Jeff and Rhonda, a married couple of 12 years, are both unhappy with their lives and marriage. Rhonda works at a hotel in Canton, Ohio and Jeff owns a restaurant there. Their marriage has been going through a rough draft and Jeff is hoping that a new home in the quiet Amish country of Walnut Creek will help them reconnect. The house seems like a dream come true but their struggle with finances makes it more difficult.
Rhonda and Jeff have both been hurt in their past to the point that they do not believe in God. Rhonda's father left their family at an early age and Jeff's mom passed away when he was a young teen. Also, they are dealing with not being able to conceive. There is a lot in this book about family praying for their salvation and guidance from their new friends, an Amish couple, Orley and Lois.
I liked the book. I thought it was very wholesome and I liked Orley and Lois. I felt like everything someone said was a long winded explanation though which kind of annoyed me and Jeff and Rhonda seemed to be on repeat through most of the book which got annoying after awhile. All in all, the dialogue got to me sometimes but the story line was interesting.

This book was given to me by Netgalley for an honest review. Thank you.

I really enjoyed reading this book very much. I love this author and her style of writing. This book drew me right in from the beginning. I had a hard time putting it down. I recommend it to others along with the other books in this series.

The Walnut Creek Wish

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Rhonda and Jeff Davis are a financially successful couple living in a townhouse in Canton, Ohio, where she manages a hotel and he has his own restaurant. They love each other, but they have a fairly testy relationship often exchanging hurtful barbs. Neither wants anything to do with God because each had deep-felt prayers that had not been answered the way that they wanted them to be. Rhonda’s dad had affairs and eventually left his family behind. Jeff’s mom passed away when he was a teenager.

Rhonda and Jeff’s lives intersect with those of Orley and Lois who own an Amish antique store in rural Walnut Creek, Ohio, when the younger couple try to rejuvenate their marriage by purchasing a beautiful house and commuting to their jobs. Orley and Lois take every opportunity to encourage Rhonda and Jeff to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. A lot has to happen in the young couple’s lives before their hearts are opened to their need for God.

The Walnut Creek Wish is a quick and easy read, but it deals with some real issues—satisfaction, childlessness, abandonment, and forgiveness. The writing, especially the dialogue, in the first part of the book is somewhat stilted. Then the author breaks into a pace that is much more comfortable after the character backgrounds have been established and the action in the plot develops. It is a clean read with strong Christian themes involving both Amish and Englisch characters with interesting comparisons and contrasts of their lifestyles and their problems and how they react to them.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Barbour Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3/5

Category: Christian, Romance, Women’s Fiction

Notes: 1. #1 in the Creektown Discoveries series. I will be reading the next book in the series. I am interested to see if there is an overlap or continuation of characters and/or of setting and to see if the sudden improvement in style and pace in this book holds up in the next book.
2. Recipes for a cucumber dip and bacon cheese muffins are included.
3. There are questions for individual thought or book club discussions.

Publication: August 1, 2021—Barbour Publishing

Memorable Lines:

She and Jeff had been married twelve years, and all they had to show for it was a modern townhouse, an expensive sports car, a luxury SUV, and a chasm of disinterest between them.

“I don’t know all the reasons, but I’m sure the Lord directed that young man to our store for a purpose beyond looking at antiques.”

“Any time’s the right time to share God’s love and the redemption He offers because of His Son. Pray for the right words to say, and speak them from the heart with love.”

The Walnut Creek Wish by Wanda Brunstetter is book one in the Creektown Discoveries.
Being a fan of Ms. Brunstetter. I was excited for a new series. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed,
The main characters are an Amish couple and an English couple. I truly enjoyed the Amish couple and following them live. The English couple, Jeff and Rhonda, I had trouble with, mainly, Rhonda. I found her to be very self-centered and selfish.
The story has promise but moved very slow.
I will probably read book two in the series since I did enjoy the Amish couple.
I was given an ARC by Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

I enjoy reading Wanda Brunstetter’s books, and this story is one of my favorites among the many that she has written. Jeff and Rhonda, an “English” couple, have successful careers and seem to be financially secure. However, their marriage is struggling. After many years of infertility, they are drifting apart into their own separate worlds. Both have determined to not have anything to do with “religion” and turn to material things to fill the emptiness that they feel. They find a house they both love in Walnut Creek, Ohio, and they hope that beginning again in this new home will revitalize their relationship. As they come to know an Amish couple, Orley and Lois Troyer, Jeff and Rhonda begin to respect this couple for their solid marriage. Orley begins to pray that he can help this young couple discover the peace that can only come from a right relationship with God.


This story allows the reader to get to know both couples very well. I loved the setting of the book and also enjoyed the way that Lois and Orley’s antique store adds interest to the story. Orley and Lois are great examples of how to be a good friend and allow God to work through that friendship. I’m looking forward to reading more about the Walnut Creek community and seeing these characters again.


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

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this wonderful book! The Walnut Creek Wish features a young 'Englisher' couple who are searching for answers, and a very wise Amish couple who helps them on their journey. I would highly recommend!

This is a heartwarming story of a couple needing to learn to depend on God. I loved all of the characters and found it to be a sweet inspirational story.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This new series is a blend of Amish and Englisch (non-Amish) characters. The Englisch characters being the main however I believe the Amish couple will be carried through the entire series.

I usually love Wanda Brunstetter's books, unfortunately this one is not a favourite. The main characters weren't particularly likable so I struggled to read through the book.

This book did have some of the author's usual charm including a few likable and interesting characters, lessons taught and learnt, location.

Wanda Brunstetter has written Amish stories for years. The Walnut Creek Wish is another great story to add to her legacy. Jeff and Rhonda Davis have no room in their lives for God. Their whole outlook needs a reset. Moving to Walnut Creek, Ohio may just be the change they need. The chance meeting of Orley and Lois Troyer, the Amish Antique store owners, bring clarity to Jeff and Rhonda, but will it be too late? I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

The Walnut Creek Wish
by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Pub Date 01 Aug 2021 | Archive Date 01 Oct 2021
Barbour Publishing, Inc., Barbour Fiction
Christian | Romance | Women's Fiction


I am reviewing a copy of The Walnut Creek Wish through Barbour Publishing Inc, Barbour Fiction and NetGalley:


In The Walnut Creek Wish an antique store becomes a place of healing for broken hearts…



Welcome to Walnut Creek Ohio, where Orley and Lois Troyer own an antique store they call Memory Keepers. Though knowledgeable in antiques and their repair, their real talent is in mentoring folks who are hurting and don’t even know it.



Jeff a restaurateur, and Rhonda, a hotel manager, who recently moved to Amish country for the slow pace, but the change of scenery puts even more stress on their already strained marriage.


Will the purchase of an antique sled be the last straw for Jeff and Rhonda or will it lead to unexpected revelations and the fulfillment of dreams?



I give The Walnut Creek Wish five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

The Walnut Creek Wish tells the story of a struggling, worldly non-Amish couple, and the Amish couple who befriends them. Jeff and Rhonda have a lovely home and many worldly possessions, but are distinctly non-religious people. However, they feel as if something is missing from their lives. When their world seems to be falling apart, and with the encouragement of family members in surprising ways, Jeff and Rhonda discover there is more to life than possessions and jobs. The story of their Amish friends Lois and Orley also provides a parallel story thread of marriage in the Amish tradition. They are eager to share their Christian faith with Jeff and Rhonda, but begin by sharing their friendship and hospitality as a Christian example.

The storyline is predictable, and the main idea of the story is the Christian message, which is overt. It was an enjoyable read, but seemed to drag at times with a lot of detail. I have read many other books by this author and found them more enjoyable than this one. Readers who seek a clean story with a clearly stated Christian message will probably enjoy this book, especially if they are already fans and followers of the author.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I really Like this author, However I was not a fan of this book at all. This book is about a married couple who is struggling in their relationship. I feel like Rhonda was very whiney and just was looking for a reason out of her relationship. Jeff was selfish and self centered and seem to really careless about his wife or her feelings. I Loved Orley and Lois they were a super sweet couple and wish that they could have had amazing things happen in there lives as well. Over all this book was a clean read but I was not a huge fan of this book.

The Walnut Creek Wish is Brunstetter's latest novel. Unlike most of her past novels, this one features both an Amish couple and an English couple.

Jeff and Rhonda have been struggling with their marriage and the stress of their demanding jobs, as well as the unfulfilled dream of having a child of their own. In an effort to find a more peaceful life, they've purchased a beautiful home in quiet Amish country. Unfortunately, moving doesn't seem to have been the solution at all and is only causing more issues. To top it all off, both Jeff's dad and Rhonda's mom have recently informed their families that they've each started dating after years of singleness and neither Rhonda or Jeff know how to respond to the news. If only there was peace to be found--something like the serenity they see in their new acquaintances Lois and Orley.

Lois and Orley are an elderly couple who own an antique store in their small town. Like Jeff and Rhonda, they were also unable to have children, but their faith has helped them get through their struggles. Content to live their simple life, they spend their days between the shop, home, and with their church family. But Lois has a secret, and she doesn't know how to tell Orley--or if she should even try.

As much as I love Wanda Brunstetter's books, I really struggled with this one. I liked the idea behind the plot. especially knowing that this story wasn't just told from the Amish side. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to like the main characters, I found them immature and often petty. Yes, they had genuine realistic struggles, but much of the conflict was over things that never should have caused an issue. There was also multiple instances of body shaming that were brushed aside as merely thoughtless comments. This may not be an issue for other readers, but as someone who has struggled with body dysmorphia and eating disorders, this was a bit of a trigger for me. Finally, the dialogue between the characters was often stilted and awkward. I had a hard time believing anyone actually speaks the way they spoke throughout the book, especially in stressful situations. All in all, The Walnut Creek Wish just didn't quite live up to the standard I've learned to expect from Wanda Brunstetter.

Although this isn't one I'd read again, it definitely won't stop me from reading any of Brunstetter's future novels.

*I received a complimentary copy of The Walnut Creek Wish through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

Walnut Creek Wish is the first in a new series by Wanda Brunstetter. It tells the story of Rhonda and Jeff, who have been married for a long time, but have been unable to have a child. Their marriage has a lot of tension and the two seem to butt heads a lot. In an effort to help their marriage, they buy a new house in Walnut Creek. They hope that the rural environment will give them more time to relax and spend time together. Both of them are very against any talk of God and don’t want anything to do with religion. As they work through their issues, they become friends with the Troyers. An Amish couple from their new town. With their new friends, they work their way through life and all it’s challenges, looking for hope along the way! Another good book! I always enjoy her books and know that they will bring a smile. This one had a lot of good laugh moments too. I willingly read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own. #NetGalley #all_the_pages

If you love Wanda Brunstetter's books you will love this one. The characters are endearing and shows us that the struggle they have is what some of us go through each day. A must read.

I honestly had a tough time getting into this book. It just felt like there was so much negativity and I get that it was part of the story and a way for Rhonda and Jeff to finally come around to finding the Lord. This story was a little different from what Wanda usually writes, which is more lighthearted. I'm willing to see what book two has to offer.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Barbour Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Walnut Creek Wish by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the first book in Creektown Discoveries series. As anything Brunstetter writes, this one was well-written with developed characters. I like the blend of English and Amish. There is a younger couple who are childless and struggling with their jobs and the fast paced city life. Also an older Amish couple who own an antique shop in Walnut Creek. The Davis' moved to Walnut Creek and there they meet the Troyers who take an interest in the young couple and become a well of information and advice for them. The Walnut Creek Wish is a heartwarming story of finding the important things in life are not monetary gain but happiness and enjoying one's life....
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Super sweet story of a young English couple and an older Amish couple. Neither have children.
Jeff, owns a restaurant and his wife, Rhonda manages a hotel. While they both love their jobs, their jobs are stressful. Jeff, found a lovely home in the country and convinced Rhonda they should put their home on the market and buy the house. This created stress as their previous home didn't sell very quickly.
Jeff loves his 'man cave' in the new house and spends a great deal of time there watching his big screen tv.
He, also, has a love for antiques, which Rhonda doesn't understand at all, and spends money they can't afford adding to his collection.
Rhonda has her own problems. She seems bitter and harsh with Jeff. She is a lot like her mother, but doesn't realize it.
They both blame God for unanswered prayers from their childhoods and want nothing to do with Him.
As only God could plan, Jeff visits an antique store owned by an Amish couple, Orley and Lois. As Jeff visits the store more and more, he becomes somewhat friends with Orley. Orley witnesses to Jeff when he can, but is brushed off.
I, especially, liked the mention of prayer throughout this story. Orley and Lois prayed for the younger couple. Jeff's dad and Rhonda's mother also prayed for them.
As always, God has ways to get our attention as He does in this story.
Such a wonderful story to read, with a most happy ending.
I was given an advanced ecopy of this by the publisher, Barbour Fiction and Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

The Walnut Creek Wish
by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Pub. Date August 1, 2021

Thanks to Barbour Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC. This author is very popular at our library so I always enjoy an "early" read.
Book 1 in the Creektown Discoveries Series from NYT Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter

An Antique Store Becomes a Place of Healing for Broken Hearts. I found the story very good and enjoyed this book.

4 star

Have you ever read a book that you didn’t really hate but didn’t really like? It was MEH???

I read Wanda Brunstetter for her Amish stories and The Walnut Creek Wish was more Englisch (non-Amish) than Amish-focused. The two main characters were selfish individuals who were unlikable. I groaned and Mohamed aloud about their issues than I ever have reading.

I try to write only positive reviews but it was hard to do for this book.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, Inc., through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.