Member Reviews

An Unexpected Amish Courtship is the second book in Rachel J. Good's series, Surprised by Love. I really enjoyed seeing the characters from the Green Valley Farmer’s Market and Auction in a different light. Old characters were noted, just as Sovilla was in book one.

After being sent to live with "The Pickle Lady", her aunt she never knew existed, Sovilla Mast soon discovers that there is a deep underlying hurt from her aunt's past that has altered her personaly. I loved to see Mrs. Vandenberg again and love how the sweet older lady is always willing to reach out and lend a hand to those in need, even if they don't realize they need her help.

I received a copy of this book from Zondervan Zebra publishers and NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

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This is the second book in the author’s series, Surprised by Love. I had read the first book and enjoyed catching up with various characters from the Green Valley Farmer’s Market and Auction.

We find Sovilla Mast being sent to help her aunt, “The Pickle Lady”, as she is known for her pickles she makes and sells and also her sour attitude towards everyone. Sovilla has never met this aunt and soon learns that people’s opinions of her are very accurate, however, sees past that, that there must be issues in her life that have caused this type of personality.

There are so many complex characters in this book making it a great and exciting read that I did not want to put down until I had finished it. I particularly enjoyed the character of the elderly Mrs. Vandenberg, who is a force to be reckoned with, having the ability of knowing how to get her way. Sovilla’s mother, her uncle, who has caused much pain to many people, and Isaac Lantz, who raises puppies to be trained as guide dogs, all make up the characters in this book, some loving, some hateful.

Love, deceipt, faith, and friendship all make for enjoyable reading. I received a copy of this book from Zondervan Zebra publishers and NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

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Book two in the Surprised by Love Series takes the reader back to the Green Valley Market and Auction in Pennsylvania. The story is imbued with characters that are hurting and have become bitter making it difficult and almost impossible to be around them. Once secrets are revealed and faith in God is redirected and restored, will hope be found?
I received a copy from the publisher on Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

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Sovilla Mast is sent to live with an aunt she didn’t know she had in another state when her mother feels the need to protect her from her uncle who is trying to marry her off to someone undesirable. Her aunt is an angry lady who is not particularly happy to have her but still tries to keep her from the local Amish community. Isaac Lantz is a farmer who raises puppies to sell and a next door neighbor to Sovilla. When Sovilla’s aunt needs to go to the hospital for surgery, Sovilla is left in charge of her farmers market stand. Sovilla decides to bake dog treats to sell in the stand. This story delves deep in the past and the mystery of what happened to Sovilla’s aunt and mother and uncle. It is a very interesting story and not run of the mill. I really enjoyed this story and this author.

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

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A sweet story of love and faith. This story reminds us that God can use anyone to share His love with others. I enjoyed this story. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

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I really enjoy reading anything by this author! The books are always a quick and enjoyable read.

I enjoyed that I was back in the farmers market and seeing Mrs. V. back with her matchmaking and her love for others. I enjoyed getting to know the pickle lady, her niece Sovilla and Isaac.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

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Out of the frying pan, into the fire would best describe Sovilla’s situation after she is sent from her hateful Uncles house to help her equally bitter aunt whom she has never met before and is fixing to have surgery. Her aunt Wilma, known as the pickle lady because she sells homemade pickles at the market and because of her sour disposition, does not trust anyone and is hateful with everyone.

When Sovilla begins helping her aunt at the market, Isaac, a shy young man who raises and trains service dogs, is mesmerized by her. Because he stutters and is self conscious about it, he does not engage in conversation with her-coming off as aloof and rude.

When Sovilla discovers her boyfriend from her old community begins dating someone else, she is heartbroken and sad.

Will Isaac overcome his shyness and be the support she needs at this time? Can Sovilla continue to live with her aunt and all her bitterness? What secrets will unfold as her aunt prepares for surgery and thinks she will die? I read this book in two days because I could not put it down.

I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion and review.

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An Unexpected Amish Courtship is a sweet, clean story I enjoyed reading. Poor Isaac is very self conscious because he has a stuttering problem. Of course, a lovely young lady that is new to the area begins working near him, He discovers her name is Sovilla, and she seems really sweet. When she meets Isaac, she doesn't understand why he seems reserved around her, but she likes him anyway. She enjoys getting to know him over time, but she has an aunt that tries to deter her from meeting any boys at all. Soon, she finds out why her aunt is mean and doesn't trust anybody at all. As that mystery unravels, she becomes closer to Isaac, and they together learn the secrets her aunt has held for years. Great story that is well written!

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This is one of the best Amish fiction books that I have read in a really long time. This book also makes one slow down and remember the good things about life, even though they may be hard to see all the time. This was a fast read, or maybe the fact I could not put it down. Absolutely loved it.

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Another great story on the series with the Amish market. This one has Sovilla (must admit I didn’t like her name) moving in with her aunt she never knew existed. The infamous pickle lady who fights with everyone. Meeting Isaac, who struggles with a speech problem, they slowly start to fall in love. Didn’t like Lloyd, her cruel and bully of an uncle (brother to the pickle lady) and his sons. Obviously there are cruel and mean people everywhere, but struck me odd in an Amish romance. Otherwise, liked the characters, the series and author. Would highly recommend.

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