A Love for Leah (Amish of Pontotoc)

I enjoy reading these books because they always have a meaning to them.

I have never read works by Amy Lillard before. This was quite a treat. “A Love for Leah” was set in Pontotoc, Mississippi. Leah Gingerich is a Mennonite woman who is taking care of her teenage nephew so that her sister, Hannah can go through the steps of re-joining the Amish community in order to re-marry after losing her first husband who as an Englischer. Leah has opened a second-hand store in town. The store has a section in the back of the store where Amish people can come and either donate or receive clothing items as needed. Since Leah was never a member of the Amish church, she is able to spend time with her family often. While doing this, she meets Jamie and his nephew, Peter. Jamie and Peter are in search of healing after tragedy. Leah is there to offer friendship and advice while fighting her feelings for Jamie. She also introduces her to her Mennonite church where Jamie sees the truth of God’s word, accepts Christ as his Savior and leaves his Amish way of life. Leah has fought a relationship with Jamie because she does not want to ask him to leave his Amish faith. She knows what this will mean and what potential hardships leaving the Amish faith may bring.
This story is a wonderful picture of God’s love and guidance in our lives. Leah’s family is very supportive and giving. Leah follows God’s leading and shows Jamie the truth and Jamie chooses to follow Christ and marry Leah and legally adopt Peter.
I very much enjoyed this book and the different perspective on Amish, Mennonite and English characters alike. I cannot wait to read more books by Amy Lillard! Great Job!

Mom loved this book. This is the 2nd and final installment of the Amish of Pontotoc series. Mom had already read the first book and enjoyed it as well. I get all these romance novels for her. She loves to read and this book was no exception. I know when she loves a book because she will read it in a day or two. This book was read in a day. She says you could read this book without reading the first one, but it was more enjoyable to have read them in the correct order. She learned more about Leah in the 2nd book as Leah’s love and faith continue to develop.

I never tell about the book itself as I DO NOT want to spoil anything for another reader. Mom may give me a synopsis about the book but I never talk about the storyline. Hate it when someone tells me something about the story that occurs 3/4 the way thru a book or a reviewer tells me they do finally get married. I don’t want you spoiling my reading and I do not want to spoil your reading when it comes to a good book. I figure it you are wanting to know a little about the story, you can read the synopsis that Amazon and the author gives you.

This is defintly a recommend to Mom’s Beauty Shop Book Group as they have already enjoyed reading the first in this 2 part series. Mom really enjoyed this book.

A Love for Leah is the second book in the Amish of Pontotoc series. This book can be read a standalone, but I highly recommend you read the series in order. It will give you a better understanding of all the characters.

Leah and Hannah Gingerich are twin sisters and they left the Amish to join the English many years ago. Hannah returned to the Amish community in the first book in this series.
Leah has left the Amish faith and has become Mennonite. Leah is still close with her family, and she helping care for Hannah's son, Brandon. Leah is a headstrong and very independent.

Jamie Stoltzfus has recently moved to Pontotoc with his 7-year-old nephew after a house fire killed his brother, sister in law and their infant daughter, leaving his nephew Peter without any family. Jamie has taken care of him for the past six months but Peter has not said a word since that fateful day.

Sparks fly from the very start when Leah and Jamie meet. They are both opinionated and have different ideas on what is best for Peter. They can not seem to agree on anything. I enjoyed the interactions and banter between Leah and Jamie.

Leah is Mennonite and Jamie is Amish, will they be able to overcome their differences?

I certainly enjoyed A Love for Leah and reading the differences between the Amish and Mennonites.

Amy Lillard has written another inspirational book. I thoroughly enjoyed it from the very first page.

Amy Lillard does thorough research into her characters and settings. Amy has taken the setting from the real town of Pontotoc, Mississippi. And the characters have such genuine feelings and thoughts that the everyday person would have. You are going to feel every emotion along with the characters and it will make you laugh and cry.

If you are a fan of Amish Fiction you will not be disappointed. Grab a copy of Amy’s new book and curl up with a cuppa and enjoy.

I highly recommend this book!

Another great story from one of my favorite Amish fiction authors! I've been looking forward to A Love For Leah since I read the first book in the Pontotoc Mississippi Series earlier this year. And as anticipated author Amy Lillard delivered a thought-provoking story of faith, family, and love.

Each of Amy Lillard's novels takes on everyday topics, and life choices that, face the Amish, and frequently the Englishers alike. A Love For Leah takes on more than one, including the old-as-time question of whether love really does conquer all or if the differences, especially in matters of faith, are insurmountable.

I really enjoyed A Love For Leah and and read it in pretty short order. Even though Amish fiction has not been a go-to genre in awhile I find myself unable to put an Amy Lillard book down. And when I DO have to put it aside I find myself wondering about the characters and pondering what I would do if I were in similar shoes. And, of course, now that I've finished I find myself not so patiently waiting to find out if and when their might be some more Pontotoc Mississippi stories.

(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)

A Love for Leah is Amy Lillard's second book in her Amish of Pontotoc, MS series. You don't have to read the first one to enjoy it, but I highly recommend you read them in order.

Leah Gingerich and her twin sister, Hannah, left the Amish to join the English a long time ago. Although Hannah eventually came back and is joining the Amish church, Leah just doesn't feel it's right for her. She tends to be outspoken and very independent, these things don't go well in the Amish faith so Leah chose to become Mennonite. Even though she has a different faith she is still close with her family visiting often and even helping Hannah raise her son. Leah's life is perfect or so she thinks until she meets Jamie and his sweet but silent nephew, Peter.

Jamie Stoltzfus's life isn't going according to plan and hasn't been for a while. Not since about six months ago when a house fire killed his brother, sister in law and their infant daughter, leaving his nephew Peter without a family. Jamie was more than happy to step up and take care of Peter, but the boy hasn't said a word since that fateful day. With Peter's grandparents wanting to take him from Jamie if he doesn't start talking soon, Jamie is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He thought leaving their home in Ethridge, TN and moving to Pontotoc, MS might give both him and Peter the fresh start they need. But, when he meets Leah Gingerich, he's not so sure he made the right move.

Right from the start sparks fly between Jamie and Leah. He thinks she's too outspoken for her own good. She thinks he looks down on others who don't share his faith. It seems the only thing these two can agree on is to not agree on anything!

I really enjoyed A Love for Leah and I think you will too. I love how with Leah and Jamie it wasn't love at first sight, it wasn't even like at first sight! It took time for their friendship to build and even though there were mishaps along the way they you could tell they held a mutual admiration for each other. They both put Peter first and even when they didn't agree on what was best for him, like should he go to school or not, they each wanted him to be healthy and happy.

I can't say enough how much I enjoyed A Love for Leah. It reminds us that friendships can come in the most unlikely of forms and that love covers a multitude of sins and differences.

*I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

A Love For Leah by Amy Lillard is the second book in the Amish of Pontotoc series . This sweet story is one you will definitely enjoy reading.
Jamie Stoltzfus recently moved to Pontotoc to start over. His nephew, Peter has been through such tragedy at a young age that Jamie feels a new start will be most welcome. While there he spends a lot of time with the Gingerich family. They have been so very helpful to Jamie and Peter. Leah Gingerich has been Mennonite for many years, but something about Jamie catches her eye. Jamie and her become friends, but how could an Amish man and a Mennonite woman ever be more than anything but friends?
You will want to read this book to find out the rest of Jamie and Leah's story. The author really brings the characters to life. They experience circumstances that we can all relate to including frustration, grief, hope, love and faith. Once you start reading, you will feel like you are right there with them in beautiful Pontotoc, Mississippi, a most pleasant place to be!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley and have given my honest opinion.

A Love For Leah by Amy Lillard is the second book in the Amish of Pontotoc series . This sweet story is one you will definitely enjoy reading.
Jamie Stoltzfus recently moved to Pontotoc to start over. His nephew, Peter has been through such tragedy at a young age that Jamie feels a new start will be most welcome. While there he spends a lot of time with the Gingerich family. They have been so very helpful to Jamie and Peter. Leah Gingerich has been Mennonite for many years, but something about Jamie catches her eye. Jamie and her become friends, but how could an Amish man and a Mennonite woman ever be more than anything but friends?
You will want to read this book to find out the rest of Jamie and Leah's story. The author really brings the characters to life. They experience circumstances that we can all relate to including frustration, grief, hope, love and faith. Once you start reading, you will feel like you are right there with them in beautiful Pontotoc, Mississippi, a most pleasant place to be!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley and have given my honest opinion.

A Love for Leah is book two in the Amish of Pontotoc by Amy Lillard. I absolutely loved reading Leah and Jamie’s story. This story is packed with love, faith, devotion, determination, stubbornness and much more. My heart ached for Peter and what he had endured. Amy has a way of bringing the characters to life and making you feel like you are part of the story. I am looking forward to the next story in this series.

A Love for Leah is a nice continuation of the Pontotoc Mississippi series and includes characters we've met before. There are heartwarming moments but some filled with heartache and despair as well. Leah has returned back to where she grew up but is no longer Amish but a Mennonite. Her store takes off and she becomes quite the storekeeper even having a free section for the Amish and never really forgetting her roots. Jamie and his nephew move to Pontotoc and live in a cabin on Leah's parent's property. When Jamie and Leah first meet, sparks fly but they always end up in an argument. Do they really dislike each other that much?

There's matchmaking going on since Jamie needs a mother for his nephew but things get dicey at times. Peter is a sweet boy but doesn't talk as a result of the tragedy that drove him and his uncle to Mississippi. There are church events, chores, lots of food, angst, heartache, sorrow, sadness, confusing feelings and ultimately love even if it's not the path the Amish would follow. There is a nice flow to the story with lots of descriptions of the land, the beliefs of the Amish vs. the Mennonites, family dynamics and feelings. There are lots of stories being told at the same time but they come together nicely. There is closure with a happily ever after but lots more stories to tell and hints about them. I liked how Brandon grew from the first book in the series, A Home for Hannah, to this one.

Ms. Lillard is one of my favorite authors of Amish fiction no matter where she sets the story. I always jump at the chance to read her next book. I can't wait to see what I'll be reading next!