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.

This entire series is great and this one is right there with the others! You don't have to read them in order to enjoy them but I think it makes the storylines build better. Overall so clean and a great read! Love Beth Wiseman!

The Story of Love

by Beth Wiseman

Yvonne moves from her house in Houston to live in Amish country in Montgomery, Indiana. Her friend Eva has been ordered to bed during her pregnancy, and Eva’s father-in-law is confined to a wheelchair leaving the farm management to Eva’s husband Jake. Yvonne, a rare book dealer, had met the couple at their bookstore, and now she steps in to help her friends at their store.

Abraham is a police officer who left the Amish church on friendly terms hoping to be useful as an intermediary between the Amish and the Englisch. He met Yvonne shortly after her fiancé died and hoped that at the right time he would be able to get to know her better.

The Story of Love is a sweet story of two people trying to sort out priorities and relationships. When the tale begins, Abraham is dating a very attractive woman who is as shallow as a mud puddle. With Yvonne and Abraham trying to make honorable choices, it takes a while for the romance in the story to progress. There is the further complication of Abraham’s family’s attitudes toward both women and their continuing discomfort with Abraham leaving the Amish faith. It is a problem for him too. Interesting and important subplots center on a homeless dog and a case of domestic violence.

I really enjoyed reading The Story of Love and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Hopefully Ever After, to discover what lies ahead for the characters. It is a gentle book but also has some action and confronts some serious issues. The characters use some Amish terms, and through the plot I learned how the Amish celebrate Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Christian, Romance

Notes: 1. #2 in the Amish Bookstore Novel Series. It would be fun to read the first book in the series, but I had no problem jumping into this one.
2. Contains a Glossary of Amish words used in the book.

Publication: October 11, 2022—Zondervan Fiction

Memorable Lines:

Brianna smiled, looking gorgeous, but now that Yvonne had seen what was on the inside, her striking appearance had lost some of its luster.

This was what Christmas was supposed to be. Gifts created out of love. Meals shared with family. And an all-knowing sense that where more than one gathered in His name, He was there.

…if she was honest with herself, she was the problem. She was unlovable, despite her outward beauty that she’d always counted on to get her through life, to land her a good man, and to enjoy the life she thought she deserved. Maybe you had to give love with genuine intent before you got it back.

The Story of Love is Book Two in the Amish Bookstore Series by extraordinary storyteller Beth Wiseman. This contemporary Christian Amish is captivating. I was invested in the story and characters within a few pages. It may easily be read as a standalone if Book One has not been read yet.

This is the story of Yvonne and Abraham. Abraham grew up Amish, but has not yet been baptized. He joined the police force, which is an unusual professional for anyone raised Amish. I found The Story of Love to have most everything in it that makes a story interesting. There is Amish, romance, mystery, suspense, and and intrigue. The Christian message is woven throughout the book in a beautiful way. Since I am a Hoosier, I appreciated the setting of Montgomery, Indiana.

The author has penned a touching story that readers of Amish and contemporary fiction will both like. It is filled with timeless life lessons. The story is captivating making this a page turning book. I did not want to put it down! It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by NetGalley, but these are my honest words.

This second book in the Amish Bookstore Novels series, returns us to Montgomery, Indiana, Amish country to reconnect with Yvonne and Abraham and continue their story. Even though there are carry over characters from the first book in the series, there is sufficient background information supplied to allow this book to work as a standalone. With a well-crafted plot, endearing characters, a love triangle romance, and a gentle faith element this is an inspiring, entertaining read. The twist at the end sets the stage for the next book in the series which I am looking forward to reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Yvonne Wilson moves to Montgomery to help out Jake and Eva with their bookstore while Eva is on bedrest and Jakes juggles the store with farming. Yvonne is excited for a new start, working alongside her new friends. Abraham can't deny the spark between himself and Yvonne, but he is already in a relationship.

An engaging read, I loved getting to know Yvonne and Abraham more as well as seeing familiar faces from previous books. I admired Abraham for staying true to his faith, and his morals. Yvonne is a kind woman adjusting to her new life in Montgomery, it was fun seeing Yvonne come to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas among her new friends.

An engaging sweet romance, though if it were a movie it might border on PG-13 for some suggestive scenes though framed in a negative light. A quick entertaining read, I look forward to seeing what is next for the families of Montgomery, Indiana!


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“The Story Of Love” by Beth Wiseman is the second book in the Amish Book Store series. You can read the book as a stand alone, but I think you will enjoy it more if you read the series in order. Bookbuyer Yvonne Wilson is back in Montgomery, Alabama trying to start over after the sudden death of her fiancé. She is hoping to reconnect with Abraham Byler but he has a new girlfriend. Yvonne is trying to navigate a new life and find her path to spirituality.
This is a feel good book with a twist at the end. I’m looking forward to the new book in the series. Many thanks to the author, Zondervan Fiction and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

It was so good to be back in Montgomery, Indiana and be reacquainted with some of the characters from previous stories. I love too that it is set in a book store. The characters of Yvonne and Abraham are so interesting and the book not only includes romance but also mystery.



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

The Story of Love by Beth Wiseman was a delight to read. It is the second book in The Amish Bookstore Novels. It can be read as a standalone, but you will get the bigger picture if you read The Bookseller’s Promise first. I thought The Story of Love was well-written with relatable characters. I enjoyed getting to know Yvonne and Abraham. I am glad the author gave Yvonne her own story. We met her in the first book, but we really get to know her in this one. Abraham grew up Amish, but he decided to not become baptized. He joined the police force which is a very un-Amish profession. I loved that we get to catch up with Eva and Jake from The Bookseller’s Promise. Eva is such a lively character. The Story of Love has mystery, suspense, and romance. I especially enjoyed the mystery (I love solving a whodunit). There are some touching moments especially with Yvonne and the dog who decided her porch was his new home. I like that Christmas is shown in a different light. We get to see Yvonne experience her first Christmas as a Christian. She gets to experience the true meaning of the season. I also liked that the gifts given were useful and homemade. The author’s word imagery had me feeling the cold of Indiana. I could just imagine Yvonne shivering inside the farmhouse. I loved Yvonne’s delight with the falling snow (wait until her first blizzard). The story is told from three points-of-view: Yvonne, Abraham, and Brianna. Brianna is the woman Abraham is dating when Yvonne moves to Montgomery, Indiana. We get to see how jealousy can affect a person. Sometimes the green-eyed monster can make an individual do things they would not normally do. I like how the various storylines all worked together in this book (so much going on). There is some repetition of details (how Yvonne lost her fiancé, failed to write Abraham back, Abraham is dating Yvonne). I loved the ending which left me smiling. The Story of Love is a book that I stayed up very late to finish. I am eager to read Hopefully Ever After. The Story of Love is a captivating Amish tale with wintry weather, a dirty dog, a pair’s rough relationship, crafting presents, telling traces, and a cheerful Christmas.

I really enjoyed this book, the setting, the characters, and a few twists made for an entertaining read. Did I like all the characters? No. Were some or at least one written to be unlikeable? I think so because there seems to be a consensus that one young lady is quite overbearing, however we have Yvonne Wilson who is the epitome of a lovely young, kind, caring young woman. I also liked Abraham and was happy to see them reconnect.

This is the second book in the series, so I suggest reading the first book to become familiar with the town, the bookstore and on the plus side, it is a really good book.
Overall, I thought this was a wonderful novel and I look forward to seeing what is next from one of must read authors.
I received a copy from the publisher and Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

Beth Wiseman is one of my favorite authors of Amish romance novels. I was so excited to be able to read and review this book.

It is the second book in a series, but is able to be read as a stand alone book.

I fell in love with Yvonne is book one, The Bookseller’s Promise. If you haven't it, I highly recommend, but it is not necessary to follow our character's story.

The love triangle between Yvonne, Brianna, and Abraham is full of twists and turns that are eventually resolved.

The side story about Yvonne's adoption of a stray dog that lands on her doorstep is a heartwarming and beautiful addition to the story.

Highly recommend this one!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher (Zondervan) and author (Beth Wiseman) for granting me a copy of this book in return for my honest opinions.

Excellent book with complicated characters and situations. I have yet to read the first book in this series, but enough of the backstory was provided that I did not feel lost. It does make me want to go back and read the first one. Three main characters - Yvonne, Abraham, and Brianna - are involved in a love triangle. In the previous book, Yvonne met Abraham when she visited the town and attended her friends, Jake and Eva's wedding. Yvonne and Abraham connected there, with Abraham developing feelings for her. He wrote to her after she returned to Texas, but still grieving the death of her fiancé, Yvonne never answered his letters.

Months later, Yvonne moves to Montgomery for a new start. Jake and Eva hired her to manage the bookstore while Eva is on bedrest and Jake works the family farm. She looks forward to a quieter and simpler life and the possibility of seeing Abraham again.

Abraham is a former Amish man who left the community to become a police officer. He likes his work but occasionally wonders if he made the right choice. In other decisions, after not hearing from Yvonne for three months, Abraham starts dating newcomer Brianna. Brianna is a modern city woman, making me wonder why she latched onto a former Amish and still very conservative Abraham. Brianna is very intense, possessive, and controlling. When she hears about Yvonne's arrival in town, she quickly stakes her claim on Abraham.

I loved seeing the relationship develop between Abraham and Yvonne. She is conscious of his relationship with Brianna and unwilling to break them up, puts him firmly in the "friend zone." Abraham is happy to renew his friendship with Yvonne but quickly realizes that he is much more attracted to Yvonne than Brianna. He finds frequent reasons to help Yvonne, from helping her with her house to providing her with a Christmas tree. It was easy to see that Abraham and Yvonne have much in common and are very suited to each other.

Brianna is intense and tries to push Abraham faster in their relationship than he is willing to go. The Amish values he was raised with are still integral to who Abraham is, and he has made his position very clear to Brianna. When he is injured in the line of duty, Brianna moves in to help him, putting her own spin on the situation. Her methods of getting her way are dishonest and manipulative. It doesn't take long for Abraham to realize that it is time for them to part ways, but his soft heart worries about hurting her. There were some scary moments with Brianna, but I ended up feeling sorry for her.

With his relationship with Brianna sorted out, Abraham was free to spend time with Yvonne. I loved watching their connection grow and strengthen as they shared their beliefs and dreams. The incident that ended with Abraham's injury has caused him to question his future as a police officer and his decision to leave his Amish faith. But returning to the Amish would mean leaving Yvonne behind. Both need to look deep within their hearts to find the right answers. I loved their honest communication about the pros and cons. The ending was terrific, with a sweet twist.

There were a couple of mysteries running through the book. One was creepy and scary. Not long after Yvonne moved into her house, she began having problems with an apparent stalker. Someone tried to break into her home, and there were nights when Yvonne's dog would bark an alert that someone was lurking. The resolution of this issue was intense and heartbreaking. The second mystery was simply intriguing. Jake told Yvonne of an old story involving the bookstore and a rumored cache of valuable coins. With the number of renovations the building has gone through over the years, with no one finding them, Jake and Yvonne suspect that it's all talk and no substance. Then an unexpected discovery lends credence to the rumors. I hope that there will be more about this in the next book.

I can't end this review without talking about the dog. One night when she came home, Yvonne found a dog curled up on her porch. She is terrified of dogs after an incident when she was a child. The dog is a pitiful specimen - very thin and dirty but not aggressive. Over the next few days, Yvonne's kind heart overcomes her fears, and the dog wriggles his way into her life. I loved watching the tentative bond grow between them. Yvonne won my heart when she brought the dog inside on a snowy night. Her decision to keep him was not unexpected, and I loved the comfort and companionship he gave her. He was also protective, which gave Abraham a few worrisome moments but was a good thing in the end.

This novel continues the story begun in the Amish bookstore series, book one. Some of the same characters appear, but the book can be read as a standalone; enough background information is provided. Although it is not a Christmas novel, the story takes place at Christmas time in a small town in Indiana.

In this story, Yvonne leaves her home in Texas and moves to Montgomery, Indiana to take over managing a bookstore for her Amish friends Eva and Jake, who are expecting a baby and also working the family farm. Yvonne reconnects with Abraham, whom she met on a previous visit to Montgomery. Abraham has left the Amish community and now serves his community as a police officer. Unfortunately for Yvonne, Abraham also has a girlfriend, Brianna. As their feelings for each other become clear, and Yvonne settles into the community, Abraham must make a decision about his relationship with Brianna. Both Yvonne and Abraham must also make decisions about their futures.

This is a clean, sweet read, lacking in overt intimacy, descriptive violence, or strong language. The Christian message is clear and overt. Readers of Amish fiction will most likely enjoy this next installment in the Amish bookstore series, although the action seems to slow down and become repetitive at times. At the end of the book, the author provides a set up for the next novel. The author also educates readers about life in Amish communities and culture, and includes a glossary of Deutsch terms.

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 enjoyed this second in a series book that has a connective setting in a bookshop owned by an Amish couple. Their friend Yvonne returns to the area ready to change her life, settle in and work for Jake and Eva rather than continue her career as a rare book seller. After the death of her fiancé Yvonne needs a change.
Abraham, a law enforcement officer and former Amish community member still remembers Yvonne after meeting her at Jake and Eva's wedding. He is disturbed that he still has an attraction to her even though he has been seeing Brianna, a thoroughly English woman who is quite driven.
I liked the book and the challenges the characters are presented with. Brianna is worldly and sees Yvonne as a rival, so she pushes Abraham trying to get him into a more personal relationship. Yvonne is struggling with grief and an attraction to Abraham. She is also being bothered by a stalker who may be dangerous. It makes for a good mystery.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley. It's a strong four out of five for me and this is my own unsolicited opinion. I look forward to the next book.

I was so excited to receive the latest book in this series because I absolutely adore Yvonne. She captured my heart with her love of books and how she tracked down very rare books for clients. That would be such an exciting job and what wonderful treasures you would find. Yvonne has decided to move from Texas when she is offered a job running a bookstore. She finds herself in Montgomery, Alabama where her new friends Jake and Eva live. She is so excited to start this new job and is thankful that Jake and Eva have hired her. I would love to be in a bookstore all day surrounded by stories waiting to be read. Yvonne is hoping that she can heal her broken heart after losing her fiancé.


Abraham has grown up Amish but decided to not be baptized so at times it may be hard for him living near the community. He is still welcomed but his job as a police officer keeps him pretty busy. He also has a girlfriend who I’m not sure is suited for him. He still enjoys the simple life but his girlfriend loves to dress up and drives a fancy car. I thought it was funny when Abraham finds out that Yvonne has moved to his town because he still has a major crush on her. I can see trouble heading his way once his girlfriend finds out he still has feelings for Yvonne.

I did enjoy Yvonne describing why she is happy that she has moved. She loves the simple life and slow pace the Amish live. One thing she points out is that there is no competition between women. They all dress the same so that takes away women being jealous of how others dress. But be careful about that thought Yvonne. Women can become jealous of others if they think you are showing their boyfriend or husband attention.

When a dog adopts Yvonne I found it be comforting. They both seem lonely and I think they will be good for each other. I’m a big animal lover and anytime I read a story with a dog in it it melts my heart. I couldn’t wait to see if this relationship would turn out to be a happy ending. I did find myself wrapped up in a thick blanket as I read the book after the author describes the dog shivering on the porch. Weather in the winter can be harsh and Yvonne can’t let that poor dog stay outside. It is a nice scene when the dig finds comfort in her home.

The story does have a frightening moment when Abraham is shot in the line of duty. He never thought in the quiet area he patrols that something like this would happen to him. But what is more alarming to me is his girlfriend Brianna at the hospital and Yvonne shows up. Talk about awkward. Why does Yvonne mention that Abraham got her a Christmas tree in front of Brianna? Let’s just say I think a line was drawn in the sand as Brianna explains that Abraham will be staying with her as he recovers. Oh my have the claws come out or what.

The author has written a story that explores relationships, forgiveness and most of all standing together in faith. I was very surprised at who had been stalking Yvonne and it saddened me to learn this person did it. I loved how the author handled the relationship between Yvonne and Abraham. They both have decisions to make about continuing and a bigger decision will be about their faith. I loved how these two asked God for direction in their lives and waited on Him for direction. The ending leaves readers hanging a little and I’m excited to see if the author will continue the series.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The review is my own opinion.

This is book 2 but can be read as a stand-alone.

Yvonne has sold her house and is moving to Montgomery, Indiana where she will work at the bookstore Eva and Jake own. Eva is 7 months pregnant and having premature contractions so Jake is needed at home to help the family. Yvonne was a little uneasy to see Abraham after the long time since saw him and all that had happened in their lives. Abraham had been Amish but decided he should leave his faith and become a policeman.

Yvonne is renting a house that has no insulation and is freezing cold. There is a dirty scraggly dog involved and a stalker.
Abraham is questioning his career even though he believes the Amish need to be better understood and represented.

Winter is coming and so much more in this story of love and life in and around the Amish community.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Zondervan for allowing me to read this book. The review is in my own words.
#TheStoryofLove #NetGalley.

Yvonne and Abraham met at a friends wedding and were attracted to each other. But Yvonne thought that it was to soon after the death of her fiance. Now she is back in town and they both find that they still feel the seem. One problem though. Abraham has a girlfriend. This is a lovely story about second chances and finding your place in the world.

The Story of Love is Beth Wiseman's second book in the Amis Bookseller Series. Yvonne, a finder of rare books who we met in book one, moves to Montgomery, Indiana, where she helps Jake run the book store she met him and his wife Eva at, since Eva must stay on bed rest during her pregnancy. Abraham was raised Amish, but then went on to become a police officer. He and Yvonne had clicked when they met, but life was complicated for Yvonne and the timing was off. Now that she is back, she is excited to see Abraham again, but discovers that he is in a relationship. His girlfriend Brianna is very beautiful and Yvonne doesn't want to come between them. However, something keeps drawing her and Abraham together. As the story progresses, they must decide what is best for them and their relationship. Add in a stray dog, a stalker, and a bit more chaos and things get a bit wild. But, all through the story, Wiseman links faith and life like only she does. What becomes a chance at a relationship also becomes a hope for the future and a leap of faith. Very good book, as always. She is always one of my go-to authors! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

If you have followed me for a while, you will know that I absolutely adore Amish romance novels, and there is no way I would ever turn down the chance to read one.

This book was no exception, I loved the cover and the blurb and couldn't wait to get started.

Surprisingly, I really struggled to get into this story, the plot was not at all what I was expecting from an Amish romance. There is a love triangle at the heart of the plot, and for an Amish romance, quite a lot of non-chaste moments.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

"He didn't think real love should be scary" (location 1136). When Abraham finds himself in just this spot, it causes him to question some of his decisions. The fact that the woman he was instantly attracted to has moved back into town might have helped too. I really liked Abraham and Yvonne. I enjoyed their friendship and the easy way they have with each other. I felt sorry for Brianna. She has a lot going on underneath her actions.

I don't read a lot of Amish fiction but enjoy it when I do. The mix or clash of cultures is always interesting. There isn't a lot of that in this book but it didn't matter to me. The story was solid as it was. There was a hint of danger and a twist or two. I enjoyed it.

Thank you to Zondervan for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.