Author: Keira Andrews
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages/Word Count: 231 Pages
Rating: 5 Stars
Blurb: When two young Amish men find love, will they risk losing everything?
In a world where every detail of life—down to the width of a hat brim—is dictated by God and the all-powerful rules of the community, two men dare to imagine a different way. At 18, Isaac Byler knows little outside the strict Amish settlement of Zebulon, Minnesota, where there is no rumspringa for exploration beyond the boundaries of their insular world. Isaac knows he’ll have to officially join the church and find a wife before too long, but he yearns for something else—something he can’t name.
Dark tragedy has left carpenter David Lantz alone to support his mother and sisters, and he can’t put off joining the church any longer. But when he takes on Isaac as an apprentice, their attraction grows amid the sweat and sawdust. David shares his sinful secrets, and he and Isaac struggle to reconcile their shocking desires with their commitment to faith, family and community.
Now that they’ve found each other, are they willing to lose it all?
Note: Contains explicit sexual situations and graphic language. This is not an inspirational/Christian romance.
Review: Heading into this story, I didn’t really know what I was in for. I read Kiera Andrews’ Christmas short last year and really enjoyed it, but other than knowing that the subject matter was interesting and the blurb sounded great, I wasn’t sure what to expect out of a gay Amish romance. But, it definitely sounded intriguing. Different. How was she going to make Amish men sexy? I needed to know. Heh, heh.
Well, I found out alright. And, read an amazing story to boot.
First, I have to say, I can’t imagine the research that went into writing this book. The work that the author had to have put into this is astounding. You will get sucked into the details from the very beginning, and it never lets up. It was absolutely fascinating to get lost in the world and traditions and mindsets of these people. I found myself so drawn in that I could anticipate emotions and outcomes of certain situations, though not at all because the story was predictable but because I had gotten to know the characters so well.
The development of the characters and storylines was incredibly well done. Both Isaac and David had such rich backstories; it was beautiful to see how each of their families and all of their experiences made up the fabric of their lives, and had such a huge impact on the men they were becoming and on every decision they made along the way throughout the book.
I don’t want to say too much about the story itself – you can read the blurb, and I hate to give stuff away – however, I will say that while talking to a friend about what I was reading, I dubbed it #AmishAngst. ;) Now, don’t let that scare you, folks…One person’s angst is another person’s Dr. Seuss…But, man what a ride this book was. Honestly, just the lives that these guys have to lead is exhausting enough without any extra complications. Add in having to hide their relationship from everyone, when there are so many prying eyes, and that they both have reason to question the beliefs and morals that are all they have known for their entire lives, and you have the makings of a pretty intense drama.
I do want to talk a little bit about Isaac and David, though. Individually, they are very different. Where Isaac is naïve and timid, David is much more worldly and aware of what he wants out of life. Where Isaac is just learning and trying to understand his sexuality, and how he is going to reconcile all the feelings he is having, David has no question about the fact that he wants Isaac. Ordnung be damned. Together, though…Together they are strong and sure and beautiful. They are so wonderful together – and, damn are they sexy! – I couldn’t get enough of their love and support of one another.
As I got closer to the end, I realized that there was no way this thing was wrapping up in the few pages I had left, so I had to brace myself for the inevitable. That’s right, guys… cliffhanger. But, as I’m a glass-is-half-full kind of girl, to me that just means more time with Isaac and David. More #AmishAngst to fill my time early next year. And, I couldn’t be happier. :)
I highly recommend you go out and grab A Forbidden Rumspringa. The writing is fantastic, and I’m sure you will also fall in love with David and Isaac.
You can buy A Forbidden Rumspringa (Gay Amish Romance: Book One) here:
