The Gift (Prairie State Friends #2) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Title: The Gift (Prairie State Friends #2)

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter

Pages: 320

Release Date: August 1, 2015

Genre: Amish Fiction

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a free eBook copy of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     Follow the heart-wrenching story of Adam Beachy, whose mother walked out on him and his family – and away from the Amish faith. Now he balks at the idea of ever marrying and having a family of his own. But when tragedy strikes, Adam is suddenly a father figure to his three nieces and finds himself needing a wife. Despite their differences over her practice of reflexology, Leah Mast seems the best option to fill that role. Can they make it work in a modern-day marriage of convenience?

My review:

     This is a wonderful Amish story.

     I had not read book #1 in this series before reading this one. There were enough references to it and things from that story that it probably would have been better to do so. At the same time I was able to fully follow everything that happened in this novel without having done so. Therefore it isn’t exactly necessary to read it first.

     I loved Leah Mast and I’m guessing that she is probably one of the secondary characters in the previous book. She is comfortable with the life that she has living with her parents and giving reflexology treatments to help others. That is her whole focus in life living the way God wants her to and helping others. I was able to really connect with her on both of those points and that added to my enjoyment of the story. I wanted her to add a loving, romantic relationship to that so that her life could be even more fulfilling.

     When introduced to Adam Beachy and the story of his childhood started to come out my heart ached for all that he had been through. I can’t imagine the feelings of rejection that he and his sister would have had to deal with. I really enjoyed reading his journey as he tried to work through some of the past and the heartache with God’s help.

     I hope that we get to see more of Adam and Leah in future books so that we can see how they are getting along.

     I do highly recommend this book. I am going back to read the first book and I would suggest that if you have the chance to read it first that you do so. This great story gets a 5 star rating from me.