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    The Search: A Novel
    The Search: A Novel
    The Search: A Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Search: A Novel

    Written by Suzanne Woods Fisher

    Narrated by Cassandra Campbell

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    When worlds collide, can the truth set two young women free? As a child caught up in a crisis, Lainey O'Toole made a split-second decision with far-reaching effects. Fifteen years later, when her car breaks down in Stoney Ridge-the very town in which that decision was made-she is forced to face the past and discover how her decision has impacted so many. Bess Reihl is less than thrilled to be spending the summer at Rose Hill Farm helping her intimidating grandmother Bertha recover from surgery. It doesn't take long for Bess to realize that her grandmother coaxed her to Stoney Ridge for an entirely different reason. But once Bess meets hired hand Billy Lapp, the summer starts to hold some promise. Lainey's and Bess's worlds are about to collide, and the secrets that come to light will shock them both. The Search is a skillfully woven story that takes you through unexpected twists and turns on the long country road toward truth. Immerse yourself in this heartwarming-and surprising-tale of young love, forgiveness, and healing.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOasis Audio
    Release dateJan 1, 2011
    ISBN9781608147960
    The Search: A Novel
    Author

    Suzanne Woods Fisher

    Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty books, including The Sweet Life, The Secret to Happiness, and Love on a Whim, as well as many beloved contemporary romance and Amish romance series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at SuzanneWoodsFisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and X @SuzanneWFisher.

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    Reviews for The Search

    4.5/5

    53 ratings9 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      This is one of the best "Amish" books that I have read. Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a humorous book that brings the Amish to life. Her characterization of Bertha Reihl is hilarious. The rest of the world needs to know that Amish people have personalities and are not just look-alike clones. The year is 1971, and Lainey O-Toole ends up in Stoney Ridge, PA, where she lived until she was ten-years-old. The next several months unfold in the book, and it's a great read with some surprising twists along the way. Highly recommended.
    • 5/5
      What a wonderfully written book of enduring love, forgiveness & consequential choices.
    • 4/5
      From my book review blog Rundpinne..."The Search by Suzanne Fischer Woods is the third book in her series, Lancaster County Secrets, and it reads well as a stand alone book, however I think once the reader gets a taste of the series, the reader may want to read her previous two books, The Choice and The Waiting. In Woods’ third book she focuses on several deep issues including redemption, forgiveness, secrets, love and family. Woods weaves together several lives to create a wonderful, heart-warming story, which keeps the reader actively engaged as well as invested in the characters lives, especially those of Bess Reihl, Billy Lapp and Lainey O’Toole. Through the use of beautiful prose and vivid imagery, the reader is taken the Bertha’s home, Rose Hill Farm and into a world filled with unexpected twist and turns, love, forgiveness, and the search for redemption. I would recommend The Search to anyone who is looking for a delightful afternoon of reading." JH/Rundpinne/2011
    • 4/5
      The Lancaster County series just keeps getting better with each book. The Search is a story of secrets long kept, of trust now broken, of hope still sought. In a complicated world, it’s not just the Amish who long for a simple life. Life is a struggle, and a split-moment decision can affect the lives of others for years to come. Well developed and interesting characters along with a compelling storyline will keep you turning pages until the very end.
    • 5/5
      This is one of the best "Amish" books that I have read. Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a humorous book that brings the Amish to life. Her characterization of Bertha Reihl is hilarious. The rest of the world needs to know that Amish people have personalities and are not just look-alike clones. The year is 1971, and Lainey O-Toole ends up in Stoney Ridge, PA, where she lived until she was ten-years-old. The next several months unfold in the book, and it's a great read with some surprising twists along the way. Highly recommended.
    • 4/5
      This has to be one of Suzanne Woods Fisher's best novels. Usually you get the typical Amish story--boy meets girl, boy/girl begin a relationship, challenges develop, boy/girl overcome & marry. However, in The Search there are a couple interesting sub-plots; sub-plots that I haven't seen before in Amish literature.I found it compelling to read how decisions made a long time ago affect the lives of so many people. When only a couple people know the truth behind a secret, can they change the future? Can they push their loved ones toward a certain destiny? Or do they let life play out on its own and see what happens?The main characters of Bess and Lainey aren't your typical Amish literature characters. They both have a mind of their own and aren't nearly as submissive as the typical Amish woman. I like that they aren't as passive as most characters and that they stand up for what they want. Is that typical in the Amish community? From what I've read, no it's not. But as a non-Amish individual, I like their personalities. The Seach touched me with its subtle faith excerpts and discssions. There was nothing "preachy" about it at all in my opinion. The main story was entertaining and a nice, easy read. As always, I enjoyed Fisher's writing and The Search certainly kept my attention. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to curl up with a good story and interesting plot.
    • 5/5
      Wow! Seriously, Suzanne Woods Fisher is quickly rising to the status of Wanda Brunstetter in my opinion! She is FANTASTIC. Each book she writes, is by far, better than the one before it (and those ones were pretty darn great too!). This is the 3rd book (and please tell me it won't be the last!?!?!?!) in her Lancaster County Secrets series, entitled The Search. Books 1 and 2 (The Choice and The Waiting) hooked me instantly upon reading them, and this one was no different. From page one, I was right there in Lancaster County, beside Billy and Maami Bertha, working hard on the roses and getting things ready for Bess, Bertha's granddaughter.But, when Bess arrives, things start to unravel. Secrets left to rest 15 years ago. It was so fun reading about Bess and Lainey. They are from two totally different worlds. It was, as always, interesting to see how the would work out when those worlds came together. I felt a strong pull to Lainey and Bess, but my heart really went out to Bertha. Her character, though she was a bit of a rough and harsh woman, was actually very sweet deep down. I just wanted to hug her many times over and tell her she was doing good! Of course, I was a bit partial to Jonah's character, too. He wanted only what's best for his daughter.The powerful messages of Suzanne's books never cease to amaze me. She really weaves these messages into her stories so that while, not preachy, they are still strong and make a huge impact on the readers hearts. Messages of forgiveness, friendship, family and letting go of the past, all stand strong in this book, not to mention just enough humor to keep the characters light and meaningful. I always close Suzanne's books with a feeling of peace in my heart.So, I HIGHLY, without a doubt, recommend this 5 star book. Each book in her series has different characters and themes so this one, as well as the first two, is easily read as a stand alone novel. If you love Amish, or looking for just another awesome read, please pick up a copy of The Search today. And, while it may not be a fourth book to this heartwarming series, I am anxiously awaiting the release of another novel by this superb Amish author!
    • 5/5
      Bertha Reihl of Rose Hill Farm, is a bit intimidating, as tough as boots on the outside, but on the inside she is really an old softie.After the death of her husband, Samuel, a few years back, she slowly started converting her pastures into a place to plant her roses. She does a pretty good business selling salves, roses and her rose petal jam, so well in fact that she has hired 18 year old Billy Lapp to help her. Its been a few years since her son Jonah and her 15 year old grand daughter Bess has come from Ohio for a visit, so she sends them a letter stating she needs help recovering from her women's surgery. Bess decides to go spend the summer with her grandmother. While picking roses isn't something she really relishes, when she meets Billy she thinks he is the most handsome boy she has ever saw, and things might not be so bad on her grandmothers farm.Lainey O'Toole was Bertha's neighbor 15 years ago, and while traveling thru on her way to New York as fate would have it, her car breaks down in Stoney Brook in front of a diner, who was looking for a baker, she decides to stay for the summer, wanting to reconnect with Bertha, the lady who was so kind to her in her youth. There is a secret that Lainey has kept for 15 years, something that will affect several people. What will happen when the secret is out in the open?Another great story from Suzanne Woods Fisher. A story about how the truth can free you from your past, and of course the value of forgiveness. I enjoyed the characters in this story, and think my favorite was Bertha, for an Amish grandmother she had a wacky sense of humor. The story was very well written, the author grabs and holds your attention, keeping you wondering how things will turn out.While this is the third book in the Lancaster Co. Secrets series it can easily be read as a stand alone work. A a fan of Amish fiction I have read all three in the series and would say fans of Amish inspiration, or someone just looking for a good clean read would enjoy this series. There are also discussion questions included at the end of the book.
    • 4/5
      Well it is no big surprise that Suzanne Woods Fisher does it again in her third book in the "Lancaster County Secrets Series". I had the privilege of reading all three books, and I loved every one.In this book we are introduced to three amazing women - Bess, a 15 yr. old girl living with her father in OH after the death of her mother in an accident. She goes to PA to visit her grandmother (Mammi) and learns the truth about her real family. Bess is adorable! She was so innocent and sweet but smart. I loved her and wanted to adopt her!Bess' grandmother, Bertha, what a hoot she is! She is stern, conniving, manipulating, and so loving. She is truly looking out for Bess' best interest.Then there is Lainey. She is "English" passing through town on her way to culinary school, but can't seem to leave her old home town. Her and Bess meet and become close and soon find out they have so much more in common. After Bess teaches her to be Amish, Lainey decided to be baptized into the Amish church. I also loved Lainey!The men in the story are equally brilliant. Jonah, Bess' father, and someone Lainey finds interesting and attractive. Simon, Lainey's step father, a bitter, drunk, who is dying in the hospital waiting for a bone marrow transplant. And sweet, clueless Billy, he works at Bertha's farm and becomes Bess' love interest.Step into the world of Stoney Ridge and meet this wonderful group of charters!