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.

I enjoy reading stories by Wanda E. Brunstetter. This one deals with a topic that affects many people. From learning to forgive yourself to learning how to live with an addiction, this story shows an example of the ways decisions can alter life. I received a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to post a review.

Vic and Eleanor Lapp happily married and so in love until Vic's youngest brother drowns in their pond. Despondate about his death spirals out of control and turns to alcohol to numb his pain. He loses his job and life is unraveling, his marriage is coming apart. Eleanor is at a loss to help her husband, she writes her friend Doretta in Indiana asking for advice. Through the these letters Eleanor eases her pain by the words of hope Doretta writes. Eleanor can't give up on Vic. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and my expressed opinion is my own and no way influenced. I struggled at times while reading this book, often by mindless details added. It's an average book with life experiences in todays' time.

Wanda Brunstetter tugs at all of the emotions in your heart with this one! Eleanor and Vic are newlyweds trying to navigate their new marriage when tragedy strikes. Vic’s little brother is killed while the couple are watching him. Vic turns to alcohol to numb his pain.
This is a raw and honest portrayal of what alcoholism does to a family. Many times we picture the Amish as perfect people who always follow the straight and narrow. They have the same struggles as everyone else. Wanda did not sugarcoat the disease nor did she give an easy solution. But she did create characters that had love and faith in their hearts. I can not wait to read the rest of the books in this series!
This book is filled with so many complex topics. Many thanks to the author, Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

First of all i want to thank Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Wanda Brunstetter is on of my favorite Amish writers and she did not let me down with this one either. The books topic of alcoholism is portrayed correctly .. Alcoholism tears families apart, unless the addict deals with this demon head on with God's help they will stay in the pit of addiction.
Vic (the main character) is dealing with a lot of guilt which leads him to drinking to drown out the pain and confusion. His new bride Eleanor is kind and loving, she tries to help her husband but he treats her pretty badly (in my opinion), but she doesn't give up on him, sending letters to her trustworthy friend Doretta. Doretta is there for her friend and prays for them.
Friends are important and so is family.
All in all i really enjoyed the book.

A little bit different from what I usually expect from Wanda Brunstetter, but I loved it. I couldn't quit reading. I had to know what happened even though some of it was emotionally difficult. These people had real life problems that many experience but do not readily talk about, specifically alcoholism.
I liked Vic very much and even though I wanted him to choose the right direction every time he was confronted by something hard, I understood why he reacted how he did. I liked Eleanor too, and so admired her for her steadfastness, commitment and willingness to do what was necessary.
Ms. Brunstetter addresses this problem in a very realistic way, not simply to provide the HEA to the book, but to give real answers to real questions. And, as I do expect and enjoy in her books, it's a realistic glimpse into the lives of the Amish people. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction or anyone who might be struggling with issues in their own lives they are uncertain how to address. The prayer solution Eleanor uses is always the best way.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher but was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions are my own.

Her very best book

I have read many of Ms Brunstetter's books and have enjoyed them all. Most are fairly light in nature but a good, quick, relaxing read. This one is a bit different. It has the usual Amish romantic bits, but the main themes are much darker. Please don't read the book if you are triggered by addiction and grief.

I highly recommend the book for all others. Sometimes, we look at the Amish as having a simpler life with less stress and more happiness. This book lets us know that serious issues can exist and create huge challenges in people's lives and relationships. There is a good plot and very understandable characters; you will really be alternately wanting to hug them and give them a lecture! Again, this book is highly recommended, probably Ms Brunstetter's best I have ever read.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

I will first warn those who may be triggered by a story about the death of a child and /or alcoholism and depression to be cautious reading this story. It is difficult to read but I believe the author has written a realistic look at what could happen to someone dealing with grief and addiction. This book is one of the author’s best that I have read from her. She delivers a story that deals with the death of someone that shatters a family. I never expected it and when I read what had happened I cried. It is hard to understand why a young child dies and the pain is overwhelming. Eleanor and Vic are newly married and I liked how devoted they are to each other. Vic’s past is a little tainted with his brush with alcohol. He assures his wife that is in the past and not to worry about it.

When Vic’s young brother dies he is so overcome with grief and he shuts himself away from everyone. He blames himself for his brother’s death and he is angry with God. Eleanor is very patient with Vic and I loved how she tried so hard to comfort him and tell him he is not to blame. She prayed daily for him and never wavered in her love for her husband. She knows her husband has turned to alcohol to ease his pain and guilt but she desperately wants to give him hope.

Vic self destructs slowly and with it comes consequences. I appreciate the author illustrating what grief can do to someone. Oh how I understand how heartbreaking it is to watch someone you love turn to alcohol as a way to escape but as we will see, Vic is going down a road where he may find himself alone and broken. He blames God for not saving his brother and starts to turn his back on his faith as well as his family. Eleanor is left to pick up the pieces of her broken marriage. Vic now is at a place where he sinks to the bottom of the pit and must find strength to overcome his addiction and allow God to heal him.

I loved how Eleanor was willing to stand by Vic and forgave him for the things he had done. The author shows how important it is to have family support when someone is dealing with addiction. Eleanor had a dear friend whose letters became hope and a lifeline for her. The story is a great example of how anyone can fall and the struggles they face as they try to overcome how destructive their addiction is not only to theirselves but to their family and friends.

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.

It always great to start a new Wanda E Bruntetter's series. The start to her Friendship Letters series, Letters of Trust, is no different. What a wonderful and heartwarming Amish story. Five stars.

Letters of Trust by best selling author Wanda Brunstetter is the first book in her Christian contemporary Amish series The Friendship Letters. This poignant novel is about a struggle some people have and its affects on the lives of loved ones besides themselves. The life lessons in this book are timeless.

This is the story of Amish newlyweds Eleanor and Vic Lapp. After their marriage they left Indiana and moved back to Vic’s hometown in Pennsylvania. Eleanor and her best friend, Doretta Schwartz, keep in touch with each other by writing letters. As best friends do, they pour our their hearts in these letters knowing their secrets will be kept confidential.

Life is going well for the newlyweds in Pennsylvania. Vic is working and has a ride there with a friend. His family loves Eleanor. Then, one day their lives change when a tragic accident happens.

The author did an amazing job with this heartbreaking story. The characters were realistic and easy to befriend. I love that some Pennsylvania Deutsch words were used. I was able to understand their meaning through the conversation.

In this novel, the subject matter was deeper and more serious than some of the author’s books and most Amish books. It was presented from both sides which I appreciated. This is a book that has stuck with me for days after finishing it.

I highly recommend this book. It is perfect for a reading group. There are discussion questions, author notes, and a recipe from the story included at the end. How fun would it be to eat a treat served in the book while discussing it?! I rate this 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Barbour Publishing, but these are my honest words.

This is an Amish Fiction book, and this is the first book in the Friendship Letters series. I really did not like or connect to any of the characters in this book. I feel so many things were over done or over exaggerated at the start of this book which I really hate when books do that. Vic was pushed as a not so great guy every chance the author could, and I also feel alcohol was pushed before it became a problem with any of the characters. I was so sick of hearing about alcohol before the second chapter of the book was done. It would have been better if alcohol was not made a thing until it became a thing. I have seen people heal painful events in their lives with alcohol, but they did need or even talk about it before it happened. I ended up DNFing this book because I really did not like the first part of this book. In fact the first part of this book made my blood boil. I cannot put into words how much I hated the first part of this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Letters of Trust by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the beginning of The Friendship Letters. Letters of Trust is different from other Amish books that I have read. It delves into the topic of alcolhism and how it affects a person’s life as well as those close to him. I thought the story was well-written with realistic, developed characters. I enjoyed getting to know Eleanor and Vic Lapp as well as their family and friends. I admired Eleanor’s fortitude and her deep faith. She prayed often for assistance in dealing with her troubled, grief-stricken husband. The story is one that will tug at your heartstrings. It is wonderful to see how family and friends come together during the good times and the bad. Eleanor may have been reluctant to air her dirty laundry, but she had people to turn to when she needed guidance. I enjoyed the correspondence between Eleanor and her friend, Doretta. I like how Eleanor created cards. She went out of her way to make them special. It is a shame that letter writing is becoming a thing of the past. Faith is beautifully woven into the story. Eleanor will need her family, friends, and faith to get through this dark time. We get to see that God is always with us. We may not understand His ways nor what He is trying to teach us, but the challenging situations will make us stronger and wiser. I found Letters of Trust to be a compelling, emotional tale. I am looking forward to reading the next book in The Friendship Letters. Letters of Trust is a poignant tale with contented newlyweds, a dynamic dog, a deleterious driver, a devastating death, destructive deeds, and profound prayers.

Sometimes tragedy puts us in a dark place and the "Why's" always feel so unanswered. Addiction does not discriminate again anyone either, and that was very much the case in this book as Vic faced alcoholism as a copy mechanism and it seemed things just continued to spiral out of control from there. I found Eleanor strong and a fighter she has such a big heart but also is not afraid to ask for help when she is push. I adored Susie she loved Eleanor like one of her own she also was not one to mince words she truly was a fun charactered to read. I this book Eleanor's best friends, her parents, and Vic's parents all told a small portion of the story sometimes I feel like this can be confusing however the author did an amazing job at keeping things flowing and making things make sense and the story just kept flowing. Overall this book was a really good read, even with a tough topic it was really well written and worth the read.

What a wonderful start to a new series. This book is full of emotions, and you can feel every one of them. It deals with alcoholism, family and faith. The author handled the subject beautifully. It's well written and will keep you turning the pages. This book deserves more than 5 stars. I look forward to the next book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Letters of Trust is a difficult, emotional story about alcoholism, family and faith. I’m not sure I could say I enjoyed it but the topic is certainly an important one. Depression and alcoholism impact so many families in such profound ways. Those who love Wanda Brunstetter stories will find this a bit different than many of her others but worth reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour for the opportunity to read for honest review.