This book involving the Amish culture has a fundamental difference from others I've read. The characters are more prone to the human frailties (jealousy, anger, gossip, etc.). In some ways that is nice and probably more realistic, but in other ways it is kind of like discovering your hero has feet of clay. The story line is interesting but the end left too much unresolved. So I was left wondering what happens to the characters and there is no indication that there is a sequel that will answer these questions. I found that disappointing. Shy and unassertive Sadie Lapp is returning to Stoney Ridge after a long visit to her sister in Ohio. She has a surprise for her family, but little does she know that the surprise will fuel rumors about her started by her well meaning, but unthinking younger sister M.K.Equally shy Amish school teacher Gideon Smucker is glad to have Sadie back in Stoney Ridge, but every move he makes around her only seems to upset her. He suspects her chilly attitude towards him has something to do with Will Stolz, the wildlife intern temporarily living on the Lapp's farm.Will discovers Sadie to be refreshingly different from other girls he has known, and he soon looks for excuses to spend more time with her. He is hiding a secret though, which will endanger his position on the Lapp farm as well as betray the trust of Sadie and her family.This is book #2 in the Stoney Ridge series; it works as a stand alone story, but I recommend starting with book #1, The Keeper, first, to get to know the other members of Sadie's family better. My favorites are eccentric Uncle Hank and the mischievous but lovable M.K. (Her story is told in book #3, The Lesson). The book ended without all of the story lines resolved, but still satisfying. It would have been too unrealistic to tie everything up so soon, those story lines will continue into the next book.
What do You think about The Haven (2012)?
This book gave me a lot of laughs and tears as well. Very enjoyable.
—ram
Interesting story of the Amish, I couldn't put it down :-)
—Natalie
Another good Amish book with some twists and turns.
—Dunmyer94
