Miriam Zehr is in a quandary: she knows what she ought to do, but it really isn’t what she wants to do. She has been in love with Junior Beiler for several years, though Junior hardly knows she is alive. Junior, who became the head of the household when both his parent died, seemed to have no time to court. Finally, he seeks out patiently waiting Miriam, but to her dismay, it was not to court her but to ask for her help in courting a friend of hers. The end of the novel is pretty much evident from the beginning, but road to that destination is not. There are a few twists and turns along the way and some unexpected events. An interesting tale and a quick and entertaining read, peopled with believable and caring characters. ( )

“HOPEFUL” is the long-anticipated first book in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Return to Sugarcreek series!

Looks like the mystery bug has rubbed off on Shelley. After writing the original Seasons of Sugarcreek series as romance, “Hopeful” is a step in a different direction. Not a complete turn, just a step.

Don’t worry, there’s still PLENTY of romance. But there is also a definite air of mystery surrounding Mary Kate Hershberger – the community’s new schoolteacher.

I wish the synopsis had given me a bit more warning that I was reading a suspense/mystery. Not that I would not have read the book – I would have anyway, it just would have been nice to know going in.

Isn’t it nice that you have me? You are fore-warned. But DEFINITELY read it! It’s a terrific story! And the mystery/suspense woven around Mary Kate is done extremely well.

It has been a long time since a book kept me up half the night simply because I could not put it down. And not just because of the suspense either – I found myself desperate to find out what happened between Junior, Mary Kate and Miriam.

And I wasn’t about to stop reading until I found out!

I do think that either Shelley or her editor perhaps mixed up a few things about the Amish… or maybe it’s simply artistic license – As far as I know, from my own research, the Amish do not toss off comments about calling relatives like it is a common occurrence. It’s anything but - for them. And I was not aware that Amish ever retired. But I could be wrong – or it could be that Miriam’s parents worked for a company that required them to retire at a certain age. Whatever it was, it didn’t really detract from the story…more like caught my attention and had me going “Hmm…”

Maybe that was the idea. Sneaky… And clever.

It’s a GREAT story and a COZY and INTRIGUING read and Shelley Shepard Gray is DEFINITELY one of my all-time favorite authors! Now I just have to go back and read her other suspense/mystery series.

Disclaimer: I was provided the book free in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This is another in the Sugarcreek series of novels about the Amish culture. I liked the realism of this one, of characters struggling with life problems and disappointments. Some of the Amish novels are too sweet and make the culture seem perfect. Amish people have the same problems that other humans have, maybe in different ways. I have read other novels in the series and enjoyed seeing the same characters return. Story line seemed consistent and pulled together, with a theme and underlying moral apparent, but not preachy or overt. ( )

Hopeful: Return to Sugarcreek, Book One
Shelley Shepard Gray

Book Summary: In the Amish town of Sugarcreek, love comes in many forms. But will it come at all for Miriam? Miriam Zehr has worked at the Sugarcreek Inn longer than she cares to admit. The restaurant is a favorite of town residents as well as the many tourists who come to taste the famous Amish fare. Though she always tries to have a smile for every customer, deep down Miriam knows something's missing: a family of her own. Miriam has never felt particularly beautiful, especially because she's always been a bit heavier than other girls her age. When Junior, the man she's pined for all her life, suddenly seeks her out, she's thrilled to be noticed . . . until she realizes he's only asking her to help get the attention of Mary Kathryn Hershberger, her pretty friend. If Miriam helps Junior court Mary Kathryn, she'll get to spend a lot of time with him, but she might lose him in the process. Are these few stolen moments worth a lifetime of sacrifice? Is Miriam right to even hope for the life she dreams of?

Review: I really loved this story line. I found Miriam and Junior to be well written and believable characters that you could be empathetic to while rooting for Miriam to have her hero at the end no matter what happened. I found the plot and the other characters to be just as enjoyable. I could not believe how quick it was to read. There were no surprised yet it was a great book. I believe that the strong characters and a well written story to be the key to this book Shelley Shepard Gray did an amazing job writing this story! Every book she writes just seems to get better and better.
I would like to thank Edelweiss -Above the Treeline and Avon Inspire for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. ( )

Another great novel by Shelley Shepard Gray! This book takes us back to Sugarcreek, Ohio. Well written (as usual) with bits of humor, I fell in love with the characters.

Miriam had been in love with Junior since, well, forever. Of course he has never given her a second glance, at least until the day he asks if he can drop by her house for a visit. Miriam and her parents think he has come courting but he actually wants to talk to ask Miriam for her help in courting her best friend. In fact, Junior has been very vocal to his siblings that Miriam is "not the prettiest girl in town." ( )