Ever heard the saying once you read one you have read them all? Well, that is what my husband told me when he saw that I was reading an Amish book. He said, “How many differences can you see in the Amish, isn’t the point that the Amish are plain, as in nothing ever happens with them?”. I dropped my book. Case in point, Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London.

This book is the first in a series and I loved the introduction to all the characters. This Never an Amish Bride is different and intriguing. I loved Ophelia London’ s character variations, their emotions were realistic and not over-dramatized, and the conflicts were believable. Both Lucas and Esther were engaging characters that I loved reading about. Ophelia London engaged my emotions in this book and appealed to my heart. 

The main themes of this book are Faith, Trust, and Forgiveness. Ophelia London did a great job of showing those themes through the eyes of her characters. I particularly liked how Lucas handled the trials he went through; I wish I could handle situations as well as him.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the creative characters, the interesting storyline, and for making me look forward to the next book in the series.

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

This story was cute and does get to the heart of the matter for sure. I deals with loss and finding yourself. With both Lucas and Esther each dealing with where they belong.  I did find Esther a little whinny and I felt like Lucas had a big heart and he seemed to really want what was best for his people. I did feel like in some parts the book dragged a little. I did enjoy that the author kept the book  a good clean read and is suitable for all. I enjoyed both Esther and Lucas Mom's they truly just shined in this book. If you are looking for a clean read with some fun characters check this book out.

Love loved this book! 
Cool characters and an awesome plot! I also loved the theme of love, acceptance and forgiveness. 
I'm giving this book 5 stars because I've had such an enjoyable read out of this.
It made for a peaceful evening when everyone else was asleep. I got to visit my Amish world once again.  
In my opinion, this story is also about hope.  No matter what a person has done or what has happened to them. 
Lucas and Esther are perfect examples.  Each is trying to get through life the best way they know how. Grief has no time limit that's for sure! I still miss my mom!
And you know, secrets do have a  way of coming out in the end sometimes depending on how it's received it may give that person some peace after it's out. 
Might I say this cover is gorgeous! Makes you wonder what Esther is thinking about doesn't it? You'll just have to read this book to find out.
I highly recommend this beautiful story! And I will be watching for more stories by the author in the future!
My thanks to Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. I was NOT required to write a positive review.

Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London is an Amish book that explores various topics woven with human reality despite it being fictional.


I am so happy whenever I pick up a Christian Fiction Amish Book. I get ready for an adventure within the pages.


The book cover is so beautiful and the title will make you curious.


Themes of family,community support, sumptuous meals, forgiveness and many more were navigated in this book.


I like Esther Miller and Lucas Brenneman. I was always watching out for their scenes while reading the book.


I love the conversation between Esther and her mamm. Her mother said and I quote “All things are to be done for the praise of Gott. Everything in life is to worship Him”. I love a healthy mother to daughter relationship and Esther and her mother had it.


The Amish community here are quite religious, I must say. Humility is emphasized greatly.


I admire the fact that the Amish brides in this story sew their own wedding dresses  by themselves. That’s something I never thought I could do by myself on my own without modern gadgets despite not being an Amish woman.


There are lessons to glean from this story.  I enjoyed this book while eating toasted bread on a warm day. The food mentioned in the book made me grab my toaster and made some toasts and a homemade juice and I imagined I was living in an Amish community.


Esther is a good soap maker. I admire the names of the fragrances she used in making her soap. I appreciate her industrious spirit.


Lucas and Esther both have stories you may need to discover in this book.
I laughed at Esther and Lucas love for little goats (kids).

This is a good Christian fiction book with themes pointing to God.

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

Ester Miller is nursing a broken heart that was caused by a tragedy! She is trying to find her way in a world that she no longer feels part of and she doesn't understand why her Jacob is gone, never to return. Enter Lucas Brennamen... A handsome Physician's Assistant that is from her past. Lucas is struggling with knowing who he is and the man God would have him be as well as some resentment and bitterness. The two find themselves trying to help one another but it all ends up that they learn from one another as well! 

This is a sweet story of love, acceptance, and forgiveness. The characters are wonderfully written and the author's words pull you into each characters life and situations. A great book to read over and over again. The book is full of self acceptance and relying on The Lord and trusting His plan. Faith steps in and you can see God working in each situation!  Love this book! A must read! I WILL be reading again!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher for my honest opinion.

What I Loved:
Can I give a book more than 5 stars? I loved every word of this story. The two main characters were adorable together, and I loved their relationship growth.

My Synopsis:
Esther Miller lost her fiance, Jacob, two years ago, and she’s still mourning him. Her wedding dress still hangs in her closet, and her heart is not open to others. She spends her days helping her mother teach the children, and making soap to sell in an extended family member’s store.

Visiting town, Esther bumps into Lucas Brenneman, her fiance’s older brother. Lucas went on his Rumspringa ten years ago and never returned. Now it seems he is back in Honey Brook and is working as a Physician’s Assistant. Esther immediately has questions for him. He might hold the answers she has been looking for to be able to move on from the loss of Jacob.

One meeting turns into two, then three, as they find an unlikely friendship. They both have internal struggles that they are trying to resolve and find solace in each other’s conversation and company.

Their relationship, however, would not be taken well within the Amish community, as Lucas is not part of the community any longer. Guilt and doubt overtake Esther as she tries to figure out where this “platonic” friendship could be headed.

How I Felt:
It has been quite a while since I have read an Amish fiction book, and I’m now kicking myself for falling away from this genre for so long! This was a beautiful, slow-burn romance filled with Christian themes, the strength of family, and some fabulously humorous scenes.

The main characters were so excellently written. Esther, is beautiful inside and out. She is struggling with the loss of Jacob and also starting to doubt her faith. I really enjoyed the ups and downs she goes through as she experiences pieces of an Englisher’s life. Lucas has some secrets of his own that he is reluctant to share, but is also searching for where he fits in the world. I loved that he had been away from the Amish community for 10 years, but still held onto so many parts of that life, even if he didn’t realize it.

The romance was a slow-burn, and it was perfect. I loved how Esther and Lucas had these inside jokes and playful banter. The soap that Esther makes plays into their relationship, and I thought that was an interesting addition. Between her throwing soap bars at him 😂 and her scheduled deliveries so that she can see Lucas, it all just worked really well with the story.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. With a beautiful plot and lovely character growth, this book made me laugh and cry, and I adored it.

To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Never an Amish Bride to readers that enjoy Amish fiction or a clean romance!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free.  I am leaving my review voluntarily.

My full review of this book will post to my blog on 6/18/20.  All of my reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/all-book-reviews/

This book felt so real, whether Amish or Englisch, could be any family. I even had a teacher who never married, she had lost her fiancée, so very sad.
The author gives us a young man who is a Physician’s Assistant, and has a lot of compassion for his fellow man, and we see him going the extra mile. Now he is working in a town he left ten years ago, and struggling to reunite and forgive his family.
Esther and Lucas seem so perfect for each other, but there is a big obstacle between them, she is baptized  in her faith, and although he is not shunned, he is an outcast, or so he thinks.
Follow these two hurting individuals as they try and fight their attraction, and many hurdles that are placed in their way. 
I also thank the author for the Epilogue, I love looking into the future!

I received this book through Net Galley and Entangled Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

Never an Amish Bride is well written inspirational romance.  Great plot with well crafted characters.  A new author to me and I liked her style of writing.  I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

After two years, Esther is still mourning the death of Jacob, her betrothed.  The book is filled with happenstance meetings between Esther and Lucas, Jacob’s brother.  Lucas has returned home after ten years away from his Amish upbringing. Esther in her struggle to let her feelings for Jacob go, resisted those emotions for Lucas.  Very predictably, however, Esther and Lucas fall in love.

This story is written at a simplistic level that should probably be read by a young adult audience.  Esther is twenty-three, and Lucas is twenty-six, a college graduate.  Much of it depicts these two characters as ultra naïve and is very non-believable.  (The three Amish women that I’ve known are anything but naïve and are, rather, very capable, sensible, and strong.)  For example, the lengthy chapter/s regarding Esther going head over heels excited about kid goats is extreme and anything but believable. 

There is too much remembering going on.  “Remember the time … “ or “Remember when ...” and “I remember …” are scattered abundantly throughout the book.  That might be because there’s very little story happening and those rememberings are used for filler.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review Never an Amish Bride.  So sorry; I wish my review were more favorable.

Love books regarding the Amish community. Poor Esther just wants more information on Jacob and why does Lucas not want her to find out the reason

#NeverAnAmishBride#HerBalist
As the story opens Ester Miller is deAling with the death of her fiance Jacob. She is struggling with her faith as her younger sister is getting married.  Lucas Brenneman who has come back to town who left to become a physician assistant and has not  joined the church.  He is struggling with his faith,his past, and fear of rejection from his family. Ester tries to get information about Jacob, and Lucas is  trying to keep Esther at a distance.  As they become close they try to move forward with their lives

Such a sweet story of heartbreak, redemption and finding our place in the mist of it all. The characters are well developed and relatable. Esters internal struggle of wanting to do right but also be true to herself was a story anyone reading can identify with. This book was a lovely journey from start to finish.

Of all the Amish novels I have read, this most-definitely ranks up there as one of the best!!! This is my first Ophelia London book and trust me, I will be looking for more. 

The character development is spot-on! The sweetness of the story mixed with the Englisher vs Amish love triangle is perfect! I literally didn’t want to put this book down!  I wish I could give it TEN stars!

So thankful I could preview it and I look forward to reading more!!