The Wish

Beverly Lewis

Sep 2016 · Baker Books

About this ebook

A Compelling Story of Friendship from the Top Author in Amish Fiction

Leona Speicher got the "sister" she'd always dreamed of the day Gloria Gingerich and her family moved to Lancaster County Amish farmland. The Arkansas newcomers seem to be everything a devout Plain family should be, and Leona can't help comparing Gloria's engaging young parents to her own.

Leona's cousin shows a romantic interest in Gloria around the same time as Gloria's older brother expresses his fondness for Leona--it seems likely the two young women will marry into each other's families, remaining close friends for life. Thus, Leona is shocked when the Gingeriches suddenly pack up and disappear after being expelled from the church for reasons no one will discuss. Despite Leona's pleas, Gloria goes with them, leaving more than one broken heart behind.

When Gloria unexpectedly contacts Leona after a silence of several years, Leona makes up her mind to persuade her friend to return to Lancaster County and the Amish ways. Leona's fiancé, the deacon's son, is alarmed when Leona decides to go after Gloria. Will Leona's dearest wish lead to her own undoing?

Ratings and reviews

The Wish by Beverly Lewis is set in Colerain, Pennsylvania. Leona Speicher is thrilled when the Gingeriches move in next door because they have a girl the same age. Gloria Gingeriches becomes Leona's best friend. Leona spends quite a bit of time at Gloria's house while they are growing up. She finds that she prefers Gloria's family to her own. Leona felt that she was born to the wrong family. When Gloria is seventeen, her father, Arkansas Joe has a problem with the Bishop and the community. They the whole family disappears. Gloria leaves behind her dog, Brownie with a note for Leona. Leona does not understand why they just disappeared, but she hopes to hear from her friend soon. Leona hears nothing for three years and then she receives a letter from Gloria asking her to visit. Leona feels that God is calling her to help her friend. Gloria is at a crossroads and needs advice (and assistance). Leona wants to find out what happened three years ago that caused her family to leave without any word. Plus, she misses her dearest friend. Gloria was like a sister to Leona. Will Leona be able to help her friend? Join Leona as she sets out to help Gloria and hopefully return her to the community in The Wish. The Wish was a good book. It has excellent writing (as usual for Beverly Lewis) and the book moves along at a good pace. The book is about choices. It can be hard to make the right decision/choice. I thought the book had good moral lessons especially that with God all things are possible. You think someone has a better life (greener pastures), but you do not know what goes on behind closed doors. I give The Wish 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). There is a little bit of romance in the story, but it plays out in the background (not the main focus of the book). I thought The Wish was a good, heartwarming novel. I look forward to reading Beverly Lewis' next novel. I received a complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

This is a beautifully written story. It is not your typical Amish Romance. There is romance in this novel, yet it is not the main focus. This book focuses more on friendship, choices and realizing things may not always be like we think. Beverly Lewis always does her homework and writes very accurately in the Amish culture and develops her characters well. Leona Speicher is a caring Amish girl who has always wanted a sister and maybe parents who were a little different than her own. When Gloria and her family move to town she feels her prayers have been answered. Yet their lives take totally different paths than they ever dreamed possible. Will Leona be able to bring her friend back to the people, or are their to many convinces in the English world to return plain? I loved the relationship between many of the characters in this novel. Leona and Gloria both have lessons to learn throughout this novel and you are not really sure exactly how it will end. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys reading 'Amish' type books.

This book was so good, didn't want to put it Down.

About the author

Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than 17 million books in print. Her stories have been published in 12 languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today. Beverly and her husband, David, live in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, making music, and spending time with their family. Learn more at www.beverlylewis.com.