I have so looked forward to reading this 3rd book in the “A Season in Pinecraft” Series. Lilly has moved to Pinecraft to have a fresh start. She has the support of her two friends that have made the transition there a few years ago and now have families.
Her past holds some painful secrets that she believes have held her back from being happy. She is delighted to quickly be hired as a housekeeper at the Marigold Inn. Life can’t be better. She is near her friends; she loves her job and feels accepted by the staff. She has no desire to marry and hopes to buy her own home someday.
That is until Eddie Byler, an Amish farmer on vacation with his grandmother, November, checks into the inn. (Love her name!)
Her new life seems too good to be true and the past is behind her, but that isn’t how life works, is it? Challenges and problems develop testing her in ways she had never dreamed.
My heart ached for Lily. She came for a new start and may have left some things behind, but she brought with her lack of self-worth and insecurities. She didn’t realize these were the root cause of her unhappiness from her past. Always second guessing herself and failing to see her wonderful qualities kept her in a constant state of anxiety. I could feel it!
I loved Eddie’s grandmother November! She was fun and spunky. No one was going to coddle her or tell what to do! Her independent spirit and desire to enjoy every moment was a delight. I liked her no nonsense wisdom she did not hesitate to share with those who she felt needed.
Both Eddie and Lilly lacked in communication skills, struggling to express themselves. It was painful to watch them grow in this area, but rewarding to see the results.
The way the all characters not just the main ones, interacted gave so much depth to the story. The unexpected turns and surprises kept me turning pages! I truly enjoyed the book
I received this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program and Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own. ( )

For the closing of this series, Lilly returns to Pinecraft to work at The Marigold Inn. She meets Eddie's grandmother first, then him, and a romance begins. I like how the author also included a romance of an older couple: the chef and the owner of the inn. Although this is the conclusion of this Pinecraft series, I hope the author will write more stories that take place there. ( )

It was great to return to Pinecraft in this third book in the series. I really liked Lilly and Eddie. The depth of emotion in the story makes it easy to connect with the characters and adds to their story. I felt for Lilly when she was wrongly accused. I liked how the author wrote about adoption and the complicated feelings that can arise in adopted families. The theme of redemption is clearly interwoven, with references to God’s redemption for us. I thought the story has some interesting twists and turns, and overall, I enjoyed the novel. Those who enjoy contemporary fiction with an Amish twist will enjoy this novel as well!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. ( )

While not the strongest storyline in the Pinecraft series - this installment is a perfect conclusion to the series. Lilly Kurtz returns to Pinecraft for good, but not to be with a man. She is tired of living in the shadow of her adoption and wants to figure out life on her own. She takes a job as a maid in order to secure free housing and enjoys getting to reconnect with her best friends. The only thing is, even though she is so much closer to them, she has never felt further apart. They seem to speak their own language talking about husbands and kids and Lilly starts to feel left out. That's not what she wanted? Or is it? When Eddie Byler, an Amish guest at the inn, starts talking to her she feels a spark. Maybe there is something there, but she's nervous that if he gets too close he will be disgusted by her past. Can she let down her walls to let love in? Inspirational, heartwarming, and charming. I wish this series would continue! ( )

Her Secret Hope, by Shelley Shepard Gray is the third book in A Season in Pinecraft series. This is a modern day Amish romance series that takes place in Pinecraft, Florida. This is a fun story of three young women who have been “wallflowers” and quickly became friends. The books in the series do take over where the previous one ends, so it is best to read this series in order. Lilly has returned to Pinecraft and is working at the Inn when she meets an elder lady and here grandson, Eddie.

This is a well written, easy to read, heartwarming story. I enjoyed how close the friends are and how their lives have changed, yet they still find time for each other. It’s nice to see how the employees of the Inn quickly become friends and help each other. It is interesting to read of how Lilly has felt her whole life and how she lives her life because of it. She is such a devoted, hard working person who cares for others. I enjoyed the character of the elderly woman and enjoyed how she tried to push Eddie and Lilly together.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review. ( )