The Secret Keeper (Home to Hickory Hollow) by Beverly Lewis

Jenny Burns was twenty five years old and still trying to fit in somewhere. She lived in an impressive Connecticut estate since she was a child. Jennie was accused of being straight out of the nineteenth century. The ideal world to Jenny was to live in a simple era, where people actually listened to each other - a gloriously peaceful world that was firmly grounded into the past. Jenny was willing to give up her worldly ways to follow her dreams and follow in the Amish tradition. Connecticut really didn't have any hold on Jenny and the Amish life would offer her more time to savor each moment, and grow as a child of God.

Jenny was off to peaceful Lancaster County, as an Amish Seeker, where she rented a bedroom from an Amish couple, Samuel and Rebecca Lapp. She abandoned her materialistic English world for this heaven on earth in Hickory Hollow. She was ready to give up her own wants and desires and yield to the way of the Plain people and to God. She was ready to embrace these unique people, with their noble way of life, the Amish of Lancaster County. And the story unfolds ---

While in Hickory Hollow, Jenny meets some young folk who are so curious about the modern world, perhaps trying to get out of their world. And here she was, trying to get into their simple life. Were they taking their plain heritage for granted? She was told that a person can live a simple lifestyle just about anywhere, but what was most important was a person's heart. As Jenny becomes involved with the daily domestic chores of being an Amishwoman she feels like a failure. Jenny develops a precious friendship with Andrew Lapp which grows into a tender romance and eventually discovers that a house becomes a home because of the people who live there.

Jenny faces many challenges throughout her stay at Hickory Hollow. Will she be strong enough to succeed in this simple lifestyle? Or, will she have to accept who she really is, not what she wishes she might have been? Jenny pursues a life built on a dream, but is it enough?

Taken from the book - A person grows best spiritually when exploring God's word, letting it get rooted and planted in the soil of the heart. There is no substitute for that for anyone, Plain or not.

It's been a few years since I've read a Beverly Lewis book and I'd forgotten the reading pleasure the books always give me. The Secret Keeper has a strong cast of characters that are beautifully portrayed and you'll absolutely love. The author has a unique style of good old fashioned story telling with a lovely setting that makes a delightful read. My rating is 4 stars.

I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House through NetGalley for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.