Review of "The Love Letters" by Beverly Lewis

Review of The Love Letters

by Beverly Lewis

When her sister falls gravely ill, twenty-year-old Marlena Wenger takes on the responsibility of caring for her infant niece, Angel Rose. Worried that this turn of events portends a more complicated future than he is prepared for, her beau ends their relationship. Marlena is devastated, but is determined to give Angel Rose the best care possible.

Though from the Beachy Amish herself, Marlena meets Ellie Bitner, an Old Order Amish mother who offers quilting and needlepoint classes. They soon form a bond, and Marlena is drawn into the circle of Ellie's family. Ellie's handsome cousin seems rather taken with Marlena, but after her recent breakup, she is cautious where her feelings are concerned.

But things begin to change when Ellie's young son Jacob discovers an older homeless man camped out in the nearby abandoned mill. Suffering from some cognitive disorder, the man has few prospects and fewer possessions--among them a small clutch of letters apparently from his own courting days. Could these letters be the key to the old man's identity? And can they bring healing and hope to Marlena and Ellie as well?

MY REVIEW:  Death, dementia, special needs' children, faith and differences in religious practices and expression....these are all some weighty issues and Beverly Lewis tackles all of them in this book.   Marlena and her family and friends stole my heart as I read this book.  I could relate to Marlena's falling in love with her sister's precious baby, Angela.   Marlena sacrifices for many people in her life and never complains or argues.  She willingly goes along with ministering to others as she feels God's direction.  I definitely could take some lessons from this loyal and dutiful young woman.  She stirred my heart and gave me many things to consider and ponder.

        I honestly felt that this book was one of Beverly's best ever.   I appreciated the tender and sensitive way that she dealt with some very touchy issues.   I taught special needs' preschoolers for many years and learned so many things from the precious children just as Jake taught so much to those around him as he helped the elderly homeless man.  I wished that I could attend the quilting and embroidery classes along with Ellie and her students.  It sounded like such fun and I would love to have someone show me how to quilt as I am learning but have to teach myself.  

       I rate this exceptional book 5 stars and would love to hear readers' thoughts after they have read it.  
       I received a pdf version of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author:

Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado.