The Search - Suzanne Woods

Summary from Goods Reads: Fifteen years ago, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision. She couldn't have known that her choice would impact so many. Now in her mid-twenties, she is poised to go to culinary school when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge, the very Amish town in which her long-reaching decision was made, forcing her to face the shadowed past.

Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm with her large and intimidating grandmother, Bertha. It quickly becomes clear that she is there to work the farm--and work hard. The labor is made slightly more tolerable by the time it affords Bess to spend with the handsome hired hand, Billy Lapp. But he only has eyes for a flirty and curvaceous older girl.

Lainey's and Bess's worlds are about to collide and the secrets that come to light will shock them both.

Beautifully written, The Search is a skillfully woven story that takes readers through unexpected twists and turns on the long country road toward truth. Fans both old and new will find themselves immersed in this heartwarming--and surprising--tale of young love, forgiveness, and coming to grips with the past.

Bess is sent to Stoney Brook, PA to spend the summer with her grandmother, Bertha, whom she have not seen since her grandfather's funeral several years ago.  Bertha is a tall, broad and very outspoken woman who appears to be very intimidating.  Once Bess settles into Rose Hill Farm, she connects with  Bertha.

Bertha sees Lainey O'Toole, an Englisher, working in a bakery in town.  They used to be neighbor's over 15 years ago.  Lainey has a secret that happened during an accident that she has been holding in all these years.  They become very friendly and these secrets are revealed and have an effect on Bertha, Bess and her father.  How will things play out?

This is the first book that I have read from Suzanne Woods Fisher.  It is also the third in the Lancaster County Secrets series.  I did not read the first two books but I will now!  I loved her writing style.  She has a great attention to details and strong character development.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Amish fiction!

“Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”