After twenty-three years of overprotective parents, critical health problems, and a secluded Amish upbringing, Betsy Detweiler has decided to step out of her comfort zone and truly live. She has created a âLife Listâ, all the things she has missed out on doing growing up. Many of these might seem odd to someone who has had a normal childhood: learning to play golf, riding a bike, learning to swim, but to Betsy they are new experiences. She heads to Pinecraft, Florida to fulfill her ambitions. Her indomitable spirit did more than just complete her list! She became an inspiration to those whose lives she touched.
I loved being a part of her vacation and journey of self-discovery! Betsy's courage and determination was a surprise to me. She clearly saw her weaknesses and faced them head on. She still harbored doubts and fears to the point of considering giving up, but she didn't!
Each of the other characters were facing fears they had not overcome in their lives. August Troyer, her golf instructor, had struggled with his parent's pressure to follow in their footsteps as a missionary. He love his parents but this was not the direction he felt led. Could he honor his parents and not give into their wishes?
Anna and Danielle, Betsy's swim instructors held back creating new lives because of painful failed marriages. They were afraid to move ahead and even have healthy relationships with each other and their families. Could they overcome their pasts?
As with any positive effort to change, many more doors of opportunity open; ones that would have otherwise remained shut. Betsy never dreamed of all the beautiful things that would happen by simply following her simple dreams.
I can't wait for the third book in this series!
I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.
I loved being a part of her vacation and journey of self-discovery! Betsy's courage and determination was a surprise to me. She clearly saw her weaknesses and faced them head on. She still harbored doubts and fears to the point of considering giving up, but she didn't!
Each of the other characters were facing fears they had not overcome in their lives. August Troyer, her golf instructor, had struggled with his parent's pressure to follow in their footsteps as a missionary. He love his parents but this was not the direction he felt led. Could he honor his parents and not give into their wishes?
Anna and Danielle, Betsy's swim instructors held back creating new lives because of painful failed marriages. They were afraid to move ahead and even have healthy relationships with each other and their families. Could they overcome their pasts?
As with any positive effort to change, many more doors of opportunity open; ones that would have otherwise remained shut. Betsy never dreamed of all the beautiful things that would happen by simply following her simple dreams.
I can't wait for the third book in this series!
I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.
Her Only Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray takes us back to Pinecraft, Florida. Betsy Detweiler is returning with a list that she wishes to complete during her monthlong visit. She calls it a life list. Health issues as a child have prevented Betsy from doing normal child and teen activities. Asthma does prevent you from doing normal physical activities, especially if you live in colder climates (I know from experience). I thought Betsy was brave to try new activities. It is not something that comes easy to people who are shy or who have been ill. I enjoyed getting to know Betsy. She meets some good people who help her complete her list. Betsy encounters August Troyer at the Snow Bird Golf Course which is an Amish owned golf course. August is smitten with Betsy from the very beginning. August is lucky to have such a loving and caring aunt and uncle. August's parents are dedicated to their mission work but for the wrong reasons. They acted like children at times instead of adults. Betsy makes a difference in the lives of those she meets. An example is Annie and Danielle who help Betsy learn to swim. It gets you to think about your own life list. We also get to see that while you may want to learn an activity, you may not be good at that activity. It is amazing to see what determination and hard work can do. I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Pinecraft and nearby beaches (Siesta Key is my favorite beach). I am looking forward to Lilly Kurtz's story in the next A Season in Pinecraft novel. Her Only Wish is the second book in A Season in Pinecraft series. While Her Only Wish can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading Her Heart's Desire. I like that we get to catch up with Mary Margaret and Jayson from Her Heart's Desire. Her Only Wish is an uplifting Amish tale with a thoughtful friend, golf lessons, beautiful beaches, protective parents, swimming sisters, and a life list.
