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If I had to sum up this book in one word, it would probably be stubborn.

David Yoder (Caleb's father) is stubborn in his beliefs that the Old Ways are the best ways, despite the Bishop's waiving of shunning (temporarily) for those who choose to belong to one of the other churches. His stubbornness loses him his two children who still live with him.

Caleb is stubbornly clinging to wanting his father's land and wanting Nellie as his wife. Does he not consider that there are other ways to provide for a wife? He could apprentice himself into a trade or, apparently, work for another family member (as happens at the end of the book). It also seems he could have approached Nellie's father about helping out there or perhaps even dividing up the farm between Benjamin (whom I don't remember at all) and himself as Nellie's husband. Caleb makes bad choices throughout the novel.

Nellie is convinced that Caleb is her only chance for happiness. She allows him to virtually ignore her just so he can please his father. I appreciate that Caleb is stuck between honoring his father and his love for Nellie but . . . that's not the way to treat a woman you love.

The part of the story about the twins reminds me a bit of the story where a ruler had to decide which of two women was a baby's mother (long before the days of DNA testing). His solution was to cut the baby in half and give half to each woman. There's a bit of a twist on that in this novel as one of the women gives up her claim to the twins to allow them to be raised together. I have to say though that I was disappointed that one of the characters reneged on her promise. ( )

Can Nellie and Caleb satisfy the expectations of the people while remaining true to their hearts?

The Courtship of Nellie Fisher Book II

Beverly Lewis is becoming one of my favorite authors! ( )

This second novel in the series continues the story of Nellie and her family and friends in the Amish community. There is a split in the church, with some seeking to follow God through reading the entire Bible in English while others adhere to the Old Order Amish ways. Each thinks the other is wrong, and the Bishop has given the people three months to decide which way to go. After that, any baptized members leaving the old ways will be shunned. But even without formal shunning, the community is divided and hard feelings surface. The relationship between Nellie and her almost –fiancé is strained and forbidden by Caleb’s father. Other story threads continue, including the one concerning the twins who Kate gave to her cousin but is now regretting her decision. This story is one that Lewis fans will enjoy. ( )