Kristina Anderson
Pine Creek Courtship by Amity Hope is the first book in the Pine Creek Series. I enjoyed reading this sweet Amish novel. It was a nice change of pace from the other books that I have been reading and real life. I thought Pine Creek Courtship was well-written with good characters and steady pacing. I like Emma Ziegler who has been through so much. She is working hard to maintain the family farm while caring for her younger siblings. They also have the maple trees to care for as well (they tap the trees for the sap that they turn into maple syrup). Emma can be stubborn though (she has her pride as well). Levi Bontrager is a good man with a caring heart. He loves Emma and wants to help her and keep her safe. I like all the characters in the story especially Emma’s brother, Ezekiel. Sadie, Emma’s sister, had a fondness for animals. She has unique chickens (it was interesting learning about them) and raises goats (makes yummy cheese). I love the drama in the story. It gives the book additional depth and interest. I like how the romance played out between Levi and Emma. There are good values in the story. I like how the Amish in this story care for their families and help others in the community. I am looking forward to the next book in the Pine Creek series. Pine Creek Courtship is a charming Amish tale with strong characters, a pastoral setting, delightful drama, a caring cousin, a rewarding romance, and sweet siblings.
Eileen Aberman-Wells
Emma and Levi’s story in Pine Creek Courtship is an emotional, tug at your heart strings, sweet Amish romance by Amity Hope. In this sweet, heartwarming story Emma Ziegler has just loss her beloved father and wants nothing more than to keep running her family’s maple syrup farm and raise her two younger siblings. Her meddling aunt’s decides Emma needs to marry but her choice for a husband is Emma’s last choice; Pine Creek’s most notorious bachelor, abusive, and nasty. Emma begins to grow desperate, especially since her aunt won’t listen to her and no matter how hard she tries to tell her aunt that the man does not embrace Amish values of faith, way of life, or hard work. Fortunately for Emma, her friend Levi Bontrager overhears and comes to her rescue. Kind and hard working Levi has always wanted to protect his best friend Emma, despite a secret from their younger days caused them to grow apart. Overhearing Emma’s aunt, Levi steps in to claim that Emma cannot wed anyone else as she is currently courting him. Despite feeling guilty for the small lie, Levi hopes that he can not only win back Emma’s trust as well as her heart. As the courting commences, Levi is not only helping Emma but is also mentoring her younger brother who is badly in need of a male influence and guiding hand. After helping to raise her younger siblings and take care of their house and their ill father, Emma needs to learn to be less independent and stubborn, willing to accept help from others; others who love and care for her. As love grows between Levi and Emma, turning their little lie into a true romance, they must overcome a few obstacles trying their patience and challenging their feelings, but maybe, just maybe, this romance can save both of their futures. Ms. Hope wrote a wonderfully sweet and moving story that is not to be missed. I struggled to put this story down, staying up late to finish. This story contains strong magnetism, attraction, the magic of love, and charming characters giving Emma and Levi a chance at love, happiness, and a future together. I highly recommend Pine Creek Courtship to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.