Mending Hearts by Janice Kay Johnson is the 2nd A Tompkin’s Mill Novel. It can be read as a standalone for those who have not read Turning Home. I thought Mending Hearts was well-written with developed characters. I like that we get to catch up with the characters from Turning Home. David Miller and Miriam Bowman both feel guilt over the death of Levi. Both of them need to come to terms with Levi’s death plus forgive themselves. It is the only way they can move forward with their lives. We see Miriam and David struggle with the guilt and loss of faith. I like that we get to know Miriam and David as well as their families and community. I like how the people in the community help each other. If someone has a need, they are there to assist (whether they want it or not). I thought Mending Hearts was an emotional novel about love, forgiveness, family, faith, and second chances. I like the drama in the second half of the book. It added another level of depth to the story. We get to see Miriam and David struggling with their faith. They are both having difficulty turning their troubles over to God and relying on Him. I did find the pace of Mending Hearts to be a little slow at time plus there is repetition. I also thought the story was a little long. These small issues aside, I enjoyed Mending Hearts. I especially loved the puppies (they sounded adorable) and Copper, the horse David was training. Mending Hearts is a heartwarming Amish tale with buggy rides, barn raising, quality quilts, fixing fences, disquieting guilt, and a special someone. ( )

This is the second book in this series that I have read and enjoyed, there are some recurring characters, but this can be read alone.
We have a kind Amish man, David Miller, who is trying to work out of the guilt he feels after the death of his best friend and business partner. He even went so far as to leave his family and faith. Circumstances and the missing of his faith bring him back. Will he be accepted and forgiven?
We also meet Miriam Bowman, a young woman who wanted to marry Levi, David's business partner, and is now David's neighbor. Can she finally come to terms with Levi's death, and most of all live her faith and give forgiveness.
I loved being with these kind people, they are there for each other, and take care of their widows, as we see, even if they don't want help.
You find them always giving baskets of food, and their time to help one another. David is ready to help all those who need him, but can he help himself.
I was quickly absorbed in this story and community, and hope that we have more books coming!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Berkley, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )