This is the third book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first two, but I could follow this story.

The book contains some elements not common in Amish-themed books, such as having a dual storyline, one being set during WWII, so there are mentions of military and medical services. However, there is nothing described in graphic detail. As expected, spiritual issues are woven throughout, even in the military components of the story.

Leisel has always wanted to be a nurse, despite being raised in an Amish community. She leaves to become a nurse, and she finds an English boyfriend, Nick, who is also a nurse. Leisel can’t get quite grasp Nick’s decision to English in the Air Force, as she (and the Amish) don’t believe in war. The reader is also given insight into the life of Leisel’s grandfather, an Amish man who drove an ambulance during WWII. Is it possible for Liesel to have the life she dreamed of, even when her world seems to be crumbling around her? Will she return to her Plain life or follow her nursing dreams?

There are some unexpected twists. I enjoyed the different components, as well as the depiction of the differences between the Plain people and English world when it comes to things such as military service. I think I would’ve enjoyed it a bit more if I’d read the first two books, as I’d have had a better grasp of the family overall.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

I am a huge fan of this series. Leslie Gould has a wonderful gift of writing dual timeline stories that tie into family histories.
In this book we are re-introduced to the youngest sister Leisel who has left her Amish community to take up nursing. When her sister Marie becomes ill, Leisel returns home to help, only to have her own hopes and dreams fall apart. To help Leisel get through each crisis, Aunt Suz tells Leisel the story of Aunt Suz's father (Leisel's grandfather) and his involvement in WWII and how love anchored his choices.
This book can be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend reading the two previous books. It will truly give you a picture of this unusual family.
Book one...A Plain Leaving
Book Two...A Simple Singing
A wonderful series to own or to purchase for church or local libraries. Historical fiction at it's best!

This is an Amish story that deals with some sticky issues for the Amish like military service and medical service. Leisel was raised Amish but she has always been interested in being a nurse so she breaks away and becomes a nurse. She has an English boyfriend , Nick who is also a nurse. Leisel is still bound by her Amish beliefs even though she has no intention of joining the Amish church. When Nick decides to join the Air Force, Leisel cannot get her head around it because she does not believe in war.

The story goes back and forth between Leisel and the story of her grandfather, an Amish man who was an ambulance drive in France during WWII in a Civilian group that used conscientious objectors. Leisel’s Aunt tells her the story of her grandfather and also the story of the aunt’s fiancé who died in Viet Nam doing medical service as a conscientious objector.

The story is an examination of the main character’s beliefs and her final conclusion of what is God’s will for her life. The story is very well crafted and keeps you guessing till the end. It portrays some of the conflicts between the Plain world and the English world and how people on both sides choose to deal with the differences. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who love Amish stories and also those who love WWII stories. I was given a Kindle edition of this book for the purpose of a review.

A Faithful Gathering is book 3 in the Sisters of Lancaster Series and my favorite. I loved the relationship all three sisters had with each other. I loved how supportive of the sisters were when one of them came down with cancer. It has been four years since the death of her father and when Liesel left home and the Amish way to go to nursing school. She fully embraced the English life and even had a very supportive English boyfriend. Her life is turned upside down when she returns home to care for Marie. I loved Aunt Suz, the storyteller in all three of the books and she had a story to tell Liesel which was the story of her father who was Liesel's grandfather. I enjoyed both stories and kept turning the pages to find out what happened. Would Liesel get frustrated and return to the plain life or would she continue her dreams as a nurse? What about Gus and his involvement with an army nurse? And what about the relationship the sisters had with their sour puss mother?I could not put this book down until I found the answers and I was satisfied with the ending.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This book is due for release on February 5, 2019

This author usually incorporates some element of the armed services into her books, which is unusual for an Amish novel. However, it makes the reader really think outside the box and look at issues in shades of grey, which I enjoy. This book follows two different story lines - one in modern day and one in World War 2. There is a lot more action than you'd see in a typical Amish novel, though nothing graphic or offensive. Spirituality and religion are key parts of the military aspects of the story, and there are plenty of twists and turns!