I enjoyed the story very much, even though I am not sure it could ever happen in the Amish community. Loved Anna Byler's grandmother and her spunk!

Anna is in her "Rumspringa", but because she has been raised by her grandfather - the very strict newer bishop - and her grandmother, she hasn't gotten to do alot of the things others her age have done. The boys are a little afraid to date her because of her grandfather, who is not making many friends in his community since he has taken over as bishop. Then a new family comes into their Amish community (who has problems that no one knows about), and Anna takes an instant liking to the oldest son, Jacob. Jacob wants to do right by Anna, but they end up dating secretly because of her grandfather refusing to let her see Jacob.

Can Anna's grandfather succeed at keeping them apart? Can her grandmother finally have a say in how Anna and Jacob should be treated? And what will the "bishop" do when he discovers all of his wife's secrets (which although I highly enjoyed - not sure if it would have ever happened). There is also another whole story going on with Jacob's parents in this story. A good ending to a great series. ( )

Anna, raised by her grandparents after her parents were killed when she was very young, has grown into a lovely and very pretty woman. But she has never had a date, not even a buggy ride to a singing. Her stern grandfather, though loving, has frightened away all potential suitors, mostly owing to the fact that he is also the bishop of their ordnung. When a new family arrives in the community, Anna and Jacob, the eldest son of the new family, begin a relationship of sorts. However, it is fraught with problems, and more than that, Jacob bears the weight of his own family’s struggles. Soon, he and Anna must make some decisions as to whether they should keep their relationship secret and defy the bishop or ask for his blessing, which they fear he will not give. Anna knows some secrets of her own, namely concerning what her grandmother is keeping hidden from the bishop. This charming tale is filled with engaging characters whose everyday Amish is a lot like the English lives. There are conflicts, resentments, anger, judgments, and secrets, as well as hope, faith, love, hard work, friendships, family, and forgiveness. Quite an enjoyable story. ( )

This is a sweet romance complicated by family issues. Anna has been raised by her grandparents since the death of her parents. She loves her grandparents, but she is ready for a family of her own. Unfortunately for her, the young men of the community are afraid of her grandfather, who is the district's super strict bishop. That all changes with the arrival of a new family. Jacob and his family have moved to Paradise to escape the memories of the death of his older sister. Anna's sweetness is just what Jacob needs to bring some light back into his life. But a misunderstanding during their first outing causes the bishop to forbid any further contact between Jacob and Anna.

Anna refuses to let her grandfather stand in her way any longer. She loves him, but she needs to have her own life. Though she knows it is wrong, she continues to see Jacob away from her grandfather's prying eyes. She feels guilty about it but doesn't know what else to do. She tries to get her grandmother, Marianne, to intercede, but that doesn't go so well either.

I liked both Jacob and Anna. They are both good people who are dealing with complications in the best way that they can. The death of Jacob's sister has sent his father into a depression, leaving Jacob feeling responsible for his family. He wants to do the right thing in courting Anna, but the bishop's intransigence makes it difficult. I liked Jacob's patience as he tried to make things right with the bishop. Anna is sweet and kind, but also has the determination she needs to stand up for herself against her grandfather's strict rules. I liked their courtship, with its sunset train watching and stolen lunchtimes. They took the time to get to know each other and share their hopes, dreams, and pain. The culmination of their courtship came about in a rather surprising way.

There were also three secondary stories intertwined throughout the book. First was the relationship between Anna's grandparents. Isaac is very strict in following the Amish rules. Marianne is more relaxed but doesn't stand up to him, even when she thinks he is unreasonable. Over the years she has found an unusual way to exert control over her life, one that she has kept secret from her husband. That secret gets a little out of hand, and it takes a health crisis on her part to bring her secret out in the open. I enjoyed his reaction and seeing Marianne use her new influence to help soften his outlook.

The second was the story of Jacob's family, especially his parents, who are dealing with the death of their oldest daughter. Jacob's father has pretty much checked out of participation in the family. He gets up, does his farm work, and goes to bed. He doesn't interact with any of the family beyond the basics. His wife, Cora, gets more frustrated with him by the day. She slowly makes friends with Marianne and with the Englisch girl, Lucy. But there are things about Lucy that bring up ghosts from Cora's past, causing Cora to have to face her own pain. Unexpected news brings confrontation and finally healing to the family.

The third was the story of Lucy, a young woman who is something of an outcast in the community. She made the mistake of having an affair with a married Amish man and gave birth to his son. The man died, and Lucy has been trying to put her life back together. Ashamed of her previous actions, she has resolved to be a better person. I liked seeing her make friends with Cora and Marianne and the effect their friendship had on her. I also liked seeing the family of her former lover reach out to her. I also ached for her and the deterioration of her relationship with her mother.

Overall a good story of love, family, and forgiveness. ( )

Eighteen-year-old Anna Byler has never been on a date. No one has asked her. She suspects it is because her grandfather and guardian, Bishop Isaac Byler is at least partly to blame. His gruff manner and strict enforcement of all their Amish colony’s rules is enough to keep even the most charmed young man at a distance. But Jacob Hostetler is new, handsome, and when he shows more than a passing interest along with the courage to talk to Daadi, she can’t help but be hopeful.

Their friendship is anything but a smooth affair, however in Beth Wiseman’s novel Plain Peace. In it Wiseman delves as well into the Hostetler family’s painful history, the strange behavior of Marianne Byler the bishop’s own wife, and Lucy Turner, a non-Amish woman whose life has become inextricably bound to the Amish community through an affair she has had with one of their own.

Wiseman tells the story through the eyes of several characters—Anna, Marianne, Cora (Jacob Hostetler’s mother), Jacob, and Lucy, and so we get lots of perspectives. Even so, I found the characters somewhat flat and one-dimensional.

The book has lots of plot turns and is entertaining enough. Theme-wise, though I felt its message was morally confusing. Marianne Byler takes on the role of credible spiritual advisor and confidante while busy hiding a secret of her own. Later, when she has a change of heart, her generosity seems to serve as a sort of cover-up or justification for her years of wrong-doing. As well, the habits she has formed are of the pathological sort. How she overcomes them almost overnight and with no distress on her part seems unrealistic.

The book is full of Amish-isms (explained in a glossary) so in that way it feels authentic. A collection of recipes (some of the foods mentioned in the book) and a set of discussion questions add value and round out the book’s offering.

Plain Peace is a quick, light read that I’m sure those who enjoy Amish fiction will want to add to their collections.

I received Plain Peace from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, for the purpose of writing a review.
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I have forgotten how much I enjoy Beth's books, this was no exception.

I have read many of the Daughter of Promise books and this one was just as good.

Anne is 18 and has been raised by her grandparents since her parents died many years ago. Anne is ready to date but no one is asking her to to a signing or to take her home. She overhears it is because they are afraid of her grandfather, the bishop.

Enter Jacob and his family that are new to the area and with them comes their family problems.

This is their story. Thrown in is the stories of Anne's grandmother, Jacob's mom and Lucy. Three unlikely women who becomes friends.

Now this book is not without fault - you can message me if you want to talk about my feelings on those as I don't want to spoil this book for those who haven't read it yet, it is worth your read.

To me it was one of those books "oh I will just read to the next chapter, well ok one more" and then it is 1:30 in the morning and I am done. Excited but disappointed.

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