Accidentally Amish
by Olivia Newport
Escape the helter-skelter of the modern culture and join software creator Annie Friesen, hiding at the home of an Amishman. With her high-tech career in jeopardy, Annie runs from fast-paced Colorado Springs—and straight into the hospitality of San Luis Valley’s Amish community. There she meets cabinetmaker Rufus Beiler, and the more time she spends with him, the more attracted she becomes. When Annie finds she shares a common ancestor with Rufus, she feels both cultures colliding within her. But is her love for Rufus strong enough for her to give up the only life she’s ever known?
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My Take:
Since I have read several Amish books this year, I thought it would be interesting to read one that was set more from the 'English' side of things. The main story about Annie is an interesting look at the differences between the lifestyles and beliefs of someone who is 'English' and someone who is Amish.
There is also a historical story that is told in this book that takes place in the 1700s during the arrival of the first Amish people to Pennsylvania. Even though this story was more depressing than the modern story, I actually thought the historical angle was much more interesting. I almost would have rather read just that story rather than the modern-day story of Annie and Rufus. It was very interesting to learn how and why the Amish came to America and to read about the various struggles they faced.
As for the story between Annie and Rufus, it was nice, but I wasn’t really captivated by it. For one thing, it was hard for me to take the main male romantic character seriously when his name is Rufus. I realize that this might be a very common Amish name, but it just made me think of a name you would give your pet rather than your baby - not to mention a name that you would speak fondly of or romantically to your husband or boyfriend. I don’t normally get hung up by the names of characters in books, but this one just bothered me.
As I said, I enjoyed the historical part of this book more than the modern one. It was just more exciting and felt more realistic than Rufus and Annie’s story. I didn’t really know what to make of Annie throughout the book. She seemed to make decisions very suddenly, and her spiritual background was not very clear.
I will say that the concept of the modern story was interesting. Would someone give up their modern lifestyle to become Amish – even for a little while? And why would they do that? I often struggle with some Amish books because the perspective seems to be that if you are not Amish, then you aren’t a Christian – you don’t have true salvation. So, what would compel someone to convert to being Amish? Would this be a decision based on spiritual issues, or would it be for some other reason?
Even though I was not as captivated by this story as I had hoped, it did make me think and would lead to good discussions at a book club or some other such setting.
I will give Accidentally Amish … 3 BookWorms.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Find out more information about this title here.
My Take:
Since I have read several Amish books this year, I thought it would be interesting to read one that was set more from the 'English' side of things. The main story about Annie is an interesting look at the differences between the lifestyles and beliefs of someone who is 'English' and someone who is Amish.
There is also a historical story that is told in this book that takes place in the 1700s during the arrival of the first Amish people to Pennsylvania. Even though this story was more depressing than the modern story, I actually thought the historical angle was much more interesting. I almost would have rather read just that story rather than the modern-day story of Annie and Rufus. It was very interesting to learn how and why the Amish came to America and to read about the various struggles they faced.
As for the story between Annie and Rufus, it was nice, but I wasn’t really captivated by it. For one thing, it was hard for me to take the main male romantic character seriously when his name is Rufus. I realize that this might be a very common Amish name, but it just made me think of a name you would give your pet rather than your baby - not to mention a name that you would speak fondly of or romantically to your husband or boyfriend. I don’t normally get hung up by the names of characters in books, but this one just bothered me.
As I said, I enjoyed the historical part of this book more than the modern one. It was just more exciting and felt more realistic than Rufus and Annie’s story. I didn’t really know what to make of Annie throughout the book. She seemed to make decisions very suddenly, and her spiritual background was not very clear.
I will say that the concept of the modern story was interesting. Would someone give up their modern lifestyle to become Amish – even for a little while? And why would they do that? I often struggle with some Amish books because the perspective seems to be that if you are not Amish, then you aren’t a Christian – you don’t have true salvation. So, what would compel someone to convert to being Amish? Would this be a decision based on spiritual issues, or would it be for some other reason?
Even though I was not as captivated by this story as I had hoped, it did make me think and would lead to good discussions at a book club or some other such setting.
I will give Accidentally Amish … 3 BookWorms.
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