Book Review: Change of Heart by Rachel J. Good

Change of Heart (Sisters and Friends) by Rachel J. Good

From Amazon:

Lydia Esh’s younger sister Emma is running wild during rumschpringe, causing the family major heartaches. Although it means risking her reputation, her job as a schoolteacher, and her courtship with Jakob Zook, Lydia attends parties to watch over Emma and protect her sister’s virtue.

When Emma begins a relationship with Kyle, an Englischer, Lydia teams up with Kyle’s older brother, Caleb, to keep the couple apart. As Lydia and Caleb spend time together keeping an eye on their siblings, Lydia falls for this forbidden love. But she fights her attraction and determines to stay true to her faith.

Caleb confesses his feelings to Lydia. She admits her attraction to him, but she’s made her decision to join the church and marry Jakob Zook as her family is pressing her to do.

Will Lydia stay true to her faith even when it means giving up the things that are most precious to her?



My Thoughts:

Change of Heart by Rachel J. Good had me captured from the start. With three older sisters growing up I could understand Emma wanting to get away from someone she thought was trying to control her. As a mother I could also understand Lydia and the need to protect part of her family.  Such a dilemma that was a delight to read.

The atmosphere was described so well it had me feeling like I was their world.  For instance, the partying in the barn, descriptions of living conditions for Emma, and how the family dealt with trying circumstances, kept me turning the pages.

Although I loved all the characters in the book even Dat, Grandma remained my favorite character throughout. She was sturdy and was not going to let anyone run over her. She does what she feels is the right thing to do. Her willingness to immediately forgive is something we should all do.  

This book made me realize that we cannot change anyone.  They have to want to change themselves.  We also cannot protect them from everything.  No matter how hard we try.

Change of Heart to me was fine as a stand alone book. At the end of the book though I was able to read the first chapter of the next book in the series.  It was so good! I can't wait to learn more about Emma.

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