Book Review~Beneath the Summer Sun

Book Description: 

It’s been four years since Jennie’s husband died in a farming accident. Long enough that the elders in her Amish community think it’s time to marry again for the sake of her seven children. What they don’t know is that grief isn’t holding her back from a new relationship. Fear is. A terrible secret in her past keeps her from moving forward.

Mennonite book salesman Nathan Walker stops by Jennie’s farm whenever he’s in the area. Despite years of conversation and dinners together, she never seems to relax around him. He knows he should move on, but something about her keeps drawing him back.

 Meanwhile, Leo Graber nurtures a decades-long love for Jennie, but guilt plagues him—guilt for letting Jennie marry someone else and guilt for his father’s death on a hunting trip many years ago. How could anyone love him again—and how could he ever take a chance to love in return?

In this second book in the Every Amish Season series, three hearts try to discern God’s plan for the future—and find peace beneath the summer sun.

My Review: 

Beneath the Summer Sun is the second book in author Kelly Irvin's Every Amish Season series. I did not read the first book in the series-Upon a Spring Breeze-but had no problems following the story. I think Beneath the Summer Sun can be read alone. 

I felt so much compassion for the character of Jennie-she has been through so much, and is afraid to open herself to the chance to love again. With seven children to care for, one of whom is experiencing a lot of emotional pain, she barely has time for herself. She has two men interested in her who are both loving, caring men. But she also thought her husband was loving and caring before they married. Things quickly changed after their marriage vows. 

As domestic violence is a main topic in Beneath the Summer Sun, it could be a trigger for some readers, so I think its important to know upfront. Domestic Violence is not often a theme in Amish fiction, as Amish are generally thought of as non-violent, gentle people. It was an interesting story that kept my attention from start to finish. At the back of the book are Domestic Violence resources, as well as discussion questions about the story. 

I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.