A is for Amish + Giveaway

In a heartwarming new series from New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray, four siblings take a genuine leap of faith when they move to their grandparents’ farm in rural Ohio and decide to become Amish.

Exploring the relationship between Amish and English cultures through the lens of a single family, the Amish Again series is perfect for fans of Beverly Lewis, Suzanne Woods Fisher, and Charlotte Hubbard – and anyone who enjoys uplifting stories about faith, family, love, and the simple life.

Siblings Martin, Kelsey, Beth, and Jonny are as different as can be, but they have one thing in common. They’re all longing to reinvent their lives. Raised by their divorced lapsed-Amish father and English mother, they only knew real stability and a sense of family when visiting their Old Order grandparents, Josiah and Sylvia Schrock, in peaceful small-town Millersburg, Ohio. Now the four want to try living with them and joining their faith—much to the Schrocks’ surprise . . .

Martin, the eldest, is reeling from a bad breakup, so he’s especially determined to make a fresh start. When he meets his grandparents’ neighbor, Patti Coblentz, he’s immediately drawn to her outgoing, helpful nature—but is so overwhelmed that he appears blunt and rude. Is there any way he can drop his defenses enough to admit she’s captured his heart?

Always self-conscious about the birthmark on her temple, Patti is resigned to never marrying and busying herself with the responsibilities of the large home and property she has inherited. Besides, Martin’s ill-mannered behavior and disconcerting directness make him the last man she’d ever want to wed—no matter how handsome he is.

Yet given time and patience—and adhering to their grandparents’ unexpectedly challenging rules—the whole family might just find what they’re looking for, even Martin and Patti.

My Review:

I really enjoy Shelley Shepard Gray’s distinctive storytelling style. And I love the emotional depth in her characters and the realistic situations she puts them in. It all feels so very real and plausible and like something I can relate to. So easy to become completely immersed in the story. And I also appreciate the way she builds a series. The stories are interconnected and some plot lines carry over from book to book, but somehow she still makes each one work as a standalone.

So, the premise of this Amish ABCs series centres around four siblings who have had an unorthodox upbringing with borderline negligent, definitely emotionally detached parents. Their one constant and only security during their childhood was the summers they spent on their grandparent’s farm – their Amish grandparents.

Fast forward a decade or so and we find Martin, Kelsey, Beth and Jonny making an unusual pact. They’re ready (or so they think) to leave their complicated ‘English’ lives behind for the simple pleasures of plain living. Naturally, it’s not that simple and we only get part of the story in this first instalment. And this is where it get’s tricky to review without major spoilers.

I’ll just say that I was completely captivated by Gray’s multiple POV storytelling which reveals individual insecurities and misconceptions that stirred up so many emotions in my compassionate reader’s heart. I might have teared up a time or two. Plus there’s a bit of a cliffhanger ending to one major plot line in ‘A is for Amish’ so I have to get a copy of ‘B is for Bonnet’ and dive back in to this charming fictional world as soon as possible!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A is for Amish,  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 31 2025