This book is about two young people Annie, an Old Order Mennonite girl and Aden, an Old Order Amish boy. When Annie has an argument with her mother she is sent to stay with her Daadi Moses for a while. She spends time working at his neighbor’s restaurant where she reconnects with her friend Aden. Aden works as a cook in the family restaurant and takes care of his brother Roman. Roman is in a wheelchair after an accident and struggles to find his place now that he can’t walk.
Aden and Annie begin to fall in love. The families are against their romance because they have said their vows and joined their respective churches. In both faiths there is a rule not to be “unevenly yoked” or to marry outside the faith. When they are forbidden to see each other they sneak out at night to meet in a cherry orchard. They are caught and forced to make a huge decision. Stay together and there will be dire consequences including being excluded from church and family. Also the business agreement between the two families will be broken which would cause Aden’s family financial ruin. Break up and the church and families will be happy but Aden and Annie will be miserable.
I enjoyed this book very much. I think many of us have had times when we question the rules of our faith and our trust in God as we struggle to make a difficult decision. My only complaint is it was too short. I became so engrossed in the characters that I wanted the story to continue and go further in depth. I hope there will be a sequel that expands on Roman’s story.
I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
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