Review: Wonderful Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 27, 2013
Laura Hayes is in Pennsylvania where her latest movie, The Temptation of Hannah, is being filmed.  She is playing the part of an Amish woman, and where better to be than in the midst of Amish country.  The Amish are known for their furniture building and Laura has found out that Jacob Hostetler is considered one of the best craftsman around.  When she pulls up at his house to inquire about a cradle for her sister's new baby, the last thing she expects is to be completely taken by this swoon-worthy Amish man.  Jacob is a widower and has a small son, Daniel.  They live with his mother Rachel, who is also a widow.  When Laura leaves the Hostetler's house to head back into town, Rachel notices shortly thereafter that Daniel is missing.  This sparks a community-wide search for him.  Meanwhile, when Rachel gets back to her room, she finds Daniel asleep under a quilt in the back.  She and Daniel hit it off immediately and she promptly takes him back home, where she is welcomed and thanked for taking care of him, though a little reluctantly by Jacob.  It also turns out that the house she has bought to live in just happens to be next door to Jacob.  Laura is very attracted to Jacob, and though Jacob doesn't want to admit it, he feels the same way towards Laura.  Because he knows this type of relationship is forbidden by his religion, he tries his hardest to stay away from her and keep things platonic, but every time they turn around something happens that throws them together.Jacob also helps Laura start her garden, something she soon finds to be one of the most enjoyable things she has ever done.  Laura also discovers that her attraction to Jacob goes much deeper, he has become her friend.  She comes to realize that the life she has lead has left an empty hole, a hole that Jacob fills.  Laura finds herself much like Eve in the garden, a temptress, and Jacob finds it very hard to resist the apple she is offering.  He also finds that his feelings for Laura are much deeper than mere attraction also.  Unfortunately, the Amish community is not happen about the film and it results in many of them refusing to have anything to do with Laura, and Laura even finds herself being threatened, not only by someone there wanting her to leave, but also by her ex-husband.  Meanwhile, Jacob is also questioning his faith and many of the little things regarding it that are really bothering him.  When circumstances finally crescendo, Jacob must decide if he is willing to choose love over his Amish way of life.I thoroughly enjoyed temptation.  It is obvious that Kathryn Barrett has invested a lot of time and research into the Amish way of life and has done an excellent job in conveying that in her story.  I loved both Laura and Jacob.  There was definitely chemistry between them, and though the temptation was definitely there, it wasn't something that Jacob didn't take lightly.  The relationship transpired over months, building friendship, as well as love.  Kathryn Barrett also did a wonderful job in conveying the members of the Amish society, their different characteristics, and their beliefs, enabling you to feel like you got to know them as individuals and not such as "Amish."  I loved the romance between Laura and Jacob.  This story of an English woman and an Amish man falling in love, and all the hardships and challenges they face along the way was very enjoyable, and kept me interested from start to finish.  The book also ended very well, and there is a fantastic epilogue, which left me feeling very satisfied and happy about where the story went.  If you are a romance lover, then you definitely should check out Temptation.