I have read a few of the authors book and enjoyed them but not this one. The characters were just unlikable and the book as a whole was just dull and hard to get through. Way to much repetitiveness in the dialogue. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

I read a lot of this genre and this one was hard for me to get into. I appreciate that it had a different storyline than some books, but unfortunately I just was not hooked.

Letters of Trust by Wanda Brunstetter is the first in a new series, Friendship Letters. And a new series by this author is always good news. In Letters of Trust Brunstetter expertly tackles the devastating effect of depression and alcoholism on individuals and their family and friends. Despite the heaviness of the theme, the story is also one of healing and hope. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and readers who enjoy Amish romance will not want to miss Letters of Trust. I listened to a library copy of the audiobook and was gifted a copy through NetGalley as well. I was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

I loved this start to a new series.  I really loved Eleanor.  I felt sad when she was sad and happy when she was happy.  I felt it was hard to read about Eleanor and some of her troubles with her husband but everything was handled very well.  I think it was very nice that Eleanor had a friend to turn to during her troubles.  I heartily recommend reading this story.  I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

A great read! A subject that is not touched upon in most Amish books but I am sure it happens. This book held my interest all the way through. I would recommend it to everyone! Wanda is one of my most favorite authors.

Letters of Trust by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the first book of the Friendship Letters series.  Letters of Trust tells the story of married couple Vic and Eleanor Lapp.  Vic and Eleanor are getting into the groove of married life and everything is going well until the tragic death of Vic’s youngest brother dies while hanging out at his house..  Vic has trouble dealing with the tragedy and turns to alcohol instead.  Keeping her husband’s doings a secret until it gets too hard to bare, Eleanor begins to tell others as her pregnancy could be in danger.  Written in typical Wanda E. Brunstetter fashion, Mrs. Brunstetter writes about a topic that many deal from personal experience.  Even though the book is of a serious nature their is Hope that Jesus brings woven through out.  I highly recommend this book and looking forward to the next book in the Friendship Letters series.  Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book.  My review is also on Goodreads.

What I liked: 
- A storyline I haven’t read before in Amish Fiction
- Realistic 
- Made me feel so many emotions 
- I jumped back and forth between my kindle and audio on hoopla and enjoyed both! 

I want to thank @barbourbooks through @netgalley for allowing me a copy of this book. I enjoyed this book so much!

This is the first book in a new series by Wanda Brunstetter.  The story takes place in the present day in an Amish community near Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The two main characters, Vic and Eleanor Lapp, are newlyweds who are enjoying the beginning of their life together. But when tragedy enters their family life, things suddenly take an unexpected turn, and not for the better.  Eleanor’s faith is challenged, and she finds that she needs the support of family and friends as things seem to progressively even worse.


This book’s topic is somewhat different than what we usually see from author Wanda Brunstetter, as it deals with the topic of alcoholism.  I would suggest that before you begin reading this book, you read the author’s notes to her readers at the back of the book.  Mrs. Brunstetter describes her own past experience in dealing with a family member addicted to alcohol.  The experiences of the fictional couple of Vic and Eleanor mirror some of the actual life experiences of Mrs. Brunstetter.  I think reading her personal story adds depth to this book and explains the stages that Eleanor had to experience as she attempted to help Vic get control of his life again.  


Wanda Brunstetter always tells a good story that reflects the values  of faith, hope, and love, and these themes appear all though the story. When I first began reading, I wasn’t quite sure that I really wanted to read Vic’s story.  But as I was reading, I came to realize that this might be one of her most influential books.  She deals with this topic with great sensitivity and compassion.  There’s encouragement for all of us in Vic and Eleanor’s struggle.  I’m recommending this book as a story well worth reading.


I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the publisher.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

When Eleanor and Vic are married, they promise to stay together forever. However, neither of them could foresee the challenges that would occur to test that promise. The letters mentioned in the title of the book are written by Eleanor to her friend Doretta in which she reveals the problems she is experiencing and asks for prayer.

This was not an easy book to read, as it deals with the social problem of alcoholism and its effect upon a family.  In addition to educating readers about Amish culture and practices, the author sets out to educate readers about alcoholism and ways in which families can find help. This book carries a clear and overt Christian message as well. This is the first book in a series by this well-known and experienced author of Christian novels..

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

i love Wanda Brunstetter books, this one had some painful topics such as alcoholism and some marriage struggles, but a really good story.

This book gives a real life glimpse into the world of alcoholism and how it affects everyone involved including this Amish family.  I think the story could have been developed a little bit better if more attention was paid to the letters.



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.  The opinions are my own.

The art of letter writing has lost its luster to most. However, the Amish still write letters to friends and relatives since many cannot use today's technology.  Letters of Trust shows us that letters can bring solace in times of trouble and pain.  When tragedy strikes Eleanor Lapp's life and marriage, she writes to friend Doretta for help and advice. Addiction is not limited to just and "Englisher" problem. Often alcoholism is a silent problem not addressed in Amish families.  Will Doretta's words of advice have a calming effect for Eleanor?  As dark days get darker, Eleanor will need all the help she can find.  I received a copy through Netgalley.  A review was not required.

Eleanor and Vic live in Lancaster County, far from her parents and her friend Doretta, Indiana.
Eleanor often writes long letters to Doretta, talk and explain her new life as wife, her struggles, her thoughts, her family problems.
Her friend prays for her, writes back some advices. It's a great help for her. Have you penpal? I have and I enjoy it.
"Eleanor had always been a strong believer in prayer". Do you?

This was a wonderful start to Wanda’s new series The Friendship Letters!! It was filled with real emotions from both Eleanor and Vic on some difficult topics, alcoholism and marriage struggles. I enjoyed this book so much as I have every book I’ve read by Wanda!! Truly a beautiful story that you don’t want to miss!!

This was a very good book and was hard for me to put down. Wanda has a way of getting you right into this book and feel for all of them. The letters in this book are between two friends from different cities. Doretta in Indiana and Eleanor in Pennsylvania. The two gals grew up in the same community. When life give a turn to the worse for Eleanor, it is Doretta’s letters that encourage her. The letters are the beginning of a healing process that takes some time and lots of prayer. As I could not identify with what was going on, it was good to learn about alcoholism and know it can even come to the Amish. I consider this a must read, especially with those battling alcoholism in any form.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from NetGalley with the permission of the publisher for my honest review.

Letters of Trust became available for sale March 1, 2023. The next book in the series, Letters of Comfort will be available August, 2023.

Letters of Trust by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the first in her new series. In it, Vic and Eleanor are happily married. They are eagerly waiting for the chance to become parents and loving the life they are blessed with. However, when tragedy hits and Vic's youngest brother dies while at their home, they must figure out how to pick up the pieces and move forward. Vic, especially, has a hard time, as he blames himself. In his pain, he turns to alcohol. Things get progressively worse and then Eleanor gets pregnant, which send Vic into a tailspin. Touching on the very serious issue of addiction and alcoholism, Letters of Trust shows that we are all human and we all need help to survive when life gets hard. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review. All opinions are my own.

This book is really intense for me. My father was an alcoholic. By the grace of God, he was able to stop drinking and our family was able to stay together. It was a life-long struggle for him, I'm sure. Wanda Brunstetter certainly captured the pain and sheer heartbreak of the disease. The characters demonstrate the right and wrong ways to deal with the trauma of it all. I want to personally second the plea to get help for anyone who suffers either the addiction or the anguish of living with an alcoholic. All lives in the household are marked in one way or another.
The author also illustrates quite well how a person or family can settle into grief which is a good portion of what is going on with the newlywed couple featured as main characters. Grief that stems from a horrible accident can cause those in mourning to blame themselves, others or frequently God. Vic and Eleanor Lapp go through trying times. One source of help is Eleanor's ability to write and share letters with a friend that helps her to face her situation. This series will focus on letter writing between friends as it continues.
I received the advanced reader's copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my own opinion about it. At times it was hard for me to read. It had to be hard for Wanda to write. It is an emotional story. I do look forward to the next book in the series.

Book One in the Friendship Letters series, Letters of Trust follows the early marriage of Vic and Eleanor Lapp.  One day while the couple is watching Vic's younger brother, the boy tragically drowns in their pond.  Devasted by the events and blaming himself, Vic turns to alcohol and his drinking quickly spins out of control.  Although Eleanor fights to honor him, she soon learns that she can't run from the truth and must face it in order to save her marriage.  Through the trials of these early years, she finds comfort in the letters she recieves from her dear friend, Doretta.  But with the Lapp's future uncertain, can they find their way together again and can Vic forgive himself before it's too late?

Wanda E. Brunstetter is a fairly new author to me.  I've only read a few of her books.  This one follows a young bride trying desperately to honor her marriage and finding herself quickly in over her head.  Far from family, newly married, struggling with her own grief and still trying to help her husband, Eleanor's heartache paints an accurate picture of the reality of alcoholism.  Watching this character search for answers, one could easily identify with the frustrations and desperation she felt.  There were certainly parts of this book that were difficult to read as Vic treated Eleanor quite poorly at times. Still she loved him and sought to do her best in the situation.  This was a tale of the dark challenges of alcoholism, but also the desperate love of families that find themselves in a similiar situation.  I would recommend this title for anyone who enjoys Amish fiction

*Disclaimer: I recieved a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

When an author writes a book that pulls you in from the first page you know you have a winner in the book. This book deals with secrets kept, letters to a friend and finally accepting that there are times that we need to lean on others and God than worldly vices. Strong characters, great storyline and a book that I could not put down.
I was given a copy of this book and I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

Friendship Letters Series — Doretta Schwartz has always enjoyed writing letters and feels her letters can be a bit of a ministry to her friends. In this series, exchanging letters that contain open and honest feeling and struggles helps Doretta and two of her best friends through the darkest challenges of their lives.

I enjoyed the Author's style of writing, and the first part of the book was engaging.  I liked getting to know all the characters.

I was glad that Eleanor felt encouraged by her friendship with Doretta.  It is good to confide in someone confidentially.  Eleanor's faith in God was strong, also her parents and parents in law.

I did find the subject matter very hard to read about, as it is very close to home for me, with a close family member.

This won't stop me, though, from reading the other books in the series at some time.