This was an exceptionally fascinating and diverse interpretation of an Amish marriage. I do not think I have ever perused a book that secured this subject. The subject being unfaithfulness, in a marriage, and the outcome being an infant covered up until conditions destroyed that right. It was unusual to see phones and Ubers right now. This was a brisk perused, which was decent. In the event that you are searching for another glance at Amish life, this one is for you.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher Waterbrook Multnomah, in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Jemima is tested when her husband Roy betrays her several times over. First by cheating with an English woman, then getting her pregnant (these aren’t really spoilers as they’re all in the blurb), and finally by giving away all their life savings. When she’s asked to raise the child as her own despite the fact that it could cause her own children to be shunned, it’s a bitter pill to swallow.

I really liked Jemima, and also Abigail and Chris. The horse farm story line was interesting and well researched. I had some trouble warming to Roy, who seemed to have a list of excuses for why nothing was ever his fault. I did wonder a little at how much use of modern technology there was—Uber app, cell phones, laptops with wi-fi… literally every Amish person in the book had their own cell phone and seemed to be constantly texting. Maybe I am just not aware that this is common now in the Amish community(?) because I have never before read a book in this genre that contained so much tech.

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
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Since I read a lot of Amish fiction, I'm always looking for something new and this book was certainly different. Although I've read some where an Amish person had a cell phone for business, it seemed like everyone had one. I also imagine that in the end, someone had to get a driver's license to drive the food truck. Anyway, the book was a page turner and had me up late a few nights reading about baby Heidi and the Graber family. ( )

The main family is an Amish family that is thrust from the perfect family life into turmoil by a series of events where they interact with the "Englisch". This is a character study book that slowly reveals events in their lives to give you clues to try and guess the ending. ( )

Author Cindy Woodsmall and her daughter-in-law Erin Woodsmall have written an Amish story that is like none that I've read and I couldn't put it down! Jemima Graber knows that her marriage isn't the same after her husband's serious accident a year ago but she hasn't a clue just how deeply damaged it has become. Roy is a good man but this accident left him dependent on painkillers and started a chain of events that led to his involvement with another woman and quite possibly, a child born of that indiscretion. As the details come to light, the life and marriage that she believed was hers no longer exists. Can she forgive this man who has hurt her so deeply? Will Roy be shunned by his Amish community because of his unfaithfulness? Is it possible for her to accept a child who isn't hers?

The emotions described in The Englisch Daughter are very realistic and so relatable to anyone who has ever experienced betrayal. Jemima progresses from uncertainty, to disbelief, to anger, and eventually, she feels a sense of failure. Along the way, however, she also recognizes that she is frustrated and has been for a long time! She wants to be more than just a wife and mother and she needs to feel that her opinions are valued. Jemima wants respect and isn't that what we all crave? Her journey to forgiveness is hard and it takes time but isn't this true to life? Isn't that what we would expect from someone who has felt such betrayal and hurt?

There is also an interesting secondary plot that involves Roy's sister Abigail. She has her own struggles in this story and it remains to be seen if she can learn to accept a man who enjoys the sport of fighting. Violence, after all, is unacceptable to the Amish way of life.

If you are looking for a sweet, uncomplicated Amish story, you may be disappointed with The Englisch Daughter. If you are looking for an authentic look at a family who loves and serves God, then this is a book you will want to read! It is an outstanding family drama that you won't want to miss!

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book from Waterbrook Publishers. I wasn't obligated to write a positive review and these are my honest thoughts. ( )