Jonah Miller was featured in the Discovery Saga Collection and when his heart was broken then, he has moved to Illinois to the Amish community and this is where The Decision picks up. Jonah has found love again with Elaine Schrock but when her grandmother develops diabetes and dementia, she makes a decision that will affect Jonah forever as well. My own mother is dealing with dementia at this time and while it is not as quickly progressing as Edna's, it is very serious and often troubling. Wanda handles the story of the illnesses with heart and truth. She also reveals another illness that is effecting Sara but I won't spoil the surprise of that. I loved this book and read it very quickly as it was quite exciting but I will be honest and say that I personally did not like the ending. I personally desired a different outcome for the characters but this in fact makes the book that much more enticing to me as a reader. It definitely has made me want to read the next book in this series to see how things will continue on for the characters. Endings don't always go as we wish just as life does not always work out as we think it should. Perhaps the point of this ending in the book is that God always has a plan for us but it may not be the plan we had intended. I rate this book 5 stars and I highly recommend it to readers.
I received a print copy of this book from the author and an ebook copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes learning God's plan for us is through a series of disappointing events. Jonah Miller left Pennsylvania behind for a fresh start in Illinois. He built a successful carriage repair business and works hard to forget the woman who left him alone on his wedding day.

Once in Illinois and getting his business established, Elaine Schrock catches his heart and he dares to open his heart to her.

The story is one of devotion and loyalty with a great deal of patience. Imagine believing in a love so strong that you are willing to put everything on hold in order to give space to the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. Top that off with selfless acts of kindness to make things easier for them in their great time of need and have it brushed aside like yesterday's dust. Jonah loves Elaine and will do anything for her when her grandmother's health is threatened. Can she share her burdens with him to make their life together? The dynamics of the story are complex and I found myself engaged in the story to the point where I was so surprised with the ending. I won't spoil the ending but if you want to read a good story about love, faith and sacrifice, pick up a copy of Wanda E Brunstetter's book The Decision. Please let there be a sequel.....

Please see the preview for this moving story below:

https://youtu.be/8lllGqfeuj8

The Decision is a great read! I love almost all of Wanda's stories and this one is no exception. I loved the story. It was a quick to read and I was able to read it in a day. Recommended.
5 stars.

The Decision by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the first book in The Prairie State Friends series. The Decision is such a joy to read. This book picks up after The Discovery Saga Collection (A 6-part series from Lancaster County). Jonah Miller has moved from Lancaster County to Arthur, Illinois. He did not feel he could stay in Lancaster County and get over Meredith. Jonah’s twin sister, Jean and her husband, Nathan (along with their two children) live in Arthur. Jonah has bought a property and started a buggy making business.

Elaine Schrock lives with her grandparents, Lloyd and Edna Schrock. Her parents died in a buggy accident when she was little and her paternal grandparents took her in and raised her. Grandfather Schrock dies suddenly of a heart attack with his last words asking Elaine to take care of her grandmother. Shortly after his death Edna starts acting strangely. Edna is getting forgetful as well as having dizzy spells. Elaine takes her to the doctor and finds out that Edna has Type II Diabetes. Edna will have to modify her diet and take medication to control the diabetes. Elaine knows this will be difficult since her grandmother loves sweets. One day Edna passes out at a local diner and is taken to the hospital. The doctor runs tests and discovers that Edna has dementia. How will this diagnosis affect Elaine’s life?

Jonah and Elaine have been courting for the last year, but when her grandmother becomes ill Elaine feels that she must handle her responsibilities on her own. Elaine tells Jonah that she does not love him and pushes him away. Jonah feels hurt. This rejection is especially hard after what happened with Meredith. Jonah starts spending time with Sara.

Sara Stutzman is a widow with a two year old son, Mark. She was married to Hurley who was a friend of Jonah’s. Sara is tired all the time and has a tingling sensation in her arms and legs. Sara gets diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Sara has to decide to whether to stay in Arthur or go back to her home town (where her parents live). How will Jonah handle the news of Sara’s illness?

To find out what happens with Elaine, Jonah, and Sara, please read The Decision. It is such a marvelous book. I did not want it to end. I have to warn you that it gets sad towards the end. You will need to have your hankie close by! I give The Decision 5 out of 5 stars. I cannot wait for the next book in The Prairie State Friends series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited to start Wanda E. Brunstetter’s new book, The Decision (The Prairie State Friends Book 1), which is also the start of a new series, The Prairie State Friends. I will say, the book started off a little slower than I am used to from Wanda, but I am really glad I kept reading because the story became really engaging.

I connected with the characters and was easily transported into the story–something Wanda has done an amazing job for me in the past. There was a lot of pain in this book with the characters and I felt it.

I enjoyed reading about Elaine and her grandmother and the business they ran. I found it to be interesting and added to the story. I also enjoyed Jonah’s story. I really sympathized with him.

I really enjoyed this story and am anxiously waiting for the next one to come out! I love how Wanda pulled me into the story and made the characters and settings come to life.

Wanda Brunstetter is becoming my favorite Amish author. Following up on her serial story of Merideth and Luke's triumph over tragedy, she picks up with the next chapter for Jonah. I loved how real the situations were, and how they related to everyone, Amish or English. I can't wait for her next one.

What a wonderful read? Wanda E. Brunstetter has out done herself on this book. Have you ever been face with a decision to make? I am sure you have for every day we decision but the decisions that stay with us are the ones that are life decisions. Decisions on a health issue. How to face that health issue? Deciding to enter college? Deciding to take a job? Decision of moving to a new town? The list can go on and on.
"The Decision" talks a lot about issues an everyday person faces in their life time, but like any issue we face there is always a DECISION that has to be made, that decision affect more than just the person facing the issue at hand, it affects those around them.

Some may find "The Decision" depressing, it is needed to set the mood, for it is not your normal happy romance Amish book. That does not mean that "The Decision" does not have a great message to be told, for it does! Again Wanda E. Brunstetter done an excellent job tackling the health issues that some of us may face in life. I loved "The Decision" and plan on reading the next book in the series, "The Gift".