Review of "Courting Emily"

Review of Courting Emily

Wells Landing, Book #2

by Amy Lillard

Return to Wells Landing, the close-knit Amish community in Oklahoma, where a hopeful young woman struggles to find true love while staying true to her faith. . .

Emily Ebersol is the bishop's daughter, and everyone--including Emily--assumes she'll marry a faithful Amish man and live out her days within the community. But her childhood sweetheart, Luke Lambright, fell in love with racing cars during his rumspringa and decided to leave Wells Landing. Emily prays for his return, but as the months go by, she begins spending time with another young man--a man who may not be as exciting as Luke, but perhaps he's exactly what she needs. . .

Elam Rhiel knows that Emily has always been in love with Luke--but he is certain he could be the loyal, steady husband Emily deserves. Then, just as Emily begins to fall for him, Luke returns and complicates her feelings. Now, they all must learn that the greatest love requires the greatest sacrifice. . .

MY REVIEW:  Can you imagine being Amish but loving an Amish man who wants nothing more than to race cars?  in the Englisch world?  Can you imagine having loved a boy since you were both little and now having to plan to give him up?  We think we have it hard in the Englisch world and yet, these problems seem to be very very worrisome.   Luke and Emily are faced with this difficult situation even though they both care very much for each other, will it ever work out?   And to top it all off, Emily's father is the Amish bishop!  

       While Luke is away racing cars and learning to love the Englisch world, Emily befriends Elam Rhiel's entire family and helps the family out of a tough medical situation with Elam's father.   She falls in love with Elam's father and the whole family in the process, and will she fall in love with Elam as well?   Will they be able to make a relationship where Emily can remain among the Amish she dearly loves?  or will Luke come back to stay and change everything?  I loved this book and have to admit that I fell in love with the entire Rhiel family as well.   I rate this book 5 stars and highly recommend it to readers.  

I received a free pdf version of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review. 

About the Author:

from goodreads' author bio:

I'm a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.

I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. I've retained a little of my Mississippi accent though most people think I'm from Texas. (?) Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son--a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course!

I love homemade tacos, nail polish, and romance novels--not necessarily in that order. I'm a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I'm shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.

I believe that God is love. I guess that's why I adore romances. 

I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) But until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my penchant for romance. Okay, okay, I'm a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture. I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that's me June Cleaver with a laptop.

I dislike people trying to convince me to read the Twlight series (I'll get to it or I won't, either way I'm good with it), gratuitous violence, and strawberry ice cream. (I know I'm alone on this last one, and again, I'm good with it.)

Favorite movies--(besides HP) French Kiss, Maid of Honor, A Lot Like Love, Just Married, and Sweet Home Alabama. Oh, and Miss Congeniality, Sabrina (both versions) and a 1940's movie called Dear Ruth. If you haven't seen it, you should! A-dorable. Anything with Doris Day and most all of Marilyn's and Audrey's.