Restless and adventurous, Ruthie Stoltzfus is right on the cusp of leaving her Amish home. Secretly, she’s earned her GED, saved her money—but she can’t quite set her journey into motion. Just as everything falls into place, along comes Patrick Kelly.
Patrick is a young man on a journey of his own. He’s come to Stoney Ridge to convert to the Amish and has given himself thirty days to learn the language, drive a buggy, and adapt to “everything Plain.” Time is of the essence and every moment is to be cherished—especially the hours he spends with Ruthie, his Penn Dutch tutor.
Ruthie’s next-door neighbor and cunning ex-boyfriend, Luke Schrock, is drawn to trouble like a moth to a flame. Rebellious, headstrong, defiant, Luke will do anything to win Ruthie back—and Patrick Kelly is in his way.
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a story of dreams deferred—and the promise of hopes fulfilled.
Sometimes, I feel like a broken record when reviewing Fisher's books. I'm going to say something that I've said about many of her other books: this book made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me contemplate my own faith.
One thing you need to know about The Devoted: it is about so much more than an Amish girl falling in love with an Englischer and the ensuing love triangle, which is all you glean from the book's description. It's also about Ruthie's father, David, the titular Bishop of "The Bishop's Family" series, as he attempts to lead an Amish community that is slipping away from faith. It's about Ruthie's brother Jesse, who runs a buggy repair shop and tries to mentor adolescent boys who are every bit as wild as he used to be. It's about "Dok," David's doctor sister who recently opened a private practice in Stoney Ridge. All of these stories intertwine to make one fascinating novel that includes romance, drama, mystery, and church politics.
In her novels set in Stoney Ridge, Fisher has created a world that is full of interesting, likable (or unlikable in the case of Luke Schrock), realistic characters ... many of whom just happen to be Amish. I highly recommend The Devoted to anyone who enjoys reading a good story, whether a fan of Amish fiction or not. 5 stars.
Note: The Devoted is the third book in Fisher's Bishop's Family series, and in order to fully understand the characters and the community, you should at least begin with The Imposter (book one), though going back to the Inn at Eagle Hill series, which features the Schrock family, would give you a better picture.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Fisher's The Bishop's Family series: The Imposter (5 stars) and The Quieting (5 stars); Inn at Eagle Hill series: The Letters (3-1/2 stars), The Calling (5 stars), The Rescue (novella: 4-1/2 stars), The Revealing (5 stars); her Stoney Ridge Seasons series: The Haven (4-1/2 stars), The Lesson (4-1/2 stars); her Christmas books: A Lancaster County Christmas and Christmas at Rose Hill Farm (4-1/2 stars), and her Amish Beginnings novel: Anna's Crossing (4-1/2 stars).
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October 18: Mary Hake
October 19: Reading Is My SuperPower
October 19: Simple Harvest Reads
October 20: Singing Librarian Books
October 20: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
October 21: Seasons of Opportunities
October 21: Daysong Reflections
October 22: Back Porch Reads
October 22: Southern Gal Loves to Read
October 23: Lighthouse Academy
October 23: The Power of Words
October 24: Bigreadersite
October 24: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner
October 24: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
October 25: Artistic Nobody
October 25: Donna’s BookShelf
October 26: Pause for Tales
October 26: Christian Chick’s Thoughts
October 26: Bukwurmzzz
October 27: Splashes of Joy
October 27: Bibliophile Reviews
October 28: ASC Book Reviews
October 28: Vic’s Media Room
October 28: inklings and notions
October 29: Jeanette’s Thoughts
October 29: Book Bites, Bee Stings, and Butterfly Kisses
October 30: A Baker’s Perspective
October 30: Book by Book
October 30: Quiet Quilter
October 31: Two Girls and a Book
October 31: Blossoms and Blessings
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free through Celebrate Lit. 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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