What a wonderful story. Leah and her brother lived together, but her brother had gambling problems and got into a lot of trouble. Leah had problems of her own as well. But God sent her neighbor, Jebadiah to the rescue. Jeb also needed help, so together they formed a deal to help everyone. Little did Jeb and Leah know, God had even more for them to ponder.. Great story of how God brings peace to our souls.

Will she see in time the treasure she had all along...

This is my first foray in the Amish community world, my only knowledge comes from the movie Witness and a book read some decades ago about a woman estranged or banned from her community.
As a non American person I guess they are a curiosity but I hope I would not act like the Englishers in the book, watching them as some zoo’s pets.

As a historical romance reader, I felt like I was still in the XIXth century, a strange feeling as other clues demonstrated it was no historically set story.

I am a bit sad for Leah as she feels like her life has less meaning if she is not someone’s wife and brings no children. Yet she was raised this way as it is the ultimate goal and as time has passed by, she senses she is left out.
I was raised to be myself, the better side of me I could be, and what ever the result, the others’ view of me was never influenced by my marital status or lack of it.
When Leah still feels the need to demonstrate she is like any other woman, to show her ability to keep a house well run but not who she really is, alas not so far from a regency woman displaying her skills at pianoforte, needlework and watercolors to be singled out.
In her very need to be accepted, I had the feeling she had a very truncated view of the place she would gain among her people by being married. So much that she in my point of view quite bullies Jeb to be someone else because it is what she wants and longs for when she is the one to put many conditions to their marriage of convenience.
Jeb has his faults but after being burned not only physically but also emotionally then shunned for all the wrong reasons, I do feel for him and understand why he is wary of his kin.
He is a wise man, he knows he is no charming self, and asks very few things. Just a bit of warm to keep his soul all cosy instead of his usual loneliness.
Why I much sided for him when I felt like Leah’s expectations were rather selfish and more about how she would be seen by outsider’s eyes than about making her marriage work.

A long self-reflective narrative as both main characters must introspect what they expect from their marriage but also what they really hope for which can be very different.
4 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Kensington, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

This book had me hooked from the first page and kept me up several nights in a row as I could not put it down. I was drawn into the beautiful love story that unfolded between Jeb and Leah in this heartwarming story about overcoming personal obstacles to open themselves up for the possibility of love. Forgiveness is a common theme among several characters and it was pleasant reading how each character forgave in his or her own way.

This was my first book from Patricia Johns and I am eagerly looking forward to reading more of her novels.

Thank you to Patricia Johns, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Jeb’s Wife by Patricia Johns is a romantic luxury to read. Two people scarred by fate find each other and agree to try to move forward. There is something special about people finding love after believing they are unlovable.

Jebadiah King has been alone for years. He was married to a woman who did not want to be married to him and she made his life miserable. Although she died years ago, he still feels alone and knows with his scars he will be alone forever.

Leah Riehl has always wanted to be married, but she knew that she could never have children. She wants a husband, a house, a future, but has been left because she can not have children. Leah’s brother gambled away and owes loads of money.

Leah and Jeb can help each other and marry. Together they can move forward if they learn to listen to each other and help each other. Jeb’s Wife by Patricia Johns is a romantic book for those who love true romance.

I have read and enjoyed other books by this author and this book is no exception. The plot is awesome, love how this story unfolds, and it was so real.
Loving and being rejected by someone you love, a catalyst between these two, Leah and Jeb. Then there is Simon, I wanted to shake him, but he does have an addiction, and it may seem simple to me to stay away, for him it wasn't.
An odd marriage, yes, but can these to forge a loving relationship, two broken souls, that have somehow found each other.
When the final pages were turned, I wanted more, I wanted to stay with these two, and I can picture and see what could happen, but you need to turn the covers of this book yourself. Enjoy!

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

This book is so good! This is a book that once you start reading it you don't want to stop. It's a heartwarming story about second chances, learning to trust again and forgiveness. I can't say enough good things about this book without letting a spoiler slip out, so all I'm going to say is grab this book, you won't regret it! Thank you Kensington Books - Zebra via NetGalley for the arc copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

One simple Word., Love. I loved this book. Why did I love it you might ask. Well it is about all the things the book is about. Marriage of convenience, second chance love, it is about daring to love again, fitting into a community. And learn learning how to trust people again. I am a happy little camper. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest review or opinion

An unusual look into the Amish life. Jeb and Leah both have been hurt in the past by loving the wrong person. This story reflects a different story about marriage than most Amish novels. The author did a great job emphasizing the importance of the give and take in marriage even in difficult situations. I was surprised that the community was so unforgiving. Simon was my least favorite character but had an important message. Recommended!

I read this book really quickly. And not because I wanted to finish it soon, but because I had to know how things turned out and what would happen next. It was a really good book and I found myself reading way past "bedtime".

I really loved the characters and the sacrifices they made, how they grew, seeing their weaknesses, seeing them recognizing their strengths and those weaknesses that held them back. It was a good book. If you love Amish fiction, I am sure you won't be able to put this book down.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

When Leah's boyfriend chooses another, younger woman to be his wife so he can have children, she looks to life as an old maid. But her troublemaker brother gets into debt with the wrong people, and suddenly reclusive neighbor Jeb has a proposition - marry him so he can gain his inheritance and he will give Leah's brother the money and Leah will finally have a place in the community as a wife. While neither want the romance and just want a friend to be a partner, love might be on the horizon. This is a cute marriage of convenience storyline with Amish characters that make a good light read.

A great story of love and struggles to fit in. I really like that the author sticks with the main characters throughout the story and doesn’t add in too many additional “filler” people. You are instantly drawn into the story and want to know what happens. It’s really sweet!

A very well written inspirational romance. Well crafted plot and characters. Not your everyday Amish romance. I highly recommend this book. I received an arc from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

Very intriguing story from Patricia Johns! Not your typical Amish romance. A marriage of convenience between two Amish adults. One to pay a debt and the other for land. Misconceptions about both people involved puts an added strain to their union. I was drawn into the story immediately. Each character has a strength and yet a frailty about them that endears them to the reader. It was a worthwhile read.

Leah is thirty years old and single, having been dumped by her fiance because she can't bear children. Leah has raised her brother, Simon, since her parents died in an accident. Jeb is Leah's and Simon's landlord and next-door neighbor. He is a widower who was badly burned in the fire that killed his wife.

Simon owes money for gambling debts and Leah cannot come up with that amount of money. The solution that presents itself is to marry Jeb, who needs a wife to keep his farm.

Patricia Johns has take the unfortunate circumstances of her characters' lives and created a "Beauty and the Beast" tale set in the Amish community of Abundance. Her characters are believable and the settings are quaint, adding only to the quality of the book. In writing this book, she has shown that no group of people is without struggles and trials. She has also shown the devastation gossip can bring, as well as how hard the fight is to overcome the gossip.

This is a five-star book, with two thumbs up, and a woman's touch in a bachelor's home.

Kensington/Zebra Publications and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Jeb’s Wife by Patricia Johns is a beautiful book that deserves a 5 star rating by me.


First of all, I love the book cover. I used the woman on the cover to imagine along with the author. I love reading Amish books. It is a new and interesting genre to me.


Themes of love,support,family,good food that makes me hungry are well navigated here.


Goodness gracious!,you need to meet a character called Jeb. I could empathise and sympathise with him at the same time.


My heart went out to Leah who has to deal with her gambling addict of a brother. I wanted to yell at Simon to quit gambling and be useful.


This book raised lots of emotions in me. I am glad I could connect to the book in a realistic human level.


I love the happy ending. There is beauty in ashes I must say!


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

This is the first novel I’ve read by Patricia Johns and I quite enjoyed the experience.
Leah and Simon are trying to make it on their own, their parents having died in a tragic carriage accident. With the large gap in age, Leah has been more a mother to Simon than a sister. Yet, we see Simon as a spoiled teen and Leah as an enabler, though she doesn’t know how to let Simon be.
With a gambling debt they’ll never be able to repay, they look to their neighbour for help.
Jeb lives with the physical scars of his dead wife’s betrayal and trusts no one.
What unravels is a story of lies, betrayals, a marriage in name only and the path to healing.
There are memorable characters – some likeable and others not.
The narrative is engaging and kept my interest piqued. Jeb is a quiet and kind man who was given horrible advice in his young life which he continues to pay for when the novel begins. Those who dished out the advice are still around and it was hard to find a reason to like them.
Leah just doesn’t know what to do and she’s not the best at making wise decisions. Her likeable demeanor and quiet ways make up for it though.
Her younger brother Simon needed a good kick in the rear. He didn’t quite “get it” so I found myself getting frustrated with his character.
In the end, the story resolves satisfactorily.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

4.5 stars.
A beautiful story with a very lonely wounded hero. Set in an Amish community, “Jeb’s Wife”, by Patricia Johns (Kensington Books/Zebra), is a really striking account of a very private man’s quiet acceptance of loneliness, isolation even. Jeb’s lucidity about himself and how his community sees him is poignant. The lack of hope, his bleak past and the future’s emptiness are constant reminders of the loneliness Jeb just got used to.
Jeb is a great character: scarred, lonely, honorable. A very practical man, too. He sees himself as a “romantic disappointment” but, deep down, he’s still one of the last romantics. How lovely that the author managed to combine the almost complete lack of hope with this veiled, deep-rooted belief in love.
Jeb’s scars and issues don’t vanish with time and hinder his daily life and work.
I found the writing style crisp and articulate, with some very beautiful, touching moments depicting Jeb and Leah’s emotions and points of view.
The way Jeb and Leah slowly begin to trust each other is also moving.
It was hard for me to understand (or empathize with) some aspects of the Amish mentality/way of living.

Took a bit to get into this one, mainly because I didn’t like her brother Simon. A marriage of convenience, since she couldn’t have children and he was scarred. Lots of issues they needed to work through, and once I got into the story I had a hard time putting it down. Highly recommend this book and author. Worth the read.

This was such a sweet story of two broken people. Having an Amish mans prospective made this book unique. Jeb's loneliness and longing brought a real grittiness to the story that made your heartache but need to know more. This book was fantastic and I finished it in one day.

#Jeb'sWife#NetGalley
Leah is a single Amish schoolteacher. She has been hurt by her previous beau who left her due to her not being able to have chikdren. Leah brother Simon who she had raised after her parents died in a accident has gambling debts which they do not have the money to pay. There landlord a Amish man named Jeb who has been badly burned and scarred from a fire. Jeb is due to inherit the farm where they live but there is a clause in the will that he must be married by a certain date.Jeb makes a deal with Leah to have a marriage of convenience where he will pay Simon's gambling debts in exchange for marriage to Jeb. Will the two people who have been hurt and very lonley find out what a true marriage will be as time passes?