Review: The Wish by Patricia Davids

Title: The Wish by Patricia Davids
The Amish of Cedar Grove Series Book One
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Second chances come at the most unexpected times…

Widow Laura Beth Yoder longs for a family of her own. So much so that she’s preparing to leave the sleepy Amish town she calls home to find love. But a terrible storm washes out the creek, forcing her to wade in and save the life of an Englisch man and his adorable infant son. As they recover at the farm, the baby brings sunshine and joy, while the handsome outsider is filled with shadows…and secrets.

Joshua King owes his life and his son’s to Laura Beth. Still, lingering at her farm is out of the question. He must fulfill a promise he made to his estranged wife on her deathbed: to deliver their son to his Amish in-laws. With his dark past, Joshua has no other choice. But his plans never took this sweet and surprising Amish widow into account. She just might be his second chance at happiness…and love.

Review:

The first installment in The Amish of Cedar Grove series, The Wish by Patricia Davids is a heartwarming novel of redemption, healing and love.

Widow Laura Beth Yoder loved her husband, but she is ready to remarry and hopefully have the family she has long dreamed of.  However, there is a serious lack of eligible men to marry in her small community in Kansas so she is making plans to move to Ohio. Laura Beth is hoping that expanding her pumpkin crop will provide her the funds she needs to make repairs to her farm so she can put it up for sale.  Her younger sister Sarah and her close friend Abigail Troyer are trying to convince her to stay in Kansas, but Laura Beth remains steadfast in her decision. Will the unexpected arrival of Englischer Joshua King and his four month old son, Caleb, lead her to rethink her plans?

Laura Beth is a resourceful woman with a strong faith. She desperately misses her husband, but she also dreams of having a family.  Laura Beth is certain she is making the right choice to move and she will do whatever she needs to do to make this happen. But when she rescues Joshua and Caleb during a storm, she is drawn to the clearly troubled man and she is captivated by his son.  Will learning about Joshua’s past change how she is beginning to feel about him?

Joshua is a man on a mission when he crosses paths with Laura Beth. He does not deviate from his plans but he does begin to wonder if he is making the right choice. Having never dealt with his dysfunctional childhood, Joshua continues to believe he is not deserving of love. He is also unable to forgive the person who so deeply wronged him. Will Laura Beth’s gentle encouragement change his mind about his plans for the future? Will Joshua go against a loved one’s wishes?

The Wish is an enthralling novel with a realistic plot and endearing characters. Laura Beth has a big heart but she is occasionally a bit misguided when it comes the people she cares about. Joshua’s back story is heart wrenching but watching him discover his worth is very uplifting. The romance between Joshua and Laura Beth is very understated and grows naturally out their friendship.  But with one huge obstacle standing in their way, is there any chance for a future together?

This first release in Patricia Davids’ The Amish of Cedar Grove series is an engaging story with an idyllic setting, appealing characters and an enjoyable storyline.  I absolutely loved and highly recommend this inspiring novel to fans of the genre.