Just Plain Sadie (Wells Landing #4) by Amy Lillard

The Amish of Wells Landing, Oklahoma, treasure their close-knit community, and the promise of their growing families. But one young woman is struggling to choose a future that is true to both her heart and her faith…

Everyone in Wells Landing has long expected Sadie Kauffman and Chris Flaud to marry--despite Sadie's telling them differently. While she loves Chris, it is more as a friend than a husband. Yet at twenty-two, the plainest girl in her group, Sadie is also the only one who is still single. Perhaps it's time to be practical and marry Chris--though he still has not asked. But when Sadie meets a kind, handsome Mennonite, it seems her prayers have been answered…

With Ezra Hein, Sadie at last feels the joy she nearly gave up on. Unfortunately, others only feel shock that she would consider marrying an outsider. To complicate matters, Chris has finally begun talking to Sadie about their future. Distressed, Sadie will have to search her heart to recognize God's marvelous gifts to her--and find the courage to accept them, challenges and all.

Amazon

About The Author

Amy Lillard is a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.
I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. I’ve retained a little of my Mississippi accent though most people think I’m from Texas. (?)  Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son–a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course!
I love homemade tacos, shoes, and romance novels–not necessarily in that order. I’m a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I’m shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.
I  believe that God is love. I guess that’s why I adore romances.
I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) But until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my penchant for romance. Okay, okay, I’m a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture.  I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that’s me June Cleaver with a laptop.
I dislike people trying to convince me to read the Twlight series (I’ll get to it or I won’t, either way I’m good with it), gratuitous violence, and strawberry ice cream. (I know I’m alone on this last one, and again, I’m good with it.)
Favorite movies–(besides HP) French Kiss, Maid of Honor, A Lot Like Love, Just Married, and Sweet Home Alabama. Oh, and Miss Congeniality, Sabrina (both versions) and a 1940′s movie called Dear Ruth. If you haven’t seen it, you should! A-dorable. Anything with Doris Day and most all of Marilyn’s and Audrey’s.

 

 

My Review

 

Just plain Sadie, I know the Amish are not supposed to be vain, but to think that others are attractive, but your not. How sad! Our Sadie feels this way, but friends and family surround her, and all she really wants is to become an Amish wife and mother.
When her life long friend Chris, whom she has expected to marry, drops a bombshell that in a few months he will be leaving to travel Europe. This is a secret that he is keeping for the time being, and he has assured her that he will return, and will she wait for him. Sadie knows at this point that he will never return.
Enter a chance meeting with that Mennonite man, as her community refers to him, Ezra is smitten with Sadie. He has his own problems, and resentment of his father, and totally takes care of his mother. Funny Sadie in his community is referred to as that Amish girl.
Two religions from the same roots, and yet broken apart so many years ago but their own people, this is now affecting the love of these two. Sadie’s mom has already lost one of her daughters to the English, and you can read that amazing story in the first book in this series Caroline’s Secret.
Will Sadie decide not to leave her faith and not cause her mom additional pain, or will Chris change is mind and be the man she has always thought him to be. For sure God has his hand in here and what we want to happen isn’t always his plan.
This is a quick and good read that keeps you wondering from the first page.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zebra, and was not required to give a positive review.