Molly (Buuklvr81) -
After reading A Letter From Lancaster County and loving it, I knew I had to get my hands on this book. I was so excited when I got that chance! Don't get me wrong, when it comes to Amish Fiction, I'm very picky. With favorites like Wanda Brunstetter, Beverly Lewis and Amy Clipston, I have high expectations when it comes to well written, inspiring simple lives of the Amish variety. Ms. Lloyd is right up there with them and I loved every second of this page-turning, scrumptiously written, novel.
The characters within this novel are chiseled flawfully and beautifully. Jake and Eva remind me a lot of my own husband and myself. We both had a rough go for many years, and after meeting each other, and seeking God, we got to start over with each other, start from scratch and create a beautiful life together. Eva and Jake are captivating both alone in their stories, and when they are together. Watching them come to terms with their need to seek God in all they do, and for their need to start over and move on from the past, really tugged at my emotions.
Ms. Lloyd is truly talented. This novel is so worthy of the 5 star praises I'm singing to people. This book will wrap you up, twist you inside out, and land you in a place that only God can prepare for you. The inspiration that Ms. Lloyd pieces into the pages is beyond amazing and before I knew it, I was done with this novel. I can't wait for another fantabulously done, awesometastic Amish story in this incredible series! Well done, and hats off to you, Ms. Lloyd! Bring on the next!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
The characters within this novel are chiseled flawfully and beautifully. Jake and Eva remind me a lot of my own husband and myself. We both had a rough go for many years, and after meeting each other, and seeking God, we got to start over with each other, start from scratch and create a beautiful life together. Eva and Jake are captivating both alone in their stories, and when they are together. Watching them come to terms with their need to seek God in all they do, and for their need to start over and move on from the past, really tugged at my emotions.
Ms. Lloyd is truly talented. This novel is so worthy of the 5 star praises I'm singing to people. This book will wrap you up, twist you inside out, and land you in a place that only God can prepare for you. The inspiration that Ms. Lloyd pieces into the pages is beyond amazing and before I knew it, I was done with this novel. I can't wait for another fantabulously done, awesometastic Amish story in this incredible series! Well done, and hats off to you, Ms. Lloyd! Bring on the next!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Starting from Scratch is enjoyable from start to finish. Entertaining and rich in details, Kate Lloyd masterfully weaves the lives of her characters into a captivating story, rewarding the reader with a highly satisfying read that is difficult to put down. When I finished the book I found I wanted to read more of Kate's books, and God willing, I shall. Mrs. Lloyd truly has a God-given talent for writing, and I do hope to see many more books from her pen.
Starting from Scratch is told in first-person narrative, and the main character, 29-year-old, unmarried Eva Lapp, presents her day to day life in a way that authentically reflects her struggle
between staying with the Amish community, or cutting the ties and living in the verboten world of Englichers.
She is basically uprooted from her childhood home and relocated into a new job as the manager of a small cafe at a
plant nursery which is fairly close to her old home. I liked how she persevered, and how she handled
uncomfortable situations with insight and good-natured repartee.
A little bit of romance, not too much, and a lot of skillful relationship building.
Truly a good, clean Christian fiction book about the Amish, I recommend this to anyone who enjoys
Christian fiction.
Starting from Scratch (Lancaster Discoveries Book 2), reads very nicely as a stand alone
novel, too.
Romans 10:9-13; John 3:16-21
Starting from Scratch is told in first-person narrative, and the main character, 29-year-old, unmarried Eva Lapp, presents her day to day life in a way that authentically reflects her struggle
between staying with the Amish community, or cutting the ties and living in the verboten world of Englichers.
She is basically uprooted from her childhood home and relocated into a new job as the manager of a small cafe at a
plant nursery which is fairly close to her old home. I liked how she persevered, and how she handled
uncomfortable situations with insight and good-natured repartee.
A little bit of romance, not too much, and a lot of skillful relationship building.
Truly a good, clean Christian fiction book about the Amish, I recommend this to anyone who enjoys
Christian fiction.
Starting from Scratch (Lancaster Discoveries Book 2), reads very nicely as a stand alone
novel, too.
Romans 10:9-13; John 3:16-21
Kristina A. reviewed Starting from Scratch (Lancaster Discoveries, Bk 2) on + 1528 more book reviews
Starting from Scratch by Kate Lloyd is the second book in Lancaster Discoveries series. Eva Lapp has just been ousted from her family home by her sister-in-law, Marta. Eva's father has retired, and her parents are moving into the Dawdi house while Rueben and Marta along with their children are moving into the main house. Eva has accepted a job at Yoder's Nursery which comes with a cottage. She is surprised to discover that her new job is not in the nursery but as the manager of Yoder's Nursery Café. Eva wishes that she had paid more attention when her mother was cooking. At twenty-nine, Eva is unmarried and has yet to join the church. She longs to marry and have children, but she is still pining for Jake Miller who left the community many years ago under a dark cloud. Stephen Troyer is the manager of the nursery and Eva discovers that he is friends with Jake. With the Yoder family out of town, Beatrice Valenti, their Italian housekeeper, is at loose ends. She winds up at the café âassistingâ Eva with the cooking and providing some guidance along the way. Eva was hoping she would meet some eligible men at her new position and she is fortunate to have three men interested in her. But then Jake returns to town and all her old feelings for him resurface. For them to have a future together, several issues need to be resolved including the reason Jake left Lancaster County. Is there a chance at a happily ever after for Jake and Eva? Or will one of the other men capture her heart?
Starting from Scratch is well-written and has gentle pacing. It can be enjoyed without having read A Letter from Lancaster County (first book in Lancaster Discoveries series). I was not a fan of Eva. I found her to be contradictory. She is twenty-nine, but she acts like someone who is sixteen. I fond her immature in many respects. Eva takes a job and has no clue what she will be doing. She has never inspected the cottage where she will be living and is not prepared to move out on her own. Eva does not bring sheets, towels, or kitchenware with her. If Marta had not packed her clothing, I have a feeling she would have been without that as well. Eva left a job at a quilt shop that she loved to work at the nursery in the hopes that she will meet some eligible men. I wondered if no men lived in her town or went to her church. I did not feel that Eva is ready to be married. Eva is a woman who needs to be comfortable with herself (become independent) before she embarks on a relationship. Beatrice Valenti starts out gruff in the beginning and as a little pushy. I like how she softens over the course of the novel as her story is revealed. The Christian theme is prevalent throughout the book. Forgiveness, grace, acceptance of others, in God's timing, and following the path God has planned for you are some of the Christian elements. In Starting from Scratch there is a homeless man, a barn fire, a past mystery that needs to be resolved, and someone is breaking into the café. I liked the way the author tied the various events together in the story. I was, though, disappointed in the ending. I would have liked to see Eva make a different choice where she is truly starting from scratch. The story is told strictly from Eva's point-of-view (first person). It would have helped to know what some of the other characters were thinking and feeling. It would have added more depth. I am giving Starting from Scratch 3 out of 5 stars. Starting from Scratch felt like it was missing something (not sure what) and there were unresolved issues at the end of the book.
Starting from Scratch is well-written and has gentle pacing. It can be enjoyed without having read A Letter from Lancaster County (first book in Lancaster Discoveries series). I was not a fan of Eva. I found her to be contradictory. She is twenty-nine, but she acts like someone who is sixteen. I fond her immature in many respects. Eva takes a job and has no clue what she will be doing. She has never inspected the cottage where she will be living and is not prepared to move out on her own. Eva does not bring sheets, towels, or kitchenware with her. If Marta had not packed her clothing, I have a feeling she would have been without that as well. Eva left a job at a quilt shop that she loved to work at the nursery in the hopes that she will meet some eligible men. I wondered if no men lived in her town or went to her church. I did not feel that Eva is ready to be married. Eva is a woman who needs to be comfortable with herself (become independent) before she embarks on a relationship. Beatrice Valenti starts out gruff in the beginning and as a little pushy. I like how she softens over the course of the novel as her story is revealed. The Christian theme is prevalent throughout the book. Forgiveness, grace, acceptance of others, in God's timing, and following the path God has planned for you are some of the Christian elements. In Starting from Scratch there is a homeless man, a barn fire, a past mystery that needs to be resolved, and someone is breaking into the café. I liked the way the author tied the various events together in the story. I was, though, disappointed in the ending. I would have liked to see Eva make a different choice where she is truly starting from scratch. The story is told strictly from Eva's point-of-view (first person). It would have helped to know what some of the other characters were thinking and feeling. It would have added more depth. I am giving Starting from Scratch 3 out of 5 stars. Starting from Scratch felt like it was missing something (not sure what) and there were unresolved issues at the end of the book.
Jody M. (jodymcgrath) -
This was an interesting book. I liked learning more about the Amish and their relationships to people outside their faith and those not yet baptized into their faith.
I think the biggest problem I had with this book was the main character, Eva. She was 29 years old and considered a spinster, but once she was out in the world around men, every man around her decided that she was the one. Before that she was considered "on the shelf". Did she never see men at her church or in her community? Was she only attractive once she lived in a different community? And then of course the boy who broke her heart 10 years ago comes back to town. There are 4 contenders for Eva's heart. What should she do?
I am not going to spoil the ending, but I didn't like it. I can't say anymore or get on my soapbox. The whole love angles just ruined a good story for me. I wish it wasn't a romance, lol! Probably not the correct answer.
*I requested a copy of this book from Netgalley and have voluntarily given an honest and unbiased review *
I think the biggest problem I had with this book was the main character, Eva. She was 29 years old and considered a spinster, but once she was out in the world around men, every man around her decided that she was the one. Before that she was considered "on the shelf". Did she never see men at her church or in her community? Was she only attractive once she lived in a different community? And then of course the boy who broke her heart 10 years ago comes back to town. There are 4 contenders for Eva's heart. What should she do?
I am not going to spoil the ending, but I didn't like it. I can't say anymore or get on my soapbox. The whole love angles just ruined a good story for me. I wish it wasn't a romance, lol! Probably not the correct answer.
*I requested a copy of this book from Netgalley and have voluntarily given an honest and unbiased review *
