Still Waters: An Amish Christian Fiction Romance About Family Secrets, Faith, and Community (The Amish of Shepherd’s Hill) 

352 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date November 4, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

Their hidden past brings questions about their future . . . together.

Unsure of her future within the Amish community, Beth Peachy arrives in Lancaster County for the summer to care for her ailing grandmother. Yet with dementia threatening to steal away Mammi’s memories, Beth’s visit quickly evolves into an urgent search for answers to questions that her relatives seem determined to avoid. How can Beth possibly make a lifelong vow to the Amish church when her own family is concealing so much of the past from her?

Beth’s childhood friend Danny Lapp faces his own dilemma as his ex-Amish older brother turns his back on their family upbringing, dishonoring his Plain heritage. Struggling to find some sort of connection with his brother despite their deep difference of opinion, Danny is determined to find a solution before church leadership becomes involved. As Beth and Danny reconnect and seek to help each other in their search for answers, they find themselves stirring up not only surprising revelations about the past, but questions about a possible future–together.

MY THOUGHTS

This is not a new to me author but a new to me series as I haven’t read the first book yet skipping right to the second. I do need to go back and read that first one now.
There is a lot going on in this book.
Set in Pennsylvania a young Amish woman goes to help her grandmother move in with her parents.
Her grandmother has dementia and becomes more easily confused living in the past a lot. It was hard to read because my grandmother also had dementia.
Her grandmother also has a secret some in the church district know and they keep her secret. Grandma won’t talk about the past, but Beth feels it’s important to talk about and know as it’s her family history.
Several characters have not joined the church and are included in the book, and one is on the fence with their decision.
There is a lot of questioning of Amish beliefs, and rules by former Amish members.
A gentle read full of compassion, forgiveness and the possibility of reconnecting loved ones.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Patricia Johns is a New York Times and #1 Publishers Weekly bestselling Amish fiction author, writing from Alberta, Canada. She relishes electricity and modern conveniences in her real life, but she loves to imagine what life would be like living without everything we so easily rely upon. If you were to peek in at her, you’d find her tapping away on her computer writing her newest book, or arranging her dollhouse furniture which has become a big passion of hers. You can keep up with her on social media, or sign up for her newsletter for a chance to win signed books and knitted surprises made with love by the author herself.

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