Amish series

I don’t usually read emotional novels set in Amish enclaves, but when I do it is by Kelly Irvin. Irvin’s “Beneath the Summer Sun” is the second in a seasonal series that includes “Upon a Spring Breeze” and “Through the Autumn Air.”

Irvin’s writing style builds several characters well enough to explain the story that is lavishly told here. The writing style is direct and details daily activities of the characters in the midst of complex relationship choices – both those made and missed. Irvin also includes a glossary for several pennsylvania Dutch terms used by those characters. Though, most if not all are easily discerned through context, so flipping back and forth isn’t necessarily required.

What is not detailed is the Amish cultural mindset, which is necessary context for getting engrossed in the story. If this is a context you are familiar with, then the characters’ choices will make sense with the limited character development used and you will quite likely enjoy this novel. However, if you are not familiar with this context, the characters will fall a bit flat and this probably isn’t a read you will thoroughly enjoy.

I received my copy through a Goodreads giveaway. This review is also on Amazon, Goodreads, and LibraryThing. The copy I reviewed has been placed in a Little Free Library.