Member Reviews

This book was very eye-opening for me on several levels. It deals with many difficult issues like ptsd, the death of loved ones, and sexual assault. There's also a lot of emphasis on faith in God. "God's commands..they were like guardrails standing firm on either side of her path to keep her safe." (combination of sentences mine). All of the characters find themselves having to decide if their faith is relevant to them.

I liked Jude from the start! He's a hero and a protector. He's suffered a lot of abuse and comes home broken in body and spirit. He finds a safe haven in his neighbors. Their love and acceptance slowly mend his heart and allow him to heal and to find his faith. Ellie grows and matures so much throughout the book. Her faith is put to the test in many ways, but she stands firm.

The events of the war with Japan are kind of in the background. It comes up intermittently as explanations for circumstances and Jude's issues. It's easy to forget how war affects people, especially those who serve.

My favorite parts are watching the love story unfold! It's so sweet. It's stolen moments and secret glances! Two hearts becoming one!

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Sheaf House via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

This was a great book. I did get confused by the differences and similarities of the Amish and Mennonite. Other than that, I enjoyed the faith content and the character development. This was my first book from this author, and I will continue to read her books! Also, the pacing was good and not slow or fast. If you like Amish and Mennonite romance or historical fiction, give this book a try.


This ARC was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This was a sweet wartime historical fiction. While I've read many that take place in this timeframe, it was especially interesting to see how Amish and Mennonite communities were impacted, challenges, and their lifestyle. At times this book was a little slow describing scenery/actions, and the back and forth emotional walls of the two main characters could be frustrating! But, it made for a sweet ending when they finally make the decisions.

Was this review helpful?

“What difference does it make whether you’re Mennonite or some other denomination as long as you’re a Christian?”

I’ll remember this book for the opportunity to learn more about the importance of our depth of conviction, for the thought-provoking questions explored, and for the frequency of highlighting passages.

The main theme of this story was control and I appreciated seeing how some of the characters wrestled with moving forward when they were constrained by things out of their control. One of the characters resented the restrictive traditions of her religion and adamantly stated that she didn’t “intend to be beholden to others.” The author uses this as a springboard to explore the beliefs of the Mennonite and Amish communities and how they rely on helping one another. For one of their own to have this attitude was dangerous, but she showed how God gently worked within and softened their hearts. I loved seeing the growth when the main characters began helping others.

I also enjoyed reminders about:
✔️Regret and the importance of trusting God
✔️“Just remember, when he takes something away, it’s to give us something better.”
✔️The struggle at being considered a good witness when we feel our faith is so weak
✔️What God can teach us about chafing against his protective care
✔️The need to see things from another’s point of view. Ella needed to see how ‘choosing Ted’ was worrisome for her parents. We can have ‘teen vision’ in any aspect of our life - even our spiritual life!

I had no idea that during the war:
❗there was a restriction put in place by the War Production Board about the length of women’s clothing. It was interesting to read about how this ‘guideline’ affected the conservative beliefs of the Amish and Mennonite communities.
❗That some were shunned in these communities for their desire to fight for their country
❗That there were speed limits imposed

I loved the visual that the author presented about guardrails - that the Church’s teachings are like guardrails standing firm on either side of our path to keep us safe. I need to pivot sometimes to have this point of view.

Reading this book has me convinced to add this author to my auto-read list.

I was gifted this copy by Books Go Social and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Was this review helpful?

This was a lovely story. There was so much about faith in Jesus and trusting in God. There were endearing, amusing moments and those that brought tears and even anger. There was authentic characters such as Judah who questioned God's love and care, and Ellie who struggled with her Mennonite upbringing with all its restrictions with which I could relate. I really liked how the author carefully crafted the emotions and thought processes of the characters. Issues such as child abuse, PTSD from war, and other trauma were touched upon. Of course there was sweet romance but I thought all the issues in this historical fiction story were well balanced.

I was truly satisfied with this story and have been savoring it for the past couple of days. I'd like to rate this heartfelt read with a 5-Star rating.

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

October 2024

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a great book! It was a very emotional read and I really felt for the main characters. They went through a lot in this book and it was very emotional.

Was this review helpful?

Although Judah Mast was raised Mennonite and nonresistant, he joined to serve as a Marine in WWII. What will await him upon returning home severely injured? Will he be accepted into the close-knit community?

A story of coming to terms with your past, mercy, grace, redemption, and finding what your heart has always longed for.

Releases Nov. 1st. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

I received this book for free from @netgalley for my honest opinion. This book is set historically in the WWII era in Indiana. You will walk alongside Jude (Judah) as he grapples with his faith (or lack of), his trauma from the war and his father and his crippling injuries from war. Alternatively you’ll also walk alongside Ellie as she struggles with chasing her dream of teaching and life outside of the Mennonite community she lives in or remaining and following her heart. There are references to war, war injuries, farm injuries, and attempted force on a woman. I gave this book 5 stars due to the historical accuracy of the time, smooth writing, storyline and overall sweetness of it all. I enjoyed myself immensely with this read and really appreciated how the author shared with us how her novel was inspired by her parents experiences in the Indiana Amish/Mennonite community.

Was this review helpful?

I just finished this story. Wow!
This was a different kind of story by this author and I wasn't disappointed by any means.
A lot of drama unfolds throughout this book. Lots of past and present hurts that Jude and Ellie are dealing with.
My heart went out to both of them. I wanted to pull them in for a big hug because of they've went through.
Each has to forgive in order to move on and have peace for themselves. Can they do it?
Some twists and turns that I didn't see coming either which is what made this wonderful story a page turner.
I didn't want this story to end. These characters have touched my heart in more ways than one.
Especially Jude. He's my favorite simply because of all he's endured from family and war.
Sometimes we don't see or realize things that are happening to the ones we love until it's almost too late.
I will leave you with this thought
The grass isn't always greener on the other side. It might look it to others but really it's not.
Here's a quote;
“It’s funny that I had to go halfway around to world to
find out that this is where I belong. And where I want to be with ith you. Always."
There is some faith element in this story but not overly much.
And another one
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven . . . A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to love, and a time to hate. A time of war, and a time of peace.
And so, too, a season for the heart.
I want to mention that I learned something about the Mennonite church. I wish more stories were written about them.
5 stars from me. I highly recommend it.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Was this review helpful?

Set in a Mennonite community in Indiana near the end of World War II, A Season for the Heart, by J. M. Hochstetler, asks age old questions such as "Why does a God who is good allow war and suffering?" and "How do I learn to be content with what God has given me?" Ellie has just finished high school and is working to pay room and board for college so she can become a teacher. Her old boyfriend, who is not a Mennonite, wants to get back together. This causes all of the yearning Ellie had for things "plain" people don't have and don't do to return with a vengeance. Jude, a neighbor's son, was abused as a child and ran away to join the Marines. He was severely wounded on Iwo Jima and is now returning back to his widowed mother and to the home place he never wanted to see again. Jude wonders if there is even a God, and if so how could he allow war, abuse, and suffering.

With the kindnesses of neighbors, Jake's heart begins to soften. But several traumatic events to Ellie and her family cause his heart to harden. This is a sweet story of how God never gives up on people and how, through the love shown by believers, good can come from it all. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars.
A story about a wounded hero navigating different and conflicting worlds until he finds peace, “A Season for the Heart”, by J.M Hochstetler, is also a compelling outlook into Amish and Mennonite beliefs and lifestyles.
The conflict between religious beliefs, pacifism and patriotism, themes of domestic violence and bullying, and traditional gender roles are portrayed through the characters and pervade the historical novel.
Jude is an amazing hero, a “wounded, battle-hardened stranger” who has seen war, death, destruction, needs peace and feels an outsider in his small community.
Jude’s initial disorientation and anguish about the future and the slow recovery are conveyed in a very realistic way.
Ellie is a great heroine, too. She’s down-to-earth but kind, and has dreams and ambitions going “beyond their plain way of life”.
I really liked how lovingly the author lead us through her characters inner worlds and turmoil. I felt very much in tune with them, particularly the main characters.
The slow romance is also sweet and heartfelt.
The depiction of Amish and Mennnonite beliefs and lifestyles, the hardships of farming, the cruelty of war are also engaging.
I found the book dragged a bit in the end. Jude’s renewal of faith seemed a bit quick for me.

Was this review helpful?

This was a read that drew me in and didn't let go. A young man that dealt with abuse problems his whole life leaves his Mennonite community and becomes a Marine, this is WWII time.
Then we are given a young women who is also a Mennonite and wants to spread her wings. She has a desire to be a teacher and has won a scholarship.
Jude comes home broken, and has a long recovery. Ellie and he are neighbors, and her family believes on helping neighbors, thus they are together a lot.
There are a lot of decisions here, some good, some questionable, but there is also a lot of compassion and love for fellow men.
Will Jude come to terms with all that has happened to him, can he forgive his past? Will Ellie become a teacher? Answers come and we have a great read to lead us to them!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher BooksGoSocial, and was not required to give a positive review.

Was this review helpful?