Recently, I stumbled upon a hidden treasure on my Kindle. Unfortunately, due to the chaos caused by Covid-19, I was unable to read and review it. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this Amish story. It was unlike any other I had read before, and it deeply touched me. If you enjoy connecting with characters as you read, I highly recommend this book. "Faith & Forgiveness" is truly the shining light that guides Jemima in this exceptional piece of literature.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This book was so confusing to me. I've read many Amish books and I've even read another book by Cindy Woodsmall that was very much Amish but this one had me so confused if I was reading about Amish or English. I know one of the main characters was English in this book and that it would involve some details about regular English people. It was very vague on Amish details and seemed to be written more like regular "English" fiction. I just had a hard time fully liking this book and being fully interested because of how this book was written.

There were times the book was very interesting and during these parts it had my attention. For example, towards the end when they were trying to fight to keep Heidi to raise without getting any authorities involved. I was rooting for Roy and Jemima to be able to find the evidence and be able to convince Tiffany to let them keep Heidi. It was encouraging to me to see their troubles within their marriage and how they worked them out. Also, how Abigail and Roy worked out their problems. It was encouraging to see Chris work through his problems and then be able to work on a relationship with Abigail. These are the things I did like and enjoy about this book.

“This book was provided to me by NetGalley and WaterBrook Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.”

Fighting against the odds

Now this is exactly what I wanted from a religious book – an overview of the religion and culture, without preaching to me (this comment is because of having recently been burnt with that).

I haven’t actually read any Amish books before this, so I didn’t know what to expect at all. I have a vague idea of who they are, from various TV shows, but I didn’t know the difference between the different types of Amish or, indeed, the Mennonites, or even the language they spoke. This book is filled with their version of German, “Pennsylvania Dutch” (which is far more a German dialect and not even related to Dutch!). I actually wish that I had realised that there was a glossary at the back, with a direct translation of the sentences, before I started reading! Although each time, particularly with the children, that they spoke in their form of butchered German, there was an explanation as part of the story.

This is actually quite a heart-warming story. The Amish are highly religious, and opposed to all forms of violence. The women, once married, lose their independence and everything they have belongs to their husband. They are also expected to forgive any transgressions both publicly and easily. All of this, even for the highly religious women, is harder than it sounds. Especially when all the lies and deceit land on their own doorstep.

Yet love truly does conquer all. Through hardship and rebuilding the trust, if love is there, then it can overcome just about anything. The resilience that Jemima shows when she realises that her husband, Roy, has been not only distant, but uncovers that he’s been lying to her, is remarkable. Of course she is angry! Yet her love eventually brings her around once all the lies and deceit are unravelled.

There is a side story here, with Chris, who is going against his religion and culture by fighting, and Abigail, Roy’s sister, who has also gone against her culture by turning down many a potential partner as she prefers being on her own. She doesn’t want to get lost, like she’s seen so many other women do. And even with her connection with Chris, she finds yet another excuse to push him away. Of course, there is a happy ending here as well, which also isn’t hard won.

With the horse farm in the background, to provide an even more traditional setting, things are never as they seem. They fight to keep everything, when everything should be lost. And they do it all with an amazing strength where others would have failed.

All in all, a great and surprising read, that draws you in to another world.

Final rating: ★★★★☆ – Really liked

*I received a free digital ARC via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Good storyline and well written. It was nice to get a glimpse into the Amish way of life and how closely it is actually intertwined with the English world.

This was such a good book. The writing was beautiful and carried a message of love and forgiveness. This is not the usual type of Amish story that I have read. I highly recommend.
Many thanks to Waterbrook & Multanomah and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thia book was beautifully gut wrenching!! It had it all! Alllll the emotions! Some characters I wanted to slap upside the head and others I just wanted to wrap in a warm hug and give them some chocolate and tell them everything would be ok!

When Amish fiction first burst on the scene several years ago, I was a big fan. But I got fed up with shunnings and rules and all the crazy stuff, so I lost interest for a while. But the summary of The Englisch Daughter really interested me, so I gave it a try.

It was a bit different from other Amish fiction I’ve read in the past. This was my first book by these authors, so I’m not sure if it’s how they usually write.

SUMMARY
Jemima’s dream has always been to own a food truck. She’s an Old Order Amish mother, and she has made many sacrifices to save the money for her dream.

The Englisch Daughter cover
But Jemima’s husband, Roy, has some secrets. He’s been hiding a child with another woman. And all of Jem’s savings are gone.

Can Jemima forgive Roy and save her marriage? And can she learn to love the Englisch daughter?

THE ENGLISCH DAUGHTER REVIEW
I had a lot of mixed feelings about The Englisch Daughter. I couldn’t put it down. I slipped in reading a couple of pages in my downtime until I finished it.

The story was captivating. There were a lot of things I didn’t see coming. And I actually enjoyed the secondary story with Roy’s sister more than I did the main story.

I don’t know a lot about the working of the Amish culture and religion. I do understand that forgiveness is a command from God. But I felt so sad that Jemima was considered in the wrong for not jumping to immediately forgive her husband.

From what I understand from this book, an Amish man can have an affair, and his wife must forgive him. So she suffers the shame of what he did, but he gets to live his life normally.

Jemima felt so guilty for not realizing what was going on with Roy that she ended up apologizing to him. She took the blame for his affair. I found it slightly offensive.

However, the story does have some twists that I didn’t expect. I didn’t hate the it. It was a story worth reading.

The Englisch Daughter is not your typical Amish novel. They’ve come a long way since the last one I read. I think Amish fiction lovers will enjoy it. But if you don’t generally enjoy Amish fiction, you might like this one.

This book was received as an ARC from WaterBrook & Multnomah in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I could not help but to fall in love with this book and the twists and turns that came with it. Perfect life comes crashing down, finding out your husband after his death was in another relationship with another woman and has a baby girl and now as the only living relative, forced to take care of the child. This is where finding who you were truly meant to be comes in a huge role here and as long as you follow God's plan, all will be ok. These books give you a sense of hope to get through any difficult situation. Definitely a great read during the complications of COVID-19.

We will consider adding this title to our Christian Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Forgiveness and love will prevail through all.....
What a unusual and intriguing twist in this Amish community story. The story line is quite complex and certainly keeps your interest. It will touch you in so many ways.
I recommend The Englisch Daughter to anyone that enjoys a heartwarming and heartfelt Amish fiction. Beautifully written...believable situations one can relate to.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for allowing me to read The Englisch Daughter. Any and all opinions expressed are my own.

This was my first book by Cindy and Erin Woodsmall and I enjoyed it!!! I love reading about different cultures!!! Truly enjoyed it and I look forward to the next book!!!

The Englisch Daughter was a great change to the usual style. Family dynamics are so driven by what has been perceived by those around each person involved and Cindy Woodsmail has really given Roy something to think on. With each connection his actions and those around him, give true meaning to family. A truely intense read, thank you for this ARC NetGalley!

The Englisch Daughter was very different read from the traditional Amish fiction I am used to and I'll admit at some times it had me screaming and wondering what was going on in the book, but I loved it and think it was beautifully written. I honestly devour any book Cindy Woodsmall writes and can say without a doubt, this was my favorite book of 2020 thus far.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, WaterBrook and Multnomah, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

The Englisch daughter by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall is a unique and diverse story of a Amish family. A unique take into the Amish's world. Forgiveness, redemption and love brings this story to a satisfying end.
#NetGalley,

#TheEnglischDaughter,#CindyWoodsmall,#ErinWoodsmall

"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."

Rating: 4
Heat rating: Sweet
Reviewer: AprilR

A very well written Amish book. This book is much different than usual Amish books that I have read. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

This was a very unique perspective on Amish life.

I loved the characters in this story, both Roy and Jemima face real problems and handle them with grace and forgiveness; After going through the usual emotions for the situation. I really liked both of their devotion to their kids and the little side romance going on between two of the secondary characters. It was both heart wrenching and heart warming. Full of several ups and downs, I honestly had a hard time putting it down.

I give the story 4 out of 5 stars for the creative story setting, the engaging characters, and for leaving me anticipating the next book.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for me honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

An unusual and awkward situation drives a wedge between an Amish couple. Not only do Roy and Jemima face financial strain while trying to build their horse business, Roy and their young daughter are still recovering from a bad vehicle accident. Now the couple must deal with more troubles. Can they add an abandoned baby to their struggling family? Plus, Chris, an Amish boxer comes to work with the horses—does he plan to stay Amish or to desert their faith? Roy’s sister, Abigail, helps with the work too in addition to teaching school. She and Chris seem to be attracted to each other, but issues from their past stand in the way of any close relationship. Trust, or the lack of it, and emotional tolls play prominent roles in this story. Can they all ever overcome the events that weigh them down? The characters in this novel seem real and their lives authentic. The book includes a bit of suspense and danger too. I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this different Amish tale at first because of what had happened, but the story drew me in and made me care about what happened. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I love Amish fiction, and the Englisch Daughter is no exception. It has unusual themes concerning events not normally found in Amish fiction.

Jemima and her sister-in-law, Abigail, have a dream of owning a food truck. They both feel trapped - Jemima as a housewife and mother; Abigail as a teacher.

Roy, Jemima's husband, is recovering from a near-fatal accident. He made a few bad decisions while addicted to pain killers, and is trying to repair his mistakes.

Chris is a very talented boxer and MMA fighter; unfortunately, fighting is against Amish beliefs and forbidden by the Ordnung.

The Englisch Daughter weaves these characters together in a compelling story. I loved this book and would highly recommend this title to anyone who loves Amish fiction.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.

#TheEnglischDaughter#NetGalley

Lover of Amish Fiction will enjoy this book. It was a great story with wonderful characters who developed nicely over the course of the book.

Yet another great book by Cindy. This one was difficult to follow at first but I was very pleasantly surprised with this story and couldn’t put it dow until the very last paragraph.

I absolutely devoured this book, and even put off some lectures until the next day to take a break and read it. I love when the Amish and English worlds collide and any story with babies, kids, or adoption will absolutely grab my attention. This was such a unique take on the traditional Amish story. It was so refreshing to read something different!