The Last Bride (Home to Hickory Hollow)

by Beverly Lewis

Paperback, 2014

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Publication

Bethany House Publishers (2014), Edition: Large type / large print edition, 336 pages

Description

"Set in Amish country's beloved fictional Hickory Hollow, Tessie Miller, the youngest of her Old Order parents' five daughters, followed her heart, and the unthinkable has happened. Will she find a reason for hope, in spite of her desperate plight?"--

User reviews

LibraryThing member passionforbooks
I have devoured every Amish fiction book that author Beverly Lewis has written. Each published book gets better and better.

Once again Beverly Lewis made her characters real ones. I walked with them, I visited with them in their homes, I suffered with them when trials came upon them.

I was hooked on
Show More
this story from the very beginning. My emotions most certainly came to life. I smiled during tender moments, I went through grief, I even wept in several places.

God plays a very important part in the lives of Amish people. This is one of the reasons I love reading stories written by this author. She brings out their faith with prayer and scripture throughout the pages of each book. The Amish most always seeks the Will of God in every decision that is made.

When we disobey, when we keep secrets, and when we try to work things out on our own, it is never a good thing. There are many lessons to be learned in the story of The Last Bride.

I loved this book. It is deserving of 5 stars plus. I highly recommend this book to everyone that reads this review. You will not be disappointed!

The Last Bride, is the fifth and final stand-alone novel in the Home to Hickory Hollow series. I for one, will miss Hickory Hollow and all the wonderful gut stories!

I won this ARC from LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
Show Less
LibraryThing member hope3957
I found the story was new to the Amish needing to choose new family in their mating. A new line for a much told decision love looking. A sad emotion that was happening because the couple didn't pay attention to her father.
I really enjoyed the lessons learned Disobeying and keep secrets was very
Show More
well done . I really enjoyed the story!!
Show Less
LibraryThing member Bandings
Beverly Lewis has been prolific in writing books about various aspects of the life of Amish (and by extension, Mennonite) communities. I have read many of her books. This is another grab-you-by-the-heart-and-make-you-not-want-to-set-it-down kind of book.

There is more than the usual amount of
Show More
"submit to your parents/husband" in this book than in many. I cannot say this level of submission of a woman to her husband or father is good or bad or neutral, and I know that it is a normal part of the Amish lifestyle. There's just more of it written into this story than in others. As I read I kept realizing that unless I'd been raised in a community where this is taught and expected, I would not fit well into that type of submission. I was raised otherwise, had different circumstances in my life (like having to raise three children alone) and had to develop other skills, some of which are based on fierce independence. I admit: there is a part of me that got angered at the main character, Tessie, out of deference to first her husband and later her father, did not say things to save her reputation (I would have spoken out loud and often!)

Over all, this is a great story, and I do recommend anyone who is interested in the Amish read it to learn more aspects of the Amish life.
Show Less
LibraryThing member drebbles
Like all Amish daughters, Tessie Miller has tried her whole life to obey her father but she doesn't understand why he would rather have Levi Smucker court her instead of Marcus King - after all she is in love with Marcus not Levi. Her sister Mandy married the man their father wanted her to marry
Show More
but Tessie is more inclined to follow her own heart. Little does she realize that the choices she makes will change her life forever.

I usually like Beverly Lewis's books and I've enjoyed the Home to Hickory Hollow series, especially the last book “The Secret Keeper”, but I was disappointed in “The Last Bride”. I tried, but I just didn't like Tessie and at times I wanted to shake her. When one of the characters said towards the end of the book about Tessie “Why didn't she say so?”, I was ready to scream “Yes, why didn't she???” Her whole storyline seemed a bit contrived and dragged on. Levi disappeared fir large chunks of the book and he never really developed as a character for me. The Mandy/Sylvan storyline worked much better for me – her heartache was very real and it was interesting to read and watch her relationship with Sylvan grow. Again that storyline was a bit contrived at times but much better than Tessie’s.

“The Last Bride” is the fifth and final book in the Home to Hickory Hollow series - it's too bad the series didn't end on a better note.
Show Less
LibraryThing member MandaT
I thought the story line was well written. It explored the issue of waiting and trusting that the Lord can change hearts verses running ahead with you're own plans. Tessie wants to follow her heart, but she also desires to please the Lord and her parents. The conflict that can come when we charge
Show More
ahead of what the Lord has for us can bring much heartache as seen in the lives of Tessie and Marcus.

I think that this book was another great addition to the series. If you love the Amish fiction genre, then make sure to pick up this set by Beverly Lewis.
Show Less
LibraryThing member kykim
I enjoyed The Last Bride by Beverly Lewis. It is book # 5 in the Hickory Hollow Series, but also a stand alone book. It had me hooked from page one until the end, as all of her books on the Amish do.

Tessie Miller & Marcus King elope when her father is against them getting married. Her Father has
Show More
someone else in mind for her to marry. They come back and live as singles thinking they can change his mind. Then when a tragedy happens, she is left to face her parents and the Amish Church who all think she needs to confess her sins before the entire Church.

Tessie's sister - Mandy (and husband Sylvan) longs for a baby, as so many of her family and friends have.

Beverly Lewis does an awesome job in writing about the Amish/Mennonites. I have learned a lot about their traditions and believes through her books. The Amish put the will of God in everything they do. Because of the independence I have always had some of their traditions are hard for me to relate too, but I can understand why they believe that way.

I received an advanced copy of this in exchange for my review rather it be good or bad.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Robin661
The Last Bride
Beverly Lewis

Book Summary: Of her Old Order parents' five daughters, Tessie Miller is the last to marry. She has her heart set on Amishman Marcus King, but Tessie's father opposes the match. Impetuously, Tessie and Marcus elope to the English world, then return to Hickory Hollow to
Show More
live as singles, trusting they'll convince the Millers to give their love a chance over time. But when the unthinkable happens, Tessie faces the almost-certain censure of the People. Will she find a reason for hope in spite of her desperate plight?

Review: I loved this book. I was reserved in thinking this was just another Beverly Lewis story, but I could not have been more ignorant of what she had up her sleeve!!! I loved this book! It was Beverly Lewis’ best to date. I was so sad when events turned so horrible wrong and there stood Tessie having to cope with the outcome of her marriage. I cried and than things grew and changed. I mourned right along with Tessie and was as surprised as she was how life changed and turned around again. Than there was the secondary story of Mandy and her husband. This book had more inside its 336 pages than I could have ever thought possible. I want another book in this series! Going back to Hickory Hollow, PA was so very worth it. New or old time reader of Beverly Lewis will not be disappointed in this poignant story.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.
Show Less
LibraryThing member a.witt
I received an advance reading copy of The Last Bride for free as a part of Early Reviewers, and I enjoyed it immensely. The plot was amazing, the story was well-paced and it kept me steadily turning the pages to find out what would happen next. I have read many other books by Beverly Lewis, and she
Show More
is excellent at writing Amish fiction...however, I am giving the Last Bride only four stars because of some moderate cheesiness and fairly flat characters. If you don't mind cheesiness, then it's a great book! If you are sensitive to that sort of thing...then read with caution. As far as the characters, some were great, and some were not. Tessie, as a main character, is likable, but little more, although her situation is extremely intriguing. Tessie's sister Mandy, however, is the sort of character who sticks with you after you finish reading, and the storyline with her husband Sylvan was very rewarding to read. Altogether it was a great story, a satisfying read, and a lovely addition to any Beverly Lewis collection.
Show Less
LibraryThing member alekee
I enjoyed reading this book just as I did the others in this series. I do realize that there are genetic problems with not a big gene pool in the Amish. This story is based on this problem, and we see parents trying to bend their children to do what they want, for good reason, but not telling them
Show More
why.
When I read the blip on the back about what the book is about, and got to the part where I knew something was going to happen, I wanted to change it before it did. Yes, it is heart breaking, and you would not want to be in Tessie’s shoes, she has a hard road ahead of her. There are also a few side stories about Tessie’s sisters and some of their personal struggle. Love how close this family is, and how they seemed to really care about one another. You are going to be celebrating with them, and mourning at the same time, especially with some of the reveals, and we find out why some things happen.
While as a reader, and enjoying this fictional story, I did feel that some of it was unreal. Some of her parent’s choice made no sense, and yet tell them later? Also the other character at the end was almost to good to be true. All in all though I enjoyed visiting in the Hickory Hill area, traveling the same roads we have in past books, and mentioning of past characters, and remembering their stories.

I received this book through the Bethany House Bloggers Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member wearylibrarian
Tessie Miller is the last of her Old Amish family to marry. She and Marcus King are in love and wish to marry but Tessie's father will not allow it. He has his eyes set on another man for his daughter to marry. Tessie and Marcus decide to elope and when they return to Hickory Hollow, instead of
Show More
announcing their marriage, they continue as if they are single. They hope that Tessie's father will eventually accept Marcus as a suitable suitor for his youngest daughter. Before hey can tell anyone of their marriage, Tessie discovers why her father forbid her to marry Marcus. Then, an accident at a barn raising stuns Tessie as she is left wondering what to do next.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rphalliburton
I have just finished reading this book for the second time. The first reading didn't produce a review. I have mixed emotions about the Amish religion although I have read many novels about the Amish.

This book tells about a couple who eloped because the bride's fatheer forbid them to marry. This
Show More
was against the Amish religion - not to be married before the church. They didn't live together, waiting for the proper time to divulge their secret. The groom was killed in an accident a short time after the marriage and later Tessie discovered she was pregnant.

Her father didn't believe she had been married and she didn't know where Marcus had put their marriage license. She was subject to "shaming" or maybe even "shunning" by the church. However, the license was found and she was spared the punishment.

In the meantime an old friend declared his love for her and they married before the baby was born.

Mrs. Lewis did an excellent job on this book (as always); it was the rules that bothered me but in the end God's grace came through.

There were other themes running through the book and more peole were introduced.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Lindz2012
Tessie does something that goes against her father and mother. Though they try and live as single until her father can give their love a chance. They go about it for it seem to work. Then a tragic happens to her husband. Though thing go even more strangely/ Everyone thinks she did something that is
Show More
a sin. She does not feel the need to repent and she also knows she could get shunned.
Show Less
LibraryThing member DivineMissW
Wonderful book, Beverly Lewis does a wonderful job describing Amish life. The details are lovely, the characters are charming. Would recommend to those who enjoy a good romance or Christian fiction.
LibraryThing member rjmoren
Book number five of the Hickory Hollow series is another good Amish story about yet another family in the area. Tessie Ann appears to be living in sin but her only sin is disobeying her parents. She just can't seem to tell anyone, even sister Mandy, the actual truth about her relationship with
Show More
Marcus King. Enjoyed this one just as much as the others in the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member lostinavalonOR
Ok, well, I'm going to write here all the stuff I couldn't say in the book review. Number One: this book was a huge disappointment. I've been reading Beverly Lewis books for years---I've read every adult one she's published so far. This one was predictable and, more than that, completely
Show More
unbelievable. If these two acted the way they did about their marriage in "real life" there is NOO way they'd actually be mature enough to be doing all the other things they do in this book. Totally ridiculous...moving on... While The Last Bride wasn't up there with my favorites of hers, I must say that there was more than one surprise in this one---which is surprising in itself since, like I said, I found most of the story pretty predictable.

First off, I must say that what I thought the cover meant by "the unthinkable happens" is not actually what happened. Well, it was---but there was more to it which definitely surprised me.

Questions:

Why isn't Tessie more worried about this journal that could potentially reveal all her secrets? She dismisses it going missing like it's no big deal.

It makes no sense for her to keep her marriage a secret after the "Big Twist". She says, "revealing their elopement might cause more problems for everyone." Umm...how? Tell us HOW, because right now, that's just a big ol' blanket so you can keep writing. It's not like she's 14 and can't stand up to her father's "forbidding her to speak of it," Amish or not.

Why are there no remarks on Marcus' family's reaction to the first "confession"?

Once she finally does really confess, suddenly everyone is kind and loving. I'd be questioning my relationships if I were her.

This was the first Lewis book I read after being in Missouri's Amish country earlier this fall. I saw my first Amish man, horse and buggy, and Amish-made goods for sale in September in Mansfield. It gave me some real faces to imagine on these made up characters and that was a neat experience.

Without giving too many spoilers away, I'll just say that while the book definitely did have a happy and redeemed ending, this didn't move me to tears like most of hers normally do. There were several holes left open and the plot line wasn't tight enough to keep me from asking question after question about the scenarios that didn't make complete sense. Still, Lewis is and will probably always be up there in my top five favorite authors, so I'll proudly place this book on the shelf with the rest of the collection and enjoy it for years to come.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Lindz2012
The Last Bride Tessie does something that goes against her father and mother. Though they try and live as single until her father can give their love a chance. They go about it for it seem to work. Then a tragic happens to her husband. Though thing go even more strangely/ Everyone thinks she did
Show More
something that is a sin. She does not feel the need to repent and she also knows she could get shunned.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Lindz2012
Tessie does something that goes against her father and mother. Though they try and live as single until her father can give their love a chance. They go about it for it seem to work. Then a tragic happens to her husband. Though thing go even more strangely/ Everyone thinks she did something that is
Show More
a sin. She does not feel the need to repent and she also knows she could get shunned.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Lindz2012
The Last Bride Tessie does something that goes against her father and mother. Though they try and live as single until her father can give their love a chance. They go about it for it seem to work. Then a tragic happens to her husband. Though thing go even more strangely/ Everyone thinks she did
Show More
something that is a sin. She does not feel the need to repent and she also knows she could get shunned.
Show Less
LibraryThing member scoutmomskf
Good book. Tessie and Marcus have been in love for a long time, but no matter what they do, they can't get Tessie's father to approve their courtship. After months of trying, the two secretly marry at the county courthouse, then return home to live as singles. Marcus continues to try to gain
Show More
Ammon's approval. Meanwhile, they seize every opportunity they can to be together. After several more weeks, Marcus is ready to just announce their marriage and face the consequences, when he is killed in an accident. Tessie is devastated. Worse yet, she finds out she's pregnant, and without the marriage certificate she can't reveal her marriage.

I ached for Tessie throughout most of the book. First, to be denied marriage to the one she loved, to the point where they felt they must marry in secret. Then the following weeks of living apart, when all she wanted was to be a proper wife to Marcus. I completely understood her frustration. Then to have him die so tragically before they can reveal their marriage left her in a kind of limbo. She's a widow, even though no one knows it, and because of that they don't understand the depth of her grief. As she tries to go on with her life, she discovers that she's pregnant. She doesn't know what to do, so she hides her pregnancy as long as she can. Without proof of her marriage she is in danger of losing her status within the church. I was really worried for her and how things would go with the church elders. There was an interesting twist at the end that made a huge difference.

Added to the mix is the young man that Tessie's father wanted for her. He is still interested in Tessie and makes sure that she knows it. Because of her circumstances, she isn't too sure he knows what he'd be getting into. I really liked Levi. He was kind and patient with her uncertainty. I also liked his belief in her when she told him the whole story. He also had a very different personality than Marcus, one that I think was better suited to her anyway.

Also intertwined throughout the book was the story of Tessie's sister Mandy and her husband Sylvan. Mandy had followed her father's dictates and married his choice for her, even though she cared for another. At the beginning of the book she is unhappy in her marriage. Her husband is rather distant, they still haven't been able to conceive, and she needs something to distract her. A friend wants her to join in opening a shop selling Amish goods. This really appeals to Mandy, who sees it as a way to expand her world, but she's afraid that Sylvan won't approve. Over the course of the book, the slowly learn to communicate with each other, with Sylvan taking a surprisingly proactive approach. By the end, both have found unexpected happiness in their match.

There was an unexpected theme also, that of the problem of birth defects in the Amish community. Because there is so much intermarriage, the instances of serious genetic problems has been growing worse. Partway through the book, Tessie discovers that the reason her father was against her marriage to Marcus was that they are more closely related than is wise, opening them up to greater possibility of that happening to them. With her pregnancy, this adds even more stress, as Tessie worries about the future health of her baby.

I really liked the ending and seeing how things worked out for the various people in the book. I also enjoyed the occasional appearance/mention of characters from previous books. Ellie Mae, the wisewoman, is always interesting to spend time with. I also loved the mention of Katie Lapp, who was the first of Beverly Lewis's characters I read about, and who got me hooked on her as an author.
Show Less
LibraryThing member DynamicUno
I've read several books by Beverly Lewis, but this is the first I have read of the Hickory Hollow series. It is actually book #5, but can be read as a stand-alone since each book seems to be about s different character in Hickory Hollow. I didn't feel like I had missed anything by not read the
Show More
other books, so if this is a concern you have, then put it aside because I enjoyed this book.

Tessie Ann is the lead character in this story. She lives in the Amish town of Hickory Hollow under her parent's roof since she is the last of their children who is still single. Tessie Ann does have a boyfriend, Marcus, but she is forbidden to see him by her father, without any explanation. Marcus tries his hardest to win over Tessie Ann's father, but he does not waiver in his decision. Tessie Ann and Marcus decide to secretly wed, outside of their Amish Church, and keep their marriage a secret until Marcus can hopefully win-over Tessie Ann's father.

Marcus and his bride meet up when Tessie Ann can slip away and start setting up house. A major accident occurs and Tessie Ann finds herself alone with a huge secret. Will she be able to face her father and their order's punishment by telling the truth? Will she be shunned? Will she ever find the will to love and live again?

As I mentioned earlier, I enjoyed reading The Last Bride. It was refreshing to see that even the Amish people face serious issues too. I guess I've always idealized their lives because they live so simply that things appear to be good for them. Learning that women bite their tongues frequently and have the same desires that I do was a bit of an eye-opener.

The other characters mentioned in the book fascinated me as well. Since I have not read any of the other books in the series, I don't know if their stories have been told, but I'd love to know more about "the wise-woman"(Ella Mae Zook) and about cousin Emmalyn's past.

Forgiveness,trusting God, and honesty are all concurrent themes throughout the story. If you enjoy reading stories of the Amish with a bit of drama thrown in, this is the book for you!

I received this book free from the publisher as a member of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Group in response for my honest review and opinion.
Show Less

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

336 p.; 8.5 inches

ISBN

9780764211980
Page: 0.599 seconds