A Hand to Hold (Hearts of Middlefield, #3) by Kathleen Fuller

A Hand to Hold (Hearts of Middlefield, #3) Reviews

• 
  Lena Morrison

  I do my reviews in the form of a letter, which is why they are written like this.
  
  
  Dear Kathleen Fuller,
  I did not like this book very much either.
  It was very bland and predictable.
  The romance is dull, the characters are dull, and the writing is okay.
  I'm not trying to be mean, but I am saying that this is how I felt about this story.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  Lena Marie
• 
  Paula-O

  loved reading this series,Hearts of Middlefield- by Kathleen Fuller, book #3 "A hand to Hold".
  
  Ruth is the youngest Byler child and feels like everyone still looks at her as a child. She seems to always to have to prove that she is more mature now and can make good decisions-though sometimes they are not.
  Ruth has always wanted to be a teacher and worked hard at school work making good grades but making others think she was "teachers pet".
  
  Zach never seemed to have his fathers approval and he made many mistakes growing up. He didnt like school so showed off and disrupted many times.
  Zach was always trying to get his father to notice his work and all he seemed to do was settle on the bad and not the good in him.
  
  Now would you think these two would ever end up a couple? Zach ran a car into the side of the schoolhouse on the first day of school and also the first day that Ruth was to become a teacher. You must read this story of how Zach finally becomes the man his father has always wanted him to be. I think even Ruth is noticing him a little too as he works to repair the schoolhouse.
  thanks Kathleen for another good story...
• 
  ⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm

  This book definitely isn't a standalone, as one really needs to read the second book in the series for this to make sense. That being said, while it was an enjoyable read, it did have it's problems.
  
  Once again, this followed two different romances. I felt that really short changed them, as having the focus split made the stories less detailed. Both romances also felt a bit wishy-washy, as if Ruth and Deborah didn't know what was happening and were too opposed to it to matter. Stephen and Zachariah likewise were reluctant in admitting things about themselves to others, and it almost cost them dearly.
  
  The ending for both stories was very abrupt, then we get a checking back in epilogue, which tied everything up. That wound up leaving me very dissatisfied with the story overall! However, I did enjoy the writing style, so I'll likely seek out more by this author.
• 
  Nicki Rhode keck

  I really enjoyed this book. I loved both story lines equally, although I did feel that each was a bit rushed at the end, but still, it was very good. I really like everything I have read by this author.
• 
  Fizzy

  Our last time visiting the Byler family in Middlefield with Kathleen Fuller. It was nice getting the opportunity to catch back up with the other couples that have found their future from 'A Man of His Word' and 'An Honest Love'. All Byler siblings with a few other couples thrown in because, well each book is a twofer - two couples figuring out life and finding love. It's been fun, for me at least, dipping my toes into some of Kathleen's earlier books. I enjoy her writing style and the way she blends deeper topics into feel good cozy stories. The flip side of that is though that I think it's time to lay off the romances for a minute.
  
  Let me tell ya why. Ruth Byler is the quintessential 'good girl'. The youngest child she finds pleasure in learning and books and is chomping at the bit to dive head first into her new job as teacher. She's not so great at social and people-y things. I get that. Zachariah Bender is the quintessential bad boy. School was never his strong suit, poor choices out weigh his good decisions exponentially, and he can't seem to find his grove and grow up. At the same time we have Deborah (back from her own poor choices with life long ramifications) and Stephen who are trying to figure out their own futures. But guess what? Yup, what has quickly become my second top pet peeve behind insta-love, lack of words. I am starting to believe that people suddenly forget how to communicate and share thoughts and actual words with people they find themselves caring for in a deeper way. Suddenly every conversation is almost exclusively in their own heads and well, I mean I get it words hard but. . . I mean there was some insta-love too but it didn't annoy me like words hard did. Just a smidge.
  
  Despite all of that I loved this book. The depth of the characters, the carefully woven interlocking stories that built on previous books while still being completely available as a standalone, and the bits of depth that were woven in. No one was perfect, I mean Deborah has a son (that whole life long ramifications thing I mentioned earlier) and Zach is a bad boy. Despite all their faults, and lack of words, they manage to weave together relationship and futures that are based on mutual respect and love. Both these couples, and those that came before them in Middlefield, found their forever after. They found their hand to hold. I loved this series. I loved going back in time with Kathleen and discovering that her older books are just as engaging as her newer books. Gotta say, she's yet to disappoint me.
  
  Originally posted at
  https://fizzypopcollection.com/a-hand....
• 
  Dafne

  Okay so I’m always a sucker for a good Amish romance. And usually when I pick one up I can’t put it down. But this book felt so dragged out for most of the book. And towards the end it felt like everything had to be rushed because the book was ending. Another disappointment is that during the book there’s two romance stories but the last few chapters where only dedicated to one of them. To close off the second love story we only got a three page epilogue. I think I would’ve loved this book a lot more if it had been two separate with a lot more detail. But it still had its few cute moments.
• 
  Vikki Vaught

  A lovely heartfelt romance with endearing characters. So glad I found this series. The narrator is perfect for Amish stories. Happy reading/listening!
• 
  Laura

  Title: A HAND TO HOLD
  Author: Kathleen Fuller
  Publisher: Bethany House
  September 2010
  ISBN: 978-1-59554-814-6
  Genre: Inspirational/Amish
  
  Ruth Byler is anxious to start school. She’s had the lessons prepared for months in advance. She’s bought new notebooks and freshly sharpened pencils for all her students. And she’s just putting the finishing touches on her desk when a pickup truck crashes through the back wall of the school house.
  
  Zachariah Bender was borrowing a friend’s pickup to go to the store for some supplies. He’s Amish and doesn’t have a license, but it wouldn’t take long to run to the store. But he lost control when a herd of deer ran in front of the truck. Now he owes a lot of money to fix the school and his friend’s truck.
  
  As Ruth and Zach get to know each other, they find out that the long-held opinions they had of each other were wrong. But Zach has a secret he’s never told anyone. Will Ruth think less of him if she learns the truth?
  
  A HAND TO HOLD has two different love stories in it. In addition to Ruth and Zach, there is also a story about Ruth’s brother, Stephen, and Deborah. I related more to Deborah and Stephen’s story but both were excellent.
  
  This book is a little slow starting, and the ending feels kind of rushed, but otherwise, it is a great read. I’m giving it 4.5 stars, but marking it as 5 since a half star isn’t possible on certain sites. I highly recommend this book as well as any of the other books in this series. Kathleen Fuller is an Amish author whose work I’m going to want to keep reading. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $14.99. 278 pages.
  
• 
  Amber

  This is the third in Kathleen Fuller's "A Hearts Of Middlefield" series and I enjoyed it as much as the first, second books. I did feel like the story of Ruth and Zach was rushed a bit in the end. I also felt that the story between Deborah and Naomi could have been touched on some more in the end.
  
  
  Ruth Bylers so excited to start school. It's her first year teaching and she has the lessons prepared for weeks. She has just finished getting everything ready for the first day of school. Then a truck crashes through the back wall of the school house. The driver is Zachariah Bender who has borrowed the truck from a friend. While Zach is fixing up the schoolhouse on his own he and Ruth start to have feelings for one another. But, Zach has a secret and tries to push Ruth away.
  
  
  There is another story in the book between Ruth's brother Stephen and Deborah. Deborah ahas come back to Middlefield , Ohio after her mother has passed away. She had went to live with her aunt when she became pregnant with an Englischer's child. Stephen is helping her father with the farm. Deborah starts having feelings for him but thinks that no man will ever love her because she has a son. And, don't forget her sister Naomi who just makes you want to reach through the book and slap her....lol ;)
  
  
  I enjoyed this book and found it hard to lay down. Great work Kathleen. I loved this series and am looking forward to reading your other books.
  
• 
  Carrie Schmidt

  Oh, I identified with Ruth in this book! Perfectionist student who never quite fit in, over-eager teacher who quickly realized that all the lesson planning in the world won't account for "reality". Yeah, that all sounded familiar. I loved watching Ruth chill out a bit, learn to flex, understand that she doesn't have to strive for the impossibility of perfection. And Zach - what a sweetie he turned out to be! I really enjoyed their story.
  
  Also - I was thrilled that we got to catch up with Deborah and see her more settled and at peace in her faith and in motherhood. She of all people needed a sweet romance, and I was so happy that she got one! Naomi, though... whew. Girlfriend needed some serious counseling, and I'm not sure her story was over even when the book was finished. But Aunt Sadie? What. A. Hoot!! Grinned through nearly all of her scenes! I pictured her as an older version of Martin's girlfriend Sherry on the TV show Frasier, if anyone remembers that character.
  
  Hate saying goodbye to the Byler family with this last book in the series - they've all become friends. "A Hand To Hold" and its theme of restoration and value hold true and timely no matter who you are or what your life experiences.
• 
  Elsie

  I really enjoyed this whole series. Like the other two books, this one actually had two storylines going at the same time. The one from the back with Ruth Byler and Zach Bender and another one with Deborah (a character from the 2nd book) and Stephen Byler. For the first time, I actually enjoyed both stories about equally. The past two books I actually enjoyed the 2nd storyline more than the primary one, but both of these were very good.
  
  These books are pretty predictable, especially if you read them one after another. I think I didn't notice it as much with the 2nd book because I read a few other books in between the 1st and 2nd. But then I read this one right away. As I said before, the stories and nice, clean and simple. These Amish books always make me think that it would be a nice way to live - simple. Then I remind myself how HARD they work and decide that maybe I'm not cut out for that lifestyle after all. =)
  
  Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the series as a whole. I may check out some other books by this author in the future.
• 
  Rachel

  This third and final novel of the Hearts of Middlefield series is honestly my favorite of the series. The plot was interesting, and the characters were fun. The writing was good for the genre, and it was less predictable than the first novel of the series. In this book, the plot didn't really have a large crisis at all rather there were many little ups and downs. Also, I really like how the author matches up two couples per book in this series as well.
• 
  Cathy

  This book was such a sweet and poignant story of a two young Amish couples who find love. I thought the primary storyline and the secondary were equally enjoyable. Kathleen Fuller has a real talent of drawing you into Amish life and seeing them as real people with joys and sorrows just like we have. I enjoyed the whole Hearts of Middlefield series and highly recommend it.
• 
  Dani

  I loved this book. It's one of the best Amish books I have read. I really liked all the characters. Zach really developed throughout the book, and it was great that his dyslexia was addressed. He and Ruth seemed like an unlikely couple but it as the story went on, they seemed to be the perfect match.
  Will definitely read more of Kathleen Fuller's books.
• 
  Sue Lambert

  pretty good, Formulaic....one hyper character is attracted to and then balances a too stable one.
  I am tired of novels that plod through the intro of relationships and scurry through what might be more interesting --when they can't go home alone....How did Ruth and Zach live with seemingly huge gaps of interest...How does Steven cover Deborah's past and how do they secure Will?
• 
  Mary Beth Metzger

  I enjoyed this book. Reading about the two main ladies, what they're going through kept me from putting this book down. Natalie and Ruth had different challenges. Teaching was one lady's dream and Natalie had to figure out why her sister was so angry with her. Kathleen Fuller is a very talented writer.
• 
  Sally

  This is actually a book about two couples, not the one it says on the back cover. Sadly, in my opinion, the story of one of the couples is a bit rushed at the end. Their finale comes in the epilogue. Otherwise, a good and quick read. I had this one finished in a couple of hours.
• 
  Kendra Neal

  I loved this series by Kathleen Fuller! Looking forward to reading more books by Kathleen Fuller!
• 
  Mrs.

  Have I mentioned how much I hate "steam roll" endings... ugh! Nice story -- but why wait until the last chapter to wrap everything up?
• 
  Alyson

  cute stories
• 
  Chesney

  Same as the first two books of the series. I felt like the end was rushed too quickly with two story lines going on at the same time.
• 
  Stephanie

  Two Amish couples overcome hardships of learning difficulties and illegitimacy to find love in Ohio.
• 
  Donna

  These books are pretty predictable, especially if you read them one after another. The stories are nice, clean ~n~ simple. Have really enjoyed reading any series that I come across.
  
  
• 
  Lena

  Again, I really like the side story hear about Deborah and Stephen :) but the Ruth and Zach thing was pretty good too.
• 
  Liz

  ok
• 
  Ann Torrey

  Loved it!!
• 
  Rita

  I enjoyed this much more than I expected and will look for others by this author.