This is a quiet romance about an independent Amish woman who feels out of place in her community. I liked the slow trajectory of her relationship with David, and the cultural differences and similarities between Mennonites and Amish. I love the ending which featured an equal housework split and no pregnancy. Both are super unusual for the genre!

What a wonderfully written story! This book is part of a series, yet is definitely its own stand alone novel, as well. I love this cover, too. It fits the story and the two main characters perfectly.

One of the things that I really appreciated about this book was the way the two main characters communicated. They were both such genuinely nice people and it was sweet the way they connected as friends with a common passion of gardening, even as their hearts wanted more than friendship. I liked the way that David was forthcoming in his feelings toward Bay and respectful of her at all times.

Bay’s friendship with Anne, David’s sister, was wonderful, as well. I loved seeing Bay bond with little Matty and help him as he opened up and healed after his father’s death. These characters all felt like real people to me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is a Clean Amish Romance. This book is all about an Old Order Amish young lady, Bay that falls from a Mennonite young man, David. I have to say I love Bay so much. Bay is just trying to find her place that she fits in her Old Order Amish friends and family. She does not want what the Amish tells her she needs to be. I loved seeing Bay open up and become herself in this book. This was not a cute romance, but it was a great read with strong characters making hard decision. I think the last part of this book was packed with so much stuff, but it was great. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Love Inspired) or author (Emma Miller) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

I've said it once and I'll say it again - books that let you escape are really really underrated. There's an entire group of people at work now who are all binge reading these books because everyone is very burned out and just wants to read something completely frivolous. I've been tasked with finding books to include in our new book club, and these are an admittedly unexpected hit.

A chance meeting that changes lives. A new friend, and with a lot in common, except religion.

Bay's mother is hounding her to marry, but would she accept a Mennonite? Will she loose her heart, only to lose her family?

There are answers here, but will David be able to juggle everything as his family life seems to be stumbling. Yes, sparks are flying, and we are walking with them, but you also might want to have the tissues handy, there are some rough times ahead.

I have read many books by Ms Miller, and this will not be the last.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Love Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review.

Bay Stutzman is an independent Amish young woman. She is not married because she believes in marrying for love and not convenience. She also loves working in the dirt and growing flowers. Unlike most Amish women, she wants to have her own business in what she is passionate about. Living with her mother and step father, her mother worries for her and her future. A argument ensues and in Bay's stubbornness she goes off on a fools errand and meets handsome greenhouse owner David Jansen.

David rescues Bay and a friendship ensues. David lives with his sister and her son. She is a single parent. Both brother and sister help each other out in many different ways. Bay develops a friendship with Annie's David's sister. In doing so, David and her develop a deeper relationship. What keeps their relationship from going deeper is that David is not Amish and lives an English lifestyle. His sister is Mennonite. Their story reflects on the differences and how family ties are so strong. Bay has to keep a balance in her relationship until she is forced to make a decision or lose the man she has come to love. It is a story about how love can overcome misunderstanding, prejudices, and sacrifice. Love is patient and looks to the good of others. Their story reflects the love chapter of the bible that are popular in weddings.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13.

I heard in a sermon once to replace your name where love is written. It is an eye opening exercise and Bay and David passed that test. Highly recommend.

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

Their Secret Courtship by Emma Miller is a standalone novel with two central characters. Bay Stutzman is Amish; David Jansen was Amish but is now a Mennonite. The first sentence in the description is a perfect introduction: “They have almost everything in common…except the thing that could keep them apart.“

Bay is not your “typical” Amish maiden. She isn’t that interested in cooking and cleaning house isn’t on that list either. What she *does* like to do is work in the greenhouse with her stepbrother Joshua — so much so, she is half owner.

David Jansen owned and operated a commercial nursery in Wisconsin. He sold that business and has set up another when he moved to the community to assist his sister, Annie, a widow with a young son, Matty. Matty has not spoken since his father died. Annie is in her final trimester of pregnancy. When she and Bay meet, it’s like they have been friends forever.

Bay’s mam, Rosemary, seems determined about one thing — Bay must marry a good Amish husband. And soon. Bay is far more interested in plants. She is not husband hunting and won’t even to please her mother.

Bay has a buggy accident. David rescues her and they discover they have interests in the same thing. And the story takes off from there.

The pacing of the story good with side stories involving Annie, Matty, and Bay’s family — no cliffhanger ending. I really liked Bay; she knew what she wanted yet took other people’s feelings into account. I will admit it — I fell in love with Matty. The book was enjoyable. Good character development and enough “side” characters to make it interesting.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Harlequin – Romance, via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4.5 stars. I felt the ending before the Epilogue was just a bit weak. However, I have rounded the stars to five.
Cover rating: Loved this cover. Fit the book perfectly.
Expected publish date: January 25, 2022

#TheirSecretCourtship #NetGalley #EmmaMiller
`===================================================
Run date on my blog will be December 26, 2021. Link will be: https://lyndapbookreviews.idogenealogy.info/their-secret-courtship