3.5 stars ( )

These are all so stupidly good. Why has no one ever thought of putting an Amish spin on Jane Austen before?!? This spin off of Emma is wonderfully done and so faithful to the book. I really enjoyed this and I can't wait to get the rest in this series. It's a light fluffy read and is such a uniquely satisfying spin on a classic that is truly closer and more faithful than any other adaptation I've read! The summary is Emma. It's just like Emma. There is still bonnets, matchmaking, picnics, weekly visits, and handsome men. All the essentials! ( )

I really liked this Amish retelling of Austen's Emma. The Amish setting/world seemed a natural fit for the storyline from the 19th century. (The storyline, general themes, and some of the names are all that are similar to Austen but since I don't expect most to write like Austen, that didn't take away from my enjoying this book.) If you like sweet Austen retellings, I recommend this. I hope to read the other books in this series. ( )

I've had this unusual reworking of Emma on my Amazon wishlist for a while, waiting for the price to drop enough to justify such a random purchase, but finally threw caution to the wind. Religious communities like the Amish tend to freak me out, so I didn't know what to expect, but setting an Austen novel amongst a group of people who choose to live in the nineteenth century makes a strange kind of sense. Emma Weaver and her family and friends still travel by horse-drawn buggy and live simple, godly lives, which makes translating the social mores of Regency England a lot easier!

I did enjoy Sarah Price's plain and wholesome retelling of Emma, while learning about the Amish way of life along the way. The German, or Pennsylvania Dutch, words peppering the dialogue only added to the experience - in the same way that modern readers might struggle with the formal language of Austen, mentally translating words like 'g'may', 'fraa', 'kinner' and 'daed' took a while to adjust to, but I finally found the natural rhythm.

Character-wise, this Emma is rather more self-aware, and the subplot with Francis (Frank) and Jane is quickly and respectably wrapped up. Key events like the Westons' dinner and the trip to Box Hill become religious meetings or quaint community gatherings, like preserving food for winter, but the only effect is that Austen's sharp edge is dulled. Definitely one of the more original interpretations of Emma I have read! ( )

This newest book by Sarah Price is so good; I couldn’t put it down, and kept reading. The focus of this is on Emma Weaver, and right from the start I felt myself being she, I literally walked in her shoes.
At first when I met Emma, and she pointed out to a friend some bad points about another person, I was a bit disappointed, and then realized that I might not say anything, but my mind would have the same thoughts. I also find that I am at times judgmental, and often find myself wrong. So Emma and I have a lot of the same traits, no wonder I thought she was a snob!
Emma is also very considerate and caring, she has made a home for her Dad and really takes great care of him. She is also looking out for her elderly neighbors, and often times her visit to them when she knows that their primary caretaker is not home.
There are some very funny happenings here, and I’m sure that you will find a good chuckle, she plays matchmaker, and things don’t seem, on each occasion, to turn out like she planned. Was a bit surprised that one of the characters was able to put together a new match very fast, and was married to another in record time.
We also meet Gideon King, her sister’s husband’s older brother, and he is a dear family friend. Gideon and her Dad seem to spend a lot of time together, and have formed a wonderful friendship. Gideon also seems to be the one who can put Emma in her place, and she does realize how wrong she has been.
Emma has vowed to never marry, she will continue to take care of her Dad, can one of these suitors she has picked out for her friend actually be the one God has chosen for her. We see her in action as she puts men in their place, and out spoken Amish woman.
Coma along and enjoy this unusual matchmaking story, Emma’s record doesn’t seem to be very good, but oh how I loved this page-turning read. Enjoy!

I received this book from the Author Sarah Price, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )