Title: An Amish Surprise by Shelley Shepard Gray
Berlin Bookmobile Series Book Two
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
In the second installment of the “enjoyable and charming” (USA TODAY) Shelley Shepard Gray’s delightful Berlin Bookmobile series, librarian Sarah Anne Miller returns to Berlin to help a childless Amish couple form the family they’ve always prayed for.
Miriam and Calvin Gingerich have been trying for a baby for several years, but the Lord hasn’t seen fit to bless them. Though Calvin claims he’s content with their childless state, Miriam knows he’s not, and when he starts spending more time off their farm, she worries he’s found someone else. But just as she finds herself at her lowest point, she discovers the ultimate surprise. Unable to confide in anyone who might tell Calvin—out of fear she’ll disappoint him with another miscarriage—Miriam turns to bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller—and any books she may have on pregnancy and childbirth.
Calvin has been keeping a secret from his wife, but it’s not another woman. It’s a little boy. One afternoon when visiting Sarah Anne’s bookmobile, he meets Miles, a ten-year-old living with a foster family down the road. But after spending more time with the boy, Calvin learns that his foster family has no plans to adopt him. Calvin feels a connection with Miles and yearns to give the boy a home, but he’s afraid to tell Miriam, knowing she’s devastated they can’t have children of their own.
As weeks pass and Sarah Anne learns that Miles has nearly given up hope of ever finding a real home, she knows it’s time to intervene. It’s going to take some fancy footwork and a whole lot of prayer, but she knows she can help make this struggling couple into a happy family of four.
Review:
An Amish Surprise by Shelley Shepard Gray is a heartwarming Amish romance. This latest release in the Berlin Bookmobile series can be read as a standalone. But I highly recommend the entire series.
Miriam and Calvin Gingerich are happily married but they long for children. Miriam experiences varied emotions over her infertility. She feels guilty and saddened for their pregnancy losses and her inability to conceive. But it is not until Calvin begins spending time away from home that she notices they are not as close as they used to be. Miriam’s identity has become entangled with motherhood and she wonders if Calvin’s love for her is diminishing. She realizes he is being a bit evasive about his whereabouts and Miriam cannot help but become concerned for their marriage.
Calvin loves to read and he enjoys browsing through the selections on the bookmobile when it is in town. But during his latest visit, bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller is a little overwhelmed by Ruth Schmidt’s rowdy triplets. Ruth is also accompanied by her three foster children. Calvin assists Sarah Anne by reading the children’s story and he finds himself to drawn to one of Ruth’s foster children, ten-year-old Miles. Calvin is open to adoption but Miriam becomes very upset when he brings up the topic. Calvin spends more and more time with Miles on his own, but he is not certain how his wife will react to meeting him.
Sarah Anne is in her early sixties and the bookmobile is her second career. She is a widow who was not blessed with children. She loves interacting with everyone who visit the bookmobile. Sarah Anne is very observant and she finagled the meeting between Calvin and Miles. She is tentatively involved with Pete Cannon but Sarah Anne is uncertain about the future of their fledgling relationship.
An Amish Surprise is a charming romance with endearing characters and interesting story arcs. Miriam and Calvin are a wonderful couple who are struggling with their childlessness. Will Calvin convince Miriam to meet Miles and consider adding him to their family? What impact will Miriam’s surprise news have on Calvin’s suggestion about Miles? What will happen with Sarah Anne and Pete’s budding romance? Shelley Shepard Gray will delight readers with the answers to these pressing questions. Old and new fans are going to love this marvelous addition to the Berlin Bookmobile series.
