This book was an amazing Amish novel. I liked how it touched on drinking within the Amish community and it also touched on the abuse of narcotic pain pills then it mixed in a sweet love story. The author was able to draw you in to a few different characters but blended them all into a beautiful story. I was shocked at some parts espically the part where the one Amish fellow was physically abusive towards on lady then I loved on how the author touched on mental illness. this author didn't shy away from taboo topics and I really enjoyed that!

Loved It!

Sadie Beiler and Sam Lapp have been friends for years. However, that begins to change when Sam starts seeing Sadie as more than just his sister's best friend. From that point on, Sam sees Sadie as the person he wants in his future. This is all good and well except that Sadie happens to be courting Mark, and she still sees Sam as her best friend's brother. That is, until one day, she begins to see Sam as more.

Sam and Sadie's journey from friends to more than friends comes with some difficult challenges. While they navigate through their challenges, other characters from the story have their own journeys to navigate. However, the main characters' story remains at the forefront while the secondary characters' stories are intertwined, adding to the story without taking over.

I absolutely loved An Amish Bride! It was sweet, intriguing, and inspiring. It brought up some difficult topics, but the author addressed each one flawlessly. Throughout the story are the messages of faith, love and God's will. Although this is the first book I've read by author Rosalind Lauer, it definitely will not be the last. Check it out for yourself and you'll understand why.

**I received a copy of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley. All comments and opinions are strictly my own.

An Amish Bride is an excellent story about Sadie, a young Amish woman that is looking forward to becoming engaged to Mark, even though he often acts strange toward her. While her attention is on Mark, she fails to notice her best friends brother, Sam,, who has admired her from afar. He knows she is Mark's girl, but he can't help but be attracted to her, even though they have known one another for many years. He finally lets her know how he feels,so she is ready to break things off with Mark.. Mark is out of town, and when he returns, he is very angry with her. A very exciting story I enjoyed reading!

Loved this book. Such a sweet story. Sam and Sadie had been friends for so long as she was friends with her sister. Same cared for Sadie but Sadie cared for another. I couldn’t put it down and at the end I wanted more.

This book is exactly what I needed. After being in a book slump for months The Amish Bride was a great story that I could not put down.

Sadie Beiler has always been a part of Sam Lapp's life. She is his sister's best friend. Wherever one is there's the other and growing up they tended to be at the Lapp home. One day, Sam sees Sadie in a different light. As the woman meant for him. To start a family with. Grow old with. There's just one problem. Sadie is already being being courted.

But as fate would have it Sam and Sadie admit their feelings for one another. But when Sadie's unstable beau finds out he stirs trouble that forces the community to send Sadie away for three years. These two were just get started and now they have to find a way around the seperation.

The Amish Bride is a sweet story. Full of in depth emotion and drama that makes you want to keep turning the page.

After reading plenty of dark mafia, bully romances and steamy paranormal stories with endless sex marathons, it was a welcome change to read this gentle love story set in the Amish community. There's nothing more steamy than a few hugs and kisses here and there. However, there are plenty of emotions that tug at your heartstrings. I got to learn a lot about Amish traditions and enjoyed the nuggets of wisdom spoken by the characters. I particularly loved the character of Miriam, a strong and loving matriarch with a deep faith in "Gott".

The story was a slow burn, and at times I felt impatience with Sadie for not speaking up for herself more, and for accepting what was being done to her without much agency over her life. Reading this was a stark reminder why, despite all the positives of the Amish way of life, it is a patriarchy where men have power over the women. It is also a rigid society where rules have to be followed, without for instance, the flexibility to allow a young man like Isaac to follow his dream of studying medicine and still remain within his community.

While the young lovers eventually find a way to be together, I did think the story ended rather abruptly. It would have been nice to have had some kind of epilogue where we see what happens to the two sets of lovers. All in all, an informative and enjoyable read.

I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley.
This review expresses my honest opinion.

Great character development in this book makes it a very interesting book.

Sadie, the lovely leading lady in this book, must face decisions of a lifetime. Marriage is the ultimate goal of any Amish woman. She has fallen in love with Mark, and thinks he feels the same way about her. She begins to see that he has become very controlling along with having a dark side that is alarming to her.

Sam, the brother of her best friend, Essie, has always been like a brother to her. He begins to see that she is no longer his sister’s little friend and has developed into a beautiful young lady. Their friendship develops, however, many interesting things take place in this triangle.

I enjoyed this book very much and did not want to put it down until I had read the entire book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

This is a Young Adult Amish Romance, and this is the second book in the Joyful River Series. I have to say I found the beginning really slow moving and boring. I also had some big problems with how Mark treated Sadie. I also had problems with Sadie jumping for Mark to Sam. There was parts of this book I love so much like the character developed. I also liked there was parts that had some good suspense parts in it. I also loved the last part of this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

"An Amish Bride" by Rosalind Lauer
Recognizing Real Love !!
This was a compelling read from the very beginning to the very last page of the story… although I was not quite ready for the last page. But it was a good ending. If you like sweet clean intense stories… I think you will like your time with Sam and Sadie and the rest of the characters in this story. A Worthy Read… Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley.
This review expresses my honest opinion.

A beautiful story on 'hope deferred'. Sadie is courting an Amish man, Mark, who begins to exhibit concerning and controlling behavior. Sadie tries to break things off, but he conveniently skips town for a while. In the mean time, Sadie secretly begins seeing someone else. What happens when Mark comes back? Whom will Sadie spend the rest of her days with?

There are some books you genuinely enjoy reading and “An Amish Bride” was that for this reviewer. Second in the Joyful River series, the story is sprinkled with bits of humor. Most of us were raised with quotes like Birds of a feather flock together. And this story is no different. They just weren’t the ones I heard growing up but were packed with wisdom.

A good book needs good characters that the author develops in such a way that the reader has time to know them. And scenes that are descriptive so we see in our mind’s eye what is happening as we read. Rosalind Lauer, the author, delivers both.

Miriam Lapp is the first person you meet in this story. Mother of Sam Lapp, her oldest child and our leading man, and Essie, his younger sister, who is getting married that day. You will like these characters.

Sam loves his life on the family’s dairy farm. It is his calling. He loves his family and is secretly in love with Sadie Beiler who is Essie’s best friend. Sam is, put simply, a nice guy and a kind considerate man.

Sadie has made the Lapp home her second home. There, she can be herself and does not feel like she is never quite being what her parents expect her to be. There she does not encounter a father who has been drinking. There she feels the love and understanding of a family. And she sees Sam as a brother and a good friend.

Sadie is also been courting Mark Miller. Mark is charismatic, good looking and works with his father as an auctioneer. However, you will see before Sadie does that Mark has two sides to him. And that other side is far from what a caring man should be. Or a beau supposedly in love.

Another great character is Isaac who is Sam’s best friend. Isaac is “on the fence”. He feels called by God to help people medically. And he is attending classes but is more than just aware of the pull between two worlds. He will have to decide soon. I hope to find Isaac as a lead character in a future book in the series.

You will like these people. Well, not Mark, of course. Oh, you may not agree with the premise that marriage seems to be so important in the Amish community. But for the people in this story, it is key element of their lives.

This is a lovely read that kept pulling me back to my Kindle. There are wonderful sub-plots that just make the book better. Trust me, you will want to read this one.

A thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Kensington Books, for the opportunity to read and review an ARC (advanced reader’s copy) of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

Rating: 5 stars
Cover: Perfect. Once you read the story, you will know why.
Expected publish date: 22 Feb 2022

#AnAmishBride #NetGalley #RosalindLauer

Sadie always spent her time over at her best friend, Essie’s house for several reasons. One being because she felt loved and part of the family and two, to escape her dad and his drunkenness and condescending ways. When Sadie and Mark start courting, Sadie thought that if they got married, that would be one way to get out of her house for good.

Sam, Essie’s brother, soon realizes that not only is Sadie Essie’s best friend, she is no longer a little girl anymore, but has matured into a pretty young lady who has recently caught his eye. Unfortunately, he realizes he is to late to act on his feelings when Sadie starts going out with Mark. Sadie soon finds out that Mark has another side to him-a dark side that he easily hides behind a charming face and smile and now she feels trapped in their relationship.

When Sadie turns to Sam, who see as a big brother, their relationship slowly begins to change. Sadie sees Sam as a compassionate, good hearted young man who treats her with gentleness and respect…something that Mark no longer does. She eventually tries to break things off with Mark which triggers his dark side even more. The author, Rosalind Lauer, does an exceptional job in keeping your interest to find out what will happen next. I highly recommend this book and I don’t think you will be disappointed.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley and the Publisher for my honest review and opinion.

Sadie Beiler is Essie Lapp's best friend. She practically grew up in the Lapp household and was great friends with Essie and her brother Sam. Sadie starts to realize at Essie's wedding that Mark, her current beau is not the person she wants to marry. But Mark doesn't want to break it off. In the meantime, Sadie realizes that Sam is actually her heart's desire and Sam already knew she was his. This book is chock full of family, love and God. This is the ideal Amish romance. It is part 2 of a series and I'm looking for part 1 to read. I will be following this author from now on. I highly recommend this book.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Sam has loved Sadie from afar but now wants to be more in her life. Sadie has been dating Mark, but he is not turning out to be who she wants or needs. Perhaps Sam instead? A good Amish romance, but must admit Mark gave me the creeps. Would recommend this book and author.