This is the second book of the Amish of Summer Grove series by Cindy Woodsmall. Because of their close relationship with each other, it's best to read book 1 before you read this second one. In the first book, An Amish mother has had nagging doubts about her child since she was born. There were small things that pointed to the possibility that her baby girl was switched accidentally at birth with another baby girl being born at the same time to an Englisch mother. Yet in spite of these feelings, she kept it to herself until her daughter was 20 years old.

Ariana, growing up in a close-knit community suddenly learns she was born to non-Amish parents. In the discovery process, a DNA test was done and it was discovered the other girl, also a 20 year old college student, was not related to the parents she grew up with. A decision is made, mostly because of the stubborn belligerence of Ariana's birth father who insisted she come and spend a year with his family or he would sue the Amish midwife who delivered both babies. Skylar, the other daughter born to Amish parents but reared in the Englisch world, was also wrenched out of her comfortable world and into a very foreign Amish world where she must give up her phone, electricity, money, bank accounts her education (and unfortunately, her drugs) to live with the Brennemans.

The key words in this book are turmoil, upheaval, confusion, unhappiness, and struggle. Skylar now has 9 brothers and sisters and countless nephews and nieces, and not a moment of quiet. She hates working, and her attitude is a major stumbling block to forming any relationship with her new family. In the meantime, Ariana is confused by a father who claims he does not believe in God, hates the Amish way of life, and thinks he can win her over through books and arguments. Angst is a mild term for what these two girls experience over a period of several months. I could barely put the book down since every page was full of unknowns and struggle.

The parts I liked best were where both Skylar and Ariana have to dig deep into themselves to re-arrange who they thought they were and wanted to be. The process was gradual, painful, but there were turning points that were encouraging. This is a book that will make you think as well as feel. In my opinion, this series is the absolute best that this author has written so far. Her soap opera like writing style brings out uncertainties and helps us question life in the very best ways possible. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series. ( )

spring seems like a long time away with a cliffhanger like that . . .

Ariana's trouble with judging others sounds A LOT like my Josie's problems in [b:Throne of Grace|30743662|Throne of Grace|Cecily Wolfe|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1472046569s/30743662.jpg|51287193]. I was surprised at the similarities, and I am really looking forward to finding out how Ariana and Skylar both resolve their situations in book three. ( )

Title: Fraying at the Edge (Summer Grove #2)
Author: Cindy Woodsmall
Pages: 352
Year: 2016
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
My rating 5 out of 5 stars.
The first novel in the series is titled, Ties that Bind, which introduces us to two families from different worlds, the Amish one and the English one. Two women brought up in different societies with polar-opposite type parents, expectations, understanding of the world and so much more. Through each chapter the questions of the soul and heart for Skylar and Ariana get deeper, more complex and without quick resolution.
Skylar is learning not to live dependent on drugs and learning who she is without them as well as who she is on the inside. What is Skylar made for and what is in her future? Those seem to be just a couple of the questions Skylar has ruminating within her. Ariana is glad to see the café booming, but no longer is sure of who she is when she notices herself acting, thinking and talking differently when she returns to Summer Grove.
The author masterfully shows there aren’t so many clear-cut answers as there are questions within the heart of each woman. Ariana is also questioning what she believes and how that is lived outside the Amish community’s control. Skylar wants nothing to do with anyone who seems controlling whether God, Isaac or her other dad.
I cannot wait to read the final book to see how this tension is brought to conclusion! I highly recommend this faith filled series that handles real life issues that affect our heart, mind and soul. ( )

Cindy Woodsmall has long been a favorite of my book club. If she has a book out, we will read it. We read/discussed Ties That Bind in September and knew we had to read book 2, Fraying at The Edge, sooner rather than later. And while we liked this book, we didn’t think it was as good as book 1. We really couldn’t put our finger on why, just that it didn’t hold our attention as much as the first in the series. Will we read book 3, Gathering The Threads, when it comes out in August 2017? You bet! We have to find out what happens to Arianna and Skylar and who they may end up with.

While Ties That Bind examined how families impact the emotional and spiritual growth of a person, Fraying at The Edge looked at how we react when our beliefs are challenged. Both Skylar and Arianna are thrust into alien worlds with few points of reference. In Arianna’s case, not only is she forced to learn a brand new way of life, her deeply held religious views are attacked. Both characters grew in positive ways, despite the rollercoaster emotions and resistance they put up. The fallout of this will surely be presented in the next installment of the series.

One thing we didn’t like was the lack of interaction between Skylar and her Amish parents. Arianna’s story heavily featured the new relationship between her and her biological parents. But Skylar has few scenes with her biological parents; almost none with her father. Not sure if this was an oversight by Woodsmall or a statement on the differing parenting styles of Amish and Englisch.

Overall, we liked Fraying at The Edge.

Recommended.

Audience: older teens to adults. ( )

Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall is the second book in The Amish at Summer Grove series. Ariana Brenneman is twenty years old and has just discovered that she was switched with another girl at birth. There was a fire at the birthing center the night Ariana and another little girl were born. Everyone had to evacuate and Rachel, the midwife took charge of the babies. The two girls must have been switched at that time. In order to avoid the Rachel, the midwife and now elderly, from being sued or going to jail (by Nicholas Jenkins, her biological father), Ariana must live in the Englisch world with her biological family (blackmail is always a good way to start a relationship). Nicholas does not believe in organized religion and has a very low opinion of the Amish culture (he is an atheist). Nicholas wants Ariana to spend one year with him and her biological mother, Brandi Nash (they are not married to each other). This means that Ariana will have to ask her family to run her new café while she is gone and her fiancé, Rudy will have to be patient and await her return. Nicholas makes up a list of items (a life lessons list) for Ariana. He wants her to accomplish a certain number of items on the “list” (going to a bar, dating, getting her driver’s license, hair, clothes, etc.). Ariana is in for a rough adjustment. The only person she can contact is Quill Schlabach, former Amish, who works with his brothers at Schlabach Construction (Nicholas believes he is a good influence). They also help people who wish to leave the Amish community. Ariana had hoped for a future with Quill, but then he left the community unexpectedly with her best friend. How will Ariana adjust to the Englisch world? Will Ariana be the same person when she returns home?

Skylar Nash is the girl that was switched with Ariana. Skylar is given the choice of staying with her birth parents (Lovina and Isaac Brenneman) or going to rehab. Skylar has a drug problem and is rebellious. Nicholas is cutting her off (no money for college, place to live). Skylar picks staying with the Brenneman’s. But Skylar is in for a shock when she finds out that they do not have electricity, phones, etc. Her goal is to find money to escape and keep herself plied with drugs. After spending her first few days sleeping, Isaac insists that Skylar has to contribute to the household. She can work in the gardens, help with the household chores, work in the barn, or help in the café. Skylar picks working in the café hoping it will provide a chance to see her boyfriend and drug dealer. Lovina wants to get to know her daughter, but Skylar is not interested. She feels that Nicholas and Brandi were glad to be rid of her and her birth family did not care enough to look for her. Skylar is in for a reality check living with the Brenneman’s. Can the Brenneman’s help rebellious and wounded Skylar?

Fraying at the Edge is well-written (as are all of Cindy Woodsmall’s books) and has good characters. It is not a stand-alone novel. You do need to read the first book in the series in order to understand everything that is happening in Fraying at the Edge (or you will be very confused). I did find that the religious aspect is strong in this book. There are many theological “discussions” as Nicholas rants about the Amish culture and other religions. I have to admit that I did find it off-putting, and I started skimming through these sections (for me that means speed reading). I did, though, like his point about questioning things and not just following with blind obedience. It was interesting to see how Ariana adjusted to life in the Englisch world. Ms. Woodsmall did a very good job at showing us how our world (Englisch) looks through Arianna’s eyes. I give Fraying at the Edge 4 out of 5 stars. I was disappointed with the cliffhanger. We have to wait another year for the final book and answers (which I will be reading). I am curious to see what life Ariana will pick.

I received a copy of Fraying at the Edge from Blogging for Books and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own. ( )