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marcus1969's review against another edition
4.0
I never read Amish fiction unless it is a Christmas novel. This being a Christmas novel and Amish, I requested it.
I did enjoy the book. I liked the main characters, especially Billy Lapp, a young man who had lost his way. There is a lot in the book about roses, different kinds of roses, and rose rustling - which really exists and is not at all what it sounds like. I don't have much interest in flowers, but reading about that in a fictional book setting was very interesting.
The book also dealt with the issue of forgiveness and it was covered very well.
It is a pretty fast read, and entertaining. Sometimes I wonder how close to the Amish ways the books depict the Amish, but this was one I felt stayed pretty true. There was one thing that confused me a bit. One of the characters was named Lainey, and unless I missed it, it was never said who she was. She was evidently related to the main female character, but I don't think it ever said. The book was good though, and an enjoyable Christmas read.
I did enjoy the book. I liked the main characters, especially Billy Lapp, a young man who had lost his way. There is a lot in the book about roses, different kinds of roses, and rose rustling - which really exists and is not at all what it sounds like. I don't have much interest in flowers, but reading about that in a fictional book setting was very interesting.
The book also dealt with the issue of forgiveness and it was covered very well.
It is a pretty fast read, and entertaining. Sometimes I wonder how close to the Amish ways the books depict the Amish, but this was one I felt stayed pretty true. There was one thing that confused me a bit. One of the characters was named Lainey, and unless I missed it, it was never said who she was. She was evidently related to the main female character, but I don't think it ever said. The book was good though, and an enjoyable Christmas read.
holly2kidsandtired's review against another edition
3.0
When Billy Lapp left Rose Hill, it broke Bess Riehl's heart. Bess continued raising roses on her father's farm and Billy became a rose rustler or one who cares for, discovers and researches roses. Bess moves on and becomes engaged to Billy's cousin Amos. A few days before her wedding, an unknown rose begins blooming in her greenhouse and when they request a rustler to identify it, Billy is the one who resentfully shows up.
As Billy and Rose try to discover the origins of the mysterious rose, they are drawn together. Bess is torn between her love for Amos and her returning feelings for Billy.
I enjoy Suzanne Woods Fisher and her stories. I was somewhat apathetic at first about this particular story, but it is a lovely little novella, perfect for curling up with before a fire. The historical aspect about roses and rustling was new to me and fascinating. This is a sweet Christmas story about love and forgiveness, ministering angels and the enduring legacy of roses.
As Billy and Rose try to discover the origins of the mysterious rose, they are drawn together. Bess is torn between her love for Amos and her returning feelings for Billy.
I enjoy Suzanne Woods Fisher and her stories. I was somewhat apathetic at first about this particular story, but it is a lovely little novella, perfect for curling up with before a fire. The historical aspect about roses and rustling was new to me and fascinating. This is a sweet Christmas story about love and forgiveness, ministering angels and the enduring legacy of roses.
elisabethd8a's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was an interesting read since it's a bit of a prequel and a bit of a sequel. I was trying to read Suzanne Woods Fisher's Amish books in order, but they weren't written sequentially. If you were to combine the two series, then the Amish books by Suzanne Woods Fisher in order are The Choice, The Waiting, The Search, Christmas at Rose Hill Farm, The Keeper, The Haven, The Lesson, and A Lancaster County Christmas. So this is the 4th book sequentially and the 8th book written.
It's a chaste Christian romance with a lot of self-examination and wishing that life were less complicated. The addition of George as a character makes this book very different in tone from the rest of the Amish series.
By the way, I was trying to read all of the Amish books by Suzanne Woods Fisher in order, but they weren't written sequentially. If you were to combine all of the series and the stand-alone books, then the order by setting is:
The Choice,
The Waiting,
The Search,
Christmas at Rose Hill Farm (novella),
The Keeper,
The Haven,
The Lesson,
A Lancaster County Christmas (novella),
The Letters,
The Calling,
The Rescue (novella),
The Revealing,
The Imposter,
The Quieting,
The Devoted,
Mending Fences,
Stitches in Time,
Two Steps Forward,
A Season on the Wind,
Lost and Found, and
A Healing Touch.
It's a chaste Christian romance with a lot of self-examination and wishing that life were less complicated. The addition of George as a character makes this book very different in tone from the rest of the Amish series.
By the way, I was trying to read all of the Amish books by Suzanne Woods Fisher in order, but they weren't written sequentially. If you were to combine all of the series and the stand-alone books, then the order by setting is:
The Choice,
The Waiting,
The Search,
Christmas at Rose Hill Farm (novella),
The Keeper,
The Haven,
The Lesson,
A Lancaster County Christmas (novella),
The Letters,
The Calling,
The Rescue (novella),
The Revealing,
The Imposter,
The Quieting,
The Devoted,
Mending Fences,
Stitches in Time,
Two Steps Forward,
A Season on the Wind,
Lost and Found, and
A Healing Touch.
lizanne95's review against another edition
5.0
Having read quite a few of Suzanne’s books, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. Her books are possibly my favorites for Amish Fiction.
Right in time for the holidays, this is my favorite Christmas novel as of right now. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading.
Now adults, Bess and Billy, from the book The Search from the Lancaster County Secrets series, they have grown far apart, each on their own path in life. Though I haven’t read their childhood story from The Search, I didn’t really think that it was necessary as the book gives a lot of background and flashbacks.
One of the things I really liked about this book is that it is based around roses. Roses were my late grandmothers’ favorite flowers and it brought back quite a few good memories.
This is one book I definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for a short but intense read for and about Christmas.
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".
Right in time for the holidays, this is my favorite Christmas novel as of right now. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading.
Now adults, Bess and Billy, from the book The Search from the Lancaster County Secrets series, they have grown far apart, each on their own path in life. Though I haven’t read their childhood story from The Search, I didn’t really think that it was necessary as the book gives a lot of background and flashbacks.
One of the things I really liked about this book is that it is based around roses. Roses were my late grandmothers’ favorite flowers and it brought back quite a few good memories.
This is one book I definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for a short but intense read for and about Christmas.
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".
mikaela_wade's review
2.0
~ AUDIOBOOK REVIEW ~
2.5 Stars. This was a hard one to rate because some parts I enjoyed, others not so much, and at one point I almost returned the book. It just wasn’t what I was expecting, I was looking for a light, cozy, heartwarming story to get me in the Christmas spirit. But I did enjoy learning about roses, and I enjoyed Maggie’s character.
I appreciate the character growth and under other circumstances I might not have minded this part. But listening to the book to fall asleep I was shocked by a detailed description of a character self harming. I don’t think the detail was necessary for the story line. Maybe I’m sensitive but I found it difficult to sleep and it made me cautious for the rest of the book - turns out I didn’t need to be because nothing else like that is mentioned. (For those wondering it is referred to again, but never in detail after that point)
Series:
I haven’t read anything else in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, so I’m not sure how this fits in. But I didn’t feel like I was missing anything reading it by itself.
Audio Rating: 6/10
Narrator: Rachel Botchan
Time: 7hrs 16mins.
2.5 Stars. This was a hard one to rate because some parts I enjoyed, others not so much, and at one point I almost returned the book. It just wasn’t what I was expecting, I was looking for a light, cozy, heartwarming story to get me in the Christmas spirit. But I did enjoy learning about roses, and I enjoyed Maggie’s character.
I appreciate the character growth and under other circumstances I might not have minded this part. But listening to the book to fall asleep I was shocked by a detailed description of a character self harming. I don’t think the detail was necessary for the story line. Maybe I’m sensitive but I found it difficult to sleep and it made me cautious for the rest of the book - turns out I didn’t need to be because nothing else like that is mentioned. (For those wondering it is referred to again, but never in detail after that point)
Series:
I haven’t read anything else in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, so I’m not sure how this fits in. But I didn’t feel like I was missing anything reading it by itself.
Audio Rating: 6/10
Narrator: Rachel Botchan
Time: 7hrs 16mins.
shammons's review
3.0
I downloaded this one from my library website on a total whim. I don't know why a Christmas book appealed to me in February, as well as part of a series where I had not read the previous books! Very unlike me. But, it was sweet and an easy read. I think I was in the mood for something Amish and this fit the bill :)
meghan_is_reading's review
roses and religion and prodigal sons? I skipped over the bible verses I'll confess. our star-crossed lovers made good. one kiss, lots of heated glances.