A Patchwork Past

I've read a lot of Amish fiction novels over the years, and A Patchwork Past is truly unlike anything I've read before. I didn't personally read the first book, but I appreciated the fact that I never felt like I was missing out on anything by not doing so. This one was unique in the fact that a lot of the story focuses outside of the Amish community on immigration and migrant workers, and it definitely added a unique spin to the story.

I wasn't expecting this to be a timeslip novel when I picked it up, and I loved that it was. I always enjoy reading those kind of stories, and I especially loved how in this one the timeslip element is employed by the owner of Plain Patterns telling the main character Sophie a story about her relative's first hand experience with the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Sophie's story is not easy to read; as she's been hurt badly by a previous boyfriend, and wasn't offered any love or support from her Amish family or community. She's now dealing with a Lupus diagnosis, and having to come home to the place she was sure she'd never return to. She finds solace with Jane, the owner of the local quilt shop, and in helping an immigrant family working on a nearby farm when their oldest son is wrongly taken into custody.

While A Patchwork Past has many different stories and elements woven throughout it, I never found it confusing and I enjoyed how every element blends together into a beautiful story. Amish fiction is one of my favorite genres, and I always appreciate when a story truly stands out among the others for its uniqueness.

I love learning tidbits of history I didn't know about from reading historical fiction, and that was an added bonus from picking this one up. There's so much information included about the Chicago Fire, and I appreciated how much I was able to learn about that horrific time period in the city's history from picking this one up.

Overall, I ended up loving this one and will be highly recommending it. I'll definitely be going back and reading the first book now, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Final Rating: 5/5.

Thanks so much to Bethany House for allowing me to advance read and review this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Bethany House) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I anticipated being entertained, but I really wasn't expecting a sweet Amish story to inform me in the way that this one did. Leslie Gould does a wonderful job of using this story to enlighten and expand her readers' views on immigration. The contemporary story follows Sophie Deiner, a young lady who was raised Amish, as she struggles with Lupus and builds relationships with undocumented agricultural workers near her parents' farm. The historical portion of this book follows Mary Landes in 1871 as she learns of the plight of immigrants in Chicago. I highly recommend this book. It will satisfy a wide variety of readers.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of A Patchwork Past from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This was another great book by Leslie Gould but a little more involved than usual and very interesting. The narrative switched back and forth between Sophie, a young adult who has not joined the church and who has lived away from home for a few years and an ancestor who had lived in the same area in the 1800s. The Chicago fire is showcased in the historical part and modern issues such as Lupus, immigration and other problems. The books is well researched and very informative as well as just fun to read. I highly recommend this book. It’s a cut above the run of the mill Amish book. If you love Historical novels, this book is for you.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A Patchwork Past is a detailed and exciting story about Sophie, who has left her Amish community. She has a serious autoimmune disease that drains her energy, so she returns home to her parent's home to get rest. While home, she reconnects with old friends and makes new friends, A well written story that has very little romance to it. Good read!

Thank you to Bethany House Publishing for a gifted copy of A Patchwork Past by Leslie Gould. All opinions are my own.

Do you ever pick up a book and have certain expectations? I thought A Patchwork Past would be a light and fluffy Amish story...which is exactly what I was looking forward to reading. This book was not light and fluffy but it did tell a very serious and well researched story. The dual timelines both center around immigration.

Sophie's story takes place in the present. She grew up Amish and needs to return home to deal with her Lupus and rest. The author did a good job introducing an autoimmune disease that is pretty much invisible and sharing Sophie's fears that others may not believe she is sick. While home she steps up to help a local immigrant family. Jane tells Sophie Mary's story which takes place in 1871. It centers around the great Chicago fire and Irish immigrants.

One person can make a big difference in many lives if they are brave enough to step up and give a helping hand.

This is the second book in the Plain Patterns series. It worked as a standalone but I do wonder what I missed in the first book. Jane was my favorite character and I wanted to know more about her. The book deals with some very heavy subjects including ICE, detention camps, treatment of immigrants, etc.

Christian
Release Date: March 30, 2021

Sophie has come back to her Amish roots to heal spiritually and physically. Her relationship with her parents and especially her mother has terribly unraveled. Coming home has also opened wounds to a relationship with the Amish man she once loved. She has come back to simplify but instead opens a new world of social justice. In the Amish community is a family immigrants that she has befriended and is longing to help. She learns of what the family escaped and the injustice that they are now facing. Sophie is learning about her world being bigger. Her Amish community of friends are also sharing the past. The story of Mary and her Amish community that helped the people of Chicago during the Chicago Fire. The propaganda about how the fire started and Mary's fight to help the people of Chicago. The poor and the forgotten. Mary's story is also Sophie's story.

The prose is not about marriage or the hope of marriage but Sophie finding her place between two worlds. Her Amish family was hurt from Sophie's choice to go English and how that pain opened doors for Sophie to know God's calling.

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

I loved this book and found it difficult to put down. Leslie Gould is one of my favorite split time authors and I love that also includes an Amish storyline.

The book focuses on Sophie Deiner who finds herself living back at her parent’s Amish farm that she fled from 3 yrs prior due to a help scare. We soon discover Sophie is living with Lupus. Ms. Gould does an excellent job depicting what it is like living with an autoimmune disease and the misunderstanding from others.

Sophie finds herself at Jane’s quilting circle at Plain Patterns with her Mamm. The vivid picture that is painted of community and belonging makes you want to pull up a chair at the quilt and pick up your needle and thread to sow some stitches. It is at the quilting circle we are introduced to the story of the great Chicago Fire and it’s connection to the Amish community. It is here we meet Mary, her Dat, and Lemuel as they experience the fire first hand. It is written in such detail that the reader can picture what is happening and feels as if they are part of the story. This trip changes Mary’s life and sets it on a course for her future.

It is through the fire story that we are introduced into the subject of immigration and it’s many misconceptions and brings to light with what Sophie experiences with her friends that things have not necessarily improved a lot. Immigration is a subject at the forefront of our world currently and Ms. Gould does an excellent job bringing to light those issues.

We also learn that Emma from the first book in the series is Mary’s Mamm, I loved getting to see her evolvement into a woman and where life has taken her.

This book is a must read. I felt as though I was walking through the pages of it as I was reading. It flows seamlessly between the two time periods and connects the two perfectly.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

This book has 2 stories in it: about Sophie and about Mary.
Sophie is a young woman, raised amish. Now she lives as English in Elkhart in a flat with friends.
It's a long time she doesn't go home to visit her amish parents, sisters, relatives and Plain Patterns quilt shop friends.
Mary is a kind woman that make a trip to Chicago, during the Chicago Fire in 1871. Here her lives changed.
She loves to take carte others and help who are in need.
Interesting book, I didn't know the real story of the fire event in Chicago, good topics (immigrants, health, forgive,
hear and speak), wonderful characters. I enjoyed reading it.

5 Stars: 5/5 Star Rating
What a refreshing novel! The illness, lupus, is explored as the main character, Sophie Deiner, has it. I learned a great deal about lupus from the character's life trials with it. I came to greatly admire Sophie for her strength and courage. Facing her parents again after not being on the best of terms with them requires great strength and courage. I really enjoyed the switching back and forth between present day and 1871. I was not familiar with so many details about the Great Chicago Fire and developed a great admiration for Mary as well.
I highly recommend this book. While it is the second book in the Plain Patterns series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sophie Deiner left her Amish community of Nappanee, Indiana three years ago. Now living as “Englisch” in Elkhart, she is battling Lupus Nephritis. A recent flare-up makes her doctor suggest she take a couple weeks off work and rest. Sophie decides to go back to Nappanee to stay with her parents. When she left, she never said goodbye, because she left under very unusual circumstances. Will they accept her back now?

Sophie’s mom Catherine is very cold towards her, but her dad welcomes her with open arms. She makes friends with Jane Berger, owner of the local quilt and fabric shop, writer for the local newspaper and gardener extraordinaire. Jane’s garden has exploded this year with more produce than she can keep up with. She and Sophie devise a plan for a community canning, so that the vegetables don’t go to waste. Jane tells Sophie a story of a distant relative who lived in Nappanee during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and actually witnessed it first-hand. Sophie feels much like this relative, not comfortable with the Amish way of life … wanting something more. During her stay, will the real truth come out about Sophie’s leaving three years ago? Will she decide to stay this time, as she is more and more accepted in the community?

A PATCHWORK PAST by Leslie Gould is the second book in her Plain Patterns series. It’s a story about trusting God for guidance through your everyday life. Sophie Deiner is a strong, realistic character who has a passion for people and their struggles. There is quite a mix of supporting characters who help to move the storyline along through the ups and downs of all that Sophie is struggling with. This is a story about prejudice and appearances, about healing and restoration, and about belonging. Ms. Gould does an excellent job of bringing in the immigration issue as it relates to today, as well as in the past years of our country. We all have a patchwork past that we need to learn from to be able to grow and change. If you enjoy Amish fiction, this is a great one to read!

This is a beautiful story with wonderful characters. The character of Sophie drew me completely into her story. She’s had a time of tragedy and misunderstanding, but still keeps moving forward with a heart of compassion for others. This storyline has some completely unexpected twists, and that made the book that much more interesting. I loved the history that was woven into the story. This is not the typical Amish romance, but it has a depth of heart and compassion. I’m looking forward to the next book by this author.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.