by Amy Clipston
Kauffman Amish Bakery series
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Amish / YA
Available April 2012
Zondervan
224 pages
About the Book
Lydia Bontrager's youngest sister is frighteningly ill, and as a good Amish daughter, it falls to Lydia to care for her siblings and keep the household running, in addition to working as a teacher's assistant and helping part time at her grandmother's bakery. Succumbing to stress, Lydia gives in to one wild night and returns home drunk.
The secret of that mistake leaves Lydia feeling even more restless and confused, especially when Joshua, the only boy she's ever loved, becomes increasingly distant. When a non-Amish boy moves in nearby, Lydia finds someone who understands her, but the community is convinced Lydia is becoming too reckless. With the pressures at home and her sister's worsening condition, a splintering relationship with Joshua, and her own growing questions over what is right, Lydia could lose everything that she's ever held close.
My Thoughts
Lydia Bontrager's little sister is sick. While her parents are busy taking care of her, having tests run, and taking her for treatments, Lydia is left to care for her siblings, clean the house, and make sure things at home run smoothly. The harder she works at home, the more frustrated she feels. When her parents refuse to let her attend youth socials and the boy she dreams of marrying one day stops coming around, Lydia rebels and goes out drinking. Add in a budding friendship with the English teenage boy down the street, and tongues begin wagging throughout the close-knit community. Will Lydia find her way back to her family? Or will her rebellion cause her to lose everything?
I've been reading more young adult fiction this year than I normally do, and Reckless Heart by Amy Clipston is one of the best I've read! The story was captivating and I really connected with Lydia. Amy did such a great job of expressing the feelings, thoughts, and emotions of a teenage girl that I felt myself flashing back to my own teenage years at times! The stress on the family due to a serious illness was also spot on. Having been in a similar situation during high school, I really identified with Lydia and the situation she was in. At times Lydia's dad really frustrated me. I just wanted to shake him and tell him to talk to his daughter!
When I was in middle school, I loved a series of books by Lurlene McDaniels and A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry (my cancer stories, as I called them!), and Reckless Heart reminded me of them. It's refreshing to read a YA story that tackles a variety of tough issues and has such substance, made even stronger by the faith elements woven throughout.
I highly recommend Reckless Heart for young adults or not-so-young adults! [4 stars]
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my fair and honest review.
Lydia Bontrager's little sister is sick. While her parents are busy taking care of her, having tests run, and taking her for treatments, Lydia is left to care for her siblings, clean the house, and make sure things at home run smoothly. The harder she works at home, the more frustrated she feels. When her parents refuse to let her attend youth socials and the boy she dreams of marrying one day stops coming around, Lydia rebels and goes out drinking. Add in a budding friendship with the English teenage boy down the street, and tongues begin wagging throughout the close-knit community. Will Lydia find her way back to her family? Or will her rebellion cause her to lose everything?
I've been reading more young adult fiction this year than I normally do, and Reckless Heart by Amy Clipston is one of the best I've read! The story was captivating and I really connected with Lydia. Amy did such a great job of expressing the feelings, thoughts, and emotions of a teenage girl that I felt myself flashing back to my own teenage years at times! The stress on the family due to a serious illness was also spot on. Having been in a similar situation during high school, I really identified with Lydia and the situation she was in. At times Lydia's dad really frustrated me. I just wanted to shake him and tell him to talk to his daughter!
When I was in middle school, I loved a series of books by Lurlene McDaniels and A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry (my cancer stories, as I called them!), and Reckless Heart reminded me of them. It's refreshing to read a YA story that tackles a variety of tough issues and has such substance, made even stronger by the faith elements woven throughout.
I highly recommend Reckless Heart for young adults or not-so-young adults! [4 stars]
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my fair and honest review.
About the Author
Amy Clipston is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery novels. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and currently works for the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. Amy lives with her husband, two sons, and four spoiled-rotten cats.
Amy Clipston Online
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