The Keeper By Suzanne Woods Fisher

(This book is part of the Stoney Ridge Seasons; also part of this series is The Haven)

Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding—again—she knows who is to blame. Perpetual bachelor and spreader of cold feet, Roman Troyer, the Bee Man.
Roamin' Roman travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. He relishes his nomadic life, which keeps him from thinking about all he has lost. He especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia on a mission to punish him for inspiring Paul's cold feet, the Lapp farm is looking decidedly less pleasant.
Can Julia secure the future she's always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?
Full of the plot twists and surprises her fans love, The Keeper is the first in a new series by bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher. Through touching family relationships and trials of the heart, Fisher's vivid characters grapple with yielding to God's will when it doesn't match their own.


I just recently got into the "Amish style books" for lack of a better term; When I was younger I could never get into books themed in the Amish lifestyle but I have begun to find it a fun read and interesting topic to discuss and learn about. And this book is a great example as to why I have begun reading more of these type of books. And like any other book, or most books you begin to like this character more than another character, you really don't like that character, etc. I say this because almost right off the bat I didn't like Julia or Paul Fisher. Julia seemed to be basing her happiness on marrying Paul. I do give sympathy and do understand being emotional when your fiance postpones the wedding (even if it is a valid reason); but when he does it twice, for a grey area reason and gives "i don't know's for answers, red flag girl! Break off the wedding and go your separate ways. That was a big turn off for me. I was always taught that you need to learn to be happy on your own before you get into a relationship. That you cannot depend on a man to keep you happy.
I didn't like Paul because he seemed too impressionable by other family (mainly his mother) and friends opinions. It seemed impossible for him to make a choice or decision on his own. Yes you should take the opinions of those you trust the most seriously but you are the one to make the final choice at the end. He didn't have enough backbone for me. He did seem very sweet and kind, and he seemed to truly care for Julia but he didn't seem to be ready for marriage-especially to Julia.
Uncle Hank bugged me too, he seemed very self involved and didn't seem to care that one of the main reasons why Paul "postponed" the wedding-again, was because of his stint almost a month ago.  Uncle Hanks feelings were pretty much "oh well, you're better off"...which may be true, but show a little compassion!
I do like Julia's siblings. They were very sweet, funny, caring and thoughtful.

I love how the author brought the characters to life, brought realism to the character not just words on a page. The siblings in the book were very realistic, I grew up with one younger sister and two older and I could see siblings doing and/or saying what they did. At times I felt she got a bit wordy but she holds your attention throughout the entire book. And since I found out this book IS part of a series I definitely am going to keep my eyes open for the rest of the books. I really enjoyed her writing style and look forward to reading more of her books:)

I received this book for review from LitFuse