A Joyful Break (Dreams of Plain Daughters, Book One)

'A Joyful Break' is a wonderful story of how a young woman takes a break from the Amish life, to see if she wants to join the Amish church and marry the man of her dreams.  She experiences life outside the faith, to see what she wants out of life.  The author did an amazing amount of research for this book, and really gets to the core of what an Amish youth goes through, searching for their identity to find their future and faith.  I truly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to others.  Great job, Ms. Craver!!!  I'm looking forward to book #2!

Could not put this book down. Excellent book to read.

Diane Craver writes a story here in A Joyful Break that will take you into a lifestyle of mixed feelings and a future of what should be done next. Amish stories has always held my interest but

Best Amish book I have read in a long while. Made me want to find their town and move there to be their neighbors. The story shows how Amish have some of the very same problems that we have to deal with.

I enjoy Amish stories however this one was very predictable... Ok but not great

Very nice story.

Enjoyable reading.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. This one was such am encouragement on always, no matter what, believing God's plan is always the best...wait for it!!

Very good characters, insightful view of Amish lifestyle. Enjoyable story.

Great book wish it was longer

Very enjoyable story. ***esk 02/2017***

Excellent read and highly recommended This book is so very different than any other Amish themed books I've read. In this one, Rachel has never joined the church and and is questioning if she wants to. Samuel, her boyfriend, who wants her to join the church so they can be married, tries to be understanding. He knows Rachel is going through a most difficult time. Her grandparents were killed when their buggy was hit by a driver who was texting and one month later her mother had a fatal heart attack. In addition to this heart wrenching loss Rachel now has the responsibility for her younger siblings and all the housework since her father is not coping well his wife's. Rachel blames her father for not getting a phone where medical help could have been summoned quickly and possibly saving her mother and not having a phone is another part where she is questioning her religion. Because she has always had a desire to see the ocean and feel sand on her feet her aunt who left the Amish way before she joined the church takes her and her cousins to the beach. From here on many things happen which challenge her feelings -- her aunt's husband is a senator and press follow him and the family everywhere. A man needing money photographs her walking on the beach and begins taking many photographs without her knowledge. He is aware he will be paid well when he sells the photographs b/c of her relationship to the senator. Unfortunately for Rachel, he is like many in the business today as he does not bother to obtain the facts and prints the headlines over the pictures which distort what Rachel and a friend are really doing causing potential problems for Rachel at home if Samuel sees the pictures. This part of the story was written so well I surprised myself at the response I had to his invasion of her privacy even knowing I was reading fiction.

A delightful book. I recommend.

What an interesting and relaxing read, recommend!

This wonderful story is about a 20 year old Amish lady's quest to hear if God wants her to continue to be Amish (be baptised & join the Amish Church), or leave the Plaiin Life. I recommend you read it to find out what happens.

I loved the mixture of amish, and english makes for a good story line. A very inspiring book, a must read.

Relaxing read in a typical amish story format

Good story except for two things. The writing was a bit too simplistic. And no one from NC says going to Outer Banks. It is always going to THE Outer Banks. That just kept jumping out to me. Lol

I found the book good, but I felt it lacking as a real Amish book.

Very enjoyable story