I love to read books that tackle some difficult subjects. One of Patricia Davids' main protagonists has dyslexia and has hidden it for years. He considered himself stupid and never wanted anyone to know. But then he met Eva the new schoolteacher with whom he shared an immediate spark. Willis was bound and determined to never let Eva know that he couldn't read or that he fell in love with her but fate (his little sister and brothers to be exact) had other plans! Great story!

Many of you know how much I enjoy Amish fiction. This is a new author for me and I have to say, I truly enjoyed the look at Amish life from the northeast part of the U.S.A. Most of the fiction I read comes from Pennsylvania, and I was so enthralled with the new location and traditions of the Amish in this different part of the world.

Taking a schoolteacher position in another district is just the change Amish spinster Eva Coblentz needs. And with her new neighbor, blacksmith Willis Gingrich, struggling to raise his three orphaned siblings, Eva is determined to help them heal. But when her relatives insist she come home, Eva must choose between the life she left…and the one she’s growing to love.

I loved reading about Eva and Willis. Willis is a blacksmith who is raising his siblings. Willis also has a secret: he can't read. So when the new schoolteacher comes to live across from his home, he finds himself becoming more and more involved with her but pulling back because he is embarrassed about his lack of reading ability. One of Willis' siblings is having trouble at school because he, too, cannot read. Eva, being the good teacher that she is, finds out that her student is dyslexic. She studies new ideas to help her student, and in time, learns that she can help Willis, too. Eva has taken her first teaching position and has moved away from her brother's family to do so. Her brother wants her to come back home but Eva knows it is to work for her sister-in-law. In the meanwhile, she has fallen for Willis and cannot understand why he is so standoffish.

I love the characters, their issues are real. I loved reading how the community helps one another in times of need, there are many examples in the book. I highly recommend.

If you're a fan of Amish fiction, you'll enjoy this story. The characters are well-developed and relatable. There is solid growth and an engaging story line.

Eva is kind and caring, making her an easy character to root for. I admire her for stepping outside her comfort zone (something I hate doing). This is a sweet romance with some humorous scenes thrown in along the way. There's a religious element, but it's not preachy.

The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma by Patricia Davids is a delightful story. I was hooked from the very beginning and did not want to put it down. Eva Coblentz cared for her grandparents until they passed away. She saw the ad looking for an Amish teacher for the newly constructed New Covenant Amish school. Eva feels fortunate that the position comes with housing and a place for her to store her vast collection of books. Willis Gingrich, the town’s blacksmith, has his business and house across from the school and he is now responsible for his three younger step-siblings. They are a handful, and Willis wonders if he is doing what is best for the children. Eva wants to assist the Gingrich’s become a family and a help the children deal with the loss of their parents. As time passes, Eva finds herself falling for Willis. Willis feels the same way, but he has a secret that makes him feel he is unworthy of Eva. Then Eva receives a letter from her older brother, Gene telling her to return home. Gene’s mother-in-law had a stroke and needs someone to take care of her. Eva does not want to give up the new life she has built in New Covenant. Will Eva stay or will she return to her old life? There are some great characters in The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma. Eva is thirty years old and getting to have her own life for the first time. She moved from Arthur, Illinois take the position in Maine. Eva has never taught before, but she loves to read which she wants to pass along to her students. She has lived with her older brother, Gene since she was fifteen. She took care of Gene’s household because his wife was busy with their children and Eva nursed their grandparents until they passed. Eva is a kind, compassionate woman who is looking forward to her new life. Willis Gingrich is a blacksmith who can make beautiful items with iron. His father and stepmother passed away leaving Willis to care for his three siblings (two boys and a girl). Willis is the strong, silent type who is does not like to ask for help. The three children are a handful (Harley, Otto and Maddie). Maddie was my favorite. She has an imaginary friend, Bubble who gets her into all types of situations. I laughed often while reading The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma. Maddie is a precocious child who will keep Willis and Eva on their toes. Danny, Eva’s younger brother, comes to visit. I like Danny and I hope he gets his own book (I like where his story was heading). I did not think it was fair of Gene to expect Eva to give up her new job and home to return to a life of drudgery. There were some important themes in the story which included the importance of prayer, pride can be your downfall, and the importance of learning to read. The author provided good information on dyslexia. It is a shame that students who struggle are picked on and criticized by students, teachers and parents. I liked the community of New Covenant where people came together to help those in need (Amish and English). The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma was an engaging story that ended much too soon for me. The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma is an appealing Amish tale with an inventive imaginary friend, a clever canine, a new school, a caring community, and a difficult decision.

This is a clean, sweet Amish story about a young woman who steps outside of her comfort zone and sets out on her own to establish a new life. Eva Coblenz moves from Ohio to Maine to become a new school teacher. A really new school teacher, since she has never been employed as one before! Her neighbor in this new environment is Willis Gingrich, a blacksmith who has taken on the responsibility to raise his three younger siblings after the death of their parents. I really enjoyed the scenes with Willis and the adorable children. They weren’t afraid to tell how they were feeling and in doing that, they also kept revealing how their brother was feeling. I enjoyed getting to know Eva, an independent and resilient young woman who faces new challenges with a can-do attitude that was refreshing. The conflict comes in with Eva’s domineering brother and his lazy wife because they did not want Eva leaving Ohio to begin with and try to make her miserable enough that she will return. I could tell that this book is from a series because there were new people introduced about whom I want to know more and expect the author to write more about them in the future. Fans of Amish fiction will enjoy the story of the adventures of Eva and the trials of Willis.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Eva Coblentz takes a job as a schoolteacher in a new district, never married, she has a love of learning sees this job as an opportunity to try something new and escape her domineering brother. She is an intelligent and capable woman, confident on her own, efficient and compassionate. I loved how she took her life into her own hands, stepping outside of what she had known and trying something different. She is very observant and embraces her new role in the community.



Blacksmith Willis Gingrich is struggling to raise his three younger siblings, who are all flourishing under the guidance of their new teacher. Willis isn't interested in marriage, he has more than he can handle with his work and the children, but he and Eva form a fast friendship bonding over the children and she gives him a new outlook on learning.



Well developed characters, and great storytelling, with a fantastic plot with good tension, and good dynamics throughout. I liked the character growth and interaction, throughout. I loved how relatable the characters and storyline were. Highly enjoyable, with great characters, and an engaging plot. Definitely recommend!



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A sweet romance story that will leave you believing love can conquer anything.

A clean romance from all aspects that a mother can feel very comfortable letting her teenage daughter read. There is no worry that a steamy love scene will pop up unexpectedly or unnecessary foul language will break the flow of a beautiful love story.

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

I have reviewed this book for the New York Journal of Times website where it will be posted the evening before the release date.


"The Amish Teacher's Dilemma" by Patricia Davids
Love Inspired
February 18, 2020
10-1335429438
Contemporary Inspirational Romance
368 pages

Publicity Contact: lisa-wray@harlequin.com

Reviewed by Nancy Carty Lepri

The third issue of the North Country Amish series has Eva Coblentz moving from her childhood home in Illinois to the Amish community of New Covenant in northern Maine to start a new career. For several years as a single woman, she has been living with her brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Corinne, taking care of their family and now she has a chance to finally live her own life.

A school has just been built for the children in this tiny town, and Eva has accepted the job as their new teacher. In addition to the schoolhouse, she also is provided with a home to occupy. Any fears she may have moving far away and starting anew vanishes when she sees what she meets the townsfolk and the lovely surroundings. Leaving her home doesn't worry her, but the task ahead of her causes her great anxiety. She has no formal education training, though not a prerequisite for Amish teachers, still, she wonders if she's bitten off more than she can chew.

Eva meets the Gingrich children who live in the house across the street from the school. They are siblings of Willis, who took guardianship of his two brothers, Harley 13, Otto, 11, and sister Maddie, age seven after their parents passed away. Though it is still a few weeks before classes start, Eva gets the opportunity to become familiar with the kids, and she is delighted they will be under her care. Maddie, especially, warms her heart with her kind and precocious comments.

The brothers are typical boys, full of energy and as opposite from each other as salt is from pepper. Otto professes his hatred of schoolwork and one day, in his angst, he accidentally breaks a window in the new schoolhouse. Having to own up to his misbehavior, he is given the tasks to clean up the broken glass, work to replace it, and write, "I will respect school property" on the chalkboard 100 times. When Eva tells him his fate, he runs off stating writing on the board is "stupid," but she later finds him and Harley in the schoolroom where Otto is completing his punishment. Gazing at the blackboard, she becomes confused. The first line is well written, but the other 99 displays words with mixed up letters and a completely different style of handwriting.

Eva confers with the previous schoolteacher concluding Otto may have a learning disability. Could this explain his intense dislike for schooling? Worried,
Eva brings this up to Willis, but he appears angry, stating not everyone is book smart. Puzzled by his attitude, she lets it go deciding to be more attentive to Otto when classes begin.

Meanwhile, Willis and Eva are thrown together by unlikely forces, and Maddie has it in her head that Willis needs a wife, but Willis asserts he will never marry. He was hurt long ago, and he would not even consider a relationship. Though he is drawn to Eva, he cannot suffer the embarrassment of his past, along with a secret he holds that no one can know.

Eva also attracted to the handsome smithy, restrains in her feelings for she has heard him chastise Maddie, making it clear he is not in the market for a spouse, though with his new responsibilities, it would be beneficial for him. She tries to away from him, knowing if something should ever happen between him or any other man, she would lose her job for Amish teachers aren't allowed to be married.

One afternoon, Maddie wanders off and gets lost. Her kapp (a hat Amish females wear) is discovered near the entrance to the woods and a search party is convened. Willis fears his little sister may be hurt and berates himself for being a bad guardian. As Eva stands beside him trying to ease his anxiety and offer comfort, her affection for him grows as his apprehension intensifies.

"Ordinarily, it would have taken her weeks to get to know Willis and the children so well, but they had been together frequently since she had arrived. She didn't dream that Willis returned her warmer feelings. She was standing by him as a friend because that was what he needed now.
"She was happy if Willis found her presence comforting but to read anything else into his lingering touch just now was foolish on her part. She knew that. He wasn't interested in more than friendship. She suspected his reliance on her had as much to do with his insecurity regarding the children as anything else. She'd never had to worry about keeping her emotions in check in the past, but she would have to do it in the future where Willis was concerned."

Eva's younger brother Danny shows up unannounced a few weeks after her arrival with news that Corrine's mother has had a stroke and Eva's assistance is needed, though she cannot understand why her lazy sister-in-law is unable to care for her mother. She does not want to go back to Illinois for she now loves New Coventry. But what should she do? Does living her own life mean nothing to her brother or is she indebted to him and his family? Her feelings are torn for she enjoys her freedom and new responsibilities as well as the new friends she's made.

This sweet, inspirational romance offers a fast and easy read. The plot is somewhat predictable; however, it contains heartwarming scenes of how the Amish community come together to help each other. Though they may have a life different from what many "Englisch" live, they share the same sorrows, insecurities, apprehensions, problems, and joys. Yet throughout all tribulations, love proves to be found where and when least expected.

Eva Coblenz is excited and nervous.

She's 30 years old and longs to move her life forward.

This may be easier said than done. Eva is Amish and lives in a devout, traditional community in Ohio.

Things are made harder with resistance from her brother regarding her wanting to move on, and there's conflict which is mentioned but not delved into as much as I'd have liked.

Even so. Eva fights for what she wants and that is to settle elsewhere and live her own life. She takes a job as a teacher. I was pretty nervous for her during the interview, especially as the author skillfully put us right in the thick of it with her.

The schoolroom is small, but it's new and Eva is eager to start her job and new life.

Maine is so different to what she knew and the winters are harsh but she loves her job and wants to succeed. She wants to prove her brother wrong- that she can do it.

Things get interesting when she meets Will, who lost his parents and is fighting to bring up his siblings. Each person has their own unique and personal fight.

Will they get on? Will Eva adjust to her new life? And most important of all- will she stay or will she go?

I was riveted by the description and reality of Amish life in this novel and I felt I was living Eva's life by her side.

Sights of Amish life and good food are abundant and that made the novel even more immersive for me.

I'm not religious but just find Amish life so fascinating- living without modern comforts yet finding joy and happiness in family and friends. The drive to work as a community and help each other is also eye opening to me and is what differentiates the Amish from the non- Amish.

We could all learn a thing or two from the Anish way of life, I think.

This novel was cosy, quick and riveting. I am looking forward to more from Patricia Davids. The novel ranks high on my book popularity list along with Jodi Picoult's Plain Truth.

The only thing I had against it is that I wanted the novel to go on longer. The characters and settings are realistic and the homes are warm and welcoming.

Thanks to Patricia Davids and Love Inspired for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars. (less)

Exactly the type of book I need when I want to snuggle up to something gentle with a HEA that doesn't involve bodily functions. (Sorry, but that needed to be said IMO)

I love this author because she doesn't over-preach yet she certainly gets her point across. This makes me respect her a lot since I am not a religious person, yet I love her stories and I find them informative, sweet and always teaches me something.

This particular story deals with two people who are made for each other, yet have promised themselves never to marry one because they have a deep secret and the other...well no secrets just a yearning. We have a "meet cute-ish beginning, a scare, and a deep secret -so this book touches on all that makes a romance.

Well worth the few hours it will take you to read and may even become a keeper on your re-read shelf.

*ARC supplied by the publisher.

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the chance to read and review The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma by Patricia Davids. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma is a lovely Amish tale of an endearing heroine who is humble and modest. She’s given up on finding a husband and takes a teaching job in a new community. A friendship develops between her and her nextdoor neighbor. Could she hope that something more can be in store for her?

Eva Coblentz is a delightful heroine with all the characteristics I love. Her heart is as big as an ocean when it comes to the orphaned children living with their elder brother. She cares for them as if they were her own kinner.

Willis Gingrich is a charming hero. He’s ashamed and embarrassed by his inability to learn as other find so easy. He feels overwhelmed raising his three half-siblings. My heart hurt for him when he realizes his feelings for Eva are growing. He believes he is too far away from her on an intellectual level for her to ever return his regard.

The romance between Eva and Willis is sweet and based on their growing friendship. They quickly become best friends. I loved their nightly meetings in the schoolyard. I truly wanted this charming couple to find a way to each other.

If you enjoy a heartfelt romance with engaging characters and a lovely plot that will at times have you smiling while at others dotting tears from the corner of your eyes, then you will love The Amish Teacher’s Dilemma as much as I did. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I’ve already purchased the first two books in this series and read them! I understand Ms. Davids has plans to write quite a few more books in this heartwarming series. Happy reading!

Very enjoyable! Eva is such a sweet person with a real live for people. I loved Maddie and her invisible friend, Bubble. She was so endearing and realistic. I'm glad the author addressed dyslexia in the manner she did. This is the third book in the series but readers can enjoy it as a stand alone. Recommended!