. Being force out of her childhood home by her brother and sister-in-law did not ring true. No one quashing the endless rumors was irritating. I thought the ending was a letdown.

This book is wonderful.. I enjoyed all the characters in this book. They each serve an important part of the story. It is a look at how ones past can affect you and rumors that haunt us from our youth. Eva has been haunted and hurt for years after Jake left. She is moving at 29 years old to work on a nursery. She thought she would be working with plants but it turns out she is going to run the café on the property. Not long after her move she is told that her old boyfriend has returned. He has come back because his dad had an accident . They have to work through whether they want to join the church and be baptized. If Jake is willing to give up his English habits after so many years. Their are 3 men other than Jake who show interest in Eva and he is having issues with this also. Eva is not sure how to react either. But in the end she only one man holds her heart.

One book that will have you guessing till the end. Strong characters, humor and mystery intermixed in the story. Edge of your seat page turner.

Starting from Scratch is a great read! It is probably my favorite written by Kate Lloyd.
5 plus stars.

Starting from Scratch is what Eva Lapp has to do. Considered an old maid she moves to a new community where she becomes the manager of the nursery's cafe. Learning to manage the cafe and now she has a couple of new men who are interested in her. Then, along comes her first love Jake, who has been gone under suspicious circumstances and bringing an unmarried women with him. Can she learn to trust him or go on with someone else. There is conflicting emotions and trust issues.

I received a copy from NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Net Galley for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
A sweet story about starting over--and finding true love in the process. It sure took Eva a while to make up her mind, and it got a little tedious waiting for her to decide. Still, it was an enjoyable read.

Eva or Evie, as she fondly referred to by her friends and family, is keen on making a fresh start. Her long-time sweetheart, Jake Miller left Lancaster County after alleged arson attacks on a nearby farm. She is determined to the most of her singlehood despite the fact that twenty-nine most people in the Amish community refer to her as an "old-maid". Evie eagerly takes the position of a cafe manager at a local nursery despite having limited cooking skills to break free from the normalcy of her Amish life, However, she still has to make all important decision on whether or not she will get baptised and become a full member of the Church and the Amish Community.

Personally, I have never come across Amish people in Kenya so reading about their culture, beliefs and lifestyle from a young person's perspective was a welcomed experience. Readers especially young women will be able to relate to the usual societal pressures of settling down especially when they are career-oriented and postpone the decision until their late twenties and early thirties. Unfortunately, those who mount this kind of pressure sometimes fail to consider the life experiences of the young women because they complete information about their lives. Though the love quadrangle that eventually forms around Eva made the storyline interesting, I was not amused by her final choice, I felt that the author did not help the reader know why she decided to settle down with a particular love interest.

Starting from Scratch is a well-paced read that will keep readers engaged in the lives of the people in this community. They will be touched at the Amish people are able to live without modern conveniences but at the same time maintain this strong sense of community. Even though many readers will not be familiar with some of the Amish words, they will able to quickly deduce them as they continue to follow the characters' interactions and conversations, so that should not hinder you from reading this book.

Overall, I appreciated my time with Eva and her community and I have only kind things to say about this book. Though, I am not sure whether I will be keen on following the series.

This is the first book I have read by Kate Lloyd. It was a nice sweet tale of the life of an "old maid" by Amish standards. Eva Lapp finds herself thrust in a new situation and has resolved to herself that this is her new life. False rumors spread through the Amish community and somewhat tarnished her reputation. She moves to a small cottage to perform a job she wants - or so she thought.

For an Old Maid she has 3 potential male suitors - only 1 of them is a member of the Amish church. There may be 4 potential suitors. The last - and oldest - one's intentions are really clear.

She makes her way in her new job. She befriends a somewhat prickly older woman. She finds herself stuck in the middle of some difficult situations. She has some hard decisions to make.

My thoughts: I don't find a lot about this story believable....but what do I know?! This book was a sweet tale. I don't really agree with her final choice in a man.

I received this book as a reviewer with no obligation to post a review.

(I will post on Amazon and other sites once it is open.)

This was a sweet Amish romance about a young lady who feels lost and alone and feels the past holds her back from any kind of future, but when the young man from her past comes back into her life will she haven a future with him? I enjoyed the main character and how she grew and developed throughout the book.

I enjoyed this book, but it did take a little time to get into. I felt that the plot was a little slow, but I loved the main character, Eva, and wanted to know what was going to happen.

I so enjoyed this book. Kate Lloyd got all the ingredients right in Starting from Scratch. I always enjoy books by Lloyd and this was no exception. The mix of heartfelt feelings, humor, and a mystery was just right. I would recommend this book highly.

Starting From Scratch is a beautifully written inspirational romance. I am not usually a fan of Amish books but I really enjoyed the plot and the author’s writing in this book.