
Member Reviews

Doretta is to be married to her beloved in a few days. William wants to show her something. They’re riding in his Amish open buggy when a car spooks his horse and they crash. Doretta wakes up in extreme pain and something holding her head from moving.
She’s broken an arm and her neck, plus has a concussion. Doretta needs to remain in this contraption to allow her head and neck to heal. She hates every moment of the healing. She hates it even more when she learns her betrothed died in the accident.
Her healing process is challenging for her and for her caretaker, her mother. Doretta shows signs of depression and refuses to take the prescription pills from the doctor. She prefers holistic healing but won’t allow her mother to ask what would work get her. She’s extremely embarrassed and prideful.
Eventually she finds herself going into the health food store her betrothed and his twin brother were to open together. Warren somehow is living his life and not bogged down with depression like she is. She wonders why and Warren tells her he keeps busy to keep from thinking too much about the brother he lost.
Doretta mother and best friend try to encourage her but she never took their advice thinking they don’t understand what she’s going through. But Warren does and so do his parents. She ends up helping Warren in his store and everything’s going great until one day more than a year after his brothers death, Warren considers telling Doretta he loves her. What could go wrong?
Love this book and the relationships between generations and how considerate the younger generation is compared to English people of the same age. I give this 5 out of 5 tiaras! I do love Amish fiction! Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Fiction for access to this book. Everyone I read one of these books I want to become Amish! At least live closer to them!

Doretta Schwartz finds love and comfort in writing letters, Usually she is happy with a positive attitude which she uses to help her friends as they face difficulties. When her fiance is killed in an accident, Doretta finds herself at a loss. No longer wanting to write letters or keep in touch with friends, she wanders aimlessly until an unexpected contact makes her rethink God's love and forgiveness. Read the book to find out if Doretta can find her joy again. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

This is the second book in the Friendship Letters series. I loved it. This book is the story of Doretta Schwartz who was in a buggy accident with her fiance. It a story of losing someone you love and the depression you go through. It is a story about true friends and the comfort you can get from them. I loved the series and what words written on a paper and sent with love can do.

This is a heartwarming story that has so many emotions running through it. It deals with grief and depression, and the author handled both topics with care and compassion. I can't put into words how wonderful this book is. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Another amazing book by Wanda Brunstetter. Book 2 deals with loss and not letting of promise that is no longer valid. How depression can pull a person down and one way they deal with it. I was in awe of the characters and could not imagine going through what the main characters went through. This story will have you reaching for a tissue.

Once again Wanda Brunstetter tackled a difficult subject and did so with grace and tact. Doretta loses her fiance just before her wedding and falls into depression. Those who love her tackle the depression as best they can but until Doretta seeks her heavenly father's help, the depression seems to own her. But God had different plans. William's twin brother has loved Doretta for years but stepped out of the way when she and William began courting. Now, though still mourning for his brother, he does what he can to help Doretta. But is his resemblance to his twin too painful for Doretta? Can she get past the pain of losing William enough to accept Warren's friendship? Where might such a friendship lead?
You will enjoy the characters in this book and the story they live out on the pages. Follow them as they struggle to find hope in what seems a hopeless situation.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

I thought Letters of Comfort was a great addition to Brunstetter's The Friendship Letters series. I enjoyed reading it and am giving it five stars.

Doretta has had an unexpected tragic loss & finds herself deeply depressed. Her friend, Eleanor, whom she helped when her husband lost his little brother to drowning. Eleanor writes letters of comfort & creates activities to distract her mind from thinking about her loss, but Doretta doesn’t accept her help. Her Mom, father, & fiancé’s twin all work hard to encourage Doretta. This novel takes a good look at depression, it’s symptoms & behaviors. I was very impressed with Doretta’s fiancé’s twin, Warren. He was calm, steady, & followed his instincts. The author uses the simple Amish English and behaviors. She demonstrates their kindness to each other, yet also has a selfish character in the story as well. We’ll written & a quick & easy read.

Letters of Comfort by Wanda Brunstetter is book two in her Friendship Letters Series. This is Doretta's story. Doretta was a good friend to Eleanor in book one and now she is facing a terrible time herself. Her fiancé is killed in a terrible accident just days before their wedding and she is hopeless to fight the depression that settles over her. When her fiancé's twin, Warren, asks her to help out in his store a few days a week, she starts to return to herself, but, to her dismay, she finds herself falling for Warren. Join Doretta as she faces the truth about love and forgiveness and hope. I really enjoyed this story and it touches on a subject that so many deal with, but are afraid to talk about: depression. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Letters of Comfort is the second book in The Friendship Letters by Wanda Brunstetter. This story takes place after the first and references people and events, so it is best to read this series in order. The author does a great job of giving background information, so this would be enjoyed as a stand alone story as well.
After being in a buggy accident that severely injured her and took her fiance, Doretta falls into a deep depression. I appreciate how the author handles this situation and how she brings the brother and Doretta together to share their grief. This story delicately covers the topic of physical and spiritual healing, going through grief , struggling with and overcoming depression. This story tugged at my heart in so many ways. I enjoyed how spending time with her friend helps Doretta. The importance of friendships is shown in this wonderful story.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest opinion

Wanda Brunstetter is one of my favorite authors! This is the second book in The Friendship Letters Series. I love how Mrs. Brunstetter writes about REAL situations that can happen to everyone. In this edition, Rosetta is in a deep depression due to her fiancés sudden death and her injuries. She has fallen away from God due to her circumstances. When one trusts and believes in Him, all things are possible.
Many thanks to the author, Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is the second book in the series "Friendship Letters". I read book one also, and will be waiting for the next one in this series to read. Depression and Grief were both big parts of this story. If you like to read Amish books, this is definitely one you will want to read! Thank You to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

The death of fiance William after a tragic accident leaves Doretta Schwartz devastated and struggling with healing physically and spiritually from her own injuries. For her, the recovery is hindered by seeing his twin brother Warren. Dorettas grief soon overwhelms her, turning into depression that she can't seem to overcome. She has always been the kind of person uplifting others, but now it is Doretta that needs prayer and comfort. This is book 2 in the Friendship Letters series by Wanda Brunstetter, and I found it to be well written, realistic, dealing with issues that can affect us all. It is a story of love & loss, and overcoming. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Letters of Comfort, the second installment of the Friendship Letters series, is the story of Doretta Swartz’s touching, heart-rending journey back from grief-driven depression to find new purpose and love in her life. Issues of grief and depression are handled thoughtfully yet realistically. Compelling characters drew me into their lives and kept me cheering for them to overcome their struggles. I love the way Doretta’s family and friends persevere in their efforts to help her heal spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I also appreciate the valuable faith lessons conveyed in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this emotion-packed read and highly recommend it especially for Amish fiction fans.
I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley with no obligation to post a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow! What a read!
As always I dearly love Brunstetter's books.
I couldn't put this book down so I ended up finishing it one day.
My heart broke for Doretta. But she's a very lucky girl. Yes, I know she didn't see it at the time but I kept rooting for her throughout this beautiful story.
Things can happen in a blink of an eye for sure.
This is where trust in God comes in.
I cried in some places and smiled too.
It's the faith and love of God who's always there for us even when we refuse to see it at the time.
Brunstetter has done a wonderful job with grief and depression. I love how she shows a different side of the Amish. Even the Amish can go through things like this.
A very well written story that captured my heart from the beginning and not letting go.
Grief never has a time limit. Even after time you will still miss that person.
I know, I miss my mama every day. She was a wise soul just like Amanda and Betty is. I admired these women because they were saints in my opinion. And being a mother I definitely connected with them.
Depression is real folks. That's why it's important to keep checking on a friend or a loved one at all times. Even if they don't want you to.
Story also reminds us that if it's meant to be it will happen. That is the hardest thing to accept.
I'm like Doretta in that way. I don't do well with change. But, in time I do learn to accept it. Heaven knows it's something we don't have control over anyways, but still, you know?
A change happened to me today. I will miss a dear friend because he went on to something better. I feel left behind but I guess it was God's will.
I hope we'll still get to see him sometimes.
I'm so very happy for Doretta who has Eleanor for a dear friend. I wish I had someone like Eleanor.
This book was a gentle reminder for us all that if it's God's will/timing then nothing we do will change things.
I so loved this book. I didn't want it to end.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
5 stars for a job well done! I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have now read both books of this series and I loved how they continued with friends and their relationships. This book tells a tragic story for Doretta Schwartz who is counting the days to her wedding, a wedding that does not happen. As depression changes the always happy Doretta, she sinks further and further into her mental challenges.
The book tells about real life issues that happen to many people for different reasons, and it shares her trials and need for dear friends and family to help her find her happiness again. I found this to be a very thought provoking story and I enjoyed it very much. I look forward to the next book of the series. I love the letter-writing theme as this was a big part of my earlier years, as well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own.

Book #2 in The Friendship Letters series, Letter of Comfort focuses on Doretta Schwartz, a young woman who's life takes a sharp turn when her fiance is killed in an accident. Struggling with her own recovery an depression, she isolates herself and closes herself off to love and family. Doretta becomes determined to forget and bury her pain through staying busy. When an opportunity arises for her to work at the local health food store, it seems like the perfect distraction. But things might be more complicated than they seem.
This series just keeps getting better. I originally read book #1, Letters of Trust, earlier this year so I had some context for the characters in this series. But Letters of Comfort goes even deeper, dealing with grieving and depression in a very real way. Brunstetter does a very good job of representing all those emotions in an authentic manner, and creates very true to life characters. Although this is the second in the series, it could easily be read as a stand alone title. So real and honest... I definitely recommend this one!
*Disclaimer: I recieved a copy of this title from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Deep and sensitive
I really enjoy Wanda Brunstetter's books. They are seemingly mild mannered Amish romances but the characters often are dealing with deep emotional issues. In Letters of Comfort, the main characters need to deal with the unexpected death of fiancé /family member as well as severe injury. The various ways of dealing with grief and depression are difficult to witness as a reader, especially those who have faced loss, giving a real depth to the novel. Highly recommended.
Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time limited e-arc via netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

This is a beautifully written story about grief and friendship. I loved how the author develops her characters slowly while showing how they grow and overcome obstacles. Getting to know Doretta was a look at someone who is grieving a loved one. Everything was going so perfect for her as her wedding day was fast approaching. An evening before the wedding her soon to be husband takes her on a buggy ride. He has a big surprise for her and can’t wait to see how excited she will be. When tragedy comes Doretta’ dreams are shattered.
Finding out that her beloved William has died was too much for her. She missed his funeral due to being in the hospital. Now she faces a life without him and a journey of recovering from her own injuries from the accident. Her bitterness is evident as she pushes family, friends and God away. I loved how her dear friend Eleanor continues to write letters of comfort to Doretta. Even though Doretta does not respond we can tell she slowly is allowing scriptures and encouraging words to heal her anger and broken heart. The author does an excellent job of using different people to speak into Doretta’s life. People react differently to grief and I could understand why Doretta was angry. Her life is forever changed and she doesn’t feel like she has a future anymore.
Warren is grieving the loss of his twin brother William. The entire family has been shaken by his death and it is hard to go forward at times. Warren tries so hard to keep himself busy but there are a few people who seem to bother him a little too much. His sweet mother hovers over Warren which upsets him. In her own grieving process she tries to hold tight to her remaining son. Warren was very close to his brother and as twins they shared many things. Now he is left with a big hole in his heart. I appreciate how he reaches out to Doretta and tries to comfort her. I loved when he reminds Doretta what 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. “
This has been a great story that reminds us to never give up on our friends. Eleanor continued to write to Doretta even when she didn’t get a reply. Warren faces his feelings and learns to trust God more. Doretta well that will be a surprise for readers to discover.
I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.

I really enjoyed this 2nd book in this story. It was great catching up with with the characters in the first book. The issues of grief and depression were dealt with wry well. Thank you for being willing to share these struggles in a constructive and respectful way. I’m looking forward to seeing more from this author and series.