Review: The Bishop’s Son by Kelly Irvin

The Bishop’s Son is book two in the Amish of Bee County series. Book one, The Beekeeper’s Son, was one of my favorite Amish books to read this year and I highly recommend it. However, The Bishop’s Son can stand alone if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading book one yet.

I really enjoyed The Bishop’s Son. I thought that the author did a great job at showing the pressure that Jesse, who was the son of the bishop, felt as he was trying to decide where he belonged and what God wanted him to do with his life. The decision to stay Amish or leave for the world of the Englisch is something all Amish youth must decide as they go through rumpringa. Jesse’s dilemma was very tough.

Leila was a great character, as well. She has two young men who care for her, and this is only the beginning of the confusion! She is not totally sure about what her heart wants or about which man God has really called her to be with. She is also not so sure about these men and why they both are giving her mixed signals.

Will was a good character, too. Sure of his Amish faith, he provides the safe answer for Leila. He is strong and dedicated to everything that Leila has ever been taught is important. I liked all three of these main characters and also thought that this story has a great community of characters to make the book very interesting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and definitely recommend it to fans of Amish fiction and those who enjoy a fresh spin on their Amish stories. (5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

You can read my review of The Beekeeper’s Son, book one in the series, here.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Two men offer Leila two very different futures. Will she choose with her heart or with her faith?

Leila Lantz has been in love with Jesse Glick from the day she first saw him at his father’s store, but she can’t make sense of his intentions. One day he wants to come courting, the next he seems to be putting distance between them.

Jesse may be the bishop’s son, but his faith has been wavering of late. If he is so unsure, is it fair to give Leila false hope for a future he doubts he can provide?

Then there’s Will, Jesse’s cousin. He has been trying to keep his feelings for Leila a secret, but he also knows Jesse is wrestling with his faith. Would declaring his feelings for Leila be in her best interest or simply serving his own selfish desires?

Leila knows she can choose Will and be secure in her own future. But when her heart speaks, it’s Jesse’s name she hears. When will God make His will known to her? Could leaving everything she knows—even her own faith—be a part of God’s plan?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kelly Irvin is the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Hope Amish series. She has also penned two romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine. The Kansas native is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Journalism. She has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years, including ten years as a newspaper reporter, mostly in Texas-Mexico border towns. She has worked in public relations for the City of San Antonio for twenty years. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-five years. They have two young adult children, two cats, and a tank full of fish. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories and read books by her favorite authors.

You can connect with Kelly on her website and Facebook.

To purchase your own copy of this book, please click on the book cover: