The Ebb Tide
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4.6 • 44 Ratings
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
A Heartwarming Tale of Courage and Love from Amish Fiction's #1 Author
When a well-to-do family asks Sallie Riehl to be their daughter's nanny for the summer at their Cape May, New Jersey, vacation home, she jumps at the chance to broaden her horizons beyond the Lancaster County Amish community where she grew up. Sallie has long dreamed of seeing more of the world, but her parents are reluctant for her to put off baptism yet another summer, and the timing is unfortunate for Perry Zook, who has renewed interest in courting her.
Though she loves nannying, Sallie has free time on the weekends to enjoy the shore. It is there that she meets Kevin Kreider, a marine biology student who talks freely about all he's learning and asks about her interests, unlike most of the guys she grew up with. Time with Kevin is invigorating, and Sallie realizes she's never felt quite this alive around Perry. Then again, Kevin is Mennonite, not Amish.
Sallie tries to brush aside her growing feelings for Kevin, but she fears what her parents would think about her new friendship. Just as concerning, however, is Sallie's realization that her time in Cape May is increasing her desire to see the world, challenging her plans for the future. Has she been too hasty with her promises, or will Sallie only find what her heart is longing for back home in Paradise Township?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bestseller Lewis (The Wish) continues her streak of affecting, enjoyable Amish tales with this story of a young woman in present-day Lancaster County, Penn., who's eager to see the world. Sallie Riehl is the youngest of 10 children. Her older siblings have settled down, but she has always had a case of wanderlust and has been saving her money to travel to Australia as her last opportunity for adventure before being baptized into the Amish community. When those long-awaited plans change, she jumps at the chance to spend the summer as a nanny for a young girl in Cape May, N.J. even though it means delaying her baptism another year and leaving a would-be suitor behind. While there, she discovers the wonders of a world she has never known. She also encounters Kevin Kreider, a Mennonite with family ties to the Amish. As the two become friends, she is torn between her loving family at home and the lure of the larger world. Sallie must struggle and pray to figure out what God wants of her. Fans of Lewis's work or Amish fiction in general will relish this heartwarming story of self-discovery, friendship, and the search for God's will.
Customer Reviews
Latest novel by Beverly Lewis!
The Ebb Tide is a new Amish novel by author Beverly Lewis. Sallie Riehl is just shy of twenty years old and lives with her family in Paradise Township, Pennsylvania. Sallie has yet to join the Old Order Amish community, because she has dreamed of traveling for years. Her goal is a trip to Australia, and she has finally saved up enough money. Sallie purchases her trip and announces to her family that she will be leaving in two weeks. The Riehl family receives news that Aaron, Sallie’s four years old newphew, has a heart murmurer. He needs tests and possibly surgery. Vernon, Aaron’s father and Sallie’s brother, is worried about the costs. Sallie knows what she most due and cancels her trip. The money is put towards Aaron’s tests. But when God closes a door, he opens a window. Sallie is asked to be a nanny for the summer for young Autumn Logan in Cape May, New Jersey. This will be Sallie’s chance to travel. It would mean, though, putting off her baptism instruction classes for another year (much to her mother’s dismay). Sallie’s parents agree, and she is quickly off to the seashore. Sallie takes Autumn to visit the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center and meets intern, Kevin Kreider. Kevin is studying to be a marine biologist and is a Mennonite. Kevin and Sallie start spending time together. Sallie knows she can only be friends with Kevin, but she greatly enjoys his company. At the end of the summer, Sallie returns home. But she is not content upon her return. Sallie needs to reflect and decide what she wants for her future.
The Ebb Tide is a well-written and engaging novel. I liked the characters and the setting. Cape May sounds just beautiful. I felt that the book had a good flow and was well-paced. The religious aspect of the novel is not as light as in other Amish novels, but it is not dominant or overwhelming. We are shown how prayer, love, faith and reflection can help (benefit) a person’s life and those around them. I appreciated that the author included an epilogue that nicely wrapped up the story. I give The Ebb Tide 4 out of 5 stars. I found The Ebb Tide to be a lovely novel. It is a nice break from what is going on in the world. I did feel that it was a little too long, but, otherwise, I liked it. I look forward to reading the next Beverly Lewis novel when it releases.