Renee C. (steelergirl83) reviewed on 8/29/2012 + 54 more book reviews

Sadie Lapp left home to be with her sister Julia and her brother-in-law but felt the pull to return home to her father and sister after only a few months. On her way home she finds something at the bus station that will change not only her life but her family's forever. Upon her arrival she learns that the rare birds her deceased brother loved so much have garnered attention from across the country so the Lapp farm is crawling with strangers trying to catch a glimpse of the falcons. Sadie's unsure of what to make of the handsome Englischer Will Stoltz, birdwatcher and caretaker or the sudden change in her old friend Gideon Smucker. As the summer goes on she struggles with family, community and friendship and must learn to come out of her shell or continue to be trampled on.

Okay so here it comes, I highly respect this author and love all her previous works but this book just wasn't for me. The story in and of itself wasn't bad but I did not like two of the three main characters and found myself almost wanting to skip over their parts of the story. Will Stoltz was lazy and whiny and Gideon Smucker was trying so hard to get Sadie's attention that it bordered on painful to read. Will did get a little better as the story went on but still not enough to impress me. I didn't really like or sympathize with either of these men. As a romance reader I feel you're supposed to like at least one of the heroines potential love interests.

I still loved Sadie's little sister, Mary Kate (aka M.K.) who was precocious as ever and her ornery Uncle Hank in this book. Hopefully The Lesson will bring these characters back, give us some answers about Sadie's love life and hopefully the men of that story I will like! As I said before I loved the first book in this series, The Keeper, and I loved Suzanne Woods Fisher's previous series, Lancaster County Secrets. The characters in those books were so full of soul and the emotion fairly oozed off the pages. I'm looking forward to seeing how this series ends and hopefully get some closure!

~ My Rating 2.5 out of 5 stars ~



*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details