This is such a lovely story. Davids does a wonderful job with writing characters that seem real and fleshed out and the way they express their faith feels natural instead of forced into the story. I only wish she had gone a bit stronger in showing Katie's draw back to the Amish and her faith so that aspect didn't feel so rushed at the end. ( )

This was a lovely read and I'm very glad I downloaded it! Katie is a sweet girl who desperately wants to make amends---to be accepted again into the community that she left. After a long absence, she returns to her brother's house only to find that he no longer lives there. Nine months pregnant and unmarried, this is not the best kind of scenario to return home under as Amish families have very strict beliefs.

Katie feels awkward (and probably awful too!) for suddenly intruding into the home of strangers while in search for her brother. She wants to leave, but she is unable to as her labor starts that same evening. Now that she has a baby to think about, Katie has to make choices about her future and how she wants to raise her daughter.

The Sutter family have taken her in. Elam Sutter seems to be in love with her already and willing to raise the child with her. His mother is baby-crazy. She wants Elam to know the joys of having a family and seems to think well enough of Katie, despite her past mistakes. Katie has to decide what she wants now: a life with Elam, a life without Elam, or a life different than the one she knows. In a sense, I believe this book is not just about redemption, but is about the journey one takes to learn from the past, embrace and appreciate the present, and prepare for the future.
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"4 out of 5 stars! Katie is a nine months pregnant ex-Amish woman who is down on her luck. After her boyfriend abandons her, she realizes she has nowhere else to go but back to her overbearing brother’s home. Yet, not long after she travels to Hope Springs Katie learns that her brother sold their farm and at that same moment, she goes into labor. Thankfully the new owner of the farm, Elam & his mother Nettie, are kind souls who generously help Katie with the birth and get her back on her feet. But as more revelations about Katie and her past come to light will Katie decide to redeem herself back to the Amish ways so she can also be closer to Elam or will she decide to forge her own path?

This truly was a story about redemption. Redemption for all, Katie, Nettie, Elam, and the town of Hope Springs. I enjoyed its steady pace..."

Read more of this review and TWO TEASERS here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2015/12/feasted-on-brides-of-amish-cou... ( )

Nice. Part of the Brides of Amish Country series, of which An Amish Christmas is one. I liked that one so much, had to read the other two. ( )

This is Patricia Davids' first attempt at Amish fiction and the result is a very good book. The characters are interesting and believable. It didn't long for me to become part of the book, existing with the characters instead of just reading about them. ( )