Elaine Schrock has been raised by her grandparents since she was five years old and her parents died in a buggy accident. Now they are burying her grandfather who just passed away from a heart attack. Elaine found him in the barn, but before he died, he made Elaine promise to always be there and care for her grandmother. It is a promise she intends to keep. THE DECISION is Elaine's story of taking care of her grandmother who becomes ill with two serious diseases. Elaine tries so hard to help her grandmother but she wonders if she will be enough to help her grieve and heal from losing her husband.

At this time, Elaine is being courted by Jonah. Jonah is a character author Wanda Brunstetter fans will recognize from the Brides of Lancaster County series. Jonah Miller moved to a new Amish community in Illinois from Pennsylvania the previous year after a breakup on his wedding day. He has his sister close by, but he wishes his parents would move closer to them. As things are going well between Elaine and Jonah, Elaine discovers the news of her grandmother's health. She makes a decision that will affect not only her life but Jonah's as well. Will Jonah be able to change her mind, and what will happen to these two if he can't? Elaine cannot leave her grandmother. She pushes him away and, unsurprisingly, a lovely young widow is waiting in the wings ready to get her own second chance at love.

My heart broke for Elaine the whole time while reading her story. First she loses her grandfather, then her grandmother gets sick. Then she tells Jonah she isn't ready to leave her grandmother. I read Elaine's story in just one sitting as I was totally emotionally invested in her life and what she was going through. I won't spoil anything about THE DECISION with those reading my review, but I will say the ending was a total surprise for me. Once I finished, I just sat there thinking about what I would have done in Elaine's situation. I had to tell a bunch of my reading friends about the story and how I was feeling because my emotions were going crazy! I wish I could have given Elaine a hug and helped her through the difficult things she had to do.

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