One of the best Amish novels that I've read lately! Most Amish novels skirt around the issue of Rumpspringa, which is a time for Amish youth to run around and briefely abandon their Amish values before they commit their adult life to the Amish church. In this novel, Vic's habits from his Rumpsringa come back to haunt him when he faces a family tragedy. I also really appreciated the themes of addiction and alcoholism and how it affects not only the addict, but the addict's family. Brunstetter does a great job of showing how Vic's family is affected by his addiction and how he fails to see those affects.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinons are my own.

I loved reading this amazing book. A difficult subject handled expertly. The characters are believable and their story a page turner. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. The fact that there is study questions makes this amazing for book club discussions. Loved that the recipe is given at the end, so that you can make the cookies yourself.

Letters of Trust is the first in The Friendship Letters by Wand E. Brunstetter. This is a well written, realistic story that covers the sensitive topic of alcoholism. I especially enjoyed reading this story in that it points out that people of all walks of life can struggle with alcoholism. Since moving away from friends and family, Eleanor find help in writing and receiving letters of hope from her friend Doretta. Just when Eleanor feels their lives are back to normal, her husband Vic once again turns to alcohol to take away his emotional pain.

I enjoyed reading this story. It is so realistic and easy to imagine what is happening. It was easy to see the comfort Vic’s dog brought to both of them and the tricks they used with him. When Eleanor felt she was in the struggle alone, her family and friends were praying for her and trying to think of ways to help her.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book through NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. This is my honest review.

Letters of Trust by Wanda Brunstetter is a touching story of love, trust and the devastating effects of alcoholism on individuals and their families. Vic and Eleanor are a typical Amish young couple when they wed and move to Pennsylvania to be near his family. When a tragedy strikes he turns to drinking to suppress his pain. Will they be able to work together again to save their marriage?
I am impressed at how well this subject is addressed. Vic is not made to look like a villain or a victim for his addiction. Eleanor begins to attend AL Anon well before her husband acknowledges he has a problem which is probably typical in many families. This story also points out that addictions hit all populations and doesn’t ask your income or social status. This story also focuses on how important trust is in marriage and friendships. This book is very well written and I found it difficult to put down; I give it 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book from the Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book in this series. I can’t wait to read the next one. This story follows Eleanor and Vic who are married. Eleanor moves from Indiana to Pennsylvania. She writes letters to her best friend and her family about her life. Eleanor has to deal with alcoholism and depression with her husband due to an unfortunate tragedy. This story has love, faith, hope and forgiveness. A well written book on tough subjects. Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion.

I Will not finish the book, not because I dis not like it. But the subject it raised, hit to close to home.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

This book is the first book starting a new series called "The Friendship Letters". It's another awesome book by Wanda to start this series off. This book deals with the challenges of alcohol and death, and telss how the family members pull together to help deal with these challenges. One way of doing this was writing letters to each other, hence the series name.
Thank You to NetGalley for a free copy of this book.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. This book was good but not one of my favorites by this author. I felt like it moved slow. Eleanor and Vic are happily married until a tragedy hits and causes problems in their marriage and Vic turns to an addiction. It makes you realize that no one has a perfect life and the struggles so many people go through daily.

I was trying hold off until publication date but I just couldn't help myself. Wanda's books are always so good!
Even with tough subjects such as alcoholism. I thought Brunstetter has done a wonderful job with it.
I also like how she used prayer for guidance because sometimes it does take something bad to happen tonwake up a person.
My grandfather was such a person. It took a heart attack for him to quit. I felt bad for my grandmother.
I'm so thankful that I never knew that side of him.
I'm so glad that Brunstetter wrote this story! I hope that it blesses many people like it has me.
It's a reminder that God is always near no matter what. He is called Wonderful for a reason.
Elenoar is an amazing woman. She's my heroine.
I read late into the night to finish this novel. Now I'm sad that it's finished.
I didn't like Tom from the get go because I thought he was a bad influence. Now I'm sure he is.
Who I really admired and appreciated was the parents on both sides! Wow!
This was just such a good story!
I'm looking forward to Doretta's story.
5 stars for a well written story.
I highly recommend
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for tackling this very important subject of addiction. Eleanor’s reliance on God and the ability to share her heart with her friend Doretta was inspirational. Vic’s downward spiral was difficult to read about. The story was very well written and I could feel the desperation of both Vic and Eleanor as they struggled with his addiction to alcohol. This is a book I would definitely recommend to all my friends and family!

Letters of Trust by Wanda E Brunstetter – Difficult Topic Handled with Care


Author Wanda E. Brunstetter has become one of my favorite writers. I appreciate that her books are clean, without profanity and sexual immorality, and that the characters are more fully developed. That’s why I wanted to read her newest book Letters of Trust.

This book is quite different from any other story I’ve read by this author. The subject is more difficult and a bit darker. When I think of the Amish community, I don’t think of alcoholism. Wanda explained that she had Amish readers request that she write a story that deals with alcoholism. Sadly, alcohol abuse has impacted their communities as well. The story also had a personal touch because alcoholism has touched Wanda’s life though a family member.

Letters of Trust tells the story about newlyweds Vic and Eleanor Lapp who are moving to Vic’s home state of Pennsylvania where his family lives. Other than Vic and his family, Eleanor had no family or friends there. Eleanor loves Vic and wants to support his decision to move back home. Like any newlywed couple the first year of marriage can be a challenge. Eleanor keeps in touch with family and friends through letters.

Vic is employed by an English man and is surrounded by English workers as well. Vic finds himself under regular pressure by a coworker to drink alcohol. He’s able to resist until a crisis breaks down his resolve to not drink alcohol. Alcohol had been an issue in his youth, before he had committed himself to the Amish community and church. Now Vic chooses not to resist the draw of alcohol.

Like every other sin, alcoholism and drinking to excess, doesn’t just impact the one who is drinking. Vic’s drowning his sorrow impacted his marriage, his family, his job, and most importantly his faith.

Will Eleanor find support and wise counsel from her dear friend and family? Will she have the wherewithal to remain in her marriage and help her husband? Will she be strong enough to acknowledge the truth, get wise counsel, and the help and support she needs? What will it take to wake Vic up to the truth that alcohol is destroying his life and his marriage? Will he realize it before it’s too late?

Something I would like to have seen, especially since faith is an integral part of the story and character’s lives, is to see alcoholism in light of the truth of Scripture. Secular society calls alcoholism a disease, but a Christian believer knows it is a sin. There may be some beneficial secular programs to help the alcoholic and their family. But for a Christian believer, first and foremost, we need to recognize our sin and repent. Like all sin, God has provide a way for us to be forgiven through Christ Jesus. If this had been a secular story, I would not have had that expectation.

Something that flowed from the aspect of faith and seeing a character caught up in sin, was Vic a true Christian? I don’t have good understanding of the Amish faith. But I wondered if there is some measure of legalism? Is a person considered a true believer as long as he complies with the rules of the Amish community? What is a warning sign that a person’s outward confession is not genuine? Would an Amish Christian be concerned about their witness and testimony to an unbelieving coworker?

I would like to have seen the faith aspect of alcoholism dealt with, in addition to the practical steps recommended by the secular world. I liked that Vic’s parents had a realistic understanding of their son and didn’t try to make excuses for his choices and behavior.

If you like Wanda E. Brunstetter’s writing, or have an interest in the topic of alcoholism, you may want to read Letters of Trust. This was a hard book to read because of the subject matter and the fact that too many lives are impacted by alcoholism. I appreciate that the author tackled this painful topic.

I would like to thank Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complementary copy of Letters of Trust by Wanda E. Brunstetter. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

Letters of Trust will be published March 1, 2023.

Letters of Trust
by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Pub Date: March 1, 2023
Barbour
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This is the first book in a new series. Friendship Letters and I truly enjoyed reading it! For anyone whose family has been touched by alcoholism you will certainly relate to this book. It took rock bottom for Vic to get the help he needed and God often uses the darkest pit when we surrender.
If you are a fan of Amish Life, you should grab this one as soon as it comes out in March!
Very honest and touching book.
5 stars

Letters of Trust is the first book in a new series by Wanda Brunstetter and it is fantastic. It’s not your typical Amish book where the youth gather for singings which is fine but this book has more depth, real life challenges and is one where you root or the characters to overcome whatever they may face. In the case of newlyweds Vic and Eleanor Lapp, their problems run deep, and they are left with grief and despair after the loss of a beloved child.

In the darkest of times, Vic turns to alcohol which leads to lies and the loss of his job. I must commend Eleanor for her strength and love as she attempts to save her husband and their marriage. This storyline is well-written, heart wrenching and personal to the author. I am eager to read the entire series. I highly recommend to readers of well-written, page turning Christian fiction.
I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Depression and Alcoholism and not the first things that come to mind when seeing “Amish fiction.” But Wanda Brunstetter does an excellent job of tackling these difficult topics in story form. Her true-to-life characters struggle, because even though they are Amish, they are human first. Regardless of religion or upbringing, we all have sin natures and a bent toward addictions and despair. The difference, as the author shows, is how we choose to handle our difficulties. Trying to solve our problems on our own does not lead to lasting peace; but running to God for help allows Him to direct our paths back to hope. He also sends people into our lives to encourage us along the way, as long-distance letters from a friend did in this story.
I recommend this book as one of Wanda Brunstetter’s best yet. The next book in this new series releases in August and I eagerly look forward to it.
*I received a free copy of this e-book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Many thanks to Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read Letters of Trust by Wanda E. Brunstetter.

This is a compelling story written about a subject that is close to the heart of the author, alcoholism, although it can strike any person or family, Amish or English.

Vic and Eleanor Lapp are a newly married couple who has moved from her hometown to Pennsylvania to be closer to Vic’s family and where he could get a good job.

Life is good for this young couple until tragedy strikes. Vic’s youngest brother dies of drowning and Vic feels responsible and turns to alcohol for comfort. The struggles are real for this family and we live each heart wrenching moment.

Eleanor begins writing her friend, Doretta, who she loves and trusts will her most guarded secret. With each of Doretta’s , Eleanor is encouraged to keep on keeping on and trust in God.

The characters are compelling and realistic. The story is well written and perhaps the most moving and realistic of all of Wanda Brunstetter’s book.

The book is to be released March 1, 2023, and receives a 5-star rating from me. Opinions are my own, and Barbour Publishing did not require me to give a positive review.

A very realistic story about alcoholism. This disease can happen to anyone but not many think about an Amish family dealing with it. The story was predictable at times but had great lessons of faith. Recommended.

This book is a wonderful start to a new series by the author.

When Eleanor and Vic marry, they move from Indiana where Eleanor was raised. Her best friend, Doretta and Eleanor keep in touch through letters. With Doretta being Eleanor’s best friend, they write very confidential things in their letters.

This book is excellent in that it addresses things that happen in Eleanor and Abe’s marriage that are very traumatic and shows how the Amish go through these life experiences just as the English do. You will definitely want to read this book.

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley, and highly recommend it. The opinions expressed are my own. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t put it down. It was about romance, hardship, and about life in general. It was about an Amish couple and the struggles they face. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone!

Vic and Eleanor Lapp leave Indiana to move to Pennsylvania after they marry. She leaves her good friend Doretta and promises to write. Vic and Eleanor have a loving marriage until a accident happens with Vic's youngest brother that makes Vic feel responsible for Edward's death. . Vic works at a English Construction company and rides to work with Tom. Vic and Tom start to drink and Vic hides his beer so his wife can not find it. When Eleanor discover his drinking she reaches out to her friend Doretta in letters for help. This is a beautiful story. It shows you what alcohol can do to a marriage. It showed Eleanor loving him and trying to help him with no success. When she becomes pregnant he really pushes away. What will it take for Vic to get help? What will it take for Eleanor to bring him him back? A story of love and forgiveness.

Letters of trust is a very well written Amish romance. Good plot and character dynamics. If you enjoy Amish fiction I recommend this book.