Hopeful by Shelley Shepard Gray is a tender story written with a group of honest voices that carry its story. Many things are happening in Sugarcreek, and Gray does such a wonderful job at showcasing each trial and difficult circumstance that each person goes through. Hopeful is the first of this new series to look out for and to get lost in. Get ready to fall in love with Sugarcreek and the people who call it home. Goodreads Summary
In the Amish town of Sugarcreek, love comes in many forms. But will it come at all for Miriam?
Miriam Zehr has worked at the Sugarcreek Inn longer than she cares to admit. The restaurant is a favorite of town residents as well as the many tourists who come to taste the famous Amish fare. Though she always tries to have a smile for every customer, deep down Miriam knows something's missing: a family of her own.
Miriam has never felt particularly beautiful, especially because she's always been a bit heavier than other girls her age. When Junior, the man she's pined for all her life, suddenly seeks her out, she's thrilled to be noticed . . . until she realizes he's only asking her to help get the attention of Mary Kathryn Hershberger, her pretty friend.
If Miriam helps Junior court Mary Kathryn, she'll get to spend a lot of time with him, but she might lose him in the process. Are these few stolen moments worth a lifetime of sacrifice? Is Miriam right to even hope for the life she dreams of?
My Thoughts
This year might be the year of the Amish genre of my 2014 reading. It's a genre that is a little out of my usual zone and I am still getting the hang of the German language that is incorporated into the story. So far all is going swell!
When I first started this book I had no expectations. (Sometimes that is the best way to go about reading a book.) This book is a fast read. It only has 256 pages, so it's a perfect weekend read or even a perfect in between book. You will be surprised how enjoyable this book is once you get into it. I couldn't believe how much I loved this story and it's characters.
I found myself to really like both the main characters - Miriam and Junior. I couldn't help but relate to Miriam so much when it came to personal attributes. There where even times that I couldn't help but be encouraged by her selflessness. I related a lot to Junior as well, as the eldest I understood his burden of that role. Miriam and Junior's relationship was anything but perfect. It was full of unrequited and blind love. Now the question throughout the rest of the story is will they have any type of relationship? By the time you get halfway through the book you'll be rooting for something that involves the "L" word, trust me!
There was also a group of secondary characters which I believe Gray is going to incorporate into the rest of her Sugarcreek series. These characters were just as developed and had issues and past mysteries that were causing them hindrance from having a normal life. I really liked this additional point of view. I thought it was well done and didn't stray that much from the Miriam and Junior plotline. If anything it only made this book much more fuller. Fuller in the sense that I felt that I was apart of this little Amish/Englisher community that wasn't just full of two people and their comedic relationship, but full of people that know Miriam and Junior and have lives of their own. I am very much looking forward to seeing how Gray uses these characters through the rest of her series.
If you are looking for a book that can lift your moods and give you a overall good feeling this is a perfect book. I would even recommend this book for younger girls (mostly teens) because the ages of Miriam and Junior is around early twenties. There is a lot of discussions about relationships and how one view's oneself that can come from reading this book. It could be a great mother-daughter book. Or sister-sister. Or friend-friend. ;)
Rating: 5 out of 5 bookshelves
Disclaimer: I received a free copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group.
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- Hopeful by Shelley Shepard Gray
Thank you so very much for reading HOPEFUL! I'm absolutely thrilled that you enjoyed Miriam's story. I'm honored by your very kind review!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for writing this book! It was a treat to read!
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