I was glad to continue the story with characters we met in the first book, The Amish Midwife. The title, The Amish NANNY, was a bit misleading as to the subject of the story, although "nanny" is depicted in the story in a minor way. While I found the history of the character's Anabaptist ancestors interesting, I thought the genealogy of the family confusing. The plot having the Amish characters traveling further than their buggy rides and hired drivers could take them was a refreshing angle to an Amish story.
Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
I am not sure if you remember my review of the previous book in this series, The Amish Midwife, but if not, please go back and read through it:) Because I recently received a copy of the next book in the series, The Amish Nanny, for review. And I think it will be best to come into the review knowing what the previous book is about.
I have been a big fan of Mindy's previous works. I have read almost all of her books and really enjoyed them. I had never heard of Leslie Gould before reading The Amish Midwife, but after reading that one I knew I would enjoy anything else she wrote. And I was sooo right! This book is written by both Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould. It is the second book in the Women of Lancaster County Series. It follows the story of Lexie's sister, Ada, and her search for meaning in life.
One of the main reasons I love this series is all the history in it. The authors put a lot of work and research into the Amish and Mennonite history and it shows! Throughout reading this I got a history lesson but it definitely was not school:) The persecution of the Anabaptists is shown clearly and their travels from Switzerland to America is nicely depicted.
Ada is a character from the previous book who is introduced somewhat. I don't want to spoil anything for those who have not read the first book, but Ada finds out that she is sister to Lexie, an "Englischer". Ada has been sick for much of her life and is just now being able to get up and around. When the story opens, Ada receives an invitation in the mail to attend Lexie's upcoming wedding. She does not believe she will be able to go until her mother makes an odd decision allowing her the privilege of attending. This starts a whole new look on life from Ada and the thought that she has not ever had her time of rumpsringa, seeing the world and being allowed her freedom to decide if she wants to join the Church. There is so much in this decision and she is allowed to take a trip to Switzerland to meet her"aunt" who is in reality her birth mother, who gave her up for adoption.
I do not want to give anything away so I am going to be careful about what I say. Ada has loved Will Gundy all her life but when she was ill she thought that nothing would ever come to pass between them. Then after she is better, she finds out that Leah Fisher is wanting Will to court her and it seems like Will wants that as well. Leah is taking care of his children, helping out around the house, etc. So Ada goes on the trip to Switzerland, even though that means that Leah will be there for Will. She happens to meet a Mennonite man named Daniel who she becomes friends with and he starts liking her. Again, I am not going to tell you how it ends as that would give things away:) You will just have to get a copy of the book yourself.
Overall I loved this book. The relationships between Ada and Christy and Morgan just really touched me. Morgan is sweet and yearning for something, as is Ada in a way. But she finds her path and I loved the ending of the book. Can't wait to find out who the next book is about! There is a next book, right?
According to FTC Disclosure, I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.
I have been a big fan of Mindy's previous works. I have read almost all of her books and really enjoyed them. I had never heard of Leslie Gould before reading The Amish Midwife, but after reading that one I knew I would enjoy anything else she wrote. And I was sooo right! This book is written by both Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould. It is the second book in the Women of Lancaster County Series. It follows the story of Lexie's sister, Ada, and her search for meaning in life.
One of the main reasons I love this series is all the history in it. The authors put a lot of work and research into the Amish and Mennonite history and it shows! Throughout reading this I got a history lesson but it definitely was not school:) The persecution of the Anabaptists is shown clearly and their travels from Switzerland to America is nicely depicted.
Ada is a character from the previous book who is introduced somewhat. I don't want to spoil anything for those who have not read the first book, but Ada finds out that she is sister to Lexie, an "Englischer". Ada has been sick for much of her life and is just now being able to get up and around. When the story opens, Ada receives an invitation in the mail to attend Lexie's upcoming wedding. She does not believe she will be able to go until her mother makes an odd decision allowing her the privilege of attending. This starts a whole new look on life from Ada and the thought that she has not ever had her time of rumpsringa, seeing the world and being allowed her freedom to decide if she wants to join the Church. There is so much in this decision and she is allowed to take a trip to Switzerland to meet her"aunt" who is in reality her birth mother, who gave her up for adoption.
I do not want to give anything away so I am going to be careful about what I say. Ada has loved Will Gundy all her life but when she was ill she thought that nothing would ever come to pass between them. Then after she is better, she finds out that Leah Fisher is wanting Will to court her and it seems like Will wants that as well. Leah is taking care of his children, helping out around the house, etc. So Ada goes on the trip to Switzerland, even though that means that Leah will be there for Will. She happens to meet a Mennonite man named Daniel who she becomes friends with and he starts liking her. Again, I am not going to tell you how it ends as that would give things away:) You will just have to get a copy of the book yourself.
Overall I loved this book. The relationships between Ada and Christy and Morgan just really touched me. Morgan is sweet and yearning for something, as is Ada in a way. But she finds her path and I loved the ending of the book. Can't wait to find out who the next book is about! There is a next book, right?
According to FTC Disclosure, I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.
I did not think that the title "Nanny" was misleading. Ada, who had regained her health, wanted to become a teacher. She thinks she has the job when Leah gets hired instead. Then Ada was asked to take this trip to Switzerland. In Ada's own words, "I was traveling to Switzerland as the nanny of a child who didn't even like me, looking to straighten out a property matter that was more than a hundred and thirty years old, and hoping to see a birth mother who didn't want to meet me." Ada was tutor and nanny to Christi for over half of the book. [Christi's grandmother was also traveling with them.] Christi was not the least interested in learning history, much less, her own history and yet, the history of the Amish that fled from Switzerland to settle in Indiana is most interesting as it was unfolded.
Mary N. (maggysue) reviewed The Amish Nanny (Women of Lancaster County, Bk 2) on + 811 more book reviews
I missed this series years ago. I loved this book! Ada, the main character, seemed so real and human. Although many subplots were going on the story, Ada and several family members went to Switzerland to take care of some legal matters over a piece of land. I found it all very interesting. I was fascinated by their method of travel to Europe - by way of Container Ship, since her elderly aunt refused to fly! Highly recommended!
Pat W. (3ladybug) reviewed The Amish Nanny (Women of Lancaster County, Bk 2) on + 531 more book reviews
An enjoyable read, not the usual theme of Amish life. This book takes the reader to Switzerland on an hunting adventure for evidence. Daniel, a Mennonite scholar, urges Ada to help in the search of written letters for evidence relating to the location of the waterfall location.. Ada and her aunt travel to Switzerland in search of this evidence knowing two families, the Sommer's and the Kessler's, have a rift regarding the past history of the waterfall location. Ada, along with some others, search to find written documents that will save the waterfall from being destroyed, and for a housing development to be built on the site. A great read.
