A Reluctant Bride Book Review

An Amish of Birch Creek Novel

SUMMARY:  She never wanted to marry.  He hopes to make amends for past wrongs.  Can love find a way to heal both of their hearts?
     Sadie Schrock swore she would never marry.  All of her other Amish friends could court and marry - she was content to manage the family business and eventually take it over when her parents are ready to retire.  But all of that changes when a reckless driver kills both of her parents and seriously injures her younger sister.  With mounting hospital bills adding to the pile of debt her parents left behind, Sadie is left with no choice; she must marry.  And not just any man - the man who saw her at her weakest and walked away.

     Aden knows what his brother did to Sadie years ago was inexcusable.  And every day since that incident, Aden has lived with the guilt for not intervening sooner.  When he is faced with the chance to protect Sadie once again, he can't let her down - even if it means living with the scorn of the woman he loves for the rest of his life.

     Working alongside Aden at the store, Sadie realizes he isn't the same boy who once betrayed her.  Just when Sadie starts to let her guard down and perhaps develop feeling for her new husband, dangerous secrets are revealed.  Now everything Sadie has worked so hard to protect is threatened, and she must find a way to save her family - and herself.

REVIEW:  This book's underlying theme is how keeping secrets can eat at your soul and little by little destroy you.  Aden and his brother Solomon both carry the shame of abuse.  Their father beats them over even small infractions then forces Solomon to continue the beatings on Aden.  Aden has tried to not let it get to him; Solomon drinks away his pain, causing other problems along the way.  Sadie never told a soul what Solomon tried to do to her, because she is ashamed.  The bishop keeps the community funds hidden from everyone as he doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps and squander the money.  He even has the families in his district sign over valuable property to him, to keep the money safe.

     This story grabbed at my heart, tugging on it with every page.  I loved how the love and respect Aden shows Sadie, and eventually Solomon, changes their relationships for the better.  I admire Aden and his determination to not be like his father and let anger take hold of him.  Solomon's change is miraculous and is also to be admired.  

    The only thing I have against this story is the time line of Sadie and Aden's relationship.  Even though they grew up together, they didn't have much to do with each other unless they had to.  Aden had strong feelings for Sadie but it was at a distance. Sadie's feelings for Aden does an 180-degree change from barely tolerating him when they are forced to marry to being completely in love with him in about two or three weeks time.  But, this is a common complaint I have with novels. 

     That said, this novel was very enjoyable and eye-opening.  It is definitely worth reading.

This book was provided by Fiction Guild and Thomas Nelson Publishers 

for review without compensation.

Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including A Man of His Word and Treasuring Emma, as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield.  Visit her website at www.kathleenfuller.com, on Twitter at @TheKatJam and on Facebook at Kathleen Fuller.