Thomas Stutzman has walked with many single girls, enjoying life. But his family wants to him to marry, and the young teacher he asks refuses. He's a nice lad, but she's not in love. Thomas may have to seek a matchmaker's advice, though he never expected to need one. Sara Yoder is the nearest matchmaker and she's got a good success rate, and she wonders if her cousin Leah would suit. But Leah expects an older man, maybe a widower with family, while Thomas has his heart set on a merry lass his own age.

Leah even drives a car. Nothing fancy, just serviceable; she converted to the Mennonite ways upon her marriage. She has a store of memories of the Brazilian rainforest and village, but that's past and now she's considering returning to Amish traditions. I think this change to a more medieval lifestyle would be hard on a woman used to some conveniences. However Leah would have no social security safety net so I understand her wanting to return to her community. Sara decides to invite Leah to a social evening she's holding, where lots of eligible young people can mingle, including some from Virginia. This is the Amish social network.

I particularly enjoyed the look at organic vegetable farming, which we are told is a growing trend. Tending fields with compost and beehives, then picking produce without artificial chemicals, seems totally in line with Amish principles. Thomas is considering this farming but has to visit a going concern to learn. At the same time he uses some heavy machinery for digging. I had another chuckle when a couple are required to have a chaperone, but the only person not engaged in work is a grandmother. So Granny gets a day trip with ice-cream, which sounds like an excellent idea. The whole community is portrayed which is one of the great aspects of series books; the tale is really well grounded. Emma Miller is clearly having fun mixing and matching. I recommend A LOVE FOR LEAH for any reader who wants a book without strife. Each of her inspirational Amish romances reads better than the last.

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