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Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite
With Love Still Stands, seven Amish families from Bliss Creek, Kansas decide to leave their home and start a new community in New Hope, Missouri. Several people in New Hope aren't so open to outsiders and don't want the Amish to settle there. One of the people hoping for a new beginning is Bethel Graber. Bethel was injured in an accident, but hopes that physical therapy will help her so that she can assist her older sister Leah with her children and go back to the job that she loves, teaching! Elijah Christner has also made the move to New Hope. He has spent the last five years of his life taking care of his parents, but now longs for a wife and family of his own. He wonders if perhaps it might be too late. Will the town of New Hope allow their Amish neighbors to live in peace? What about Bethel and Elijah - will they get the new beginning they long for?
When Bethel and her sister's family arrive at their home in New Hope, only to find that it had been vandalized, I knew I was in for a unique "Amish" story. Unwelcome by several in the community, the Amish don't let it deter them, and really do practice their faith by showing kindness, hoping to eventually win the town over. Several interesting characters really make this story flow. Along with the interesting characters, it was neat to see an Amish community come together.
Fans of Amish fiction are going to love this story, but there is so much more to this than just a typical Amish romance. It's a story that could really be about anyone because of the topics the author deals with, such as postpartum depression, starting over in a new town, discrimination, disability, physical therapy, and divorce to name a few. With Love Still Stands, Kelly Irvin provides a well written story with a few twists, and fascinating characters that share their faith as well as their struggles. I felt I became a part of the New Hope community for a few hours and look forward to the next book in this series!
