Book Review: The Amish Secret Wish by Laura V. Hilton

Series: Hidden Springs #3

Publisher: Forever Publishing

Release Date: April 27, 2021

Genre: Amish Romance

Fall in love with an award-winning author's charming Amish romance about a woman with a secret pen pal—perfect for fans of Rachel J. Good and Marta Perry.

Waitress Hallie Brunstetter has a secret: she writes a popular column for her Amish paper under the pen name GHB. When Hallie receives a letter from a reader asking to become her pen pal, she reluctantly agrees. She can’t help but be drawn to the compassionate stranger, never expecting him to show up in Hidden Springs looking for GHB . . . or for him to be quite so handsome in real life. But after losing her beau in a tragic accident, Hallie won’t risk her heart—or her secrets—again.

If Kiah didn’t already feel so connected to GHB, Hallie would be a perfect wife—and it seems most of Hidden Springs’s would-be matchmakers agree! Though Hallie is peculiarly opposed to uncovering GHB’s true identity, she understands Kiah almost as well as his mystery pen pal. The longer he searches for GHB, the more Kiah finds himself hoping Hallie will be holding the pen that first captured his heart. But will Hallie ever trust Kiah with the truth about her identity . . . and her feelings for him?

My Review 🖤

You know how you have to be in the right frame of mind to read certain books? That's what I think happened with I read The Amish Secret Wish by Laura V. Hilton. It's either my mood or I should've read the first two novels in the series first before delving into the third installment, especially since the beginning had a tone and feel like the reader was expected to know certain information, despite this being deemed a standalone book.

In saying that, it didn't take me long to get my bearings, but from the beginning I struggled to connect to any of the characters, which could be due to this being my first novel to read in the series. There are some humorous moments that are pretty charming, but even then it wasn't enough to engage me, and I continued to feel that disconnect with the characters throughout the entire novel. Again, I wonder if it's the novel or just my current state that has me struggling.

One part I did enjoy was the ending, even if it felt extremely rushed. I was hoping for more and really think the story would've benefited with an additional chapter or an epilogue. I put the book down feeling both satisfied yet wanting more. Just when I had started to engage the book abruptly ended.

Overall The Amish Secret Wish has a juvenile feel, especially considering that both the main characters exuding immaturity throughout, in both thoughts and actions, making me feel like this would be a decent read for younger audiences. I am debating on giving this series another shot, and going back to read book one, in hopes that I will like it more, and gain a better understanding and appreciation for The Amish Secret Wish. I truly did want to love this novel, but sadly it was a lackluster read for me.

My Rating: ★★★

Books in the Hidden Springs Series

About the Author

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as the Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Birdhouse. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press’ Quilts of Love series. Laura is contracted for another three book Amish series set in the Jamesport area, with the first book, The Amish Firefighter, planned for April 2016.

She has self-published a Christmas novella, Christmas Mittens.

Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer and blogs for Putting on the New and Seriously Write.

Connect with Laura: Website | Twitter

*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Forever Publishing through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.