I always enjoy Beverly Lewis' books, but this was one that took awhile to warm up to. I loved the message of redemption and forgiveness---the ending was sweet and respectful of Amish culture. In fact, that's one of the things I love about Lewis---her characters go different directions for different reasons---but in all instances, she has a great way of honoring the Lord, as well as respecting a culture that surely has some disagreeable practices.

The book was pretty slow moving, however. There wasn't a huge rise and fall in this one and it took too long to get to the point, in several cases. References to Lucy's "transgression" are too cryptic for too long. Readers unfamiliar with the Amish rules about shunning are going to have a difficult time understanding what's up because things aren't made completely clear until page 118. This wouldn't be so bad if the story required such secrecy---but it doesn't. This was way too long into the the story for a "revelation" that was easily guessed at only a few pages in. ( )

A beautifully written Amish novel, The Atonement is a thought-provoking journey of healing, forgiveness and atonement by Beverly Lewis.

Lucy Flaud is dedicated to helping others. In between volunteering at a local hospice center, serving food to the homeless and organizing donations, she helps her older sister Martie with chores around her house. She keeps up with her work at home but her twin sisters Lettie and Faye feel a little neglected since Lucy spends most of her days away from the house. When her father Christian befriends Englisher Dale Wyeth, her longheld anger and guilt over a dreadful mistake from her past can no longer be ignored. As she and Dale form their own friendship, her parents grow concerned that history is repeating itself. A surprise request from Lucy's good friend Tobe Glick adds yet another complication to her life but this might just be the impetus she needs to finally make peace with her past.

Lucy has never forgiven herself for a misguided choice she made three years earlier. Her once close relationship with her father has also never recovered and she remains quite angry with him for the way he handled the incident. In an effort to keep her guilt and shame at bay, she throws herself into her charitable works and while she has made a difference in other people's lives, she still has a huge hole in her heart. Meeting Dale brings back all of the painful memories she has avoided dealing with but, as he helps her with a homeless girl she has befriended, Lucy begins to repair her fractured relationship with God.

While Lucy is making strides in regaining her floundering faith, her relationship with her dad remains troubled. She never dealt with her grief over a tragic loss and because she does not want anyone, including the rest of her family, to know about her ill-fated decision, no one ever discusses what happened. When Christian invites her to join a grief support group, Lucy is at first reluctant to join him but she eventually agrees to go to one meeting. Although she still cannot bring herself to talk about her pain, she is pleasantly surprised by how comforted she feels by the support of other people in the group. As her bitterness and resentment begin to fade, Lucy finally opens to her father about her feelings despite his reluctance to revisit old wounds.

The Atonement is a heartfelt and moving novel of faith, love, family and redemption. Beverly Lewis skillfully handles difficult subjects in a realistic and sensitive manner. Lucy's journey is gradual and occurs naturally as a result of her new friendships and an unexpected decision by a longtime friend. Watching her make peace with her past and regain her lost faith is gratifying and uplifting. All in all, a very heartwarming faith-based story that fans of Amish fiction are sure to love. ( )

Lucy can’t seem to get past a mistake she made a few years ago. She feels unworthy and has dedicated herself to volunteering to help those in need. But while she says she is sorry and forgives others, she can’t quite forgive herself. This tale is thought-provoking and the characters are quite interesting, as is Lucy’s ultimate journey towards forgiveness and ultimately, happiness. ( )

I'm surprised Beverly Lewis still has new stories to write about the Amish, but she never seems to run out of themes and stories. I think this is the first book I've read that had part of the book written from the dat's point of view, but that was good. Although some people might predict that Dale would become Amish and marry Lucy, it was better the way it ended.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, becomes the backdrop for the book Atonement, established in the Amish countryside about Lucy, who is twenty-five years old and not married. She's tried to make up for not having a husband and kids by volunteering in the community. But Lucy and her family have a secret that could destroy everyone's happiness. How they deal with the mystery, becomes the story. I enjoyed this book and will look for the next Beverly Lewis book to come out. ( )