A Forbidden Rumspringa (Gay Amish Romance)

This one absolutely wrecked me in the best way. I cried more than once, and I don’t regret a single tear. The story feels so raw and real, like you’re living every moment right alongside the characters. It’s about love, faith, identity, and the impossible choices that come when the world you were born into doesn’t fit the person you’re becoming. The writing is beautiful; simple, emotional, and deeply human. What makes it stand out is how honest it feels. The characters’ struggles are painful but also full of hope, and you can’t help but root for them with everything in you. This book doesn’t sugarcoat anything, but it still manages to feel tender and full of light. It’s one of those stories that stays with you long after you finish, because it’s not just about love, it’s about freedom, and finding the courage to be yourself no matter the cost.

This book was great. The star-crossed romance the two men shared was well explained and yet romantic. Romantic yes, but the book also had several short comings. While the relationship was told to be mutual and deep, it seemed to lack set up and establishing details. It seemed like they went from strangers, awkward around each other, to a full couple and going all the way. While it wasn't an instantaneous occurrence, it was probably even a third of the way into the book, but it even still it did not give us much on the men's personalities. Even with the book being Isaac centric, we only see the surface of them both. They like carpentry. They have families. They are gay in a super strict heteronormative society, they both question their place in their society and their church's beliefs. Individually, however, the reader is left to imagine for him or herself. Isaac repeatedly recalls that he and David had shared conversations, but it seems the reader is never privy to them. Isaac goes to work and then they hit the showers or have lunch. As individuals they seem to only be differentiated by one having mostly brothers and the other sisters. As for all other characters, they are basically nonexistent. They are certainly around, never giving the couple time alone, yet they seem like only cardboard cutouts. The reader is introduced to many characters, the main characters have siblings. David has only a mother, but Isaac has both of his parents. Isaac even has a best friend. We find…