Until I Love Again

Until I Love Again by Jerry S. Eicher is second book in The St. Lawrence County Amish series. Susanna Miller is the final days of her rumspringa. She is friends with Englischer, Joey Macalister. On Susanna’s birthday, Joey has a birthday greeting put up on the sign at the seed and feed store. Susanna’s father, Ralph is not pleased. Ralph has given Susanna a lot of leeway during her rumspringa (which Susanna managed to extend quite far without his knowledge), but that is now at an end. Susanna’s parents insist that she start taking Baptismal classes and start keeping her close to home. They are even talking with Widower Ernest Helmuth wishes to marry Susanna (he is very determined). He knows the secret that Ralph Miller has kept from his daughter. Susanna is taking the classes, but she is not sure she wishes to stay Amish. Susanna needs to decide which life is really for her: Amish or English. Will Ralph’s secret help Susanna with her decision and how will affect Susanna (and her family)? I found Until I Love Again to be a little unrealistic. No one (not even in the Amish) can be forced to marry in this day and age. I did not understand why any father would want their daughter to marry Ernest Helmuth (he was obsessed and not in a good way). I had trouble enjoying this book, because it felt unreal. If it was set in the 1800s I could understand (a wee bit), but not in 2016 in the United States. While Until I Love Again is the second book in the series, it can be read alone. The book is heavy on the religious aspect which I found unappealing. It needed a lighter touch. The writing is nice and the book is easy to read (flows well). It is just not my favorite book by this author. I give Until I Love Again 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay). I received a complimentary copy of Until I Love Again in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

"Rumspringa," the time during their teens when Amish children are allowed to experience the "Englisha" world. Susanna enjoyed hers until she was suddenly told it had to end! She was told to grow up overnight because of her actions, past secrets and sins... There is a good story here that gets lost in repetitive sayings and drawn out phrases. A shorter novel would have accomplished the story with a better read. Book free for honest review from publisher and Netgalley.

If you enjoy Amish novels, this one will not disappoint. Jerry Eicher does a great job developing her characters and keeping them real. You really are not sure at times how you want this one to go, nor are you sure which direction it will take. Susanna is a determined, loving, caring woman who loves her family but is not sure what she really wants. She has many choices to make throughout this novel which will not only affect her life but the lives of those she loves and those in her community. I was given an ARC copy of this novel from net galley for my honest opinion.