“Joyful” is the third and final book in the “Return to Sugarcreek” series. I have not read the other two books, and in fact this was my first book by Shelley Shepard Gray. However, I did not feel lost or confused with the story line or relationships, so I believe it can be read as a stand alone book.
Sometimes I find “amish fiction” hard to read because the author will use authentic amish words in their books, so I’m constantly trying to remember what the words mean but still continue with the flow of the story. This was not the case with this book! Although she used some amish words, it was not alot so I found it easy to read and follow.
The story line was very delightful and mostly followed the main characters of Randall Beiler and family; and Elizabeth Nolt. There were two other side stories using other characters which were also delightful and easy to follow. Randall and Elizabeth use to court and were expected to marry, but misunderstandings and family responsibilities got in the way of furthering their relationship. It was funny, but also true to life, to see the different communication between them and to see if they could work out their differences.
This was a fun, clean, romantic christian fiction book that I would recommend! I was left smiling and feeling good at the end of the book.
About the book: A young Amish couple gets a second chance at love in New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray’s final book in her Return to Sugarcreek series.
Randall Beiler is doing his best to put his family and the farm’s needs first, even forsaking love. But though he tries, Randall knows he needs help caring for his younger siblings and keeping the house together.
When his brother offers pretty Elizabeth Nolt a job taking care of the house and cooking for the family, Randall is furious—and guilty about the way he once broke Elizabeth’s heart. But when he learns that Elizabeth and her grandmother are struggling to make ends meet, he knows the offer, no matter how painful, is the right thing for everyone.
Elizabeth wants to refuse—to stay far away from the man who hurt her—but she needs the money. Though she vows to protect her heart, spending time in the Beiler household makes Elizabeth realize that, while she’s older and wiser, her love for Randall still burns strong.
Randal, too, seems to want something more. But does he want Elizabeth because he truly loves her—or because he needs a housekeeper? If Randall sincerely wants something more, he must find a way to show Elizabeth—or risk losing his chance at love forever.
About the author: Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time
New York Timesbestseller, a two-time
USA Todaybestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
Don’t miss Shelley Shepard Gray‘s newest book in the Return to Sugarcreek series, Joyful. USA Today raved: “A sweet, straightforward story about how love can be tested by family, faith, and personal insecurity. Enjoyable and heartwarming.”
Click the banner for a chance to win books 1-3 in Shelley’s Return to Sugarcreek series! Winner announced on
Shelley’s blog on 9/30.
I’m a blog book reviewer for LitFuse Publicity so I was given this book complimentary in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.
Fitness, Family & Book blogger. Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Active Aging and Silver Sneakers Coach. Walking Coach. Certified Nutrition Coach. Teaching fitness classes for all levels of fitness and ages since 2015. ✨Empower & Inspire✨
