Ties That Bind

Ariana’s comfortable Old Order Amish world is about to unravel. Will holding tightly to the cords of family keep them together—or simply tear them apart?

”Twenty-year-old Ariana Brenneman loves her family and the Old Ways. She has two aspirations: open a café in historic Summer Grove to help support her family’s ever-expanding brood and to keep any other Amish from being lured into the Englisch life by Quill Schlabach.

Five years ago Quill, along with her dear friend Frieda, ran off together, and Ariana still carries the wounds of that betrayal. When she unexpectedly encounters him, she soon realizes he has plans to help someone else she loves leave the Amish.

Despite how things look, Quill’s goal has always been to protect Ariana from anything that may hurt her, including the reasons he left. After returning to Summer Grove on another matter, he unearths secrets about Ariana and her family that she is unaware of. His love and loyalty to her beckons him to try to win her trust and help her find a way to buy the café—because when she learns the truth that connects her and a stranger named Skylar Nash, Quill knows it may upend her life forever. “    

I have not read many Amish based books. They have always been hit or miss for me. Often I have found that the story line is too slow or just not intriguing enough to keep my attention. Ties That Bind was completely different. This book was captivating, intriguing and fast paced from the very start. Cindy Woodsmall developed the characters in a way that they were relatable and real. I was able to put myself in the scenes and experience the pain, love, anticipation, grief and comfort with the characters. Throughout the book there are little pieces of the puzzle and nuggets of information that start to paint an intriguing picture without giving away the plot. I love that kind of suspense; it makes you never want to put the book down.

Ariana and her family have a bond that is steadfast and true. The Brenneman family is the picture of a love that includes sacrifice and protection for each and every member. This picture is in stark contrast to the family Skylar Nash has grown up in. Her parents love her but whether or not she shares a bond is questionable. The way these two girl’s lives intertwine is an amazing journey of love, betrayal and suspense.

Ties That Bind is the first novel in the Amish of Summer Grove series.  Cindy Woodsmall did an excellent job of wrapping up this first book in a way that did not leave you feeling disappointed but left enough suspense and intrigue to keep you on the edge of your seat in anticipation for the next installment. I highly recommend this book and am so excited for the next installment!

I received this book from Blogging for Books for my honest review.