The Preacher's Daughter

 Title: The Preacher's Daughter

Series: The Infamous Amish #2

Author: Patricia Johns

Publisher: Kensington Books

Genre: Amish/Christian Romance/Christian Fiction

My Review:

This is the second book in The Infamous Amish and I would highly recommend reading the first book, The Preacher's Son, before beginning this one. While this could be read as a standalone novel, it would be best to understand the backstory of the characters by reading the first novel.

The Preacher's Daughter picks up after a bit of time has passed since Elizabeth's father has gone to prison. They lost the family home and Elizabeth is helping out and living with Bridget for the time being. Elizabeth struggles in the new role that was forced upon her by her father's deception. She struggles with the mistrust and distance that others in the community have given her. Elizabeth is considering leaving her Amish district and starting over in a new district so that she does not have to live in the shadow of her Daet's deceit.

"Prayers are more than enough," Bridget replied. "Prayers are more powerful than any of us imagine. They open up Gott's gates and bring us straight to the presence of the Almighty."

Solomon is fresh from prison and is also struggling with the choices he has made, and the choices he perceives to be in front of him. He comes home to find his Mamm gone helping his sister, his Mammi Bridget is there, and so is Elizabeth, helping out his Mammi while his Mamm is out of town. Solomon does not believe that he will be able to earn back the community's trust now that he is home. Elizabeth and Solomon seem to have this in common and helps them to develop a friendship.

I struggled a bit with this book. Solomon and Elizabeth both struggled with acceptance within their community and earning back their trust. Most of the story was centered around how the others in the community treated them, and how they could not get back into good standing. From everything that I have learned about the Amish, I have not known them to be this standoffish to those who are innocent (like Elizabeth) or wanting to rebuild and put their mistakes behind them, like Solomon. 

I am not sure if there will be a third book, if not, a few things are not resolved at the end of the book, which is also hard to swallow. 

The Preacher's Daughter does go deeper and cover more issues than a lot of Amish books. Patricia Johns is not afraid to deal with hard topics in a realistic way. Elizabeth and Solomon show a lot of growth throughout the story, there is a strong faith element, pushing the characters more toward a relationship with God than a religion.

There is quite a bit going on in this story. It is interesting, the dialogue engaging, and a quick read. I would recommend it to those who enjoy clean Amish fiction. Those who enjoy Kelly Irvin, Wanda Brunstetter, Amy Clipston, and Leslie Gould will enjoy this one as well.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5/5 stars

Synopsis:

For a Pennsylvania Amish family whose faith has been tested, the blessings of marriage, home, and togetherness seem impossible. Patricia Johns brings her trademark warmth to this story of love's powerful redemption.

With her preacher father in prison for fraud, Elizabeth Yoder's life in the community of Bounti-ful has been painfully uprooted. Mindful of wearing out her welcome with her family, she jumps at the chance to stay with elderly Bridget Lantz while the woman's daughter is away. Elizabeth has secret plans to leave for another Amish community where she might get a fresh start, but here with Bridget, she feels comfortable--until Bridget's strapping grandson, Solomon, returns from eight years with the English, and inspires feelings that shake Elizabeth's resolution...

Solomon has had his own trouble with the law, after falling in with some bad influences. He's paid the price, despite his innocence, but the Amish are even more wary of him than they are of spirited Elizabeth. With good reason, he supposes--he's not sure he's ready to commit to this way of life again, especially since the Englishers are the ones offering him solutions. The only thing that seems certain is his attraction to Elizabeth. As they strive to find their places in the community, and with each other, can they open their hearts to the blessing of love?