Customer Reviews

A Dream for Hannah (Hannah's Heart)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

this book is almost identical to Hannah's Dream (2007)
it was disappointing to order a new book only to discover i had already read it.

I believe in sticking to my honest review policy and will do no less than that with this Amish novel. Jerry Eicher is a fabulously talented author. He can take an Amish story and create a powerful plot that makes his readers feel closer to the Amish, no matter where they live. That is what made me enjoy his novels. However, this book wasn't up to par with his usual work.

A Dream for Hannah is book 1 in his Hannah's Heart series. As I said above, I believe in giving my honest opinion, so with that being said, I did like this story, however, I thought the story line to be a bit bland compared to his Adams County Trilogy. It wasn't as upbeat as his Amish romances have been in the past. But, again, that is just my opinion.

Hannah is a young Amish woman who dreams of love and happily ever afters, until heartache causes her dreams to die. She was created with real to life personality and I will say that my heart did go out to her. Especially when she meets Jake, a young Amish man who's dreams died much the same as Hannah's. His personality was also real to life and blended well with Hannah's. These tender characters blended well with each other, but not with the storyline.

With all this being said, this was an okay novel for me. I do encourage everyone to a tleast give this a try, as everyone has opinions and you may find that you like this novel better than I did. I can not give it 5 stars though. When you are used to giving 5 star reviews for books that rock, it's hard to write a review when you can only give it 3 stars, especially since Mr. Eicher is seasoned with his other works. I will read book 2 in this series, A Hope for Hannah, in hopes that it will be a bit better!

I was very disappointed to find that this book was just an "up-dated" book from Mr. Eicher's earlier book "Hannah". I do think a notation should have been made regarding the storyline. I also purchased the next book "A Hope for Hannah" and found the same thing with it. I've written to Mr. Eicher regarding my displeasure.

In 2008 Jerry Eicher published "Hannah's Dream". Publisher Horizon Books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and later enjoyed "Hannah" it's sequel. This year (2010) I noticed "A Dream for Hannah" (Hannah's Heart - new series?) and "A Hope for Hannah" (book 2) Thinking that Jerry had continued the stories of "Hannah" I was very happy to purchase what I thought were "a brand new continuation of the 2008 books" ---boy!!! was I "wrong". As soon as I started reading "A Dream for Hannah" something seemed too familiar. I pulled out "Hannah's Dream" and started going over page by page and even skipping through the chapters. I couldn't believe what I discovered - the story was the same -- words had been changed and also the title had been changed BUT it was the SAME. He even used a different publisher. I believe I wasted my money and also can't believe what Jerry did!!!! It is too bad that a person cannot be sued for stealing his own story line. I must say I'm sorry Jerry but I won't be purchasing anymore of your books. I did notice a review by a person who might agree with me.

3 Stars

A Dream for Hannah
By Jerry S. Eicher

Harvest House Publishers

Reviewed by Diane A. Brown


When young hearts dream of love it can lead to perilous paths. Unprepared, with high expatiations, those dreams can be easily shattered.

I found the writing vivid and the people and places easy to visualize. The story line, however, had some definite dry areas and seemed to drag in places. In my mind, Hannah's character needed deeper development so the reader could better understand her heart and her choices. Teenagers however, Amish or otherwise, make spur of the moment decisions that can lead to devastating consequences, a fact that is definitely brought out in the story. Truth is also found in the need for honesty and openness in communication between parents and teens that can help prevent tragic outcomes. There are valuable lesson here for the growing young heart.

So disappointed in this as it mirrors an earlier one - why does this happen? I would expect better from this author and the publishing house. Have found that I have to read the publishing dates from all books I pick up because so many are wrapped in new covers and offered as new when actually they first appeared years earlier. I purchase lots of books and I think this is a dirty deal for the buying public.

Hannah's Dream by Jerry S. Eicher


In my Fans of Amish Fiction book group on GoodReads, we noticed the ratings for Jerry S. Eicher are generally low, and when this book was available on Amazon for under $3 we figured, why not give it a chance? It wasn't too much money to spend after all!

So, I bought Hannah's Dream.

In this story we meet Hannah, a girl prone to accidents and injuring herself. While in the hospital recovering from an injury she meets Peter, an Amish boy going through his rumspringa and who her family believes is not a good choice for her. Yet Hannah finds herself intrigued, torn between him and her family who does not want her to be interested in him.

However, tragedy strikes, shaking Hannah to her core. Unable to cope, she is sent to live with her aunt in Montana for a summer and help her out on her farm. Hannah is determined to never again feel what she felt before, because clearly God could not have meant that path for her or such tragedy would never have struck.

As Hannah recovers she now is finding herself again torn between options. Which path is she supposed to be on? Which is the one that God meant for her, and will she ever fulfill the dream she has had in her heart for so long?

Read Hannah's Dream to find out!

I am not sure why this book gets such harsh criticisms. While it wasn't my absolute favorite it wasn't at all bad. I enjoyed the story and felt pulled into, wanting to know what was going to happen.

My only criticisms would be that I found Hannah almost a bit off-putting at times. Maybe I just don't clearly remember my mindset at that age, but I found annoying for a few moments here and there. But at the same time I could sort of understand her logic.

I think this book is worth a try, and I will be interested in reading the next book in the series!

3.5 out of 5 stars!

I am one who LOVES to read Amish books and when I start a trilogy I always read all the books. But, with this trilogy, I only read this book, it was not very well written nor did it hold my attention very good. I feel that this author needs to do more research about the Amish way of life and do something to make his books more interesting so they will hold people's attention. If the other two books are ever free for the Kindle, then I will probably read them, but I refuse to pay for any of the other two!

Loved this book. I really like books about the Amish and their simple lifestyle. Jerry Eicher is a very good author.

A Dream for Hannah by Jerry S. Eicher is a sweet story about a young Amish girl named Hannah who dared to dream, but felt that dreaming was not God's will for her life. At age 17, Hannah is the complete picture of a good Amish daughter. She accidentally meets Peter who sweeps her off her feet and she falls hopelessly in love. A tragedy occurs and Hannah is left with guilt and heartbreak. She is sent to spend the summer with her aunt Betty and meets Jake who has gone through sorrow of his own. By urging from her mother, Hannah begins to write letters to a young man back home who would be a suitable husband, but not someone Hannah loves. Meanwhile, Hannah's heart becomes attached to Jake. Hannah refuses to let herself dream and settles for a man she does not love. Will Hannah's dream come true? Will she make the right choice and follow her heart?

This book was such a precious story about a young girl who is desperately trying to follow God's will, but doesn't feel that having a dream is part of His plan. I felt this book was written more for young teens who probably think and wrestle with thoughts of love as Hannah did. I was very frustrated with Aunt Betty who came to wrong conclusions and with Hannah for not sticking up for herself and her feelings. However, this was a great story and captures the actions of the Amish very well.