A sweet Amish romance of stangers wed before they get to know each other because of a stolen kiss.

Misunderstandings flourish, but it all comes all right in the end.

I've read my share of Amish fiction and while I can't say I really care for it, this one had more than its fair share of Amish phrases and words casually sprinkled throughout and so I nearly did not finish it.

It starts out slowly and keeps that pace. Both LeEtta and Benuel Ropp have their fair share of faults that aid in the misunderstandings, he more than her. He has issues with his family and a large chip on his shoulder that he has to resolve, to begin his relationship with LeEtta on a happy note. Does he manage that? How? Where does LeEtta's faith come to play when Ben thinks God doesn't answer his prayers or listen to them even. Can she and Ben have a happy, God-centred marriage?

Who is the prowler/stalker on the farm? Is it some wild animal or is there someone out there with questionable intent? Throw in LeEtta's romance crazy grandmother, widowed father still mourning his dead wife, and you have yourself a story.

If you like sweet, Amish style romances, go for it, but it's not really my cuppa.

A Stolen Kiss by Mindy Steele
Who kissed who first?
Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.
LeEtta Miller brazenly accepts a dare from her friends. What harm is there in kissing a handsome stranger she’ll never see again? Unfortunately, the incident was witnessed and when her father learns her good virtues are marred, he wills her to marry.
Benuel Ropp wanted a family, but not this way. He was trying to regain some of what he tarnished by coming to Cherry Grove, not to get married to a stranger. Well, if Laura thought he’d flinch and let her boldness add another stain to his name, she was mistaken. He had forgiveness to earn and a name to restore, and if he had to make sacrifices to do it, so did she.
Who kissed who first, he can’t even remember anymore.
This is LeEtta and her dad Arlen Miller's story.
This is Benuel Ropp's story.
LeEtta let out a sigh as she helped tidy the table. What she wouldn’t give if her father treated her more like a helper than something fragile that might break under the slightest pressure. LeEtta wanted to do more than simply cook his meals. Although, she did need practice. Lots of it. Baking was a joy to learn, as each recipe took on a measure of delight to create. It was LeEtta’s side dishes she struggled with most. Daed insisted she didn’t need to explore with trying out new spices for what only needed but a pinch of salt, but LeEtta was sure she could make even the blandest green bean better by adding the right amount of garlic, red pepper, and bacon grease.
But first, she needed to find better ways of communicating with her father. Since he’d fallen off the grain-bin ladder two weeks ago, his quiet had grown unnervingly quieter. Surely he was concerned about the harvest. How was a man his age, with only one working arm, going to harvest all their corn when he struggled simply tending to the livestock? That’s what she’d like to know.
“He’s a stranger who hasn’t visited his grandparents before. I mean, we’ve never seen him before. That says much about a person, ain’t so?”
“Excuse me.”
His roguish tone sent a second shiver over her. So he was handsome up close too—and annoyed. LeEtta was speechless, embarrassed, and blocking the doorway. She slipped back inside and gave him a wide berth. He took it, walking into the kitchen without giving her a second look. She never got second looks. So why did it bother her so much now?
Benuel Ropp mentally grumbled as he stepped outside for a breath of fresh air.
Being a fresh face in a community that seemed to reserve the right to not give a care about progress told him his time here in Cherry Grove would be as miserable as he feared it would be, but he would endure it if that meant making enough money for a down payment on his own land.
I recommend this book.
A Stolen Kiss by Mindy Steele is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to post a review.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Mindy Steele.

Fantastic, Must-Read

What do you do when you're an only child raised by a single father who has had to learn things as they crop up, and you dream of romance, but your friends constantly comment about you being the last one to be picked? Okay, so maybe kissing a complete stranger wasn't her brightest idea, but she sure didn't think it would lead to marriage. So, what now?

What do you do when your parents shut down your plans and dreams, and you have to start over, and you've lost trust in those you thought you could count on? And what do you do when a beautiful stranger kisses you out of the blue? Okay, so maybe letting himself be drawn to a beautiful stranger and being kissed by her wasn't his best idea, but he sure didn't think it would lead to marriage. So, what now?

I loved LeEtta and Benuel's story. Author Mindy Steele's take on the conventional marriage makes for a stellar story. The characters are wonderful, and the descriptive writing had me bringing up images in my mind, making me feel like I was right there with them, feeling all they were feeling and seeing everything play out. The vivid conversations had me smiling, laughing, cringing, letting out a frustrated sigh, and so much more. The secondary characters added so much to the story, as did the slight touch of intrigue. It all blended together beautifully, making it a fantastic, must-read story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed and comments in this review are voluntary and completely my own.

This was a solid 3-3.5 Stars for me.

LeEtta (have no clue how to pronounce her name) knows she's different from most Amish girls. Her father never remarried, so he raised her as a single parent from birth -not common. At 22, she's nearly resigned to spinsterhood. Another uncommon thing is a teen boy's infatuation with her... which turns into a jealous rage that lands LeEtta and Benuel into a forced marriage. Just what she needed: a husband that doesn't want her!

Benuel's got his own trials -that shouldn't've included marriage to a girl he only kissed once THAT WAS ENITRELY ALL HER BTW. He just needs the funds to get his own place, back in Ohio, and he can finally start his future in farming. His record isn't stellar, but he's trying so hard to get everyone to stop judging him by his past. Will this marriage fall apart at the weak foundation it was laid or will they re-lay and forge a true union?

This features a SLOW BURN, miscommunication, raw emotion, and an unusual (but welcome) take on what we'd call a "shotgun marriage" lol. It was a little too slow of a burn for me, but it does work well with the way the story panned out.
If you're an Amish fiction fan, you'll really enjoy this.


*Thank you to Barbour and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.*

One of my favorite authors has earned another 5 star rating from me. Just when I think Mindy Steele has outdone herself on a previous book, she surprises me yet again. The characters are lovable and the storyline is easy to follow. The emotions of anger, mischief, jealousy, love, grief, innocence and pride help captivate the multitude of personalities, yet these same emotions are what ties us to the characters, making it real life and easy to relate to. What happens when one little instant spontaneous kiss between LeEtta and Ben put them in a situation that causes them to have to immediately get married in order to save their reputations?Already dealing with a difficult past that causes friction between his father and brother, Ben struggles with yet again disappointing his father because of the situation he finds himself in. LeEtta wants the “happily ever after” relationship that she reads about in books and without a mother to guide her, she has to figure it out by herself or take the advice of her grandmother. Fortunately, Ben’s aunt Oneida comes to visit and offers to “mother” LeEtta and teaches her how to cook and about relationships even though she is dealing with her own loss of “the love of her life”. I found the book to tug at my heart strings and I did not want to put it down until I finished it. I highly recommend this book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. All words are my own.

💋💋💋💋💋
You know the feeling when you start a book and it’s so good that you binge read it because you want to know what’s going to happen, but you don’t want it to end because you love the characters?
LeEtta Miller feels left out in her community. Benuel Ropp comes to town and on a walk they kiss each other. LeEtta’s father forces them to get married to protect her reputation. These characters will steal your heart and you won’t be able to put this down!
Many thanks to the author, Barbour Publishers and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE…
Enemies to friends
Miscommunication
Slow burn romance

#AStolenKiss #MindySteele #NetGalley #BarbourPublishing #AmishBooks #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks

Readers who enjoy Amish fiction will love this edition to the Heart of the Amish series. This book can be read as a standalone. A little mystery, love, faith and sweet ending makes this book enjoyable from start to finish. Lovable characters. Highly recommended!

LeEtta is a good girl who always follows directions, and one night, she decides to be spontaneous and kiss a stranger! It can't cause any harm.

Benuel Ropp is randomly kissed by a beautiful girl. He feels frustration that his father took his inheritance.

The elders demand the two marry.

This was a cute Amish story.

A Stolen Kiss is a inspirational story written by Mindy Steele. I was drawn into this storyline from the first few pages. The characters are well developed to tell this story and they become almost like family. The author has done an amazing job taking one innocent gesture and telling the life stories of those involved. I enjoyed the way the story developed and it's conclusion.

I was given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this story through Netgalley but was not approached to post a favorable review.

I am happy to read another book in The Heart of the Amish series. Mindy Steele has come up with a new twist of the marriage of convenience theme and it is interesting. To me it is also a twist on the Prodigal Son story from parables in the Holy Bible. I received an advanced reader's copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own personal opinion.
LeEtta Miller lives with her father. It appears she will be an unmarried woman. It is a bit unnerving and irritating that a 15-year-old boy is interested in her to make matters worse. Mammi Iola has a better chance of marrying for a second time than she has for one love in her life.
Benuel Ropp has come to the community with a plan. He intends to make enough money so he can go back home and buy his own land. His father has broken his heart by giving the family place to his younger brother. He is staying with his grandparents. He feels he has sunken about as low as it gets, working on a hog farm to make an income.
Everything changes and not for the good when a stolen kiss is observed by a jealous person who decides to 'tattle' on LeEtta and Benuel. Everything backfires when the two strangers are told that they must marry. A mystery unfolds when it appears that someone has been trespassing on the Miller farm and things are missing. Benuel learns some good lessons as he takes over for LeEtta's ailing father. I loved this story. I enjoyed seeing Dok Stella and the Bishop show up again in this book. Touches of humor, faith, immaturity and growth in character all add to a good story.

LeEtta Miller is twenty-two and has never been kissed or courted—unless you count fifteen-year-old Jonas Hostetter's obsession. LeEtta does not.

Benuel Ropp, or Ben as most call him, arrives in town after his father gives the family farm to his younger brother. Despite pouring his heart into it, Ben is determined to earn enough to buy his own farm in Ohio.

A chance meeting sparks an unexpected connection between LeEtta and Ben. In their strict Amish community, even small actions have big consequences. When they are forced into marriage, they must learn to navigate life as strangers.

This book is perfect from start to finish. Every word and character drips with emotion, movement, and love. LeEtta and Ben are compelling, relatable, and heartfelt. Secondary characters like quirky Mammi Iola and grieving Arlen add depth and charm, while Jonas's antics create necessary tension.

Steele’s storytelling transports you straight to Amish Country, making this a fantastic read for fans of forced marriage, strangers-to-love, and quirky family dynamics.

this part of a multi author Heart of the Amish series. Each book is a stand alone. this was a quick read, and a sweet story.

Will a single kiss and a jealous boy ruin both their futures? LeEtta and Ben might have made a mistake, but they should not have to pay for it forever. Follow the twists and turns in their relationship as they each have to deal with their own issues before they can learn to be a couple.
I loved the unpredictability of this story and that, as in real life, their journey is not always an easy one. God has a plan, and, even though they cannot see it, He is working on their behalf.
I love Amish fiction, especially when it varies from the typical love story. Mindy Steele does an excellent job of keeping the reader on their toes with this one. I have never read one of her books that I did not like. I recommend checking out this engaging page turner.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sweet story about not getting what you think you want in life. But finding out God has others better plans for you.

I love this entire series that consists of three different authors. Each book is unique with different stories that will touch your heart. This book is about LeEtta who is an only child after her mother passed away when she was a baby. Her father has raised her by hisself and is very protective of her. She has watched all of her friends find someone, but not her. Then one day Benuel comes to his grandparents, who is trying to put past wrongs behind him. While Benuel and LeEtta takes a walk, LeEtta impulsively kisses him. She doesn't tell anyone and prays that he will leave town before anybody finds out what she has done. Like in all small towns, secrets always have a way of being found out. To save her reputation she is told that she will have to marry Benuel. The story just gets better with a little bit of suspense. Will this forced marriage end in heartache or will it help two people understand the other better? Grab your copy to find out and check out the rest of the series while your at it. I want to thank the publisher and Netgalley for an early copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions and thoughts about the book are my own.

A Stolen Kiss, part of the multi-author Heart of the Amish series, is an enjoyable, touching story. I was initially overwhelmed by the plethora of characters introduced early in the story but was easily able to put them all in place and enjoy getting to know them. This sweet Amish story features well-crafted characters with real-life struggles and burdens. LeEtta Miller and Benuel “Ben” Ropp have an immediate attraction, and a spontaneous kiss leads to a forced marriage as dictated by Amish custom. I could feel Ben’s anguish, resentment, and hurt caused by losing to his brother the farm he worked for his whole life and other betrayals in his past. His determination not to trust another person who could cause him hurt again consumes him, but he must let go of the past and learn to trust again to find peace and make the marriage work. I love LeEtta’s positive attitude and perseverance even with her self-doubts. In addition to LeEtta and Ben, I enjoyed humorous Mammi Iola and insightful Aenti Oneida. A bit of mystery and a second budding romance add interest to the story. I appreciate the encouraging faith thread with themes of forgiveness, trust, and patiently waiting on God’s direction. The glossary of Amish words at the beginning of the story is a bonus. I think fans of Amish romance will especially enjoy and appreciate this story.
I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love this sweet Amish marriage of convenience romance. LeEtta Miller is sweet and innocent and has never been kissed. Benuel Ropp's dreams of taking over his family's farm someday have been dashed. Ben has left home to earn enough money for a downpayment on a farm of his own. Due to an impulsive kiss and a lie, LeEtta and Ben need to marry to keep their reputations. I receive a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I love how LeEtta aways tries to make the best out of life. I love her positive outlook. It's understandable how Ben needs to work through the situation. Both Ben and LeEtta are wonderful likable characters. Making it extra special, there is more than one romance starting in the book.

A Stolen Kiss by Mindy Steel is book 7 The Heart of the Amish Series.

Absolutely a fantastic story. LeEtta Miller and Benuel Ropp are tremendous Characters but LeEttaa’s dad, Arlen and Benuel’s aunt, Oneida were very important to the story. Don’t you just love these new names. They are unique. The characters feel so real to the reader that you feel like your reading about your neighbors.

I have read everything Mindy Steel has written since To Catch a Hummingbird, and I promise, I don’t know how, but each story just gets better and better. This is no exception. The story line is good and keeps you wanting to read the next page.

This story shares how bitterness and resentment can fester and grow in one’s heart and keep us from enjoying every moment we have with our loved ones.

Thank you Barbour Publishing | Barbour Fiction for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not as to give a positive review.

Release Day is December 1, 2024. A perfect 5-star book.

I really liked the story of an Amish marriage that neither of them wanted but that was definitely in God's plan for their lives. LeEtta's mother died when she was born and though her father loves her, there is so much she missed in life. Cooking lessons for one thing! Ben is frustrated with circumstances in his family and visits his grandparents to earn some money before returning. Both are surprised by and unexpected and unplanned kiss, but the simple kiss changes their lives forever. They find themselves in a marriage that seems far from their plans but in the end will show them both how romance can grow and how God can and does orchestrate the very best for those who trust Him. I enjoy books by Mindy Steele and this was no exception - a great story of romance and Amish life.

This was my first time reading from this author and when I saw it was an Amish book I knew I had to read it. I will have to read more from this author because she wrote this book perfectly. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy Amish stories.