A collection of three novellas centered around three women in a quilting circle. The stories focus on love, family and learning what makes you happy.

In More than Friendship, Clara Rose is set to marry Thomas until her best friend, Obie, throws a snag into the plans. Will Clara Rose be able to figure out where her heart belongs before it is too late?

In More than a Promise, Mariana learns she is pregnant soon after she buries her husband. She turns to her husband’s best friend, Reuben, in her time of need. Will they find love together?

In More than Marriage, Tess and Jacob have hit a rough patch. There is more arguing than sweet words of love. Will Tess leave Jacob or will she see a way to find the love in her marriage?

I enjoyed these novellas and found them short enough to read the entire book in under 24 hours. The strangest thing for me was their use of tractors to get around. That was a first. These novellas have made me curious about the Amish in Oklahoma.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review in my own words.

The book is a wonderful setting where women get together to sew and fellowship. Each story is short but filled with so much emotion and a sense of family. I loved each one and didn’t want the stories to end. Amy knows how to put the right touches on a character to make them come to life. Readers feel like they are sitting in the ladies quilt circle listening to each other share their thoughts. I loved how characters from each story appear in the other stories to make a circle of sorts. They all are friends and share the good and the bad with each other. It is truly a Quilting Circle.

More Than Friendship

I loved this one because Clara Rose was genuine in her relationship with her best friend who happens to be a man. They have known each other forever . Obie is one of those guys you can’t help but like. He is always there to lend a hand and bring a smile to Clara Rose. What happens when Obie finds out that Clara Rose is getting married? Will he step aside and keep his feelings to himself? The story is chocked full of what ifs and trusting yourself. I loved how the author showed us that sometimes we do things thinking it will make us happy. We tend to rush into things without really thinking through how we feel. Don’t miss this lovely story of friendship and true love.

More Than A Promise

Mariana has just lost her husband and is trying to deal with what to do next. Her friends mean well, but sometimes you just need to be alone to grieve. Her friends at the Quilting Circle become concerned when Marianna faints. What secret is Marianna hiding from everyone? The news she gets from the doctor is quite a shock and now she has to have bed rest. How can she do all this on her own? The stress is dangerous for her health and her friends step in to help. I loved her friends and thought they were so supportive of Marianna. I thought her friend Rueben was such a great person. He was her husband’s best friend and I think he felt that he needed to step in and help her out. I cried when Rueben gave her a special gift. My heart went out to Marianna knowing that her road ahead would be hard at times but her trust in God was helping her cope. What I loved about this story is a decision that Marianna makes will have some people questioning her actions. Will Marianna find love again? Will her secret divide the community ? It is a great story about trust and finding happiness .

More Than A Marriage

Tess longs to have children with her husband Jacob. She feels lonely around her husband with him being on a cell phone all the time. I found it strange that he would have a phone but I guess with his work it was a needed item to have. The problem is Jacob spends more time on his phone than quality time with Tess. He seemed to be distracted a lot and Tess soon feels like she wants to go visit her family for awhile. How will Jacob take the news that Tess wants time away from him? When Tess sees how happy her friends are , she longs for the same in her marriage. This made me think that sometimes we run from our problems instead of staying and working them out. Will Tess realize she and Jacob need to communicate their feelings before it is to late? I love when Clara Rose tells Tess, “Don’t let pride get in the way of your marriage.” How many of us are guilty of staying mad because our pride gets the best of us? I really related to this story the most. I always thought things were greener on the other side. Guess what? They aren’t and I really had to swallow my pride and admit I was wrong. This story will give you hope and remind you that God and communication is the key to a good marriage .

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

The Quilting Circle by Amy Lillard is a collection of three novellas that surround different members of a quilting circle.
MORE THAN FRIENDSHIP
Clara Rose Ytuzy, the youngest member of the quilting circle is happily planning her wedding. When Obidiah, her best friend for many years, asks her not to marry, she beings to question everything. Clara Rose cannot understand how she feels about Obie and also about her fiancée. Will Clara Rose go through with the wedding or will God show her a different path?

MORE THAN A PROMISE
Mariana Miller and her husband have prayed for a child throughout fifteen years of marriage. When he falls ill and eventually passes, she discovers she is with child. When she is placed on bed rest, she is grateful to her community and her husband’s best friend, Reuben Weisel. As a relationship blooms, how will Mariana deal with these new-found feelings?

MORE THAN A MARRIAGE
Tess Smiley has only been married three years, but it isn’t the union she envisioned, nor is it what she perceives that her friends have for a marriage. Tess loves Jacob but can’t seem to communicate well enough for him to understand what is going on. When she has had enough and decides to leave, will it be too late or will they be able to work things out with God’s help?
I received this book from the publisher and netgalley in return for my honest opinion.

The Quilting Circle is a delightful collection of three originally released stand alone stories: More than Friendship, More than a Promise and More than Marriage. Upon starting The Quilting Circle, I realized I had previously read these stories, and actually had reviewed each as a stand alone. However, I enjoyed the opportunity to re read these charming and uplifting stories.
In More than Friendship, Clara Rose is torn between her love for her life long best friend Obie, and what she feels is her love for her betrothed, Thomas. Obie keeps begging her not to marry Thomas, but will not tell her why. Clara doesn't want anything to change in her friendship with Obie even with her upcoming marriage. She faces challenging decisions and truths about what she seeks in marriage and friendship.
In More than a Promise, when Mariana's husband passes from cancer, she finds herself pregnant after many childless years, and struggling to determine how she will raise a baby- then she learns she's carrying twins! While on forced bedrest, her late husband's best friend, Reuben, devotes considerable time to keeping her company and caring for her farm. Her closest friends encourage her to look at Reuben as a potential mate, especially when he expresses feelings for her that go beyond longtime friendship. As when I read this story the first time, I was deeply touched by the special relationship between Mariana and Reuben.
In More than Marriage, readers get a glimpse, through Tess's frustration about her husband Jacobs' cell phone, about why the Amish are so deeply reluctant to allow cell phones in their communities. Jacob spends considerable time on his phone when not at work, and Tess feels ignored and that Jacob doesn't wish to spend time with her. She's also frustrated because he won't spend time away from Wells Landing for them to visit her parents. She starts comparing what she feels is lacking in their marriage, to what she views as the perfect marriages of her friends. It's a valuable lesson that comparisons are not wise to make between relationships.
I really enjoyed this collection and look forward to future novels from Amy Lillard.

Three of the authors Amish stories in one book, each will tug at your heart, and keep you page turning, and then in the end wanting more.
Sometimes you cannot see what is right before your eyes, and then again sometimes what is before your eyes is what is really meant to be.
These stories make you realize that we don’t always get what we want, but God knows his plans, we just need to live our lives. These are just the right size to snuggle down with and enjoy, but you might not be able to stop with just one.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.

Back to Wells Landing with Amy Lillard for a fun three part book. Three individual stories which all blend together for one great whole.

The three featured women in the stories all had their own story of hope and faith which they share with their quilting group. These ladies support one another and give one another strength. I think we all need support from one another as life gives us difficult times to go through.

I loved reading the stories and they were just the right length to carefully develop each character so that the reader could understand their feelings and their desires for their lives.

An excellent read. Highly recommended!


Book Blurb:

MORE THAN FRIENDSHIP
Youngest quilter Clara Rose Yutzy is planning her wedding to her longtime beau—which is why she resolutely ignores newly warm feelings for her best friend, Obidiah. But Obie is certain God intends them to be together. With the Lord’s help, he’ll prove to Clara Rose how much he loves her . . .

MORE THAN A PROMISE
Mariana Miller prayed for a child throughout fifteen years of marriage. But now, newly widowed, Mariana discovers she’s pregnant—with twins! She’s more grateful than ever for her caring community—especially Reuben Weisel, her late husband’s business partner and best friend. Reuben’s quiet strength comforts her—until he proposes marriage . . .

MORE THAN A MARRIAGE
Tess Smiley is new to Wells Landing and newly married. But her marriage isn’t the harmonious union she envisioned. Tess loves Jacob with all her heart, but her heart tells her she must take a stand—and ask for support. Only then does Jacob see how he has hurt her. But is he too late? . . .

I received a copy of this book from the author and NetGalley for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

The Quilting Circle introduces us to three unique short stories about women who are very much like the rest of us in different stages of life. A young woman falling in love the first time, a pregnant widow finding love in love with her late husband's best friend, and a young married couple on the brink of brokenness as they learn to court and communicate again will wrap you in a warm sweater as you sit down to read this fall.

I can't say enough nice things about Lillard's collection of short stories. I needed this in a way I didn't even realize. I needed to connect to women that were in the same walks of life as me, and I needed to read something sweet and innocent after the crazy of the world. I knew that an Amish romance would at least fulfill sweet and innocent reading, but I didn't realize that I would have so much in common with the three women. That is really where The Quilting Circle shines. No matter your religious opinions or if you're only fascinated by the Amish, there is a kinship here that cannot be denied. The stories are told simply and wrap up with the perfect little bow. No complicated plots, no loose ends, and certainly no unhappy endings. But that's okay. Sometimes we just need happy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amy Lillard, and Kensington Books for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.