The Rebel

This review was written by Marie for a guest review post on Ever After Book Reviews blog: 5 Stars Marta Perry is brilliant. In this trilogy, she has taken three Amish cousins and told their stories; but with a twist. Each cousin has an ancestor from the past woven in to their story. In this book, Barbie is our protagonist, and her complimenting ancestor? Her grandmother. From the beginning of the book, you knew that Barbie’s story was going to be special. It just had an air of importance – like it was the climax of the three stories. It was deeply rooted in the Amish way of life, and gave insight into the difficult decisions that people raised in the Amish community are faced with every single day. It’s a story about discovering oneself through an internal journey of what they’ve been told is right and what they believe is the best choice for themselves. It depicts two separate journeys in two completely different times that mirror one another brilliantly and ultimately lead to love – both romantic and of the self. This story is beautifully written and completes the tale of this charming Amish family. I am so blessed to have been on the journey with them, and while I’m sad that it’s over, I carry with it a sense of closure and contentment to have been able to experience these wonderful stories right along with them. ***I read and reviewed a paperback copy of the book gifted to the blog in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***

The Rebel by Marta Perry is the third book in Keepers of the Promise series. Barbie Lapp is twenty-four years old. She is still unmarried and has not yet been baptized into the Amish faith. Barbie has been feeling restless with her life and would like to experience a little adventure. A co-worker takes her to a bar where she encounters sixteen-year-old, Mary Kauffman. Mary is quite drunk and about to be taken advantage of when Barbie rescues her. Barbie is in Englisch clothes, but she has to take Mary home. Unfortunately for Barbie, Mary lives with the minister, Benuel Kauffman (older brother). Mary has been a little out of control since the passing of her mother. Her father and brother are having trouble understanding and helping her. Barbie seems to understand Mary, and the two of them start spending time together (though Benuel has his reservations). Barbie needs to decide where she wants to spend her life. Does she wish to be baptized and stay Amish? Or does Barbie wish to join her brother, James, in the Englisch world? Barbie finds help in a dower chest given to Barbie by her grandmother. It takes her back to 1960 with Elizabeth Lapp. A woman who also had to make a decision. What path will Barbie pick? Will Benuel Kauffman influence Barbie’s decision? The Rebel is a good story with a great ending (to the book and series). You do not have to read the other books in the series in order to enjoy The Rebel (it would be helpful and you will want to read them). I give The Rebel 4 out of 5 stars. I liked the characters in the book and the beautiful setting. I liked how Barbie was guided in her decision. The Rebel shows how the past can help people in the present. The novel is predictable (you know how it will end), but it did not stop my enjoyment of the novel. The book has a good moral or life lesson. The Rebel is a sweet, heartwarming novel that can be enjoyed by readers from 14 to 94 (or, hopefully, much older). I will be reading more books by Marta Perry in the future. I received a complimentary copy of The Rebel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.