The Atonement

I have read every book written my Beverly Lewis and she does not ever disappoint me with her ability to keep you interested and spell bound this book is about love forgiveness of others and mostly ourselves. I can't wait for the next book. Everybody should read her books and her husband Dave Lewis is also a great author when a blessing these books are.

Enjoyed the book, not sure at first, thought it rambled on at first, but it all came together, Lucy was a great, but her father, needed to set things straight, she also found a great friend with Dale, she helped with her past mistakes, so I really enjoyed reading this book, ready for the next one.

The Atonement is about a young Amish woman who feels she will never be worthy of Gods love, she is unable to forgive herself for past mistakes.
Because Lucy Flaud won’t let go of her sins, and ask God and herself for forgiveness she is unable to move forward. We meet a Christian man who takes an interest in Lucy when he meets her father at bereavement sessions. Lucy’s father Christian invites the young man to come over to his home and shows him around, as Dale is interested in becoming more plain.
Will his growing interest in Lucy lead her astray again, or will Dale embrace the Amish life. There is also a long time friend, Toby whom wants to make Lucy his wife, and she turns him down.
Lucy spends a lot of her time helping her family and helping mankind, with soup kitchens and going to the nursing home. You are going to love her, and hope that she is able to move on from what has happened in her past. I loved her selflessness, and how her nieces and nephews adored her, your going to enjoy walking in her shoes for a while.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

The Atonement by Beverly Lewis is a new Amish fiction novel. Lucy Flaud is twenty-five years old and spends the majority of her time doing volunteer activities (a lot of them) around Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. Trying to atone for a past mistake (is such a thing possible). Her father, Christian Flaud is grieving (after three years), but only his wife knows what he is truly grieving. Christian starts attending a local grief support group where he meets Dale Wyeth. Dale owns a local hardware store and is looking for a simpler life style (off the grid). Christian volunteers his assistance and Dale starts spending time around the Flaud farm. Slowly, Lucy gets to know Dale and they become friends. People are worried, though, that the friendship will lead to more. The family is experiencing some issues with the twins, Lettie and Faye. They are enjoying their rumspringa, but they are taking it too far (and the parents are afraid to step in for fear it will push the girls away from the Amish community). Lettie is also not helping matters by continually questioning Lucy (prying and causing trouble). How will things resolve for the Flaud family? When will Lucy learn that forgiveness does not come from deeds?

The Atonement is not my favorite Beverly Lewis book. It had a slower pace (the book went on way too long) that I did not enjoy. The Atonement had a good message (about forgiveness) and it is an easy to read novel. I just felt that it was lacking. This will not, though, stop me from reading the next Beverly Lewis book (I have read all of her books). I give The Atonement 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of The Atonement from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.

The Atonement
Beverly Lewis

Book Summary: he mistakes of the past haunt Lucy Flaud, who years ago stopped attending the activities for courting-age young people in her hometown of Bird-in-Hand. Now twenty-five and solidly past the age of Amish courtship, Lucy has given up any hope of marriage, instead focusing her efforts on volunteering in both the Plain and fancy communities of Lancaster County. Yet no matter how hard Lucy strives, she feels uncertain that she'll ever find redemption. Dale Wyeth has a deep mistrust of modern-day "advances" and the dependency they create. The young Englisher's interest in living off the grid is fueled further when he meets Christian Flaud, Lucy's father. Dale appreciates the self-sufficient ways of the Old Order Amish, and Christian invites him to learn more about them by staying at the family farm. As Christian and Dale grow closer, developing a father-son rapport, Lucy begins to question what Dale's being there might mean for her. Could God be testing her? Or is it possible that even the most unworthy heart--and two people from very different walks of life--can somehow find a new beginning?

Review: I love Beverly Lewis and her books. I liked Lucy and felt great empathy for her. She had a multitude of reasons to be lost. Even though there were problems within the family with decisions and communication I found that all were tolerable to really likable. The tension about families moving to Colorado and those staying was unique. I find that the story flowed smoothly from beginning to end. I enjoyed the secondary characters, although I would have liked Tobe to have been in the story more. While his character was forth right, he was so likable and well written. Not perfect, but a true gem of a character.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

I have always love reading the Amish fiction books by Beverly Lewis. I really appreciated being able to review her newest book, The Atonement, through Bethany House blogger program.

This book is set in Lancaster County where Lucy Flaud lives with her family. Lucy is 25 years old and her parents fear that since she is well beyond courting age, she will be a lonely maid, never married. Lucy spends the majority of her time volunteering. She volunteers in both plain and fancy communities. Along the way she meets many friends, including an Englisher named Dale. Dale helps Lucy while she attempts to help her young homeless friend Kiana find a job as well as a place to live. As time progresses, her parents become concerned that maybe their Lucy is spending a bit too much time with the Englisher. Lucy is ultimately afraid to date an Englisher because of the secrets from her past that she is hiding. She is attempting to atone for her sins by keeping so busy and doing so much volunteer work. Her busy-ness and her past cause her to push away many of her family members as well as one of her best friends, Tobe Glick. As time passes, Lucy realizes that she needs to truly repent of her sins and put the past behind her. In the mean time, Tobe and his family are planning to move to Colorado.

I did enjoy reading this book, but it simply wasn't one of my favorites written by Beverly Lewis. It wasn't until the last third of the book that I really started getting into the story. I always do enjoy reading about the Amish and their customs and culture. This book provides a good insight into the way of the Amish. I find it interesting how the Amish live their lives and usually become caught up in wondering what it would be like to live in an Amish community. In this novel, Lucy realizes that she must stop dwelling on the past, and allow God to have full control of her life. She realizes that volunteering will only fill the void for a short time. After that she must fully repent of her past. Once she has fully repented, only then will God be able to use her and bless her life.

This book The Atonement by Beverly Lewis is a totally different written book. When reading it is a lot like the start of other books but then when you are really into the story it goes way out into another field. You are now seeing into some what of something that you never thought was going to happen.
What a awesome way to lead you into something that really made this book what it is to keep your interest so much that you just have to read until you find out all the good an then to some thing that was a very heart breaking time in Lucy's life that others in her family an also outside that she was hopping that no one would ever find out.
Then also a very special friend of Lucy's asks to meet with him an she thinks that he found some one an want her thoughts on it, because he was always talking things over with her and taking her advice on what she would have to say. So after a while she decides to meet with him.
She was so taken back with what he had to say to her that it left her in shock an wasn't at all sure what to say to him, so she promises to pray on what they talked about.
Then before things quiet down in her head about what Tobe , her dad starts bringing another Englissher around their farm, this brings back memories of what happened many years ago. This new person finally makes Lucy feel that his reason is a good one but she is still not sure.
You will think about what takes place in this book long after you finish the book.
It is time to stop an ask that you get the book an read an put every thing in its place and enjoy this book for all it is worth you will never be sorry that you took the time to find the book an to read. Then I beg you let the AUTHOR know just how much you loved her book an then do a review to let others know just how great a story an how it could be a real life story about someone in real life. Authors need all the reviews an message from those that read their book, it helps make their day just as it would make yours if you got a book in the mail, or any kind of a surprise. Read enjoy and pass on to others.

About The Book:

Past mistakes for Lucy Flaud, an Amish girl from Bird-in-Hand stopped attending young people activities. At age twenty-five she is past the age of courtship and has given up ever being married. She begins to focus her life on helping others. She does not limit her help only the Amish people but also to the Englishers. No matter how much she does she still feels there is no redemption for her past mistakes.

Dale Wyeth meets Christian Flaud, Lucy’s father, who helps Dale understand the intricacies of living off the grid by inviting him to stay at the family farm. Christian and Dale’s relationship causes Lucy to question if God is testing her? Is this a test about her past or is it way that people from different cultures can find new beginnings?

My Review:

Lucy is guilt-ridden by a mistake she made as a teen-ager and has much resentment toward her father. She wonders if God will ever forgive her for her past mistakes. She begins the journey to healing by throwing herself into volunteering in soup kitchens, hospice and nursing homes. She does not limit her help to the Amish, but to anyone in need. Although all of this volunteer work occupies her time, it does not bring the peace she longs for. Her father asks her to attend bereavement sessions with him in order to heal the rife between them. It is here she meets Dale Wyeth, with whom her father becomes friends. She wonders if this is God’s way of testing her for her past sins or will this be a way to heal? These are questions that are answered as you read “The Atonement”. Although it has a liberal amount of God’s love sprinkled through-out it is not overly religious. It is simply the way of the Amish Culture. This is well worth reading.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this eBook by the publisher, Bethany House, through NetGalley blogger program for review. I was not required to write a favorable review nor was I compensated for my review. The opinions in this review are my own.

The Atonement

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Must-Have Novel from the #1 Name in Amish Fiction
The mistakes of the past haunt Lucy Flaud, who years ago stopped attending the activities for courting-age young people in her hometown of Bird-in-Hand. Now twenty-five and solidly past the age of Amish courtship, Lucy has given up any hope of marriage, instead focusing her efforts on volunteering in both the Plain and fancy communities of Lancaster County. Yet no matter how hard Lucy strives, she feels uncertain that she'll ever find redemption.

Dale Wyeth has a deep mistrust of modern-day "advances" and the dependency they create. The young Englisher's interest in living off the grid is fueled further when he meets Christian Flaud, Lucy's father. Dale appreciates the self-sufficient ways of the Old Order Amish, and Christian invites him to learn more about them by staying at the family farm.
As Christian and Dale grow closer, developing a father-son rapport, Lucy begins to question what Dale's being there might mean for her. Could God be testing her? Or is it possible that even the most unworthy heart--and two people from very different walks of life--can somehow find a new beginning?(less)

MY THOUGHTS

I love reading Beverly's book because they always remind me of God's loving grace and forgiveness of why he sent his Son.
I have struggled with forgiveness in my life and am still struggling with.
Like Lucy in many ways. Today I finally feel at peace. Reading this book has given that back to me.
God is always there even when we are struggling with the bad things in our lives.
There r still some things I need to do though.
Lucy certainly kept things bottled up for years and this isn't a good thing to do. This is why I can relate to Lucy.
I think Christian made some poor choices in his life as well. In certain things especially in regards to his daughter but I see now why he did them . I wish that I had a dad to look after me. I would love a kind,caring father like Christian. I would even love a big family like he's got but I'm pretty much satisfied with my lot in life. God has blessed me beyond what I deserve.
God never leaves us but we tend to leave Him in our hour of need.
There is a favorite scene in this book and it has to do with the covered bridge. I love covered bridges because they are a rich part in our history and some are even a landmark
I was finally left alone to read this because my husband was always around to bug me lol!!! But it was a wonderful and special story for me.
Thank u Beverly for another wonderful book! Please keep them coming!
I received this copy from Bethany House for my choice of the month in exchange for an honest review (less)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Beverly LewisBeverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, Da

Love, Loss & Healing Can Be Found In The Atonement
Last week I finished reading The Atonement, by Beverly Lewis. The story is about Lucy Flaud, a young woman who has booked herself busy to avoid dealing with grief suffered in her past. As a young Amish woman who has passed the typical courting age, she is determined to remain single despite the attentions of her old friend Tobe Glick. Glimpses of her past are woven into the story and I found myself wondering what she could have done that prompted her to give so much of her time to serving others. Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity but for Lucy, it is all-consuming. She is touched by Kiana, a young single mother who has been living in shelters and on the streets with her son Van.

In the beginning, Lucy's father Christian is arriving at his first grief support group meeting at the community church. His outward reason for attending is to get over the death of his father three years before. Here he is paired with Dale Wyeth, a young Englisher. Dale is interested in living a simpler lifestyle and to Christian's surprise he invited the young man to visit his farm to see how the plain community lives. Lucy was very annoyed with this and can't believe her father did this.

Lucy didn't trust Dale at first but as their lives intersect through the story Dale helps her find ways to help Kiana. He admires her commitment to others and she is intrigued by his profound faith. In the process of helping others, her family is dismayed at the growing friendship between her and the outsider. She is spotted by members of her community riding in his pickup on more than one occasion, including a Sunday. Her father's concern about Dale is only surpassed by the damaged relationship with his daughter.

I liked the book for many reasons. The lessons of love and faith are prominent as Lucy finds her way back to the church. Clues to her mysterious past were doled out in pieces. For years Lucy occasionally saw a happy elderly couple meeting on the bridge in celebration. When she meets them and hears their story she begins to heal. Everything turns out well, in true Beverly Lewis fashion but telling this young woman's journey is worth opening the cover and turning the page.

In The Atonement by Beverly Lewis Lucy’s mistakes of the past haunt her, years ago she stopped attending the activities for courting-age young people in her hometown of Bird-in-Hand. Now she is twenty five years old and past the age of amish courtship, she has given up any home of marriage, instead focusing her efforts on volunteering in both the Plain and fancy communities of Lancaster County. Yet no matter how hard she strides, she feels uncertain that she’ll ever find redemption. Dale Wyeth has a deep mistrust of the modern-day “advances” and the dependency they create. The young Englisher’s interest in living off the grid is fueled further when he meet Christian Flaud, Lucy’s father. Dale appreciates the self-sufficient ways of the Old Order Amish, and Christian invites him to learn more about them by staying at the family farm. As Christian and Dale grow closer, developing a father-son relationship, Lucy begins to question what Dale’s being there might mean for her. Could God be testing her? Or is it possible that even the most unworthy heart–and two people from very different walks of life–can somehow find a new beginning?

I recommend this book to teenagers and older.

I thought this book was going to be more of a romance story than it was. I liked how it all ended but the journey there was hared for me. I often got confused by who was speaking, the book is written in different points of view including Lucy, her married sister, marty, her father, christian and others. I found this book to be kind of slow but it kept me company in a long day at the hospital.

I really enjoyed the mentioning of Dutch Blitz several times and I could hear my friend from Mexico reading the instructions in a amish accent.

This book had several good themes and lessons in it as most of Beverly’s books do. The main one in this one is forgiveness. It is personally not something I have experienced. I have never been afraid to confess my sins or ask those around me for it. I am a peacemaker and I like to have peace around me. I do not like conflict. Due to this I found it annoying how long it took Lucy to ask for forgiveness, and move on with her life.

I rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

Lucy Flaud, an Amish woman in her twenties, is doing a lot of community service work to atone for something she did in the past. She is trying to appease God and her father as well as forget her grief. Her father Christian, meanwhile, has been attending a grief counseling group at a nearby church, and he thinks that the group could help Lucy. At the group, Christian meets a non-Amish man named Dale. Dale later meets Lucy and offers her spiritual advice, while also assisting Lucy as she attempts to help a struggling single mother get on her feet. Christian wonders what Dale’s intentions are towards Lucy, and Christian is perplexed that Lucy has been attracted to men from outside of the community rather than Amish men. There is also Tobe, an Amish man who has not yet settled down. People think this is because Tobe is too picky. Actually, it is because Tobe is carrying a torch for Lucy. But Tobe and his family are about to move.

It was when I got to the final third of the book that it came alive to me. In the first third, I was trying to figure out what was going on and getting used to the characters and the setting. Reading the second third was a similar experience to reading the first third, but there were some good parts, particularly concerning the single woman trying to get on her feet. In one scene, after Lucy and Dale help the woman, Lucy asks what God thinks about that. Dale responds that God was not just observing their act, but was actually behind it! In the final third of the book, mysteries explicitly get resolved: What is Lucy trying to atone for? Why has Christian been attending a grief support group? Lucy receives a fresh picture of God’s love, as she hears a story from an elderly couple about a Christian man’s unconditional love. Lucy also reconciles with her father and learns about his own feet of clay.

The final third of the book was probably the clearest, whereas the first two thirds struck me as rather scattered. There were distractions in the book, as we experience the lives of other characters. Perhaps Beverly Lewis should have done a better job focusing, and yet the scattered nature of the book did offer some realism: lots of things go on in life. Plus, there was an endearing tangential scene between Lucy and one of her sisters, Lettie, as Lettie was upset that Lucy did not pay much attention to her. That aspect of the book was rather underdeveloped, yet it was an endearing scene.

My reaction to the story about the Christian man’s unconditional love towards the lady who became his wife was mixed. The man was like a savior figure, whereas she was someone who was losing her way. I saw that as rather one-sided. Lewis seemed to attempt to compensate for this imbalance, somewhat, by presenting the husband as saying that he benefited from the relationship, too, since he was lonely. Still, the story perhaps could have been better had it not had as much of a damsel-in-distress theme. Maybe the woman could have contributed to the story and offered her own wisdom to Lucy.

A question in my mind as I read this book is how much of the religion in the book reflects Amish religion, and how much reflects evangelical Christianity. Is God’s unconditional love something that the Amish stress, or is that more of an evangelical concept? I suspect the latter, but I am open to correction. The book did depict other aspects of Amish religion: Lucy confessing her sins to the bishop and the bishop evaluating the authenticity of her repentance; and an aversion to Amish people marrying people from non-Amish churches.

In my opinion, the book could have done more in addressing why people should do good works. Lucy was running herself ragged doing good works to atone for some sin and to appease a God she saw as harsh, and that was obviously wrong. But did she continue to do good works after her spiritual healing, and, if so, why? The book did not really explore that. It did address the topic of having a proper motivation for good works, on some level: Lucy sees the good that she is accomplishing for others, and Dale’s insight teaches her to see her service as working with God rather than trying to appease God. Still, the book’s failure to present her as doing good works after her spiritual healing does make the book incomplete.

I give this book 3.5 stars. I was going through the motions of reading it until the final third of the book. Yet, the book had good scenes and made good points.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully written Amish novel, The Atonement is a thought-provoking journey of healing, forgiveness and atonement by Beverly Lewis.

Lucy Flaud is dedicated to helping others. In between volunteering at a local hospice center, serving food to the homeless and organizing donations, she helps her older sister Martie with chores around her house. She keeps up with her work at home but her twin sisters Lettie and Faye feel a little neglected since Lucy spends most of her days away from the house. When her father Christian befriends Englisher Dale Wyeth, her longheld anger and guilt over a dreadful mistake from her past can no longer be ignored. As she and Dale form their own friendship, her parents grow concerned that history is repeating itself. A surprise request from Lucy’s good friend Tobe Glick adds yet another complication to her life but this might just be the impetus she needs to finally make peace with her past.

Lucy has never forgiven herself for a misguided choice she made three years earlier. Her once close relationship with her father has also never recovered and she remains quite angry with him for the way he handled the incident. In an effort to keep her guilt and shame at bay, she throws herself into her charitable works and while she has made a difference in other people’s lives, she still has a huge hole in her heart. Meeting Dale brings back all of the painful memories she has avoided dealing with but, as he helps her with a homeless girl she has befriended, Lucy begins to repair her fractured relationship with God.

While Lucy is making strides in regaining her floundering faith, her relationship with her dad remains troubled. She never dealt with her grief over a tragic loss and because she does not want anyone, including the rest of her family, to know about her ill-fated decision, no one ever discusses what happened. When Christian invites her to join a grief support group, Lucy is at first reluctant to join him but she eventually agrees to go to one meeting. Although she still cannot bring herself to talk about her pain, she is pleasantly surprised by how comforted she feels by the support of other people in the group. As her bitterness and resentment begin to fade, Lucy finally opens to her father about her feelings despite his reluctance to revisit old wounds.

The Atonement is a heartfelt and moving novel of faith, love, family and redemption. Beverly Lewis skillfully handles difficult subjects in a realistic and sensitive manner. Lucy’s journey is gradual and occurs naturally as a result of her new friendships and an unexpected decision by a longtime friend. Watching her make peace with her past and regain her lost faith is gratifying and uplifting. All in all, a very heartwarming faith-based story that fans of Amish fiction are sure to love.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

When her father brings home an Englisher, a person not of the Amish church, and begins teaching him the ways of a simpler lifestyle, Lucy is uncomfortably reminded of her past history dating outside the church and all of the hurt it brought her and those around her. Convinced she will never allow herself to love again, she spends every moment she can volunteering. Through grief counseling, family, scripture, and the wise words of friends, Lucy works toward forgiving herself and accepting the church back into her heart. With a young Amish man begging for her attention and her father's young Englisher acquaintance getting friendly with her, as soon as Lucy heals her relationship with God, she'll have another relationship to figure out.

Not a whole lot actually happens in The Atonement, but the main characters are very likable and there's enough interest in the day-to-day of the Amish life (at least for someone who has not read much about it in the past). From helping a young homeless mother and her child find employment and a home to sharing life stories with an old couple as the wife is in hospice care to helping a family in an overturned carriage, Lucy's kind heart makes this book a pleasure to read.

Most of the book is about the drama and lack of acceptance from the members of the church have about spending time with Englishers. Another source of conflict is that many families in the community are considering moving out west. The importance of family, repentance, and forgiveness are themes throughout.

The characters' speech was written in dialect and included some italicized Pennsylvania Dutch words throughout. It was usually pretty easy to figure out what the sentiment was, but not always what the exact translation was. I'm personally not a huge fan of reading written dialect because I find it distracting, but I can see how it adds to the authenticity.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have been reading and enjoying novels by Beverly Lewis for years now. In all this time she has stuck to the Amish and Mennonite fiction genre. You would think that after writing about the same group of people for so long that her stories would have become stale or repetitive. With Beverly Lewis that is just not the case.

Beverly continues to delight me with her new story lines. She digs deep and shows the frailty of the human condition from the perspective of a simple life. In The Atonement she looks at the effect of one person's wrong doings and how it tends to be a ripple effect striking and drawing in others with unintended results.

Lucy Flaud made a grievous mistake many years ago. Only a few people know about it but the weight is heavy on those people. Lucy has spent almost every waking moment trying in some way to atone for this past indiscretion but the guilt just won't go away.

I would love to discuss on here the ending because it is a beautiful redemption story. But I'd rather you read and experience it for yourself. If you are looking for a story that reminds you that there is hope even in the midst of overwhelming circumstances then this is the book for you.

By the way . . . if you are part of a book club there are Discussion Questions available to download for your group.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

The Atonement is a stand alone novel based in the Amish Community in Lancaster County. The story follows Lucy as she does everything she can to help everyone around her. Keeping busy gives her less time to think about the past and what might have been. She loves seeing the joy on others faces. Helping those in need not only fills her time, but also distracts her from the hole in her heart. Lucy has made mistakes, and is no stranger to tragedy. The Amish community has eyes everywhere, and being friends with an Englischer is making the community question some of her motives.

There is so much I wish I could talk to you about, but don’t want to risk spoiling the story. I really enjoyed the family dynamics, and seeing broken relationships mended. Lewis kept my interest, and I had no clue what Lucy was going to do next. Faith was woven through in a way that we all can understand. God is always right there waiting for us to let Him in so He can help us. He has the best plan for our lives if we can only trust Him enough to wait for His leading.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish Fiction. Beverly Lewis kept me interested, and I was constantly trying to figure out what happened in Lucy’s past. I loved that this was a stand alone novel so there weren’t any open ends. Lewis tied everything together in a nice novel sized package. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

Three years Lucy Flaud has tried to pay penance for her youthful indiscretion. Three years she has worked every volunteer job she can think of – reading to Hospice patients, helping out at MCC headquarters, working to feed the homeless on a food truck – all so she can bury the memories of the girl she used to be. Three years of burying the resentment she’s felt toward her parents, especially her father. Three years of avoiding the church’s annual communion and foot-washing service because members aren’t supposed to participate if they carry unconfessed sin and Lucy feels she has a doozy on her shoulders.

When her father begins attending a grief support group and invites her to go with him, she refuses. Her father meets Englischer Dale Wyeth, a young man interested in living more simply, and invites him to their home to show him how the Amish live “off the grid.” Her father never suspects the friendship that will develop between Lucy and Dale.
Can Lucy's good works atone for the sins she's committed? With two men pursuing her, will she let down her guard enough to let one of them know the real her? And will that man be Englisch or Amish?
This book is just one more example of why Beverly Lewis is the queen of Amish fiction! This is a beautiful story of redemption with an even more beautiful romance for Lucy. Readers of Amish fiction will love the story and Lewis fans will be thrilled by this latest installment. I loved the book and, as always, look forward to Beverly’s next!
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

At first, I was disappointed with this book. I found it extremely hard to connect with Lucy, the main character. Lucy lives with a secret from her past and it is revealed slowly throughout the first half of the book and I would have rather had all the information at the beginning. With the way the secret was revealed I felt like I was missing out on something and felt a bit lost at times. Also, I found it hard to connect with her family, especially her father, who has a major role in the book.

Once Lucy's secret is revealed completely I felt the story take a different turn and found myself enjoying the story and not wanting to put the book down. I then realized that every character in the book plays a role in Lucy letting go of the past and being able to concentrate on the future and also to forgive herself.

Overall I found the book enjoyable and was a little sad to see the story end. I had finally found the connection to Lucy and found her to be a flawed, yet likable, person. I thought at the beginning this might be the beginning of a new series but it is a standalone as all of the character's lives are tidied up at the end and no storyline is left unfinished.

Diehard fans of Beverly Lewis are sure to like this book. I also think it is an enjoyable read for fans of Amish fiction or those looking for a good read for a lazy day or weekend.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

Although it is touted as an Amish romance, The Atonement really didn't resonate as one. By happy circumstance, that is. I don't mind Amish fiction, but sometimes it can be very mind numbing. The Atonement had a deeper message, one that many nonbelievers will relate to. Feelings of guilt permeate the pages, as Lucy struggles with forgiveness. Moving on with life isn't something she's able to do, and it affects every moment of her day. Author Beverly Lewis dropped hints along the way, guiding the reader to the eventual reveal of Lucy's problem. Although I'd already guessed it by then, it was neatly tied together in a way that held my interest.

Reading Amish-based stories makes me wonder about the lifestyle, but I've never considered becoming Amish. I am quite intrigued by homesteading, though, and loved learning the ins-and-outs of self-sufficiency as the Plain people do it. There were some cultural collisions represented in The Atonement. Despite the difference in beliefs and practices, Lucy and her English friends showed how neighbors can help each other. The Atonement may seem like a religiously biased book, but it's really a story that can cross many social bridges. I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions shared are mine.

There's nothing quite like a Beverly Lewis novel to settle a reader into a happy bubble of reading bliss. And this one starts out in a very profound way: Fill up the empty places in your heart... Words that Lucy strives to live by and, oh my, she has a lot of emptiness to fill! Past hurts are revealed by slow degrees as the story progresses and I loved trying to fit the pieces together in order to make sense of her desperate need to serve herself free of her sorrow. Her skewed idea of grace and forgiveness has taken over her life, creating a barrier between herself and her family and friends. It even carries her into the Englisch world where volunteer work is threatening to consume her. But while she might find satisfaction in her labors, the peace she seeks continues to evade her.

Lucy's father becomes the unexpected catalyst for change though the journey towards recovery isn't an easy one. Lewis has created a compelling story with a solid cast of characters that bring meaning and insight into Lucy's broken world. An incredible testimony of the powerful impact of God's saving grace. The Atonement is a story to cherish. My copy has taken up residence on my keeper shelf. (Well, one of many shelves.)

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.

Book description: "The mistakes of the past haunt Lucy Flaud, now twenty-five and beyond Amish courting age. Instead, Lucy focuses on volunteering in both the Plain and fancy communities of Lancaster County. Yet no matter how hard she strives, she never feels she's doing enough. Then her father strikes up an unexpected friendship with an Englischer in search of a simpler way of life. Lucy forms a connection of her own with the thoughtful young man even as she rejects courtship with her longtime Amish friend. Is it too late to embrace redemption . . . and the power of love?"

My review: This is another wonderful book by one of my favorite authors, Beverly Lewis. This book is a great example of the futility of trying to atone for your own sins. There are plenty of good works that we should be doing, but not as a means for atoning for our sins. This is a story of love and true forgiveness that comes from God. A message that we all need to hear and be reminded of. I loved how human Lucy was and how she represented the human race in so many ways. I loved how Tobe Glick showed great patience and understanding. This was truly an amazing book from start to finish! I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Beverly Lewis' latest Amish novel, "The Atonement," is a sweet story of forgiveness, searching and love. I was drawn in by the very first line in the book: "Fill up the empty places in your heart..." This is what Lucy has written in her journal and yet years later she finds that she is still searching and looking to fill that void as she has been unable to forgive herself. This book has the storyline of a love triangle and an Amish woman choosing between a love and life in her Amish community or one with an Englisher outside of her world. However, this story is so much more than that as it is layers of rich storytelling and characters with depth as their pasts are shared and their current hurting and searching for more in their lives lead them on journeys and toward new relationships. Dale and Toby each play important roles in Lucy's life and her journey toward forgiveness and moving on as well as helping her to discover her heart. I have been a fan of Beverly's books ever since I began reading them as a teenager and I still eagerly await her next book; I highly recommend "The Atonement."

*Thanks to Bethany House Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Beverly Lewis has a gift to write Amish stories that relates to its culture, as well as to us Englischers with depth and perception. The Atonement is no different. The simplicity of the Amish life doesn't necessarily mean their lives are simple. No, not the least, because as humans, we are complicated and sinful in nature. We were given the gift of choice, and with that choice, sometimes our decisions may bring about pain and rejection. It can create a boulder-sized hole in our soul as forgiveness seems far and redemption even further. That is what we have with The Atonement. Lucy have bottled up her past by keeping herself busy with her volunteer work. In truth, she's struggling emotionally with herself, her family, mainly her dad, and ultimately with God. Will she be able to atone her past sins by trying so hard to do good?

For the full review, visit <a href="http://justcommonly.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-atonement-by-beverly-lewis.html">Just Commonly Blog</a>.

NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Bethany House for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.

I love reading Amish stories, so was excited when I was chosen to read The Atonement by Beverly Lewis from Bethany House.

Lucy Flaud is 25 and considered by the Amish to be past courting age. The mistakes of her past which are secret to all except her parents keeps her from attending 'singing' where unmarried Amish usually attend on Sunday's to find their spouses.

Lucy feels that she has to make up for her mistakes by keeping busy, so she volunteers in everything she can and finds herself coming up short. Her father becomes friends with an 'Englischer' who is trying to live more simple and has lots of questions. Lucy becomes friends with Dale and other members of the Amish faith esp her good friend Tobe who loves her, become worried that she is going to leave the Amish faith.

This was a very good story on the importance of being able to forgive ourselves for our past mistakes just as God forgives us if we ask Him.

I have been a fan of Beverly Lewis for many years and enjoyed this new story of hers.

**I received this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.**

When I hear the genre “Amish Fiction” Beverly Lewis is one of the names that quickly comes to mind. I’ve had the opportunity to meet Beverly a couple times and I enjoyed getting to know her better. What I love about meeting authors is that I get to better understand them and their thoughts behind their books and writing.

The Atonement begins with a prologue in 2012 as we are reading first person. I love this as I was able to get into the head of Lucy.

This story deals with forgiveness. I found the storyline to be interesting and the topic of the book relatable.

That said, the book moved slowly. While the story itself wasn’t bad the slowness of the book made it a little challenging to read. I like books that keep moving and I feel like I’m making progress when I’m reading them.

My favorite series by Beverly Lewis is The Heritage of Lancaster County, which held my attention really well. I wish this book was written more like that one.

*I received a free copy of this product to facilitate this post, however you, my readers, come first and all opinions are my own.

Beverly Lewis understands and write of the Amish Culture better than many who attempt to put pen to paper. Being born in Pennsylvania and living among them she writes with a perceptive and thoughtful heart.
The Atonement is a story of a young Amish woman, Lucy Flaud, who is dealing with grief and guilt from a long past time in her life. She has spent the intervening years trying to atone by loving and doing for others.
Her Daed, Christian, is also grieving, for the same incident, however, for a much different reason. He starts attending a grief group where he meets Englischers and befriends one young man, Dale Wyeth.
Tobe Glick is Lucy's best friend but has secretly loved her for years. However, Lucy holds her secret so close she feels unworthy to return his offer of courtship.
Will she be able to get past her long-ago sin to forgive, live and love again? Will Tobe be able to see the woman she is now or will he reject her?
I loved this book as I have all of Beverly Lewis's novels. As always there is much to glean and learn from her writings.
I received this book free for an honest review from Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group.