Book Review: Joyful

Return to Sugarcreek series

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.

Learn more and purchase a copy at Shelley’s website.

MY THOUGHTS

This is book 3 in the Return to SugarCreek series, but it is a stand alone story.

This is Elizabeth's story.  Elizabeth lives with her grandmother, her mom remarried and no longer sends money, what can a girl do to make ends meet?

Randall has a lot on his shoulders as well, with both parents gone, and older siblings moved out he feels the weight of the world, wants to solve everything himself, and decides the best thing to do is no longer court Elizabeth.

You can tell neither one is happy, even less so when Randall's brother asks Elizabeth for help!  This story is full of ups and downs, hopes, fear, love and will keep you rooting for it's characters straight through to the end.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Litfuse Pulicity