It was nice to get back to Pinecraft. While I enjoy all of Shelley Shepard Gray's books, the series that she has done down there have been my favorite of hers. The four girls in this book were fun to get to know and looking forward to continuing this series. ( )

I loved this book! Everything about it is fabulous! The setting of Pinecraft is serene and peaceful! The characters are relatable and genuine! I love the faith aspect that is prevalent throughout the book! Each girls story was unique and interesting. Honestly, I liked all of the characters, but I admit that Michael is my favorite! He's just an all around likeable guy! A definite must read! ( )

Shelley Shepard Gray has been one of my favorite authors for awhile, so I was excited that I finally got to read the first book in the A Season in Pinecraft series.

I honestly can’t remember ever reading an Amish fiction that is in a beach setting, which gave this novel such a fresh feel. I felt myself aching to visit Pinecraft, Florida! The sound of the sandy beaches, the cool waters and clear blue skies had my imagination running wild with possibilities.

The fast friendships that develop between Mary Margaret, Betty, and Lilly are goals! The trio find kindred spirits in one another as they are all wallflowers in their own communities. With one another they have strength in numbers, and each girl gives the others the courage to do things that they never thought possible. These three women are hard not to fall in love with, and I enjoyed reading about their adventures.

Jayson was another character that I bonded with. I definitely empathize with Jayson and his overprotectiveness over his diabetic sister. I have a teenage son that is type 1 diabetic and I don’t think I’ll ever not worry about him, though I will say Jayson’s sister, Joy, seems a lot more mature and capable of taking care of herself than my son does!

This is a great start to a charming series that I loved so much that I immediately picked up the second book and am currently reading it. Shelley does a masterful job of weaving such captivating tales with relatable characters and picturesque settings. It’s hard not to be enchanted.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the publisher through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. ( )

Mary Margaret has always been an Amish wallflower. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she takes a trip to Pinecraft, Florida and meets up with two other Amish girls. They decide to make changes in themselves and become different young women when they are in Pinecraft. When Mary's childhood nemesis Esther shows up, Mary wonders what her motive might be. Determined to enjoy their vacations, the four young women find out surprising things about themselves and where they might be headed in the future!

This is a clean and sweet, realistic novel with a clear Christian message. The young women experience struggles and heartaches as most people do, and they learn how to deal with them as adults. There is a lot of character development leading to a satisfactory ending. While this is the first in a series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

Shelley Shepard Gray has a way of spinning a tale that never disappoints, and this book is no exception. I have read hundreds of Amish novels—inspirational, romance, suspense, and historical—and this book combines all these genres into a beautifully flowing and compelling read. There are plenty of suspense, drama, romance, and unexpected plot twists to make this book very difficult to put down. I highly recommend this book. I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers. March 23, 2023.