An Amish Marriage of Convenience by Rachel Good

 

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An Amish Marriage of Convenience by Rachel Good, the fourth novel in her Surprised by Love series, is an inspiring and heartwarming tale of two people who are still affected by events from their childhood. This story is a compassionate romance about two lonely people and a promise for a brighter future.  The importance of forgiveness, including forgiving yourself, is a theme that appears throughout this book.

 

Nettie Hartzler is a widowed mother of four kids, living with her brother-in-law Gideon Hartzler and her Mother-in-law. Nettie feels very insecure with her living arrangements as in the past she lived in extreme poverty. She has done many things in her past that she is ashamed of and has kept many secrets from the Amish church. Lately Gideon has been seeing an Amish woman who works at his fried chicken/bakery stand in the Farmers Market. Nettie worries what will happen to her and her children if Gideon and Fern decide to marry. She will have to move and fears that her family will face poverty once again.

Stephen Lapp is also a widowed father and new to the community and the market. He left New York, moving closer to his brother, for a fresh start for his family. He has good business sense along with a couple of childhood fears he has yet to overcome; one being heights. Stephen and Nettie meet while he is on a ladder about to tumble but Nettie saves the day. She is a little disgruntled with Stephen but Mrs. Vanderberg, the owner of the market and a well known match maker, foresees a match between Stephen and Nettie. She suggests that they both volunteer at Youth Center that targets troubled youth, as a way to push these two together. To Stephen's surprise, Nettie is quite attuned to the types of trouble these youth deal with. While working together, their past, fears, and dreams are revealed and shared. Stephen suggests a marriage of convenience but Nettie wants a loving marriage. Stephen has his work cut out for himself to convince Nettie that they do belong together.

 

Ms. Good wrote a wonderfully sweet and moving story that had feelings. The message of love, faith, and forgiveness stood strong; making this a sweet and inspiration read. I highly recommend An Amish Marriage of Convenience to other readers.

 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.