Rebecca Kinsinger has always
dreamed of being a teacher. But when she’s given the opportunity she’s been
waiting for at Charm Amish School, she’s dismayed to discover that teaching is
hard work—work she’s afraid she’s not very good at.
That is, until Lilly Yoder joins
the class. A thirteen-year-old who’s just lost her parents, Lilly is in need of
someone like Rebecca. For the first time since starting her new job, Rebecca
feels a sense of purpose. But when she meets Lilly’s uncle, Jacob, his good
looks and sweet, easygoing temperament are hard to ignore. How can she even
entertain romantic thoughts of Jacob when his niece is her student?
Suddenly becoming Lilly’s sole
caregiver, Jacob Yoder never thought he’d be a single parent—or a farmer.
Having been living in Florida as a carpenter, Jacob feels more at home wielding
a hammer than a backhoe. The only bright spot in his life is Rebecca Kinsinger.
As Lilly and Rebecca develop a bond, Jacob’s fondness for the pretty teacher
grows, too.
But when a fateful accident
brings them together, Rebecca and Jacob must choose between duty and desire.
Will they follow the path before them? Or set out to find true happiness…and
true love?
A Daughter’s Dream is the
second book in Shelley Shepard Gray’s The
Charmed Amish Life series, coming after A Son’s Vow. I definitely enjoyed the first novel, to a degree, but it was a
little lacking in my opinion, especially since I had just read Shelley’s FANTASTIC
Chicago World’s Fair Mystery series. I
really loved every second of that series, so I was disappointed when the
writing in A Son’s Vow fell a little
flat for me. Anyway, I did enjoy this new installment quite a bit more than the
first novel, as there were so many things constantly happening that kept me
captivated, and so many sweet moments between either Rebecca and Jacob, Lilly
and Peter, or Rachel and Marcus, that I couldn’t help really enjoying this
novel.
Rebecca
Kinsinger is definitely an energetic, runs-headfirst-into-anything-she-sets-her-mind-to
type of person. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, it just makes for some
interesting adventures as she tries her hand at teaching. At the same time,
though, she is a smart, hardworking, and kind individual, which definitely
makes her one of my favorite characters in this book.
Another
one of my favorite characters has to be Jacob. The way he uprooted his life
back in Florida to be there for his niece when she needed him most is the sweetest thing, and I couldn’t help
but love him. He was also completely adorable when it comes to Rebecca, and I loved
his desire to put others needs before his dreams. I definitely enjoyed reading
his story more than Lukas’ (the first book), but I will say I do still love
Lukas as well.
The other
two of my favorite characters has to be Lilly and Peter. Their little “friendship”
is completely adorable, and I loved reading about the way he dotes on her. He
just so happened to be exactly what she needed as she dealt with losing her
parents and moving to a new place, going to a new school, and meeting new
people. I couldn’t help but love Lilly because she is sweet and adorable and
smart as a whip, but I couldn’t help loving Peter because of his kindness,
compassion, and loving attitude towards Lilly.
All in
all, I definitely enjoyed this book, though there were a few little parts I just
wasn’t super fond of, that could just be because I’m a bit picky when it comes
to writing and different ways of putting things and such. Anyway, I can gladly
give this book four out of five bookshelves, and I’m more excited to read the
next book in the series—A Sister’s Wish—when
it comes out later this fall!
Happy
reading!
I received a copy of this book through the Litfuse Publicity
Group in exchange for only my honest review.
To see where I’m linking up, check out my Where I Party
page.
All credit for the italicized synopsis goes to Shelley
Shepard Gray and Avon Inspire Publishing.
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