A very well written Amish romance. Good plot and character dynamics. Fans of Amish romance will not be disappointed. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

This book is part of the Amish series, Maidels of Morning Star. This book is number two in the series but can be read as a stand alone. Lydianne moved to Morning Star with a secret and motive. She is involved with the Amish Marketplace but applies for the teacher’s job. Jeremiah is the Bishop for Morning Star. He would like to start a relationship with Lydianne. She at first pushes him away because of her secret. The story starts out slow but eventually picks up. I can't wait to read the next one in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra Books. This is my own opinion.

Charlotte Hubbard is a recently discovered new author to me and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite Amish fiction authors. Her characters are so well-developed that they really come to life. I absolutely loved Lydianne and Jeremiah. Both characters have suffered loss in their pasts. I love that her Amish settlements, while still Old Order Amish, seem to be a little more progressive for women than most are. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the second book in the series. I did enjoy the book. But It took a few chapters before i got into the book. The book for me was about trust, dark secret and forgiveness. A sweet read. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read This e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

The second book, FIRST LIGHT IN MORNING STAR of Charlotte Hubbard’s Maidels of Morning Star series will be released on December 29, 2020.

Lydianne Christner and four other friends have turned and old barn into a profitable Amish Market but Lydianne desires to leave her job at Flaud’s Firnature to become the new school teacher at the newly built Amish school.

Lydianne loves teaching the children, and they love her, but will her past prevent her happiness when Bishop Jeremiah becomes curious about her past?

Can love and forgiveness conger all?

Read their story in this 5-star novel.

I was given an ARC by the author and Kensington Books. All options are mine, and I was not required to give a positive review.

Preorder yours today.

Another sweet story about the maidels of Morning Star. Lydianne, having moved to the close community a few years ago with a secret, will have to face her fear of the secret being revealed. It was interesting to see how the author dealt with the consequences of the secret. Forgiveness was a key factor in this story. I enjoyed the story but did think it dragged a little.

It took reading several chapters for me to get interested in this story and start connecting with the characters; but as the story progressed and the pace picked up, I was drawn in by the surprises in the plot as Lydianne’s secret unfolded. I enjoyed the scenes in Lydianne’s classroom, the revealing of her secret, the development of her relationship with Jeremiah, and Jeremiah’s dilemma; but the parts about the other maidels I found rather tedious and random. On a positive note, I appreciated the strong faith element showing how God works in people’s lives and the themes of hope, new beginnings, forgiveness, and acceptance. Also, Lydianne and Jeremiah were well-developed, endearing characters. All in all this book was just OK for me.

I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this book! It is beautifully written and a very heartwarming story. This is a book you don't want to miss. Thank you Kensington Books--Zebra via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a sweet story - I especially liked the fact that it made the bishop REAL. Usually they are portrayed as rigid and stiff. The love that surrounds this story is also great!

I loved being back in Morning Star and being reunited with characters that I've come to care about and learn more about what is going on in their lives and the lives of their friends.
This is primarily, Lydianne's story, and her desires and self punishment. It is also about two men who are very interested in getting her attention. One is a widower with two very young children, and your heart will break for him as we look into his circumstances. Then there is the Bishop who is also a widower and would like to move on with his life.
Come and see how the Market Place and new school is doing, and how the people are working to make it all a success.
I am now waiting for the next installment in this series, I love a deeper look into these new friends and what is going on with them.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.

First Light in the Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard.


I must seriously comment on the book cover. This is just too beautiful. I couldn’t resist the book and I am so glad I got a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Lydianne has a wish. To be a school teacher at the school even though she has no experience in teaching. She carried a secret in her heart that influenced her desire to be the school teacher in that Amish community.

I really felt comfortable with the plot and the suspense. You need to be patient while reading this book.

Bishop Jeremiah is a good character. You can even relate with him so well.

To eat baked chicken and potatoes at an Amish gathering is so appetizing. I love how large and sumptuous they make their meals no matter the number of people eating it.

I really learnt a lot through this book. It is so good when love and forgiveness goes hand in hand.


I am rating this book 5 stars. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley.

Lydianne has a secret, she had a baby out of wedlock, and doesn’t feel she can marry. When gets a chance to be the next school teacher at the Amish school she happily takes the job. If only two widowers were not trying so hard to court her, things would be fine. Overall I did like this one, although the bishop did seem more passionate than expected. Would highly recommend this book and series (2nd in the series, but can be read alone).

I have read some of Hubbard's other books previously but this one I had a somewhat more difficult time becoming engaged in. Lydianne Christner takes on the position of school teacher at the new community Amish school. She has a secret in her life that she knows could potentially cause her a great deal of stress if anyone found out. The Bishop is a young Amish man who is a widower. He becomes somewhat enamored with Lydianne and would like to court her but she is so afraid of someone finding out her secret, she initially refuses his offer. Circumstances change, however, throughout the story and secrets are meant to be found out..

Thank you to the publisher, Zebra Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of the book..

First Light in Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard is an amazing book that gives you a look into the lifestyle of Old Order Amish Life. Charlotte Hubbard draws on her experience with the largest Old Order Amish community West of the Mississippi. You can see from the writing that Charlotte Hubbard has a lot of experience with the Old Order Amish Life.
I love the use of the language used and showing of the lifestyle, the day to day tasks and just the simpler way of life without the electric and running around us Englischers are always doing.
The group of 5 Maidels have turned an old stable into when at called the Marketpace. It is a success and the Amish in the community and some who come from other communities come and sell their wares at the Marketplace.
On the same part of land a schoolhouse is built. Lydianne applies for the position of teacher, she's the only applicant and gets hired by the school board.
Lydianne came to Morning Star 6 year prior to this, she has kept her past a secret. She doesn't talk much about what happened before she came to Morning Star. She does have some secrets but doesn't share because the one might get her banned.
The Bishop of the community develops feelings for Lydianne, but Lydianne has already resigned herself to a life of being single because of her secret. The Bishop figures out the secret on his own but does forgive her. They start courting and the end of the book comes with a wonderful surprise!
This was a great book to read and I can't wait for the next one. We got a teaser for the next book and it looks amazing.
This is the 1st book I've read by Charlotte Hubbard and she quickly became one of my favorite authors. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading more of Charlotte Hubbard.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy of the book. In return I was asked to write a book with my honest opinion.

This book carries on the story of the group of maidels in the first Morning Star book. The one featured this time is Lydianne Christner. She is the new teacher at the newly built schoolhouse. She used to work in the local furniture shop but recently applied for the open teaching position. Bishop Jeremiah Shetler, a widower, is taking a special interest in her. All the maidels got together and came up with the idea of turning an old barn into a marketplace. Now they all have stalls in the market as well as other local craftsman. The proceeds go to the fund their church uses to help members that have medical bills or other needs and also finance projects such as the new schoolhouse. Lydianne is also the bookkeeper for the market. This is a fun story that takes up the tale of the basically the whole village of Morning Star. I’m sure there will be more to the series. Charlotte Hubbard has a knack for making these characters real and interesting and making the reader feel part of the whole group.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this book. The characters are warm and relatable and the author portrays the Amish in a realistic manner. Would recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, Charlotte Hubbard and Zebra for the ARC of this book.

When a reader wants to take a break from some serious reading, this would be a perfect book to pick up. Unfortunately for me, it was rather smarmy and overly sweet.
Lydianne has a secret that brought her to Morning Star. She has applied to be the teacher of the school in an effort to be close to a little girl that is one of the scholars. She has decided that because of her secret that she will never marry. BUT, there are two men who would love to marry her. One is the bishop and the other is a widower with two young boys. Her choice to never marry stands in the way, but when the secret is revealed, she has even more decisions to make besides marrying or not.

Charlotte Hubbard usually writes good Amish Fiction, but this one misses the mark. Three Stars.

Zebra Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.