Item: The Return
Rating: 5
Author: Kristin

I received a complimentary copy of this book from The Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation was received for sharing this review and all opinions are my own.

The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher|Book Review

The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Amazon|Barnes&Noble|Goodreads

Series: Amish Beginnings #3
Published by Baker Publishing Group on August 1st 2017
Source: The Publisher
Genres: Amish & Mennonite, Christian, Fiction, General, Historical, Romance
Pages: 336

Beautiful and winsome, Betsy Zook never questioned her family's rigid expectations, nor those of devoted Hans, but then she never had to. Not until the night when she's taken captive in a surprise Indian raid. During her captivity, Betsy faces brutality and hardship, but also unexpected kindness. She draws strength from native Caleb, who encourages her to find God in all circumstances. She finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the intense new feelings this compelling man awakens within her.

Handsome and complex, Hans is greatly anguished by Betsy's captivity and turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort. Eagerly, Tessa responds, overlooking troubling signs of Hans's hunger for revenge. When Betsy is finally restored to the Amish, have things gone too far between Hans and Tessa?

Inspired by true events, this deeply layered novel gives a glimpse into the tumultuous days of prerevolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women.

The Return by Suzanne Wood Fisher is the third book in the Amish Beginning series. Currently, this is considered to be the conclusion to the series. When I asked the author, she did say a continuation is possible; if enough interest is expressed. So, let’s hope that happens because this series is amazing!

In The Return, we are once again immersed in the lives of the first Amish settlers. Frontier life is never easy and even harder for the Amish pacifists.

The natives distrust the Amish and the Amish distrust the natives. Good relations between the two groups crumbles as racial intolerance finds a foothold. Innocent people, both the natives and Amish alike suffer the consequences.

This book picks up fifteen years after The Newcomer ends. Bairn’s father has passed away and Bairn has taken over as bishop of the fledgling community. He and Anna have one child together, Tessa. They also and act as mentors to Bairn’s adopted brother, Hans.

Every single character in this book is so well-developed. I appreciated that Suzanne didn’t make the “Indians” out to be the monsters of the story. She showed that evil can exist in all cultures as well as good.

I couldn’t put this book down and I would love to know more about Tessa, Caleb, Martin, and Betsy. I would like to see this series continued as I’m invested in the lives of the early settlers.

This book has humor, the horrors of humanity and the unfailing love of God within its pages. Suzanne brings to life the struggles of the early Anabaptist settlers. Though she explores topics of racism and uses the word “Indian,” she does so in a historically accurate way. I had great respect that she did not demonize the Native Americans.

About Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series, the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of an Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting. She is also a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Posted By: Kristin Filed Under: Amish Beginnings, Book Reviews, Suzanne Woods Fisher Tagged With: amish fiction, book review, Historical