Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London

What I Loved:

Can I give a book more than 5 stars? I loved every word of this story. The two main characters were adorable together, and I loved their relationship growth.

My Synopsis:

Esther Miller lost her fiance, Jacob, two years ago, and she’s still mourning him. Her wedding dress still hangs in her closet, and her heart is not open to others. She spends her days helping her mother teach the children, and making soap to sell in an extended family member’s store.

Visiting town, Esther bumps into Lucas Brenneman, her fiance’s older brother. Lucas went on his Rumspringa ten years ago and never returned. Now it seems he is back in Honey Brook and is working as a Physician’s Assistant. Esther immediately has questions for him. He might hold the answers she has been looking for to be able to move on from the loss of Jacob.

One meeting turns into two, then three, as they find an unlikely friendship. They both have internal struggles that they are trying to resolve and find solace in each other’s conversation and company.

Their relationship, however, would not be taken well within the Amish community, as Lucas is not part of the community any longer. Guilt and doubt overtake Esther as she tries to figure out where this “platonic” friendship could be headed.

How I Felt:

It has been quite a while since I have read an Amish fiction book, and I’m now kicking myself for falling away from this genre for so long! This was a beautiful, slow-burn romance filled with Christian themes, the strength of family, and some fabulously humorous scenes.

The main characters were so excellently written. Esther is beautiful inside and out. She is struggling with the loss of Jacob and also starting to doubt her faith. I really enjoyed the ups and downs she goes through as she experiences pieces of an Englisher’s life. Lucas has some secrets of his own that he is reluctant to share, but is also searching for where he fits in the world. I loved that he had been away from the Amish community for 10 years, but still held onto so many parts of that life, even if he didn’t realize it.

The romance was a slow-burn, and it was perfect. I loved how Esther and Lucas had these inside jokes and playful banter. The soap that Esther makes plays into their relationship, and I thought that was an interesting addition. Between her throwing soap bars at him 😂 and her scheduled deliveries so that she can see Lucas, it all just worked really well with the story.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. With a beautiful plot and lovely character growth, this book made me laugh and cry, and I adored it.

To Read or Not To Read:

I would recommend Never an Amish Bride to readers that enjoy Amish fiction or a clean romance!

Where to Find This Book:

Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London is available at these sites.

Bookshop.org | Amazon Kindle | Amazon | Goodreads

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Welcome to charming Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, where bestselling author Ophelia London will bring you on a moving and unforgettable journey through faith, forgiveness, and ultimately love.

Everything changed for Esther Miller with the death of her beloved fiancé, Jacob. Even years later, she still struggles with her faith and purpose in the small, tight-knit Amish village of Honey Brook—especially now that her younger sister is getting married. All she wants is to trust in the Lord to help her find peace…but peace is the last thing she gets when Lucas, Jacob’s wayward older brother, returns to town.

Lucas Brenneman has been harboring a secret for years—the real reason he never returned from Rumspringa and the truth behind his brother Jacob’s death. Honey Brook still calls to him, but he knows his occupation as a physician’s assistant must take precedence. With sweet and beautiful Esther he finds a comfort he’s never known, and he feels like anything is possible…even forgiveness. But she was Jacob’s bride-to-be first. And if she knew the truth, would she ever truly open her heart to him?

USA Today bestselling author Ophelia London brings a sweet, heartfelt, and surprisingly funny take to the popular Amish romance cannon.

Just the Facts:

Never an Amish Bride by Ophelia London
Series: Honey Brook, Book 1
Genre: Amish Fiction / Romance
Page Count: 400 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Pub Date: June 30, 2020