Carla's Book Crush

Still Waters by Patricia Johns
Series: The Amish of Shepherd’s Hill – Book 2
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: November 4, 2025
Genres: Amish Romance
Pages: 352
Format: paperback
Source: Author
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Their hidden past brings questions about their future . . . together.

Unsure of her future within the Amish community, Beth Peachy arrives in Lancaster County for the summer to care for her ailing grandmother. Yet with dementia threatening to steal away Mammi’s memories, Beth’s visit quickly evolves into an urgent search for answers to questions that her relatives seem determined to avoid. How can Beth possibly make a lifelong vow to the Amish church when her own family is concealing so much of the past from her?

Beth’s childhood friend Danny Lapp faces his own dilemma as his ex-Amish older brother turns his back on their family upbringing, dishonoring his Plain heritage. Struggling to find some sort of connection with his brother despite their deep difference of opinion, Danny is determined to find a solution before church leadership becomes involved. As Beth and Danny reconnect and seek to help each other in their search for answers, they find themselves stirring up not only surprising revelations about the past, but questions about a possible future–together.

Patricia Johns has me fully invested in the lives of the Amish of Shepherd’s Hill. The stories keep getting better and better. This time, I was drawn into the lives of Beth Peachy, her grandmother Mammi, and Danny Lapp. But if you read the first book, don’t worry, you’ll still hear quite a bit from Tabitha Shrock and Jonas Peachy.

This novel is filled with family secrets, questions about roots, and emotional moments that not only pull you into the story but make you reflect on your own life. Tabitha reflected on how news spreads in the community and the difference between sharing information and gossip. This is something that I’ve discussed with my sister quite a bit, and when I read this, I immediately called her to share that insight. There was also discussion between Tabitha and Beth regarding education and how that might create a divide within their Plain community. It was very interesting.

I liked that Beth’s struggle isn’t with God but with her community itself and whether that is where she wants to remain for the rest of her life. The Amish are unique, from my perspective, in that you aren’t just baptized as a believer but into their faith as a whole. Once you choose baptism, if you leave, you risk losing everything, so she wanted to consider that decision carefully. Her hesitation went on much longer than her family felt comfortable with. I appreciated this because I’ve also had my own questions about my chosen faith tribe. The fact that Danny was her grandmother’s neighbor and a boy she’d known from childhood was sweet. However, despite what was clearly a blossoming love, she couldn’t stop wondering if she truly belonged in the Amish faith.

Danny, on the other hand, is fully devoted to his church. Even as a young man, he felt most at home in his conservative upbringing. Having already been baptized, his feelings for Beth were strong, yet he couldn’t risk his heart with someone uncertain about staying Amish. Still, he had always felt close to her. On top of that, he was struggling with his brother Zach, who had left for the English world. The way Zach sees their heritage and how Danny views it are complete opposites. Danny’s love and devotion to God, his faith, and his family (even brother Zach) were touching and a testament to the way he was raised. I would love to see that kind of strength in myself and my own loved ones.

Beth faced more than anyone expected when she left home to help pack her grandmother’s house so she could move in with Beth’s family. She saw it as a chance to learn about her father’s childhood, which no one ever discussed. However, her grandmother’s dementia was further along than anyone realized, creating new challenges. When Mammi was lucid, she often evaded questions, leaving Beth to wonder what was being kept secret. Despite this, she remained strong in caring for her grandmother and called in help when needed. She did find time to spend with Danny, after all.

This story held me captive until the very end. I felt like I was in Shepherd’s Hill, watching Beth and Danny by the lake, seeing Tabitha tend to the cows and glance wistfully at Jonah, and catching those quiet moments when Jonah wished things could be different between them. As I turned the last few pages, my heart raced, eager for answers. I still have so many questions! I couldn’t believe I had to wait until the very end to find even some of the answers I desperately needed to calm my heart and mind.

I cannot say enough good things about this book and series. The only thing that I’m still upset about is that book three does not come out August 2026. Why such a long wait?!? I need to know everything! If you want to read a book that captures your heart, then pick up Still Waters. Better yet, pick up Green Pastures, then Still Waters. They are better read in sequence.