A Mother's Gift

April 2, 2018
Troublesome teenagers, wary in-laws, and judgmental church members fill this enjoyable Amish romance from Hubbard (A Simple Vow). Leah Otto has been in love with Jude Shetler ever since they were teenagers, even resigning herself to staying single after Jude marries someone else. When Jude’s wife dies and he is left with three children to care for, he begins to court Leah. Ignoring the naysayers from her church, Leah decides to marry Jude. But in the excitement of realizing her dream, she fails to realize that she may be woefully ill-equipped for the job of wife and stepmother. Her twin teenage stepdaughters, Alice and Adeline, are not comfortable with Plain life and question their way of living. When Jude reveals his darkest secret to Leah and his daughters overhear the revelation, the family looks like it will never recover. But, during this turmoil, an infant abruptly shows up on their doorstep, making all the Shetlers reconsider what is really important. Although the plot is at times outlandish, the quandaries that arise make this Amish romance thought-provoking and fresh.