cover image A Daughter’s Choice

A Daughter’s Choice

Kelly Irvin. Barbour, $14.99 trade paper (256p) ISBN 979-8-89151-221-4

Irvin (To Love and to Cherish) pairs two young Amish animal lovers in this spirited romance. Henrietta Miller has never dreamed of a life spent cleaning and cooking indoors; she’d prefer to care for the animals outside, especially her goats. When Nicholas Byler moves to town and starts working as the vet’s assistant, Hen wants nothing to do with the man who took the job she applied for. Nicholas isn’t sure what to make of the outspoken Henrietta either, especially after they clash about the proper treatment of a geriatric horse. He’s also struggling with doubts about his faith and is torn between remaining in the Amish community or leaving to attend vet school. The two eventually bond over their devotion to animals, but Hen’s committed to Amish life and can’t imagine a future with a man who feels differently. Irvin’s characters are multifaceted, and the gratifying love story gains depth from the pair’s resonant struggles to navigate between passion and faith. Fans of Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter will be hooked. (Nov.)