I hope this book received a MAJOR rewrite before publishing. Errors were rampant throughout the book -- not typos or grammar. But the Amish do not wear printed dresses. The synopsis starts with "Susan Lapp is a hardworking **AMISH** woman..." An Amish woman from Lancaster. There are three "affiliations" of Amish in Lancaster and every single one of them is Old Order. I am from Jamesport, Missouri which is the largest old-order Amish sect in Missouri. In fact, my one-room schoolhouse for grades 1-3 became their FIRST schoolhouse.. I've shopped in their stores, sat by them at the doctor's offices, bought eggs, etc.

Levi who might be Susan's intended shows up in a polo shirt! A polo shirt!!! And a light yellow polo shirt. When this is introduced, we have no idea when this story takes place. Not relating until *very*late in the book that the year is 2021. The book says he is wearing black trousers. While he might wear a polo, he would still be wearing black homemade pants.s

Your readers expect certain things in an Amish story. Writers can deviate from the expected but MUST let the reader know either in forward or better yet, in the story. Given Susan traveled by train I like probably a good number of the readers assume this book is set much earlier.

In Wyoming, Isaac drives a surrey in winter weather during a bad snowstorm. A surrey is a lightweight tw0-seater wagon with OPEN sides. Hardly what anyone would drive in a snowstorm. On top of that, he has one of the HUGE horses he owns pulling it.

Susan is shown a framed photograph of Isaac's wife. Amish do NOT like their picture taken. They have loosened up some on this but an Amish woman would not pose for a photograph.

Susan buys a RED dress for Christmas in a Wyoming town. The Amish as described by the writer has 16 families. Just 16. There are no Amish stores to buy an Amish dress.

And finally, she is a maid to Isaac but she is also LIVING there. A single man and a single woman are not allowed to share a house.

All of the above ruined the book for me. It didn't feel like a "Linda Byler" book. And it didn't feel like it had ever been viewed by Beta readers. Because of the low rating, I will not add the #NetGalley & #TheWeavingofLife to the review.

I do not like giving one (1) star reviews but how can the writer, publisher, editor(s), etc. know what to fix if they are not told?

THIS IS NOT THE REVIEW I WILL POST TO GOODREADS OR AMAZON. THAT REVIEW IS GIVEN BELOW.

*Review for Amazon & Goodreads*
I have read 16 books by Linda Byler with the lowest rating ever given of three (3) stars. But this book was not an enjoyable read. While I could understand why Susan didn't want to marry, that hammer was used way too many times. But the true problem for me was the many un-Amish things. Not until the very end do you learn the setting is 2021.

Susan is a Lancaster-raised Amish girl. According to my research, the three "affiliations" of Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania are ALL Old Order. From an Amish woman buying a print fabric to make a dress for herself to a man driving a surrey in a bad snowstorm with deep snow on the ground -- and he has a huge horse pulling the surrey so he can get through the snow. A surrey is a lightweight two-seater with open sides.

Honestly, this did not read like a Linda Byler Amish novel. Had this not been a NetGalley book review, I would never have finished it. By the way, the book just ends. This reader did not feel there was any kind of closure to the plot (marriage to Levi ... or will it be Isaac), will Isaac's children ever behave in school, etc. Will her sister Kate ever leave her husband who is not a person you will like..

So, no, I cannot recommend "The Weaving of Life"., which is the first book in a new series. I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher, Skyhorse Publishing, via NetGalley. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are my own. ~ Rating: 1 star.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I got halfway through and could not finish. The main character was so annoying and complained about everything. And it was constantly repeated how she would never get married. I felt like some of the things that they did would not be approved being Amish.

The first in a new series, The Weaving of Life introduces readers to Susan Lapp, an independent young Amish woman determined not to marry and settle down. Jadded by watching her sisters' spoiled marriages, Susan commits herself to the single life. But when her brother's co-worker comes into her life, Susan begins to experience new and confusing feelings. Fleeing these feelings, she takes a teaching job as part of a new Amish settlement in the west. However, even here, life is far from perfect. Susan's new life is rocked with homesickness, teaching challenges, and new relationships. Will Susan ever find God's will through life's ups and downs?

This is only the second book I've read by author Linda Byler and it was much more interesting than the first. The character of Susan Lapp is complex and interesting. At the beginning of the book, she is so frustrating. There is so much about her character that is dislikable. But as the book progresses, we get to see different sides of her. Her complexity becomes more obvious and she's much more relatable. The book took several twists and turns, leading to multiple settings and introducing a host of characters. All the personalities displayed and the cliffhanger at the end were really what made The Weaving of Life interesting. I'm anxious to see how some of these loose ends get resolved in book two.

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

The Weaving of Life by Linda Byler is the debut of the New Directions series. I like the author’s writing style. It makes the story easy to read. I thought the characters were developed. The storyline is different from other Amish novels that I have read. Susan Lapp is in her twenties and has two jobs. She has no desire to marry. Susan has seen how her sister Kate’s husband Dan treats his wife and kids. Susan prefers her independence. I found Susan to be a hard character to like. She is extremely opinionated and stubborn. She refuses to listen to other opinions or thoughts (such as in any marriage there is good and bad). It made Susan insufferable. The pacing in the first half of the book is a little slow. It does pick up in the second half when Susan relocates to Wyoming. The author addresses some difficult topics in this story (mental abuse, alcolhism, mental illness). Susan is judgmental about her sister, Kate’s situation, and her brother-in-law’s behavior. I wish Susan had been sympathetic and helpful instead of judgmental. I was very surprised that Amish singles and couples were allowed to go off on trips without a chaperone. I liked seeing them head off for a snowboarding weekend and their RV adventure. It seemed like an unAmish thing to do. Since the author is Amish, she would know what is appropriate or inappropriate for Amish singles. The Weaving of Life ended abruptly and left me wondering what would happen next. I will have to wait for the next book in the New Direction series to find out.

Normally, I love this author's books.
I really had mixed feelings with this particular story.
Still,for reasons unknown, the characters still drew me into their story. I guess you could call it a love/not like book if that makes sense!
I'm guessing it was because of Susan.
Her fears and judgment were ridiculous. However; the weird thing was that I understood her perfectly.
Especially having homesickness. I've been here in. Florida almost 3 years, and I'm still get melancholy and homesick sometimes.
Maybe in that way Susan and I do connect but as far as everything else about goes well, maybe some of it but then again aren't we all like that at times?
Sometimes, it all depends on the individuals and how and if God is working in their lives.
Dan is a perfect example of not allowing God to work in his life. I didn't like him at all. My heart went out to his wife Kate.
I do want to say there were parts of this book I did like, however. Like the 4 friends getting together.
The food, oh my goodness, did I ever drool! I had to stop reading and get something to eat! I didn't even want to put the book down to go and do that!
I guess it boils down to the unruly children is what I didn't really like, but eventually, they did grow on me. I
I did love "visualizing " the horses! Oh my! Just beautiful! They took my breath away!
God has a plan for each one of us, and He definitely did for these characters.
I love it when an author shows us perfect examples through their writings.
Well, I just finished it, and I will say the ending is well......a surprise I'll just say that.
I'm gonna guess that there will be a sequel coming up soon.
I still recommend this book. It is a different type of Amish but in a good way. I believe that you'll like it. I did after a while. I'm glad I finished it.
Looking forward to the next one.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I sincerely hope there is a sequel! This story dragged along for me. I stayed with it hoping it would end well. I was extremely disappointed. Sarah was difficult to like or understand. She seems self absorbed and condescending. Her decisions are wishy washy. Please, please tell me things improve!

I enjoyed this book for the most part. Susan had strong views on marriage, based on her sister's marriages. She meets someone but finds it difficult to commit due to her preconceived ideas about marriage. There are some twists and turns in this book that I didn't see coming.
I only gave 3 stars as the book ended rather abruptly, I thought. I know it is the first in a series, so I don't know if the next book starts where this one ends maybe. I still would have liked a better ending tbh.

This is the first book I've read by author Linda Byler. To be honest, I struggled getting used to the main character Susan Lapp. In my review notes I wrote, "kind of a pain in the neck." She has her mind made up about several things, especially how terrible marriage is and is quite vociferous about her facts. The young woman works two jobs, has a bank account and intends never to marry. She doesn't even want to date. Her two sisters and their marriages are the main reason why Susan does not trust any men because they "trap" women. Wives are like servants to husbands is her solid opinion.
I received the advanced reader's copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my unsolicited review. Susan makes a big change in her life and once she is really an independent woman, away from her family there is a subtle change taking place in her character and I see what the author is doing. It interests me. This is a series, and I am intrigued about what will happen as I see the potential that two men will pull at her heart as life matures her. I learned that the author is an Amish woman and I enjoyed the insight into the lifestyle in a new way from most writers of Amish fiction. Thank you to Skyhorse Publishing and NetGalley.

This is my first book by this author. It's a good story but like some other reviews said Susan is to rigid in her thinking, to hard on people. I am not a fan of cliffhangers.

The Weaving of Life is well written and enjoyed by many. Yet I know not every book is for every reader. While I have thoroughly enjoyed other books by Linda Byler, this one wasn’t for me. But please do give it a try. You may love it!

Susan Lapp really annoyed me, to be honest. I just couldn’t love her. She is strong and independent…to a fault. I felt she judged her sisters and their marriages. When you read it you’ll understand why she was determined not to become like them but she was quite judgmental.

Byler, as always, gives us great descriptions of people and places, which is what helped me stick with this book. And it’s not a typical Amish story, so that curiosity helped as well. As I said, you may very well enjoy this story so do try it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

There is really no book that Linda Byler writes that you can't love. This is the first book in her New Directions series. Susan Lapp, the youngest in her family and the most independant to a fault. After seeing the troubles her older sisters endure in their marriages, she decides it isn't for her. Susan is persuaded to blind date, which places the seed in her mind that just maybe not all men are bad. After being offered a teaching position in Wyoming, her strong desire for independance accepts it. It is only 11 months which will give her time to decide on her future. Wyoming and the teaching position isn't all what it's cracked up to be. She is having to spending her own money to supply the school with practically everything needed to teach in this newer settlement. One of Susan's students lost her mother and the father struggles to raise her. Often left alone, Susan agrees to move into this beautiful home that is a disaster, to be help with her supervision and care. Feeling frustrated, homesick and second guessing her decision accepting the position, it's too soon to tell what her life's journey will be. I found the books ending cliff hanging and unsure. Of course there is going to be a book two.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opinion expressed in this reveiw is strictly my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for an advanced copy. I am auto-approved for Skyhorse Publishing.

Here I come... once again on Outlier Island. Unlike other reviewers, I had never read a Linda Byler Amish tale. However, the fact that the author is a member of the Amish community appealed to me. The writing of the novel is quite good and the characterization is fully developed. The Weaving of Life is a new series that focuses on the youngest daughter of a family, Susan Lapp. Susan doesn't have the desire to marry like her older sisters. She has witnessed the many problems of their marriages and wishes to steer clear of those troubles. No one in her family can convince her otherwise. Yet, a little romance does come her way but Susan has to make a few life choices.

Sounds like a great plot, right? Well in some ways it truly was a good story. Except that Susan got on my nerves. She was so opinionated and no matter the other people who tried to put her in her place, Susan wouldn't let go of her ideas. It made her insufferable. Because it was an ARC, I read the book all the way through but I confess that it felt like a real chore.


This one was just not for me.

Expected Publication 25/04/23
Goodreads Review 21/03/23

Wow! what a range of emotions! This is the story of a young Amish woman, Susan Lapp, a story told from her POV, and I had to agree with her in a lot of instances. We get her view of her sister's marriages, and how abusive some of the men were to their wives.

Susan, watched all of this and decided this was not for her! She leaves Lancaster and adventures west to Wyoming, and she is going to be a teacher.

With her tender heart in her hand she leaves home and travels west, can she leave all of the problems behind? What about the Amish man at home who is maybe making change her mind, will she return home? Now she is giving her heart to not only her students but to some motherless children.

This read ends in a cliff hanger, and my mind was trying to finish it, I'm waiting for the next book in this series, I need answers!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Skyhorse, and was not required to give a positive review.

I really enjoyed this book! The main character Susan is a woman who knows her own mind! She's hardworking, depending and a loyal sister and friend. Her mind is definitely set against marriage. She feels like it's a trapping.
The book also touches on sensitive subjects like alcoholism and depression.
The imagery in the book really brings the settings to life! I enjoyed "seeing" Wyoming! The ending is a total cliffhanger and I can't wait to find out what happens! A definite must read!
I was provided an ARC copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Weaving of Life by Linda Byler is the first in a new series, New Directions. Can’t wait for the next one.

This is Susan Lapp’s story of an Amish woman in her early twenties. She is very unsure as to the direction her life should take considering all the heartbreak her sister has experienced in her marriage.

In order to discover the true direction for her life, she takes a job as schoolteacher in Wyoming. This is a total different world for Susan, and she quickly fines that she is quiet home sick.

The author writes from her own perspective being an Amish woman herself.
Her characters are well developed and storyline is quite different from the usual Amish novel. She is also able to show us differences in the Amish communities and even among the people them.

Although the ending left me hanging, I am sure questions will be answered in book 2 of the series.

Thank you Skyhorse Publishing, For allowing me to read this interesting 4-star book through NetGalley. Opinions are my own, and I was not required to give a positive review. Publication day is April 25, 2023.

Susan has no interest in dating or marriage, but falls victim of a match making plot. When she decides to go along with the ruse, she soon realizes that maybe she truly is missing something by not being in a true relationship. This is the first book in the New Direction series which means there are more books to be released.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. All opinions and words are my own.

I’m always drawn to any books written by Linda Byler. I find it very intriguing that this Author is actually Amish and writes about the people of her faith. I’ve heard she actually writes her books by hand. The Weaving of Life is the first book of her new series, New Directions. I felt drawn into the story and loved the book. It was original, realistic, entertaining and inspirational. I thought the characters were interesting and engaging. The ending seemed to come before I was ready for the book to finish. Rather abruptly I thought which leads me to believe the story is to be continued in book two.

This book focuses on Susan Lapp and her Amish family. She is in her early twenties and a very hard worker. Susan has three older sisters who are all married. After watching what her sisters go through in their marriages Susan has determined that she will never marry. Her sister Kate and her husband Dan have a very unhappy marriage and this has caused Susan to have a bad opinion about men and marriage. A young Amish man has asked to court her but Susan decides to except a teaching position in Wyoming . It isn’t long before she is homesick missing her family , community and the young man she left behind in Lancaster County. Eleven months seems like an eternity to be away from her home and all that she’s familiar with. What has she gotten herself into in this strange new place so far from her home and all the things that are so familiar to her ?

I highly recommend this book to readers of Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction and fans of Linda Byler. This book is scheduled to be released on 4/25/23.

I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are my own.

#TheWeavingofLife#NetGalley