Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Thomas Nelson (2015), 320 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Romance. Christian Fiction. HTML: Charlotte came to Amish country to find answers. What she never expected to find was peace. Charlotte Dolinsky is not above playing dress-up and telling a few lies to find out what happened to her only brother. In fact, that is exactly what she's come to Lancaster County to do. Now, calling herself Mary and slipping on a kapp, Charlotte will lie her way into the confidence of anyone who knows why Ethan had to die. Unless she gets found out first. But when Charlotte befriends a quiet Amish man named Isaac Miller, she begins to rethink her motives. And with a little help from a friend back home, Charlotte might find out that love comes packaged in ways she couldn't have foreseen. Isaac's been caring for his cancer-stricken father and sympathizing with his frustrated mother for three difficult years. And that means he hasn't been dating. He believes Hannah King is the woman for him, but Hannah is still grieving the loss of her fiancé, and Isaac has all he can handle on the farm. When Hannah's family plays host to a woman named Mary, their new cousin shakes things up for all of them. As Charlotte digs deeper into the mystery of Ethan's death, she finds more than she'd bargained for in the community he once called home. But will she ever learn the truth? And what will the community�??and her new family�??do if they learn the truth about h… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Harley0326
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
Charlotte has been devastated by her brother's death. He went to live with the Amish and fell in love with a young woman. They were to marry , but shortly before the wedding , he did the unthinkable. What prompted him to take his
She decides that she will go live with Ethan's grieving ex fiancée Hannah. She tells the family her name is Mary and is a distant cousin. They welcome her into the home. Charlotte believes that Hannah knows more about Ethan's death and she is willing to do whatever it takes to find the answers she came for. Did his friend, Isaac notice the sudden change that had taken over Ethan and seemed to draw him into a depression that he couldn't fight off ?
Charlotte remembers the horrible upbringing her and Ethan had endured and knows how desperate Ethan wanted be loved and feel accepted by others. Could his childhood hold the answers Charlotte is seeking, or will she continue to deceive the people in the Amish community ?
The story is filled with wonderful characters that Beth has so masterfully written with grace and writes about how depression can cause a person to fall into a darkness from which they feel they can't escape. As Charlotte continues to deceive those who she has started to care for, she begins to realize that soon the truth will be found out about who she really is.
This book has been one of the most powerful books I have read about forgiveness , acceptance, unconditional love and a journey of finding faith . I cried and laughed throughout the book and was reminded of a saying,
"Oh what a tangled web we weave.... When first we practice to deceive ."
Thank you Beth for a book that not only shows us how deceit and unforgiveness can destroy lives , but how the gift of mercy and grace will mend a broken heart. I loved this from the book, " I think it's when we are at our most broken that we are able to hear God the loudest if we really listen."
Charlotte has been devastated by her brother's death. He went to live with the Amish and fell in love with a young woman. They were to marry , but shortly before the wedding , he did the unthinkable. What prompted him to take his
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own life? Charlotte knows that there must be more to his death and she is determined to find the truth. She decides that she will go live with Ethan's grieving ex fiancée Hannah. She tells the family her name is Mary and is a distant cousin. They welcome her into the home. Charlotte believes that Hannah knows more about Ethan's death and she is willing to do whatever it takes to find the answers she came for. Did his friend, Isaac notice the sudden change that had taken over Ethan and seemed to draw him into a depression that he couldn't fight off ?
Charlotte remembers the horrible upbringing her and Ethan had endured and knows how desperate Ethan wanted be loved and feel accepted by others. Could his childhood hold the answers Charlotte is seeking, or will she continue to deceive the people in the Amish community ?
The story is filled with wonderful characters that Beth has so masterfully written with grace and writes about how depression can cause a person to fall into a darkness from which they feel they can't escape. As Charlotte continues to deceive those who she has started to care for, she begins to realize that soon the truth will be found out about who she really is.
This book has been one of the most powerful books I have read about forgiveness , acceptance, unconditional love and a journey of finding faith . I cried and laughed throughout the book and was reminded of a saying,
"Oh what a tangled web we weave.... When first we practice to deceive ."
Thank you Beth for a book that not only shows us how deceit and unforgiveness can destroy lives , but how the gift of mercy and grace will mend a broken heart. I loved this from the book, " I think it's when we are at our most broken that we are able to hear God the loudest if we really listen."
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LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
Her Brother’s Keeper (An Amish Secrets Novel) by Beth Wiseman is set in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Charlotte Dolinsky wants to find out what happened to her brother. Ethan Dolinsky went to Pennsylvania to work on a roofing job. He ended up staying and was converting to the Amish faith. Ethan
Charlotte’s research involved talking to people at the market in Beeville, Texas and looking at some sites online (she would have been better off reading some books or even watching the Amish reality show). Charlotte picked up her clothing at a secondhand Amish clothing store. Charlotte arrives in Lancaster County and introduces herself as Mary. Charlotte is welcomed into the family. Lena King, Hannah’s mother, is hoping that Mary will get Hannah out of her grief. Hannah has withdrawn from life since the death of Ethan (she is just going through the motions). Hannah can tell there is something different about Charlotte. She does not under their language, she never helps with the cooking, cleaning up, lousy at gardening, and she sleeps very late. Lena says it could be the difference in their districts. When Hannah finally asks Charlotte about not understanding their language, Charlotte explains that she did not come to the Amish faith until she was nineteen (more lies).
As Charlotte and Hannah get to know each other, they become quite close (like sisters). Charlotte is starting to get some answers to her questions, but she is feeling guilty about her lies (Ryan got Charlotte to start exploring religion). Will Charlotte get the answers she is seeking about Ethan? Is she prepared to accept the truth about her brother? What will happen when the King family finds out about Charlotte’s deception? Hannah is starting to get over Ethan and is interested in Isaac Miller (a neighbor who has been taking care of his parents for several years). Is Hannah ready to move on with her life? Will the answers Charlotte finds about Ethan upset Hannah?
I give Her Brother’s Keeper 4 out of 5 stars. It is a charming story that is well-written. I liked most of the characters in the story. Charlotte was my least favorite character in the beginning of the book. I did not understand why she did not just come to King’s as herself. They would have welcomed her with open arms since she was Ethan’s sister. I like the way the suicide was handled and the way the answers were revealed (about Ethan and his life). Reading Her Brother’s Keeper is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
I received a complimentary copy of Her Brother’s Keeper from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
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was also engaged to be married to Hannah King. Then Ethan hung himself. Charlotte was not able to get answers to her letters or phone calls from Hannah (Hannah was grieving and upset over Charlotte’s insistence that Ethan’s body be sent home to Texas for burial). Charlotte came up with the idea to go to Lancaster County and impersonate an Amish person (a cousin to the King’s) to get her answers. Ryan Hanemann, Ethan’s best friend when they were growing up, does not think it is a good idea, but he is unable to discourage Charlotte. Charlotte’s research involved talking to people at the market in Beeville, Texas and looking at some sites online (she would have been better off reading some books or even watching the Amish reality show). Charlotte picked up her clothing at a secondhand Amish clothing store. Charlotte arrives in Lancaster County and introduces herself as Mary. Charlotte is welcomed into the family. Lena King, Hannah’s mother, is hoping that Mary will get Hannah out of her grief. Hannah has withdrawn from life since the death of Ethan (she is just going through the motions). Hannah can tell there is something different about Charlotte. She does not under their language, she never helps with the cooking, cleaning up, lousy at gardening, and she sleeps very late. Lena says it could be the difference in their districts. When Hannah finally asks Charlotte about not understanding their language, Charlotte explains that she did not come to the Amish faith until she was nineteen (more lies).
As Charlotte and Hannah get to know each other, they become quite close (like sisters). Charlotte is starting to get some answers to her questions, but she is feeling guilty about her lies (Ryan got Charlotte to start exploring religion). Will Charlotte get the answers she is seeking about Ethan? Is she prepared to accept the truth about her brother? What will happen when the King family finds out about Charlotte’s deception? Hannah is starting to get over Ethan and is interested in Isaac Miller (a neighbor who has been taking care of his parents for several years). Is Hannah ready to move on with her life? Will the answers Charlotte finds about Ethan upset Hannah?
I give Her Brother’s Keeper 4 out of 5 stars. It is a charming story that is well-written. I liked most of the characters in the story. Charlotte was my least favorite character in the beginning of the book. I did not understand why she did not just come to King’s as herself. They would have welcomed her with open arms since she was Ethan’s sister. I like the way the suicide was handled and the way the answers were revealed (about Ethan and his life). Reading Her Brother’s Keeper is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
I received a complimentary copy of Her Brother’s Keeper from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
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LibraryThing member AnnaWaffles
The pacing on the audio was very peculiar - both the narration and the editing seemed a little off.
LibraryThing member kbranfield
4.5 stars.
Fans of Amish fiction are going to love Beth Wiseman's newest release, Her Brother's Keeper. This first installment in the Amish Secrets series has a very unique and fascinating storyline but it is the characters that make it such an outstanding read.
Charlotte Dolinsky is determined to
Charlotte and Ethan's abusive childhood left permanent scars on both of them. Charlotte finds it difficult to trust or get close to people while Ethan suffered from depression off and on over the years. Neither has much of a spiritual background so Charlotte found Ethan's newfound faith difficult to believe and she harbored serious reservations about his engagement to an Amish woman. Learning of his suicide devastated Charlotte and she is desperate to understand why someone on the verge of marriage would suddenly and inexplicably take his own life.
Charlotte's crash course in Amish living provides the basics (i.e. dress, common dialogue, etc) but as she quickly discovers, there is much she does not know. She quickly realizes how unrealistic her scheme is but she comes up with very plausible explanations for her mistakes. While she comes to appreciate some of the Amish lifestyle, she is very uneasy with the spiritual aspects she encounters.
Charlotte is surprised by how much she likes Hannah and she cleverly works discussions about Ethan into their conversations. Hannah's answers to her probing questions are not completely satisfying but their surprisingly in depth exchanges about faith begin to resonate with Charlotte. Discussions with Ethan's best friend Ryan also aid Charlotte on her spiritual awakening but this journey has just begun when her deception is uncovered. Although the Amish are quick to forgive, will this prove to be the case for the King family and the other members of their community?
There is also a slight romantic element to Her Brother's Keeper, but these relationships are not the focus of the novel. Charlotte and Ethan's friend Isaac go on a few dates but it is soon apparent that their relationship is strictly platonic. Isaac is really interested in Hannah but he is afraid it is too soon to ask her out since she appears to be still mourning Ethan's death. Hannah is caught off guard by her jealousy when Isaac and Charlotte begin dating and she becomes quite introspective as she tries to overcome her unexpected feelings. This contemplation is surprisingly useful and helps her move through the grieving process.
Her Brother's Keeper is a heartfelt and poignant novel and Beth Wiseman tackles some very difficult subjects with a great deal of sensitivity. The faith portion of the storyline is realistic and it is absolutely delightful watching Charlotte begin her spiritual journey. There is also a bit of a suspense aspect to the novel as Charlotte tries to uncover the truth about the circumstances leading up to Ethan's death. All in all, it is an absolutely incredible beginning to the Amish Secrets series that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next installment.
Fans of Amish fiction are going to love Beth Wiseman's newest release, Her Brother's Keeper. This first installment in the Amish Secrets series has a very unique and fascinating storyline but it is the characters that make it such an outstanding read.
Charlotte Dolinsky is determined to
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find answers about her brother Ethan's death in Lancaster County. Dissatisfied by answers she receives from his fiancée Hannah King, Charlotte devises a scheme to do little undercover sleuthing in the Amish community. Armed with a little knowledge of the Amish faith, she poses as a distant cousin of the Kings and they open their home (and eventually their hearts) to her. But Charlotte is woefully unprepared for Amish life and she quickly discovers there is much more to being Amish than donning a kapp and living without electricity. She grows increasingly uncomfortable with the lies she must tell to divert their suspicions but when she begins to care for Hannah and her family, Charlotte is torn between ending her deception or continuing to seek answers about her brother's death.Charlotte and Ethan's abusive childhood left permanent scars on both of them. Charlotte finds it difficult to trust or get close to people while Ethan suffered from depression off and on over the years. Neither has much of a spiritual background so Charlotte found Ethan's newfound faith difficult to believe and she harbored serious reservations about his engagement to an Amish woman. Learning of his suicide devastated Charlotte and she is desperate to understand why someone on the verge of marriage would suddenly and inexplicably take his own life.
Charlotte's crash course in Amish living provides the basics (i.e. dress, common dialogue, etc) but as she quickly discovers, there is much she does not know. She quickly realizes how unrealistic her scheme is but she comes up with very plausible explanations for her mistakes. While she comes to appreciate some of the Amish lifestyle, she is very uneasy with the spiritual aspects she encounters.
Charlotte is surprised by how much she likes Hannah and she cleverly works discussions about Ethan into their conversations. Hannah's answers to her probing questions are not completely satisfying but their surprisingly in depth exchanges about faith begin to resonate with Charlotte. Discussions with Ethan's best friend Ryan also aid Charlotte on her spiritual awakening but this journey has just begun when her deception is uncovered. Although the Amish are quick to forgive, will this prove to be the case for the King family and the other members of their community?
There is also a slight romantic element to Her Brother's Keeper, but these relationships are not the focus of the novel. Charlotte and Ethan's friend Isaac go on a few dates but it is soon apparent that their relationship is strictly platonic. Isaac is really interested in Hannah but he is afraid it is too soon to ask her out since she appears to be still mourning Ethan's death. Hannah is caught off guard by her jealousy when Isaac and Charlotte begin dating and she becomes quite introspective as she tries to overcome her unexpected feelings. This contemplation is surprisingly useful and helps her move through the grieving process.
Her Brother's Keeper is a heartfelt and poignant novel and Beth Wiseman tackles some very difficult subjects with a great deal of sensitivity. The faith portion of the storyline is realistic and it is absolutely delightful watching Charlotte begin her spiritual journey. There is also a bit of a suspense aspect to the novel as Charlotte tries to uncover the truth about the circumstances leading up to Ethan's death. All in all, it is an absolutely incredible beginning to the Amish Secrets series that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next installment.
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Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — 2016)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
320 p.; 8.38 inches
ISBN
140168596X / 9781401685966