The Orchard
Sept 2022 · Baker Books
3.0star
1 reviewreport
eBook
352
Pages
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About this eBook
"She realized there was peace right here in the midst of this heavenly sort of place, despite the unpredictable storm churning around her family."
For generations, Ellie Hostetler's family has tended their Lancaster County orchard, a tradition her twin brother, Evan, will someday continue. Yet when Evan's draft number is called up in the lottery for the Vietnam War, the family is shocked to learn he has not sought conscientious objector status, despite their Old Order Amish belief in non-resistance. The faraway war that has caused so much turmoil and grief among their Englisher neighbors threatens too close to home.
As Evan departs for boot camp, Ellie confides her disappointment to Sol Bontrager, the brother of her best friend and cousin to her new beau, Menno. In contrast to Evan, Sol is a conscientious objector. Despite Ellie's attraction to Menno, she finds herself drawn to Sol's steady presence as they work together in the orchard. Suddenly, it feels as if everything in Ellie's world is shifting, and the plans she held so dear seem increasingly uncertain. Can she and her family find the courage to face a future unlike any they could have imagined?
"This [book] serves as a reminder of why Lewis continues to top bestseller lists."--Publishers Weekly
"The Orchard is a peaceful, heartwarming romance novel set amid the quiet solitude of an Amish family's orchard during the Vietnam War."--Foreword Reviews starred review
For generations, Ellie Hostetler's family has tended their Lancaster County orchard, a tradition her twin brother, Evan, will someday continue. Yet when Evan's draft number is called up in the lottery for the Vietnam War, the family is shocked to learn he has not sought conscientious objector status, despite their Old Order Amish belief in non-resistance. The faraway war that has caused so much turmoil and grief among their Englisher neighbors threatens too close to home.
As Evan departs for boot camp, Ellie confides her disappointment to Sol Bontrager, the brother of her best friend and cousin to her new beau, Menno. In contrast to Evan, Sol is a conscientious objector. Despite Ellie's attraction to Menno, she finds herself drawn to Sol's steady presence as they work together in the orchard. Suddenly, it feels as if everything in Ellie's world is shifting, and the plans she held so dear seem increasingly uncertain. Can she and her family find the courage to face a future unlike any they could have imagined?
"This [book] serves as a reminder of why Lewis continues to top bestseller lists."--Publishers Weekly
"The Orchard is a peaceful, heartwarming romance novel set amid the quiet solitude of an Amish family's orchard during the Vietnam War."--Foreword Reviews starred review
Ratings and reviews
3.0
1 review
Sonja Nishimoto
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29 January 2023
This book takes us back to the Vietnam time period. I enjoyed the book, but have to admit that it took a while for the book to grab my attention. It seemed a bit slow starting for me. It wasn't my favorite Beverly Lewis book. But once I got into the book, it moved a bit faster and became more interesting to me. The book deals with the struggles of the conscientious objectors to the war and those left behind them and dealing with the thoughts of not seeing their family members again.
About the author
Beverly Lewis penned her first story at age nine while living near Lancaster County Amish farmland, where she grew up. She welcomes her many reader-friends each day on Facebook and personally replies to fan mail. Lewis lives with her husband in Colorado near their family. Visit her website at beverlylewis.com.
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