Minding Molly (The Courtships of Lancaster County, #3) by Leslie Gould

Minding Molly (The Courtships of Lancaster County, #3) Reviews

• 
  Shantelle

  2.5 stars. I'm afraid I just didn't enjoy this book as much as the one before it ... and certainly not as much as Courting Cate (Book One). On a whole, I liked it and it was interesting; but the story was a bit confusing, like it didn't know exactly where it was going. And the characters rather annoyed me.
  
  Molly Zook was ultra controlling. After the recent death of her father, and busy worrying about her mother, she's bossier than ever, according to her nineteen-year-old, younger sister. Her friends also seem to get weary of her telling them all exactly what to do and when to do it. It was just ... whew. On the other hand, reading Minding Molly helped me understand a little bit better, people like Molly. Because it showed her vulnerable and broken side as well.
  Beatrice (the younger sister) could be equally, if not more, frustrating than Molly; and Bea's the quiet, bookish one. O_O *ahem*
  Anyway, just a lot of the characters, including Bea, acted really childish. Whining. Saying rude things. Bickering like children. Yelling on car rides. It was simply a little hard to handle them all at times. Leon (the handsome, a bit shy, young man from Montana) may well have been the only sane one among them.
  
  All in all, it's an interesting tale of an Amish community and camping trips and family loss and the rocky road to love. Despite loving Courting Cate, and really enjoying Adoring Addie, Minding Molly was pretty much an "okay" read for me. I'm not sure if I'll continue this series. In one sense, I feel I've had enough. In another, I would like to see what happens with Beatrice. (The ending of this book was good!) Ah, well, we shall see, I guess! *smiles*
• 
  Tina

  As is too often the case, our worlds can change suddenly, without warning, and without mercy. The journey of our lives becomes foreign, the road untested, and best with complications we never could have imagined. Our will, our hearts, and our faith are all put to great duress all at once without any tolerance or patience for our adaption.
  
  In “Minding Molly”, author Leslie Gould brings us the tale of a young girl faced with just such a trial, Molly Zook, whose father has just passed away. In his death, the security of the family farm becomes in doubt and as her mother’s health problems mount, Molly does her best to assume the responsibilities of the eldest child.
  
  As the pressure mounts, options narrow when Molly’s ailing mother decides that her daughter’s marriage to a neighbor offers a path of rescue. As the cruel, crooked hands of Fate once again play their game, Molly is awash in overwhelming affections for a newly arrived young Amish man from Montana, Leon.
  
  I enjoyed this book (the third in a series) because it had a good storyline that was easy to follow despite my not having read the previous volumes. Despite the characters being new to me, I thought the author did well to help me quickly understand and relate to Molly. She, like me, feels a need to be in control of situations when the challenges are at their biggest. She also, like me, can be lost to the desires of the heart held only to anchor by a sense of duty to family. It was enjoyable watching her grapple and grow through her situation and to this, the story had great strength.
  
  Some of the challenges for me were in the extensive, sometimes extra, character interactions. There are sections in passing that are best served with some patience and characters work through some bulky dialogue. Whatever the book’s shortcomings in character efficiency, there is no corner-cutting on the morality and lessons Molly has to tell us.
  
  Her strength and ability to address conflict and obstacles that could easily sweep her away offer us lessons in faith and in honor – especially when we question our own accountability. Ms. Gould has done well to bring us a worthy tale and, seeing through the complexities inherent to any major life drama, I found this a good read. I would recommend this book for middle teens to adults.
  
  
  I received an e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for the promise of an honest review.
  
• 
  Becky

  Molly Zook is a young Amish lady living in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Recently, Molly’s father died leaving her mother, Anna, her sister, Beatrice, and Molly very much adrift. Molly had always been a take-charge person, and since her father’s death, that is exactly what she has been doing.
  
  Their father had started a green house and flower business on their farm. Unfortunately, none of the family knew what bad financial shape the business was in until after the father’s death.
  
  Anna demands that Molly marry their neighbor, Mervin, to save the farm. She believes they could combine their two farms, and be back in the black again financially. Her mom insists that lots of people don’t marry for love, but over time, love will grow. Molly is repulsed by this idea. She has turned down other men, because none of them were “the one.” The last thing she wants to do is marry someone she has no romantic feelings for. In addition, until recently, Mervin has been courting Molly’s best friend, Hannah.
  
  In the midst of this situation, a stranger, Leon, an Amish man from Montana shows up in the community. Molly is immediately smitten. Then seemingly out of the blue, Anna develops serious health issues.
  
  So proceeds a story of Anna attempting to force Molly and Mervin together, Hannah’s endeavors to make Mervin jealous, Molly’s ventures to get Mervin to love Hannah again, while at the same time, Molly is seeking ways to spend time with Leon. Misinterpretation of actions, hurt feelings and twists and turns are added to the story as well. Who will end up with whom? What will become of the family farm? And will Anna survive her health crisis?
  
  This story is loosely based on Shakespeare’s play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” And in this the story, the words of the old Bard, “the course of true love never did run smooth” definitely apply.
  
  To be honest, the last couple of Amish fiction works I read were so disappointing that I almost turned away from this genre. However, this was a different author than those works, and this tale captured my interest from the first page, and kept my attention until the end. Despite not reading all the books in this series, I did not have trouble keeping up with the story. This tale can stand on its own. This is fiction written from a Christian perspective, with well-developed characters and is enjoyable to read. I give this book five stars.
  
  The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Bethany House Publishing for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.
  
  My Blog:
  http://fushiacat.wordpress.com/2014/0...
  
  Author's Website:
  http://www.lesliegould.com/
  
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• 
  Brittany

  Minding Molly is another fun addition to The Courtships of Lancaster County series. I really enjoy how the author has built these stories based on the works of William Shakespeare. The first book of the series, Courting Cate, is based on The Taming of the Shrew. Book number two, Adoring Addie, is based on Romeo and Juliet. And now, we have Minding Molly, based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Looking ahead, the next book in the series is titled Becoming Bea and is based on Much Ado About Nothing. I have to say that it will be an interesting read for me, because I was definitely not fond of Bea in Minding Molly. However, we see her through Molly’s eyes in this book. I have a feeling that Bea sees the world very differently than Molly does.
  
  Minding Molly follows a similar path as the previous two books in the series, in that the heroine has troubled relationships and misunderstandings that pop up between family members and friends. She must learn a lesson about trusting in God and not relying on herself to solve her problems. I really felt for Molly and felt that she was getting a raw deal throughout most of the book, especially the way that she was treated by her best friend, Hannah, and by her sister, Bea. I found it admirable that most issues were resolved by the end of the book in a satisfactory way.
  
  There is a sweet love story running throughout the book. For about half of the book, I did not know which man Molly should end up with. It became clearer after the midway point, however, I was very unsure about how the author was going to tie everything up. But she did and all of my questions were answered.
  
  I was frustrated with the way Molly was treated in most of the book, however, it was one of those situations where I just couldn’t stop reading because I had to know how it was going to turn out! I recommend this whole series to fans of Amish fiction. This book can stand alone, but the experience is much fuller after reading the first two books in the series. And the covers on these books are some of my favorites!
  
  I received a complimentary copy of Minding Molly from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review, which I have given. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
  
  You can read this review on my blog at:
  
  http://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.co...
  
• 
  Laura

  MINDING MOLLY is the third book in Ms. Gould's The Courtships of Lanncaster County series. I'm not really sure how I feel about it. Great writing. Molly is strong, opinionated, and bossy, very maternal, her Mamm says, but she gets upset when someone doesn't do exactly what she wants when she wants. Leon is a dear. He is quiet, patient, understanding, and willing to question what he doesn't understand. And there is a lot about Molly to not understand! She dated Philip but he broke up with her because she was pushing the relationship, then her mamm decided Mervin would be the one who she should marry to save the farm--but Molly's best friend Hannah is in love with Mervin, so she has to make Mervin fall in love with her friend so she can be free to marry Leon, except Leon is going back to Montana so she has to make Leon want to stay in Lancaster County... And Hannah doesn't seem like much of a friend.
  
  I'm not sure what William Shakespeare story this one is allegedly based on, I'm not a huge Shakespeare reader. Not enough to know this without being told. The story is well written. The drama is head-ache inducing. Leon is a doll. I'm going with 4 stars. If you like Leslie Gould and Amish fiction you will probably love MINDING MOLLY. Don't miss this, or the first two in the series, Courting Cate and Adoring Addie.
• 
  Maureen Timerman

  This is the third book in this series that I have read, and greatly enjoyed.
  This is Molly Zooks story, who has recently lost her Dad. She is now trying to save their home and farm. Her Mom has a solution, she has picked out a husband for Molly, and he has some land that will help. Yeah right, but Molly has always obeyed her parents, this is asking a lot. As she tries to find a plan to work, she meets someone who she is smitten with.
  Can Molly reject the one her Mother wants for her? Or will she follow her heart? When you think you know just the way this story is going to unfold, guess again.
  Now Molly is a control freak...she has to have things done right, and the way she wants it! We travel with the Amish gang or Youngies and go camping...oh fun!! Molly has to have it done her way, she has a chart...listen all we need this and this. Sound like fun?
  Through all we see people who live their faith, and are there for one another, in good, and hard times. We celebrate weddings, and births, and then the loss of loved ones, and illnesses. I loved this visit and hope for more!!
  
  I received this book through Bethany House Publishers, and was not required to give a positive review.
• 
  Lynne Young

  I enjoyed this book as I have the first 2 in the series. There were a few "hold your breath" moments which made the story richer. Molly just can't seem to stop being a control freak. She has to be in charge and in control but doesn't start to realize it until a chain of events happen that make her understand what she has been doing. A lot of that is courtesy of her younger sister who is resentful of always being to what to do and when to do it. Unfortunately for Molly this control issue of hers could jeopardize her future with a certain horse trainer. Throughout the book Molly seesaws back and forth wondering what is the best path for her. All the while she is worried about her Mamm's health and losing the farm. Once she decides to let God be in control of her future she starts to realize what she has been like through the eyes of others and sets about making things right.
  
  I recommend this book if you are looking for an easy read with not a lot of suspense. I look forward to the next book by this author. I was given a review copy by netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Rhonda

  Poor Molly! Who wants to be told who to marry by their mother? and all to save the family farm after the death of her father? Molly wants to control things since she could not control the things that mattered the most in her life. I think many of us have experienced this.....I know that I certainly have problems with wanting to control and fix everything, and I am learning that it is impossible and even unhealthy.
  Molly is a delightful character. She is organized and a go-getter. She reminds me of an amazing teacher. Others in her life attempt to teach her how to give up the desire to control it all. This was a delightful book and would make a wonderful book for young teens as well as adults. 5 Stars *****
  I received a free pdf version of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
• 
  AlegnaB †

  This was boring. It went on and on and on, without anything interesting happening. 😴
• 
  Lyssa

  This book works well as a stand-alone novel; when I requested it, I didn't realize that it was part of a series, but never had any confusion or felt like there was too much back story presented. It really is its own individual story.
  
  The story started off very strong with vivid and unique characters. I really identified with Molly in her position as the eldest child with a lot of responsibility on her shoulders who is bossy, has high standards and seems to break the mold of what it means to be feminine by not having a "normal" reaction to children. My feelings were hurt right along with her when her sister said some of the things that she said. Having a strong personality or being bossy doesn't necessarily give you a thick skin and when you're not trying to take advantage of people, but just do a good job, being criticized for it, especially by someone close to you, can really hurt.
  
  However, the one thing I disagreed with Molly on (emphatically I might add) turned out to be the whole theme/message of the book. At first, I thought Molly's whole search for love at first sight was just a natural view based on immaturity. I appreciated the tempering stories that showed another perspective (like her own mother's) and believed, based on the synopsis, that she would learn that love comes in many different forms and would be grateful to receive it in whatever way God chose to bless her with it. Because of this, and it's implications toward Mervin, I felt confused and had barriers up toward Leon for quite awhile.
  
  Then at the end of the book, the author seemed to unravel all the work she had put into showing many different perspectives of love and marriage (her mother telling Molly that she lied earlier and it actually was love at first sight for example). She just sort of tossed it all aside and started championing this idea of insta-love. That's something I have a serious problem with.
  
  Molly pushes repeatedly for "only marrying for love." Personally, I agree that I'd prefer to be in love with the person before marrying them, but I don't believe it's necessary. I also don't believe that will necessarily make the marriage stronger or more lasting- a constant dosage of God does that and He puts couples together in a variety of ways and for a variety of reasons. Anyway, Molly seemed to imply that either love was present or it wasn't and that you couldn't have a marriage without it being present. And that, I think, is a lot of the trouble with couples today. Love CAN be controlled. It's not something you're a victim of, something involuntary. It's something that is sometimes present naturally, but more often you have to work at, you have to cultivate, you have to grow with determination. Lawana Blackwell put it very well in her The Widow of Larkspur Inn book:
  
  
  'And then a question cropped up into her mind from seemingly nowhere. Was love something that suddenly swooped down upon a person, like a cold? She mulled that over for a moment. It did in my case with Philip. But I know now that was only infatuation.
  What if love wasn’t a mysterious “thing” that capriciously attached itself to whomever it willed? Could it be instead a deliberate choice of action? Jesus had commanded His followers to “love one another.” Would He give such a commandment if people had no control over their ability to love?
  And does that mean that romantic love between a man and woman can be cultivated, just as Mrs. Kingstron cultivates her roses?
  She recalled standing at a window facing the Anwyl and determining that, like Saint Paul, she would learn contentment. If contentment could be achieved through an act of will, t hen why couldn’t love? And it would seem that a love purposely cultivated for a man because of his kind nature and comforting ways would eventually grow stronger and deeper than one based on mere physical attraction.'
  
  
  When Molly talks about love, she really only refers to the way it makes her feel- that's chemistry and attraction. With Leon, it never appears to be built on anything more than a spark. She doesn't talk about his character or values or anything really. Just how good he looks and how she's never 'felt this way' about anyone else. That instant spark, while still a good thing, is not love. Molly never realizes that while that fire can strike instantly like lightning, it can also grow and flame after a lot of work and relationship building (more like rubbing sticks together to build a fire). And I would say that a fire built, rather than instantly ignited, is more stable and lasts longer. I'm not saying that love at first sight never happens or that it can't lead to a successful marriage, I'm just saying that it's not the only way, the normal way or the best way. It's not something to hold out for and value above all other forms, the way Molly does.
  
  Anyway, the other things I didn't like about this book were few and minor in comparison. But I really grew to strongly dislike Hannah. Most of the characters test out their flare for melodrama by crying out "how could you do this to me" now and then, but I thought it was most inappropriate when she responded that way when she was caught flirting with her best friend's beau. Now she's the victim?! I don't respect people who play mind games, so I was not okay with her trying to use Leon to get Mervin back. But it was made a million times worse by the fact that she new there was something going on between Leon and Molly. Why would she ever think that would be okay? Hannah was just very self absorbed. Molly continually puts Hannah's needs and feelings first, always worrying about her emotionally and mentally and Hannah takes advantage of that. She's just not a good friend, starting scenes in public, not being there for Molly when she's grieving and not speaking up (but rather talking behind her back to others, like Beatrice) when she thinks her best friend is out of line.
  
  The end came rather abruptly with several characters back pedaling or acting unnaturally for the sake of tying up lose ends, which I just didn't like.
  
  But I really liked the mention of the parallel to the Mary/Marthal. That was such an excellent reminder that God created us all differently and not to judge someone as 'failing' or 'lazy' etc just because they work differently, accomplish different things at different rates or have different strengths. Because we know there is only one Way, I think we often forget that there are many paths to get to Him.
• 
  Arjaye

  Molly seems to expect a lot of everyone and for everyone to follow her rules, set standards I was unsure if it was her grief, worry, if she was just bossy or if it was a combination of these. However it soon explained. Molly struggles with things that most young adults don’t and seems to carry a lot of the responsibility as the oldest daughter.
  
  Her mum wants her to marry to keep the farm but realises she was wrong to try and arrange a marriage for Molly. At times I felt sorry for Bea with how Molly treated her and at other times Bea reminded me of myself with her book and always writing things down.
  
  Molly finds love on her own and in time also overcomes her fear of riding horses. I loved hearing about the camping trip and their time while camping. It wasn’t without incidents or things that went wrong but was different from the usual party gatherings a lot of Amish books/stories have and I loved that this one was different. I felt so sad for Addie and what happened having gone through the same myself.
  
  The ending seems to end too quickly like the previous two books in the series but I enjoyed this book more than the previous ones. I’m looking forward to Bea and hearing more about her and the other characters too.
• 
  AngieA

  Leslie Gould bases her stories on Shakespeare plays. The quotes in this one are from A Midsummer Night's Dream. I liked Molly, probably because she is a lot like me: organized, efficient, likes to get her own way, kinda bossy. In one section, she is in church and an elder tells the story of Mary and Martha and she relates how she always feels sorry for Martha because she is chastised by Jesus. Me too! And then this bit of wisdom comes out: "Jesus only chastised Martha after she had complained to him. She hadn't been doing the work for him, or trusting him. She'd been doing the work for herself, which caused her to resent her sister. 'Mary was still, worshiping the Lord. It's not wrong to work; what's wrong is to not trust God while we work. Just as it would have been wrong for Mary not to trust as she sat still.'" Food for thought.
• 
  H

  Solid three stars. Of the series, this has felt the most balanced to me of family/friend support and difficulties. Molly has her conflicts with her friends and family, but when it really matters they also support her and show her grace and love (something that felt missing from the other two books other than as a Hail Mary sort of thing at the very end). These books are interesting, too, in how they depict so many different styles of Amish living, from farmers to carpenters to cowboys. I never knew there was so much diversity in careers, so learning more about it has been really interesting to me.
• 
  Amy

  Well, I finished this one because I kept hoping it would get better, that I would end up liking the characters....and by the end I did, I guess. But this one was hard to read, I just didn’t follow it sometimes, it felt like I missed something and I’d go back to make sure I didn’t skip a paragraph or a page. I hadn’t, it was just a few details that seemed to be missing. And the instalove....and the mind games and jumping back and forth and just all around meanness of some of the characters, I almost didn’t finish reading.
  Meh...
• 
  Anne

  The main character is quite annoying up until the end. I understand that she's supposed to be like this, hence the title, but I still didn't like it. Someone doesn't just change overnight like this. Not even a mediocre love story, although I will give one of her other books a try, as those stories sounded more fun than this one. I did like how the ending wasn't all tied up in a neat bow and some of it remained messy.
• 
  Brittany

  This review can also be found on my blog:
  http://www.spacebetweenthespines.com/
  
  If you know me pretty well on Goodreads, or have followed my blog for any period of time, you can probably guess I have a weird fascination with Amish fiction. And in addition, I love retellings of all types whether they’re fairy tales or classics or what have you. So, when I came across the Courtships of Lancaster County series by Leslie Gould – which combined both these favorite genres – I knew I had a recipe for the perfect series.
  
  The Courtships of Lancaster County series is a retelling of different Shakespeare’s plays. The first book, Courting Cate, is a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew, one of Shakespeare’s few comedies. The second installment of the series, Adoring Addie, is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Finally, the third book – which I will review here – is based off of A Midsummer’s Night Dream. It really is a shame that I can’t get the full enjoyment out of the retelling. I’ve only read a handful of Shakespeare’s plays (Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar and Macbeth), so the only one I’ve really been able to adequately compare to the source material is Adoring Addie. However, I know the gist of many of the plays – even if I had to do a little research before writing the review. Haha!
  
  Minding Molly centers around the ever vivacious Molly Zook, who we’ve seen before here and there in the previous two books. After her father dies in an unfortunate accident, Molly, her mother and her sister, Beatrice, are having a hard time paying the bills for their home. So far, their thriving landscaping business, where Molly grows flowers, shrubs, trees and herbs, has kept their heads above water, but the family knows it’s only a matter of time before things take a financial downturn. Who mother think’s she has the best solution for both Molly and their family: have Molly marry the next door neighbor’s boy – Mervin Mosier – and combine their two farms together. Molly, who has no interesting in marrying Mervin – and is quickly falling for a handsome man, Leon, down the street – is left with quite the dilemma. Not wanting to disobey her mother or hurt Mervin’s feelings, she helps set up a camping trip, where all her friends are invited. Hannah – who’s pined for Mervin for years – Mervin, his twin brother Martin, her sister, Leon and plenty of others. It’s up to Molly to win Leon’s heart, while also trying to set Hannah and Mervin up together. And, in between all the relationship drama, she has to find a way to save her family home.
  
  What I’ve really come to like about Gould’s work is that her retellings are definitely well thought out. They aren’t some loosely based plot idea, but specific characters actually relate to specific characters that Shakespeare created. For example, Molly represent Hermia who is in love with Leon (Lysander) but is told that she needs to marry Demetrius (Mervin). Meanwhile, Hannah (Helena) is secretly in love with Demetrius (Mervin). It’s just so perfectly plotted together, especially considering that many of these characters are recurring, meaning we’ve seen and met them in the previous two books. To have all these characters so intricately weaved together demonstrates that Gould really plotted her series carefully before even writing the first book. I love when authors put in so much effort. To top it all off, much of the book takes place during the camping trip, out in the middle of nowhere in the woods, much like the classic is told from a magical forest.
  
  That said, this book isn’t without its flaws. Due to the setting in the story, we get plenty of chapters that are relatively slow, many of which dealing with detailing the forest and camping trip itself. There were only so many hikes I could read through before I started skimming to get to the next serious part. As far as the characters, I really like the distinct personality that Gould has given to all her characters. When it comes to Amish fiction, it’s easy – simply by the nature of the Amish – to have characters that demonstrate the same qualities, beliefs, and values. Gould manages to keep her characters true to their faith without giving us that same, dried up and over-used Amish girl and guy.
  
  Of course, the major set-back with this book – and the main reason I gave it four stars – is the insane insta-love that occurred between Molly and Leon. Yes, I get that it’s a retelling and, yes, I get that part of the Amish customs have a play in it, but really? You know the guy TWO DAYS and you’re already confessing your love to him? I’d be more apt to marry Mervin, whom I’ve known for years, rather than some good looking stranger I know next to nothing about. But that’s just being suspicious, sensible me. But of course, Leon ended up being a great guy and all. I just couldn’t excuse the book that ridiculous intsa-love, though. Thus, the four stars. Overall, though, it’s a fantastic retelling of an awesome classic that I REALLY need to make time to read. And as far as Amish books go, it’s definitely up there. Check it out if you haven’t already and, if you’re new the Amish fiction genre, considering picking up the first book, Courting Cate. It’s great as well!
  
• 
  Amy

  Not my favorite book in the series but it still was pretty good. Honestly it didn't end the way I thought it would but that's OK because surprises are good. I can relate to Molly in a lot of ways because I tend to be start of a take charge person myself.
• 
  Mary Baker

  This is another good read from Leslie Gould in the Courtships of Lancaster County series. Torn between her responsibilities for her mother and sister and her love for Leon, Molly has to sort out her personal feelings. A good safe read!
• 
  Mikaela Shriner

  This was my favorite of the series and one of the better Amish books I’ve read. Amish books are typically very predictable, you know who’s going to end up with who from the start. But this one kept me guessing how it would end.
• 
  Carmen

  I really didn't get the connection between the MCs. Too much character drama between everyone and the romance was pushed aside then glossed over in the last 4 pages of the book
• 
  Joann

  It was s great finish to the series! I don’t think it was as good as the others but I still enjoyed it
• 
  Debbie

  A good theme and cast of characters.
• 
  Lorraine Shaw

  Another great Amish story.
• 
  Babetta

  Much better than the first two in this series.
• 
  Melissa Allen

  Super cute!! Love the love and heart in this book. On to book 4. Just love the Lancaster series!!