Starting From Scratch by Kate Lloyd is a great new first person Amish romance. Eva is abruptly forced out of her home when her brother and sister-in-law move in to take over the farm. They arrive early, and her sister-in-law can’t seem to get her out of the home fast enough.

Eva moves into a little cottage on Yoder’s Nursery properly. She begins her new life as the café manager and an independent woman. She yearns for a new start to help her face the reality that at 29, she will not marry. She struggles with her past and past love, Jake and the fact that no good Amish man would ever wish to marry someone like her.

The story follows Eva’s new life and love interests, Mark, a local Amish man who is five years younger than her, Yoder property manager, Stephen, who not only is Mennonite but also an old friend of Jake’s, and Jake, her long lost love who decides to leave behind his wordly lifestyle and return home after his father’s accident.

I loved that a bit of mystery was added with the fires, missing dogs, and break-ins. This was a truly captivating story and one that was easy to read.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from netgalley and Harvest House in return for my honest opinion of the book. All opinions and statements expressed are strictly my own.

Starting from Scratch is another heartwarming and well written story from Kate Lloyd. In Starting from Scratch, readers meet Eva, who moves onto the property of a greenhouse and cafe to help manage the cafe- after being "pushed out" of her childhood home by her sister in law. Eva welcomes this as a fresh start for a new life- she has started to "give up" on being married, as she is 29 and past what most Amish consider "marriageable age". Her relationship with Jake years earlier caused many rumors to circulate when he left town after a barn fire.
Eva challenges herself to learn recipes for the cafe she must manage, and is encouraged by the greenhouse manager, Stephen. She has what starts out as a rough relationship with the greenhouse owner's housekeeper, Beatrice. As the story progresses, Eva and Beatrice grow closer and Beatrice is a tremendous support. Eva starts to question whether she wants to develop a relationship with Stephen, who is Mennonite, or to repair her past relationship with Jake- who has returned to help his parents now that his dad is ill. This is a multi faceted story that will give readers a wonderful few hours of relaxation and enjoyment!

STARTING FROM SCRATCH by Kate Llyod
For Eva getting booted out of her bedroom and home, because her brother and family came to move in early. Her new job wasn’t in the nursery, but in cafe, and wanting her to start right away. She hadn’t even unpacked yet. Wasn’t her dream job, hoping there would be single men to meet. In same area now, they knew Jake, an ex boyfriend she had spent too many years with. Rumors still are going around, and neither were baptised. Would it always be that way, rumors and no intended. Interesting and different theme, of being older, not baptised, and rumors. How did rumors start and the damage and hurt that is caused. Readers will enjoy another good Amish book by Kate.
Given ARC by Net Galley for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

Well wasn't this the little Peyton Place?! I can honestly say that I've not read an Amish book quite like this before. It combines several cultures, including the Englishers, Mennonites, Italians, and Amish, and features those of lesser character more prominently than most I've seen before. Forgiveness is one of the featured themes, but mostly there is just a LOT of drama. Drama all over the place!

Imagine leaving home and starting a new life. Eva has to leave her home and start life in a new way, even though this was not something she wanted to pursue. In this story of family, rumors, and finding courage and strength, I found myself full of emotions for Eva. The way she deals with her situation shows how maturity strengthens through trials. I enjoyed this story.

A fairly good Amish story, although I would give it 3.5 stars. It is the story of Eva, who is almost 30, and is unmarried. The man she loved left town years ago, and they did not stay in touch, although she still pines for him. When her brother moves into the family farm with his own family, her sister-in-law basically shoves her out the door. She goes to work at a nursery, that also has a café besides selling flowers. She is given a small cabin, and becomes the manager of the café. When her ex boyfriend Jake comes back they go back and forth of do they or don't they. Never see that much of a strong romance, but more with him than the other men around her. There were more parts I liked then disliked, but in many ways the gossip and almost meanness of the people turned me off. Would still recommend it, as it kept my interest and for the most part I liked the book.