Member Reviews

Maryann and Andrew both had a lot to deal with in Maryann’s Hope. They wanted to marry, but will they be able to? The story kept me guessing until the end. Maryann and Andrew are both very dedicated to their families. She lives in Charm, Ohio, and Andrew’s family is a few hours away. Will Andrew be able to stay in Charm? Also, Maryann finds out something about Andrew she didn’t know. Can she and Andrew be able to resolve their issues? I loved how Maryann cared for her mother. I also enjoyed the dogs in the book.

I received an advanced copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Maryann's Hope by Molly Jebber is book four in The Amish Charm Bakery. It can be read as a stand alone as this was the first I have read of the series and was current from the start.
This easy to read Amish romance is set in the early 1900s in a bakery in Charm, Ohio. It centers on Maryann, a widow with a baby who has recently returned to the Amish community that works in the bakery, She is living with her parents and has recently started courting.
The story has typical life dealings with family, illness, and friendship.It also has a good flow, The characters are likeable.. My only minus, it has a slow start.
I was given an ARC by Kensington via NetGalley for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is Book 4 of the Amish Charm Bakery. Maryann is getting over a damaged marriage that consisted of no trust. She is overcoming her husband leaving her with her child and to take care of her ailing mother. She starts to cook at the local bakery and finds Andrew as her new love interest. When Andrew and Maryann decide to marry, they find it is not so easy as now Andrew has to go home and deal with his uncle's store as his uncle has become ill. What does that mean for their marriage? Neither are able to leave their families, can they make the right decision?

If you are a fan of Amish books, this will not let you down. It is a wholesome read that gives you comfort while reading. A great afternoon read with a hot cup of tea (or your favorite beverage).

Was this review helpful?

I adored this book. I enjoyed reading about Maryann's hope.
there was sadness and joyful laughter. I really hope to see more out of this series there is a few more character's I would love to hear more about. I would like to see how things end up from this story to come as well. I can't wait for more. I always adore Molly's book's.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely love visiting the Amish Charm Bakery. Within this bakery there is a lot of love and compassion as well as goodies that can pack on the pounds just by reading about them.
Maryann suffered sadness and grief. Can she afford to put her heart at risk?

Andrew knew what he wanted but somehow he keeps messing it up.

Most of the characters are ones that could be found in earlier books by Molly Jebber. They are like family that I can't wait to see again.

Trust is not easy after being hurt by someone you love. It's easy to guard your heart after it has been broken. GOD teaches us about forgiveness. From experience, it would have made sense for me to remain single the rest of my life. Fortunately, I made the choice to love again. If I didn't take the chance, I wouldn't be so blessed now.

I received this book to review for free from Celebrate Lit.

Was this review helpful?

Maryann’s Hope, by Molly Jebber, is book four in the Amish Charm Bakery Series. This story takes place in 1913 in Ohio. As a young woman, Maryann left her clinging mother and Amish community to marry an Englisher. After his death, she returned home and is working at the bakery while raising her daughter and caring for her mother. She has a lot of pressure put on her to stay home for her mother’s sake.

Andrew’s parents have past away and he has moved to Charm to open a furniture store. But when his uncle becomes to ill to keep his business going, his uncle turns to Andrew for help. Andrew and Maryann have just become engaged and both have such heavy family responsibilities, their relationship is put on hold.

This is a sweet, quick to read story that shows the depth of family responsibility the Amish often have. While this is part of a series, I did not feel lost reading it at all. I enjoyed reading this story and look forward to going back and reading the previous stories in the series.

I received an ebook copy of this story from Celebrate Lit through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Maryann and Andrew are a couple with a dilemma. They both have family obligations and they are not sure if they can leave their families to get married. I loved how this problem was solved in the end and how secrets were revealed. I love all the families in Charm and in Millersburg. Both Maryann and Andrew have to make decisions that could hurt each other and I really enjoyed how it all comes together. I hope there might be more books in this series. I do recommend the first three books in the series because they are great and you will understand some of this book better. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Was this review helpful?

Maryann’s Hope by Molly Jebber takes us back to 1913 in Charm, Ohio where Maryann Harding and Andrew Wittmer have begun courting. Maryann never thought she would find a man who would overlook her past. When Andrew proposes, Maryann is thrilled to accept. Andrew is a good man who loves her, adores her daughter, and openly communicates with her. She is glad they will be living in Charm because her mother could not handle it if they left town. Wedding plans have barely begun when Andrew receives a letter from his uncle who lives about ten miles away (over three hours away by buggy). His uncle is ill and would like Andrew to take over the furniture store. It is a dream come true for Andrew who has dreamed of having a store where he could sell the furniture he makes. But Andrew wonders how this will affect his relationship with Maryann. Andrew also worries about the secret he has yet to share with Maryann. She shared her secrets with him, but he held back despite knowing how important trust is to Maryann. Is there a chance for these star-crossed lovers? Maryann’s Hope is the 4th novel in The Amish Charm Bakery series. Each book in the series can be read on its own. We do, though, get to catch up with the characters from the other three books. I thought Maryann’s Hope was well-written with realistic characters. I like how the author incorporates historical events and interesting facts (with the sheriff and local doctor). The author delves into the topic of mental illness and how it affects a family. I thought it was handled nicely. Second chances, destructiveness of secrets, and importance of trust are the themes present throughout the book. Open communication is important for a couple. Keeping information from a partner can be damaging to a relationship. I like how the author handled these issues. Christian elements are nicely incorporated into the story. The importance of trusting God and knowing that he has a path laid out for each of us. Maryann’s Hope is a gently paced story that I enjoyed reading. I appreciated the epilogue at the end. Maryann’s Hope is a sweet Amish novel with tasty treats, stressful secrets, trouble trusting, a mentally ill mother, fine furniture, and romantic misfortunes.

Was this review helpful?

Besides the wonderful story, I could gain lots of pounds just thinking about all the bakery and supper items listed! I even had chicken pot pie one night after reading about the family in the book enjoying it. A plus is the delicious recipes in the back that Maryann prepared in the bakery to sell.
I’ve visited this bakery before and got to know some of the friends that work there as well as the repeat customers. Maryann has met a nice man in Andrew and their courtship has flown by. Her family has approved of him and they begin to think about marriage. Life gets in the way however. Deaths, living locations, family needs and dreams for the future all play a part in what happens to their plans. All the characters were easy to get to know and enjoy. Being the year 1913, the illnesses described gave me a thought as to what might be wrong based on today’s medicine. Healing has come a long way since then. Amish living as they do, the year didn’t change the way they do things other than illness or travel. A trip that was nine and a half miles away took three hours in a horse and buggy. In today’s time they would have just hired a driver to take them that short distance in an automobile.
This was a sweet story of love and family. A little complicated at times but isn’t that real life? This is a don’t miss for those of us that enjoy Amish stories and the way they live.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher but was not required to write a review. All opinions are strictly my own.

Was this review helpful?

Maryann’s Hope is Book Four in the four book series, The Amish Charm Bakery Series by author Molly Jebber. This is a delightful and heartwarming story that will take you into Amish Country. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Maryann’s Hope had my interest from. the beginning unto the end. I was immediately invested in the story and the characters. Author Jebber has a smooth writing style. Her words flow evenly over the pages and are easily understood. It is evident that she is very familiar with all things Amish. Her characters are authentic and believable.

This is the story of Maryann. She has come back home with her daughter after her husband dies. Maryann’s past has some heartaches, but Andrew has given her a relationship full of trust, love and faith. She is coming out of her shell and learning from live again. They have decided not to keep secrets from each other in their relationship. Secrets damaged their old relationships.

The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns as well as timeless spiritual and life lessons. Exploring grief, forgiveness, family responsibilities, and faith are just a few of the lessons readers will encounter. The problem with keeping secrets is also approached.

I love that author Molly Jebber’s books are filled with love for others and for God. She sprinkles her books with scripture and gives glory to God through her writing. I definitely recommend this book to all lovers of Amish fiction. It gets a 4 out of 5 star review. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these were my honest words.

Was this review helpful?

MaryAnn’s Hope by Molly Jebber. Published by Kensington Books.
Publication date 26.1 2021
This is an Amish story. The main characters are Maryann and Andrew.
Maryann left Amish life to marry an Englisher but had to come back and live with her family, she has a wee girl called Betsy and works in the bakery, which she loves doing. Andrew has a farm on the outskirts of town and loves to make furniture. His goal is to own his own furniture shop and make as much of the furniture himself as possible.
As the plot develops Maryann and Andrew start seeing each other. Most people are happy for them as their relationship develops. Maryann’s mother however, it very controlling and needy. I have to say that the mother annoyed me.
There are many obstacles that each Maryann and Andrew have to face and resolve in this novel. We see growth of both of them and more maturity by the end.
It was well written; the characters were well developed and the plot was believable. I did enjoy this book and would recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

Maryann’s Hope is a heartwarming and touching story from the beginning to the end. I loved the gentleness and detail that Jebber included in this story. I didn’t want the story to end. Maryann’s past still hurt but with Andrew she felt a newness of trust, love and faith. Plus they didn’t want secrets from each other. The story moves at a nice pace that kept me engaged until the end. The unexpected twists and turns, grief, forgiveness, discovering where they belonged and faith to endure the trials made this a beautiful tale.

Molly Jebber’s books are filled with love for others and God radiates in her penned words. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. In fact, with the multiple secondary characters, I believe there could be several more books in The Amish Charm Bakery Series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Kensington Publishing Company for the opportunity to read an ARC copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own opinion.

Was this review helpful?

This was a really sweet and lovely romance. I loved the atmosphere of the bakery—it added some extra warmth to the story. Perfect for fans of Amish romances as well as those who are new to the genre and want to try it out.

Was this review helpful?

Andrew Wittmer has moved to Charm, an Amish community for a fresh start. He has developed a friendship with Maryann, a widower and her young daughter. Maryann has moved back home after the death of her English husband for a fresh start as well. She is committed to the Amish community and her family. She is still living with the decision to leave the Amish and knows how important the new beginning is for her and her daughter. Andrew and Maryann relationship becomes a blessing and is tested when their family members take ill. Andrew being from another community must go back to help his aunt and uncle in their time of need and Maryann must sacrifice her future to care for her mother.

Several key themes that I liked about their story is second chances and the destruction of secrets. Maryann first husband had kept secrets from his wife and the valuable lesson that Maryann carried to her relationship with Andrew became a test of faith. Andrew's lesson was continuing to do the right thing and own up to when his decisions hurt others. The prose was very pragmatic but in the light of black of white, it was easy to see spiritual lessons that have value in our own lives.

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

Was this review helpful?

Maryann’s Hope is the fourth installment from Molly Jebber’s series, The Amish Charm Bakery. I have adored the previous books of the series and was excited to have the opportunity to read this one. It is now my new favorite of the series. Even though it is part of a series, I believe it can be read as a stand alone. My heart ached for Maryann in the beginning and was happy when she met up with Andrew. The two had some of the sweetest scenes together that I just loved.

I am giving Maryann’s Hope a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading charming Amish fiction. They will be entertained with this one, as well as, the rest of The Amish Charm Bakery series.

I received Maryann’s Hope from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

I've loved the Amish Charm Bakery series but this one wasn't as appealing. Maryann's mother has always been irritating but the whole family being against Maryann's decision did not seem realistic. Also, overhearing conversations at the bakery that validated a point being made was too convenient. Plus, how many unknown illnesses can one story have? I felt the characters were too petty at times. Hopefully, the next in the series will be better.

Was this review helpful?

This book was a joy to read. The story inside was as beautiful as the the cover. It was a little slow in spots , but it was still a great read. Thank you Kensington Books--Zebra via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Maryanne has experienced the English world after she left her family and her faith for an English boy she loved. Or thought she loved. Together they had some good times and she has a sweet little daughter to show for it. But he died and he lied to her and devastated her. She's not sure that she can trust again.

Little by little she falls in love with Andrew and feels she can trust him. But when his past comes to visit(literally) and she knew nothing about it she's not sure she really knows him or can ever trust him again.

I've loved this Amish Charm Bakery series. The characters are fun and interwoven. It's definitely a series you should read in order though so you know who all the supporting characters are as several have had their own books already.

Maryanne must decide if secrets kept because they have nothing to do with the present and are painful really are the same as secrets withheld because of guilt. Can she trust another man with her heart?

And then, of course, there is her mother who was hospitalized with mental health issues when she left the first time. Can she leave her again if her future husband requires her to move? Maybe she's just meant to be single.

I loved the discussions on trust and secrets. I also loved going back to the bakery and getting to know another character better. I can't wait to delve deeper into other girls once the next book comes out!

This is definitely a book I recommend as well as the whole series. A great read.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Negalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Was this review helpful?

This book is a wonderful story of love and the struggle to make love work! Maryann and Andrew are the "perfect" couple. They tell each other everything and fall in love quickly. They have the same goals and want the same future.
However, when they both have to deal with relatives that are sick and live 3 hours apart by buggy it becomes clear maybe they weren't meant to be. Marryann's mother has a mental illness and was very distraught and hard to manage when Maryanne left before, it was hard for her Dad, brother and sister in law to handle. Maryann is the only one who can handle her, and when she moved back to Charm she was easier to handle. The couple wants to live in Charm and has made a nice group of friends and both have work there.
Andrew's Uncle, who lives 3 hours away by buggy, helped raise Andrew, and has a furniture store in Millersburg. Andrew gets a letter from his Aunt and Uncle, his Uncle has taken ill, the man who was supposed to take over the furniture store has died and they need Andrew's help permanently.
What's the couple to do? Will it all work out? What will happen when Maryann finds out about a lie Andrew has been keeping. I won't give away any teasers so I'll leave those questions unanswered.
I enjoyed the book very much, it's a pretty quick read but is good. There does seem to be a lot of ups and downs. Sometimes it seems like theres so many things holding the couple back, you root for them but also wonder if they truly were meant to be because they just can't seem to figure things out. I think if there were a few less dramatic happenings the story might be more enjoyable.

Was this review helpful?

What a beautiful cover. Although, I must confess, I had technical issues with my phone so I was unable to really sit back and enjoy the book.

From the few pages I read, this is a promising book.

I would love to come back in a right frame of mind to really enjoy the book because this is a promising book.

I love the fact that the main female character bakes. Her recipes made me want to bake my own cakes.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are mine

Was this review helpful?