Today, I am reviewing The Love Letters by Beverly Lewis.
When her sister falls gravely ill, twenty-year-old Marlena Wenger takes on the responsibility of caring for her infant niece, Angel Rose. Worried that this turn of events portends a more complicated future than he is prepared for, her beau ends their relationship. Marlena is devastated, but is determined to give Angel Rose the best care possible.
Though from the Beachy Amish herself, Marlena meets Ellie Bitner, an Old Order Amish mother who offers quilting and needlepoint classes. They soon form a bond, and Marlena is drawn into the circle of Ellie's family. Ellie's handsome cousin seems rather taken with Marlena, but after her recent breakup, she is cautious where her feelings are concerned.
But things begin to change when Ellie's young son Jacob discovers an older homeless man camped out in the nearby abandoned mill. Suffering from some cognitive disorder, the man has few prospects and fewer possessions--among them a small clutch of letters apparently from his own courting days. Could these letters be the key to the old man's identity? And can they bring healing and hope to Marlena and Ellie as well?
Though from the Beachy Amish herself, Marlena meets Ellie Bitner, an Old Order Amish mother who offers quilting and needlepoint classes. They soon form a bond, and Marlena is drawn into the circle of Ellie's family. Ellie's handsome cousin seems rather taken with Marlena, but after her recent breakup, she is cautious where her feelings are concerned.
But things begin to change when Ellie's young son Jacob discovers an older homeless man camped out in the nearby abandoned mill. Suffering from some cognitive disorder, the man has few prospects and fewer possessions--among them a small clutch of letters apparently from his own courting days. Could these letters be the key to the old man's identity? And can they bring healing and hope to Marlena and Ellie as well?
The first part of this story was about Marlena Wenger. She moves in with her Mammi to help her deal with household responsibilities after the passing of her Dawdi Tim. While she is there, her sister Luella, who left the Amish community, died in a car accident and Marlena has been asked to care for her young niece, Angel Rose, until Luella's husband and in-laws are contacted. It was a transition period for her but things worked out.
Marlena also has a beau, Nat, back home who she is staying the contact with but there are several things in her life with Mammi that Nat does not approve of, including her raising her niece. What will become of their relationship?
The second part of this story is about the Bitner family who are neighbors of Mammi. Small Jay meets a stranger in an abandoned mill named Boston who does not remember much about his past. Small Jay becomes a dear friend of Boston's and works with him to regain his memory of his past.
This was a story about love, dedication, family and responsibility. I really enjoyed reading it and how everything worked out in the end.
A special thank you to Bethany House for allowing me to read this book in advance in exchange for an honest review.
