An Amish Surprise

Title: An Amish Surprise

Series: Berlin Bookmobile #2

Author: Shelley Shepard Gray

Publisher: Gallery Books

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Amish/Romance

My Review:

The bookmobile is back!!! I loved the first book in the series and couldn't wait to read this one.

It did not disappoint! While this is the second book in the series it can be read as a stand-alone novel. You would miss a little of the backstory of Sarah Anne and Pete, but not so much that you would be lost in the second book. However, I recommend reading the first book in the series before this one, as it does help to recall who Sarah Anne is and how she met Pete.

There are three different storylines in this novel. You have Sarah Anne and her friendship with Pete, which carried over from the first book, and grew as this story developed. Next, you have Calvin and Mariam's story. Finally, you have Miles, the foster child's story. There are other supporting characters, but the story revolves around these three storylines. 

I love books about books! I relish the idea of bookmobiles, and I am enjoying this series. I also have a heart for foster children and Shelley captures the emotions of both the adults and Miles perfectly. The storyline is unique because most Amish families do not take in foster children, and foster care doesn't  exist among them. Add in the bookmobile, and this story is extremely original. I love the uniqueness of it. There were some humorous parts in the story. There were also some tender moments, one scene  brought tears to my eyes. Such an exceptional moment and I love that I FELT I was there in the moment.

I was a bit annoyed with Miriam jumping to conclusions at the beginning of the book, but enjoyed seeing her grow and overcome some of her trust issues. Calvin and Miriam are both keeping secrets and that is not good or healthy for a marriage. Thankfully they come clean, and the whole book is not dealing with the secrets. 

I did not feel that the last part of the synopsis fit the book. Sarah Anne does not do a lot to aid Calvin, Miriam, and Miles become a family. It would be more accurate to say that Amanda, Miles' social worker, brought them together.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the third one! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about the Amish and clean romance stories. Fans of Denise Hunter, Pepper Basham, Amy Clipston, and Leslie Gould will also enjoy this story. 

Special thanks to Net Galley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis:

In the second installment of the “enjoyable and charming” ( USA TODAY ) Shelley Shepard Gray’s delightful Berlin Bookmobile series, librarian Sarah Anne Miller returns to Berlin to help a childless Amish couple form the family they’ve always prayed for.

Miriam and Calvin Gingerich have been trying for a baby for several years, but the Lord hasn’t seen fit to bless them. Though Calvin claims he’s content with their childless state, Miriam knows he’s not, and when he starts spending more time off their farm, she worries he’s found someone else. But just as she finds herself at her lowest point, she discovers the ultimate surprise. Unable to confide in anyone who might tell Calvin—out of fear she’ll disappoint him with another miscarriage—Miriam turns to bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller—and any books she may have on pregnancy and childbirth.

Calvin has been keeping a secret from his wife, but it’s not another woman. It’s a little boy. One afternoon when visiting Sarah Anne’s bookmobile, he meets Miles, a ten-year-old living with a foster family down the road. But after spending more time with the boy, Calvin learns that his foster family has no plans to adopt him. Calvin feels a connection with Miles and yearns to give the boy a home, but he’s afraid to tell Miriam, knowing she’s devastated they can’t have children of their own.

As weeks pass and Sarah Anne learns that Miles has nearly given up hope of ever finding a real home, she knows it’s time to intervene. It’s going to take some fancy footwork and a whole lot of prayer, but she knows she can help make this struggling couple into a happy family of four.