5-Star Review of "Just Plain Sadie"

Review of Just Plain Sadie

(Wells Landing #4)

by Amy Lillard

The Amish of Wells Landing, Oklahoma, treasure their close-knit community, and the promise of their growing families. But one young woman is struggling to choose a future that is true to both her heart and her faith…

Everyone in Wells Landing has long expected Sadie Kauffman and Chris Flaud to marry--despite Sadie's telling them differently. While she loves Chris, it is more as a friend than a husband. Yet at twenty-two, the plainest girl in her group, Sadie is also the only one who is still single. Perhaps it's time to be practical and marry Chris--though he still has not asked. But when Sadie meets a kind, handsome Mennonite, it seems her prayers have been answered… 

With Ezra Hein, Sadie at last feels the joy she nearly gave up on. Unfortunately, others only feel shock that she would consider marrying an outsider. To complicate matters, Chris has finally begun talking to Sadie about their future. Distressed, Sadie will have to search her heart to recognize God's marvelous gifts to her--and find the courage to accept them, challenges and all…

MY REVIEW:   How would it feel for everyone to oppose your marriage to someone due to a difference in religion?   When Sadie's longtime friend shares his dream with her, the dream does not include her, and she decides to begin seeing a young Mennonite farmer who sells bison meat to her family's restaurant.    All of her friends are concerned that he is Mennonite and all of his friends are upset that she is Amish.   Yet Sadie feels excitement and sparks with Ezra Hein and she has not felt that way with steady, comfortable Chris Flaud.   The Amish practice shunning, use no electricity or cars.  The Mennonites do not practice shunning, use electricity and drive cars.  Sadie can not understand how this is so terrible that they can not be together.  Why won't each of their families and friends accept their relationship and stop interfering?   All Sadie wants is to marry, have children and remain Amish.   

             But a tragedy strikes in both Sadie and Chris's families that prompts them to begin to reconsider their earlier positions.  Are they happy and at peace with their decisions?  Where does that leave Ezra?   Will there families finally accept their plans? 

              I fell in love with Sadie and I was rooting for her to end up with one of the young men but I won't reveal which one as it might ruin the story resolution for readers.  I must admit that both moms left me feeling frustrated for different reasons.   They seemed to have issues of their own to work through.   This is book 4 in the Wells Landing series.  I have read all of them but I believe this book could be read alone and still understood.  It would just fill in much background for readers to read all four books of the series.   The characters became more like family members by reading all of the books in the series as well.   

           I rated this book 5 stars and highly recommend it to readers.    

           I received this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author:

 For goodreads' 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 Twilight 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. Connect with her:   http://www.amywritesromance.com/