Loved reading this book. Amazing story and the characters lend to the charm of this book. I would highly recommend this book. You would not be disappointed.

I know I thought this book was promising when I requested it. Maybe it was the cover? I don't really rembember why I got that first impression.

Well, was I disappointed! This read as a slash of a romcom and contemporary inspirational fiction trying to dress up as Amish historical fiction. And it did not work well. Besides, the main idea of this books and the way characters act is based in the "just follow your heart" philosophy (the title - What the Heart Wants - really should have clued me in) and that's an emphatic no for me.

Since this was an ARC, I wanted to finish it before leaving a review, but I had to skim a bit to be able to reach that last page. By the end, I was just mad at everyone for being so annoying, clueless, and unrealistic.

I don't recommend this book.

This is a Historical Amish Fiction, and this is the 3rd book in the Amish New World series. I love reading about Amish people just getting to America, but I did not love how the characters acted. I have to say I have not read an Amish Fiction book that was about sisters and bothers that just moved here. I love the historical fiction part of this book, but I did not love the Amish parts because I do not think those where done as well as some other books I have read and they where not a big part of the book. I also did not love the romance parts of this book. Over all I enjoyed parts, but I did not love some, so I think it was just ok. I do not think I would read another book in this series. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Zebra Books) or author (Virginia Wise) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Will they be able to untangle their feelings before their stubbornness gets he best of them ...

I have read few books with Amish as main characters recently , yet none set in the past.
In some way this one was closer to the historical romances I usually read.
And while the main romance is told from the point of view of the main couple, there is a second one pushed forward by the main heroes.

I just loved this story by Ms. Wise! She took her story writing back to the days that the amish first came to America to establish their first community. This story was based on two sisters who came alone and started their sheep farm. They had no experience in raising sheep, but studied it before coming to America and the new community in an effort to provide something the community would find valuable.

Christina and Hilda were two sisters with very little similarities in personality. Christina was very optimistic and worried about her sister's happiness, and Hilda was very pessimistic with no belief that anyone would ever want to marry her. Hilda just wanted for her and Christina to go thru life with each other, and never change anything. Thru many challenges, and Christina's scheming, both sisters found love.

The characters were well developed, and very unique. This was a wonderful story, and I look forward to more by this author.

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

Book three from Virginia Wise's Amish New World, What the Heart Wants, is a wonderful story. I loved it and am giving it five stars.

I don't often read historical Amish novels, but I was drawn to this story of 2 sisters, Hilda and Christina, and 2 brothers, Johan and Wilhelm, living in colonial Pennsylvania. Johan is a single father to 3 boys and the more serious of the brothers. Christina is finding herself drawn to Johan, but she has guilt at leaving Hilda.....soooo, she sets about to match Hilda and the widower, Wilhelm. Will this match work? Will Christina be the match for Johan and his boys? Follow the trail of twists and turns, ups and downs, laughter and tears to find out just how life turns out for the four young people and their journey into love!!

Sit back and enjoy this wonderful book that places you in the colonial time period. Let your mind go back to where life was simpler, less stressful and far more funny than you would imagine. The character development draws you into their life predicaments and places a smile on your lips! I look forward to additional novels by this author.

Virginia Wise's New World Amish series continues delightfully in What the Heart Wants. The series is based on the first Amish Settlement in America. Each story has told the tale of surviving in a harsh land while finding love. The latest one follows sisters Christina and Hilda. Christina is a dreamer, always wishing for her Prince Charming. When she finds Johan, a newcomer to the settlement, atop her woodpile trying to get away from her dog, she thinks she has finally met him. But, her sister Hilda has given up everything to raise Christina and Christina doesn't want to leave her without Hilda finding love also. Luckily, Johan has a brother. However, in Christina's attempt to get Wilhelm to notice Hilda and vice versa, Johan thinks Christina has fallen for her brother. What ensues is a romantic comedy full of mix-ups and merriment. I have enjoyed all of the stories in Wise's series, and this one was so much fun. And, not only did it have me laughing oud loud in several places, it also reminded me that love cannot be prideful. It must be open and honest. Thanks to #NetGalley for the chance to read this story. I adored it. And thanks to #VirginaWise for sharing her stories with us. #Bookstagram #all_the_pages

This is a clean, sweet read that holds your attention. It's well written and was a great read for a rainy day.

This Amish fiction novel tells the story of two sisters who are newly settled during the early days of Amish in America. Hilda and Christina could not be more different from each other. Hilda is the sensible one, Christina the dreamy one. After meeting two brothers who are newcomers to the settlement, Christina is attracted to Johan, but feels unable to leave her sister alone. She then commences to match Hilda with widower Wilhelm and his boisterous young sons. The comedy of manners presents a humorous and touching read. Those who enjoy a clean romantic read, without strong language or graphic violence or sexual situations, will find this historical novel to their liking. Although part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Life without love was not really living.

The time setting in this Amish romance made it more endearing. With the setting as families and individuals looking for a new beginning, you easily become engaged with the characters. You want them to succeed. You admire their hard work and principals. Christina and her older sister Hilda are all that they have left. Hilda being the eldest sister sacrificed love to be with Christina and settle in Pennsylvania from their old Amish community in Germany. It was interesting to dig in their background. How they survived and how they bounced off each other. Their personalities are complete opposites but they work well together as sisters and friends.

When two brothers come into the community Johan and Wilhelm, Christina is determined to find a spouse for Hilda. She loves her sister and knows that she needs her help to get the attention of Wilhelm. Wilhelm is a single father of 3 boys and he is serious and good natured. Christina also as her eyes on his youngest brother. Johan is life giving and supports his oldest brother.

A good romance has misunderstanding, cat and mouse, (the cat and mouse is also a dog and bear)and a knight and shining armor. I loved the characters and how they developed to be yourself always works better. That character counts and love always wins.

A special thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

This was a lovely and surprisingly hilarious at times story. I loved following Christina as she fell in love. She was such a likeable and sweet protagonist. It was also fascinating to read a historical Amish romance, as the only ones I've read have been set in the present day.

If you love Amish fiction, please do not miss this sweet and funny story. It was an absolute delight to read.

The main character, Christina, is funny, bubbly, impulsive, caring, and deeply loves her sister, Hilda. She dreams of romance, but living in a rugged, frontier setting in the woods, there aren’t that many Amish suitors available. She has her dream of her ideal future husband, and despite their remote location, she meets him in a most unusual way. Johan is interested in Christina, too, but things don’t go as smoothly as Christina had planned between them. In addition to planning her own romance, Christina decides that Johan’s widowed brother, Wilhelm, would be the perfect match for Hilda. But as is normal for Christina’s well-intentioned schemes, things take a different direction than she imagines they will. This book is heart-warming and you’ll find yourself cheering both Hilda and Christina to each find their happily-ever-after.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Will they be able to untangle their feelings before their stubbornness gets he best of them ...

I have read few books with Amish as main characters recently , yet none set in the past.
In some way this one was closer to the historical romances I usually read.
And while the main romance is told from the point of view of the main couple, there is a second one pushed forward by the main heroes.
The heroes are the younger siblings in two duets of brothers and sisters.
The elderly ones are the serious and more wounded by life than the juniors.
Christina raised by her sister Hilda wants more from life than a roof over her head, she dreams for love and what’s it entail, but only if her serious sister gets her HEA too.
Johan enjoys the sighing and mooning of every young woman upon their first encounter with him. Yet while it is fun to be the vessel of such an adoration, he is not ready to settle. In some way he savors family’s life with his brother William’s brood.

In all, it is an amusing read with all the mishaps and misconceptions befalling on them. The trio of little boys is full of mischiefs and fun.
4 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 not a bit of steam.

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

A very well written historical Amish romance. A good plot with well developed characters. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

2 stars
I had such high hopes for this book, however it was a big miss. It was trite, completely expected andand a tad boring.

I do not think I will read this author again.

I really enjoyed this book, and I am really fond of historical Amish books. The characters were fun and Christina was definitely outgoing and a little bit of a schemer. Loved that.
I loved the frontier type adventure that these Pennsylvanian settlers experienced. I loved their simple life styles, work and ways of survival.

It was an enjoyable book and I hope to read more from this author and this time period. Really fun and entertaining.

I received this book from NetGalley and Zebra Publishing and was not required to give a positive review.

It was interesting to read about the Amish settling in Pennsylvania after immigrating from Germany. I enjoyed reading about the everyday life of taking care of the sheep, harvesting the flax and the Amish community helping each other. I found the interaction between the two sisters, Christina and Hilda to be silly and unbelievable. Johan being arrogant and Wilhelm a pushover did not reflect the typical Amish male. Hoping the next in the series is not quite so frivolous.

This is the third book in this series that I have read and enjoyed, stories of the pioneering Amish, and their early lives and settlement in this country.
This is a story about siblings, sister's who raise sheep, and brother's whom have just arrived and looking to put down roots. I loved how each family worked and provided for all of the community, and thus ensure its survival.
This story had me chuckling out loud, read as outgoing Christina tries to teach her sensible sister Hilda how to use her womanly wiles. Then the recipient of those batting eyes is Wilhelm, a bit baffled by the complete change in Hilda! Then we have his bother, Johan with the high opinion of himself, quite the ladies man, and this is the 1700's in very rural Pennsylvania.
I am really enjoying reading about these early settlers of the Amish Community, and looking forward to more!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zebra, and was not required to give a positive review.

I received this book from netgalley. I really loved this story.
I was so excited to get this book wasn't disappointing in it.
I am beginning to love her book's, she may be come w favorite author of mine. I love the character's and the setting's ane the cover and the title
.I hope there will be more to come. I hope there be more to the see's. I feel there could be. my favorite character www Christina!