We meet Abby Kauffman as she oversees the hard work of feeding those involved in disaster recovery. Green Mountain, Vermont, was struck by floods in October and at the start of April, with snow still on the ground, rebuilding is getting under way. Abby has a deep freeze full of food and it’s not getting power. AN AMISH EASTER WISH starts with a wish for the bare necessities of life.

David Riehl is hugely busy but he makes time to come and repair the elderly appliance. Everyone in the town is chipping in to help. Entire homes were washed away, and lives were changed. David knows this better than most, as his young teen ward has recently arrived in his life and Mikaela is not delighted with being an orphan with a new single dad. Mikaela has immersed herself in working alongside Abby, but neglected to tell David that Abby is Amish. David fancies the capable Amish lady as soon as he sets eyes on her, but their lives are too different; a relationship would never work.

I noticed that while Abby does try to live according to her community’s rules, she’s often unchaperoned around a man, perhaps because she’s had to go out of her way to help in Green Mountain with the Mennonite Disaster Service (a real organisation) and there are not many other people of her Order around with time to spare. When her stricter brother Isaac does find that she’s in the company of an Englisher repairman, he is suitably appalled. On one hand he cautions Abby that she’ll end an old maid, and on the other, he can’t countenance her getting friendly with someone. He’s not the only one.

Easter comes around with a lovely day and we learn what the Amish do to have fun and celebrate. We really do see renewal and uplifted spirits through this warm-hearted story. A lot of emphasis is placed on past events and sorrows, with certain people still feeling guilty over something; the challenge will be to move past the block and start living a better life. I like seeing Abby taking care of others, especially the teen members of the community, a group often left out of romance stories. Jo Ann Brown has previously written romances I have really enjoyed, such as An Amish Match and The Amish Bachelor’s Baby. Her latest series is called ‘Green Mountain Blessings’ and this is the second book. An Amish Christmas Promise was the first instalment which detailed the storm and the arrival of Amish Helping Hands in the town. AN AMISH EASTER WISH sets a great example. Help your neighbours.

Book Summary