"The River," by Beverly Lewis

"The River," by Beverly Lewis

She looked once more at the dreaded river. Since Anna's death, it had been such a barrier . . . a place and a moment she could not seem to move past.
         
A line I can't move beyond...
The River

Tilly and Ruth, two formerly Amish sisters, are plagued by unresolved relationships when they reluctantly return to Lancaster County for their parents' landmark wedding anniversary. Since departing their Plain upbringing, Tilly has married an Englisher, but Ruth remains single and hasn't entirely forgotten her failed courtship with her Amish beau.

Past meets present as Tilly and Ruth yearn for acceptance and redemption. Can they face the future in the light of a past they can't undo?

I liked how this book was written from both sides of the Amish life.  Tilly and Ruth's characters were well thought out and very believable.  The confusing feeling they experienced from returning to see their parents after being away from the Plain life for a number of years was well written as well.

I think there is the perception that an Amish/Plain life is one of no stress and no discomfort or evil happenings.  This story tells you differently and there are a couple of surprises in it you don't see coming.

Ruth and her Amish beau is a good story and you are pulling for them to work things out and then the story changes and you don't want to see them together, so it keeps things interesting.

Stars out of 5 : 5 A really enjoyable and believable book by Beverly Lewis.  I really like the way she writes and it's a page turner, where you need to know what happens next.  It is also a bit with a few twists and turns in it that continues to make it interesting.  It's a book well worth reading, that's for sure.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".