Member Reviews
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.
Isaac is lovely shy young man who breeds Labrador Retrievers so that they can be service dogs. Not only is Isaac quite shy, he has a stutter that embarrasses him, thus he remains quiet when among others. When Isaac meets Sovila at the Green Farmer's Market and Auction, he is even more tongue tied than ever. He is quite smitten. He has found some information that he hopes to help him with his stutter and spends many quiet hours trying to improve his speech.
Sorvila is drawn to Isaac and is not bothered one bit about his stuttering. However, his shyness makes it difficult for her to discover whether or not he is drawn to her as well. Just as the first book in this series feature the ever-wise 92-year-old Mrs. Vandenburg, she notices the possible young love and makes sure to give these young people a chance at a happy future together.
What a delightful read! I love the shy and less than perfect Isaac and his desire to improve, although when you love someone it is their heart that draws you to them. Sweet Sovila could see Isaac's heart and I loved how their story worked out.
Many thanks to Zebra and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Loved it!! This wasn’t just a romance story - it was so much more. A story of betrayal at multiple levels, romance (x2) and forgiveness.
What a sweet story! I absolutely loved the character of Sovilla and found myself cheering for her to find her own happily-ever-after. This author knows how to tell a beautiful story and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Just like other books I have read by Rachel J Good, I was entertained with her An Unexpected Amish Courtship and am giving it four stars.
When Sovilla Mast goes to visit and assist her aunt, she gets more than she bargained for. In addition to dealing with her aunt's surly ways and prickly personality, Sovilla works at the market and meets Isaac. Sovilla also must deal with becoming integrated into a new Amish community and church fellowship.
Isaac Lantz falls for Sovilla as soon as he sees her. However, his speech impediment causes him to seem sometimes distant. Isaac excels at raising his puppies, and soon uses his skills and knowledge of training to help Sovilla deal with her aunt. The characters in the novel are realistic, and the plot develops well and keeps readers interested.
I enjoyed this Amish romance that featured some of the characters from An Unexpected Amish Proposal. Readers who seek a sweet romance without graphic violence, sexual intimacy, or strong language will find this an intriguing novel and follow-up to the first book featuring the marketplace. This book can also be read as a stand-alone novel.
I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
I absolutely loved this book at first two of the characters I found was very annoying and rude but I'm glad how it all turned out. I hope to hear more from the other characters in this story, I still think there can be more told bout the characters!!! ❤
Let me start with my usual disclaimer when it comes to Amish themed books:
I have lots of problems with Amish and Mennonites communities (I encourage you to do some research on hiding rapes and domestic abuse, and how these communities deal [or rather not deal] with it), but in general the Amish culture is fascinating and when you sugarcoat it this book is what you get.
Ok, now let's proceed.
I really enjoyed this book, because now I know what to expect from Amish themed books and typical themes are not taking me by surprise anymore.
I liked this book less than book one of the series - [book:An Unexpected Amish Proposal|55960380] - but it's a still enjoyable read.
It's obvs full od God and praying and these kind of things but the plot is interesting and sort of more dark which I appreciate. It kinda (but not fully) shows darker side of the Amish life and people and how oppressive and abusive they can be. It obviously ends with change of heart, forgiveness yada yada yada, but it's there.
Overall it's a wholesome book (but aren't they all?), and it's a good distraction and a feel-good story.
It also has puppies, bo yeah, go for it ;-)
Sovilla is sent to Pennsylvania to live with her aunt she didn't know she had.
Isaac Lantz works for his father at the Farmer's Market.
Wilma, Sovilla's Aunt, sells pickles at the Market and is soon to have hip surgery.
Mrs.Vanderberg, the matchmaker, is a well-to-do older woman who loves to bring people together.
This is a story of families not understanding each other. Understanding is essential and prayers for all in need. This is also a story of love.
Rachel Good is a fantastic author. I love all her books. I have enjoyed reading about the market. This book has drama as well as romance in it. There are even some unexpected twist to the story. If you like to read amish stories this is one you won't want to put down.
While this is the second book in the series it can easily be read as a stand-alone. There are a few characters who make appearances from the first book, but there is not so much background that you are lost.
The writing is interesting and the story line flows smoothly. I did not enjoy the beginning of the book but liked the second half of the book. In the beginning, there is so much negativity with the uncle and aunt and it seems like it dominates the book. The constant degrading of Sovilla and her family just becomes monotonous.
The other things that I did not enjoy about the book is that the synopsis does not match the story...Sovilla does not go to Pennsylvania because she was jilted. Sovilla meets Isaac before making dog treats. And Isaac never said anything about needing a dog trainer.
The things I did enjoy are the character growth in Wilma, how well the story flowed, Isaac's growth, Solvilla was a sweet character, and the second half of the book.
I would recommend this book to fans of Rachel J. Good, those who love Amish stories, and fans of sweet romance stories.
Thank you to Net Galley and Zebra books for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a really captivating story! It is the second book in the series, however, it can easily be enjoyed as a stand alone novel.
One of the things I liked a lot about the book was the kind and caring attitudes of the main characters, Sovilla and Isaac. Although Sovilla had to deal with a couple of family members who were hateful toward her, she was repeatedly kind. I was happy that her mamm sent her away to keep her from having to live with her awful uncle, yet Sovilla’s aunt, the Pickle Lady, was grumpy and hateful, as well. Isaac sometimes dealt with rude comments and teasing because of his stutter, yet held his temper. I felt for him as he was uncomfortable in situations where he needed to speak and answer questions.
I loved the way these two characters interacted. They both seemed to gravitate toward each other and it was sweet to see the way love began to grow between them. Of course, there was plenty of strife to overcome before things could work out. Family secrets and decades old hurt needed to be addressed. This story showed how God could use any circumstances for good.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This is the second book in the Suprised By Live series. I really enjoyed this book and was hooked from the very first page. I found this to be a sweet story with love along with twists and turns. I love when an author's books are so good, they draw you in and you don't want to put the book down. I loved this book and enjoyed it very much. I recommend it to others. You'll be glad you read it.
This is an Amish Romance Fiction, and this is the second book in the Surprised by Love series. I have read and review the first book in this series. I have to say this book has some very likeable and some very unlikeable characters, but I really loved the storyline. We follow Sovilla on the long and hard journey that at the end she undercovers hidden family secrets. She also finds love on her new journey. We get a few parts where we follow, Isaac who loves Sovilla from the first time him saw her. Isaac has trouble talking, and this book is all about he trying to get over his trouble. I have to say my favorite character is Mrs. Vandenberg. She is an old lady that made me laugh so hard. Mrs. Vandenberg does not show up until close to the end, but she makes the book in so many ways. I wish this character was in more of the book. This is a well written book with some very unique characters. I really loved every minute I spend reading this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Zebra) or author (Rachel J. Good) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
Sovilla Mast is sent to live with her Aunt Wilma, a woman she has never met. What she finds there is a grouchy older woman who left the Amish faith and does not have any friends. In order to overcome her loneliness and sadness, Sovilla begins baking especially dog treats. When she meets Isaac, Sovilla and Isaac must keep their growing friendship and attraction quiet since Wilma has a deep distrust of men and relationships. Will they be able to overcome these hardships? Will Sovilla find out why her Aunt is so bitter? This is truly a wonderful story of finding ones path and faith in God. The author does a good job of developing the characters. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.
This was a great story with characters you won’t soon forget. Sovilla is sent to her Aunt Wilma’s home to care for her after her hip replacement surgery. She has never met her, in fact she didn’t even know she existed. Sovilla finds her aunt cantankerous and ornery. The aunt has had a rough past and doesn’t trust men. Sovilla is not allowed to be seen with a boy. Wilma is hiding a secret from her past and is determined to keep it that way. Sovilla’s Uncle Lloyd, Wilma’s brother, is more controlling than even Wilma. He was very unlikeable and stubborn and threw ,his weight around among his family.
At the market helping her aunt, she meets Isaac. He is shy and has a stuttering problem. But he falls in love with Sovilla at first sight. Such a sweet character and he spends his time raising and training dogs to be guide dogs for those in need. There’s is a secretive friendship because of her aunt but they still try to learn more about each other.
Delightful reading with a wonderful storyline. If you enjoy Amish stories you don’t want to miss this one!
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
AN UNEXPECTED AMISH COURTSHIP is the second book in the SURPRISED BY LOVE series. I’m so glad this series will continue and can’t wait for more! I love the direction in which the novel was taken. There are so many stories within the book, but the author deftly connects them. And though characters reappear from previous books in the series, this can be read on its own. AN UNEXPECTED AMISH COURTSHIP is filled with love and faith and ultimately a satisfying warmth and happiness, although the characters go through a lot to get there!
We return to Pennsylvania to the Green Valley Farmers Market and are reunited with characters we’ve met before along along with new ones. Mrs. Vandenberg is once again matchmaking but also being her generous, if bossy, self to her neighbors and friends. This time, Savilla and Isaac are in her crosshairs. While there is an immediate attraction when they meet at the market, they need a little help communicating.
Savilla was sent to Pennsylvania from Ohio to live with her maiden aunt since her aunt has to undergo surgery and will need help afterward. Savilla didn’t even know she had an aunt, so it’s one surprise after another when they do meet—and most of those surprises aren’t happy ones.
Savilla and Isaac both seem to multitask and always try to find the good in others, no matter how difficult that might be. Isaac comes from a large family, and they embrace Savilla when she feels she has no one on her side. (Her aunt’s brother is a very angry and hard man, and Savilla hurts because she, her mom, and her sisters had to move in with him and his family to remain in Ohio.)
The story flows well and has plenty of well-wrought emotion. There is always room for a prayer to help the characters be kinder or more accepting of God, as well as to help them deal with their insecurities and frailties. The ending gave me wonderful closure, and I wanted to go back and read it again. I especially love the book’s cover—not only the serenity of it but how representative it was of the market and thus the story.
Ms. Good is one of my favorite authors of Amish fiction. I always look forward to reading her work. Give her books a try if you haven’t already.
A RECOMMENDED READ
3 stars
An Unexpected Amish Courtship
by Rachel J. Good
This is a decent enough book. A good, quick read yet there are a few issues with this book. I will start with the good. Sovilla's aunt is mean and hateful yet she prays for her. Her response to her aenti's meanness is refreshing.
The bad, everything is wrapped up too easily. Everything is easily resolved and all the very difficult problems are solved. I realize this is an Amish romance but a little realism would be nice.
Overall, Rachel J. Good has written a nice book that will appeal to a distinct group of readers.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.
An Unexpected Amish Courtship is a delightful Amish novel. It can be read as a standalone for those who have not indulged in An Unexpected Amish Proposal. The story is told from Sovilla and Isaac’s point-of-view. I like that we get both of their perspectives (men and women can look at the same issue so differently). Sovilla and Isaac are likeable as well as realistic characters. There is a small cast of secondary characters with my favorite being Mrs. Liesl Vandenberg. She is a charming, Christian woman who loves to play matchmaker as well as help others. She provides good advice to Isaac and Sovilla. I thought An Unexpected Amish Courtship was well-written with good pacing. There is a bit of a mystery in the story as well. Wilma is an unhappy woman who turns her anger and bitterness on others especially Sovilla. We get clues along the way as to what caused the problem. I like how all the storylines are resolved at the end. There are good life lessons in the story with my favorite being that God is in charge of our lives. Christianity is beautifully woven into the story. It is present without being preachy. There are two lines that I wanted to share from An Unexpected Amish Courtship. The first is, “Positive thinking works wonders.” The other is, “When you’re ready to let it go, trust it to God. He’ll forgive anything. And He’s the only one who can heal old hurts.” An Unexpected Amish Courtship we get to see how God can help us overcome our fears and life’s challenges if we let him. I am eager for the next tale in Surprised by Love series. An Unexpected Amish Courtship is a heartwarming Amish tale with a plethora of pickles, a crabby aunt, an irascible uncle, a lack of letters, a precious puppy, a tongue-tied twin, and a beauty from the buckeye state.
Amazing book. Riveting! I couldn’t put it down! I had many emotions over come me reading this book. I love a great ending and so happy there was an epilogue. I would even love to see a series!! Well done!