"Lost and Found" by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Lost and Found (Sept. 26, 2023) by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

<This is a standalone novel, but also takes place in Stoney Ridge.>

When she sees a poem mentioning her, Trudy Yoder sees it as a sign that her friendship with Micah Weaver is ready to turn romantic. They’re both passionate about birding, and they converse with ease. Then Micah turns aloof and is short with her. He’s so distracted that it’s like the problem at Wonder Lake is no big deal! What’s worse is that he wants to leave Stoney Ridge. Bishop David Stoltzfus is considering relocating the Old Order Amish community somewhere else. Things are tense with the Beachy Amish community that has settled amongst them. Micah researches and presents to David that McNairy County, Tennessee, might be an ideal place to re-settle. He volunteers to go on the trip to gather information, but his interest lies in distraught phone messages he’s gotten from Shelley, Trudy’s older sister, who fled to the outside world to become a singer. Trudy is devastated at the possible loss of Micah, who won’t stay if the Beachy Amish build at Wonder Lake, and of the Old Order community, as her father will never uproot without Shelley. Micah is a twitcher, one skilled at finding rare birds, so if anyone can find Shelley somewhere in Tennessee, it’s Micah. Micah’s been smitten with Shelley for years, so when he drops everything to find her, he leaves Trudy with nothing but the chores on Lost Creek Farm. Micah hasn’t been straight with Trudy, leaving Stoney Ridge for her sister, whose shadow she’s always been in. There’s a good chance Trudy will no longer have time for him. And Micah will learn that what you’re looking for may not match the picture in your mind.

            Undoubtedly, this Amish fiction tale from Woods Fisher is winsome with its close-knit community theme, faith base and family connectedness. Shelley’s potential return to the fold throws a wrench into Trudy and Micah’s friendship, while the liberal Beachy Amish threaten the Old Order community’s permanence in Stoney Ridge. There is much to untangle in this story. From characters who love birding and want to protect the land to encourage bird life to tensions between communities and peoples to the cleanest love triangle tale, this story  makes one think about family, community, nature, the traditions that have always been and looking ahead to forward progress. The story’s interspersed with Trudy’s Bird-Watching Log, which is very informative, and there’s no way to forget the endearing characters, including Hank Lapp (you can’t miss him, he’s SO LOUD!).

            Favorite line: “We don’t grieve as those who have no hope…but we do grieve.” --Amos Lapp

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”