A Wish for Home Book Review

Book Description

Caught between who she is…and who she was.

Lauren Nolt hasn’t forgiven the Amish community of Lancaster County for shunning her parents. But returning as a successful Englischer working for large developers is just what she needs to get a promotion and give her parents the life they deserve. Coming face-to-face with her childhood bully, Amish widower Adam Hershberger, is the last thing she wants. Yet when her world’s shaken by a shocking discovery, Adam’s the only one she can confide in…

Adam’s never forgiven himself for the part he played in Lauren’s past, nor what drove him to do it. But as developers threaten his great-grossdawdi’s farm, she’s the only one who can help. And with his little girl determined to bring him and Lauren together at every turn, keeping his distance is impossible. Now they must learn to trust each other—even as their secret feelings grow stronger. But is love enough to bridge the gap between their very different worlds?

My Thoughts

I do love a good Amish story, and A Wish for Home grabbed ahold of me and wouldn’t let go until I reached the last page. Lauren and Adam’s story was one of redemption and second chances, letting go of old hurts and forming new memories.

From the very beginning, I was drawn into Lauren’s story of an Amish upbringing. Lauren’s parents left the Amish lifestyle when she was a young child, but she was never told the reason why. In the years since, she went to college and became a very successful professional who came back to Bliss Valley to help in the discussions of a local casino development. If not for a freak spring snowstorm putting her car in the shop, Lauren wouldn’t have landed back at her great aunt’s inn, nor have been roped into helping her run it. She also wouldn’t have run into Adam Hershberger, her childhood tormentor.

There was more to this story than just an English girl coming back into an Amish settlement, and I really don’t want to spoil all the surprises that were scattered all through this book. Lauren’s parents have kept a few secrets from her in her life, two of which had enormous consequences. She had to learn to forgive them while also forgiving Adam for his cruelty towards her when they were in school together. Adam had a secret of his own, and when I realized what it was, my heart broke for him.

Two characters that stole the show were cute little Mary Beth and Lauren’s great aunt Sylvia. Mary Beth’s personality was just the balm that both Lauren and Adam’s hearts needed to mend their past, and her desire to spend time with Lauren drew Adam like a moth to a fly toward her as well. Great aunt Sylvia was a no-nonsense lady who never failed to say exactly what she thought. I loved her for it.

With A Wish for Home being the first book in the new trade paperback line from Harlequin Love Inspired, it looks like great things are in store based on this novel alone. I enjoyed my first opportunity to read something by this author, and will be eager to see what happens next with the characters in the sweet community of Bliss Valley.

4 Stars

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