A Plain Leaving

Author: Leslie Gould
Genre: Amish Fiction

Leaving Was the Hardest Thing She'd Ever Done... Until She Had to Return
  
Three years ago, Jessica Bachmann walked away from everything: her family, their beloved farm, her Amish community, and Silas Kemp. After clashing with the new bishop and her brother about her role in her family and the future of the family farm, anger and restlessness wouldn't 

allow her to stay. 

When she is forced to return home because of her beloved father's death, her arrival stirs up all kinds of emotions--sorrow, grief, and yearning alike. Jessica knows things can't return to the way they were, but, especially upon seeing Silas again, she can't help wonder what might have been--and what still could be. The stakes grow higher when she learns that her brother, Arden, is still pursuing potentially hazardous fracking on the family's land.

As Jessica wrestles with her next step, she learns the cautionary tale of Ruby Bachmann, a Revolutionary War-era ancestor who faced similar struggles. Will Ruby's decisions motivate Jessica to leave her family, the land, and her community forever? Or is there healing, love, and belonging yet to come for her in Lancaster County?

Reviewer: Kelly Potts

Two wonderful Amish stories are told in “A Plain Leaving” - Ruby’s from 1777 and Jessica’s from the present day. Jessica returns home after being banned from the Amish community to attend her father’s funeral service. Her father was the only one who understood and supported her, and now he was gone. It appears her only allies lie with her younger sister Liesel and her Aunt Suzi. Jessica’s story is one of strength and faith as she attempts to overcome a large family’s disapproval and a growing wonder if her place is among Englishers and her boyfriend Tom, or if she belongs among the plain people. Ruby’s story runs parallel throughout. It is about a young woman torn between leaving war-torn Pennsylvania to head north to Canada with the rest of her family and fiancée or stay true to her roots. Staying true to your faith does not always mean following your head – but your heart instead. I am excited to read Book 2 about Jessica’s overly-conforming and demanding sister Marie. It will be a good read to see how Gould writes how God’s love cracks through Marie’s tough armour. 

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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