Book Review:The First Love

From the Back:

.3+

Jah, that was undeniably a difficult time, one that opened my eyes in countless ways. And my heart, most of all. It was a season of sorrow and searching, of questions and answers.

It was the summer of my first love.

It's the summer of 1951, and Maggie Esh is in need of some hope. Sweet-spirited and uncommonly pretty despite struggling with illness, she is used to being treated kindly by the young men of her Old Order Amish church district. Yet Maggie wishes she were more like other courting-age girls so she could live a normal, healthy life. When tent revival meetings come to the area, the words of the preacher cause her to reconsider what she knows about faith. Can she learn to trust God even when hope seems a distant dream?

My Reflections: 

Beverly Lewis is the queen of Amish fiction, she was writing these novels before the Amish fiction craze began. You can always expect faith-driven characters and a heartwarming, engaging plot. I have never been disappointed with her writing, and her newest book was just as expected, a fast and joyful experience!

Maggie yearns to be whole like the other young people in her community. Having Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis has affected her ability to participate in her life to its entirety. She dreams of a family and life of her own someday but she is not sure just how this is able to come to fruition with her current state of health. In spite of her difficulties, Maggie joins the church and sets out to see where God takes her. Could her future include Jimmy Beiler?

The story also gives us a glimpse into Rachel's life, marring maggie's father, a widower could not have been easy, especially with a ready-made family in tow. Rachel puts her dreams aside instead focusing her attention on making this knit together family live in harmony. Will she have the courage to find happiness as well?

I adored Maggie's devotion and pure love for her Lord, she was a character I felt drawn to instantly. Rachel'd devotion is definitely noteworthy and I'm glad it all turns out well. 

Beverly Lewis fans won't want to miss out on this tender yet very compelling new release!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

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Beverly Lewis

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than 17 million books in print. Her stories have been published in 12 languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA...

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