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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Grrrrr!!!!, October 18, 2007
Let me say - I hated this book. I have probably read most of Brunstetters books, and I've usually enjoyed them. I think her writing is a little juvenile at times, and she doesn't really get too "in depth", but I read her anyway, because I like the Amish settings. (In my opinion, her writing cannot compare to Beverly Lewis' Amish stories - which are very, very professionally written). However, this book just made me mad by the time I was finished. The violence in the book is really out of character, and doesn't seem to fit the Amish settings at all. The story line is hard to believe. Also, the thread throughout the book of the mystery of the break-ins, destruction, animal abuse, etc., is not even addressed by the end of the book, and loose ends are left hanging! So frustrating after reading the entire book! I'm pretty sure I won't be getting the future books. It left me not caring what happens to these characters!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Slow start, but taut suspense gets this book rolling, July 4, 2007
The Sister's Secret by Wanda Brunstetter is the first book in the Holmes County series about the Amish Hostettler family. Grace Hostettler is ready to marry Cleon Schrock after returning from her running around years (rumschpringe). But Grace has a secret that may be exposed by a reporter she knew during that time who is digging up stories on the Amish of Holmes County. Is he connected to the attacks on the Hostettler home and will Cleon be able to forgive Grace for the sins she committed before they met? I was completely surprised by this book. I was expecting a quiet family drama along the lines of Beverly Lewis' Amish books, and the slow start to this book led me further in that belief. But as pieces of Grace's life started to crash around her, the suspense ratcheted up very quickly. As the drama heightens, the pages flew by, until with only twenty or so pages to go, I was thinking No, it can't be over yet, but what about? and what about? The dialogue is a bit clunky in spots which makes for slower reading, but midway through the book I stopped noticing it and paid attention instead to the powerful plot. Grace's father and Cleon struggle so deeply with Grace's past, it's painful to read. Although Grace is more of a passive character in the story rather that a strong female lead taking action, that is to be expected of a young Amish woman, especially one who feels the deep shame she does. Grace took action once in her life and spent the next four years regretting it. And Amish passiveness is almost a character itself in the story: Grace's father's refusal to retaliate for the attacks, Cleon's response to Grace, etc. Ruth and Martha, Grace's sisters, each have their own story to tell (as I'm sure Brunstetter will in the sequels), and they are different, interesting characters. This story has many themes: forgiveness, how our actions impact others, turning the other cheek, temptation of the English world. This is the first book by Brunstetter I've read, but I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next in the series.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Family Story, July 27, 2007
Grace Hostetter learned the hard way that sowing wild oats will sometimes result in a bountiful harvest. During rumschpringe, she did a few things her family doesn't know about, and she has no intention of telling them the truth. Grace is back home now, baptized into the church, and getting ready for her wedding to Cleon Schrock. Then trouble in the form of a red-headed freelance photographer named Gary Walker comes to Holmes County. Grace dated Gary while she was away from home. When they broke up he vowed to get even. Now strange things happen around the Hostetter farm. Grace blames Gary, although there is no proof he is involved.
Secrets from Grace's past surface, and she learns the consequences of not trusting enough to tell the truth. Trapped by the lies and half-truths she has told, Grace is in danger of losing all she holds dear. There was one unanswered question in the book, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. Fans of Wanda Brunstetter will enjoy A Sister's Secret, book one of the Sister's of Holmes County series.
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