Customer Reviews

The Survivor: Families of Honor, Book Three

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The Survivor by Shelley Shepard Gray is the third book in the Families of Honor series. Mattie Lapp has finally beat the breast cancer that stopped her life in its tracks. She asks best friend Graham Weaver to help her find a husband so she can start living again. Graham is hurt by her request as he's been waiting for years for Mattie to recognize how much he loves her. His life is quickly turned upside down when Jenna, a girl he dated a few times, names him as the father of her unborn child and the entire community looks at him with scorn. Gray also continues the stories of Lucy and Calvin's new marriage and Ella and Loyal's growing romance, as well as John's decision to return to the faith he left so long ago. Gray does a fantastic job of writing bonnet lit, creating a canvas of characters who light up the page. Have you ever read a book that pulled you in so deeply that you lose reality for a moment? After finishing this book, I had to stop myself from looking outside to check the damage from the tornado. That's compelling writing! Gray is one of the best in the business, and I can't wait to read what she writes next.

If you've been reading this series, then it's finally come to read about Mattie's story. We've followed her throughout the books as she has been in remission from cancer. Throughout the books, she's shown as a person who's frustrated with her situation but still hopeful and having lots of faith. The romance is light and while predictable is quite sweet. I really like how Graham and Mattie have been friends forever so a potential romance was always inevitable. At first I was rooting for Will but then his true nature came out which made me a bit sad.

Jenna's story seems a bit out of place in the context of the entire book. I was annoyed at her for what she did to Graham and then even more annoyed that she never told the real father. It got a little too perfect at the end for me though, with the other family's reaction to her news. My only qualm is that I wasn't that big of a fan of how John came to his final decision. Throughout the series we see him flip-flopping between the two women and then the Amish and the outside world lifestyle. We see him make the decision but I didn't really get a good sense of why he did it other than emotional feelings. The whole spiritual aspect never comes into play which I think is a serious issue in going back and forth between these lifestyles.

This is another nice Amish romance from Gray that I enjoyed reading. I have a feeling that this won't be the last time we see these characters. Gray has a tendency to write a Christmas novel featuring characters from past series so I wouldn't be surprised if next year we find out what Lucy, Ella and Mattie have been doing since we last left them.

Mattie Lapp has survived breast cancer. Now, she wants to reenter the world of the living. Since her long-time love, Graham Weaver is dating Jenna Yoder, Mattie asks Graham to set her up with some of the men he works with at his job. But Graham is strangely reluctant. He finally agrees, but none of the young men seem to fit.

Graham has been dating Jenna since Mattie doesn't seem to be as interested in him as he'd like and he's trying to move on. But he soon realizes that he and Jenna don't suit, so they break up. Unfortunately, Jenna isn't as ready to move on. She tells everyone that she's pregnant and insists that the baby is Graham's. Graham denies it vehemently, claiming he never even kissed Jenna, but that doesn't stop his family from taking Jenna in and insisting that he do the right thing...

Jenna knows she's lying and she knows who the real father is, but she believes that admitting the truth would be worse than the lie she's spreading. Will Jenna's lies tear Mattie and Graham apart and keep them from admitting to each other the love they've always felt? Or will she do the right thing, and admit to the truth?

THE SURVIVOR is the third and final book in Ms. Gray's Families of Honor series. The series is about the brothers in the Weaver family and how they all find love. I would recommend reading the books in order so you know all the stories in whole, but if you don't have the earlier books, or if it'd been awhile since you've read them, THE SURVIVOR has enough back story in it to keep the reader from guessing what is going on.

Mattie is a character I can deeply relate to as I've been where she's been and traveled those same roads. I wanted her to find a man to love her for herself, and not a relationship based on physical appearance. It's hard to feel beautiful when you've had a mastectomy and are bald. Graham is a stellar hero who's been with Mattie, taking care of her every need since she was first diagnosed, and I was glad he argued that he really wasn't the father of Jenna's baby. I wanted to encourage him to stay strong, even when the pressure mounts. I highly recommend THE SURVIVOR and the other books in this series. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book.

In Jacob's Crossing, twenty-something Mattie Lapp has survived her war with cancer that took over her life for the past few years. On a Geauga County Hospital elevator, the Amish Mattie asks her best friend Graham Weaver to help her find a husband as she was fighting for her life when other girls her age like her cousin Lucy found their mates. Graham reluctantly agrees.

Mattie's personal preference is for Graham to court her, but he treats her like an invalid best buddy. Worse is the rumor that he sired the baby single woman Jenna Yoder carries. To Mattie, the gossip is false as she knows her Graham would never ignore a child or an unborn of his. However, the destruction of his reputation bothers Graham just like the gossip that she was dying disturbed Mattie. She vows to be there for Graham like he was for her.

The third Families of Honor Amish romance is a terrific drama that focuses on anyone surviving the cruel frightening darkness even a baby bunny for God's light is always nearby. Fans of the series will relish Mattie finding love as she is a cancer survivor who has been very sick through the previous two novels (see The Protector and The Caregiver). Shelley Shepard Gray provides a strong entry in a great inspirational Amish saga.

Harriet Klausner

A review of this book... if I had the time I would have written one for every book I ever purchased as they have always

arrived in very good shape and on time stated.

Thanks... and I will definitely continue getting these book at Amazon.

This author has a way of making you feel like you're right there in the story. I was captured into the story as soon as I started reading them.

The series of The Caregiver, The Survivor and The Protector

were all wonderful books to read.

They were about the Amish but also the life of ordinary people

that go through trials of everyday living, even people who get

ill.

I would recommend this series to everyone.

Shelly Shepard Gray has written yet again another great Amish book. The Survivor is the last book in her Families of Honor series. This book centers on Mattie Lapp and her story of surviving breast cancer. In the previous books Mattie's character has a hard time with her diagnosis and loses a lot of her faith in God. As I suspect anyone might do. Shelley writes in a way that makes the reader forget that they reading a book centered on the Amish. Mattie is on a mission to find a husband. She wants a chance at love no matter what. So much so she has been overlooking her feelings for her very best friend Graham Weaver. She pushes her feelings aside for fear that their friendship would be lost. Meanwhile Graham is always loyal to her. Mattie and Graham never talk about starting a relationship just staying friends. During a doctor's appointment they get stuck on an elevator and have a moment where you think they might just have their first kiss but no the doors open of course! This is a moment though when they both realize that their friendship could be more. It just so happens that waiting for Graham to return home is a girl named Jenna whom he briefly courted in book two. Jenna declares that she is pregnant and Graham is the father. They both know that this is a lie. This rumor spreads like wildfire. Just when you think Mattie and Graham will be together this happens. Favorite characters from books one and two return. This book really packs a punch in the twist and turn department! If you fell in love with these characters in the books before you will be glad to know many happy things await each one. This book and author do not disappoint!

This was a good read. It's common with other Amish books being preditable but still a good little story. I enjoyed it. BJ

This book kept my interest from the first page. She could very well be the woman down the street. Simply, I couldn't put the book down. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. When ordering books from Amazon, they arrive in a very short time. I have been ordering for some time and I find this true shipment after shipment.