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Brides of Webster County #4
Allison's Journey
Growing up with her impatient, disinterested aunt and five older brothers, Allison Troyer is more comfortable playing ball than keeping house. Now, the nineteen-year-old tomboy must learn to run an Amish household. But a future of domestic bliss is hopeless; her lack of femininity will repel any potential husband. Aaron Zook and his family have finally recovered from the heartache of their father's death. Refusing to revisit such pain, Aaron vows never to marry. When his baseball team gets stuck with the new girl, aggravation quickly changes to admiration. Allison is like no girl he has ever met... and he likes that. Will Allison's journey in life take her in another direction, just when love seemed possible? Fall in love with this inspiring love story and our entire collection of Christian romance novels from Heartsong Presents!
176 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
About the author
Wanda E. Brunstetter
192 books2,235 followersNew York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.
Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.
Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
February 22, 2017
A fabulous finale.
July 24, 2021
I have finished the quadrilogy of Brides of Webster County series, the last book being Allison’s Journey by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Allison Troyer was given a bus ticket to Webster County, Missouri by her father for her birthday. She was going to stay with her aunt’s family, her mother’s twin sister, and learn how to run a household since she had never learned to cook or sew well. Her aunt Catherine, her father’s sister, had raised her and her brothers after their mother had died in a buggy accident and had never taught any of these skills to her. Allison made many new friends and started a close relationship with Aaron Zook. I enjoyed this final book in this series and highly recommend it.
October 11, 2018
To be clear this is not very good writing, but I’d be lying to say I didn’t enjoy it. 😂
November 24, 2018
I loved this book!! Great story!!! Loved this series!! Love this author's books!!
October 9, 2011
Ah Amish romances, I don't think there's anything better for lifting my spirits a bit while I'm down. This one wasn't too bad, it had some plausible conflict but still was a nice gentle story.
Allison has been sent to live with her cousins for the summer. The reason being is that her dad felt she was becoming too tomboyish and that she could learn to be a proper lady there since she wasn't learning it from her crabby aunt's teachings. Once she reaches her cousins, she discovers she likes it there and starts learning different things. She also makes new friends and even sparks the interest of Aaron, who previously never had anything to do with girls. But as much as Allison would like to stay, there are duties that call her back home to her father's.
Allison was a great character. It was refreshing to see an Amish girl be a tomboy for once in a novel and like things that boys should like. Aaron wasn't quite as nice of a character, he had a lot of conflicting emotions and I couldn't quite figure out where they all came from. The side characters were all nice too and it was nice to see that they weren't all wise leaders, that some of them had problems of their own as well.
For a plot I thought this one was nice. It kept to something that could definitely happen in an Amish community and also explored them moving to different communities. That was something I haven't seen much written about before. Since this is Amish fiction it can be considered Christian fiction. It was pretty light in the first part of this book but got heavier later on. And that's where I ran into a problem with the book. It seemed that as soon as Allison found herself, she was desperate to go rescue everyone else. It just seemed like maybe she should have reflected on her own beliefs and changes before rushing out to save others.
A very nice Amish fiction book. I'll definitely check more out by Brunstetter.
Allison's Journey
Copyright 2008
284 pages + recipe for peanut brittle
Review by M. Reynard 2011
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com .
Allison has been sent to live with her cousins for the summer. The reason being is that her dad felt she was becoming too tomboyish and that she could learn to be a proper lady there since she wasn't learning it from her crabby aunt's teachings. Once she reaches her cousins, she discovers she likes it there and starts learning different things. She also makes new friends and even sparks the interest of Aaron, who previously never had anything to do with girls. But as much as Allison would like to stay, there are duties that call her back home to her father's.
Allison was a great character. It was refreshing to see an Amish girl be a tomboy for once in a novel and like things that boys should like. Aaron wasn't quite as nice of a character, he had a lot of conflicting emotions and I couldn't quite figure out where they all came from. The side characters were all nice too and it was nice to see that they weren't all wise leaders, that some of them had problems of their own as well.
For a plot I thought this one was nice. It kept to something that could definitely happen in an Amish community and also explored them moving to different communities. That was something I haven't seen much written about before. Since this is Amish fiction it can be considered Christian fiction. It was pretty light in the first part of this book but got heavier later on. And that's where I ran into a problem with the book. It seemed that as soon as Allison found herself, she was desperate to go rescue everyone else. It just seemed like maybe she should have reflected on her own beliefs and changes before rushing out to save others.
A very nice Amish fiction book. I'll definitely check more out by Brunstetter.
Allison's Journey
Copyright 2008
284 pages + recipe for peanut brittle
Review by M. Reynard 2011
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com .
September 16, 2020
A journey of hope, this was a heartwarming story.
August 31, 2017
Seymour (Webster County) Missouri is only about two hours from my home so when I go to Springfield, I drive through the town--a trip that is not complete without an Amish sighting! It was nice to "drive down" the dusty backroads with Ms. Brunstetter and 'see" the community through her eyes.
ALLISON'S JOURNEY is a sweet, slow romance involving very young couples. There are many many points of view in this story, not just hero and heroine, which surprised me, but it was nice to know, for example, what Allison's dad thought of his sister, Catherine and her behavior. And it was nice to know what Aunt Mary really thought of Allison's lack of skills.
It was interesting watching how Allison grew from being a tomboy who knew nothing about homemaking to being more than capable and even liking it.
If you like Amish romances and missed this book when it came out with Heartsong Presents many many long years ago, you have an opportunity to read it again as Barbour reissued it. Grab your copy now.
I received a copy of this book free and all opinions are my own.
May 19, 2016
This was a good! A great way to end the series! Wanda Brunstetter is my favorite Amish author!
January 29, 2019
Back in Webster County for the fourth time, and sadly the final time. Remember when we first met Aaron Zook, way back in 'On Her Own', the second book in this series. He was just a small guy at the ripe old age of 9 at the time. He's spotlighted in 'Dear to Me' as his friends fall in love and he continues to eschew the idea. Well, the Aaron I adored all that time ago is now all grown up, still chaffing at the bit working with Paul in the leather shop, and still bound and determined that love and marriage and family are not what he wants. Halfway across the country in Pennsylvania we meet Allison. The epitome of tomboy we re first introduced as she is thrilled to pickles when her brother gives her a new baseball glove. Mind you, she's a grown adult with little in the way of 'wifey' skills like cooking or sewing and minimal interest in cleaning. All things that most people think are the hallmarks of the perfect woman. Just for the record, I am not the perfect woman :D
Here's the thing about this book. I loved it for a myriad of reasons that are so different from why I usually love a book. Allison *is* on a journey, just not the obvious one. She leaves her home to visit her aunt (she doesn't know) in Missouri to learn to be a proper woman which is the obvious journey. However, she's got some other traveling to do. She's got to find her way through the longstanding hurt of losing her mother when she was quite young. She's got to find her way through the resentment and hurt at her aunt (her dad's sister) who moved in to help out after her mother passed away. She's got to deal with the fact that she feels 'faceless' both in life and before God. I loved that description. It covers a multitude of feelings from struggling to find your place in the community or even your family to finding yourself lost in the shuffle before God. Wanda did something here though, that I've never seen before in Amish fiction. Allison found God. She found what she had been missing. Allison found salvation. Not only did she find it herself she became almost a one woman missionary team to help others find what she was missing. Allison shared the plan of salvation with the jerkwad toadnugget of the Missouri community. Allison shared the plan of salvation with her aunt before she passed away (spoiler?). And through Allison, Wanda shared it with every reader that comes across this book.
The reason I love this so much is because it's easy to forget that just because you are raised in church doesn't mean you are saved. Just because you read Amish (or even Christian in general) fiction mean that you are a Christian. I know many non-Christians that enjoy Amish fiction. Go figure? How like Wanda to step into that gap and truly show that even religious people still need salvation. How like Wanda to step into the gap with a gentle reminder that even a group as devout as the Amish still have the need for salvation. And on a completely different note I also adored (SPOILER HERE) that Allison found the love she deserved without having to change who she was. And Aaron? He found that he could fall in love and that it would be OK. He even found the woman who met all his crazy criteria. Just proof that those that search can find love. And those that seek will find; love, salvation, acceptance, whatever. I'm sad to be leaving my backyard as I truly did enjoy this series. But I'm ready for the next one. Just to decide what it will be. . .
Originally posted at https://fizzypopcollection.com/alliso....
Here's the thing about this book. I loved it for a myriad of reasons that are so different from why I usually love a book. Allison *is* on a journey, just not the obvious one. She leaves her home to visit her aunt (she doesn't know) in Missouri to learn to be a proper woman which is the obvious journey. However, she's got some other traveling to do. She's got to find her way through the longstanding hurt of losing her mother when she was quite young. She's got to find her way through the resentment and hurt at her aunt (her dad's sister) who moved in to help out after her mother passed away. She's got to deal with the fact that she feels 'faceless' both in life and before God. I loved that description. It covers a multitude of feelings from struggling to find your place in the community or even your family to finding yourself lost in the shuffle before God. Wanda did something here though, that I've never seen before in Amish fiction. Allison found God. She found what she had been missing. Allison found salvation. Not only did she find it herself she became almost a one woman missionary team to help others find what she was missing. Allison shared the plan of salvation with the jerkwad toadnugget of the Missouri community. Allison shared the plan of salvation with her aunt before she passed away (spoiler?). And through Allison, Wanda shared it with every reader that comes across this book.
The reason I love this so much is because it's easy to forget that just because you are raised in church doesn't mean you are saved. Just because you read Amish (or even Christian in general) fiction mean that you are a Christian. I know many non-Christians that enjoy Amish fiction. Go figure? How like Wanda to step into that gap and truly show that even religious people still need salvation. How like Wanda to step into the gap with a gentle reminder that even a group as devout as the Amish still have the need for salvation. And on a completely different note I also adored (SPOILER HERE) that Allison found the love she deserved without having to change who she was. And Aaron? He found that he could fall in love and that it would be OK. He even found the woman who met all his crazy criteria. Just proof that those that search can find love. And those that seek will find; love, salvation, acceptance, whatever. I'm sad to be leaving my backyard as I truly did enjoy this series. But I'm ready for the next one. Just to decide what it will be. . .
Originally posted at https://fizzypopcollection.com/alliso....
January 30, 2019
Allison Troyer lost her mother in an accident as a child and has never felt close to her Aunt Catherine who came to stay and help raise her and her brothers. Allison's father decides to send her to visit her mother's twin sister and her family in Missouri for the summer, in hopes that Aunt Mary can help Allison learn to cook and sew, things Aunt Catherine has not had the patience to teach her. Allison is hesitant, but ends up enjoying her time outside of Lancaster County, PA, making new friends and learning homemaking skills, as well as finding a personal relationship with God that she has been lacking in her life. She meets Aaron, who lost his father as a child as well. They hit it off and find they have feelings for each other, so much so that Allison thinks she might like to stay longer in Missouri. But then Allison is called home to help out her family when Aunt Catherine is very ill. Allison's heart is torn at leaving Aaron and Missouri, but feels strongly that she should return and help make sure difficult Aunt Catherine has a personal relationship with God too before it is too late. Will Allison break through Aunt Catherine's tough personality, and will she ever see Aaron, her first love, again? Wanda Brunstetter has made this a story of faith, hope, and young love that is so hard to put down until the reader reaches the end. Excellent read!
May 20, 2023
When Allison receives a bus ticket for her birthday to visit her aunt Mary, she feels as if her dad is trying to rid of her. Not sure she wants to go at first, her dad convinces her it would be good for her to go and learn more womanly things, things her Aunt Catharine hasn't been able to teach tomboy Allison. She goes and almost instantly feels at home. The people are so friendly, and Aaron seems to keep popping up wherever she is. Of course, so does James but his antics leave her feeling more anxious than anything else. When she finds herself more at home there then she's felt in Pennsylvania she considers moving there permanently. But when circumstances change at home, she finds herself torn between her heart and her duty.
This was a satisfying end to the series. The series covered first Faith, then Faith's best friend, then Faith's daughter, then Faith's best friend's son. She really could have continued the series, with all the other young people mentioned but she probably decided other stories needed to be told as well
This was a satisfying end to the series. The series covered first Faith, then Faith's best friend, then Faith's daughter, then Faith's best friend's son. She really could have continued the series, with all the other young people mentioned but she probably decided other stories needed to be told as well
April 14, 2024
Allison Troyer is a 19-year-old Amish woman who can’t cook or sew well. Since her mom was killed when she was seven, her father’s single sister Aunt Catherine came to live with them, but never had the patience to teach Allison any housekeeping skills. Worse than that, she spent so much time with her older brothers that she is a tomboy, fond of fishing, playing baseball, and riding horses. Now her father is sending her from Bird-in-hand, Ohio, to her mother’s twin sister in Seymour, Missouri, for three months to learn how to cook, clean and sew so she will be ready for marriage. Allison plans to make good use of her time with her Aunt Mary. She also meets some young people her age, one of whom seems sweet on her. But when Aunt Catherine becomes ill and Allison is called back to Ohio, will her new romance have a chance?
And there is a recipe for peanut brittle included at the end.
And there is a recipe for peanut brittle included at the end.
August 7, 2018
This is the final book in this series, and it's a "wunderbar" story. Allison grew up in Lancaster, PA, rasied by her widowed father and his harsh, unmarried sister. When her father's concern for her lack of womanly skills is matched by his concern for the negative affect his sister is having on his daughter, he sends Allison to his sister-in-law's home in Webster County (where the series takes place). Allison believes she'll never marry because she wasn't trained well in the home, but worse, she believes she has no purpose in life. Through the kindness and tutelage of her aunt, Allison accepts God's love and learns forgiveness and acceptance, in addition to learning sewing and cooking. And she sees a future she never thought possible. Great story.
September 16, 2024
This was another church library book that I’ve read by Wanda Brunstetter, and I enjoyed it as I did the first one I read (A Merry Heart). There were nice themes of forgiveness and trusting God. The gospel of how to become saved and reach heaven was included. It was a more leisurely read, but interesting. The characters did seem to give up quite easily when obstacles came up near the end, thinking their relationship was over. A bit odd, but that’s romance for ya, and it all worked out in the end.
July 19, 2018
I am a very big fan of Amish fiction and this one did not let me down. Follow Allison Troyer as she becomes the woman that she needs to be as she learns the art of being a homemaker and learns to have faith in the good Lord. Anyone who enjoys a sweet story of loss, family, and love will find this story very heart-warming. Wanda Brunstetter always writes a wonderful story!
May 2, 2022
For those who love Amish stories, Wanda E. Brunstetter, writes great stories with a variety of characters from sweet and lovely to wild and daring. A reader can expect to read about the sadness of life, as well as the joys.
This particular story explores young Allison's life which comes with sadness, joys and growth in her faith, and is a nice end the Brides of Webster County series.
This particular story explores young Allison's life which comes with sadness, joys and growth in her faith, and is a nice end the Brides of Webster County series.
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September 21, 2018I love to read the Amish fiction genre and learn new things about the amish way of life. This book was sweet and light. Not a lot happened in the book but 2 people fell in love so that always has a good ending.
May 12, 2017
Lovely novel! I read this years ago and enjoyed it. Great addition to the series.
September 17, 2017
always a good read
February 19, 2019
Loved this story. It is a great story of love, loss and redemption. Faith, love and hope. Just a wonderful story, and I really want a faceless doll now.
August 28, 2019
Good story and great scriptures
November 5, 2019
Beautiful story.
December 9, 2019
Easy to follow and wonderful story.
January 16, 2020
Good Amish book about 2 people that needed each other to overcome heartaches in their lives.
May 26, 2020
It was hard to put down.
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August 4, 2020I read that whole series and loved it!!! Great easy read❤️
January 31, 2021
Very good. The best of the series
See above.So unselfish to give up her love for her duty to her family. All the love she had for others and I. God
See above.So unselfish to give up her love for her duty to her family. All the love she had for others and I. God
October 11, 2021
Nice and cozy Amish romance. A good finish to the Brides of Webster County series.
January 10, 2022
Cute Amish love story, packed full of Amish heritage.
Brunstetter doesn't disappoint.
Brunstetter doesn't disappoint.
January 11, 2022
This was the first book I've read by Wanda E. Brunstetter. It was a good book but pretty predictable where it would end up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews