Book description from Book Bub:
“They both love music. Will God deny what brings them such joy?
Musical prodigy Levi Shetler hasn’t touched a piano since he secretly played one years ago. His strict Amish community forbids instruments or the singing of any music not in their approved songbook. Levi asks God often why music tempts him when playing an instrument isn’t allowed in his world.
One person knows Levi’s talents: Mary Hershberger, the girl who promised years ago to keep his secret. Mary comes from a more liberal district than Levi, but she’s facing family troubles of her own. The mutual care for an aging Englischer, Adeline, reunites Mary and Levi as young adults. They realize that, despite their differences, they have a shared love of music–and a shared confusion about whether their talents are God-given gifts or temptations luring them into the Englisch world.
The couple realizes they must compromise or part ways, but a tragic accident shakes their decision. Both Mary and Levi will need to reconcile what they love with what their hearts say is right–because even as their passion for music brings them together, it could be what tears them apart.
The first novel in the new Amish Journeys series by bestselling author Beth Wiseman, Hearts in Harmony explores how far the heart will travel for the melody of love.”
My Review:
This is the beginning of a new series by Beth Wiseman, and if this book is any indication, it’s going to be a wonderful series. It was refreshing to read a book in which the younger generation sacrificed their time and resources to honor a member of the older generation. Mary, Natalie, and Levi came together to help Adeline, a senior citizen who desperately needed their help. A strong bond of friendship develops among the four. There’s also a budding romance between Mary and Levi, which only adds to the sweetness of this story. Mary and Levi are Amish; Natalie is an Englisher; and this sets up a nice theme of working together and truly respecting their different lifestyles. There’s also another theme of following God as He leads, even though it might not be in a direction that was hoped.
There are some struggles in this story, too. There’s economic differences between Mary and Levi’s families, as well differences in lifestyle in their Amish communities. The author did a great job of handling all these differences in a gentle way which made this book all the more appealing. Not all the loose ends are tied up at the end of this book, and I’m looking forward to following this series to see what happens with some of the main characters.