A Simple Wish

Crafting, such as rug making, has recently seen a revival among the "English" as the Amish call those who are not part of the Amish community and faith. But crafting, such as quilting, sewing, rug making, candle making, crocheting, knitting, soap making, etc have always been a large part of the Amish community. The women handle these works and they sustain their families.

The families in this book also deal with some heavy issues. Charlotte Hubbard handles these issues with grace and sensitivity in her books. The characters are diverse with many being easy to love and some, one in particular, is not so easy to love. Cornelius makes life difficult for his daughters, for sure and certain. Readers will enjoy following the lives of the daughters and their friends and love interests. Readers will also see what causes Cornelius to be so hateful.

I am rating this book 4 ****stars. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy reading Amish and Christian fiction.

I received a copy of this book from netgalley and Zebra Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

It's great to see the beloved characters return from the Seasons of the Heart series and watch their stories continue in this new Simple Gifts series. This novel focuses mostly on Loretta and Rebecca and the men in their lives. This is somewhat edgier than the author's past books, a bit more than I care to read in a clean novel but mild compared to many stories. The characters have to work through relationship conflicts of various sorts. Readers can glean insight for how to better handle things in their own lives as they follow the fictional drama. The Amish we read about here may not be typical, but their lives make a story that holds the reader's interest. Surprises pop up too. I look forward to the next installment. How will things turn out for Loretta's wayward father? I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

A Simple Wish by Charlotte Hubbard is the second book in a Simple Gifts series. Loretta Riehl is surprised when Will Gingerich expresses his interest in courting her again. She no longer feels the same way about Will, but she has definite feelings about Drew Detweiler. Loretta is ready to spread her wings and get out from under her fathers thumb (and away from his moods). She accepts a position working at Simple Gifts craft shop owned by Nora Hooley. Nora provides a place for local crafts people to sell their goods and she provides guidance for the women in the community. Cornelius Riehl is a difficult man to live since the passing of his wife. Drew cannot help but notice that Cornelius makes numerous buying trips for clock parts. Drew is curious and sets out to get answers (maybe find out why Cornelius is so stern) with the help of the Hooleys. He is hoping to help improve Lorettas relationship with her father. But you know what they say about the best of intentions!

A Simple Wish is well-written and pleasurable to read. It has lovely, well-constructed characters and a beautiful, caring town. I do not recommend starting with A Simple Wish (you should start with Summer of Secrets). It would be too confusing for a new reader. There are numerous characters with convoluted relationships (Simple Gifts series is a spin-off from Seasons of the Heart series). It is nice to return to Willow Ridge and catch up with these great characters. There is just the right amount of humor along with compassion, love, caring, hope, suspicion, and worry along with much more. It showcases real people with complicated relationships and life issues. My rating for A Simple Wish is 4 out of 5 stars. There is some predictability to the story (mostly with the romance). It was nice to see Rebecca find someone to care about in A Simple Wish. The story talks about forgiveness which is difficult to do as we can see in A Simple Wish. I look forward to more books in the Simple Gifts series.

How I have missed being in Willow Ridge, and Charlotte Hubbard has opened that door again, and now I dont want to leave. This book can be read alone, there is a lot of information provided to bring you up to date, but believe me, you will want to read the past books, they are that good!

We are treated to two sweet, clean romances, one with Amish Loretta, and Drew, who we met when he tried to marry her sister, um wait a minute, do we trust him? The other is Rebecca, one of the triplets and brought up English, and newcomer Wyatt, imagine his surprise seeing her dressed Amish, so sweet!

There is a lot of drama here, and we see a do as I say, not as I do thinking going on, and when the facts start to unfold, you are going to cringe. Through it all, we see these people living their faith, forgiveness easy to say, but hard to do, and yet they prove it is possible.

I loved this read, the only problem is turning the last page, and wanting to continue, I want more!

I received this book through the author, and was not required to give a positive review.

Ms. Hubbard is gifted at the ability to have multiple story lines running through her books. While A SIMPLE WISH stands alone, fans will want to read A Simple Vow and the books in her Promise Lodge series. Well, all her books, really.

Loretta is struggling to find her footing after her former beau, Will, shows up all apologetic for letting her father run him off and marrying some other girl he'd been intimate with even though he wasn't the father of her twins. But then there is Drew, who is the father, but he's trying to be a better man, though Loretta sure tempts him not want to be. And then there is Loretta who wants to teach rug-making and not be her dad's stay-at-home, old-maid daughter for the rest of her life. She wants a home of her own. And a husband. And kids.

Her dad on the other hand is a tyrant, determined to have his way no matter what the cost.

With Loretta working in the same shop as Will, sparks are sure to fly--and not just from that direction, as Drew lives right across the road. And he's a bold one, baby, not one to go sneaking around behind Daddy's back.

Fans of Amish fiction will surely fall in love with Loretta and most of the other characters in this book (because of course every story has a villain or two) and the continuing sagas of some of the other characters mentioned in the prior book. I was cheering for Loretta to fight for her dreams while wondering at her courage, considering her background. And one of the other main characters won my heart too.

Grab a copy of A SIMPLE WISH of your own. You won't be able to put this book down.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.