Starting from Scratch #2

I enjoyed Kate Lloyd's new Amish novel, set in Pennsylvania. It features an unmarried young woman, Eva Lapp, who still pines for her first love, Jake Miller, who had fled Amish life. Since it seems unlikely they could ever get back together, she considers others who seem interested in her, as she sets out to live life on her own. Running a cafe when she isn't much of a cook is not what she envisioned for her life, but her efforts seem successful, as do new relationships. Readers join her struggles as she experiences life's ups and downs and confusion. But she learns from life too. These true-to-life characters and situations pulled me into the story and wouldn't let go. I didn't want the book to end. I would like to see them appear in another story. I received a copy from the publisher with no obligation. All opinions are my own.

From the first page I could feel for Eva Lapp. Her life took so many unsuspecting turns and yet she was open to almost everything. She was the subject of gossip for things she didn't do, she loved Jake Miller even when she shouldn't and wasn't quite sure she was ready to be thrust out of her home when her brother's family moved into the big house.

She could have fallen on her face several times yet recovered with the help of new friends who took her for who she was and could become. In the midst of being hired to manage a restaurant instead of working with plants, she stood her ground and learned not just her job, but how to work with people she never would have associated with before: Stephen, a handsome Mennonite man and Beatrice, an Italian Catholic who seemed to be everywhere and know just about everything.

In the middle of finding her way in her new life, there was Jake Miller, her long time love who just seemed to be everywhere fumbling with her emotions. Would he return to the community and join the church? Would Eva join the church or find another life with Stephen?

I think it is a good omen when I like the first book in a series so well that waiting for the second book seems like a long time. When I picked up A Letter From Lancaster County by Kate Lloyd, I knew I would enjoy it based on reading her other works. Starting From Scratch kept me up reading two nights in a row. The characters were well developed and I found myself trying to help Eva decide the path she wanted to take. I rooted for Stephen, yet Jake was determined. As she battled within her mind, I was excited to see the unlikely friendship developing with Beatrice, who was old enough to be her mother. These characters make the story richer. This coming of age story is not just about Eva and Jake. It is filled with other people who grew once Eva started working at Yoder's Nursery Cafe. Kate Lloyd is a master when it comes to delving into the heart of a matter. I recommend this one without reservation!

This book had me hooked right from the first! Lots of things going on but not so much that I couldn't keep up with what was happening. The story line was well blended and kept me wondering who Eva was going to end up with. When I would think I had the answer, it got changed on me and I finally gave up and let the story unfold the way it should! You will not be disappointed in this book. This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher, All opinions expressed are my own. - Mable Dotson

Starting from Scratch by Kate Lloyd is the second book in Lancaster Discoveries series. Eva Lapp has just been ousted from her family home by her sister-in-law, Marta. Evas father has retired, and her parents are moving into the Dawdi house while Rueben and Marta along with their children are moving into the main house. Eva has accepted a job at Yoders Nursery which comes with a cottage. She is surprised to discover that her new job is not in the nursery but as the manager of Yoders Nursery Caf. Eva wishes that she had paid more attention when her mother was cooking. At twenty-nine, Eva is unmarried and has yet to join the church. She longs to marry and have children, but she is still pining for Jake Miller who left the community many years ago under a dark cloud. Stephen Troyer is the manager of the nursery and Eva discovers that he is friends with Jake. With the Yoder family out of town, Beatrice Valenti, their Italian housekeeper, is at loose ends. She winds up at the caf assisting Eva with the cooking and providing some guidance along the way. Eva was hoping she would meet some eligible men at her new position and she is fortunate to have three men interested in her. But then Jake returns to town and all her old feelings for him resurface. For them to have a future together, several issues need to be resolved including the reason Jake left Lancaster County. Is there a chance at a happily ever after for Jake and Eva? Or will one of the other men capture her heart?

Starting from Scratch is well-written and has gentle pacing. It can be enjoyed without having read A Letter from Lancaster County (first book in Lancaster Discoveries series). I was not a fan of Eva. I found her to be contradictory. She is twenty-nine, but she acts like someone who is sixteen. I fond her immature in many respects. Eva takes a job and has no clue what she will be doing. She has never inspected the cottage where she will be living and is not prepared to move out on her own. Eva does not bring sheets, towels, or kitchenware with her. If Marta had not packed her clothing, I have a feeling she would have been without that as well. Eva left a job at a quilt shop that she loved to work at the nursery in the hopes that she will meet some eligible men. I wondered if no men lived in her town or went to her church. I did not feel that Eva is ready to be married. Eva is a woman who needs to be comfortable with herself (become independent) before she embarks on a relationship. Beatrice Valenti starts out gruff in the beginning and as a little pushy. I like how she softens over the course of the novel as her story is revealed. The Christian theme is prevalent throughout the book. Forgiveness, grace, acceptance of others, in Gods timing, and following the path God has planned for you are some of the Christian elements. In Starting from Scratch there is a homeless man, a barn fire, a past mystery that needs to be resolved, and someone is breaking into the caf. I liked the way the author tied the various events together in the story. I was, though, disappointed in the ending. I would have liked to see Eva make a different choice where she is truly starting from scratch. The story is told strictly from Evas point-of-view (first person). It would have helped to know what some of the other characters were thinking and feeling. It would have added more depth. I am giving Starting from Scratch 3 out of 5 stars. Starting from Scratch felt like it was missing something (not sure what) and there were unresolved issues at the end of the book.

While Kate Lloyd writes Amish fiction I don't read her books for the Amish setting but because she touches my emotions with her heartwarming stories. Great character development, they have self issues and sometimes problems that stem from their families. The problems and how they solve them are things that can happen in any family any where. In this book Kate shows how gossip can hurt others and wrong impressions are formed. Our heroine Eva Lapp has pulled into herself due to an unwarranted reputation ruined by gossip. Join Eva, her family and friends and see how they deal with the issues affecting their lives and self-worth.

I received this book from the Harvest House Publishers and I received it free of charge for my honest review. All opinions are my own. I highly recommend anything written by Kate Lloyd. Her books always touch my heart.