Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

A wonderful, light read. Some reviewers have suggested that this is a YA read because the setting centers on a seventeen year old Amish-raised girl. In my humble opinion this book is a great-tastic read for all ages. The other books in this "Daughters of the Promise" series, Plain Perfect, Plain Pursuit, Plain Perfect are all about different Amish ladies but yet in the same setting. So, I wasn't disappointed when I read Plain Paradise as a standalone book.

This is a wonderful Amish read about an adopted Englischer baby girl, Linda, who has grown up in an Amish household. And whose birth mother, Josie, begins to feel the pangs of giving up her baby after seventeen years.

The author did a great job of intertwining the Amish way of life with the "outside world." Not an easy feat but a "necessary telling" so that the reader understands how hard it would be for an Amish-raised child to fit into the English (outside world) way of life. The Amish ways are strict and require that children obey and respect adults (how we all can learn from this!). Plus, the Amish are very work oriented without the conveniences of modern appliances. This is amazing in itself! Not to mention the Amish cook, bake and can all their own foods. Wonderful aromas arise from the pages of this book!

This is an interesting story that focuses mainly on the mother-child bond....Linda and her adopted mother Mary Ellen. I felt rather sorry for Josie, the long lost mother, but could really understand the view of the loving, "true" mother of Linda.

If you enjoy Amish fiction be sure to check out ALL the books in the Daughters of the Promise series....you won't be disappointed!