Amelia and Michael lives could come from more differing lives and backgrounds, yet the both are facing the same problem. They have dreams and passions they feel strongly led to follow, but their parents are equally as strong and controlling in the path they feel their children should take. Their paths would have never crossed if it wasn’t for a stormy night and a flat tire.
Amelia is an extremely talented violinist whose parents have been grooming her to be a famous concert musician since she was 3. She is on the verge of stepping into her parents dream. Amelia finds great joy in fiddling, something her parents find a waste of her gift of music. Her father’s poor health and her intense love for her parents keep her from making the choice.
Michael is a young Amish man who has a great desire for an education and a career as an architect. He knows he would have to leave his Amish faith and deeply hurt his family. His desires have caused conflict in his family and he has fled to an isolated cabin after one of many fights with his parents. This is where Amelia ends up on that stormy night.
Though worlds apart they immediately bond, sharing their struggle of following their hearts or breaking their family’s hearts. Amelia spends some time in the Amish community to clear her head. She finds herself falling in love with these gentle people, their simple ways, and Michael. Michael has the same feelings for her but neither expresses them because they know their two lives could never mix. Now they are not only trapped by their parent’s expectations but also their growing affection for each other.
Ms. Lewis did an excellent job of making the reader a part of the character’s inward conflicts in making such life changing decisions. I also appreciated how both characters remained sensitive and respectful to their parents even though they were both old enough to make their down choices. Her vivid details drew me into the story and made me experience Amelia and Michael’s feelings confusion and uncertainty. I was reminded of how complicated the crossroads in life can be, and that we must not rush into anything no matter how intense our desire to resolve our conflict. We must first seek God’s guidance and wait on his clear direction.
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 am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

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