Amish Sweathearts Book Review

I review books for a few different places and this book, Amish Sweethearts (Neighbors of Lancaster County) by Leslie Gould seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.  I didn't write it down or anything so I didn't have a clue what I was supposed to do.  Something happened with the change over from 2015 to 2016 because some notes must not have come over to the new calendar.  I did a little research from my email and found the email that offered this wonderful book and I was so excited to read it.   Luckily, I found where I was supposed to review it so that they knew that I liked it too :)

They've been best friends for years, but as high school ends, Zane Beck can't help but look at his Amish neighbor, Lila Lehman, with different eyes. Her controlling father sees only one future for Lila, though, and arranges for her to be courted by an upstanding young Amish man. When Zane sees the two together, his plans for the future crumble, and he impulsively enlists in the Army, following in his father's footsteps.

However, the passing of years and the distance between them isn't enough to halt their now hidden feelings for each other. If being together used to be difficult, it's now impossible, especially with the Amish opposed to war. Zane's service takes a dramatic turn when he's sent to Afghanistan. Being on the front line and the reality of taking a life has him questioning whether he can continue to serve or not. But all choices have consequences--both his and hers. With Lila preparing to marry another, will these one-time sweethearts ever find the life together that they both still long for?

I had trouble putting it down because it was such a page turner.  The book is about the cross over between the Amish and the English worlds and how it works together.  These childhood friends have to bridge the cultures into adulthood to build a future together.  There are some constants that occur in all cultures when people continue doing things because others expect that of them.  Lila was expected to marry Reuben and stay inside the Amish culture and church.  Lila decided that she was following what her mother who passed away did that even though her father was an Englush man, she didn't leave the church.  Lila thought that she would do anything to not leave the church which lead all her decisions.  When she started to think for herself, she started to feel better about her decisions.  This was an amazing book and I couldn't wait to read the next book in the series as soon as I finished!!  Even at nearly 400 pages, I really couldn't believe that I wanted more but I promise you that I did.  I hope that you pick up this book at your local library or bookstore and check it out for yourself.

**I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion and review.  All of my opinions here are my own.