Twins Katie and Hannah chose different paths at 18 but now Katie has another choice to make. Katie loves to draw- and she's very talented- but this is prohibited by their Amish faith. Hannah, who left home for NYC, returns for the funeral of their mother and takes one of Katie's works with her, leading to a trip to NYC for Katie. Fans of the genre will guess what Katie's life decision will be but it's a lovely tale well told. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC>.

Portrait of a sister delivers the struggles that Katie is dealing with and the secret she is keeping. With her life upside down and visiting her sister she must decide between the life she knew or the new life she is seeing now.

A complex beautifully told story about family and faith!

This was a remarkable tale about a sisters bond and the faith that may come between them... I really know nothing about the Amish people other than they don’t have any of the modern conveniences and have a strict faith... so my fast paced city girl mind was thinking, that this would be a very easy decision.... oh how wrong I was! At about halfway in this book I began to feel how real and raw Katie struggle was... to give up the only life you know and love would be difficult....

Katie and Hannah are twins they both grew up in an Amish community in Pennsylvania.... after their Rumspringa Katie returns home and Hannah moves to NYC.... two sisters torn apart by faith and distance... but when their mother passes and Hannah returns home they are reunited.... Katie is a talented artist, something that is forbidden by her community, but Hannah sees how talented she is and share some of her artwork with someone in NY.... Katie soon finds herself on a bus to the big apple, but is it to stay? Or will she return home?

Oh what an emotional journey we took with Katie in this book... A decision I thought would be simple turned out to be extremely complex... and Hannah seem to think it was an easy decision as well, her sister had talent and the potential to earn loads of money, why would she not move to the big city? Not to mention she would “escape“ the restrictive Amish life.... but what Hannah and I fail to see is that Katie’s hopes and dreams had always seen her life a certain way, and she didn’t necessarily want to give all that up... now Katie is torn between two worlds, two loves, and two homes, what will she choose?

A heartbreaking and heartwarming story that really gave me some food for thought, absolutely recommend!

*** many thanks to Kensington for my copy of this book ***

Hannah and Katie are twin sisters in the Amish community. Hannah prior to getting baptized decides that she wants to live the English way of life and moves to New York from Blue Ball. Their mom passes away and now Katie is in charge of taking care of her brothers, sisters, and her father. Hannah comes home and tries to talk Katie into leaving the order. Katie goes and visits Hannah in New York and is very overwhelmed at what she sees but she makes a very good friend in Eric. She has a man waiting for her at home but Katie feels like she just needs to stay as a mom. Hannah tries to do what she thinks is best for her sister but things don't always go that way.

The book was good, just have read other books with same premise and same story line.

Wow! I really enjoyed this book. I have read several of the cozy mysteries that Laura Bradford has written, so I was excited to see what she was branching out into something else. I'm so glad I took a chance on this story.

I automatically feel in love with the characters, Katie and Hannah. It was interesting seeing about how different their lives are, especially since Hannah left. I found myself drawn into the story and felt like I was right there within the story while everything was happening.

I love Amish fiction and this book didn’t fail to disappoint. A lot of love, twists, and surprises led to a satisfying end. Laura Bradford knocked it out of the ballpark!

You ever read a book that captures human emotion, the impact of choices, the hurt of loss, the joy of doing things you love in such a way that you can feel it, experience it and relate to it? This is that book. The author writes human emotion in such a real way. It’s a quick read. One where you fall in love with the characters but can’t see what’s going to happen until it’s happening. Unpredictable for sure. I didn’t expect the ending and to be honest wished it had been different. But it was written so well I couldn’t be too disappointed.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley. This has in no way influenced my review. I was not obligated to write a review. All thoughts are my own.

I love Amish stories and this book is very good. The writing is great and the character development even better. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you netgalley for the arc of this book. The opinions are my own.

“Bravery comes in all shape and sizes, Katie.”

There are some authors who can write in multiple genres and make it seem effortless. Laura Bradford is one such writer. I love her cozy mysteries, although I haven’t read her Amish cozy series yet, so Portrait of a Sister was a two genre hop for me (Amish & women’s fiction) from what I’m used to reading from Bradford. She more than succeeds in this new genre, too. Portrait of a Sister is emotional, it’s sweet, it’s romantic, and it’s GOOD. Best of all, it’s a clean read with faith elements from a general market publisher. More of this, please!!

Katie Beiler is a complex character, despite her simple Amish/Plain roots. Her heart feels pulled in different directions, even as she continues to grieve the loss of her mother and her new responsibility to take care of her father and siblings. She’s at a pivotal point in her life when we meet her – wrestling with her dreams and God’s will and where (if at all) the two meet. She’s also struggling with how she sees herself, and what bravery looks like on I loved this dynamic to the story as well. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is move outside of our comfort zones, and sometimes the bravest thing we can do is stay put and be ourselves. And y’all – I honestly didn’t know where Bradford would take Katie in the end – or where I wanted her to end up. The author does a suberb job of crafting that tension – in the character and in the reader – so we are fully invested in Katie & her story.

The supporting characters were nearly as delightful as Katie, though she was my favorite. From the Pennsylvania cast to the New York players, all the characters were smartly drawn and layered. In fact, I would love to see another story (at least) set in New York with Hannah as the focus! Even though I was frustrated with Hannah for a large part of the book, Bradford wrote her with enough dimension that I want to see where her own story goes from here.

Bottom Line: I love how the title of Portrait of a Sister applies in so many different ways to the book’s plot and its characters. The story and its gentle message really spoke to my heart, and Katie especially felt like a friend. My emotions ran the gamut much like Katie’s did, and I didn’t want to stop reading once I started. Laura Bradford created great tension without it becoming too heavy and also wove in a sweet message of faith without the story feeling preachy. A perfect read for fans of Amy Clipston, Shelley Shepard Gray, and Kathleen Fuller!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

I have never read a book by Laura Bradford before but after reading PORTRAIT OF A SISTER I will read every book she has written. I instantly felt like I was sitting at the Beiler kitchen table helping Katie try and figure out what direction her life was heading to. Her sister Hannah, jumped the fence and left her Amish life behind. She is Katie’s twin and Katie misses her terribly. Hannah has come back from New York City for her Mamm’s funeral and Katie feels like she doesn’t know Hannah at all anymore.

While Katie is trying to come to grips with her sister leaving and her Mamm dying she is also trying to convince her younger siblings that she won’t leave them too. She goes to visit Hannah in New York and suddenly Katie’s life is completely mixed up. She experiences things and feelings she has never had before and is torn on what to do. Hold on people, it’s going to be a crazy ride!

PORTRAIT OF A SISTER is filled with struggling with the choices we have to make and once you start reading, it is impossible to put down. Keep the tissues close by because this will be one heck of an emotional journey. Will Katie ever find her place in the world and be happy once again? Laura Bradford did a wonderful job of teaching the reader what Katie was going through, being torn between her Amish way of life and the freedom of the Englisch world.

Laura Bradford normally writes cozy mysteries, but let me tell you, she really knows how to write about family drama, heartbreak, and forgiveness. I can not wait to read more by this wonderful and heart tugging author. PORTRAIT OF A SISTER finds Katie and her beau, Abram, waiting to make their wedding plans until Katie’s younger sister is old enough to take over the family duties.

The only thing that brings Katie peace is when she draws in her sketch book which is kept hidden under her mattress. Sketching faces is forbidden in her Amish community and could get Katie shunned if anyone found out, but Katie can’t seem to help herself. When Hannah was home she took a few of her drawings and showed them to a gallery owner in New York. Katie has talent and can make a lot of money selling her drawings. Totally not what the Amish strive for in their simple lives. PORTRAIT OF A SISTER is filled with likable and relatable characters that will find their way into the reader’s heart

Nice, relatable storyline. Characters are well developed and likable. At first, this seems like any number of other ‘Amish’ romances, and that the story will follow a predictable path. Luckily, there are some surprises and twists to encourage the reader to get to the end to see how it will all work out.

4.5 stars. Lovely! I adored Katie - her loyalty to her family, the commitment she made to her mother, her devotion to her younger siblings, and her conflicted feelings about her art. This was a delightful exploration of what it means to be brave and be true to yourself. Highly recommend.

Portrait Of a Sister
Laura Bradford
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Katie Beiler was always the follower to her twin sister Hannah’s lead. That is until Hannah left their Amish upbringing for an English life—leaving Katie to find her own footing in a world that no longer looks as it once did . . .

Katie has always imagined her life being just like Mamm’s. It’s why she chose baptism and why she’ll soon marry Abram Zook. But ever since Hannah left, the only thing that truly makes Katie smile is the sketchpad in which she indulges her talent for drawing faces—a sin that, if discovered, could get her shunned by her family, her friends, and even Abram. Yet Katie sees her secret pastime as the only way to quiet a growing restlessness she’d just as soon ignore. That is until their Mamm’s untimely death brings Hannah back home to Pennsylvania, with a new outlook on life, a man she adores, and, soon, an invitation for Katie to visit her in New York City.

Suddenly, Katie is experiencing a freedom she’s never had, in a world she never imagined. She’s also spending time in the company of a fellow dreamer, someone who sees her as strong and brave and makes her laugh. But it’s when Hannah shows Katie’s drawings to a gallery owner that she truly finds herself at a crossroads between the only life she’s ever known and the powerful lure of an unfamiliar future. (Goodreads)

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Review:

When I read this book, I went through a vast variety of emotions. I had tears (right from the start), I laughed, I got mad, I felt happy…
It has been a while since I read a book that had me feeling so many emotions, and I think it takes a very special author to accomplish this.

The characters are well developed and well rounded. Although Katie and Hannah are twins, they could not be more different. Katie has chosen the Amish life, Hannah has left and moved to New York to start a new life. After their mamm dies, Katie is at a loss. She does not feel prepared to take over caring for everyone. But she promised her mamm she would, so that is what she plans to do. When Hannah comes home for the funeral, Katie realizes how different their lives are. She has always felt like she lived in the shadow of her twin and never felt she was as strong as Hannah. The one thing that she has that was all hers is her drawings. When she is drawing, she feels alive and confident. But her drawings are a sin and something that could get her shunned. Katie has some decisions to make about what she is going to do with her life.

This book is about choices that have to be made in life. Some choices are right, some are wrong, but they all need to be made in the course of one’s life. Some are easy to make, some are very tough, some have very little effect and some are life changing. The best we can hope for is that the right choices are made.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written women’s contemporary. The author is very talented in writing about the Amish way of life, and she has written a book that is heartwarming and heartbreaking. Pick up this book, you will not be sorry.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Since I am an avid fan of mysteries you won't see women's fiction on my bookshelf often...unless the book is written by the delightful Laura Bradford!
It is apparent that this author had a passion for the subject matter and as a result the characters came to life. The setting was described authentically and, as you read, you will find yourself seeing Amish life through the eyes off the main character. Though she is Amish, her persona is far from "plain". She has hopes and dreams just like her sister who had previously given up her family's way of life.
As the story progresses, the reader will think they know how things will unfold. However, the author's talented storytelling will take you on a journey you might not expect. Although this is not a mystery, there are some suspenseful moments where you will be turning the pages quickly to find out what happens. Will Katie become who she wants to be or who God wants her to be? Or maybe both are one in the same. With the help of her family and an unexpected friend, we find out what happens when you follow your heart and dreams even if they don't lead down the you expected path.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

Portrait of a Sister by Laura Bradford is set in Blue Ball, Pennsylvania in the heart of Lancaster County. Katie Beiler feels a deep loss when her mother passes away. Katie is now responsible for caring for her father, siblings and the related chores until (in the future) her sister, Margaret takes over when Katie marries her beau, Abram Zook. At night, though, when everyone else is asleep, Katie brings out her sketchpad. Katie enjoys drawing people, but she must keep her art a secret since it goes against their beliefs (Exodus 20:4). If it was discovered, it could get her shunned. Her twin sister, Hannah returns for their mamm’s funeral. While Katie was baptized into the Amish faith, Hannah left their community and lives in New York. After Hannah returns to New York, she sends a letter to Katie asking her to visit. When she left, Hannah “borrowed” two of Katie’s sketches and showed them to an art gallery owner. He would like to see more of Katie’s work. Katie finds herself in New York and spends her days exploring the city with Hannah’s friend, Eric. Katie’s artwork is a hit with the gallery owner and she is given the opportunity of a lifetime. Katie finds herself at a juncture where she needs to choose between the life she expected to lead, or one filled with artistic freedom.

Portrait of a Sister is a book about choices and the internal struggle we go through in trying to decide. It is particularly difficult when it involves a twin. Katie misses her twin, but she made a commitment to the Amish faith when she joined the church. It is hard to decide especially when one option involves artistic freedom along with a new, unexplored world with her twin sister. Katie needs to figure out which path God wishes her to take. Portrait of a Sister is nicely written, and it is wholesome. There is no foul language or intimate situations. However, I found the pace to be slower than I would prefer and there was repetition of information. It was hard to like Katie. She seemed to be on a pity party. Katie compared herself to Hannah and found herself lacking (has issues with self-confidence). Hannah, on the other hand, is determined to enjoy life to the fullest. She wants the items and lifestyle she saw in magazines. There are good life lessons contained in Portrait of a Sister. We need to have faith, pray and God will provide answers in his own timing. I could understand and feel Katie’s struggle regarding her art. My rating for Portrait of a Sister is 3 out of 5 stars. Portrait of a Sister is a sweet story of faith, family and finding your place in the world.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

As a fan of this author’s cozy mysteries, I was very excited to learn she was branching out from the cozies to tell this story. Well, let me just say she hit it out of the park!

Twins Katie and Hannah Beiler may look alike but now grown up their lives have taken very different directions. After their Rumspringa, Katie was baptized and prepared for her Amish life to continue. Hannah left her Amish life and moved to New York for an English way of life. Katie had a hard time after her sister left but she found solace in a sketch pad she purchased while away. She has a lot of talent, but drawing people’s faces is a sin that could have her shunned. When her mother dies, Hannah comes home. Hannah is so happy with her English life. She has a job, an apartment and a boyfriend. She wants Katie to join her in New York at least for a visit. When their father approves the trip for Katie, she is very unsure about his decision. She boards the bus and realizes what happens next could change her life forever.

I was immediately drawn in by Katie’s story. With Hannah gone Katie has many responsibilities for her family. With her mother ill and then dying, those responsibilities grow exponentially. Her marriage to Abram Zook is on hold until her next younger sister can care for the family. Hannah is off living her life and Katie has dreams too. Reading this story was like riding an emotional roller coaster. The weight of Katie’s decisions was very heavy and her sister seemed to not realize the difference between the decision she made and the one that Katie was making.

Ms. Bradford is an outstanding storyteller. She does her research and that brings the reality of this story to life. The struggle Katie was facing was detailed and reverberated off the pages. I loved reading both about Katie’s home life and her New York experience. I have never been to New York City and I am not Amish but I think my reactions would be similar to Katie’s. That city can be quite intimidating. I have always found the Amish way of life very interesting. We have a community not too far from us here in Wisconsin. I also enjoyed her descriptions of Katie’s drawings. The words sketched the pictures in my mind perfectly.

This author has written strong, poignant, Portrait of A Sister. I absolutely loved this story. Katie’s story will stick with me for a long time.

Fans of Laura Bradford’s Amish mysteries and Amish Fiction fans will enjoy this story. She has made a wonderful debut into Women’s Fiction too!

This book exceeds a 5-star rating! It will definitely be on my Best Reads of 2018 list and receives my Paradise Rating!

The author kept me guess throughout the read as to whether our Amish girl Katie will stay in her community and give up her heart’s desire. Her twin has already left the home and you wonder if she will join her, especially when she is given a taste of living English.
I love how we are shown what is really important and are we ready to grasp ahold and cling to what we think we want.
There are some surprises here some very sad happenings, and I loved how the family seems to pull together when needed.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.

I loved this don't knock the book of by its cover because she had a photo on because the amish can't take photos. It's very good story and the ending is good and the settings and characters and the cover fits the book perfectly. I loved it

Portrait of a Sister is an emotional story of how an Amish girl is torn between two worlds, her Amish world and the English world. Katie and Hannah Beiler are twins, the oldest children in their family. Now, young adults, Hannah left the Amish before being baptized and is living in New York City pursuing her dreams. She is able to visit and send letters to her family. Katie stayed home where she helps with her younger siblings and household chores. Her responsibilities become more demanding when their mother gets ill and is dying. Upon her death, Hannah returned home for the funeral and before she left, she encouraged Katie to go to New York with her. The problem is that Katie has been baptized and if she leaves, she will not be able to communicate with her family again. Katie has always been the quiet, thinking before leaping sister while Hannah is the leap before thinking one. Katie has some resentment built up towards Hannah for leaving. Katie has one secret- her drawing . She draws her family from memory at night by moonlight or candlelight. This is prohibited by the Amish faith and she could be banned for doing it but it is so important to her. Katie does visit Hannah and comes away with more confusion about her situation and what she should do. She enjoyed time spent with Eric, a friend of Hannah's while in the city. He was a good listener and was patient with her being overwhelmed by the busyness of the city. But, she feels a lot of responsibility for her family plus she is betrothed to Abram. Katie has a lot of decisions to make and much to come to grips with but while it is a stressful journey, it is rewarding to watch her grow.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing for the ARC through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions stated are mine only.

Laura Bradford's Portrait of a Sister was just an okay read for me. and I would give it three stars.