Book description from Goodreads:
” Luke Schrock is a new and improved man after a stint in rehab, though everyone in Stoney Ridge only remembers the old Luke. They might have forgiven him, but nobody trusts him.
Amos and Fern Lapp allow Luke to live at Windmill Farm under two conditions. First, Luke must make a sincere apology to each person he’s hurt–a four-page, single-spaced list. Second, he must ask each victim of mischief to describe the damage he caused.
Simple, Luke thinks. Offering apologies is easy. But discovering the lasting effects his careless actions have caused . . . that isn’t so simple. It’s gut-wrenching.
And his list keeps growing. Izzy Miller, beautiful and frustratingly aloof, also boards at Windmill Farm. Luke’s clumsy efforts to befriend Izzy only insult and annoy her. Eager to impress, Luke sets out to prove himself to her by locating her mother. When he does, her identity sends shock waves through Stoney Ridge.
Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher returns to her beloved Stoney Ridge for this brand-new series featuring some of her readers’ favorite characters.”
My Review:
Mending Fences” is the perfect title for this book and also the perfect start to this new series by Suzanne Woods Fisher. If you’ve read some of her other Amish series, you know that Luke Schrock has been Stoney Ridge’s chief troublemaker for several years. Luke’s charming ways have finally failed him, and after a rehab stay, he’s ready to return home to Stoney Ridge to “mend fences” with each person he’s hurt through his careless actions and thoughtless destruction. Luke finds that although forgiveness may be granted, trust takes a long time to restore.
This book has an entertaining side to it. Luke at first still relies on his ability to be charming, and while it’s sometime painful, it’s fun to see Luke change as he works through his list of all the folks he’s hurt in the past. Even with good intentions, not everything goes as Luke originally plans and some of his troubles as he tries to make things right will make your smile. I also loved the character of Izzy, a lovely, sweet young woman who is finding love and acceptance in Stoney Ridge. Izzy is having nothing to do with Luke or his charm, and resists Luke’s offer of friendship. Their story is a special one, and their budding romance is a sweet part of the book.
However, there’s also a very thoughtful side to this book. There are themes of abandonment, forgiveness, and redemption in the stories of Izzy and Luke. Both have struggled with those issues and sought relief from pain through alcohol abuse. As they both attempt to make a new start, they must come to terms with and acccept God’s unconditional love for them.
Many of the characters that we have loved from the other Stoney Ridge books make appearances in this story. Even if you’ve never read the other series, you can pick this book up and easily start from there. If you love books about strong community and friendships, you’ll love this one.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own