I liked this book much better than the first in the series, maybe because it focused on fewer (and more likeable) people. Almost all the main Amish characters deal with issues concerning their parents. Separating from 'mamm and daed' and standing on one's own two feet is always hard, but these youngies have some difficult family relationships to deal with. I also like the theme of having a “life list” that was woven throughout this story. I would still label this series "young adult" due to its "Amish lite" feel. I received a copy of this gentle romance from Net Galley and was not required to post a review.

Her Only Wish is the second book in the Season in Pinecraft series. This book features August and Betsy. August lives in Pinecraft and runs a golf course that his aunt and uncle own. Betsy is visiting from Kentucky and she has a life list that she wants to accomplish while staying there. One of the items is to play a round of golf, and that is where she meets August. Another life list is to learn to swim. I highly admired this spunky gal who has asthma. She wanted to try and do things she was never permitted to do before. There are actually three romances going on in this story, and so that makes this romance reader a happy one. I really enjoyed this sweet Amish romance and I look forward to her third installment.
*I was given a copy of this book by Revell Publishing, and this is my honest opinion.

This is the second book in the A Season in Pinecraft series. If you get a chance to read the first book, Her Heart’s Desire, it will give you a lot of background on the characters and the place for this book.

Both books in the series struck me as being “coming of age” stories for young, yet unmarried people in their mid-20s. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and finding out what issues they needed to figure out and in what areas they needed to grow and mature. After reading about Pinecraft, I found out it is a real place in Florida for Amish snowbirds! There aren’t too many plot twists, so the book is a fairly relaxing read.

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

Her Only Wish is book two of A Season in Pinecraft series by Shelley Shepard Gray.

I loved reading Betsy and August’s story. The characters are so realistic and familiar.
Shelley Shepard Gray is a wonderful storyteller who brings forth stories that touch one's heart with great characters full of faith, love, and emotion.
It was unpredictable, romantic, original, inspirational and definitely a page turner.
I can’t wait to read book 3 Her Secret Hope.

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

Thank You NetGalley and Revell for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I loved the idea of creating a life list. Sweet novel about persevering through life's challenges. It was heartening to see Betsy's determination to experience and enjoy life. Her friends were so encouraging even though her parents had difficulty letting go. Looking forward to the next book.

Her Only Wish is a very well written Amish romance. I enjoyed the plot, characters and the Florida setting. I definitely recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

After all, her dreams weren’t important ones. Just wishes about things she wanted to do one day.
“For what? Dreaming of learning to do a bunch of things that most people are able to do before they’re seven or eight?” He frowned. “Hey, don’t do that. Don’t put yourself— or your dreams —down. It doesn’t matter when or if you want to do these things. What matters is that you want to push yourself to learn something new. Ain’t so?”
I know this is a long quote, but I figured if I left part of it out, it wouldn't make sense. I love this quote, and out of all the ones that are in here; this one is my favorite.
I feel like this author is telling my story through Betsy. In many ways, I'm just like her, unable to do much, but too stubborn to admit it. I keep pushing myself to impress others, and then I end up looking the fool. Then I feel like I'm not good enough for others.
Betsy is my favorite of the three girls for the reasons above. I absolutely adore her determination.
Another hard lesson is that nit everyone is the same and can do different things. I think this is where the jealousy comes in. I know it shouldn't be like that, but sometimes I can't help it.
The one thing I didn't like was Augusts'
parents! It sure was eye-opening, yo see from a different perspective of parental guidance! They acted like a couple of kids themselves!
I loved this novel so very much! I finished it in a day it was so, and I hated to say goodbye.
Dreams gives us something too hope for towards the future.
5 stars for a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life and for making me feel like that I was a part of beautiful sunny Pinecraft.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Enjoyable read, glad to catch up with the girls from book 1 and make some new friends.

What a great idea making a life list.

Love is unique in these books and comes quickly.

Betsy has been sheltered all her life because of a medical condition. Now grown she decides to spread her wings. So she goes to Pinecraft, Florida. She has a list of life experiences she wants to accomplish in one month. Wanting to learn to play golf she meets August who helps her learn to play and a romance blooms. Sweet romance.

This is the second book in the series A Season in Pinecraft. We meet up with characters from the first book, but this one centers on Betsy Detweiler. She lives in Kentucky, but really feels like she needs to leave the mundane life there, and set out on some new adventures on her own.

She travels back to Pinecraft to see if she can complete some of the items she has put on her Life List. The first one she tries is learning to golf. When she meets the manager of the golf course, August Troyer, there is an immediate attraction by both of them. However, her sheltered life and his life of being a missionary kid and the things that have taken place in his life, bring them to a place of learning to be their own person.

Will her dreams come true of completing items in her list and will they be able to start and maintain a relationship?

I recommend this book and look forward to the next one in the series. Thanks to Revel and NetGalley for the advanced copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

This was such a sweet read. I love how it showed how one person choosing to live life to the fullest and follow her dreams, can impact the lives of those around her.

This book contains a full cast of loveable characters. Betsy was such an adorable character, loved her enthusiasm and also her relationship with August.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Betsy wanted to do things by herself, she had 2 goals in mind; the first was to learn how to play golf, and the second was to learn how to swim. But this would not be easy as Betsy had lung issues and used an inhaler and she was overprotected as a child - plus she is Amish!
Betsy goes to the golf course, walks on the cart path, and almost gets hit by a ball - but she is rescued by August, the courses' manager who is riding close by in a golf cart. Betsy asks about golf lessons and August agrees to teach her - but he does not know what he is in for....

Great Story!

Betsy and August have nothing in common other than the fact that Betsy wants to learn to play golf, and August seems like the perfect person to teach her. While golf provides a starting point for their friendship, they find that they have more in common than they thought. It was so sweet to see how they forge ahead in a friendship that blossoms into something more. However, challenges to their relationship appear in various forms resulting in difficult decisions that must be made.

Betsy and August captured my heart from the get go, as did their story. Alongside their story were other characters whose own stories intertwined with Betsy and August's story beautifully without overshadowing it. In each one the messages of love, family, overcoming fears, hope and seeking God's guidance shine through making this a wonderful and inspiring story. It deeply touched my heart, and I know it will do the same for all who read it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own.

BLURB: Sheltered yet adventurous, Betsy Detweiler is on a mission to get out of Kentucky and experience new things in life. She's got a list--a life list. What better place to start than with her friends in beautiful Pinecraft, Florida?

From the moment Betsy walks into the Snow Bird Golf Course to sign up for lessons, August Troyer is mesmerized. Betsy is a mass of contradictions--beautiful yet awkward, outgoing yet unsure, joyful yet hesitant. She's like no one he's ever met before, and as the only child of missionary parents, he's met a lot of people.

As Betsy and August embark on a month of enjoying life to the fullest, they'll encounter several reasons to back off and play it safe. But playing it safe has its own consequences. This tender romance reminds us that life--and love--requires a fair amount of risk.

REVIEW: I adore Amish romances and Shelley is fast becoming a one-click author for me in this genre. This book was no exception. It was such a sweet, faith-filled story of love and family, of commitment and friendships and community.

I devoured this in one sitting.

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

This is the second book in the series A season in Pinecraft. This is the story of Betsy Detweiler. Betsy lived in Kentucky and lived a sheltered life. Betsy has a lung disorder and sometimes has trouble with breathing. Her mission is to experience new things in life. She goes to Florida to stay with her friend while she fulfills her list of things she wants to do. One of the things on her list is to learn how to golf. This is where she meets August who works with his uncle on the golf course. This was a very enjoyable book. A young woman who just wanted to experience things that her parents we're afraid for her to enjoy because of her lungs. I enjoyed this book and cannot wait to see more in this series. Can Betsy And August find love? Will Betsy experience all the things she wants to complete on her list? Will her parents allow her to do the things she's so much wants to?

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book.
Ms. Gray is one of my favorite authors and this book didn't disappoint I enjoyed the characters and was able to remember them from previous books in the series.
Looking forward to the next book in the series about Lilly.

This book returns to Pinecraft, Florida, from the point of view of Betsy from the first book. It was a wonderful story to escape to, feeling the warmth of the Florida sunshine even as the wind blows cold here at home. Betsy learns to stand up for herself and what she wants, while finding love and friendship in unlikely places. August discovers that he does not need to always be under the thumb of his past, and breaks through his difficulties to find a fresh start. It is a very sweet, easy story with life lessons for us all.
I enjoyed this book even more than the first in the series, although it is difficult to picture the characters as Amish. They are really just normal people who are described as Amish, and very little of Amish life is shown in the book. But it would be a great summer novel to lose yourself in. Read alone or start the series with Her Heart’s Desire to get the full picture of all the characters.
*I received a free copy of this ebook from Revell Publishers and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

We are back in Pinecraft and with friends whom met on a former bus trip to this area. Now Betsy is back for another visit and she has a bucket list of things she wants to try! She is staying with her now friend Mary and her husband, and we are able to catch up on their lives!

Now what could Betsy want to do! Ah, well now her life is about to expand dramatically, doing things she has wanted to learn, and not been allowed to do!

Her mother is overly, maybe not, concerned about her health, she knows and has been there during many health crisis, and we meet her and wonder if Betsy will have to return home?

Enter August, unusual name for an Amish man, he is teaching Betsy golf, and maybe he is interested in a more personal relationship? He is also having a family crisis, and we hope he won't have to go to Africa!

I loved the way the author melded this story together, back with friends, new friends, golf, swimming, and sweet romance! Now I can't wait for the next book in this series!

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

Her Only Wish is the second book in the "A Season in Pinecraft" series and centers around Betsy Detweiler, one of the original "wallflowers" from the first book of the series. I liked the premise of the book that instead of making "bucket lists," Betsy was making a "life list." Her list of things she wanted to accomplish were things that made living life more rewarding and fulfilling.

I don't know if it was Shelley Shepard Gray's intention, but she created two characters whose parents were the very definition of dysfunctional. Betsy's parents were helicopter parents who hovered over her every move and tried to control her life, even though she was in her twenties. August, the golfer who is teaching Betsy to golf, comes from missionary parents who were all about being seen doing the work, and that was their whole identity. A couple of things happen that bring all this dysfunction to the fore--Betsy has a rather severe asthma attack, and August's father has an accident in Africa that could have cost him his leg. In both instances, August's and Betsy's parents made unreasonable demands on them and had to be told they were out of line. Betsy's parents took a hard look at themselves and changed. They saw the detriment they were causing to Betsy in not allowing her to live her life on her terms. August's parents expressed their disappointment in him having ideas of his own and not bowing to their every whim. Betsy's parents acted out of love, where August's parents acted out of how things would affect them. It was a sad situation for them both, at first, but they overcame in incredible ways.

Shelley has worked in two parallel romances into the novel to give it more life and flair. It was truly an enjoyable book just right for a rainy afternoon with a cup of hot tea and a cuddly blanket. Four strong stars.

Revell Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

A wonderful sweet story of Amish in Florida. Betsy has breathing issues, August has parent issues, and others also have issues. However, with kindness and love and understanding things have a way of working out. Enjoyed this one and highly recommend this book and author.