One of the women in my on-line critique groups writes Amish romance, a category that in the past has not appealed to me, however her writing draws me in and I've learned to like the genre more than I thought. The Amish Bride did not take away from that new appreciation. I found a couple of grammar errors, but not so many to distract me from the story. I enjoyed the author's voice and the story world she created. I liked that the book was more about Ella's growing in maturity, than about romance. I also appreciated her faith journey and discoveries. I liked Mammi, Ella's grandmother, but did not warm to Ella's mother. Perhaps as a mother myself, I would have handled things much, much differently than she did, and sometimes was annoyed at her inability to communicate effectively with her daughter. I especially was disappointed in her use of manipulation. I wished a better groundwork had been laid for Ezra's "downfall," and felt the break in his and Ella's relationship was hurried. I thoroughly enjoyed the other characters, felt they had depth, especially Luke, Penny, Rosalie, and Pierre. Solving the code in Mammi's book was an interesting thread. This book was unrealistic and a real snoozer. I couldn't get into it. The conflict between the protagonist and her boyfriend seemed unexciting. It should be called "The Boring Lives of the Amish"The writer could have drawn out the conflicts more. It just seems like the boyfriend/husband was too willing to lose every argument (and we know in real life this would NOT HAPPEN).
What do You think about The Amish Bride (2012)?
Very good. I liked the part where Ella was studying under Pierre.
—Ines94
End of a trilogy! Anything by Mindy Starns Clark is good!
—ada
My favorite of the Amish Midwife/Nanny/Bride series!
—melda
