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.

A thought-provoking dual-time line story that was both compelling and intriguing. Both stories flowed well without losing the reader. I enjoyed the historical aspect and was amazed at Ivy Zimmerman’s strength dealing with the death of her parents and helping her sisters adjust as well. I enjoy Author Leslie Gould’s books and look forward to other books in this series.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and author. The opinions are my own.

This was an interesting and at times tragic story that has a lot packed into it. This is a dual timeline of present times and the turmoil of 1937 Germany. There was a lot of history concerning the Anabaptists, which included the Mennonites and the Amish. I appreciated the differences the author showed in how they lived. The different ideologies that were happening in Germany and the USA, then and now, and even how family members thought and reacted.

Not only was this interesting on the historical side and the dangers that were ever present in history, but in the present times there was also danger. The present story also dealt with a tragedy that affected Ivy and her sisters and the rest of her family. Her parents were killed in a car accident and some clues have been uncovered that point to it not just being an accident. But why and who would do such a thing?

Ivy, the main character is going through some growth in her maturity and her current selfish view of life. She has a lot on her plate and a lot of family drama, past and present to learn from and deal with. I am interested in the rest of this series.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

This is one of Leslie Gould’s best books to date in my opinion. It was a split time novel with current day and the time period of pre-World War II in Germany. Well researched, I learned a lot of interesting historical facts from the conflicts between Germany and Russia that I didn’t know. I couldn’t imagine the pacifist Mennonites siding with Hitler during this time. A small mention of some of the atrocities of that time was enough to give this reader pause.
There were family conflicts that stretched from Oregon to Pennsylvania from times gone by to present
Ivy Zimmerman, age 21, was just beginning to learn to navigate her life as well as help her sisters. A tragic accident upended all their lives and put Ivy on a search for the truth. But she also struggled with not feeling like she fit in and wondering if she would ever feel like she belonged. She also had a problem with worrying too much about what others thought of her.
It was satisfying to see how she changes and matures over this time period. The new relationships built between grandparents that Ivy and her sisters barely new was heartwarming. This book emphasized the importance of learning all one can of family history from older relatives before it’s too late. I love to read for entertainment but also to learn new things. This book satisfied both.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise

Wow! I loved this book and cannot wait until the next one comes out. There is so much history in this novel. There is WWII history but from a very very unique standpoint. It’s the Mennonite standpoint. And you get it both in the US and in Germany. I really loved this book and learning about bits of history that I’ve not heard of before.

Prior to this novel, I didn’t really understand the role that Mennonites played in WWII. I knew that the Mennonites in the US were conscientious objectors and did not fight but rather served in labor-like camps in the states. They also served in hospitals in the United States as well.

But in Germany, they served in the army. They felt that they had to and prominent Mennonites promoted it.

I DID KNOW ABOUT EXPERIMENTING ON TWINS.
However, I did not know that families actually volunteered their children for it, though I’m not surprised. I loved getting to know more about Germany and what was going on in the war years over there.

But lest you think I’m focusing too much on the past in this dual-timeline novel do know that I loved the present just as much. Three Mennonite girls who lived with their parents and grandmother until their parents died in a car crash. They each have some issues of their own that they have to work through in the novel.

And then add in that they go to stay with their other set of grandparents that they don’t know. Oh and the fact that the accident might not have been an accident.

You’re also going to want to keep a look at Ivy’s beau. Her father didn’t approve of him and you know that always means trouble! Oh and did I mention that their grandparents are Amish?

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.

I really enjoyed this book about the Mennonites. I loved the mystery in the present of the car accident and the memories of what happened right before WWll. I loved the characters of Ivy and Clare. I had never heard of what some of the Mennonites went through during their time in Ukraine and Germany before the war and it was very interesting. I laughed and cried. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

It has been a LONG time since I last read an Amish novel as intriguing as this one. It’s the first time I’ve ever read one that featured a dual timeline, and even more importantly, the first time I’ve read one that had any sort of historical references.

A Brighter Dawn features three sisters in the present day who have just lost their parents to a car accident. Their grandmother believes that it would be best for them to visit their Lancaster, PA Amish relatives as there are things in their past that need to be explained. A long cross-country journey finds Rosene sharing Clare’s story of how she traveled to Germany in 1937 and lived there for 2 years. The history of the German Mennonites, the birth of eugenics in World War II, and an introduction to Josef Mengele found me struggling to turn the pages fast enough.

While I have always loved Amish fiction, Leslie Gould is one of the few authors I’ve not yet read – but I aim to read MUCH more of her work in the future! The depth of research in this story was astounding, and I couldn’t believe how much I actually learned in this story that I never knew before. It was heartbreaking to read that the German Mennonites believed Hitler was the key to preserving their religion and way of life. It was hard to read about Clare’s two nieces being sent to an institute where doctors were researching their epilepsy and not knowing whether they would live or die. On the flip side, it was wonderful to read about characters such as Dr. Koch who were more than they appeared and fought diligently for what was right.

If you’re looking for a different kind of Amish story, then look no further than A Brighter Dawn! It has been several days now since I finished it and I still have these characters in my heart and mind – probably because I can’t wait to see where their story takes them next.

As of right now, I'm not sure I'm going to finish the book. I should have read the synopsis more clearly...not a fan of such tragedy in my books. I am also not a fan of the heroine (who was too old to act like a teenager) and not a fan of her friends...but I will try.


UPDATE: This book was a slow burn for me...I definitely had two spots early on where I put the book down and argued with myself as to whether I would finish (see above). I am still betwixt and between as to whether I recommend this to you, readers.


Here's why you might want to read this book: The story is heavily researched and I had my eyes opened to the history of how the Mennonites and Amish were treated during and between the World Wars. I have read a history of the Soviet Union (Solzhenitsyn's The Gulag Archipelago) and I knew of the horrors of communism--then and now. I had heard of the Ukrainian starvation/forced famine, but I had not known about the targeting of the Anabaptists. I truly believe this helps me understand what is going on now with the Russian conquest of the Ukraine again.


Here's why you might not want to read this book: So much heartbreak in the terrible things human beings do to other human beings. I tend to want to escape when reading, no matter how good and important this knowledge is for me.


Conclusion--I do recommend this book, to be followed by at least two fun and light-hearted inspirational romance novels of your choosing. Then, message me in the morning.

I had no idea this was a dual time period story and was very pleasantly surprised by it. The author does an excellent job of bringing the past to meet the present in this beautiful and emotional story. We meet Ivy in the present as she is looking forward to her future. I loved how we discover her way of life and how it is a bit different from the English. She does have more freedom as a Mennonite and I found that the Amish are a bit more strict in areas. When a tragic accident happens, Ivy finds her life turned upside down. Can she forgive herself for the last thought she had as she drove off that day? I worried about her sister Brenna who feels guilty over the accident. Her heart is broken and will need love and understanding to help her through her guilt and loss.

There are several topics in the book that may be a trigger for some such as white supremacy and how the Jewish people were treated during the reign of Hitler. I learned a lot about both of these topics and how the Mennonites were part of this. They suffered tragedy and were caught in the middle when they wanted to continue shopping at their Jewish friends stores. What a difficult time in our history this was as we get to know more about Clara and how her life was affected by this era.

Clara was fascinating to me as she was sent to go help her cousins who were having medical problems. At first she was to only stay for a few months in Germany but her return date kept changing. Since Hitler wanted a perfect race, Clara’s twin cousins were in danger due to their medical condition. I was shocked at what they wanted to do to the twins and saw how cruel their treatment was because they were considered damaged.

I loved how Clara and Ivy’s story illustrates courage, trust in God and family. The ending ties up the mystery from the past as Clara’s time in Germany finds her doing something that saves a life. For Ivy she was able to bring justice for her family. Both of these women witnessed prejudice and stood up against it. I am thankful for an author who writes stories that remind us that there is evil in the world but we can change that if we trust God and not waver from our belief.

I received a copy 9f this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Author Leslie Gould is well known in the writing community for her masterful telling of Amish stories. A Brighter Dawn was much different and really didn’t capture my attention.

Several characters were well developed and compelling, sure as Clare and Rosene. Others felt like fillers and just didn’t encourage me to continue reading.

The history involved was very interesting to me and it was well told. Maybe that was my issue. The story had a lot of telling. I want to see what’s happening. I want to hear and smell it. I don’t want to be told. We do get the reminder that history unlearned will repeat itself and I appreciated that.

A split time story, that part was well written and it was easy to follow. Gould added some unexpected twists and turns, making this somewhat of a mystery which I enjoyed.

If you enjoy Christian historical fiction, would like to learn the difference between European and American Mennonites, or enjoy a good mystery then do give this story a try. Remember, not every story is for every reader. I hope you love it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

A Brighter Dawn is an Amish Romance that is written by Leslie Gould. This is the first book in the Amish Memories series. This book switches back and forth between Ivy and Clare's story. Separated by decades it was so heartwarming to see how their stories are intertwined.

Ivy Zimmerman is a Mennonite woman that loses her parents in a horrific car wreck that she does not believe was an accident. When her dad's parents and great aunt come for the funeral, Ivy and her sisters are told they will be traveling to Pennsylvania to spend some time with their paternal grandparents in their Old Order Amish home. The girls have different reactions to it. Ivy reluctantly goes and is looking forward to visiting Germany on a missions trip. While traveling her great aunt tells her more of her family history and she is captivated by it. She is in a awkward relationship that she starts to realize may not be right for her.

Clare Simons wants to marry Jeremiah, her father's farm hand. He is Amish and her mother believes that she deserves more. She is sent to Germany with her uncle and cousin to assist with her twin cousins who suffer from seizures. Life is very different in Nazi Germany then what Clare is used to. Her twin cousins are left in her charge and she starts to feel uncomfortable with the treatment they are receiving. She desperately wants to come home but her mother forbades it and encourages her to meet a German Man.

This book is woven together so seamlessly with the different decades. The author did an amazing job in her research. The characters were well written and the storyline pulled me in within the first few pages. I cannot wait until the next book in the series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

A Brighter Dawn is the first book in the Amish Memories series by Leslie Gould. This is a dual time line story that tells the history of the Zimmerman family that is filled with tragedy, love and loss. The story takes place in 2014 when Ivy’s parents are killed in a car accident. Her grandparents decide Ivy and her sisters should leave their home in Oregon and go to Pennsylvania to get to know the rest of their family, they have never met. While driving there, the girls’ great aunt Rosene starts telling Ivy a story of an ancestor that lived in Germany before WWII. Ivy and Breanna global Gathering in Germany and Rosene travels with them to visit a family member still there.

This is such a good story. It is well written and easy to imagine. There is so much information in this story. The author has done a lot of research to provide a look into what happened with children with disabilities in Germany at the time. I enjoyed how the characters interacted and how they changed through out the story. I especially enjoyed the truthfulness of the conversation Ivy and her Mammi had about the past. Both parts of the story have suspense that kept me wanting to read to find out the ending. I enjoyed Ivy’s character, her strength to find out the truth for the family.

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

Leslie Gould has written a very compelling, yet for me, too political story about a young Mennonite woman, Ivy Zimmerman, and her family who live in Oregon. Following a family tragedy, Ivy and her sisters leave their beloved Gran and travel to stay with their estranged Amish grandparents on the other side, who live in PA. As the sisters travel back to PA with their Amish grandparents, they are accompanied by a great-aunt, who tells Ivy a story about another young woman. This woman, Clare, is a relative who visited Germany years ago, and stayed with a family of three sisters.

I enjoyed the dual timeline, even as it surprised me. I loved the historical timeline (narrated in third person)best, but the present-day story (told in first-person pov) is also interesting. I liked learning more about the Mennonites. I was surprised, as Clare is, at the difference in beliefs and practices of the American Mennonites vs. their European counterparts.

Gould wants to make sure the reader understands history and its importance today. While we aren’t responsible for the actions of others, the past can teach us. “But we have a responsibility to it—to caring for those affected by it, by never forgetting, and by doing all we can to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.”
I totally agree with that.

However, this was a difficult book for me to finish. For one thing, there are too many characters to keep them all straight. I also had some difficulty sorting out the which Mennonite group Gould is referring to in places. I felt as if the author had a ton of information she was excited to share, and didn’t pare it down enough for one book.

Gould heavily emphasizes the Ukrainian/Russian conflict before WWII. According to Gould, it’s very clear that the same events are now being repeated.

What I didn’t enjoy: Strong inferences made that being a Christian means you can only hold one political view. I hear that from both sides of the aisle, and it saddens me. Because we are human, we are imperfect, and our politics are imperfect. We will not all agree, but we should all be able to speak our minds respectfully, yet not insist that our way is the only way. Also, I read for enjoyment, not a rehashing of the conflict in the world around us. Realism is ok, but I expected this type of book to be more educational about WWII and the Mennonites, not the strong political statement I felt it became halfway through.

All in all, this is an interesting story, but very political and with too many threads in the tapestry.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“How did my grudges correlate with my will to survive? Not physically survive, but emotionally?”

“What was the difference between a grudge and a boundary?”

“I’d read once that if you flew west on a plane at one thousand miles an hour, you’d be continually in the dawn of one day for twenty-four hours. But I liked the idea. It gave me hope. A new day was always beginning, somewhere.”

The sunny atmosphere the cover art portrays pulls me into A Brighter Dawn instantly. So does the dual timeline (WWII and contemporary), the Mennonite outlook, the history, the light romance, and wonderful surprises.

I enjoyed this story, although that’s pretty much expected from a gifted storyteller like Leslie Gould. I can’t imagine not enjoying her work. It is evident she does extensive research to make her stories believable, meaningful, and inspiring.

I connected with and empathized for Ivy and Brenna, in different ways. And Claires story that Rosene reveals is just as captivating, teaching me so much I didn’t know. A fascinating story of family, faith, and perseverance.

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

A Brighter Dawn by Leslie Gould is a well written dual timeline story of family, faith, loss and love. This story captivated me from start to finish! The characters seemed to jump off the pages and the stunning plot just grabbed my heart and left me sitting on the edge of my seat till I finished the very last page. Even then the story and characters continued to stay with me for quite some time after. Don't you just love it when a story does that!

I highly recommend A Brighter Dawn by Leslie Gould - 5 Stars!

I received the above book as an ARC. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are my own. Thanks to Ms. Tracie Peterson as well as Bethany House Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.

I was expecting to read a Christian romance with Mennonite characters rather than Amish, where there was some conflict, attraction, courtship and a traditional happy ending. This was not that book - it was so much more.

Ivy Zimmerman lives with her family on their tree farm in Oregon. Her parents were Amish originally but her family is now Mennonite - not as strict as the Amish, and education is not restricted. Her father is a teacher at their local school, her mother runs the tree farm, and she has two younger sisters, Brenna and Treva. Ivy is in college, and intends to get her master's or doctorate degree and become a social worker. She has a boyfriend, Alex, who is not Mennonite. She is also planning a trip to Germany later that year to attend a global event for Anabaptists.

Then her parents are killed in a car accident, and everything changes. Her sister Brenna was driving, was injured in the crash, and doesn't remember a lot about what happened. The back bumper was dented, when it should not have been. There were also rumors about a conflict at the school between her father and another student.

The tragedy brings her fractured family together. Her father's family is Amish and live in Pennsylvania, and it turns out that her family also has relatives in Germany. When her father's parents and her great-aunt came for the funeral, it was decided that it would be best for the three sisters to stay with them in Pennsylvania for a few months. Ivy's maternal grandmother also encourages her to keep her plan to go to the Global Gathering of Anabaptists in Frankfurt, Germany, which is a few months away. There she also stays with her German relatives.

What follows is a fascinating dual story alternating between the rise of Nazism leading up to the onset of WWII, and the present. It was frightening to see how so many people were willing to follow a charismatic leader, and be willing to report anyone who disagreed, even their own relatives.

This is an excellent book, one I want to re-read. My thanks to the publisher Bethany House and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. It was my pleasure to voluntarily read and review it.

After reading the first book from the Amish Memories series, A Brighter Dawn, I believe I have found my new favorite book written by the talented author, Leslie Gould. It was a beautiful story of faith, love, loss, and hope. I love books that go between past to present and seeing how the two collide. I thought the author does a spectacular job in bringing the present and past together. I loved it.

A Brighter Dawn will be getting five stars from me. I believe fans and book lovers of clean Amish fiction and time slip novels, will enjoy it as much as I did. I hope to have the chance to read the second installment from the Amish Memories series, This Passing Hour, when it releases later this year.

I received a paperback copy of A Brighter Dawn from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

A fantastic story of family, roots and mystery all wrapped up in one. Ivy takes a trip that many of us wish we were able to.

This is very different from any Amish/Mennonite book I have ever read. And right there I applaud this because with so many books out there it's truly hard to stand out and be an original, but this book succeeds. I have read every Amish book that the author has put out and am very impressed. I have not read her contemporary books yet.
This book interestingly enough takes place during two time periods modern times and late 1930's.
Anyone who has read enough of my reviews knows how appreciative I am of a very well researched book that I also learn things from. This book fits those criteria.

2014- Ivy Zimmerman, a young Mennonite woman is adjusting to life without her parents after a fatal car accident. She's also a carer for her younger sisters' needs and coping with the strictness of Dawdi and Mammi's strict rules. She's also trying to figure out if she feels comfortable continuing her relationship with her boyfriend.
To leave behind some stress she is looking forward to an upcoming trip to Germany for an international Mennonite youth gathering.

1930's Germany- We find out about a family member's story that happened during WWII. We also read some history of the Anabaptists, their persecution and the things they have gone through during this time period. The German's quest to find the "perfect people" led to a lot of disgraceful experiments and eugenics. Though this is hard to read about it is an important thing to talk about and not forget. The book has many topics for discussion which adds to its interest. The flow between time periods is an easy transition. We see strong women in both time periods.

There is a revelation of the truth, and it adds a vulnerability to this character which makes the book even more realistic.
There are ups and downs and many surprises in this story. I loved this story and kept me reading. My husband also read this story and enjoyed it as much as I did.
Make sure to read the author's notes at the back of the book, informative and interesting.

Pub Date 28 Mar 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

A Brighter Dawn by Leslie Gould is dual-timeline Amish novel. I thought the story was well-written. The characters are realistic and developed. The story is engaging. It captures your attention and holds it until the end. I enjoyed getting to know Clare and Ivy. Clare’s story is intriguing. I like that we get to see Germany just before war breaks out from Clare’s point-of-view. There are some interesting twists along the way and a surprise. I can tell that the author did a thorough job researching historical events. I like how she incorporated the history into the story. It is disturbing to read what happened in Germany in the time leading up to World War II. I amazed at how many people fell for Hitler’s rhetoric. There is romance, but it is not at the forefront. I enjoyed the mystery as well. Ivy does not accept that her parents were killed in an accident. The facts do not add up for her. She is determined to uncover the truth. I admired her tenacity. The author takes readers from Oregon to Pennsylvania on to Germany, back to Oregon, and a return to Pennsylvania. I like that she included descriptions of the scenery as the group drove across the country from Oregon to Pennsylvania. The story has a good flow. The switch between scenes and time periods was smooth. A Brighter Dawn shows us the importance it is to be open to the truth. It can be hard to hear, but it is better than living with lies. The author gave us rich, developed characters and a complex plot. This is a story that invokes discussion. I suggest reading the author’s notes at the end. I enjoyed the first installment in the Amish Memories series. A Brighter Dawn is a thoughtful tale with an atrocious accident, gracious grandparents, romantic predicaments, a lengthy journey, a verbal narrative, and unearthing answers.