I have reviewed this title for New York Journal of Books where it will be published the evening before the release date.


"The Amish Newcomer" by Patrice Lewis
Love Inspired
August 25, 2020
10-1335488369
224 pages
Contemporary Amish Romance


Leah Porte works diligently for years to accomplish the enviable position as a television journalist reporting the down-and-gritty news in Los Angeles. Though having no social life, she is fulfilled while concentrating on her career. Until . . . .

While on a scene, Leah is brutally attacked and left fighting for her life, causing the Witness Protection Program to relocate her to the small Amish community of Pikeville, where she is least likely to be discovered by the thugs after her.

It's difficult for a professional city woman to get accustomed to Amish ways, learning to live a sustainable life without the comforts of electricity, running water, cars, phones, and even computers. Taken under the wing by the Byler's, Leah is graciously welcome, now dressing in Amish attire, and treated like kin. Neighbors are told she is a distant relative recovering from an accident, for in her present situation, the less known about her the better, not only for her safety but for that of the Byler's, too.

As Leah enters the Byler household, consisting of pregnant mother, Edith, father, Ivan, and their three boys and three girls, Leah feels overwhelmed. An only child whose parents divorced when she was young, she's not used to a large family, though she is captivated by the devotion and compatibility they share, as well as the respect of the children.

What will happen when she can leave and get back into the world? Because of the disfigurement she received to her face, she'll never be able to be behind a TV camera again, and this is something she's worked for her whole life.

Unused to manual labor, Leah learns the domestic chores inherent with everyday living: washing clothes by hand, cooking on a wood stove, preparing meals from home-grown preserved food, as well as other household duties the typical "Englisher" completes easily by using appliances. Leah realizes she loves working in the garden, weeding, and harvesting fruits, and vegetables, but most of all—doing chores with others, where there is a camaraderie among everyone. A new experience for Leah, she is surprised she enjoys every second of the back-breaking work, and the silent evenings while Ivan reads the Bible as everyone listens attentively. Leah finds something she never experienced before: the love of community and a newfound family.

Leah is drawn to Rachel, the Byler's daughter, who was born with a physical disability. Wise beyond her years, she gives Leah insight into her faith and the principles they all live by. Never having any formal religious training, Leah is amazed and impressed by their dependence on their Lord.

Rachel describes her experience during her "rumspringa”:

"'On my rumspringa, I missed having friends around all the time. It seems a lot of Englisch people are lonely. I know I would be, if I didn't have the church community around me all the time.'

"The words were simply spoken, but they made Leah blink hard for a few moments. Short or not, Rachel knew where she belonged. She had a place in this community. She knew what her role was in life.

"Where do I belong? Leah had a moment of profound loneliness. She belonged nowhere. She no longer knew what her role was in life. She was rootless, without the community or even faith that sustained these daughters of the Byler family.

"What would it be like to be so unquestionably accepted. Leah had clawed her way to the top for so long that the thought of sinking quietly into a society that accepted its members with love and loyalty was intriguing."

Leah discloses the truth to Rachel of what brought her to the Byler's:

"'I was filming a story on gang violence in L.A. It was the night of January first, New Year's Day, a cold night out on the streets. I saw two gang members kill a woman and her child. They just knifed them down in cold blood. . . .’

"'They didn't see me or my cameraman, and we filmed the whole thing.' Leah's voice trembled. 'I'll never forget it. It was pure accident they were killed on camera, and it happened so fast neither of us could have stopped it. But they saw us. Suddenly we were running for our lives down a dark alley. They caught up with us when I tripped and fell. . . .’

"'One . . . one of them started slashing my face. I thought he was going to slit my throat, but my cameraman, Ted, kicked him in the head, so he was knocked out. Ted saved my life that night. He decked the other guy, dragged me to my feet, and we made it back to the news van and got out of there. He took me straight to the hospital, where they had to do some reconstruction work on me, but it was clear from that moment my career in front of the camera was over. . . . ‘

"'. . . My station aired the footage of the murders, and from then on, I've been hunted. They had to post a guard at my hospital room door after some people tried to get in. I wasn't safe at my apartment. It took no time for my address to become known. They want me dead. Finally, the authorities put me in witness protection, which is how I ended up here, through the kindness of your parents."

Leah meets Isaac Sommer, a neighbor who helps Ivan with his furniture-making business. Like Leah, he is also in his late 20s and unmarried unlike most of his peers. During his rumspringa to the "English" world, he attended school, but realized he missed his old lifestyle, so he returned. In addition to working with Ivan, Isaac creates leather articles and cares for his widowed mother. Now, with permission from the Bishop he produces a magazine not only for the Amish but for those wanting to live off the grid and get back to nature.

Isaac is drawn to Leah. They share "Englisch" living, so she understands things others in his group cannot. Wanting nothing more than to marry and have a family, many of his contemporaries are already married, but the younger women are not interested in him.

Isaac requests Leah's assistance with his publication. Well versed in writing and computers, she would be a great help to him. Though hesitant, she starts jotting down facts about her new lifestyle from her perspective, realizing she can offer something new to promote the magazine's circulation, particularly outside the "Plain" community.

As time passes, Leah becomes attached to the locals, especially Isaac. She realizes:

"She was beginning to see something of the strength the Amish forged through their strong ties with each other. They didn't compete; they cooperated. They didn't tear down; they build up."

Leah thinks this is a wonderful way to live, but she is not one of them. Though Isaac shows interest in her, he is baptized and will not leave his faith. Could they possibly have a future? Could she become a member of the church? Leah considers this and visits the Bishop to discuss her thoughts and with him. He tells her this:

"One of the problems we experience is outsiders tend to romanticize our way of life. We're seen as throwbacks to a happier time when people lived in harmony with each other, with Gott, with the earth. Those who seek us based on those terms don't last because Gott isn't the center of their lives. But Gott is the center of our lives. One of the reasons we do adult baptism is because it's critical our members understand the seriousness of their commitment, something children can't do. It's far better not to make a vow than to make a vow and later break it. That's why we take both baptism and marriage seriously. There's no going back."

This last paragraph says a lot about these people. Their selflessness, compassion, and care of others make this appear to be an ideal way of life. But can an “Englisch” American renounce modern convenience and live this way? Regardless that this is seemingly a perfect world, they too must face obstacles and hardships as with any group. The heartwarming aspect of this novel is the unconditional love, acceptance, and peace shown—a blessing in our current turbulent world.

I really enjoyed this read, and the pages flew, read in one sitting, but will linger.
Awesome premise, and it seemed so real. The characters were living their faith, and sharing. An eye opener for a city girl, seeing and experiencing where our food comes from, and living with and enjoying the basics.
Acceptance and love for everyone, no matter their problems or disabilities, something to emulate!
I will be looking for reads by this author again, she has a gift and she is sharring!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Love Inspired. and was not required to give a positive review.

What a delightful, wonderful and heartwarming story! I instantly fell in love with the unique story and the characters that were vividly brought to life upon the pages of The Amish Newcomber. Amish stories and their lifestyles have always interested me greatly. This story put a bit of a spin on Amish Fiction and was fascinating at the glimpse of day to day living and lives of the Amish. The main character, Leah, goes through a very thorough change of her typical lifestyle, when she is sent to live with an Amish family after tragedy hits her. She is taught a magnitude of day to day activities, chores and work that she never imagined. The family that Leah stays with wraps her in love and compassion, teaching her that goodness can prevail, when you have faith.

For a good, clean story filled with sweetness, Hope, love and romance, The Amish Newcomber is perfect!

Another 3.5 rating this week. The general premise of the novel was good. I enjoyed the characters and the various Amish details. The ending felt rushed but I am 99% positive it felt that way because the first half of the book was devoted to the first 2.5 days Leah was at her new home, while the last half covered 3ish months and an epilogue.

I greatly enjoyed this novel by Ms. Lewis. I've seen stories before (tv and books) where the Amish served in witness protection. I was surprised that none of the drama from anyone searching for Leah entered the picture. There was a moment when a newspaper reporter came into contact with Leah in a library, and I was expecting that to turn into something more when he noticed the scar on her face, and the fact that she was comfortable with writing and creating a website on a computer. I'm not sure why the author didn't pursue any of this further into the storyline. I found this as a little bit of a letdown, because a small amount of mystery and excitement can be a fun addition to a story. This was my only reason for giving 4 stars instead of 5. I felt Ms. Lewis missed a wonderful opportunity to further develop the storyline. However, it appeared she chose to keep it "short" and "simple".

I really enjoyed how the author developed Leah's character. Leah discovered value in a depth that far exceeded material things or shallow personalities. She had no family of any kind before entering the Amish world. She quickly discovered the deep sense of community and family outside of the blood relatives. I also enjoyed how the author pointed out how books and "Englishers" tend to "romanticize" the life of the Amish. It is clearly a great deal of hard work in their world. However, the work is handled by many hands, and in a family/community fashion that lessens the hardship. Overall, I truly enjoyed this book, and will be watching for more by Patrice Lewis!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada) through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A wonderful read by this new to me author that I really enjoyed!
A short read that will pull you into this novel from the beginning and not let go until you're finished with it.
I loved the plot and the characters were wonderful! I loved making friends with them and I hated to say goodbye but the best thing is this book is so worth the reread because there's scenes in the book that you might've missed the first time around!
I especially liked how Lewis has made her characters seem real and believable and I felt their emotions come from the pages out to me. I also found myself rooting for them too and to me that's the best part of the book! Seeing where the characters will come out at the end. Of course, we all know what that will be and I feel that's what this book offers is hope. Hope for better things. Love and Forgiveness too.
Isn't it funny where and how life takes you? Only the Lord knows. He has purpose and a good reason for where He places us at any gjven time!
I look at it this way. Life is changing every day and I figure you can take it or leave it but you can also choose to see it as an adventure. I choose to see it as an adventure!
I found myself rooting for Leah and Issac through the whole entire story!
I couldn't imagine witnessing what Leah did. I think I'd be a nervous wreck! Yay Leah!
This little story deserves more than 5 stars because it's engaging, fun and very very good!
My thanks goes to Netgalley for this cute little story that I really enjoyed and I highly recommend!
All opinions are my own