A Season for the Heart

Set in a Mennonite community in Indiana near the end of World War II, A Season for the Heart, by J. M. Hochstetler, asks age old questions such as "Why does a God who is good allow war and suffering?" and "How do I learn to be content with what God has given me?" Ellie has just finished high school and is working to pay room and board for college so she can become a teacher. Her old boyfriend, who is not a Mennonite, wants to get back together. This causes all of the yearning Ellie had for things "plain" people don't have and don't do to return with a vengeance. Jude, a neighbor's son, was abused as a child and ran away to join the Marines. He was severely wounded on Iwo Jima and is now returning back to his widowed mother and to the home place he never wanted to see again. Jude wonders if there is even a God, and if so how could he allow war, abuse, and suffering.

With the kindnesses of neighbors, Jake's heart begins to soften. But several traumatic events to Ellie and her family cause his heart to harden. This is a sweet story of how God never gives up on people and how, through the love shown by believers, good can come from it all. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

This was a read that drew me in and didn't let go. A young man that dealt with abuse problems his whole life leaves his Mennonite community and becomes a Marine, this is WWII time.
Then we are given a young women who is also a Mennonite and wants to spread her wings. She has a desire to be a teacher and has won a scholarship.
Jude comes home broken, and has a long recovery. Ellie and he are neighbors, and her family believes on helping neighbors, thus they are together a lot.
There are a lot of decisions here, some good, some questionable, but there is also a lot of compassion and love for fellow men.
Will Jude come to terms with all that has happened to him, can he forgive his past? Will Ellie become a teacher? Answers come and we have a great read to lead us to them!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher BooksGoSocial, and was not required to give a positive review.

I just finished this story. Wow!
This was a different kind of story by this author and I wasn't disappointed by any means.
A lot of drama unfolds throughout this book. Lots of past and present hurts that Jude and Ellie are dealing with.
My heart went out to both of them. I wanted to pull them in for a big hug because of they've went through.
Each has to forgive in order to move on and have peace for themselves. Can they do it?
Some twists and turns that I didn't see coming either which is what made this wonderful story a page turner.
I didn't want this story to end. These characters have touched my heart in more ways than one.
Especially Jude. He's my favorite simply because of all he's endured from family and war.
Sometimes we don't see or realize things that are happening to the ones we love until it's almost too late.
I will leave you with this thought
The grass isn't always greener on the other side. It might look it to others but really it's not.
Here's a quote;
“It’s funny that I had to go halfway around to world to
find out that this is where I belong. And where I want to be with ith you. Always."
There is some faith element in this story but not overly much.
And another one
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven . . . A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to love, and a time to hate. A time of war, and a time of peace.
And so, too, a season for the heart.
I want to mention that I learned something about the Mennonite church. I wish more stories were written about them.
5 stars from me. I highly recommend it.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

I received this book for free from @netgalley for my honest opinion. This book is set historically in the WWII era in Indiana. You will walk alongside Jude (Judah) as he grapples with his faith (or lack of), his trauma from the war and his father and his crippling injuries from war. Alternatively you’ll also walk alongside Ellie as she struggles with chasing her dream of teaching and life outside of the Mennonite community she lives in or remaining and following her heart. There are references to war, war injuries, farm injuries, and attempted force on a woman. I gave this book 5 stars due to the historical accuracy of the time, smooth writing, storyline and overall sweetness of it all. I enjoyed myself immensely with this read and really appreciated how the author shared with us how her novel was inspired by her parents experiences in the Indiana Amish/Mennonite community.

Although Judah Mast was raised Mennonite and nonresistant, he joined to serve as a Marine in WWII. What will await him upon returning home severely injured? Will he be accepted into the close-knit community?

A story of coming to terms with your past, mercy, grace, redemption, and finding what your heart has always longed for.

Releases Nov. 1st. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.