4.5-STAR REVIEW: HIDDEN AWAY AT PROMISE LODGE by Charlotte Hubbard

Promise Lodge: Book 7
Publication Date: July 25, 2023

Returning to the fan-favorite world of the closeknit Amish community of Promise Lodge, the small-town Missouri setting of her beloved Amish inspirational romance novels, the author continues to delight readers with uplifting tales of faith, family, and the blessings and happiness of true love and caring partnership. For fans of Shelley Shepard Gray and Beth Wiseman.

When Karen Mercer and Andi Swann come to Promise Lodge for a week’s stay, the Kuhn sisters quickly detect the guests are not Plain folk, despite their kapps and homemade dresses. Entranced by the idyllic Amish lifestyle they’ve read about in romance novels, the visitors have gone undercover to revisit the place that was once the church camp where they spent happy summers. They mean no harm—but when the truth is uncovered, their deception has an intriguing impact on the faithful, hard-working
community . . .

Meanwhile, amid bustling preparations for a spring wedding, a shy horse trainer is encouraged to share his colorful world with a newcomer awaiting a miracle . . . while the widowed baker of luscious Promise Lodge Pies sees a long-time friendship in a romantic new light. And in the wake of a destructive storm, Karen and Andi’s insider knowledge of the grounds may offer the safe passage they all need to renew and rebuild—stronger than ever . . .

Hidden Away at Promise Lodge is the seventh book in the Promise Lodge series by Charlotte Hubbard. I’ve only read “Star of Wonder,” which is included in the anthology, An Amish Christmas Star and is a connected story and book six, Family Gatherings at Promise Lodge. I look forward to starting from the beginning and filling in some of the blanks since several characters are woven throughout.

This story is set in Missouri, and we meet up with the characters who live in Promise Lodge as well as some new ones. We learn more about their lives, hopes, and dreams and how their community is there for each other —whether Amish or Mennonite. 

This is Sylvia and Mose’s story, filled with kindness, caring, unexpected romance, and love. She is a widow without family and has come to Promiise Lodge to live out her days since she has a brain tumor and hasn’t been given long to live. Mose is Marlene’s twin brother and is good with animals. He is a caring soul, but trauma at a young age has affected his life in many ways. 

Silvia is older, but they are attracted, and Mose shows he is there for her, especially when she suffers a medical emergency. There’s a secondary romance between other older characters, Dale and Irene.

The story flows well, with several stories being told and woven together. Karen and Andi are two young women who have come to Promise Lodge, portraying themselves as Amish. The others have doubts and finally, come clean after a tragedy strikes their town. They are immersed in the Amish life, and we get to know them a little at a time, but the blurb is misleading since it seems they are to be the focus of the story. 

The story has some closure, but there are a few loose ends. There are several recipes included that tie into the story. There is also an excerpt of the following story in the series, and I look forward to reading it.

I have always enjoyed Amish stories. I enjoy reading about their life choices, helpfulness, kindness, and how their faith guides them. Hidden Away at Promise Lodge included all of that and more.

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.