The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher {Book Review}

~ Description 

Beautiful and winsome, Betsy Zook never questioned her family's rigid expectations, nor those of devoted Hans, but then she never had to. Not until the night when she's taken captive in a surprise Indian raid. During her captivity, Betsy faces brutality and hardship, but also unexpected kindness. She draws strength from native Caleb, who encourages her to find God in all circumstances. She finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the intense new feelings this compelling man awakens within her. 

Handsome and complex, Hans is greatly anguished by Betsy's captivity and turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort. Eagerly, Tessa responds, overlooking troubling signs of Hans's hunger for revenge. When Betsy is finally restored to the Amish, have things gone too far between Hans and Tessa? 

Inspired by true events, this deeply layered novel gives a glimpse into the tumultuous days of prerevolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women. 

~ My Rating

5 stars

~ My Review

A beautifully and intricately woven tale of love and loss, faith and freedom. Once The Return tugged me into the storyline, I was hard-pressed to leave. Originally, I'd worried that I wouldn't like this book as much as the first two since it skipped 25 years, but I need not have worried. I had only read 70 or so pages when I sat down with the book this morning, and I finished it today. Charming, heartwarming, and faith-filled. It was amazing. <3 

This book truly is, as the back cover synopsis suggests, a 'deeply layered' novel. Besides the main plot (which is quite complicated in itself) there are several little subplots to add to the enjoyment. There are quite a few characters to keep straight (the list of brief bios in the front of the book helped with that though *wink*), oodles of different things going on, and yet it was never confusing. 

The characters... *happy sigh* Oh my goodness, don't even get me started. I already loved Anna, Bairn, and Felix from the first two books. And I really loved getting to know Tessa, Hans, Betsy, Caleb, and all the others. The family love, the humor and joshing, the warmth and whimsicalness of it all... I'm seriously wanting to move to Stoney Ridge right now. <3 

I honestly can't think of any complaints concerning the book. There was a fair amount of violence when there's talk of Indian massacres and the atrocities surrounding such brutal incidents. I was okay with it, but I would be careful recommending the book to someone younger than 13/14. 

I believe this is my favorite book of the series, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for other books by Suzanne Woods Fisher. A hearty 5 stars! 

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for my honest review.** 

~ Click HERE to read my review of book-2, The Newcomer. A mini review with my thoughts on book-1, Anna's Crossing, can be found HERE. ~