1. The Bridesmaid, Home to Hickory Hollow Series #2
    Beverly Lewis
    Bethany House / 2012 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$13.49 Retail Price$16.00 Save 16% ($2.51)
    4.6 out of 5 stars for The Bridesmaid, Home to Hickory Hollow Series #2. View reviews of this product. 34 Reviews
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    Stock No: WW209789
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Displaying items 21-25 of 34
  1. Heart2Heart
    Victorville, CA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Always a bridesmaid but never a bride!
    September 12, 2012
    Heart2Heart
    Victorville, CA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Joanna Kurtz isn't getting any younger and it seems like her only request lately is to be a bridesmaid for someone else's wedding. Now that she's 24, she feels like that's all she will ever be. It doesn't help that all her friends are getting married or that they are currently seeing someone that more than likely they will marry in the future, but not Joanna. She doesn't even have any one who seems to be interested.

    So she finds enjoyment in the only thing that she can, and that's writing in her journal. Whether she is using it as a diary or adding to her collection of fictional stories, she finds it gives her an outlet of something to keep her mind occupied until God changes that. When she meets a young Amish man, Eben Troyer during a trip to the beach, they immediately connect. He has a love for photography and hers is writing. However they are both from different states and it means courting for both of them could pose an issue. Eben is the only remaining male son in his family, after his brother left to follow after some English pursuits. While they await his hopeful return someday, Eben's father is relying on him to help out around the farm in Indiana.

    Joanna lives in Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania and has always longed to marry and raise a family here. For now, her only consolation is to spend time writing letters to Eben until God either answers their prayers to send the prodigal son home to Indiana to help out with the family farm or shows them another path for their future.

    In the latest novel in the Home to Hickory Hollow series by Beverly Lewis, The Bridesmaid is the second addition to this delightful community of Amish residents. You can feel the pain and loneliness of Joanna when even her younger sister Cora Jane seems to mock her as always being a bridesmaid and never a bride. Will she always remain single or will God make a path known for her? Why does it seem like Cora Jane can't seem to be happy for her even when she announces that Eben is coming for a visit? You'll have to pick up a copy of The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis and find out.

    I received a copy of the Bridesmaid compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. I've been a huge fan of Beverly Lewis' Amish novels and I couldn't wait to read this one. As someone who sees others around her getting married and then being labeled as an Old Maid, you can sympathize with Joanna when all her prospects seem to be empty until she meets Eben. Not only is he interested but he can relate to her artistic talents as well, despite what others may think. The only issue is how they can get together when faced with seemingly impossible odds that seem to constantly keep pushing them apart. That's the beauty of Beverly's stories is she makes her characters so likeable, you find yourself rooting for them all the way. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the next novel in this series!
  2. Tammi
    maine
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis
    December 15, 2012
    Tammi
    maine
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    The Bridesmaid is the second novel in the Hickory Hollow series by Beverly Lewis. I have read most every book written by Beverly Lewis and so far have not yet been disappointed.

    The Bridesmaid revisits Joanna Kurtz, the kind young woman who befriended Amelia Devries in The Fiddler, which is the first book of this series. I enjoyed reading Joanna's story, as well as getting caught up with some of the other characters who I've previously met in other books that have been set in Hickory Hollow. It feels like you are visiting old friends.

    Joanna, despite the trials that had come her way, is an inspiring character who displays a lot of faith. I enjoyed watching her as she put her trust is GOD in spite of her circumstances.

    I would have enjoyed seeing Eben and Joanna get together in person more. But I did see growth in the characters that might not have happened otherwise. Overall, I enjoyed my time in Hickory Hollow and look forward to the next book in the series.

    You do not need to read the first first book to read this one. It stands on it's own just like all of Beverly Lewis' books do.

    **The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis was provided for me free by Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
  3. MaureenT
    Syracuse NY
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    The Bridesmaid
    September 20, 2012
    MaureenT
    Syracuse NY
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    I have read all of Beverly Lewis's books I can get my hands on. This is another sweet Amish story. Joanna Kurtz has been a bridesmaid several times, and her sister Cora Jane is always reminding her. Joanna at 24 is almost considered a old maid.

    Eben Troyer from Shipshewana, Indiana and Joanna from Hickory Hollow, PA have a chance meeting on a beach in VA. Guess not to far fetched considering they are all there to pay their respects to her Uncle who has passed...he is an Amish Bishop.

    Eben and Joanna are able to spend three glorious days together, and then promise to write. So begins a long distance romance. Can they ever get together? So many miles.

    Eben's family need him in order to keep their farm going...his brother has left and gone English. Joanna's roots are deep in Hickory Hollow, can she give everything she loves up?

    I loved spending time with these families....the meals, quilting bees, the gardening and canning. Visits with loved one, and new babes....feel good moments.

    Enjoy this fast great read! Hard to put down once you begin!!

    I received this book through Net Galley and the publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
  4. Monica H
    Atlanta
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Never a bride?
    June 26, 2013
    Monica H
    Atlanta
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    The Bridesmaid is the second book in the Home to Hickory Hollow series. The story centers around an Amish man and woman who for different reasons are not yet married. Both approaching their mid-twenties, they are considered past their marriage prime by their families and peers. They meet after a chance encounter on a trip to the shore and develop a strong attraction to each other. However, they live in different towns and their potential marriage hinges on an unlikely scenario.

    I liked how this book focuses on a different theme than many Amish fiction novels — the difficulties and stigma that "older" unmarried Amish people face. I also liked how the author had their relationship develop based on correspondence; it created a unique element to the story.

    Like most Amish fiction novels, the ending was not a surprise. However, the author did a good job of inserting plot twists and turns that make you think, "Well maybe..." In general, I think Beverly Lewis does this well in all of her novels.

    Hickory Hollow, the setting for the book, is a more progressive Amish community in some ways, but still very traditional in others. I found it interesting when the main character, Joanna, described what Amish amenities her community does and doesn't use, such as indoor bathrooms.

    In this series, the books are not chronological, but they do take place in the same Pennsylvania town. It doesn't appear that the characters overlap either; just the town. I read this book prior to the first book in the series, and did not find myself missing parts of the plot.

    Overall, this was not my favorite Beverly Lewis book, but it was an enjoyable read with a plot that kept me wanting to ready "just one more chapter" at a time.

    Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
  5. Nancy
    New Paris, IN
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    A good story
    April 25, 2013
    Nancy
    New Paris, IN
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    The story moves a little slower than The Fiddler book. The friction between the two sisters reminds me of my younger sister. Family is family. So important whether we are English or Amish. Have not finished the book as yet.
Displaying items 21-25 of 34