A book about betrayal, shattered Dreams, overcoming Hard times, resilience , second chances and family.
This book was ok. The chemistry between the Main characters , felt for me, non existence. I liked the family dynamics. But other than that it was Just ok.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

I enjoyed this book despite a few things I wasn’t real sure about. Carl’s parents blame May for a lightning barn fire 6 years ago that severely burned Carl. 17 year old Carl had gone there to see 16 year old May. Now 6 years later Carl has come home and he is no longer Amish. Carl and May still have feelings for each other but neither is sure about them and Carl’s parents have forbade Carl and his siblings from having anything to do with May or her family. A side story is Carl’s sister is in love with May’s brother and they have been sneaking to see each other. A few of the things that bothered me was the lack of forgiveness, lack of involvement of the bishop, and the fact that Carl’s parents weren’t really concerned about him living English. Overall I did enjoy this book. I was provided a copy by Netgalley but it didn’t affect my opinions.

This is a beautiful story that focuses on the importance of forgiveness. Not to hang on to bitterness and anger towards those who have hurt you in the past. In this story we see the rift between two Amish families put a strain on the entire community of Apple Creek. Fear caused a young Amish girl, May Schott, to stand in the middle of a fire unable to move out of arms way. As Carl Hilty stayed with May encouraging her to run out of the barn he sheltered her with his own body causing Carl to be burned almost beyond recognition. Years later he comes back to Apple Creek to visit his Amish family but he seems to have a cool attitude towards May. For years the Schott and Hilty family have held grudges toward each other and both families blame each other because of what happen to Carl and May from that barn fire six years ago. Will Carl ever be friends with May again? Can he ever forgive May for not fleeing the barn fire quickly and causing him to go through life scared from the fire?

It took me a little while to get into this story but once I did I loved it. I thought this story was quite different from what this author usually writes but this doesn’t mean that I didn’t like the story. Sometimes it’s good to write a different story. By the book’s ending I found that I enjoyed it so much that I gave it five stars. This was a shorter book than I’m used to from this Author. At times I felt the story was rushed so as to get it all in before the ending came. It was a want to be novella with 202 pages. It was emotional, romantic and I thought the Characters were well suited for the book. The book has a cute ending .

I recommend this book to readers of Amish fiction and Christian Fiction. Once Upon a Buggy is book 2 of The Amish of Apple Creek series. This book is scheduled to be released on 3/28/23.

I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are my own.

#OnceUponaBuggy#NetGalley

2 stars
Not the typical Amish story. There is a lot of hate, anger and pain due to a tragic fire and the once close families now utterly despise each other. It is a very strange outlook on life from the Amish viewpoint, as they are very big on forgiveness, especially as this in an Old Order Amish book. It seemed very weird that not one, but two families within an Amish community were acting this way and the bishop did not step in and try to stop it.
The book would have been much better written as a non-Amish story as most of the characters acted non-Amish. I liked Carl, May, Walker and Ally, but the rest of the character's cam of as whiny, rude and unforgiving.
The ending is awful. I kept hoping it would get better, but it did not.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

Well, this was honestly just so unsatisfying. The main couple had no chemistry. None. In fact, I have never been so convinced that a couple shouldn’t be together in my life. The secondary couple, which were the main couple’s siblings (MMC’s sister and FMC’s brother) had fabulous chemistry. The book should have been about them. When the main couple finally kissed, I felt nothing. I have read Amish romance before, and I’ve enjoyed them. And this author is usually much better. No idea what happened here. But skip it. For your sake.

Amish May and Carl were sweethearts until they Carl was trapped in a barn fire. Badly burned he has been away from the community for Six years. Now he is coming home. May blames herself for his injuries. Does Carl blame her? Good story. HEA

This is a different kind of Amish story. Carl has a new life as an Englisher, and his family doesn’t seem concerned that he’s no longer Amish. Despite seeming to think highly of their pastor, May is ambivalent about being Amish.
Six years ago, Carl was severely burned in a barn fire. May blames herself for not running when he urged her to. His parents blame her. Despite the feud, May’s brother and Carl’s sister are in love. They provide a second story line.
Take-away: God heard Carl’s prayers, but God’s solution wasn’t the one he thought he wanted. It was what he needed. He didn’t need his pain and sadness removed. He needed a way to manage them.

This is part of a series the Amish of Apple Creek. This is the second book. I believe it can read as a stand alone. Carl was badly burned six years ago in a barn fire. He was with May and saved her life. Carl comes back to visit his family but not as an Amish man. Carl and May still have feeling for each other. The only problem is that Carl’s family is still angry with May and her family even though they are neighbors. I enjoyed the book but felt the ending was a little too abrupt. I can’t wait to read the next one. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books. This is my own opinion.

Shelley Shepard Gray books make me smile. This one delivered that happy feeling once again. Apple creek seems like a wonderful place to live. The author does a great job developing well thought out characters that I want to read about. The only slight negative was i felt like she tried to put too many storylines in this book. Which in turn made things to fast paced and not be as detailed as I'm used to from her.

The second in the Amish of Apple Creek series centers around two families, both changed by a tragic fire. Six years after the fire, Carl returns after enduring years of burn treatment to visit his family. May has never been able to forgive herself for asking Carl to meet her in the barn the night lightening struck. Lots of issues of anger and the need for forgiveness. I was surprised that the bishop did not have more of a role in the story. I loved reading about the alpacas! Looking forward to the next book.

This is the second book in this series. This is the story of May Schott and Carl Hilty.May and Carl were in a barn fire. Carl was badly burned. He spent many years away due to the burns. Carl's family blamed May and the families stopped speaking. When Carl comes home for a vacation from his job he bumps into May but things are no good. This book is about forgiveness and moving on. This is a wonderful book. Love the characters and the story line.

May Schott and her beau Carl Hilty were meeting in the barn on her parents' property when the barn was hit by lightning and there was a fire. Carl got May out but was burned badly in the fire. Carl was sent away for a lot of time in a hospital burn unit. Now, several years later Carl returns. He has never joined the church and he has been living as English. His parents have long blame May for his injuries and both families, although neighbors and former friends, avoid each other. Both May and Carl have carried a torch for each other all these years but the situation looks impossible -- He is English and she is Amish, their families don't get along, and May feels to blame for Carl's injuries.

This is a great story and is a lot deeper than many of the Amish romances I have read.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my own honest opinion.

Good story of a second chance for two people who never forgot.
Would definitely recommend to the patrons at our library.

A devastating fire, loneliness, pain, heartbreak, divided families, and forgiveness are all found in Shelly Shepard Gray’s book, Once Upon a Buggy that is to be released, March 28, 2023. Thank you,Kensington Books, for allowing me to read an advance copy.

Tragedy struck when May Schott and her best friend, Carl Hilty were caught in a barn fire that left Carl horribly burned. Now, after six long years, Carl is returning to his hometown. He has not only changed in appearance, but in the fact that he is now English.

Join May and Carl as they travel this very intense journey as they strive for a new beginning.

This is a Fast-paced well written read and as always Shelly Shepherd Gray develop her character so well, you feel their emotions as you read.

You must read in order to see what they do with their emotional second chance.

I recommend this 5-star read, All opinions are my own, and I was not required to give a positive review.

This book is filled with many emotions and the author handles them all so well.

May Schott constantly lives with being overwhelmed by a tragic fire that took place six years ago seriously burning her best friend as he tried to help her escape. Carl Hilty had to leave Apple Creek to get the treatments he needed for all the severe burns. When he refuses communication with May, she is devastated as this is the man she had hoped to marry.

Silent family feuds between their families, secret meetings between members of each family, feelings of guilt on May’s part and feelings that everyone thinks he is so horrible to look at with all his scars, leave both May and Carl and their families with huge issues they have to work out within their own lives. After 6 years, Carl comes home, but how will everyone react towards him, including May. Can resolutions and miracles take place for all involved?

This book is filled with drama from the many characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a story packed full of emotions.

Thanks to Kensington Publishers and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own

This is a sweet Amish romance story, that I really enjoyed.
May and Carl were childhood best friends and neighbors just moving into teen sweethearts, when tragedy struck. The barn they were meeting in caught fire, resulting in major burns on Carl. It's been six years since that night, and May hasn't seen Carl since. He was in the hospital for a long time, and stayed in the big city, becoming English.
When they finally meet up again, both are basically speechless. Carl leaves convinced May thinks he's too ugly, with all his scars. Meanwhile, May is convinced Carl hates her for causing him to get so injured. Obviously, neither is true.
The process of sorting themselves out (and their feelings) is complicated by the fact that their parents have spent the last few years in a somewhat silent feud, despite still being neighbors. Also... Their younger siblings Ally and Walker have quietly kept in touch and are ALSO sweet on each other.
Throw in some quirky alpacas, and a couple other interesting things I don't want to spoil, and you get a sweet, light hearted romance that just feels good. I did feel the ending was maybe a little abrupt or rushed - there were elements I wish had been explored more - but this is a book in a series, so hopefully we'll get some post-HEA views in subsequent books.

Oh my what a story!
I loved every minute of it!
Lots of things going on in this story!
I just couldn't put it down.
I smiled, laughed and wanted to scream at Carl's parent for being so selfish! Wow! Oh and hard-headed too!
I very much appreciated Gray's truth that anything can happen to anyone at any given time or place. It's learning how to get past the hurts and forgive others as Jesus did. I know that's very hard sometimes but necessary. To give yourself peace if nothing else.
The Alpacas were my favorite! Poor Dancer! My heart went out to her.
Here's a favorite quote
"Love is hard May" "For what it's worth, there's not a soul in Apple Creek who would be against you and Carl in becoming an official couple."
Very well said and that is a lot!
5 stars for a job well done! I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this sweet book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Another sweet read by Shelley Shepard Gray. When two Amish best friends are involved in an accident that leaves them seperated for six years, can they ever let go of the past to build a future together?

I enjoyed this story of love, regret, and second chances.

Shelley's books are always quick reads, you can easily finish this in an hour.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

Once Upon a Buggy by Shelley Shepard Gray is book two in her Amish of Apple Creek series.

May Schott is excited to see Carl Hilty back in their Amish community. Carl Hilty is happy to be back in Apple Creek. There are years and cultures between them. How do they overcome it all?

Shelley Shepard Gray has another well-written Amish tale to her credit. The characters are well-rounded, and the plot is interesting. I rate Once Upon a Buggy 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to all readers of Christian romance.

My thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

"Once Upon a Buggy"
by Shelley Shepard Gray
Kensington Books
March 28, 2023
10-1496769833


Twenty-two-year-old May Schott wonders what life has in store for her. Six years ago, her best friend, Carl Hilty—the man she hoped would one day be her husband—was in a tragic accident. May had asked him to meet her in her family’s barn when a storm ensued, and lightning hit the structure, causing a fire. May panicked as Carl tried to get her to flee, but instead, she froze, unable to move. Carl managed to pull her out before the barn collapsed, and/or they both got burned, but through his heroism, he suffered fatal burns and needed extensive medical treatment.

Away from their hometown of Apple Creek, Ohio, Carl healed, albeit left with scars all over his body. As he recovered, he was able to get training and found lucrative employment, forgoing his Amish upbringing by becoming “Englisch.”

Things haven’t been the same for the Schott and Hilty families because of this tragedy. Carl’s parents blame May and the Shotts for what happened to their son, and they have shown hostility toward the Schotts ever since. May blames herself for Carl’s disfigurement and pain, and her only wish is to apologize to him.
Now, after all this time, Carl is coming for a visit:

“After years of wishing and hoping and praying, Carl Hilty had come back home. Her next-door neighbor, childhood best friend—the boy who’d saved her life—had finally returned. She was going to be able to see him in person.

“Adrenaline, fueled by a surge of nervousness and excitement, shot through her as she craned her neck. She was anxious to catch even a glimpse of Carl, but it was next to impossible. It looked as if the entire Amish population of Apple Creek was currently trying to do the same thing.

“May supposed she shouldn’t have been surprised. Carl was a hero, and he’d been gone for such a very long time. Six years was practically an eternity.”

May desperately needs to let him know how sorry she is the reason for what he has suffered. She wishes they can pick up their relationship where they left off. Though they were only teens, there was love between them.
When she encounters him, she can only stare at him, not knowing what to say. What is worse is his chilly demeanor toward her. She wonders, does he really hate me? How can she mend fences and get her best friend back, be in his good graces? She believes he wants no part of her, yet he thinks she is appalled by his appearance and will reject him, even considering he still has feelings for her.

After being away from his faith and community, Carl still is the same man he always was, even though he drives a truck, works with a computer, and uses a cell phone. May sees him as the caring, generous, and kind person he was as a kid, and she would do anything to show she still loves him. The Hiltys’ contempt toward her has her fearing she will never be accepted.

Even with the tension between the two families, May’s brother, Walker, is in love with Carl’s sister, Ally. However, the only way they can see each other is on the sly until Carl unearths their secret and announces it to his family. His parents are appalled, and they insist Ally break ties with Walker—either that or she is to leave their home. Upset, Ally loves Walker, so she will leave her home rather than lose him. Carl comes up with the plan for them to marry quickly, though this is not the usual way the Amish plan their nuptials.

Carl and May start to repair their relationship, and their main goal is to get their parents on friendly terms. The Amish are recognized as being peace-loving and forgiving, so why can’t the Hiltys understand this?

As time passes, May and Carl become closer, and everyone notices it. May’s father talks with her about her love for Carl, though she believes there’s no chance for a relationship due to him no longer being Amish. Her dad states:

“‘May, I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Robin and Able [Carl’s parents]. I’ve always figured life is made up of a lot of events, some big and some small.’ . . .

. . . “‘Do you also agree that some of those events—like weddings and funerals and births—well, they’re going to be memorable because they are huge, life-changing events?’

“‘Jah.’

“‘Then I want you to think about how the Lord gives us all myriad other less-significant moments in our lives. Some of them create lasting memories, too, for one reason or another. But I’ve always felt that there are other events that mark a person in unique ways. Whether it’s a fire or a job loss or even an injury, things don’t affect all of us the same way.’

“He exhaled. ‘What I’m trying to tell ya is that every person on this earth has their own ‘fire’ story. Maybe it doesn’t involve getting burned or separated from someone they care for, but it’s a trauma. I think it’s wrong to put so much emphasis on just one event—and selfish to think everyone else hasn’t through something just as difficult for them.’

“‘Dad, I don’t disagree with you. But I don’t understand how that affects my future with Carl.’

“‘What I’m trying to say, daughter is that you can either look at the fire and its aftermath as the biggest event in your life . . . or you can decide it’s just one of many big events you hope to experience. Respect that it happened and come to terms with the reality that it changed you and Carl—and everyone else in the family, too.’ He lowered his voice. ‘But then move on.’”

For their relationship to work, May and Carl must deal with Carl’s parents’ indifference, and they also have to face the reality of the accident. Will the Hiltys be willing to lose a daughter and a son due to their opinions and stubbornness? Can May’s loving father’s wise advice bring closure to the horrific occurrence they both endured? Is deep and abiding affection for each other enough to demonstrate they belong together?
Tragedy can happen to anyone at any time, and it takes the wisdom of May’s father to prove good can come from bad. A tale filled with pain as well as wisdom, "Once Upon a Buggy" is an insightful read into human nature—not just of those of the Amish sect—and how to deal with dire circumstances.