I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging For Books and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation was received for sharing this review and all opinions are my own.
Series: Amish Letters #1
Published by HarperCollins Christian Publishing on March 14th 2017
Source: Blogging For Books
Genres: Fiction, Christian, Romance, Amish & Mennonite
Pages: 320
When a postal error creates pen pals of two young Amish people, can they put behind their past mistakes to see the bright future God has written for them?
Jalon Chupp has a past he isn’t proud to claim. He’s worked hard to overcome his youthful mistakes, and he has recommitted himself to his faith. When he receives a sweet note included in a piece of misdirected mail, he can’t help but write back. Soon, the letters he receives from Phoebe are the highlights of his days, and with a hopeful heart, he suggests they meet in person.
Phoebe, too, looks forward to every single one of Jalon’s letters. Living with her overbearing aunt, Phoebe doesn’t have too much to look forward to. But when Jalon suggests they meet, she panics—although she has shared some of the deepest longings of her heart with him, she hasn’t been entirely truthful about her past. But when Jalon shows up at her aunt’s doorstep, everything is revealed. And she can only pray he’ll forgive her for holding back the truth.
In order to reach beyond the errors of their pasts, both Phoebe and Jalon must put their faith in something—or Someone—bigger than either of them could pen.
Written in Love is the first (amazing!) book in the Amish Letters series by Kathleen Fuller. I really enjoy reading books by this author because I feel like she writes characters that are flawed and realistic. I think at this point, everyone knows I have a soft spot for flawed characters. I have a deep connection with characters that have made mistakes and are in need of healing, emotionally, spiritually or physically. I appreciate when an author breaches that divide between fiction and real life by creating authentic realism in his or her characters. Kathleen possesses the ability to do that so perfectly.
Unlike many in the Amish genre, this book tackles hard subjects such as verbal abuse, unplanned pregnancy, and alcoholism. I also appreciate that while love is an important theme in this book—the author doesn’t use it as a catalyst for change or for redemption. I felt that the author did a great job at showing that forgiveness comes from the Lord. Then, after we have repented and sought forgiveness from the Lord, we have to learn to forgive ourselves.
I was captivated by this story from the start and couldn’t put it down. I read it from start to finish without pause. If you’re like me and love a large dose of realism and plenty of redeeming grace—I strongly suggest this book.
Absolutely a five-star start to the Amish Letters series. I can’t wait to pick up the next installment! The Promise of a Letter is expected to release on August 15, 2017.
About Kathleen Fuller
Kathleen Fuller is an American writer, specializing in Christian and Amish romantic fiction. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas and currently resides in Geneva, Ohio with her husband, James Fuller, and three children.
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