The Proposal at Siesta Key by Shelley Shepard Gray Book Review

A young Amish woman, yearning for freedom, crosses paths with a handsome Mennonite celebrity in a deeply moving tale of friendship and self-discovery—the second installment in the unforgettable New York Times bestselling author’s new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.

Penny Troyer rarely disobeys her parents. In the years since her sister’s tragic death, they’ve wanted nothing more than to keep her safe…even if it means never leaving the house.

But tonight, she’s bending the rules because Michael Knoxx, the most famous member of The Knoxx Family Singers, a traveling Mennonite Evangelical family —is scheduled to speak. Penny has heard of Michael—how he lost part of his leg in a terrible accident and uses the experience to inspire others—and knows she must meet him. So, for the first time ever, Penny stands up to her parents and goes out on her own.

Though he speaks about living life to the fullest, Michael knows he needs to take his own advice. Life on the road is grueling and Michael wants to slow down, to rest…to perhaps meet someone who sees him as a man, not just a celebrity. So when a twist of fate allows him the chance to stay a little longer in Pinecraft, Michael knows God is showing him a new path, especially when he discovers how much he and Penny Troyer have in common.

But new friendships can’t stop time. Soon, Michael’s time in Pinecraft will be over and he’ll be back on the road. Her time with Michael has brought her happiness, but will she be able to follow her heart? Or will she be faced with the one thing she’s sure she’ll never have the courage to do?

About the Author:

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Find Shelley online: website, Twitter, Facebook

My Thoughts:

The Proposal at Siesta Key by Shelley Shepard Gray is the second book in the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series. This is a stand-alone novel but, I think you will enjoy this novel even more if you read the first book in the series.

I love being introduced to new characters and at the same time touching bases with characters from previous novels. It’s like seeing and old friend you haven’t seen in a while.

At the same time the whole Pinecraft, FL makes a unique setting for the Amish and Mennonite community as it’s like being in a whole new world among them within the pages of these novels. It’s very refreshing.

Shelley Shepard has an amazing ability to make the characters so real. The things that happen to the characters are realistic and their reaction to situations is also heartfelt as it’s probably the same thing many of us would do in the same situation.

Penny a 24yr old is an interesting character and had a lot of heartfelt depth to her. She has been so sheltered since the tragic death of her sister. Penny wants freedom to be who God intended her to be and to find her way and future outside in the community without her parents smothering her and treating her like a child.

Michael a very humble young man who, despite his circumstances has overcame a lot in his young life. The relationship that him and Penny build is fun and something that both of them needed without ever realizing it or even seen it coming. They both just sensed that they needed more and were growing dissatisfied with their lives.

Then I have to mention two characters from the last book in the series. Beverly and Eric and what happens to them was something I didn’t see coming in the first book. It was great to get acquainted with these two characters again.

I didn’t want the story to end. Now the hard part is waiting for the third book in the series!

Litfuse Publicity Group has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. In no way was I asked to give a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.