Review of Missing Your Smile

Review of Missing Your Smile by Jerry Eicher

Book one in Fields of Home series

Wow!   I love Jerry Eicher's books and this book, Missing Your Smile, is no disappointment!   

Susan Hostetler is all set to marry Amishman, Thomas Stoll, until she catches him with her best friend, Eunice.   She is so upset by this that she leaves the Amish community and flees to a big city, Asbury Park, New Jersey.  Leaving her Indiana Amish home and community is not easy.   She receives numerous letters from her Mamm, telling her that they are all "missing her smile".   

Susan works in a bakery with Laura, who hired her after receiving a glowing recommendation from their mutual friend, Bonnie.   Susan becomes close with Laura's son, Robby, who is like the brother she never had. Susan receives a visit from a young woman, Teresa, who is pregnant and unmarried.  Teresa wants Susan to adopt her baby and raise it in the Amish faith.  Susan feels she is unable to do this, but writes her Mamm to see if any one in the Amish community would be interested in adopting Teresa's baby.   Susan returns home, taking Teresa with her.  Susan's parents are most loving and caring towards Teresa, but trouble is brewing.  How will the bishop and deacons and Amish community react to Teresa?  Will they hold forgiveness in their hearts or turn against this young woman, who is so anxious for her baby to have a better life than she had growing up?

I love the vivid descriptive details in this book.  I almost feel like I'm in Laura's bakery, smelling the coffee and cinnamon rolls.  I feel as though I am actually sitting in the kitchen of Susan's parents' home, smelling the woodstove and breakfast cooking.  What I didn't like about this book: it ended too quickly!   

I highly recommend this book to readers!  Please check it out!   Coming soon....review of Following Your Heart, book 2 in Fields of Home series.   

About the Author:

Jerry Eicher was raised in the Amish faith.  He and his wife, Tina, are now practicing Mennonites. Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools.  They make their home in Virginia.   Please see my blogpost, Interview with author, Jerry Eicher, for even more information about him.    You may also want to see his website, www.eicherjerry.com for more on him and his writing.

I received a free copy of this book from the author, in exchange for my honest review.