| Title | : | An Honest Love (Hearts of Middlefield, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1595548130 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781595548139 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 296 |
| Publication | : | First published February 25, 2010 |
An Honest Love (Hearts of Middlefield, #2) Reviews
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An Honest Love by Kathleen Fuller
I liked reading this series, Anna had her heart broke when her finance left abruptly and she keeps her feelings gaurded now, can anyone break through this barrier and show her love.
Anna and her mother move to Ohio to start life anew. -
I loved this book. It kept me hanging until the end. loved the story of anna and Lukas, as well as the story of Aaron and Elisabeth. I am pretty sure there will be more to that story in the third book, which I am just starting.
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After a broken engagement and heart, Anna Esh has moved with her mother to Middlefield, Ohio and opened a gift store. There she meets Lukas Byler, who soon is helping her with repairs at the store and slowly working his way into her heart. But Anna is afraid to love and trust again and soon is keeping a secret from Lukas - a secret that could ruin their relationship. Meanwhile, Lukas's sister Elisabeth, who can be a bit scatterbrained, has started working for Gabe Miller. Her work brings her in close contact with Aaron Detweiller, who spent some time in jail before straightening out his life. The two seem complete opposites but opposites do attract - if Aaron and Elisabeth learn to follow their hearts.
"The Honest Love" by Kathleen Fuller features two sweet romances set in the Amish community. The title is an apt one as both couples - Anna/Lukas and Elisabeth/Aaron - struggle not only with being honest with each other but in their own feelings. Anna is perhaps the deepest of all the characters as she is not only struggling with the betrayal of her ex-fiancé but with serious health issues that threaten to destroy her and Lukas's future. You can't help but want to shake some sense into her as she struggles with these issues on her own. You also can't help but feel sorry for Lukas as he realizes how much Anna has been keeping from him.
As compelling as the Anna/Lukas storyline is, I also much enjoyed the Elisabeth/Aaron romance. On the surface, it is a lighter hearted storyline as Elisabeth is a fun character - impulsive, irrepressible and determined to get Aaron out of his shell. There are several funny moments in the story that make it fun to read. It is also fun to watch the romance blossom between the two. But underneath it all there are some serious moments - mostly focused on the Rumspringa. Aaron got in serious trouble during his Rumspringa and Elisabeth is helping a friend of hers who is in serious trouble because of her behavior during Rumspringa. This story shows that no one is safe from very real problems.
"An Honest Love" (the second book in the Hearts of Middlefield series) is a nicely done romance novel set in the Amish community. -
Trying to get on with her life after the man she loved betrayed her, Anna and her mother moved to Middlefield where she can protect her heart and keep from ever being hurt again. Time and a new place seem just the things she needed to mend her broken heart. She put all her efforts and thoughts into the new gift shop she and her mother purchased. And then she meets Lukas. She can’t resist the attraction between them, and find herself falling in love. Her fear of losing Lukas forces her to keep a secret that she fears will destroy their future. Her decision to not trust him with her secret changes their lives forever. How will Lukas react when he finds out her secret? Will the path she chose keep them from an honest love?
Woven into the book is a second story of Elizabeth and Aaron that I found delightful. Elizabeth is not your typical young Amish woman and Aaron has a past that makes it difficult for him to forgive himself. Will Elizabeth’s outspoken ways which often have her regretting her words allow her to break through Aaron’s protective shell that keeps him quiet and standing on the outside of everything?
Although the two tales in this book are different, they blend together beautifully and both share heart-felt stories that keep you enthralled until the very end.
Once again, Kathleen Fuller has captivated and transported me back to Middlefield, Ohio to the quaint and slower-paced Amish community in this second of her A Hearts of Middlefield Series. The first book in this series had me totally absorbed in the story from the very first page. AN HONEST LOVE captivated me from the beginning as well. I can’t wait to read the next in her series.
To say that my 14-year-old daughter enjoyed the book as well would be an understatement. When I asked her if she could describe the book in only one word – what would it be….she easily answered, “Awesome!” Enough said. -
I love that you get two love stories for the price of one in Kathleen Fuller's books. Often times, I find myself enjoying the secondary subplot romance even more than I do the one that makes it to the back cover blurb. In An Honest Love, though, I was rooting for both couples equally. And then I got mad at one couple lol - so the field narrowed to just the one for a little while. :)
But to me, the character that made this book was Onkel Zeb. He was hilarious! Always in the background, his comments made me laugh even in the middle of some situations where I wanted to shake the aforementioned mad-at couple. (Ok, so really, I was only mad at one half of the couple. The female half. Just slightly miffed at the male half. You'll see why when you read this novel for yourself.)
An entertaining story that reminds us of the importance of forgiveness - even of ourselves - and of honesty - even when it's risky. The romance is sweet but loses none of the breathlessness, and the characters (as always) leap off the page and into your heart. -
THis is a simple sweet little book. I did not like the deceit that is woven through this book. I understood it and found it to be understandable in context to the storyline. I just found the character to be a little too selfish I understand how human the choices were but I just could not like it when those choices have an affect on someone else who does not have all of the information they should have. I also felt the forgiveness and resolution came a little too easily. I wonder if some residual doubt would not be there when deceit is so great? I just did not feel authentic or realistic, to me.
I really loved Elisabeth and Aaron. I found their story to be cute and nice to read.
I would be beneficial to read the first in the series, but it is possible to read this one without having to read the second.
This is a light read, it isn't bad it just didn't have any depth. Even though the subject matter is serious. -
I've been wanting to get back to Middlefield for a while now, so I was quite excited to be able to read this book this month. Sadly, this didn't live up to all my excitement!
The story follows two different couples, where a pair of siblings find their significant others. The problem I had with it was that there was a lot of deception going on for an Amish story. It didn't feel like a true Amish Romance!
Aaron and Elizabeth's romance was the better of the two for me, though I did appreciate the struggle that Anna and Lukas faced in their own. The ending for Anna and Lukas felt too pat as well, especially in light of the events surrounding Elizabeth's friend Deborah!
I did like some of the faith realizations that happened in this story, as I could relate to them in my own life. However, overall, the book wasn't a great fit for me. -
I did not like this book very much.
The writing, romance, and story were not very good.
Once again, the reluctant love is present. That really annoys me.
Maybe read this if you like romance. If not, then don't. -
Great book. I read number one in the series last year and don’t remember any of the characters but it didn’t matter because this is a totally stand alone book. My heart ached for Anna and her dilemma. I had endometriosis early in our marriage but was not diagnosed by doctors for 11 years. They told me the excruciating pain I was experiencing was all in my head. So I understood the devastating news and the way it scared her and confused her. I’m glad for the inspirational romances that give real life scenarios, and the reminders that our hope is in the Lord, when He is our Savior. The romance in this was lovely.
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Title: AN HONEST LOVE
Author: Kathleen Fuller
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
March 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59554-813-9
Genre: Inspirational/Amish
Elisabeth is a bit klutzy, but she is trying to work carefully so she won’t mess up as much. She is thrilled when Gabe offers to hire her to work in the office of his blacksmith shop. They need an accountant, and Elisabeth has a reputation of being good with numbers. Elisabeth jumps at the chance, thrilled that the job also includes working with Aaron, an Amish man with a troubled past, a reputation, and a rap sheet.
Anna and her mother have relocated to Ohio to take care of an elderly uncle, and have decided to start their own business, with a gift shop catering to tourists. Lukas brought some homemade toys up to the shop for sale, and found himself enthralled by the lovely Anna. He offers to do some maintenance work in the shop, removing the electric and installing gas lighting. When he refuses to take pay for his services, Anna feels obligated to spend some time in his company when he invited her to singings.
But Anna’s past is secret, and her present is built on lies—how will Lukas react when he discovers the truth?
AN HONEST LOVE is the second book in Ms. Fuller’s A Hearts of Middlefield Novel series, but it easily stands alone. Readers may want to read the first book to be brought up to speed on some secondary characters’ stories, but otherwise, it isn’t necessary to read first.
I enjoyed revisiting Middlefield, Ohio, in this series, and love Ms. Fuller’s writing style. Her characters are loveable and her situations are realistically portrayed. It is obvious she spent some time researching the Amish and their ways. AN HONEST LOVE also includes a reader’s guide and an interview with the author. Readers are encouraged to also join
www.amishliving.com to be kept up to date with contests, recipes, and be part of an ongoing book discussion, plus more. If you like Amish fiction, you will definitely want to read AN HONEST LOVE. $14.99. 287 pages. -
This book #2 in the Hearts of Middlefield novels. I like how Kathleen Fuller puts two love stories in her books. Anna really annoyed me, but I loved Lucas. I loved how forward he was. One of my quotes at the bottom is an example of that.
I loved, loved, loved that Aaron Detweiler became a stronger part of this story. In the last book he played a very minor role but I was intrigued by him and all his mopey, quiet, brooding behavior. I really enjoyed watching Elisabeth draw him out. Elisabeth was also a great character. I loved all her flaws, her forgetfulness and her nosey nature. She cracked me up more than once. I thought her character was very well written because I felt like I knew her by the end of the book. She felt very real to me.
Favorite Quotes
"How did you know my name?"
"Your mudder mentioned it the day I came in here. She also said she was sorry I'd missed you." He gazed at her, the intensity of his hazel eyes deepening. "I'm glad I didn't miss you this time."
-Anna and Lucas
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"I know for a fact the Mullets wouldn't think that way because Herr Mullet's brother Nathaniel got arrested years ago for stealing a neighbor's horse."
He looked up at her. "Really?"
Ya. That was when I was a little girl. I remember him spending time in the pokey for a while."
The corner of his mouth lifted. "The pokey?
"Isn't that what they call jail?"
"Who calls it that?"
"I don't know, I thought I heard someone say it."
He shook his head, a genuine smile on his face. "The pokey. I've heard a lot of names for jail, but never that one."
-Aaron and Elisabeth -
I really enjoyed book 1 in this series, A Man of His Word and was excited to read An Honest Love. I really enjoyed the story of Anna and Lukas as well as Lukas's sister, Elisabeth and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Amish fiction, however those who are avid fans may have some issues with dialogue between the characters and the plum colored dress worn by one of the characters. Would an Amishwoman wear a purple dress or say a person was a "pistol?" I don't know a lot about the Amish but I thought some of those details may have been more "Englisch" than Amish. As far as the pace of the book went I also felt that it moved a little fast for me and the fact that the author included 2 romances in the story didn't leave a whole lot of room for as much interaction and detail between both couples as I would have liked. I almost wish Elisabeth and Aaron were given their own story. That said I still really enjoyed the book.
An Honest Love had themes of learning to trust those who love us, letting go of past hurts and also dealt with teens and peer pressure; not something you always come across when reading Amish fiction. Because of her ability to include real-life situations that allows me to relate to a different culture while at the same time keeping me entertained, Kathleen Fuller is one of my favorite Amish fiction authors and I am really looking forward to reading book 3, A Hand to Hold. I highly recommend that you read A Man of His Word as it was my favorite of the series so far.
I received my free review copy from Booksneeze. -
Once again we are in Middlefield Ohio, where we will find a beautiful young woman. An Amish woman, who has been hurt badly by a man she deeply loved and was engaged to be married to. He basically left her at the altar so to speak. Three days before her wedding Anna Hesh found out her fiance of three years did not want to marry her, and was beyond crushed to learn that he soon married a young woman in another church district. But life must go on, and a new start should help the hurt ease. She and her mother move to Middlefield to help her Onkel Zeb, her deceased father's older brother, who fell off a ladder. Buying a gift store and running it, is her dream job, and she dives into her new job with all she has. Unfortunately for Anna, who is not looking for love, she catches the eye of Lukas Byler who is.
A beautiful story of love, deception, betrayal and redemption. Anna and Lukas trod a path that is often trod by many young loves, but the way they deal with their hurts and deception will be the difference.
Will Anna and Lukas overcome their troubles and have a happy ever after life? This book has several side stories of interest also, a frank look into some of the happenings of a young Amish teen during rumspringa. Definitely a story that you will not want to put down!
Kathleen Fuller has once again shown her wonderful talents in writing this book. A definite keeper for your permanent home library. 296 pages $14.99 US 5 stars. -
A lovely and heartwarming story about an Amish brother and sister who find both love and friendship in the most unlikely place. Lukas meets Anna who was hurt by the man she once loved and was going to marry. Elisabeth has known Aaron since her family is friends with his. She also knows of his dark past and wild ways before he joined the church. Now Elisabeth works with Aaron and has to deal with his quiet and sullen attitude and his rudeness towards her. Will the past, lies and half-truths destroy the lives and friendships that have been built, or can the past be dealt with?
An Honest Love is the second book of the Hearts of Middlefield Series. I didn't read the first, so I was concerned that I would be lost and not know the characters or their situations. That is not the case with this book. I had no problem with either the characters or the storyline. You learn along with the "new characters" presented in this book, to understand what happened in the past.
This story was an enjoyable read! It interested me enough that now I've added the first book of the series, "A Man of His Word", to my list to pick up the next time I go to the bookstore. This is a definite must read for anyone who loves Amish fiction or Christian fiction. -
I really love these Amish stories. These Hearts of Middlefield books are simple, but enjoyable. Like the one before it, there are two stories in this book. The one about Anna and Lukas from the back cover and another one about Aaron (who was a character from book one in the series) and Elizabeth. It seems that all the books center around one family, the Bylers. In this case, Elizabeth and Lukas are both Bylers and then the two people they are involved with are from other families.
I have read other Amish series in the past and this one is interesting to me because the Amish people seem to be more modern than in other Amish books I've read. They have indoor plumbing and use gas for light, as well as battery operated devices. They also buy groceries from a grocery store and eat things like potato chips and candy bars, which seems weird to me. I'm not sure if that is accurate or not. I know that not all Amish communities are the same, so I'm assuming it is probably accurate enough.
If you like a good book with an interesting plot line, these books are very good. I would say they are fairly predicable, but in a good way and the characters are very enjoyable - pretty real. -
This was a good book. It wasn't an excellent read, but it held my attention and was a good read!
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Loved it!! Kathleen Fuller is becoming one of my favorite authors!!
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Really good!
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I just love my Amish books :)
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Good Book
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Good read.
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The love stories were sweet, but the book just kind of ended abruptly. I'm hoping book #3 has some real closure because the ending in this one was lame.
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Two love stories in an Amish community in Ohio - one couple battles infertility and another isolation.
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Hearts of Middlefield Series #2 Anna & Lukas
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So amazing! My favorite book in the series! I really love the story about Elisabeth, no offense Anna and Lukas :)
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I loved this one! It is the best out of the three!
