Customer Reviews

Wanted (Sisters of the Heart, Book 2)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Shelley Shepard Gray's first book, Hidden, was such a refreshing book to read that I was eagerly awaiting the release of the second book in the series. It was good to see that this was a good continuation of the first book. This time we get to see the viewpoint of an Amish girl who's had a taste of the English world but chose to come back. I liked her story because it was more focused on wanting to be loved. It just so happened that she was Amish. It was also still interesting to see how Anna is adapting to the Amish lifestyle. While she's starting to get more comfortable, it was still refreshing and realistic to see her still having trouble fully submerging to her new life. I say this, because I've read other Amish stories where I've seen people give up modern things cold turkey and slip 100% into this new culture and it comes off very fake. The only complaint I had about the book was that it felt a little short. Jonathan and Katie's romantic relationship felt a little rushed. I know that Katie had been pining for him for a while but it seemed like he resisted her for a little bit and then completely caved in. I think more tension between the two would have been interesting to read. I also would have liked more story on Katie's rumspringa. I always find it interesting to read about Amish teens who get a taste of the "English world" before they get baptized. All in all I did very much enjoy this book. It feels different from the other Amish books that are out there. More light hearted and not as dramatic. I'll be looking forward to reading Winnie's story in the next installment of the series.

Katie is a hard working Amish woman who still lives at home, as she is unmarried. She has quietly fancied Jonathan, a widower, for years but has never pursued this attraction due to her upbringing and her past.

She is concerned about her darkest secrets, the things she did during her Rumspringa (her running-around years). She is afraid that members of her community will not understand what she did, as she has a hard time coming to terms with them herself. She is now a member of the church and has cut her ties with those she met during her Rumspringa, and is letting God lead her life.

When an opportunity arises for Katie to help Jonathan with his children she welcomes the opportunity, though her parents do not at first, as they are concerned Katie will be hurt.

Now her past has suddenly surfaced just as she might finally have a chance at love with Jonathan. Will Katie be able to deal with the past and accept forgiveness?

If you need a "pick me up story" that is faith based than you will want to read Wanted. I admit that I not only laughed by I cried while reading about Katie. Ms. Gray has a fan in me with the Sisters of the Heart Series, though I don't normally read inspirational stories. I found that her writing skills pulled me in as well as the way she lets us into the thoughts of here characters, including their worries and concerns. I look forward to the next book in this series. Wanted is definitely recommended by me.

Tanya
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Wanted by Shelley Shepard Gray is the second book in the Sisters of the Heart series that began with Hidden. Katie Brenneman has committed herself to the Amish lifestyle of her parents, but before she became baptized, she ran a little wild during her rumspringa. That time has come to haunt her just when she's finally realizing her dream of a life with widower Jonathan Lundy and his daughters. Katie's struggle to redeem her past is a well told story. How many people do crazy things just to feel wanted by someone? Katie has to accept that just as God has always wanted her, just as she is, Jonathan and her family want to love her as well. Katie and Jonathan's romance is sweetly written, and I loved Katie's spunk. I did feel that the build-up over Katie's past was a bit much considering the small size of her actual sins. I expected something a bit more horrifying than what was finally revealed. Jonathan's story is also moving as he learns to move on from his past marriage to the hope of a future one. I look forward to the next book in the series about Jonathan's sister, Winnie.

This is the second story in the Sisters of the Heart series by Shelley Shepard Gray, the first being Hidden. I really enjoyed "Hidden" and in fact I liked it so much that I preordered this book and anxiously awaited its release.

I've always been initally disappointed when an author puts out a second book that does not have the same main characters as the first. I was very interested in Anna and Henry in the first book and would have loved to read another book about them. That said, I usually find myself liking the new main characters, and this book was no exception.

We saw Katie briefly in "Hidden" but didn't learn much about her. This story really delves into her character. Her struggle with Jonathan and his children seems very realistic, and though the journey is sometimes tough, I think everyone will be satisfied with the ending. I would definitely recommend this book.

*This review is from reading an ARC.*



The first book in this Sisters of the Heart Series, "Hidden", was absolutely fabulous and a wonderful romance full of suspense. This second book is good, and I enjoyed the read and love the characters, but it was not very exciting to me. At least not in any comparison to the first book and other Amish books out there.



As a theme for this book, the idea of being "wanted" is nothing new to most people, and our Katie wanting to be wanted and going after that attention (in her past) in poorly advisable ways is not terribly surprising. What was surprising is how she talked about her past as if she had done something completely unforgivable. That comes just from the back of the book blurb with "Will Katie be able to forgive herself for her transgressions and allow herself to move forward in her life? Or will her inability to receive God's love keep her from everything she's ever wanted?" It was just a little over the top for me.



As a light hearted romance for practically any age to read, this is a good book with a good moral base behind it. Just for me, the way things were portrayed, I figured that something more exciting to repair from had existed.



I love the first book in this series, and I cannot wait for another and more from this author in the future. But this book was slightly boring to me. I'm sorry.

My grandma and I seem to pass Amish books back and forth and when she gave me this one I was more than happy to start reading. A light Amish romance it has the usual components of these novels, but still is a lovely read. Technically the 2nd book in the series, you don't really need to read the first book first, as this one stands alone quite well.

Katie has some dark secrets in her past; things that she has done that she is not proud of during her time of rumspringa (Amish teens chance to see the English world). But she's put that behind her now and has nursed a secret crush on handsome widower Jonathan. He still pines away for his wife but when an opportunity arises for Katie to stay and take care of his children, things brew between the two of them that are unexpected. Katie knows she wants him, but isn't sure that he is ready to love her in return.

Katie's a great character. A bit dramatic at times but I realize that in my view, things the Amish view as very bad really aren't so bad at all so I need to think about that while reading. Jonathan I didn't find as likable of a character but he served his purpose as Katie's love interest. I did like his two daughters, they had a lot of personality and really added to the book, giving small problems here and there to keep it interesting.

The plot was actually pretty standard, I've seen the same in other Amish books. But there were enough little differences to make it seem its own and I still enjoyed it quite a bit. There were a couple of little plot twists that were resolved far too easily in my opinion, but I do have to keep in mind that this is a romance. Like most Amish books out there, it could be considered Christian fiction but it was not overly preachy and more used the nuances of religion as describing the Amish way of life.

Not a bad Amish book. I'll definitely check out more by this author.

Wanted
Copyright 2009
241 pages

Review by M. Reynard 2011

This is a new author for me. These amish books are very informative, and well
written. I read many amish books, and this is a new approach. I can't wait
for book 3.

ALL OF THE BOOKS IN THIS SERIES ARE GREAT READING WETHER YOU LIKE HISTORY OR JUST GOOD ENTERTAINMENT. THE STORIES CATCH YOU FROM PAGE ONE AND ALL THE WAY TO THE END. I HAVE READ TWO SETS OF BOOKS ABOUT THE AMISH AND HAVE MORE COMMING IN THE MAIL...CAN'T WAIT.

I enjoyed this book. After reading the first book in the series, I felt that this one started out a little slow. I was about a quarter of the way into the book before I really got into the story. Once I did get into the story, I was anxious to know what would happen next and finished the book quickly. While it is not what I would call great literature, it is generally well written and entertaining. I think most women over the age of 14 would enjoy this book.

I was looking for Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee. This is a Christian romance novel. A below average one at best. Much more proficent on my kindle now.