This story was refreshingly redeeming as I was beginning to lose faith a little in Mrs. Lewis. I'd not enjoyed the past few stories that I'd read of hers as much as I usually do, but this one I really liked. I was especially aware of the storyline regarding being unequally yoked. Lewis showed well the contrast between how one should act toward a husband vs. a beau in regards to submission. It's so important to be of the same faith from the beginning and to communicate well. ( )

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There are a couple of major story-lines running through this novel as well as several themes. Family, friendships, life-changing decisions, and choosing which religion to embrace are all represented. Marlena is called upon to care for her baby niece when her sister is gravely injured and the sister’s husband is soldiering across the world. Marlena is practically engaged with an Old Order Amish man, who does not like her attending other church services. Her parents have left the Old Order, but Marlena knows she must remain Old Order in order to marry her beau. She is helping her grandmother during the summer months, and attending the Mennonite church with her. This church and its pastor speak to her in ways that touch her soul, and she is doubting the ways of the Old Order. Meanwhile, a neighboring teenager, called Small Jay for his stature, and who is a bit backward, meets and befriends an apparent homeless man who is even more forgetful than Small Jay. This growing friendship is almost more endearing than Marlena’s growing affecting for her niece, and serves as a lesson to Small Jay’s family and community. This is quite a well written story, with interesting characters, a strong religious theme, and an intriguing plot. ( )

Marlena needed time to let things sink in. It was beyond her all this could possibly work out - adding the care of an infant to her daily routine.

Another good book by Beverly Lewis. This one follows a young adult Amish girl and a summer that brought many changes to her life. I really enjoyed the development of the main character, Marlena, as she struggled with her spirituality. ( )