Four years ago, having a child out of wedlock changed everything for Tessa Miller—including her engagement to Amish farmer Caleb Yoder. Now she’s determined to provide a better life for her son…even if it means working for her ex-fiancé. Only spending time with Caleb makes it harder to keep her past a secret. Will revealing the truth lead to forgiveness…and a second chance together? (Goodreads)

Book one of Secret Amish Babies was cute. It was a very wholesome and sweet story. There was some major miscommunication between the two main characters, and that idea was continued in book two. However, the stuff that happens in Her Forbidden Amish Child is just messed up. If anything, it just points to flaws in Amish culture. Knowing that there are people who do behave like the people in this book is already upsetting, but taking that and using it as a basis for a supposedly comfy romance is sickening. The repetitiveness from the first book also spilled over to this one.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 2/5

Should you read it?

I would recommend skipping this one. This book contains the following triggers (please note that there may be more, this is just what I figured was most important to mention): Sexual assault, PTSD, Alcoholism, and Sexual harassment.

Book Information: Goodreads

Published: June 15, 2022

Leigh Bale: Goodreads, Twitter, Official Site

When Amish midwife Lovina Albrecht finds an abandoned baby, she’s determined to give the child a home for the holidays—even if doing so brings up difficult memories. But she’s not prepared for her bishop to assign standoffish Jonah Lapp to help care for the little girl. As their temporary arrangement begins to feel like family, can they overcome old hurts to build a future? (Goodreads)

I have been tempted to find out what the hype was about Amish romance, so I decided to read this. I was in a bit of a reading slump and needed something simple to cleanse my brain. 

The Midwife's Christmas Wish is the first book in the Secret Amish Babies series by Leigh Bale. From what I understand, this means that each book will probably take place within the same Amish community. So, while each story will focus on different characters, previous ones may make an appearance. 

Overall, it is a charming and cute story that I could easily see as a Hallmark movie. As a book, though, it is infuriatingly repetitive. Do we really need the synopsis of the whole story repeated in every chapter? Each time a character has to take a moment to think, everything that inspires their reasoning for their current behavior must be refreshed. Why?

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 3/5

Should you read it?

If you read a lot of Amish romance, you will probably like it. Also probably a good pick for those who like Hallmark movies and "clean" romance.

Book & Author Information: Goodreads

Published: November 30th, 2021

Leigh Bale: Goodreads, Twitter, Official Site