When a gift-shop-manager Amish spinster becomes the employee of the Mennonite man who broke her heart years before, can the tender letters they unknowingly write to one another in secret create emotions strong enough to overcome the adversity they feel for one another in person?
With over forty books under her belt, I'm honestly not sure how I've never read any Leslie Gould books before reading The Shop Down the Lane. I'm so glad I have another new-to-me author with a bunch of works to explore! Yes, this story is like The Shop Around the Corner or You've Got Mail, but with an Amish twist. A heartfelt and sweet Amish twist. I love how the letters are centered around a bird watching letter circle...so fun! This story is so engaging, you just want to settle in and read nonstop from beginning to end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.

You’ve Got Mail is one of my favorite movies and I greatly enjoyed this take on the story set in Amish country. I could easily envision the shop with the tree, the apartment, and the birds. As a bird lover myself I adored all the different birds. But the story dragged slightly and seemed a little repetitive, until the sudden end. I would have enjoyed more build up to the conclusion to appreciate it more. Everything was tied up quickly in too perfect a bow.
Overall I enjoyed this book. If you love Amish fiction, I recommend giving it a try.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I feel like I’m overwhelmed and want to step off the busy treadmill of life, I find myself reaching for Amish fiction. I’m new to this genre this year and find that reading about the simpler way of life appeals to me when I’m dreaming of a slower pace. It’s also refreshing to know that when I pick one up, it’ll be a guaranteed clean, sweet read.

Author Leslie Gould explores second chance romance, and the importance of circle letters and birding to the Amish community in Paradise, Pennsylvania.

The Shop Down the Lane is the first in the Letters from Lancaster County series and is a charming look at the simple life of Lois Yoder’s Amish community. The first thing I noticed was the value of community. Twenty-five-year-old Lois lacks family support and relies on the kindness of the Plain people, especially Scotty Harris, her landlord and the owner of the Paraise Found: Gift and Tourist Shop where she works. When Scotty announces he’s selling, Lois’s comfort zone disappears and she’s forced to rely on her community.

Gould examines the dangers of secret keeping, the importance of communication and honesty, the differences between the Mennonite and Amish communities, the things we can learn from birds, the hope and peace we receive from God’s creation, and the value of finding our place and purpose. I particularly liked the lesson shared about the starlings in a murmuration.

I was gifted this copy by Bethany House and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review

Living a quiet Amish life in Paradise, PA, Lois Yoder, has her world upended when former Amish man turned Mennonite, Moses Lantz, returns to Paradise, buys the shop she works at, and brings back memories of Moses breaking her heart. As they try to avoid each other she finds a distraction by joining a group of birdwatching pen pals under an alias name. Unknown to Lois, Moses does the same. The story is humorous as the more Lois and Moses avoid each other in real life the closer they become in their pen pal letters. Too funny! Will fireworks ignite once the truth is revealed? Will they be able to work things out, putting the past behind them? The author Leslie Gould is the #1 bestselling and Christy Award-winning author of over forty novels. The Shop Down the Lane will not disappoint.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and author. All opinions are my own.

THE SHOP DOWN THE LANE was a beautifully written story about love, hope, forgiveness and second chances. Moses and Lois captured my attention from the very first page and kept my interest throughout. Both were complex, multifaceted individuals with a lot of personal baggage under their belt. Despite this, or maybe because of it, they both had a lot of love to give as well. Watching them find themselves and then each other made for an uplifting and inspirational read. Leslie Gould’s vivid storytelling shone through this romance. I’m giving it the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

What a beautiful story! I found myself captivated from the beginning and hated to see the story end. It encompasses friendships and families while showcasing real life hardships in relationships and life. It has a the perfect mix of romance, suspense, and a little mystery.

Lois Yoder is a young Amish woman living on her own in an apartment above her employment. She loves her job, her simple life, and bird watching. Everything was going smoothly until her former friend, Moses Lantz, purchases her place of employment. It doesn’t take long for sparks to fly driving a further wedge between them. Can their love of birdwatching heal the past hurts and begin to bridge the divide?

Leslie Gould is one of my favorite authors of Amish fiction and this book did not disappoint. Likable, relatable characters and a great storyline makes this book a must read! I found the love of birdwatching an enjoyable bonus to the story.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Shop Down the Lane by Leslie Gould is an Amish romance that bird watchers will delight in.

Lois Yoder is on her own and living above the gift shop she has worked in for some time. All the customers love her, and she enjoys her life in Paradise, Pennsylvania, until her boss sells the shop to an ex-boyfriend who broke her heart.

Moses Lantz, who bought the shop, didn’t realize that Lois came with it, and her attitude toward him immediately put him off. They both have a past with each other and grudges, which makes things a little tricky when they have to work together.

Both escape by applying to a birdwatcher’s circle letter anonymously. Under their pen names, they fall in love, but in real life, the animosity between them is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

While the relationship between Jane (Lois’ pen-name) and Menno (Moses’ pen-name) was sweet, when it came time for the big reveal, everything for me just fell flat. I enjoyed the bird information and the helpful hints to life and relationships in the circle letter and saw how these hints were helping both characters to grow. However, I felt the characters’ rapidly rekindled feelings were unrealistic, given the author’s extended depiction of their animosity.

While this book was reminiscent of You’ve Got Mail, if the author had lessened the hate and had more of a build-up to the change in feelings the characters had for one another, I think I would have given this five stars.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley for my honest review.

I always get excited when I see this author come out with a new book!
This was sooooo good! I loved every minute of it. I finished this one at 4am in the morning. I loved Moses's and Lois's story!
I've never met two stubborn people in my life! These two are so hard headed when it comes to certain scenes in this book.
There is a surprise in this story but I won't say what it is. I will tell you that in certain things I can relate to Moses and what's going on in his life.
Lois is a work in progress as we all are. Lois is a lot like me too on certain things in this journey called life.
Changes for one. I hate them but I know they need to happen.
Moving stinks! It's no fun at least for me it isn't.
But on a lighter note, I learned a lot about birds. Especially hawks. Birds are like people in a way.
I didn't like Sara at all! I didn't like her personality and the way she went about things.
God does have a way of working things out. It's called timing. Timing is everything and it's so hard to wait patiently sometimes!
Forgiveness is even harder. You can forgive but not forget.
I did find myself rooting for my two favorite people along the way. I kept hoping they'd wake up.
Did they ever realize that things have a way of working out? Did they ever open their eyes and look at what's right in front of them?
You'll just have to pick up this sweet and fun read and read it for yourself.
I did find myself laughing at some of the scenes in this book.
Gould does such a wonderful job at keeping me engaged with her characters that I'm giving this book 5 stars!
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.