Anything But Plain

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Genre: Amish Romance
Release Date: October 4, 2022

Leaving Stoney Ridge feels unbearable--but how can she stay?

Impulsive Lydie Stoltzfus has always felt like a disappointment--a square peg in a round hole in her quiet Amish community. Leaving her family and church seems like her best move, even though it would mean leaving Nathan Yoder behind. Nathan claims he's in love with her, but she knows she's not good enough for him. And if she is ever in doubt, Nathan's father reminds her frequently.

Knowing Lydie is "between" jobs again, the local doctor asks her to fill in at the front desk for a few months. This gives Lydie time to figure out how she's going to say goodbye to Nathan--and it gives Dok ample time to recognize the symptoms of a disorder rare among the Amish. She offers Lydie treatment that has the potential to change her life.

But will it be enough to make her stay? Or has help come too late?

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Reviewer: Marta Aldrighetti

Lydie is the main character of the story. She always feels inadequate about everything and is frustrated. Lydie's character and the others (Bishop David, brothers Yoder, etc.) are well-developed, each with different beliefs and personalities. I loved them!

I loved this quote: "There will be good days and bad days. It's human nature to focus more on our failings than on our successes."

I appreciated that this book touched on interesting topics like ADHD, pesticide and fertilizing crops, biological food, mindfulness meditation, and self-acceptance. The story was excellent.

At the book's end are discussion questions. In this section, there are 14 questions about the characters, the events, and the topics. I think readers will find them very useful to reflect on.

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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