Esther and Lucas struggle with their faith and family, which are both very important to the Amish. Esther is a businesswoman making soaps and selling them. Lucas has come back and fallen for Esther but hides a secret about his brother's death. Second chance love, forgiveness and acceptance themes. I really enjoyed reading this author's book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I thought this book was good overall. There was running themes of love, acceptance and forgiveness and hope. I thought the characters were well written and I would recommend this book to others.

This is not your typical Amish Romance. It's a charming tale of second chances, family ties, secrets, and a bit of gossip. The characters are flawed and their struggles with faith and other things are very relatable. I think that is what makes this such a good read. This is book one in the new Honey Brook series, I am looking forward to seeing what story this cast of characters is going to take us next.

This was such a sweet story of love and forgiveness! Esther who lost her fiance was having a hard time letting go of her anger and the conflict of that in her relationship with God, get she kept asking God for help. Who knew it would come from a source very unexpected.
Lucas, the brother of her fiance's too was fighting his own battle of fear of not being accepted by his family after being gone for a time. Not realizing the reason was not what he had thought, he found himself too questioning why.
Together, he and Esther, bonding and learning to trust one another, opened a while new world for them both!
I would definitely recommend this book!

I loved this book so much! I have really been loving Amish fiction books lately. They’re just so sweet, simple, and clean romance, and sometimes that’s what you need to read! The romance in this book was slow burn and it was perfect. I loved the characters in this book, I felt like Esther and Lucas were perfect for one another. This book will make you laugh and cry, and fall in love with the characters. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean romance read!

Honey Brook, Pennsylvania is the setting for this new series. Book 1 features Esther Miller who considers herself on old-maid because she's still single at 24. Her fiancé Jacob had died several years earlier and she just wasn't ready to start courting again. She has a growing business of making scented soaps in her home and selling them through an Amish retail store. Lucas comes to town as a PA. He is Jacob's brother but left the Amish years before. The Amish tradition still calls to him and he still lives a very simple life despite his car and electronics. When he meets Esther, he become very interested in her but he is hiding a secret about Jacob's death and he doesn't know if she or their church will forgive him. I enjoyed reading this book and I really like Esther and Lucas -- they were both strong in their religious views but both showed confusion on how to properly live their lives. I thought that Esther was a very strong woman - she followed the Amish ways but was still very interested in having her own business. Is it possible for two flawed people to be happy with each other and follow the Amish ways?

I'm a huge historical romance reader and love the steam but some times I want to read an Amish romance. I love reading and learning about their culture.

I really liked that Lucas was someone returning home, possibly back to his family's culture/religion. I liked that both Esther and Lucas struggled with their faith and family.

I devoured this book in one day as I couldn't put it down. I love when a book enthralls me like that. I will be looking forward to more in this series and from this author.

Honey Brook, PA.....doesn't it sound like the place of peace and pleasant dreams? Well, dreams yes but not always the ones that are wanted. Esther was well on her way to fulfilling her dream of marrying her Jacob Brenneman and then her world fell apart. Jacob suddenly dies. Oh, how she searches for peace after this tragedy, but it doesn't seem to come. Esther feels she is being tested....her YOUNGER sister now is getting married and Esther feels like she will end up being an "old maid".
Esther's fiance's brother, Lucas has now come back to town and this further increases her turmoil. Will Esther ever find the peace she seeks, will she be able to handle the truth about Lucas and what about the wedding dress made by Esther for her wedding day??? So many questions.....you will have read the book to find the answers and believe me.....you will thoroughly enjoy it!!! So grab a comfy chair, a warm drink, a cozy blanket and sit back to enjoy "Never an Amish Bride"!!!

This is a heart-touching story about Esther Miller, a young Amish woman who is eagerly preparing for her wedding. Her life takes a tragic turn when her beloved Jacob passes away suddenly and leaves Esther deeply mourning his loss and the life they could have had together. Her faith in God and His goodness is shaken to its core, and she struggles silently with all her unanswered questions. Jacob’s older brother, Lucas, left his Amish home when he was sixteen. His return to Honey Brook shows that Lucas is struggling with questions of his own. As the two renew their friendship, they discover that God is faithful to give them the answers they are seeking, if they will only turn to Him.

I loved the characters of Esther and Jacob. Both are good people who work to serve and help others. It was easy for me to cheer Esther on to finding her faith again, and to dream a new dream of a future filled with hope and love. There’s some good lessons for all of us in this story about trusting God with our future and depending on Him during the difficult times in our lives.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Never an Amish Bride is a captivating love story written by Ophelia London. Never having read anything by this author before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I enjoy reading the Amish genre and this one did not disappoint. The characters were realistic and relatable. Esther, struggles with her faith since her former fiancé died and wonders if being a wife and mother is ever going to be in God's plan for her life. Luke, a physician's assistant, has returned to the town he left as an Amish teen, and he knows he's not willing to completely change his new lifestyle, not even for a girl! I really liked Esther's Mamm, it just seemed like she knew what was happening in Esther's heart and was rooting for her, perhaps even prompting and helping things along. The plot moves along quickly and the author knows how to keep the tension high. I kept trying to figure out how in the world Esther and Luke would ever make things work out. She's Amish. He's not. And the two do not mix. Would she change? Would he? Or would they just give up and go separate ways. This may have been my first book by Ophelia London but it won't be my last. Readers who enjoy Amish fiction will not want to miss this enjoyable romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via JustRead Publicity Tours. A favorable review was not required, and opinions are my own.

Already seeing one of her sisters married, as well as her friends, Esther Miller is now tasked with making another one of her sister's wedding dress. Esther had her chance, but her fiancé, Jacob. passed away. Jacob's loss caused Esther to start to doubt her faith. She wants to find peace, but her hart is still broken. However, when Lucas Brenneman comes to town, things slowly begin to change for Esther. Not without great difficulty, however, and for more than one reason.

The biggest reason of all is that Lucas was Jacob's older brother. The fact that both he and Esther clearly have feelings for one another troubles her. What is more is that Lucas left after Rumspringa and did not come back to his family and to his faith for nearly a decade. Lucas is holding a secret tight to his vest. Lucas is now a physician's assistant and, although he wishes to return back to his faith and community, he is not willing to give up his vocation.

There is something else holding Lucas back, and that will take him some time to work out. As things turn out, both he and Esther have a lot to learn about forgiveness - and love. This gentle story proves to be one of second chances for both Lucas and Esther.

This excellent book touches on deep issues of faith, loss, forgiveness and starting over. I have always been interested in seeing how a mix of Amish and English ways could work, especially when one half of a couple is not ready to let English ways go. The added layer to this book with the fact that Lucas was Jacob's brother was handled quite well. Also, Lucas's secret was extremely sensitive and I loved how that blended through the pages of this book. All of these things worked together to making this a lovely story, one that I will remember for quite some time.

Many thanks to Entangled: Amira and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

We follow Esther who has lost her fiancé and is having to help her sister's wedding planning. She struggles on feeling how she can fit in with her community now and the thought of her younger sister experiencing a wedding Esther was never allowed to have. We also follow Lucas who left the community at age 16 and has never been back until now, 10 years later. I was fully invested in the heartbreak, struggles of feeling lost, and eventually hope these two faced. I highly recommend if you enjoy this genre. Books like this can be so uplifting in times of darkness or just whenever you are wanting to read an uplifting story. Thank you for JustRead tours for the opportunity to read this amazing book and Entangled Publishing in excahnge for an honest review.

This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I am so happy that I got a chance to read it. This is the first book in the Honey Brook Series. Honey Brook, PA is a quaint Amish Town. In this book we meet Esther Miller. She lost her fiance, Jacob, 2 years ago when he died suddenly. She has been wrestling with it since it happened. She buries herself in making her homemade soaps that she sells in her cousin's store.
One day, while in town, she visits the clinic where Jacob's brother is a Physician's Assistant. She is hoping to get closure for Jacob's death, and not just the answer she keeps getting. "Gott's will" is what everyone has been telling Esther. She boldly asks for answers. What she does not count on, is how Lucas makes her feel.
Lucas left home during his Rumschpringe. He desired to further his education. He becomes a Physician's Assistant and returns to Honey Brook. He lives on the outskirts of town and tries to fly under the radar to not make it known he is back in town.

One of the overall theme of the book is forgiveness. A theme that is important for us to remember. Especially since God has forgiven us. Both Lucas and Esther need to obtain and offer forgiveness to many in this story. Will they be able to heal? Can a relationship between an Amish Woman and an "outsider" happen?

This book captured my attention with the first few pages. I savored every moment that I reading this book. This book has well written characters, an interesting storyline, and will leave you wanting to visit Honey Brook itself. I love the characters, the town, the setting, everything about this book. I look forward to book #2.

I received a copy of this book through the Author and Just Read Tours. All thoughts are my own.

First in the Honey Brook series, Never an Amish Bride, is written by Orphelia London, a newcomer to the Amish genre, is a delightful visit to Honey Brook Pennsylvania, near the well known Lancaster Pennsylvania.

It is Gott’s will, if Esther Miller hears that one more time she’s going to lose it. After the death of her fiancé, Jacob Brenneman, just a few short weeks of their wedding, Esther struggles with grief, even after the 7 years he’s been gone. With no one to talk with, it almost becomes more than she can bear; especially with her purple wedding dress still hanging in her closet.

Lucas Brenneman left Honey Brook more than a decade ago during his rumspringa and simply didn’t return, until recently. Working as a physician assistant in a local medical office, Lucas has not seen any of the local Amish in the office, or nor have they sought him out. He wrote letters to his mother the whole time he was away, and even sent her a letter when he arrived in Honey Brook.

Unable to hold her questions any longer, Esther bursts into the medical office one afternoon after spying Lucas through the window. She doesn’t understand why Jacob died, especially after spending a year with his brother; it just seems so strange to her. Rather set aback by Esther’s sudden appearance and the rapid fire of questions, a stunned Lucas withholds the information Esther so earnestly seeks; he made a promise to his brother that he would never tell anyone, but especially Esther.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Just Read Tours via NetGalley, and am not required to write a positive review review. All thoughts and opinions therein are solely my own, and freely shared.

As the first in the Honey Brook series, I can’t wait to read the next installment! Unlike a lot of Amish novels that seem to carry the same theme, this one I found to be uniquely enjoyable and engaging. Ophelia London introduces characters who feel real, all struggling with familiar issues, whether Amish or English. I loved the subtle interaction between Esther and Lucas and how they helped each other learn the powerful art of forgiveness. The saga of Esther’s soap-making was so descriptive, I felt I could actually smell them myself! With the prodigal son theme woven through-out, I highly recommend this uplifting read.

I received an ARC of this book from JustRead Tours through NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review.

Esther Miller loved her fiance but he died. He had changed after he visited his brother and she doesn’t know why but he seemed to get super strict with their religion and rules. Now she’s trying to figure out where she fits in. She’s not a youngie anymore but she’s not a widow really either. And she has to help her sisters as they get married and move out.

Life gets increasingly difficult when she runs into her fiance’s brother who has moved back to the area. He’s a PA and now practising at the clinic in town. Can she keep her distance? She’s hostile at first wondering why he’s here and what happened when her fiance visited him? Can they find healing together?

I loved this book. It read fast and though there was no huge suspense it was a still a good slow romance novel with some fighting and making up. This is definitely a good book that I highly recommend. It looks like it might be the start of a new series as well so that will be great! I hope you get a chance to read this book.

If you like Amish fiction at all this is the book for you. The author makes her characters come to life and you feel for and with them. Esther works through anger, rejection, love, fear and so much more in this book.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
Never An Amish Bride is a beautiful tale of second chance love, forgiveness, and family.
Ester Miller is a woman doing her best to move on from what can never be.
As symbolized by the unworn wedding dress that still hangs in her closet.
A dress that she is determined to let languish in darkness. Along with her memories of her late fiance, Jacob. And all thoughts of the life that they could have had.

But as the wedding date for her sister approaches. Ester's feelings of loss and longing return. And she is forced to face them head on.
Compounding matters is the fact that Jacob's brother, Lucas has also returned after ten years. And is now working as a physician's assistant in the nearby town.
Stirring feelings and longings for both of them that their religion and their logic tell them can never be.
As he lives life as an Englisher and she as a Amish.

But as fate and faith work to bring these two wounded hearts together and long buried secrets are revealed. Lucas, Ester, and the community at large all come to see Lucas's return as a blessing in disguise. And the healing can truly begin.
Though this romance is sweet and clean. There is a quiet complexity in its plot that speaks to the hearts, minds, and souls of readers in personally profound ways.
This is a truly captivating and well written start to a very promising series.
Standing as a reminder to us all that...
Sometimes all one needs to find the way home again, is the light of love to show the way.

This story is one that will tug at your heartstrings from page one. As you witness Ester do everything that she can to be a supportive sister. Even as her heart breaks in the process.
Meanwhile leading man Lucas tortures himself daily with the guilt of not being able to save his brother Jacob from cancer.
These two are linked by the fact that they share in a combined grief for the same loss. And the fact that they each are attempting to bury their pain in work.
Ester as a soap maker.
Lucas as a PA.
But little do they know that these to things will serve to link them in more than just their loss.
They will link them in love, forgiveness, and a forever return to home and faith.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Amara for providing the review copy on which this unbiased critique is based.

This is my first experience with the author Ophelia London. In her first book in her new series, Honey Brook, she has given us Never an Amish Bride.

This is the story of Esther Miller and her life as she tries to move on from the death of her fiance, Jacob. It has been two years, and she seems no closer to letting him go than she was at the time of his death.

She tries hard to move on with her life by making more of her soaps to sell in her cousin's store, but with the wedding of her younger sister in the near future and the unexpected arrival of Jacob's older brother in town, the was no peace to be found.

Lucas Brenneman, had never returned home from his Rumspringa and held resentment in his heart toward his Father, and others in the Amish community of Honey Brook, Pennsylvania.

Because of their growing friendship, Esther and Lucas find that forgiveness, love, and peace, might be possible.

Although this is the first book I have read of Ophelia, I am sure it will not be my last. I enjoyed it very much and will give it a 5* rating.

I was given a complimentary copy of the book through Net Galley and Entangled Publishing and was not required to give a positive review.

Never an Amish Bride is book one of the new Honerybrook Amisgh series. Ophelia London is a new to me author and I am looking forward to more books In this series. This is the story of Lucas and Ester. It is the story of loss and finding a way back home to life and love. I liked the setting of the book and the characters. I found both the writing style and the character development delightful. Thank you netgalley for the complimentary arc of this book. The review is my humble opinion.

Engaging Amish novel

Never an Amish Bride is an engaging story of loss and relearning to live. Our heroine lost her fiance, our hero's brother, who, in turn, lost both the brother and family through an unsuccessful attempt to heal the sick brother. The plot is so very believable, with people unable to forgive, with people unable to feel part of their community, with people unable to feel part of their family. A universal message with a happy ending.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley. This review is my own opinion; by the way, I stayed up late to see how the book ended! Definitely recommended.