Cover Image: A Wish for Home

A Wish for Home

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What an incredibly enjoyable read by Jo Ann Brown!! I loved this story from beginning to end. Imagine meeting your teenage antagonist and re-entering a life that had been torn away from you years earlier. Feeling emotions that you tried to shove away, but could not suppress. What if all that you thought was in the past, really wasn't?
A Wish for Home is a story about family, friendship, trust and forgiveness. The characters are amazing and the bits of suspense added an extra layer to this incredible story. I can't wait to read the second book in this series!

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Such a sweet and eventful homecoming story. I had a hard time putting this one down. The author had a different spin for Plain life and I was very proud of Lauren’s parents. Adam ended up being a real treat too.

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I want to know where I belong, where I'm at home.

Lauren Nolt has always felt like the outsider. Growing up Amish and leaving the Amish community suddenly, she never had any closure. It was never talked about with her parents. She did not know what drove her parents to leave the Amish community. Now grown up and working with a developer in the Amish community she grew up in, she finds herself stranded with car trouble. Knowing that her Aunt Sylvia lived near by, she walks to her home and it is like she never left. The Amish mechanic is none other Adam Hershberger. Now a man but she remembers him as the boy that made her life miserable. The shock of seeing each other again and their current circumstances leave the reader with characters you want to know. Adam now has a sweet daughter that takes Lauren's heart and just adds to the vulnerability of a relationship starting to deepen. Lauren and Adam both have have unresolved issues. Adam's wife that was killed and how it left him and Lauren with a heart that was damaged.

Their relationship becomes a journey of resolving the past and seeing a bright a future. Loved the story!

A special thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

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I was really looking forward to reading this book since this author is new to me. I would definitely be interested in reading more from her. I really liked her writing style. I enjoyed this book and ended up reading most of the book in one sitting. I enjoyed getting to know Lauren and Adam. They both felt real to me. Adam’s daughter was so cute! I hope that there will be another book to continue their story. I would recommend this book for fans of sweet Amish stories. It is perfect for a quick read.

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Thank you NetGalley, author Jo Ann Brown, and Love Inspired Trade publishing for giving me a free arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars
If you are looking for an wholesome romance that will pull at your heart strings, then this book is for you!
Adam is a single dad raising not only a young daughter, but also overseeing a small machine shop, his extended family, volunteer firefighting , and bishop duties for the light. But as he is working at the local auto repair shop a blast from the past will enter and change his life forever. Lauren was raised at an early age in the Amish community, but one night her parents took her away from the community to start a new life among the English. Now almost 30 years old and very career driven, Lauren is sent on a business assignment to Lancaster county, into the very community she left so long ago. While spending time with her great aunt, Lauren will have to face much of her past as well as Adam, the bully who tormented her as a child. Has Adam really changed? Can Lauren finally find a place to go home?
This has one of my favorite troupes-the single parent. I pleasantly surprised by the characters. For such a short book, the author did a fantastic job not only introducing the characters, but also gave them a lot of room to grow as not only into a couple, but also as people. I enjoyed getting to know more about the Amish community with the information the author sprinkled in throughout the story. I could tell the author did a lot of in depth research in order to not only educate the readers, but also to make the story realistic. The ending was very satisfactory! I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a heartfelt story.

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This book was received as an ARC from HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada) - Love Inspired Trade in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

You know food cravings and drink cravings but now, book cravings actually exist and I was craving for a romance book and I got it with A Wish for Home. I love the stories like Definitely Maybe when the child creates a romance for their parent such as Adam's daughter with Lauren. I love that Adam and Lauren have a past but, it was very unexpected in how he was her former bully and during the book how he was so compassionate and apologetic and has regretted the choices that he made which brought them closer together and they ended up becoming an integral part of each of their lives. I can definitely see this as a Hallmark movie and absolutely successful.

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

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A Wish for Home by Jo Ann Brown was a sweet and charming story about forgiveness and second chances. Lauren is back to the place that shunned her parents. They rebuilt their lives, but past hurts are not easily forgotten. Then her new jobs send her back and she runs into the man that bullied her as a boy. But even with their history, they cannot deny the undeniable connection they feel. Add in Adam’s daughter and you have cuteness overload. We also have some unexpected surprises and twists. A Wish for Home by Jo Ann brown was a truly delightful and captivating story.

Happy reading!

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Enjoyable crossover of Amish fiction and women’s fiction. Loved the characters and the well written family dynamics. The fire mystery was not fully developed and seemed rushed, but it was a good subplot to ensure the book wasn’t too romance-y. I especially liked the way Lauren’s character was reflected in how people said her name, what clothes she was wearing, what job she was doing, etc., illustrating the many pieces that make up a human being and the difficulty in nailing down one’s identity and purpose in this world.

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"A Wish for Home" by Jo Ann Brown
A Winning Story, Well told
I truly enjoyed my time with Lauren, her family, and friends. This story has a lot going on: past choices and their impact on the present, a bit of villainy, and of course a bedrock of faith, forgiveness, and love. Yup this story pretty much has it all for readers of sweet clean romance stories. A worthy read. Happy Reading ! !
Note: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.

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This book was a quick and adorable read. Lauren's struggles between her past and future could of been solved quickly by communication but for plot reason and character development it was a slow read. I was surprised on what made Lauren's parents move from their community and I wished for more conversation about that. I loved Mary Beth, such a sweetheart. Lauren's aunt was a great character too. I wasn't surprised at some of the plot points. The romance was sweet but a little quick on both main characters. I liked the authors descriptions of the scenery and buildings. That being said, I would read the next book in the series.

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This book was a good Amish story with lovable characters and a plot that had some surprises and unexpected twists in it. Lauren Nolt is a former member of the Amish community in Lancaster County where she is sent by her employer to win the people over to the idea of building a casino in their community. When her car breaks down during an ice story, Lauren is stuck asking for assistance from widower Adam Hershberger, a mechanic who used to bully her in their childhood. Lauren stays with her Aunt Sylvia, a feisty older Amish woman who speaks the truth in love to Lauren and who was my favorite character in the book. Her wisdom led Lauren to many hours of thoughtful reflection. When Lauren meets Adam’s precocious daughter Mary Beth, it was life love at first sight. Mary Beth is a cute little matchmaker who wants her dad to have a new wife and for herself to have a new mother. Although parts of the book were predictable, there were numerous secrets revealed and some surprises, too, so it was was a really captivating read. I was totally invested in the story of Lauren and Adam and rooting for little Mary Beth to get her way with them. This is a great first book in a new series and I look forward to more!
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.”

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This is a clean Amish romance. I loved this book from the very first page. I found myself thinking of the characters well after I had laid the book down for the day. Or trying to find moments during my day that I could pick the book up and read a few more pages. I enjoyed how JoAnn Brown brought about past grievances in different ways, and then brought it full circle to forgiveness. I'll definitely be looking for the next installment in the Secrets of Bliss Valley series. Job well done JoAnn Brown!! Thank you Netgalley, JoAnn Brown and Love Inspired Trade for giving me this opportunity to review this arc.

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I always love reading books that have storylines that keep me guessing about what’s going to happen next. This book didn’t always go the way that I expected; and at times I truly wasn’t sure exactly how things were going to work out between Lauren and Adam. There’s also a mystery in this story that for several chapters just quietly simmers in the background. However, when I least expected it, that part of the storyline suddenly came to the forefront and added some tense moments. This story unfolds a little bit at a time, and I liked the author’s pacing of the twists and turns.


There’s a theme of faith that plays out in the lives of Lauren and Adam: God’s grace reaches every part of our lives, no matter what’s happened in our past; but it’s up to us to reach out to Him to accept it. This story also has a “second chance” romantic element for Lauren and Adam. Adam’s little daughter Mary Beth adds some touching moments in the book, too. All in all, I truly enjoyed reading this one and thought Jo Ann Brown gave us some great reading.


I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All opinions are my own.

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It’s been ages since I’ve read a Christian romance and when the publisher sent me a request, I jumped at the chance. Ms. Brown gives the reader a glimpse of Amish ways and traditions while creating strong and engaging characters and a bit of intrigue.

Laurene “Lauren” Nolt has come back to a childhood home that holds good and bad memories. After her parents were shunned from the Amish community she worked through the difficult changes to become a part of the Englisch world. Now she is working for developers to build a casino in the community that will get her a promotion she needs to take care of her parents. But things go from bad to worse. The weather turns bad, she receives a shocking revelation from her mother, she damages her car, and she runs into the man who bullied her as a kid.

Amish widower Adam Hershberger is trying to take care of his family the best way he can and then Laurene comes back to town to work with the people determined to buy his great grandfather’s farm. Not if he can help it. She brings back several unwanted memories of his cruelty towards her when all she wanted to do was tutor him. She’s still that kind person, but she has grit now and something else. A sadness. Loneliness. Something he needs to ignore…easier said than done.

I love the instant unwanted attraction Lauren and Adam have. Lauren has so much happening to her all at once and she surprisingly decides to open up to Adam about it. His unexpected calm presence and wise answers give her the support she needs to tackle a distressing change in her life. Adam has a lot of responsibility as a father, caretaker, deacon of the community, and a new firefighter. He is shamed by his secret and the treatment of Lauren when they were children. Watching him make up for his past mistakes by helping her confront her current circumstances is heartwarming and hopeful.

In addition to romance, there is a mysterious and compelling back story of several random fires popping up in Bliss Valley which leads to a very tense and deadly situation.

The supporting characters are necessary to the dynamics of the story. Adam’s four-year-old daughter is precious and definitely a great catalyst to bring Adam and Lauren closer. Lauren’s Aunt Sylvia and Adam’s great-grandfather Ephraim are also a treat as they try a little matchmaking themselves.

I recommend this lovely and endearing romance filled with inspiring characters and the importance of home and family. A wonderful beginning to a promising series.

Thank you to Ms. Brown, Harlequin, and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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With her parents under the ban for fleeing the community, Lauren had not planned at stopping in Bliss Valley. Adam was the last person that Lauren wanted to see when her car broke down in her former Amish hometown. Adam had been her childhood tormentor, but he has changed. Now Adam is the community's deacon as well as a widower with an adorable little girl. Adam is not happy that Lauren is in the area to win a public relations contract for a potential new casino near his community. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I really like getting to know the characters in this book and would love to read additional books in this series. I enjoyed the mystery and the suspense of the fires. The characters were wonderful and Mary Beth was adorable. I also thought that Lauren's pull between two worlds was very realistic. I really enjoyed the book and was in no rush to leave Bliss Valley.

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Jo Ann Brown consistently brings some of the best Amish fiction to the page. I always snap her books up when I see a new one on the shelf!

Lauren Nolt and her parents left her Amish community in the dead of night when she was 14. Her parents never explained their reasons for going, and Lauren was forced to adjust to a lifestyle that felt like an ill-fitting shoe. She completed high school and college, cut her hair so she wouldn't stand out, and is now on track for a promotion at her advertising firm. Sent to her home area in Lancaster County, an accident on the main road sends Lauren on a detour that takes her directly through her hometown of Bliss Valley. She doesn't plan to stop, but an unseen pothole makes her car undriveable. Worse yet, who should come to her aid but the man who as a boy bullied her relentlessly, and made her Amish life miserable.

Adam Hershberger spent his youth looking for acceptance. He found it by following his friends. When he grew up and stayed with the Amish faith while his friends left, he spent the next 15 years redeeming his reputation. Now a deacon with the church, Adam finally has the respect he craved as a boy, but when Lauren walks into the repair shop he works in, Adam is struck once again with the mistakes of his past. Will Lauren stick around long enough to see that he is a changed man? Can he protect her and his young daughter when suspicious fires draw ever nearer?

I loved this story! Lauren was so conflicted - was she the Amish girl she grew up as, or was she the Englischer girl she'd been living as? Finding out she was adopted, then wrecking her car, threw even more wrenches into her life. Seeing her nemesis again brought back all of the hurt, anger, and bitterness, but meeting his daughter, and falling for her big brown eyes made her wonder if Deacon Adam had learned a thing or two since last she saw him.

Readers of Amish romance will enjoy this story. Jo Ann Brown never disappoints, and I highly recommend her books.

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I loved this Amish inspired love story!! I sighed when the main characters met because I knew their story would be sweet and I couldn’t wait to see them together! But I was surprised by all the twists the two had to work through! I absolutely adored this story and really can’t wait to read the next in series and to read more by this author!!

In this story, Lauren is pursuing a career in public relations and working hard to get her next promotion so she can take care of her parents. She is sent to coordinate with several potential casino developers and the Amish in the area being considered for development.. Her boss believes her past in the Amish community will be an asset. Lauren’s goal is to stay away from anyone who knew her before her parents fled the community and were shunned. But she ends up stuck in that small community and dependent on help from Adam, who bullied her as a child and made her life miserable. Adam has always regretted how he treated Lauren and the secrets he was hiding in his treatment of her. Will both of them be able to let go of the hurts from the past and find a brighter future?

I received a free copy of the book and am providing this review freely.

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This is a heartfelt story about Lauren who was raised until age 14 in an Amish community, when unexpectely, her parents gave up that life and moved to a city. Many years have gone by, and Lauren, who works for a public relations firm is chosen to go to Lancaster County where potential clients are interested in buildig a casino. Because she had grown up plain, her boss felt she would have an advantage on how the local Amish would feel about a new casino in their midst. She is hoping she won't come in contact with anyone she knew from her childhood but feels this new assignment could lead to a promotion at work.

As she approaches the area where she lived, the rain she'd been driving in, turns to blinding snow and she drives into a big pot hole, damaging a tire. She also receives a call from her mother who informs Lauren a lawyer had called for her and requested a call back. What a shock it was when she asked her mother what it was about and through tears, she tells Lauren it is about her adoption. What a shock that is! She didn't know she was adopted.

Because of the damage to her tire, she ends up staying in the area for longer than expected, and does come in contact with people from her past. There are several intriguing and unexpected twists to this heartfelt storyl

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I continue to love this author's work.
I like that her characters are realistic and relatable.
My favorite thing about this book is second chances and the theme of forgiveness.
Gott's plan is always perfect even though at the time we might not see it.
I finished the book in a couple of hours. I had to see if everything would turn out ok. I was very pleased with the ending.
I recommend.
My thanks for a great story!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

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