Almost Amish ~ A book review

I've been reading a lot lately and have some great books to review for you.  Today I'm reviewing

 Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman.

 

Synopsis:

Over-committed and overwhelmed, Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She knows she should feel blessed as a mother and wife--but she just feels exhausted. And then, the miraculous happens. Her sister-in-law Susan, a Martha Stewart-in-training, lands the chance to participate in a reality TV series about trying to live like the Amish and needs another family to join her. It's just the break Julie needs.

But the summer adventure in simple living soon proves anything but simple. With the camera watching every move, Susan's drive for perfection feels a lot like what they left behind, while Julie suddenly finds herself needing to stand up for slowing down. Whether it's cooking, cleaning, or dressing differently, each new Amish challenge raises new complications... and soon each woman learns unexpected lessons about herself and her family.

My Review:
This is my first time reading a book written by Kathryn Cushman.  Her premise was very different from anything I've ever read.  The storyline follows an extended family unit as they participate in a television reality show.  

The most striking thing for me about this book was that it almost demands introspection by the reader.  The 2 main characters are sisters-in-law and couldn't be more different.  One is a Type-A control freak and the other is a Type-B free spirit that struggles with boundaries. I spent the whole book examining my reactions to certain situations.  I saw myself in both extreme personalities, particularly Susan with her need for perfection and tendency to judge others.   

Many of us desire simplicity, but just because life is simpler doesn't mean it's easier.  These women and their children have to learn a totally new lifestyle, and I really enjoyed how their teenage kids embraced the process without too much protest.  Seeing Julie grow and become more confident was wonderful to see and I was rooting for her every time she stood up for her loved ones.

I thought it was great how the end of the book follows up with how the ladies have changed and how they applied those changes to their lives after the show ended.

Not many fiction books cause intense self examination, so I adored it for that reason.  While it was hard initially for me to get drawn into the story line...once I did, I couldn't put it down.

 In exchange for my honest review, I received a copy of the book from Bethany House.