The Calling By Suzanne Woods Fisher Book Review

// The Calling//

By Suzanne Woods Fisher

{Review By Bethany}

 

Source: Litfuse Publicity Group

Number of Pages: 336

ISBN: 0800720946

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: January 21st, 2014

Bethany's Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

"Twenty-year-old Bethany Schrock is restless. Her love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending the incredibly hot summer days wading through a lifetime’s accumulation of junk at the home of five ancient Amish sisters. About the only thing that holds her interest is the spirited and dangerously handsome Jimmy Fisher–and he seems bent on irritating her to no end.
When the sly old sisters and a guest at the Inn get Bethany involved in running the local soup kitchen and starting a community garden, she suddenly finds herself wondering, Shootfire! How did that happen? Despite her newfound purposefulness, a gnawing emptiness about a childhood mystery continues to plague her. Encouraged by Jimmy Fisher, she will seek out the answers she craves–and uncover a shocking secret that will break her heart, heal it, and point her to love.
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher delivers her trademark twists, turns, and tender romance in this delightful and exciting visit to the deceptively quiet community of Stoney Ridge."

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

Prior to reading The Calling I'd read the first book in The Inn at Eagle Hill series, The Letters, and didn't really like it as I felt like I couldn't connect with the characters, and felt an overall dragging out of the story-line. When the opportunity to review the second book in the series, The Calling came up, I decided to give this series another go and try out the second book, even though I didn't really feel like the first one was for me; and hoped I would like the second book better. However unfortunately, I found the second book to be a lot like the first book in the case of the storyline feeling slow and dragged out as well as the inability to connect with the characters.

 

I will say that in overview, I do think I enjoyed The Calling better than the first book in the series, mainly because the first book was about an older woman and this one was about a girl more my age. Plus we share the name Bethany, which I liked. :) While there was improvement with the story-line and characters, I just didn't ever feel I "clicked" with this novel.

 

I really did want to enjoy this story, and while I thought it a nice one time read, at times it was a bit slow, I sadly don't think I'll end up keeping this book on my favorites shelf and most likely wouldn't re-read it. While I didn't really feel a connection with this book, I have seen friends who did enjoy this series. So I by no means want to give it a bad review, as I know several people really like this series; it just wasn't for me.

 

However on the positive side, this novel was very low-romance and was a slower read, which can be a con for someone who likes a more relaxed, easy going read. I found myself liking the "Sisters" and loved the ending of this story when things really got going.

 

Disclaimer :: I received a free copy of The Calling from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity Group, for the sole purpose of reading and review it. I was not paid in any way to review this book, and was not required to give a good review, if in fact I didn't like the book. All thoughts expressed in my review are my own and completely unbiased.