Natalie Collins has spent her entire life growing up in Amish country. She became fast friends with Levi and Mary Shetler and began having dinner with them on Friday nights. To her surprise, Lucas, Levi's handsome brother begins joining them. What started off as an innocent love of books, and Lucas increasing Natalie's faith in God, quickly turns into something neither one saw coming.

This was a great love story and lesson in trusting God guide your life even if it doesn't make sense. I enjoyed this novel, I was moved by the faith they had and learned quite a bit about trusting that God has total control of one's life. ( )

Listening to Love is the second book in Beth Wiseman’s An Amish Journey series, and it follows the story of Natalie and Lucas. Natalie is an English girl that we met in the first book, and she is a close friend of Levi and Mary. Lucas is Levi’s brother, and the four of them meet every Friday night at Levi and Mary’s house for dinner and fellowship. Natalie is drawn to Lucas because of his deep understanding of God and His Word, but they are starting to feel something more than friendship which worries everyone around them.

Eventually, these feelings do develop into something more, and then this story becomes one where you wonder which one is going to adapt to the other person’s world and lifestyle. There are a few times when their feelings almost run ahead of themselves because they long to be together, long to get married, but everything moves more quickly than they are prepared for.

There were times during this period in their relationship that I almost stopped reading! The pace was just so rushed! I know it was done purposefully so that Natalie and Lucas could both realize that they needed to stop and take a breath, but….mercy, it's a little bit of a roller coaster!

This story was not just about Natalie and Lucas. Natalie’s mother also needed some TLC after a horrible divorce left her bitter and spiteful. A new job (which she desperately needed) gave her life some direction, but something about her new employer doesn’t sit right. She was in for a surprise that she didn’t expect, and this made for an excellent twist to this otherwise ordinary Amish story.

I truly love Beth Wiseman’s books! Every single one is different from the one before it, even if they are all set in the Amish culture. This one had an ending I didn’t expect, and made me anxious to read the last book in the series – A Beautiful Arrangement. It’s already sitting on my TBR stack, waiting for its turn. ( )

4.5 stars.

Listening to Love is a thought-provoking Amish story of love, healing, friendship and family. Although this latest release is the second installment in Beth Wiseman's An Amish Journey series, it can be read as a standalone.

Nineteen year old Natalie Collins is an Englischer whose relationship with God has grown through her friendship with Lucas Shetler. Through an unexpected inheritance and her friends' generosity, Natalie is going to college where she plans to achieve her life-long dream of becoming a veterinarian. Despite all of the positive things in her life, Natalie is troubled by her mother Cecelia's inability to move past her hurt and bitterness from her divorce. She is also dipping into her college savings to help support Cecelia whose financial situation is becoming dire. The time Natalie spends with Lucas is a huge bright spot in her life but do their feelings for one another run deeper than friendship?

Natalie is a caring and very responsible young woman but she is growing weary of financially and emotionally supporting her mom. She is also a bit concerned about the career path she has chosen for herself. Natalie and Lucas live in very different worlds but they are trying to remain true to the plans that God has for them. Both of their friends and families are growing worried that their relationship might turn into a romance. Thankfully, Natalie has Lucas and God to help her navigate the unexpected obstacles that suddenly appear in her life.

Lucas and his family are Old Order Amish which is very strict and eschews modern technology. Even in the face of his mother's disapproval, he cannot deny how drawn he is to Natalie. If they are to have a future together, one of them will have to sacrifice the life they are currently living. Can Lucas walk away from his family and faith in order for them to be together?

Cecelia has been trying hard to overcome the betrayal of her husband divorcing her. She feels guilty over relying so heavily on her daughter and she is growing desperate as she searches for employment. When Cecelia meets Lucas's neighbor Moses Schwartz, she does not hesitate to accept his job offer. She is happily settling into her new position and she is finally beginning to regain her lost confidence. But will Cecelia revert to destructive coping mechanisms when faced with an unexpected crisis?

Listening to Love is a heartwarming Amish novel with an engaging romance and endearing characters. Natalie and Lucas are winsome characters who are faced with life-altering decisions once they fall in love. They both grow and change as they work together to make the right choice for their future. Cecelia's story arc is quite uplifting but challenging as she begins healing from her painful divorce. Old and new fans of Beth Wiseman's An Amish Journey series are going to love this newest addition to this heartfelt series. ( )

Listening to Love is the second An Amish Journey Novel. It can be read on its own if you have not read Hearts in Harmony. I thought Listening to Love is well-written with developed characters and steady pacing. Natalie Collins loves animals and is pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine thanks to Mary and Levi Shetler. They sold the beautiful piano they inherited from Adeline and gave the money to her. There is a problem, though, preventing her from moving forward. She cannot give shots and the sight of blood sickens her. Natalie has developed a relationship with God thanks to Lucas. He has become her close friend. They meet each week at the library plus they have lunch dates and talk on the phone each evening. People do not understand that a man and woman can just be friends. Lucas has yet to be baptized, but he has never dreamed of leaving the Amish. As Lucas spends more time with Natalie, his feelings for her change. I could feel the struggle in Lucas and Natalie as well as their developing love. I like that each of them has a close relationship with God. Natalie’s mother, Cecelia is having a hard time after her divorce. She has gone through her divorce settlement, maxed out her credit cards and her mortgage is behind. Cecelia has been getting money from Natalie, but that is her college fund. After attending a housewarming party at Mary and Levi’s, she gets a job with Moses Schwartz, the Shetler’s neighbor. Cecelia’s dream job soon turns into a nightmare that disrupts the lives of those around her. I liked this addition to the story as it gave the story added depth and interest. I enjoyed seeing the changes in the characters as the story progressed especially in Cecelia and Helen. My favorite phrase is “Listen to God and follow His lead.” Listening to Love is an absorbing story about family, faith, friendship, and love. ( )

I am so glad to have the honor of reading and reviewing a book that is an example of God’s love. The characters are wonderful and very east to relate to. Natalie is hungry to learn more about God and her best friend Lucas is guiding her through scriptures and his own experiences to help her. There is a little bump in their friendship as Natalie is English and Lucas is Amish.

I loved how the author shows the uneasiness that their family and friends have when the two seem to grow closer. Natalie is heartbroken when everyone steps in to break their relationship up. There is a reason for everything that happens in life. Natalie believes that God put Lucas in her life to help her grow her relationship with God. Now she wonders if that was all or is there more that God has planned for them?

The author also gives us a look into a broken relationship between mother and daughter. Natalie is bitter at times because her mother is taking the divorce from her father so hard. Having to continually give her financial support is causing a strain on her own finances. I loved reading how they each had to let God soften their hearts and understand that bitterness was destroying their relationship.

I have to mention Helen, Lucas’s mother. She is very protective of her family and has a dislike for Natalie and her mother. It was kind of funny to read about her using binoculars to spy on her neighbor. I won’t say why she was but it made me understand how we can push our views onto others and judge them. There were times I just wanted to tell Helen to stop interfering and let God handle the situation. How many times have we judged people? I did like how the author does give us a glimpse of the differences between English and Amish beliefs.

The story is such an emotional journey through compromise, forgiveness and acceptance.It explores what true love is and questions how to tell if you will have the kind of love for another person for a lifetime. It is never easy to know if a love will last. but I have learned that love between two people is a commitment that calls for patience, compromise and including God in the relationship.

One thing I found interesting is that Amish don't believe in divorce so they just stay together and work things out. In society people walk away everyday from a marriage without trying to sit and talk it out. We sometimes don't include God in our marriage and the enemy gladly takes that as an invitation to break up a family.

There is an unexpected twist in the story that causes chaos in several lives. The author took me by surprise and I loved how the twist leads to compassion and forgiveness. I have to say the author has surpassed my expectations in a story that reminds us to listen to God and the meaning of a love that never fails.

I received an arc copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion. ( )