The Proving by Beverly Lewis Book Review

"Mandy, you are to inherit the farmhouse, including the business of the inn."

She could scarcely find her voice to respond. "Ach, this must be a mistake," she told him, shaking her head as she talked into the phone, feeling befuddled. "The house . . . and everything related to the inn . . . shouldn't that go to Arie Mae?"

After five years as an Englisher, Amanda Dienner is shocked to learn her mother has passed away and left her Lancaster County's most popular Amish bed-and-breakfast. What's more, the inn will only truly be hers if Mandy can successfully run it for twelve months. Reluctantly, Mandy accepts the challenge, no matter that it means facing the family she left behind--or that the inn's clientele expect an Amish hostess! Can Mandy fulfill the terms of her inheritance? Or will this prove a dreadful mistake? 

My Thoughts:

I’m a long time reader of Beverly Lewis. She knows how to make a story come alive in her books.

I love the setting in the book of the Butterfly Meadows B&B. The place seems like a perfect place to get away from the crazy busy world we live in. I think I could use a few weeks there myself.

Mandy has been away from her home for 5 years after leaving home because her twin sister has caught the eye of the beau that she thinks she will marry one day. She misses her family but, has no intention of heading back home anytime soon. After her employer regrettably has to let her she finds that she is in a pickle trying to find another job. Then she receives a letter from her brother that her mom has died and that she inherited the B&B. Mandy heads home and finds out that for her to inherit the B&B that she has stipulations before she can sell it and leave again.

I love the characters in this story. Mandy has a bit of growing up to do as she is still holding on to some issues that seem beyond her age. Trina is a fun character in the book that breaks up some of the everyday mundane in the story.

The book was predictable and at times it felt like it focused on the day to day needs being met and the B&B for long periods of time. It was a page turner as the author knows how to capture you attention with the characters and the setting. Mrs. Lewis knows how to write wonderful novels

I would have loved a bit more of a better story ending with Mandy and Karl as it just didn’t feel complete.

I’m not going to give away any spoilers! This was a touching heartfelt story about forgiveness.

 I received a free copy of this product from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this information accordance with the FTC Regulations.