I never like to leave a negative review, but I have to be honest. I choose Christian fiction because I only want to read things that are in agreement with God’s Word and His standards.  This book did not fit those guidelines for me.

There is fornication, drinking, going to bars, drunkenness and other unacceptable behavior.  There was also a word used that I consider cursing. Such things should not be a part of a Christian novel. 

God and prayer are mentioned but it does seemly have nothing to do with the immoral behavior of the characters.  They appear to be Christians in name only.  Due to these things I was unable to bring myself to finish reading the book.

This book was very disappointing.   

I received this book from Bethany House thorough LibraryThing Early Readers Program in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions stated are my own.

Mary Margaret has decided to step out of her comfort zone and go on a trip alone to Florida.  She meets three other young Amish women and they find they have a lot more in common that just their faith.  They have experiences they have never had even a little romance thrown in.  Their adventure turns into one of deep self-examination, seeing themselves as they truly are.

I admired Mary Margaret’s courage and courageous spirit to venture out and do something she has never done, especially after always being in such a sheltered environment.  I loved Nancy, the caring, joyful energetic Inn’s owner. The description of her homemade goodies made my mouth water.

 As a read about their stay there, and excursions I felt myself relaxing and thinking what how wonderful a vacation like that would be.  I would have like to have known more about the quaint shops and what the bought!  It made me think of some of our family get away to Galveston Island. 

Jayson, also Amish, is there visiting a friend.  He and Mary are immediately attracted to each other.  Their relationship quickly turns into romance.  An unexpected surprise visited seems to threaten Mary’s idyllic trip, but God has other plans.

What really hit home for me about each of the characters they were all trying to escape some problem in their lives. In reality they may have physically removed themselves but the root cause was still there.  By stepping away they were able to search their hearts and see their struggles were within themselves not circumstances or others. The story has many beautiful lessons about yielding to God’s guidance and living by faith not sight. . Looking forward to the next book!

I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.