The Gift of Joy by Kristen McKanagh
Description: A story of two families and each has specific plans for their child. The Kanagy’s operate a family gift shop business and Joshua is expected to work for and with his family in the shop. The Yoder’s raise horses and Joshua has a special talent with horses. Joy Yoder’s mother fully expects (that word again) her to marry the minister’s son, stay home & have “kinner”. Joshua & Joy are good friends. And then, Joy gets this great idea of how to get both of them what they want.
Review:
Joshua has always backed Joy in her schemes. But this one — this marriage schema — well, Joshua isn’t quite sure. But the thought of working every day in the family gift shop instead of working with Joy’s father’s horses — ach vell, yah the idea goes from deerich to gute.
I love Amish stories and the description offered had me immediately requesting this book. There were characters to like — Joshua and Joy. And a character to dislike, Joy’s mamm. The plot was engaging, especially Joy’s approach to solving problems for both of them.
I found The Gift of Joy an easy book to lay down and go to take care of chores. Was it the use of more Pennsylvania Dutch words than most Amish fiction? Not really, although I prefer to see the “Amish Words & Phrases” before the book begins, not at the end. Always seems to this reader putting this important info at the end is like closing the barn door after all the cows got out.
The ending is satisfying — I liked it. But the pacing.
The pacing at various points would blog down which is why it was an easy book to set aside. In addition, one of the parents does a fairly sudden 180-degree turn-around that just did not fit the character as written for most of the book. Thus, the three-star rating.
I received a complimentary e-ARC copy of The Gift of Joy via NetGalley from the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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