dear david and elam, please grow up.

2 stars ( )

This third book of the trilogy expands the characters’ stories and nicely wraps things up at the end. Be sure to read the first two novels in order to know the characters and their lives. David is not of the Amish faith, but wishes to understand it better. He and Priscilla have become good friends, but what will happen to the friendship she and Elam have had since childhood? Things can become quite complicated, even in the plain lives of the Amish. Well written in Wanda Brunstetter’s unique style, it’s Amish fiction at its finest. ( )

Book 3 in this series. This story was about Priscilla Herschberger and who she was going to choose to spend her life with. Two men, Elam, her childhood friend from her Amish community, or David Morgan, an outsider who becomes good friends with Priscilla. The story also kept you up to date with others that you met in books one and two. A fitting conclusion to this series. ( )

The Restoration by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the third book in the Prairie State Friends series. It is a beautiful ending to this series of books. It is December in Arthur, Illinois. Priscilla Herschberger is still waiting for her boyfriend, Elam, to propose. Priscilla loves Elam but she would like to know if he does want a future with her (at least talk about it with her). Then she meets David Morgan. David broke his leg in a motorcycle accident and will be staying with his grandparents, Walt and Letty Morgan, in Arthur. David is interested in the simpler life of the Amish and he is considering converting. Priscilla now has two suiters and needs to make a choice.

Elaine Schrock hosts dinners in her home and is going out with Ben. But Elaine is not sure Ben is the right man for her. Elaine has never gotten over Jonah Miller. Elaine and Jonah were courting (going to wed) when Elaine’s grandmother became ill and needed care (she has since passed away). Elaine did not feel it was right to make Jonah wait and broke it off with him (not telling him why or giving him a choice in the matter). Jonah married Sara, a widow. Sara came into the marriage with a little boy named Mark. Unfortunately, Sara passed away recently after the birth of their daughter. Jonah is now free but can he forgive Elaine for pushing him away. Will Elaine marry Ben (whom she does not love) or hope for a future with Jonah?

Leah Beachy is happily married to Adam. She has continued to give reflexology treatments in her home while caring for Adam’s three orphaned nieces. Adam, though, still refuses to speak to his mother, Cora Finley. Cora left Adam and his sister, Mary when they were children. Adam has yet to forgive her. Leah is hoping for a reconciliation between the two. Adam also does not know that he has a stepbrother, Jared. Can Adam ever forgive his mother?

You will have to read The Restoration to find out what happens. The Restoration is entertaining and a pleasurable novel to read (you will stay up late reading it). It has some good morals (life lessons) on forgiveness, regrets, the toll bitterness can take on a person (and a family), and how lack of communication can be harmful to a relationship. I liked how Wanda Brunstetter concluded the series (one of those endings that make you sigh with delight when you finish the book). I give The Restoration 5 out of 5 stars. The Restoration is not a stand-alone novel. You do need to read the first two books in the series in order to understand the characters and their situations. If you like Amish fiction, you will love The Restoration.

I received a complimentary copy of The Restoration from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

The Restoration is the final book in the Prairie State Friends series and I am sad to leave these dear friends behind, but I love getting to the end of stories, even if it isn’t the way I wanted it to end.
Our three friends are back, Priscilla, Leah, and Elaine, and yes they always seem to be there for each other. Leah is now married to Adam and you will love their relationship with the girls, but there is now a new person in their lives, and we don’t know how this is going to end with so much bitterness.
Elaine is in a new relationship with Ben, and he has proposed, will she accept and fulfill her dreams of having a family of her own. The same with Priscilla will Elam ever ask her to marry him? Or will the new guy in town fulfill his dreams and win Priscilla, this is going to be a rock road, and you wonder who will get hurt, and you are surly going to be surprised in the end.
Such a good and fast read, almost two fast, but I had to find out, but then the final page was turned and of course, I wanted more. Enjoy!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Shiloh Run Press and was not required to give a positive review ( )