Courting Cate: The Courtships of Lancaster County Series Book 1 By Leslie Gould

I received this e-book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley.com for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this e-book. The opinions expressed here are my own.


Book Description:

When Amish farmer Pete Treger moves to Paradise Township, Pennsylvania, seeking a better life, he meets sisters Cate and Betsy Miller. Both are beautiful, but older sister Cate is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Betsy, on the other hand, is sweet and flirty--and seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County!

However, the sisters' wealthy father has made one hard and fast rule: elder sister must marry first, before the younger can even start courting. Unfortunately for poor Betsy, and for the men who want to court her, her older sister, Cate, doesn't have any suitors--until Pete comes to town, that is.

Though he finds both sisters attractive, something about Cate's feisty demeanor appeals to him. Soon the other bachelors in the district convince Pete to court Cate. She hardly seems receptive to his overtures, though. Instead, she's immediately suspicious of his interest.

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My Thoughts:

Courting Cate is the first book in Leslie Gould's newest series The Courtships of Lancaster County. As my readers know, Amish Fiction is one of my favorite genres so naturally this was a book and series I HAD to read.  I have never read any of Leslie Gould's other books so when I saw this book and read the description I was hooked.   In this adaptation of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew", this book is a must read for Amish Fiction lovers.  I could not put this book down, from the start meeting Cate I found myself hooked.  Cate Miller would do anything for her family, she helped raise her younger sister Betsey after their mother died and helped her father with his business. Cate is known throughout their community for speaking her mind and her temper.  Cate courted but it ended when she found out the boy was using her because of her father's wealth.  Since then Cate did NOT date.  When Cate's father makes a rule that Betsey can't date or marry until Cate does, this makes things very hard for both sisters. Cate would do anything for Betsey but courting and marrying?  Pete Treger is new in town but finds himself drawn to Cate, but because of her previous courtship she questions Pete's intentions from the start.

Leslie Gould writes a wonderful story of love, forgiveness, and how people can change with God's help.  As I read this story, I found myself connecting to Cate in many ways.  This story shows the lengths people will go to for love and how giving of one's self for God's Glory truly can transform.  Leslie Gould is a wonderful writer who captivates her readers from beginning to end. She writes with much authority on the Amish and the different communities of Amish. Leslie Gould's writing made me feel like I was there, watching the whole story unfold.  I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Amish Fiction.  I look forward to reading more by Leslie Gould and of this series.

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