Searching for Rose
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3.4 • 18 Ratings
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
Courageous and vulnerable, April has survived Philadelphia’s tough city streets. But when her sister disappears, April’s search will lead her to the Pennsylvania Amish countryside—where the peaceful setting belies a brand of danger all its own . . .
With a childhood shattered by alcoholism and abandonment, April learned the hard way to trust only herself and her younger sister, Rose. But suddenly, Rose is gone without a word—and April’s purpose in life is to find her. She has only one ally: Joseph Young, a handsome Amish man with whom she’s struck up an unlikely flirtation in the bakery where she works. He’s knowledgeable, steadfast—and when they join forces, April’s life takes a radical turn . . .
In the heart of Amish farm country, April and Joseph grow closer. Yet April fears there’s no future for them. Especially when vicious, too-personal warnings and strange attacks make her wonder just whom Joseph is really trying to protect. And as her unconventional investigation roils a community with much to conceal, April will find some secrets are killer—and some dreams may be too lethal to trust . . .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Writing as Becker, Avi Steinberg a journalist whose works include The Happily Ever After, a memoir partially about writing this novel delivers an underwhelming, paint-by-numbers romance debut. April has been searching her home city of Philadelphia for her sister, Rose, ever since Rose disappeared two weeks ago. April's haphazard investigation leads her to Reading Terminal Market where she finds unexpected allies in Carmen, a bakery owner who offers her a job, and Joseph Young, an Amish man working at the diner next door (and one of the only major characters given a last name). April and Joseph grow close as April's investigation puts her on the trail of Rose's criminal ex-boyfriend and takes her into the heart of Pennsylvania's Amish Country. The chemistry between April and Joseph has to withstand numerous obstacles, including April's troubled past, Joseph's Amish faith, and the mounting danger of the search for Rose. The narrative is heavy on exposition but light on genuine feeling; Becker fast-forwards through the relationship development and key emotional scenes, making the love story between April and Joseph unsatisfying and unbelievable. Though the combination of Amish romance and suspense feels fresh, the central mystery relies heavily on contrivance and Amish culture is presented as little more than set dressing. While a valiant first effort, this lacks heart and comes across as an academic reconstruction of a stock romance.
