4.5 STAR REVIEW: FAMILY GATHERINGS AT PROMISE LODGE by Charlotte Hubbard

Promise Lodge: Book 6
Publication Date: February 21, 2023

In the year since he lost his wife in a tragic accident, Lester Lehman has found healing and purpose—helping construct Dale Kraybill’s new bulk store, enjoying the Kuhn sisters’ hearty meals, and settling in a tiny, built-for-one lakeside house. Falling in love again is surely not on Lester’s mind. Yet despite his firm “no,” two available ladies have set their kapps on the handsome widower—in a boisterous rivalry that weaves mayhem among Gloria’s wedding festivities.

A welcome escape comes from a fresh-faced newcomer. Marlene Fisher disarms Lester with her witty quips on his romantic predicament, while her sparkling eyes inspire surprising thoughts of a shared future. But the heartbreak that brought Marlene to Promise Lodge runs deep, and the pretty maidel believes she’s not meant to marry. In a season of vows to love and honor, scripture holds the key to building their happiness together: love is kind, and above all patient.

Family Gatherings at Promise Lodge is the sixth book in the series. I’ve only read Star of Wonder, which is included in the anthology, An Amish Christmas Star and is a connected story. I am looking forward to reading more of the books in this series as well as more books by author Charlotte Hubbard.

Set in Missouri, we meet up with characters who I’ve learned about before, along with new ones. 

This is Lester and Marlene’s story. He’s a widower, and she’s never married and never plans to, but plans can change, can’t they? 

Marlene and her single twin brother moved from Coldstream to Promise Lodge to start their new lives once their parents passed away. They still have a connection in Coldstream, and it brings back many unhappy memories for them. I liked their twin relationship and how they looked out for each other.

Lester and Marlene have an attraction each time they meet, which is easy to do in such a small town. Their paths cross all the time! Most of the story is heartwarming and exemplifies the community’s Amish goodness and the desire to help others. I love how the lodge welcomes everyone. Their businesses are essential to their small town and others in the surrounding towns. 

There are some characters who have forgotten the tenets of being Amish and add a darkness to the story, along with the bishop from Coldstream, who thinks he knows best and doesn’t let others forget it. The story has a happily ever after, but the book ends abruptly. 

I enjoy Amish stories, especially when they sometimes deviate from their humanity and straight and narrow path to add a bit of angst and human tendencies to the tale.

In 1983, Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. She wrote around 70 of those confession stories, and she’s sold more than 50 books to traditional or online publishers. A longtime resident of Missouri, she’s currently writing Amish romances set in imaginary Missouri towns for Kensington. She now lives in Omaha, NE with her husband and their Border collie, Vera.