Listening to Love
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4.6 • 31 Ratings
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
Falling in love can only mean trouble for an Englisch girl and an Amish boy… unless there’s another way for them to listen to their hearts.
Englischer Natalie Collins looks forward to Friday night suppers at Levi and Mary Shetler’s house every week: delicious food, wonderful conversation with her Amish friends, and, best of all, the presence of Levi’s older brother Lucas. Natalie and Lucas have become best friends despite their different backgrounds. They share a love of books, and he is teaching her about God in a way that she can understand.
But the closer they become, the more opinions everyone seems to have. Levi and Mary, Lucas’s family, and even Natalie’s mother—whose own life is a mess at the moment—have concerns about their relationship. Why can’t everyone understand that it’s possible to just be friends? Besides, they couldn’t be together even if they wanted to be. Lucas would never leave the Amish faith, and Natalie is Englisch and pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine.
But when a terrifying accident happens, Natalie and Lucas are forced to confront their true feelings and decide if they can stay true to themselves and each other.
This sweet Amish story is the second in the Amish Journeys series by bestselling author Beth Wiseman.
“I always find Beth Wiseman's books to be both tenderly romantic and thought provoking. She has a way of setting a scene that makes me feel like I'm part of an Amish community and visiting for supper. I loved the title of this book, the message about faith and God, and the heartfelt romance between Lucas and Natalie. Listening to Love has everything I love in a Beth Wiseman novel—a strong faith message, a touching romance, and a beautiful sense of place. Beth is such an incredibly gifted storyteller.” —Shelley Shepard Gray
"Listening to Love is vintage Beth Wiseman...clear your calendar because you're going to want to read this one in a single sitting.” —Vannetta Chapman, author of Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series
Part of the Amish Journey series: Book One: Hearts in Harmony, Book Two: Listening to Love, Book Three: A Beautiful ArrangementBook length: approximately 85,000 wordsIncludes discussion questions for book clubs
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this enjoyable second installment to the Amish Journeys series (following Hearts in Harmony), Wiseman expands on the story of the Shetler family. Englischer Natalie Collins and Lucas Shetler, whose family is Old Order Amish, convince themselves that they are just friends. Everyone else in their small Indiana town believes a dangerous emotional attachment is developing. Natalie is studying to become a veterinarian, and Lucas believes there is nothing he wouldn't give up for Natalie, and, since he has not been baptized, he will not be shunned if he leaves the Amish faith. But can he really adjust to the Englisch world after a lifetime in his ultra-conservative Amish sect? While Natalie's mother at first disapproves of her relationship with Lucas, her views shift when she becomes acquainted with an Amish neighbor. As Lucas wavers on leaving the community and Natalie considers what it would be like to join the Amish (which would require giving up her studies), they must decide if their relationship can withstand an all or nothing decision for one of them. Wiseman is at her best in this surprising tale of love and faith.
Customer Reviews
An Amish Journey Novel
Listening to Love is the second An Amish Journey Novel. It can be read on its own if you have not read Hearts in Harmony. I thought Listening to Love is well-written with developed characters and steady pacing. Natalie Collins loves animals and is pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine thanks to Mary and Levi Shetler. They sold the beautiful piano they inherited from Adeline and gave the money to her. There is a problem, though, preventing her from moving forward. She cannot give shots and the sight of blood sickens her. Natalie has developed a relationship with God thanks to Lucas. He has become her close friend. They meet each week at the library plus they have lunch dates and talk on the phone each evening. People do not understand that a man and woman can just be friends. Lucas has yet to be baptized, but he has never dreamed of leaving the Amish. As Lucas spends more time with Natalie, his feelings for her change. I could feel the struggle in Lucas and Natalie as well as their developing love. I like that each of them has a close relationship with God. Natalie’s mother, Cecelia is having a hard time after her divorce. She has gone through her divorce settlement, maxed out her credit cards and her mortgage is behind. Cecelia has been getting money from Natalie, but that is her college fund. After attending a housewarming party at Mary and Levi’s, she gets a job with Moses Schwartz, the Shetler’s neighbor. Cecelia’s dream job soon turns into a nightmare that disrupts the lives of those around her. I liked this addition to the story as it gave the story added depth and interest. I enjoyed seeing the changes in the characters as the story progressed especially in Cecelia and Helen. My favorite phrase is “Listen to God and follow His lead.” Listening to Love is an absorbing story about family, faith, friendship, and love.
LISTENING TO LOVE
LISTENING. TO LOVE. Beth Wiseman
When a young married couple invite 2 single people every Friday night, and then they start meeting at the library. What would think, they were matchmaking. In this case, one is a brother, the other is like a sister, and not Amish. Her plans are on being a vet, and now drives a car. When love happens, there is big opposition from families. She was also on a spiritual quest, and felt that wasn’t complete enough to think of marriage, and commitment. Interesting of following Natalie and how values changed the closer she learned about God, and want he wanted for her.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by Net Galley and
Zondervan.