Customer Reviews

Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania

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

 

 

Love Finds You in Paradise, PA was my second experience with a new and delightful series of books published by Summerside Press. I was so excited to read another one of these books, and author Loree Lough did not disappoint with her first offering in this series.

Love Finds You in Paradise, PA constantly left me with a smile on my face and an eagerness to get to the next page. The emotions shown between Simon and Julia were very natural and believable, and I found myself rooting for their relationship to succeed right to the very end. Even though this book is definitely geared as a romance, issues such as justice and loss are things that Simon and Julia must face as they are getting to know each other.

Simon and Julia also share a very special friendship with a local Amish family with three children. The youngest child, Levi, provided several LOL moments for me, particularly when he is trying to learn why Julia has no husband. I appreciated the small amount of Amish culture that was added to give another dimension to the storyline. As a whole, I wouldn't put it in the category of "Amish fiction," but there are evident signs of their simple lifestyle and beliefs scattered throughout the book.

Overall, if you're looking for that next light read, then this would definitely be a recommendation of mine. This was not my first experience with Loree Lough, so I knew that I would be in for a treat. I'm eagerly awaiting the next 2 books that she's got planned for the Love Finds You series.

I was dragging in the begining of the book and then it took an unpredicted turn. I was in tears and couldn't put the book down. So stick with it.

Although not in Paradise, Pa, I live close enough to enjoy the local flavor. Loree tells a good story with a satisfying conclusion. Highly recommend it.

I bought this book because I love visiting Paradise, Pennsylvania and enjoy reading books about the Amish. I'd never read any of Loree Lough's books before. This book was excellent. I started and finished it in the same day. I cried, laughed, and smiled.

This was my first in the Love Finds You series. I liked it and powered through it in a short time. A bit of a roller coaster ride of romance but it was great.

Enjoyed the book very much. Started reading and couldn't put it down. Got it at Sams for a real good price.

Love Finds You In Paradise,Pennsylvania,seems to me that it was written by a child.
The male and female lead fall in love at first sight,and I do not like romance stories where they are instantly imagining marrying,having children and spending the rest of their lives together! It makes me feel that such people are too desperate and needy.

The conversations between these two are really corny,and immature,not romantic or humorous. Yet there is a 6 year old Amish boy who talks more mature than any 6 year old would,LOL!I just found this book too ridiculous to continue with.

Plus as far as I got,it still hadn't even begun to touch on what the synopsis says this story is about! This book and its characters did not interest me at all. I think it is poorly written.

I have really liked the "Love Finds You" series...but not this book. Almost the whole book is small talk between the two main characters Julia and Simon. I really saw no building in their relationship...they see each other and are instantly in love. No real relationship development except the "small talk" jr high relationship development (you hang up...no you hang up...ok on the count of three we'll both hang up...are you still there, yeah). The Amish story line was sort of there...if you count the visits to their friends...but really except the problems at the end of the book with the Amish child being killed...I really wouldn't call this a novel about the Amish or even give it real credit for providing a view into Amish life.

I gave this a 2 stars because by the end of the book, it finally started getting interesting (with the death of the Amish boy), but even with that the story really didn't build to anything in the end.

Overall, this was a less than mediocre book. There were several times I almost quit reading it. There were several themes that could have really been expanded (the wolf sanctuary...which for voluteers visit twice and really don't help when they are there...and the Amish theme) to make the book much more interesting.

Although this is not a typical book selection for me I was pleasantly surprised by Love Finds You in Paradise Pennsylvania. Paradise has a large Amish community, but the main characters, Simon and Julia are not Amish, they are "Englishers". However, they do interact with several Amish characters and the story gives you a good idea of the lifestyle and ideals of the Amish. One Amish boy in particular, Levi, will steal your heart right away. Sweet, smart, funny and adorable you may just want to pluck him out of the pages and hug him.

Being a "Christian Romance" this is ultimately about the relationship between Simon and Julia. Neither believe themselves to be interested in a relationship, but when they meet their hearts tell them differently. Simon is a devout believer, but Julia, after a series of hard knocks in her life, believes God has abandoned her. Their emotions and behaviors as their relationship grows and changes are beautifully and believably written, making the book a page turner. All the characters will tug at your heartstrings.

I enjoyed this story and would recommend it for a good "lazy weekend" read. Loree Lough is a rather prolific writer, I will be on the lookout on more from her in the future.