Hearts in Harmony by Beth Wiseman

Hearts in Harmony by Beth Wiseman is the first book in the new series of An Amish Journey.  This first novel introduces the reader to Levi Shetler and his family as well as Mary Hershberger and her family.  They meet at the funeral of a well respected man from an Englisher family, Percy Collins.  Levi was there with his family because Percy's widow Adeline was a dear friend of his mother and Mary was there because Percy was a friend and business associate of her father.  Levi and Mary were both children. Levi had snuck into the parlor and was playing the piano and Mary looked in and caught him there.  Both children knew that playing instruments was strictly forbidden by the Amish faith and Levi was strongly punished with a switch for disobeying.  Fast-forward into the future 8 years and the 2 are returning to the farm of the Collins family because of a farm auction in which everything is being sold off because Adeline has run out of money.  The 2 children now young adults are surprised at how rundown the farm has become.  Levi being the youngest is volunteered by his mother to paint the house and do some groundwork.  Mary's father volunteers Mary to drive Adeline to the store and clean the house.  The 2 remembered each other from the childhood incident but differently.  Mary had held a little crush on young Levi and Levi barely remembered her at all but well remembered the piano in the parlor.  The two feel badly for Adeline and her situation and grow to love her as if she were a member of their family.  Levi comes from a very poor large family from a very strict Amish district and Mary comes from a family that has enough to satisfy all their needs and a more progressive district.  Even so the two find themselves drawing closer together and include Adeline's niece, Natalie, into their little group.  When the 3 find out that there is something wrong with Adeline and take her to the doctor they find that Adeline will not live much longer and the 3 work out a schedule to make sure that she is well provided for in her own home.

I loved this book.  This book brings to light just how differently the Amish districts can be depending on the thinking and beliefs of their bishop.  It also lets the reader know of the differences that money can make even among persons who are very conservative with their means.  It also brings to light that though money can be very helpful it cannot guarantee happiness nor correct decision making skills.  This book can be read by any age reader but would probably be enjoyed by older teens through adult women the most.
I received this book from BookLook for this review.