Another book by Mrs. Lewis that you just didn't want to stop reading. I allow myself 2 chapters each night, but there were several times that I couldn't wait to see how things would evolve in the next chapter. Totally engrossing and enjoyable, yet uplifting and encouraging.

I have read over 50 Novels since March 2015 all Amish Romance Novels by authors

Brunstetter, Shepard Gray, Lewis, Woodsmall....unfortunately this is the first novel

that did not hold my interest. I am going to give it another try maybe in the winter as

I have a 30 new unread novels in my collection to read but I found

that was quite unusual for me because every novel I have read so far I would rate 5 stars.

I may make an addendum to this review once I attempt to reread it again.

It was a very nice hardcover book so the quality of the book itself was excellent and the cost was

excellent

I will recommend this products since it was able to hold so many reviewers interest. Like I said

I'll give it another try.

I couldn't put it down and was very good.

If Beverly Lewis is the author, you are assured 100% you will be reading a good book. This one is another in a line of many of excellent stories! The River is a wonderful example that all families have conflicts, even the Amish.

Tilly left her Amish life and married an Englisher. Her sister Ruth also made the choice to leave. She and Tilly have a close bond, but still love and miss their family. Tilly is very happy with her twin girls and her new life. You can only imagine the discord this created with their Amish family.

A brother calls and invites them to come to a celebration of their parents anniversary. Due to the difficult relationship with her family, especially her father, both girls decide not to attend. Ruth receives another call telling of their fathers bad health which influences them to go. Having been several years since they have been home, they are understandably anxious about the reception they will receive.

As I read I could actually feel the tension and uneasiness Tilly felt. Some of her family received her with open arms, others were distant, but her Dad was as he had always been toward her, unloving and critical. She was the only child in the family he treated so harshly. She decides to stay and her uncle and aunts house to ease the situation. Tilly not only is confronted with her fathers lifetime rejection of her, but also guilt involving the death of her younger sister years ago. She blamed herself for the little ones drowning, when she was supposed to be watching her.

Misunderstandings and unknown facts can cause a family to fall into a trap of living in conflict, hurting one another, and never experiencing the closeness they could have. Ms. Lewis weaves a beautiful story of a family finding their way back to each other amid great conflict with in and among themselves. Through forgiveness, love, and confronting their inner hearts, they find their way back. The story has many surprises and made me think of how longstanding secrets can cause people to act in ways we dont understand. You will want to read this book!

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I love the book but I thought Amish people shunned those who leave their group all the Amish books I've read they do