AUTHOR: Beverly Lewis
DATE: 2016
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
STARS: ***1/2
The mistakes of the past haunt Lucy Flaud, who years ago stopped attending the activities for courting-age young people in her hometown of Bird-in-Hand. Now twenty-five and solidly past the age of Amish courtship, Lucy has given up any hope of marriage, instead focusing her efforts on volunteering in both the Plain and fancy communities of Lancaster County. Yet no matter how hard Lucy strives, she feels uncertain that she'll ever find redemption.
Dale Wyeth has a deep mistrust of modern-day "advances" and the dependency they create. The young Englisher's interest in living off the grid is fueled further when he meets Christian Flaud, Lucy's father. Dale appreciates the self-sufficient ways of the Old Order Amish, and Christian invites him to learn more about them by staying at the family farm.
As Christian and Dale grow closer, developing a father-son rapport, Lucy begins to question what Dale's being there might mean for her. Could God be testing her? Or is it possible that even the most unworthy heart--and two people from very different walks of life--can somehow find a new beginning?
I wanted to love this book. Beverly Lewis is a New York Times bestselling author, and her name has been synonymous with Amish fiction for years. But I am sorry to admit that The Atonement did not fulfil my expectations. Lucy Flaud and the other characters were pleasant but not compelling, and I found myself skimming portions of the story. The bucolic setting is familiar to readers of this genre, and I was more attracted to the descriptions of Amish farm life than the plodding plot.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given. Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Even though I wanted to award The Atonement at least four stars, it earned three and a half.