The Search by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Fifteen years ago, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision. She couldn't have known that her choice would impact so many. Now in her mid-twenties, she is poised to go to culinary school when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge, the very Amish town in which her long-reaching decision was made, forcing her to face the shadowed past. — Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm with her large and intimidating grandmother, Bertha. It quickly becomes clear that she is there to work the farm--and work hard. The labor is made slightly more tolerable by the time it affords Bess to spend with the handsome hired hand, Billy Lapp. But he only has eyes for a flirty and curvaceous older girl.
Lainey's and Bess's worlds are about to collide and the secrets that come to light will shock them both.
Beautifully written, The Search is a skillfully woven story that takes readers through unexpected twists and turns on the long country road toward truth. Fans both old and new will find themselves immersed in this heartwarming--and surprising--tale of young love, forgiveness, and coming to grips with the past.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely adored this book! Bertha Reihl has decided it is time for her son and granddaughter to come home to Stoney Ridge. They left 15 years ago when a tragic accident changed both their lives forever, but neither understand exactly the extent of the changes that were made. Lainey O'Toole made a split second decision when she was 10 that had farther reaching effects than she ever imagined. Now, Bess is to spend the summer with her grandmother and all the secrets are about to explode, whether they want them to or not.

My absolute favorite character in this book was Bertha. She is a take charge lady that doesn't know the meaning of the word 'no'. She bosses everyone from her worker Billy to the sheriff! Very crafty and conniving all of which she has tried to instill into her granddaughter Bess. Bess is completely taken with Billy and sometimes it seems mutual but he had decided to marry someone else, at least he thinks he has! All of the characters were wonderfully real. I could actually smell the roses she describes and I love how she shows God has a hand in every aspect of our lives.

Absolutely a 5/5. I am going to get the rest of the books in this series and I can't wait to read them!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.