Wanted by Shelley Shepard Gray

This is a guest post by Tina L. Scott (formerly Miller). Tina is a freelance photographer from Merrill, Wisconsin with a passion for writing. She can be reached at PhotographyByTina.com

Book
Wanted

Author
Shelley Shepard Gray

The Review
Katie Brenneman is a 20-year-old Amish girl who fears she’ll never find Mr. Right and she can’t help but feel a little envious of her brother Henry and Anna, the newcomer he loves and plans to marry. She knows it is sinful to feel this way and truthfully, she really likes Anna and is happy for her and Henry, as she teaches Anna the ways of their Amish community and embraces her friendship. Yet Katie cannot help but wonder if she will ever find true love or if that is just fanciful thinking. And, too, she wonders if perhaps she isn’t deserving of such happiness given the things she’s done in the past. The memories of her time among the English, pretending to be one of them and living a lie, haunt and shame her, and the guilt of knowing that she hurt Holly and Brandon—who were never anything but kind and accepting of her—pierces her heart whenever she thinks of it. She’s tried to put it all behind her, but secrets have a way of catching up with you . . .

Then Winnie Lundy travels to Indiana and her brother, Jonathan Lundy, needs someone to help him care for his two young daughters, Mary and Hannah, whose mother, Sarah, died in a buggy accident. Katie has always had feelings for Jonathan, though he is eight years older than she, and she welcomes the opportunity this presents, hoping she and Jonathan can become better acquainted and that he will come to look at her in a new way—as a possible mother for his children, a potential wife, and perhaps a love interest.

But things don’t progress smoothly at the start. Katie’s parents aren’t keen on the arrangement at first, then Mary resents Katie’s presence in her mother’s home, and Jonathan is so caught up in his work and his grief that Katie feels almost invisible. Then, when Holly contacts Katie through some letters sent care of the general store, Katie fears her humiliating poor behavior from her Rumspringa is about to be exposed to her entire community. She’s scared that no one will want her when they find out the truth, least of all Jonathan Lundy.

As her feelings for Jonathan intensify and just when it seems Jonathan may be reciprocating at least a little, Holly brings Katie news that forces her to come face to face with her fears. She needs to do the right thing, despite what it may cost her.

I don’t want to ruin the ending for you, so I’ll stop there. But this novel illustrated several truths for me. First, the truth really can set you free because living a lie or pretending to be someone you’re not is like being imprisoned by invisible walls. Second, the thing you fear most usually doesn’t happen so you’ve stressed yourself out with your fears unnecessarily. And finally, forgiveness is the first step to moving forward with your life—and that includes forgiving yourself.

I enjoy reading about the Amish way of life and found Shelley Shepard Gray’s story about Katie and her community realistic and heartwarming. I highly recommend Wanted!

Order Wanted Today!

Disclosure: The reviewer received a complimentary copy of the book to review.

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This post was sponsored by The Dabbling Mum.

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