The Road Home

THE ROAD HOME is a beautiful story that takes place in 1977. Lena is eighteen years old and lives with her parents and ten brothers and sisters. That is until the day the police arrive to tell her that her parents were in a tragic accident and are dead. Since her family is so large, the children are split up and Lena goes to live her Daed’s cousins, Harley and Mimi. Since no one else has room for her back home, Lena reluctantly leaves to help Mimi and Harley. She doesn’t want to leave, especially since she has a beau, Hans, and her youngest brother, Chris who she has practically raised since he was born. Once Lena is in Pennsylvania, she realizes how much she is needed as Mimi is very lonely since her daughter, Tessa got married and moved away. Will Lena ever find her way back to Michigan and her siblings?

While Lena is in Pennsylvania helping Mimi with her sewing business, she never stops dreaming of returning home to her brothers and sisters. All the while, she never loses hope or her faith. THE ROAD HOME finds Lena struggling with staying with Hans even though they are many miles apart and he writes less and less as time goes by. Lena also has a new friend, Arden, who is instantly taken with Lena, but Lena tells him she can only be friends with him as she has a beau back home. Will Arden accept Lena’s conditions or will he wait patiently to see what happens?

THE ROAD HOME is about Lena trying to get back home to her family. My heart broke for Lena and her siblings and I kept hoping they would all be together once again. Not only did they lose their parents, but their brothers and sisters as well. Why couldn’t they all just stay together in their family home? Their story is so heart tugging and filled with faith, devotion, and love that the reader can’t help but cheer for this broken family. Beverly Lewis grabs hold of the reader’s heart and never lets it go! She made me sad, then the next moment I was smiling and giggling out loud! You can never go wrong with a Beverly Lewis book if you are a fan of the Amish genre. THE ROAD HOME is a heart tugging story that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to put down!

The Road Home by Beverly Lewis is the newest novel by this fantastic writer. In this Amish love story Lena is the oldest of 10 children and as long as she has been alive she has never left Centreville, Michigan. She loves it here, she loves living with her family and helping care for the littler children and she loves her fiancé, Hans, whom she plans to marry soon. She is especially close with her littlest sibling, Chris, whom she has just gotten off to school since her father had taken her mother to the school where she taught as a substitute that day. When 2 police showed up at the door she knew that something bad had happened but that didn't prepare her for the devastation of learning that both her parents had died in an accident. That was bad enough but to find out that the farm had to be sold and the children were to be split up into different families was the worse part. They couldn't even grieve together for long as the children were divided as best the bishop could do since he thought that Lena was too young at 18 to care for all of them and be responsible for the farm. The bishop could find homes for the rest of the children and some of them even were able to live together but there was nowhere for Lena except for her aunt and uncle, Mimi and Harley, but they lived in Pennsylvania so far away and unable to see her family clear until Christmas. How would Chris get along without her? Luckily he was able to live with his grandparents who lived right next to them but he was so distraught to be loosing first his parents and know the sister who had practically raised him. But there was nothing to do about it and soon Lena was sent to Pennsylvania. Mimi and Harley were wonderfully nice to her and she was able to earn some money sewing in Mimi little shop. How would she be able to get through all of this and not see any of her brothers and sisters until Christmas?

I loved this book as I love all of Mrs. Lewis' books. She doesn't make her characters too good to be believed but she also doesn't downgrade the Amish in favor of another religion. She faithfully tells the story of the great faith of Lena even though so much bad has happened to her. Lena never gives up and eventually even when an opportunity to come home happens she choses to stay and help Mimi because she is in a crisis of her own. Lena always relies on trust in God to get her through the day and back to home.

I received this book from BethanyHouse for this review.

This Book was supplied to me by Bethany House Publishers in return for a review.

Book Description

Sent from Michigan to Pennsylvania following the tragic death of her Amish parents, Lena Rose Schwartz grieves her loss and the separation from her nine siblings. Beside the fact that Lena has never been so far from home, she hasn't met the family she will now be living with. But worse than that is having to live apart from her close-knit brothers and sisters. How will they manage without her to care for them--especially six-year-old Chris? And will her new beau, Hans Bontrager, continue to court her despite the many miles between them?

Yet even as Lena Rose holds on to hope for a reunion with those she loves most, she discovers that Lancaster holds charms of its own. Is she willing to open her heart to new possibilities?

My Review

This book is one of the best books I have read by Beverly Lewis. She is one of my favorite authors who writes about the Amish.

The story starts with Lena Rose Schwartz, one of 6 children who lose their parents in a buggy accident and their lives are turned upside down. Lena Rose wants all of the kids to stay together but that just can’t be done. As the story goes, after the funeral, their Uncle Noah decides to place the kids with different people. Lena Rose goes to Lancaster Pennsylvania to stay with her cousins, Harley and Mimi. Lena hates to leave little Chris, which he is only about 6 years old.

Then Lena Rose leaves and helps out Mimi with her sewing, which she loves. But she sure does love her siblings and misses them. She misses her beau Hans Bontrager. As time goes on, Hans loses interest in her and meets someone else. So, Lena Rose goes on with her new life in Pennsylvania. She meets Arden Mast and she has a hard time dealing with her feelings. Then when Christmas comes, she wants to go home but then there is a big blizzard in Michigan so she stays in Lancaster and begins to enjoy her life there.

I don’t want to say anything else about this book or I will ruin it for you. This is such a GREAT book, I definitely would suggest this book to my friends and family. I loved every word of it and really wish I had not missed the first 2 books.

Thank you, Beverly Lewis for giving us such a GREAT book and for giving me a chance to read and review this book. I hope everyone will pick up this book it is GREAT.

Book Review~The Road Home by Beverly Lewis

This is a story of an Amish family torn apart by the death of the parents, and of the long but loving journey back to healing and moving on with life.

Lena Schwartz has 9 siblings, and after their parent’s demise, the Centerville, Michigan Amish community finds suitable homes for the brothers and sisters, and Lena, the oldest, has to relocate to her dad’s cousin’s house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Harley and Mimi open their home and hearts to Lena, and gradually, Lena begins healing from her huge losses. She is always planning to save enough money and return to her family in Michigan, and keeps working for Mimi.

This book was a very gentle, very CLEAN and CHRISTIAN story, and I was quite pleased at the author’s skill in weaving several stories together so expertly. There are many interesting characters and plots in The Road Home, and I enjoyed reading it, and finishing it. What I got out of this book was a look at the everyday life we lead, and how we make changes, adjustments, and why we persevere in the midst of troubles and even anguish and mourning.

There was no tension in this book, which I liked, but some of Mrs. Lewis’s fans might miss. Many of her previous books had edginess and friction in the story, but this book isn’t like that. It’s a mature, Christian account of what life is really like for most of us, and how Jesus’s love, protection, and comfort is there if we only follow HIM, and not the deceitfulness of our emotions. I was spiritually inspired by one of the prayers from Lena, during her frustrating trials with her beau. It was well said, and I can tell Beverly Lewis has endured similar trials of her faith. Trusting in God alone, and yielding all of ourselves to Him is the only way to victoriously make it through hard times.

I was given a free copy of this book from Bethany House publishers, in exchange for an honest review.

courage to open her heart to other possibilities?"

...my thoughts...

The Road Home by celebrated author Beverly Lewis was even better than I expected. The story was easy to get into and hard to put down. Lena Rose Schwartz is an amazing young woman who has a special gift of giving to others without hopes of anything in return. She spreads joy in surprising places even through the pain of losing her parents and a long distance separation from her younger brothers and sisters.

She was welcomed so warmly into the home of her father's second cousin Harley and his wife Mimi. She soon felt like a member of their own family. Her talents as a seamstress helped Mimi with her home sewing business. People in her new community soon became attached to her as she touched their lives with unselfish kindness. It wasn't long before she caught the eye of handsome cabinet maker Arden Mast. A relationship with him was not in her plans. She was determined to return to her family in Michigan as soon as a door opened to make that possible Arden knew his home and family were in Pennsylvania and didn't plan to leave them. She knew a friendship with him was safe.

Yet even with the happy circumstance of being reunited with her family and her responsibilities towards them she felt as though she left part of her heart in Pennsylvania. Oh I can't say how it ends but this is a good story you may just want to read twice! I heartily recommend this book.

I received my copy of The Road Home from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review but my thoughts are mine.

After unexpectedly losing both her parents in a tragic accident, eighteen year old Lena Rose is having to leave her nine brothers and sisters in Michigan and live with family in Pennsylvania. She is mot heartbroken at leaving, Chris, the youngest in the family at 8 years old as she has helped raise him since he was born and their bond is as strong as a mom and son's bond. Lena Rose is also leaving her beau, Hans, behind and relying on a strong love to help her it alive long distance.

As she settles in with her Pennsylvania family she starts attending Singings with her new family. She meets Arden Mast, an eligible bachelor that wants to court Lena Rose. Will Lena Rose test the waters or will her love for Hans hold strong? Will she be able to find work back in Michigan to be closer to her family or will she stay in Pennsylvania?

Beverly Lewis is the quintessential Amish writer. She writes flawlessly with love and knowledge of the Amish community. Her stories are works of beauty.

In The Road Home you are transported back to 1977, before the internet and cell phones which the Amish usually don't rely anyway. Lena Rose had to depend on snail mail and the occasional long distance call home (emergency only) for word on her families health and well-being and the love letters from her beau. I could not imagine being that far from the only home I've ever known and not being to readily contact the ones I love. You truly do learn to not take your love ones for granted by having to wait so long in between contacts.

Lena Rose teaches the reader about loving others fully, patience, faith and making the best of the situation and place you are currently. No matter what is happening Lena Rose puts her complete faith in God and listens to his responses. I would love to be able to live my life without worry by putting everything in His hands. That is something I work harder at every day.

Sit back and relax and enjoy your time with a gentler community that leaves you with a smile on your face and in your heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Road Home is an amazing novel written by Beverly Lewis. I enjoyed this book immensly for many reasons. First it is set in Centreville, Michigan 6 miles from where I grew up so I could relate to all the places mentioned in the story. The red covered bridge is one of them. The characters are so realistic and I was shocked when one main character was named Mimi, my given name by my grandchildren. Being an avid sewer I could relate to Mimi on many levels.

My favorite character was Lena Rose. She was so strong and dedicated to her many sibblings that it broke my heart when she was seperated from them. Lena never gave up hope to reunite with her family but many events got in her way. This shows Lena's strong loyalty to others above herself.Lena was strong in her faith also and never failed to turn her worries over to the Lord. Such a strong example for us readers to follow.

I enjoyed the conclusion and found myself wiping away tears. This book starts out strong and remains so throughout the entire story. It has a wonderful mix of characters who are very likeable.

I was not given a complimentary copy of this amazing book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable review at anytime. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that i can highly recommend to all those who love the Amish genre.

CONGRATULATIONS to Beverly Lewis on writing another fantastic book for her readers to enjoy and I look forward to reading more amazing books by this author in the future.

The characters are fantastic. They are so well developed and easy to relate to. From the beginning of the book there were many times that I wanted to just wrap my arms around a number of different ones as they went through difficult times.

The journey that God had Lena Rose on was such a heartbreaking story. But throughout it she had strong believers that kept pointing her to God and the fact that He had a plan for her life.

I loved the emphasis on prayer that is included in this wonderful book. They weren’t just praying at meal times either. Many of the characters spent time praying for God’s help in their lives.

There is a romance but it isn’t the main story. Family life within a community seemed to be the main focus. Working together and helping one another.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinions.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. 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.*

Although this books had many things in common with other Beverly Lewis because of the great writing and wonderful characters, I thought it was really unique because Lena Rose had to move all the way to Pennsylvania to live with a family member because there was no where for her to fit in the small town in Michigan where she grew up after her parents died. I was thinking that life wouldn't change for this family of 10 children because the community would come together to have someone live with them to make the only change the loss of their parents but that didn't happen. It took awhile to believe that this was happening for me but all of the children were shipped off to different houses so that they would have to grow up by themselves. Lean Rose makes the most of her new situation living in a new town away from her whole family and she makes a new life with many new friends. She prays every day to move home with her family but still makes the most of each day in Pennsylvania. When she gets word of a job and a place to live, she has to make a hard decision to leave behind her new life and go back to her old life. You have to pick up the book and find out what she does because it has me amazed!! I hope that you check out this book for yourself and enjoy it as much as I did!!

**I received a copy of the book for my review but all opinions here are honest and my own.

I think this story dealt with several interesting life issues and showed the true spirit of a strong believer. Lena Rose had some very difficult things with which to deal including the sudden loss of both parents, the burden carried by the oldest of ten siblings, moving to a new community 500 miles from home to live with strangers, plus leaving her beau behind. It seems that is enough to knock a mature adult down, much less an eighteen year old Amish woman. The fact that she was Amish and had been reared with the close community of family and friends may have been an important factor in her ability to cope with all the things that came her way. I admired her love for others, her ability to cope with the numerous circumstances, and her Christian witness to others. Truly, we do not get to Heaven based on our works but this young woman would be at the head of the line if that were the case. She displayed a maturity and faith beyond her years. Circumstances fail to go her way but God uses the bad to bring good into her life. We see that He is in control even when we think we are. What a beautiful story, even with the sadness that came roaring in at times.

Such a lovely, touching story by Beverly Lewis. The book begins with great sadness but ends with great hope. I loved all the characters, but especially the main character, Lena. Her love for and her desire to find a way to reunite with her orphaned brothers and sisters, even if it meant putting aside her all plans for her life, was the main theme throughout the book. Beverly Lewis is a master storyteller. This story is filled with faith, hope, and love. I was cheering for Lena all throughout the story and loved the ending. I’ll be reading this book again.

I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion about this book.

Book description: "Grieving the death of her Amish parents and the separation from her nine close-knit siblings, Lena Rose Schwartz consoles herself that her new life in Lancaster County won't be forever. Surely someday soon she will return to her beloved Michigan settlement, including her beau. But even as she holds on to hope for a reunion with those she loves most, she discovers that Lancaster holds charms of its own. Will she find the courage to open her heart to other possibilities?"

My review: Beverly Lewis is my favorite author for Amish fiction. The Road Home is another novel that keeps her at the top of my favorites list! This particular story took a few unusual twists and turns and didn't necessarily end the way I expected. I really couldn't decide what I wanted to happen to Lena in the end. That made the plot that much stronger in my opinion. Once again Lewis's characters are personable and real. Lena lived a life of trust in God that was not perfect, and each of the characters showed the ups and downs of life with real struggles. I look forward to another book with these particular characters. I received a copy of the is book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

As any fan of Amish fiction knows, there are plenty of books available in that genre -- some great, some so-so, and some maybe not so great. But one of the things you can count on is a very worthwhile read if you pick up a book by one of the authors who started it all -- Beverly Lewis.

Beverly's latest, The Road Home, is a touching story filled with lovable characters. The strong bonds shared by the siblings in Lena Rose's family draw you in and keep you involved from beginning to end. (Little brother Chris was probably my favorite.) Lena's compassion for her own family, as well as family and friends she gets to know in her new setting, is one of the strongest elements in this very enjoyable story. While the story is beautifully told in the setting of an Amish family, the joys and struggles are very relatable for readers of any background.

I highly recommend The Road Home for fans of great Amish fiction or anyone interested in a sweet story of love and family.

Thanks to Bethany House for providing a copy of this book. I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

A tragic tale of loss and how ten Amish children, ages 8-18, are divided among district families, except the oldest, Lena Rose, who is sent far away to live with an aunt and uncle she has never met. Beverly Lewis has knowledge of the Amish community that is deep and detailed. The Road Home will settle in your soul, causing an awareness of all that is good and right about folks who love each other and are willing to open their hearts and homes to those in need.

The characters settled down deep in my heart and I came to appreciate each one. While I did not find The Road Home to be a classic page-turner, it was satisfying and brought a few tears at one point. Lewis certainly knows how to entwine characters around my heart with gentleness and love. I hope there will be more stories about this family of orphans who forge ahead, making a life for themselves after a tragedy that most of us could never imagine.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. No compensation has been received.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Justice in Jeterville by JoBeth Jones, I was prepared for Carolann's hilarious idiosyncrasies, which carried through in Missing in Memphis. At one point, I was almost put out by Carolann's craziness and thought it was overdone, but then I realized that was the "art" of this novel. Readers can become just as irritated by Carolann as her friends and the others she irritates along the way. Meeting Carolann's mother in Missing in Memphis explains a lot about why Carolann is the way she is. The amazing thing is that just when Carolann seems to be the never-to-grow-up, spoiled toddler, the reader can actually envision the start of some maturity and possible change in this hilarious, yet aggravating, character. This is one of those books you can read in a day or two and, unlike most other novels I read, Missing in Memphis is fully of belly laughs.
NOTE: I received a free electronic copy of this through Bethany House Publishers. No review, positive or otherwise, was required. All opinions are my own.

The Road Home Is another exciting book by Ms. Lewis - it is artistic, visual and full of Faith. This story is semi familiar to me. It is about a large family - and boy did I have a large family - but sadly this family was not as lucky. Why? Well that is something you have to find out for yourself. The eldest is the one trying her hardest, but unable to keep them together - or can she? Can she? That is something you have to find out for yourself as well. I tell you my heart was stuck in my throat with this book and my heart was broke in two. How do you feel at the end of the book? Complete or wanting more? Well now - that again is something you have to find out for yourself. But know Lena Rose and the other children rest in GOD's hands at all times. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all of the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.

This book had wonderful characters and a really interesting plot. It was easy to connect with Lena Rose, and her struggle felt very real. Even though the story started with a very sad event, the book was encouraging. And showed how things can be guided and work out in ways you never seen coming. It had some surprising turns of events that kept me coming back to see what would happen next. The only part I had a hard time understanding was about the farm in the beginning of the book. I am not sure why that had to happen the way it did. But it did set the story up for all of the twists and turns that were coming up. And even with that it was a great story, and is one of my new favorite Beverly Lewis books! I highly recommend it!

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. The opinions are my own.

I like to read Beverly Lewis books, and although I liked this book, it wasn't up to her usual standard in my opinion. The storyline was different than ones I've read lately. It dealt with the death and how it affects the loved ones. There wasn't anything wrong with the story, it just wasn't a page-turner or a book you cannot put down. It did get a little long in some places and I did skip a few paragraphs now and then. Overall, I did enjoy the book.

It was a Christian book, but not pushy. It dealt with the Amish faith and slightly explained differences within the faith from different areas. Would I recommend this book, yes. I did enjoy it. In full disclosure, I asked to read and review this book and was given an advanced reader copy ebook. This opinion is my own and is not affected by getting the book through netgalley.com.

Book Review: The Road Home/ Beverly Lewis

Pages: 313
Publisher: Bethany House

I became acquainted with Beverly Lewis’ writings when I worked as a library assistant. I always enjoyed reading her work and tried to anticipate what would happen next in each of her tales.

The Road Home did not disappoint me. From first meeting Lena Rose Schwartz and her siblings, Beverly Lewis engulfed me into the story.

Lena and her siblings had a tragedy befall them that caused the ten of them a lot of grief. Lena had to leave them, hoping to return to them in a short while.

Beverly Lewis allows Lena to grow during her time in a strange place. The other people in the story give Lena the space to grow through helping some of the ‘aged’ people in the community to which she was sent.

This is a book that I could not put down for very long. I had to see how Lena Rose would do in various roles in which she found herself. She missed her family and her home community terribly. However, she was able to touch lives in her ‘new’ community.

I would recommend this author and her books to anyone who likes to read Christian fiction, Amish stories, or stories that have romance in them.

I was given a free copy of this book, The Road Home, by Bethany House Publishers. All they asked me to do was to give an honest review.

I started reading Beverly Lewis' Amish books with The Shunning, and I'll admit that, though I found them interesting, I also found them to be sad and to not have much of a "hope for a better future" ending. So I stopped reading her books, mostly, for many years; preferring to read other Amish books, such as those by Wanda E. Brunstetter. But, I decided to give this one a try, because of the plot (I, too, lost several family members almost at once) and this book is definitely my favorite of hers, hands down. While the characters have problems, and things aren't all rosy and everything comes together perfectly; there is a message of hope and continuing on. The characters are likeable and live their well or not well, like most of us, and the ending is good.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018

The Road Home by Beverly Lewis

I review books.  I have books that I have to read by a certain date.  It makes it difficult to read a book on my reading list.  But this came in at the library and I had to read it.  I was not sorry.

I can' get enough of Amish fiction.  My go to authors are Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter.  I never have been disappointed.

The Road Home had me shed a few tears and made my heart swell.  Lena Rose was the daughter you would be so proud of.  She was the sister you could lean on.  The friend you could count on.  She was the beau that any young man would be lucky to have.

I loved this book.  Take the time....get it, love it and enjoy every moment you spend with this delightful woman.

Lena Rose Schwartz, the main character in The Road Home thought she would stay in her Amish community in Centerville, Michigan. She planned to marry her beau and enjoy her large family of parents and siblings. Only God knew that her world would be shaken when we tragically lost both of her parents in an accident.

With no one able to care for all of the now orphans under one roof, the brothers and sisters are placed in various homes of nearby relatives. All except Lena Rose. She is sent to live with her father’s second cousin and his family in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania where she will use her sewing skills to assist in their family business.

Before her move, she hadn’t ever left Michigan. Now she is hundreds of miles away with relatives that she had never previously met.

Wrought with worry about her siblings and homesick for her old community, she is fearful for what this temporary separation will do to her relationship with Hannes. She had been hoping for a proposal, but will he wait?

Lena Rose, holding on to her faith in the Lord, does the best she can to adjust to her new surroundings, but life can be far more complicated than we ever expect. The Lord has a plan for her life and it’s far from what Lena had thought.

I truly enjoyed this book and the rich tapestry of characters. It was beautifully written and a sweet story about faith, God’s timing and the promises He has for us.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher for an unbiased review.

Another win win book from Beverly Lewis!! I so enjoy her books!!
Beverly Lewis is my all time favorite author. She almost never disappoints
Her characters are easy to make friends and connect with them.
Her books leave me content and happy.
I love Lena Rose! She's so brave!!
I could not imagine having such a big family!! I'd love to have brothers and sisters but sadly I was disappointed in that area.
My dad came from a family of 8 children. So, I have lots of cousins.
I'm sorry for this long overdue review but life does get in the way sometimes
I received this book for free. All opinions are my own

The Road Home is Beverly Lewis‘s latest Amish novel. Lena’s story starts off sad and tragic. I could never imagine what she has gone through with so much loss. She has to make so many difficult choices and learn how to live a new way of life. I was rooting for her happiness throughput. The story was slow at times but not enough to put the book down. I just had to know where Lena was going to next.

I liked The Road Home and I give it four stars. I recommend this book for those who love clean, inspiring, Amish books.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

The Road Home was my first Beverly Lewis book. So I don’t have anything to compare it to. I think if you are a fan, you will like this book. I like the way her character development, but found the story dragging a little in the beginning. The story picked up in the middle and was an nice easy read. The story was sweet, and full of innocence, love and family. When Lena Rose’s when her parents unexpectedly died, she was separated from her siblings. She had to learn to cope with not being able to help them and find ways to bide her time until she could come home at last. You can’t help but hope things turn out well. I liked the ending with its little twist.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

I had not read a Beverly Lewis book in about a year, and I always enjoy a book of hers, as they are quick reads for me, which is great after a dense non-fiction book. Mrs. Lewis consistently writes strong, Amish characters in midst of a life struggle, and she continues to prove her consistency with this book,

We meet Lena Rose on the pages, and experience her journey of loss, change and hope within chapters. Most young adults would be able to relate to the experience of leaving home, and Lena Rose’s Amish journey reflects that young adult experience of finding one’s way in the world, in a different perspective than mainstream culture.

The book wrapped up on page 313, and I felt the book could have been a bit more concise, and did not need the extended length, but otherwise it was an enjoyable, quick read.

Lewis is one of my favorite Amish novel writers. She does another great job in this one. If you like to read Amish type books, you will like this one. As in all of Beverly Lewis books, you meet lots of different people and get involved in their lives as well.

Lena Rose Schwartz is the eldest of 10 children. When she finds she must leave all she knows, even family, Will she be able to see all God has for her even in her trials. Lena is a sweet, loving, caring sister who only wants to keep her family together.

What a beautiful story of God’s faithfulness! The Road Home draws you in from the beginning with heartbreaking loss. You walk with Lena Rose thru her journey of loss and uncertainty while she is learning to trust God for her future and her family. You quickly see what a special young woman she is. This book was beautifully written from beginning to end!

The Road Home is a touching novel by Beverly Lewis. After tragedy strikes Lena Rose must move from her family and Amish community in Michigan to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was very moving to watch Lena Rose get settled into her new life while also dealing with what she left behind in the old. How she handled her trying circumstances, especially being so far away from her brothers and sisters, was quite inspiring.
This was such an excellent and touching story. You can really feel for Lena Rose and what she is going through in her life. This story had a unique plot line and was so well written. The story had so much meaning to it. I highly recommend it.
I received this book for free from Bethany House for review.

I really enjoyed this book. That said I've enjoyed all of Beverly Lewis's books Thea I've read. This, like the others, have a good message that is founded in her faith. Thank You Beverly for another great book.

This book was another wonderful book by Beverly Lewis. She is the master story teller of the Amish. In this new book you want be able to put it down. You feel their pain and cry with them. You fell as if your part of the storyline. Amazing book one you will want to get

I think this story dealt with several interesting life issues and showed the true spirit of a strong believer. Lena Rose had some very difficult things with which to deal including the sudden loss of both parents, the burden carried by the oldest of ten siblings, moving to a new community 500 miles from home to live with strangers, plus leaving her beau behind. It seems that is enough to knock a mature adult down, much less an eighteen year old Amish woman. The fact that she was Amish and had been reared with the close community of family and friends may have been an important factor in her ability to cope with all the things that came her way. I admired her love for others, her ability to cope with the numerous circumstances, and her Christian witness to others. Truly, we do not get to Heaven based on our works but this young woman would be at the head of the line if that were the case. She displayed a maturity and faith beyond her years. Circumstances fail to go her way but God uses the bad to bring good into her life. We see that He is in control even when we think we are. What a beautiful story, even with the sadness that came roaring in at times.

I love a book I instantly become friends with the characters. When you stave off that sneak attack to the fridge at midnight because you can't walk down the stairs and read at the same time. That's how I was while reading The Road Home by Beverly Lewis the past week. I could relate instantly to the main character Lena, because I lost both of my parents as a child and was shipped off to foster care. My heart ached for her when she received the devastating news and especially that she was being ripped away from all her siblings. I'm fairly new to this Author and look forward to reading other books she's written. I enjoyed because it wasn't overly romanced and seemed to focus more on the family unit. I was inspired seeing how with prayer and Faith you can overcome any obstacle or trial in your path. And sometimes we have to set aside our emotions in order to see the work God has in store for us. If you are new to Christian Amish Fiction this would be perfect for you, as it is a stand alone book and not part of a series.

I was delighted to get this book from Bethany House to review. I really enjoy Beverly Lewis' books and have quite a few of my own. This is another outstanding book about an Amish girl, the oldest of ten children, who lost her parents in a tragic accident. It recounts her struggles to maintain her faith in God and give her worries and fears to him. Circumstances forced her to be apart from her siblings and her beau and she worries constantly about them and wonders when she will be together again.

The themes throughout the book are about faith in God, helping others, and patience for God's leading. It is a well written book and kept my interest all the way through. I would definitely give this book a five out of five star rating. Beverly Lewis has done an excellent job again!

Beverly Lewis is a fantastic story teller. Her characters all have depth. This story had a wealth of emotions. From severe sadness with the death of the parents and the separation of the siblings to happiness at the reunion of the family