Shana R. (LynniePennie) reviewed An Amish Wedding: A Perfect Secret / A Perfect Match / A Perfect Plan on + 169 more book reviews
Usually, I am a big fan of Amish fiction and especially, of author Kathleen Fuller's Amish stories. I was eager to read "Amish Wedding" when I received it.
Amish Wedding is a collection of 3 stories, basically comprised of 3 different view points of a single event, the approaching wedding of Priscilla and Chester.
Story one "The Perfect Secret" was my least favorite of the three. The plot was a bit farfetched to me. The characters didn't behave in what many would think of as Amish manner on several occasions. Usually, I hate typically stereotypical Amish characters, but, this story had too many subplots. The story itself was written like the characters were a little bit here, a little bit there and then the author rushed to close the ending without tying up many of the very loose ends. Honestly, it was a bit tedious for me to get through.
Story two "A Perfect Match" was much better, the author stayed on track and the story didn't have lots of subplots within the plot. This story was about Naomi the "matchmaker" who seems only to find love for others and not herself. This story was written by Kathleen Fuller in my opinion one of the best Amish fiction writers on the market. I usually love all her stories.
Story three "A Perfect Plan" was also a good story. The characters behave just the way you'd expect the Amish to behave, though not too goodie two-shoes like. The varying elements of the story go well with each other and actually make sense, unlike the first story.
Despite not particularly liking the first story of the book, the rest was pretty good. Overall a good read, if you are a fan of Amish fiction. Though, probably not the best Amish fiction book I've read.
Amish Wedding is a collection of 3 stories, basically comprised of 3 different view points of a single event, the approaching wedding of Priscilla and Chester.
Story one "The Perfect Secret" was my least favorite of the three. The plot was a bit farfetched to me. The characters didn't behave in what many would think of as Amish manner on several occasions. Usually, I hate typically stereotypical Amish characters, but, this story had too many subplots. The story itself was written like the characters were a little bit here, a little bit there and then the author rushed to close the ending without tying up many of the very loose ends. Honestly, it was a bit tedious for me to get through.
Story two "A Perfect Match" was much better, the author stayed on track and the story didn't have lots of subplots within the plot. This story was about Naomi the "matchmaker" who seems only to find love for others and not herself. This story was written by Kathleen Fuller in my opinion one of the best Amish fiction writers on the market. I usually love all her stories.
Story three "A Perfect Plan" was also a good story. The characters behave just the way you'd expect the Amish to behave, though not too goodie two-shoes like. The varying elements of the story go well with each other and actually make sense, unlike the first story.
Despite not particularly liking the first story of the book, the rest was pretty good. Overall a good read, if you are a fan of Amish fiction. Though, probably not the best Amish fiction book I've read.
Kate M. (gwenelle) reviewed An Amish Wedding: A Perfect Secret / A Perfect Match / A Perfect Plan on + 2 more book reviews
I really enjoyed "An Amish Wedding". I like how three different authors can each write a distinct story, yet use the same characters and setting, and combine them into a single, seamless work. However, I was a bit frustrated with the order of the stories; on the back cover lists the novellas one way, but in the actual book, the order is reversed!
My favorite novella was the story of Rose and Luke. The plot was a bit edgier than anything I've encountered before in Amish fiction, the hero is mysterious and exciting, and the heroine is a bit outspoken and completely lovable. Also, Long doesn't skirt around the idea of physical desire and romantic passion like most Amish fiction does. It's still very clean, of course, but acknowledging the issue makes the characters more real.
Naomi's story has a few unique twists too. Unlike most Amish women, she lives alone, still single at the age of 25. Zeke is also older than most single Amish men. Their story is so sweet!
The last novella about Priscilla and Chester's wedding is more predicable and less plausible than the other two. Their problems were far-fetched, appearing suddenly one on top of another, and then everything was resolved too quickly. But it does have a great message about trusting God and learning to follow His perfect plan for each of our lives.
As for the rating, I just couldn't quite give it five stars because I think The Perfect Secret would be better as a complete, separate novel, and A Perfect Plan didn't live up to my expectations of Beth Wiseman.
My favorite novella was the story of Rose and Luke. The plot was a bit edgier than anything I've encountered before in Amish fiction, the hero is mysterious and exciting, and the heroine is a bit outspoken and completely lovable. Also, Long doesn't skirt around the idea of physical desire and romantic passion like most Amish fiction does. It's still very clean, of course, but acknowledging the issue makes the characters more real.
Naomi's story has a few unique twists too. Unlike most Amish women, she lives alone, still single at the age of 25. Zeke is also older than most single Amish men. Their story is so sweet!
The last novella about Priscilla and Chester's wedding is more predicable and less plausible than the other two. Their problems were far-fetched, appearing suddenly one on top of another, and then everything was resolved too quickly. But it does have a great message about trusting God and learning to follow His perfect plan for each of our lives.
As for the rating, I just couldn't quite give it five stars because I think The Perfect Secret would be better as a complete, separate novel, and A Perfect Plan didn't live up to my expectations of Beth Wiseman.
