I received a complimentary copy of this book from and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation was received for sharing this review and all opinions are my own.
Published by Zondervan on March 13, 2018
Genres: Amish & Mennonite, Christian, Clean & Wholesome, Fiction, Romance
Pages: 336
A Son for Always by Amy Clipston
(Previously published in An Amish Cradle)
Carolyn and Joshua are thrilled to be expecting their first child together. Carolyn was a teenager when she had her son, Benjamin, and she feels solely responsible to secure his future. As Joshua watches Carolyn struggle to accept his support, he knows he must find some way to convince her that she--and Ben--will always be taken care of.
A Love for Irma Rose by Beth Wiseman
(Previously published in An Amish Year)
The year is 1957, and young Irma Rose has a choice to make. Date the man who is "right" for her? Or give Jonas a chance, the wild and reckless suitor who refuses to take no for an answer? Irma Rose steps onto the path she believes God has planned for her, but when she loses her footing, she is forced to rethink her choice.
Where Healing Blooms by Vannetta Chapman
(Previously published in An Amish Garden)
Widow Emma Hochstetter finds her quiet life interrupted when she discovers a run-away teenager in her barn, and then the bishop asks her to provide a haven for a local woman and her two children. Then, her mother-in-law, Mary Ann, reveals one of her garden's hidden secrets, something very unexpected.
An Amish Spring is a compilation of novellas that were previously released in different collections. A Son for Always by Amy Clipston was previously published in An Amish Cradle. A Love for Irma Rose by Beth Wiseman was previously published in An Amish Year and Where Healing Blooms by Vannetta Chapman was previously published in An Amish Garden.
I had read A Son for Always and Where Healing Blooms in the previously mentioned books but it’s been since 2014. I had never had the opportunity to read A Love for Irma Rose. I could link to my previous reviews but honestly, they’re terrible. Trust me, you don’t want to see them. They’re from my days when I gave a synopsis of the story rather than my thoughts and opinions.
So, now that I semi-sorta have the hang of what a review actually is, I thought I’d take the time to share my actual thoughts and opinion.
A Son for Always:
Carolyn’s character is unique in that you don’t often hear about Amish girls having a child out-of-wedlock. I appreciated her journey to forgiving herself and learning to place trust in her husband to provide for her older son. I loved how sweet Joshua was with Carolyn’s oldest son as well as his new daughter. I thought his mom was a meddling witch but even she came around. These were characters I couldn’t help but love.
A Love for Irma Rose by Beth Wiseman
I loved Irma Rose and Jonas in another series by Beth Wiseman. I might be writing this review at midnight after I worked all day and went to school—so, don’t expect me to remember which series they’re in. The point is, this is their back story and you meet them as parents/grandparents in another fabulous series by Beth Wiseman. I loved getting to know their love story. I didn’t even mind the love triangle/pentagon, octagon, whatever it was. Irma Rose had a few options. But she chose Jonas /heartmelt
Where Healing Blooms by Vannetta Chapman
The characters in Where Healing Blooms were really complex and detailed. I loved that they had a fairly detailed family tree that was fleshed out and enjoyable—and in a novella. That takes some skills! Anyway, this was a really sweet romance/historical story. This story wasn’t just a romantic love story. It was also a familial love story. The bond between Emma and her Mother-in-Law was so endearing. I truly felt that their love for each other was given focus and I never see that in books. I always observe romantic love…never love that families have for one another.
Overall, I loved the characters in each of these novellas. The book reads really fast and each of the stories are so well done. This is a book that I would love to read again in the future.
Note: Kristin reads and reviews both Christian and secular fiction on A Simply Enchanted Life. Out of respect for my readers, I am including a content review. This content review will help you decide whether this book is suitable for you.
Christian or Secular: Christian
ASEL Rating: no profanity, violence, bedroom scenes, or other content that could otherwise be considered disturbing.
Themes: Romance, Trust, Love
Suggested Age: 15+
About The Authors
Amy Clipston
Amy Clipston is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery novels. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and currently works for the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. Amy lives with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled-rotten cats.
Beth Wiseman
Award-winning, bestselling author Beth Wiseman is best known for her Amish novels, but she has also written several successful contemporary novels, set primarily in her beloved Texas, including Need You Now and The House that Love Built. Both have received glowing reviews. Beth’s The Promise is inspired by a true story.
Vannetta Chapman
Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace, including romantic suspense and Amish romance novels. Chapman was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full-time. She lives in the Texas Hill Country with her husband, pets, and a herd of deer.
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