Patchwork Dreams byLaura V. Hilton ~ review

Synopsis from Amazon.com:


Ever since returning from her rumspringa pregnant and unwed, Becky Troyer has been a pariah in her Amish community in Missouri. Even after the young mother confesses her sin and rejoins the church, her peers continue to shun her, and she despairs the unlikelihood of marrying for love. It seems that her only hope is to eventually marry a widower with a family of his own.
Becky's world changes when Jacob Miller arrives at her family's farm with the understanding that he will help with chores during the summer and then return to Pennsylvania. What Jacob does not know is that his father, who disapproves of Jacob's sweetheart, Susie, sent him away as part of a plan to introduce new blood into the Amish community of Seymour. In addition to his work around the farm, Jacob undertakes the task of cheering up the lovely yet listless Becky, inviting her to various youth gatherings and offering her the only unconditional friendship she's known.

As their relationship grows, the two find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. Will Becky and Jacob overcome their insecurities and self–doubts so that their love can grow, or will Jacob keep his pledge to Susie and turn his back on Becky, as so many others have done?

My take on this book:
When Jacob Miller's father sends him to Missouri to help the Troyer's,who are distant relatives of his mothers, he is less than happy. Jacob thinks its his daeds way of putting an end to the relationship he has with Susie, an amish girl he has been dating, who is leaning toward leaving the Amish faith. When he arrives at the Troyer home, he immediately becomes aware of Becky Troyer, an attractive Amish girl who should be married, but instead seems terribly sad, and somewhat withdrawn. He decides to make it his mission to cheer her up and find her a suitor, but soon starts having feelings for her himself.

Becky Troyer is a young amish girl, who is also an unwed mother. When she became pregnant during her rumspringa, her English boyfriend spread vicious lies about her, and even though she confessed her sins, she is still judged, and considered undesirable in her community. She blames herself for what happened during her running around time. The friendship that Jacob offers her has her longing and wishing for things that she thinks she will never have.

Becky was a character that I felt drawn to from the beginning,and her choice of comfort food when stressed is something that alot of women will relate to! While we were told early on that she had a baby during her rumspringa, it seemed so out of character for her, but as the story unfolds it made sense.What made this book a bit different than most amish books that I have read was the fact that her community continued to judge her, especially her peers. Her family on the other hand was wonderful, the love her father had for her was clearly evident in the way that he tried to protect her from the bishops decision of marrying a much older man.
Jacob, was a kind compassionate man who looked past what others said to see the true Becky. We also got a glimpse of how torn an Amish man can become when it comes to defending someone he loves, while trying to remain a pacifist.

Patchwork Dreams is the first book in The Amish Of Seymour series. While fans of Amish fiction will love this book, I think anyone looking for a sweet love story filled with realistic characters who make mistakes but long for love and acceptance will enjoy this story.

E-book was provided by Whitaker House for review.