In Anything but Plain, Suzanne Woods Fisher explores what ADD and ADHD would look like in a community where steadiness, purposefulness, and diligent attention to tasks is a way of living out faith. Poor Lydie just doesn’t understand that much of what she despises in herself is hardwired into her brain. She also can’t see that the things she thinks she needs to “fix” most are part of what Nathan Yoder loves most about her.

Mix up a father who only wants the best for his daughter (misguided as he is) and another father who only wants the best for his son (even more misguided and less sympathetic), and you’ve got a mess on your hands.

Can I just say that I love how while Suzanne Woods Fisher doesn’t idolize the Amish, neither does she grab onto unjust stereotypes and exploit them? I’m sick to death of the evil bishop trope, and here she shows a bishop who could be “the bad guy” but instead, is a loving father who just doesn’t understand. Ironic, isn’t it? How often do young people think their parents “just don’t understand” when those parents really do! (And it’s often why they are so determined to send their kids in another direction!) However, this father’s motives, deep down, are loving rather than solely self-serving, and I appreciated that.

Anything but Plain will capture your heart from the first page until the last–even if Amish Fiction isn’t your jam. Because this isn’t just genre fiction–it’s Christian fiction at its finest. Bravo, Ms. Fisher!

Favorite author. Seriously. I don’t think I’ve read a single book by this author that I’ve ever not liked. I have loved them all. This one is no exception.

Within the Amish world, diagnoses aren’t necessarily a thing. You’re you. God would never make a mistake and so you are who you are. But what happens when you don’t fit perfectly in the cookie-cutter world and you are struggling with how you were made.

That’s the world that Lydie is living in. But when she goes to work for the Dr while trying to figure out how she can leave the Amish and her love Nathan, things get interesting. What if how she is truly is good enough? What if she just needs to learn more about herself? Can she ever truly believe she’s good enough, especially for Nathan?

This was such a great read. It read quickly. This is a clean read and is a Christian fiction/Amish fiction novel. You’re going to love this book and everything else you can read by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. 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.

It is so good to be catching up with old friends, I’ve enjoyed this book very much & didn’t want to come to the end of it. Full of practical advice for living life, as well as an engaging story, it doesn’t come across as being ‘preachy’ at all. There are lots of memorable maxims worth taking a note of - & applying! So many personality traits are covered, most readers will recognise something of themselves in here - & maybe try following Dok’s prescription...
My favourite quote : “God does not see you for what you are. God sees you for what you can be.”
Highly recommended : )

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Anything But Plain

Lydie felt she didn't belong.  She was told that she was different. But she learned later that being different is ok.

Lydie and Nathan were trying to find their way.  Both were not sure if staying in Stoney Ridge was possible.  Both lacked confidence.  


It only takes one kind word to change your outlook.  A pat on a back or an acknowledgement can change your life.  Lydie was lucky to have her Aunt.   She made a difference.  Nathan had the support of the community.  


I received this book from Celebrate Lit to review.  


I enjoyed revisiting some characters from earlier books.  This book was ANYTHING BUT PLAIN.  




Jeremiah 1:4-5 “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

I enjoyed this book about Lydie and Nathan and the Amish community. I loved how Lydie doesn’t fit in but most people in her community still love her but she has to realize that it is okay to be different. I liked how Nathan always loved her and would listen to her. I liked that Dok was willing to help Lydie learn to manage her ADHD. I love how this book focused on loving yourself even with your imperfections. I thought this book was well written and an uplifting story.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

This is probably one of my favorite Amish books this year. There are several key characters that brought out the human dilemma. Faith and how we deal with sin. How we deal with expectations, family, and finding your way. In all good reads, you have contrasting characters and this one did as well. Even the ones you love to hate, but in the end you felt compassion for them and the ones you were rooting for; you felt satisfied. I did wish it did not end so soon so I hope there is another book in the future.

Lydia has heard all her life - Slow down. Sit still. Try harder. Get organized. As if it were just a matter of will power. As if she could make herself act different, move different, think different. She was ashamed of who she was and hurting the people she loved the most over and over. She was ready to jump the fence but first she had to get everything in place. Being the Bishop's daughter came with many expectations and she was filling overwhelmed with them. After losing another job, her English aunt had offered her a job and something much more - hope. Known as Doc, she saw something in Lydia because she had grown up with the same feelings. She however did jump the fence and became a doctor. Doc was able to handle her ADHD and was able to help Lydia identify her ADHD.

There was so much more to this story than Lydia's ADHD. Her relationship with her dad, her next door neighbor Owen and his brother, and her grandmother who had come to stay while her step mother went to help with a new family baby. Owen had the deepest respect for Lydia and could not understand why she kept him at arms length and was more accepting of his brother. A brother that he had issues with. Owen was trying to prove to his father that organic farming was the way to go and his father had given Owen and his brother a contest. Whose crop would bring the most yield.

All those issues were knitted together to bring a heart warming story of Lydia's worth. A worth that was redemptive and thought provoking.

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

This story is about two endearing young people who have been friends since they were six years old. Lydia's life is frustrating to her and to her family. She cannot hold down a job, cannot stay focused and finish tasks. On the other hand, she is humble, creative, thoughtful, and handles crisis well. Lydia began working for her aunt, a doctor who left the Amish faith to study medicine, Dok Ruth realizes that she and Lydia share a common disorder, ADHD. She wants to help Lydia find ways to make her life better.
Nathan Yoder loves to farm and would like to see his family go back to his grandfather's way of organic farming. His dad and brother are into using chemicals. His dad decides to allow each brother to farm one half of the farm their way. Whoever turns out the best harvest gets to farm the whole farm as they wish.
Nathan loves Lydia. And she loves Nathan but, in her mind, she doesn't deserve him. This book is about the two but so much more. Lydia's dad, David, is bishop of the Amish district and has his own issues to deal with, including his mom moving in, causing problems. A lot goes on in the inspiring story bringing out all the emotions, happy, sad, funny, frustrating, anger, jealousy, and fear but all coming together to make a great read with some important spiritual life lessons. Highly recommended for lovers of Amish and Christian romance fiction.
I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishing and NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. All thoughts are mine only.

When I see a book by Suzanne Woods Fisher, I just know I’m in for a sweet and tender story. Anything But Plain is that and more.

I don’t read a lot of Amish fiction, nevertheless, there are a select few authors that are go-tos. I love the clean, wholesome, inspirational feel of Ms. Fisher’s work.

The word that comes to mind to describe the main character, Lydie, is sweet. Or perhaps it would be misunderstood. Anyway, she exhibits signs of ADHD and is treated poorly, even by those who might not mean to. She is so easy to connect with and empathize for. And then there’s Nathan—the epitome of kindness.

I just love it when a story makes me feel strongly and stays with me long after I finish reading it. This story developed nicely, captured my full attention, and offered a rewarding end.

Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.

Anything but Plain, by Suzanne Wood Fisher, is a beautifully written Amish Fiction story. It is enjoyable and easy to read. I just love the characters and the different parts they play in Lydie’s life. Lydie is the bishop’s daughter who struggles with many aspects of her life. When her aunt need a temporary replacement for her medical receptionist, she turns to Lydie and quickly realizes the reason.

This is such a good story. The author has delicately written a wonderful, informative story on an often misunderstood medical condition. I appreciate how the author has done research on the topic of ADHD and what life style changes can help. I also enjoyed the information given with Nathan’s research on growing healthy produce and the dedication and work he put into making it a success. I felt for Lydie as she was being pulled in so many different directions with other’s almost demanding things from her. I especially enjoyed how her father took advantage of bad situation to find a solution for his mother that helps everyone.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

What an interesting book. While I was able to guess early on with this book what the main character was dealing with, what an informative book. I loved the subplots and learned as much (or more) from them, including a way to help control asthma! I loved Nathan and Lydie and how sweet and caring Lydie was for everyone, including Patsy Glick (who in my opinion didn’t deserve her sweetness). I even loved how the author worked out the situation between Mitch and Nathan at the end. It was an amazing book that kept me reading to find out more and I loved, loved, loved David’s talk with his mother. That is a conversation that many need to have with others but it’s a hard and difficult one to start. I felt like it was a hug straight from God.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was under no obligation to review it. All opinions are mine.

Anything But Plain is a sweet and clean story of Lydie, a young Amish girl that can't understand why she can't seem to get anything right. She's constantly late to things, she often does things wrong, she can't even keep a job. Her neighbor, Nathan Yoder, is crazy about her, but he thinks she is seeing his brother, Mick, but Mick likes another girl, Patsy. Lydie doesn't think she is good enough for Nathan, and his dad thinks the same thing, because he doesn't like Lydie. Soon, she starts a job with her Aunt, who is the local doctor. She discovers what Lydie's problem is, and they begin working on it, and things begin to get better for Lydie. Great story!

BOOK BY: Suzanne Woods Fisher
What a refreshing story!
Lydie Stolzfus is a loveable character. She means well, is kind to everyone, but just can’t seem to keep a job or stay focused on one task for too long. She’s forever taking the blame on messing things up. These traits get her into fixes, and allows her to be easily manipulated by others. As the story progresses, another character comes alongside Lydie who knows exactly how to help Lydie. Because she’s ADHD herself.
Nathan Yoder loves the land of his grandfather and is determined to do better than using chemicals and pesticides to farm. He’s determined to use organic methods and work the land the way it was intended to be.
There are plenty of conflicts in this story, a lot of tension between characters, and ugly secrets that threaten to topple families. Readers will be delighted with a shocking revelation as the story nears the end. A cast of likeable characters bring Lydie’s and Nathan’s story to life as they struggle to understand these two odd Amish members.
As always, Suzanne Woods Fisher weaves just enough detail to immerse readers into the Amish community, giving a taste of the plain life. This story is a hope-filled one – that no matter how difficult life becomes, God always makes a way through.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

When you are the bishop’s daughter, you are expected to do things right. Everything. And Lydie Stoltzfus doesn’t fit that description. Nothing she does seems right; all she seems to do is disappoint people. All people. She is at the point where she plans to leave.

Lydie has been let go from every job; she has one last chance. The local doctor needs someone to fill in at the front desk temporarily. But Dok recognizes symptoms of an unusual but treatable disorder for the Amish. Can she convince Lydie she can help her before Lydie goes “English“?

My review …
I absolutely LOVED this book. And I will want to read it again.
What does this book have going for it?
Lots!

The plot …
From the first paragraphs, you will feel Lydie’s pain. And unless you have felt like you are disappointing everyone no matter how hard you try not to, you have NO idea how painful it is. This isn’t a single incident. This is her life. And has been for years. No wonder she is planning to leave her community. And then someone says that she can help her … really help her?

The characters …
There wasn’t a character in this book that made me pause and wonder if they belonged. Or would do what the scene called for?

The pacing …
The author skillfully builds the story … a VERY believable story so that when Dok says she can help her, the actions of all fit beautifully.

Dok’s solutions …
I’m giving nothing away here. The publisher’s own book description states “She offers treatment for Lydie.” It’s probably pretty obvious by now that I identify with Lydie a great deal. No. I do not have her disorder, but I do have one that causes some of the same situations Lydie goes through — especially that of disappointing people. And the relief I felt when I learned that I wasn’t a failure but had a disorder that was treatable.

DO realize that this truly *IS* an enjoyable read as well as compelling. And if you have some of the same issues, talk to your doctor. Be honest. Take someone with you if you can’t go alone. Life can be good.

I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of “Anything but Plain” via NetGalley from the publisher, Revell. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Rating: 5 stars — I’d give it 6 if I could.
#AnythingbutPlain #NetGalley #SuzanneWoodsFisher

“God does not see you for what you are. God sees you for what you can be.”

Stoney Ridge and especially Bishop David Stoltzfus’s home is my favorite setting that Suzanne Woods Fisher has penned. While Anything but Plain could be read as a stand-alone, it is sweeter if you have read the preceding books.

Everyone loves Lydie, but having the Bishop’s youngest daughter work for them is another matter. As Edith says, ”Everyone says you’re an accident waiting to happen.” (How can some people be so cruel to others?)

Mammi, David’s widowed mother, comes for a visit. Before long, she informs Lydie, “‘You’re the reason I’m here.’ Mammi smiled. ‘You’re going to be my special project. We are going to fix you.’” Oh, the angst in that household , and not just for Lydie, as Mammi settles in! I love how Fisher weaves that one event into so many subplots.

I was slightly dismayed to find in this book that David himself is not perfect. He has always been such a humble, wise, and godly bishop. To find he has faults was indeed sad. May it be a reminder to all of us that we cannot put church leaders on pedestals. The only one we worship and adore is God. He alone is perfect.

I loved Nathan. He is humble, kind, knowledgeable about his organic farming, and eloquent as well. He is very forgiving, more than most.

One plot twist did throw me for a loop. I did not feel the reader had been properly prepared or armed with enough understanding to receive that twist as plausible.

Still, this is probably my fave Fisher novel so far for the unusual subject matter, (ADHD among the Amish) and the way Fisher deals with it.

I received a copy of the book through Celebrate Lit, and also NetGalley, plus I bought a copy to give away. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Act first and think later. Lydie’s life in a nutshell.”

“He needed to seek things to be grateful for, something Birdy was always reminding him of. Search for them like a lost coin, she would say, because his mind didn’t naturally go to gratitude.”

“The Lord God did not make a mistake when he made you. Everything about you was ordained from the beginning. You have to start believing that.”

“She had a knack for solving problems, for seeing things he couldn’t see.

Amish fiction is one of those genres that I find I have to be in a particular mood for to truly get the most enjoyment out of them. However, when I see Suzanne Woods Fisher's name on the cover, I know that I am going to enjoy it regardless of my mood. Her contemporary works are some of my favorites, but she brings that same masterful storytelling and unique characters to her Amish fiction in a way that for me sets them apart from others in the genre.

This one was no exception. One of the main stories throughout was Lydie's struggles with what we discover is undiagnosed ADHD. I feel like this isn't something we read in a lot of books in general, let alone in Amish fiction...and I thought it was done wonderfully. Having an autistic child who struggles with attention issues, I feel like there are a lot of misconceptions on what these differences in how our brains work really look like in real life. I thought the author did a good job of bringing those struggles to light in a way that felt well researched and was done with grace. Mix in some family drama and a bit of romance too, and I found this to be a truly enjoyable story!

If you enjoy Amish fiction, this is definitely a must read, but I believe even those who do not typically prefer this genre could enjoy this one as well!

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

I love how this story takes a look at a topic that many deal with everyday. What makes it really special is that the author illustrates ADHD using her Amish character Lydia. I don’t think I have read an Amish story that talks about this subject. The details are very helpful and help readers understand that ADHD is something that many have but they also deal with feeling different. One thing I liked that was pointed out in the story was how difficult it is living with ADHD. The frustration is real and feeling like you are an outsider is very true. Many think they will never have a normal life, but the author gives us great ways to help those with ADHD. I learned a lot and know it will help others .

Lydia is always going at a fast pace. She can’t finish anything and finds herself late a lot of times. She tries so hard to please others yet she has to hear how she is not reliable and never on time. After losing several jobs she begins to doubt she will ever be good at anything. The author shows us how hard it is for Lydia as she struggles with something that she doesn’t realize she has. I was so glad that someone finally noticed what was going on with Lydia. Now Lydie’s father needs to be convinced that she needs to get tested.

Nathan is a great character who wants to prove that the chemicals being used on crops in the area are causing health issues. How does he convince others that he is trying to grow produce that is healthy without using anything harmful? Nathan is trying very hard to prove to his dad that he can grow things organically and make a profit. He also has a slight problem trying to convince Lydia that they are good for each other.

Something is holding Lydia back but she won’t share what is pushing her away from Nathan. What is really sad is Lydia thinks she isn’t good enough for anyone. She has heard all her life how she messes things up. After awhile it begins to give Lydia an idea that it would be better for her to move away. What a lonely outlook she has for herself. Have you ever felt like it would be better to leave a place where you didn’t feel wanted? It was interesting to read that some Amish didn’t believe anyone of them could have ADHD. It is just unheard of in the Amish community so some believe.

The story is a great example of how God works things out. In His timing he found a way for a mother and daughter to reconcile and get Lydia help. At the beginning it seemed that Lydia had no one to help her, but God in His perfect timing, set everything into action. One important thing I took away from this story is that we are not a mistake. Before we were born, God knew exactly what He was doing when he made each of us unique. We each have different gifts, and God wants us to use those gifts to bless others.

“God does not see you for what you are. God sees you for what you can be.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Anything but Plain by award winning author, wordsmith extraordinaire, Suzanne Woods Fisher is a contemporary Amish Christian novel that is beautifully written and emotionally charged. I was immediately involved in the story and the lives of the characters.

There is so much to love about this book beginning with the information I gleaned from it. The author took on some huge family and life issues and dealt with them exemplary. From contrary family members to medical disorders this book had beautiful suggestions for resolutions. It even dealt with lying, making poor choices, using people, reconciliation, and forgiveness.

This is the story of Bishop David’s daughter, Lydia Stoltzfus, a nineteen year old unmarried girl. She seems to be an accident waiting to happen and is usually late wherever she goes. She and her neighbor, Nathan Yoder, also nineteen years old, have a special friendship. He wants to be an organic farmer, but is met with resistance from his father and brother.

Author Fisher has done extensive research in preparing for this book. I learned a lot about Lydie’s disorder, family reconciliation, and gardening/farming. This entire novel was so interesting and entertaining at the same time. There are so many interesting subplots that this was a real page turner. I had trouble putting it down because I wanted to see what would happen next. When it was over I still wanted more! I loved the story and characters that much.

At the beginning of the book, there is a listing of characters with a little about them. After the story are discussion questions, author notes, and recommended resources for additional help on Lydie’s medical disorder. I highly recommend this amazing book. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.

This is a very clean Amish romance between Lydie and Nathan in Stoney Ridge. I would say there's more story of the family members than romance. I enjoyed reading about ADHD and learning how one's mind might work with that. I also enjoyed watching Nathan tackle organic farming and the struggles he had with his family.

Great story about overcoming difficulty whether it is ADHD or a hard relationship you need to deal with. Suzanne Woods Fisher is a favorite of mine and I grab her latest every chance I get!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Published 4 October 2022.

Anything but Plain by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a special Amish tale. I thought the story was well-written with realistic, developed characters. I liked returning to Stoney Ridge with its familiar characters (can be read as a standalone). There are some amusing characters. I would put Hank near the top of the list. I can just imagine him with his loud voice (he always shouts). Lydie Stoltzfus is a great character. She is lighthearted, lively, and scattered. Lydie has trouble staying focused and following through on things (starts one project and then goes off to another, leaving cupboard doors open, always late). Lydie feels like a round peg being pushed into a square hole. I thought the author did a wonderful job at showing how ADHD can affect a person's life. I can tell the author did her research on ADHD. It was interesting learning about the techniques that can help people with ADHD (something besides medication). I loved the humor scattered throughout the story. Lydie’s grandmother is a force of nature. People would rather flee their home than deal with her. I enjoyed learning about organic farming and the different types of produce. There were some varieties that I had never heard of before. I like that the author showed how pesticides can affect people (an example is individuals with asthma). The romance progressed slowly which suited the story. There are a couple of different storylines in the book involving various characters in Stoney Ridge. It makes for a more engaging book. The ending left me with a smile on my face. I appreciated that there was a cast of characters at the beginning of the book. Anything but Plain was an entertaining story. I hope this is not our last visit to Stoney Ridge. Anything but Plain is a diverting tale with a speedy scooter, an undulating pasture, a meddling Mammi, a fleeing family, missing magazine pages, a big blast, and a surefire solution.

Another great by this author. It was a little slow to start but love the Amish culture! The characters are easy to relate to and as a mom of two who struggle with ADHD I know that Lydie deals with!