Book Review: An Amish Widow’s Promise by Winnie Griggs

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions are my own.


Young woman in Amish attire holds apples in a basket. She stands in an orchard under a sunny sky. The book title is "An Amish Widow's Promise."

An Amish Widow’s Promise by Winnie Griggs
Series: Sweetbrier Creek – Book 2
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: April 29, 2025
Genres: Amish Romance
Pages: 320
Format: eBook – NetGalley/Publisher
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One Amish man helps to revive a young widow’s struggling orchard—and heal her heart—in this light, warmhearted Amish romance perfect for fans of Jo Ann Brown and Jocelyn McClay.
 
Widow Miriam Esh has to find a fiancé, or her overbearing bruder-in-law will sell her familye apple orchard. He’s already taken it upon himself to hire someone—likely another man presuming he knows what’s best for her land. But if she’s going to save it, Miriam must focus on finding a suitable husband, not on the new orchardist or on how good he is with her son, and definitely not on how his smile scatters her thoughts . . .

By the looks of things at the Esh estate, Daniel Beiler knows Miriam could use a hand. Only the stubborn widow doesn’t want to take any of his advice. Yet as they spend their days working side-by-side and sharing warm meals, Daniel and Miriam can’t deny the growing comfort in each other’s company. So when Miriam begins receiving attention from eligible men seeking a wife, Daniel must admit his feelings for her before it’s too late. With the promise that he’ll be the partner she can trust, can Daniel convince Miriam that he should also be the mann in her life?

I was hooked from the beginning, though I didn’t like Miriam all that much. She seemed to find faults in others that were flaws of her own—and she never acknowledged that. The story also feels a little unfinished (an epilogue would help!). But despite all that, this is a wonderful read and well worth the time.

I enjoyed Daniel’s Aunt Edna. Miriam reaches out to her for help because of Edna’s matchmaking skills, and Edna doesn’t disappoint. She’s wise and clearly knows what she’s doing. I also appreciated Daniel’s family. They were warm and engaging, but not so central that you had to keep track of tons of names or details. They were just there in the background—quietly supportive and really special.

The book is filled with some swoon-worthy lines, and I found myself especially invested in the relationship from Daniel’s perspective. Overall, this was an excellent read. If you’re someone who struggles with letting go of the past, you might find some meaningful lessons here. And if you love small-town romances, Amish settings, or sweet, clean love stories (I don’t even recall a kiss in this one!), you’ll likely enjoy every minute of this book.

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Welcome to Carla’s Book Crush, a thoughtful space for readers who love books, reflection, faith, and the literary life. Here you’ll find honest book reviews, reading reflections, deep dives into reading habits, conversations about faith and thoughtful living, and the occasional look into the hobbies and interests that shape a well read life. From Amish romance and contemporary fiction to nonfiction, Bible study resources, and literary curiosity, this is a place for readers seeking depth, encouragement, and stories that linger long after the final page.

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Why I don’t do star ratings... All authors, all books, have someone who labored over them and someone who loves reading them. A star rating is an arbetrary system that is only relevant to the person who provided the rating. I’m always honest with my opnions and feelngs about a book and how it resonated with me. You can hear that in the words that I pen. I explain more about this decision in the article For the Love of Books.


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