Unbreakable ~ A Book Review

 Today I'm reviewing the second book in the Road to Kingdom series by Nancy Mehl ~ Unbreakable

Synopsis:

Gentle and unassuming, Hope Kauffman has never been one to question the traditions of her Mennonite upbringing. She quietly helps her father run Kingdom Quilts and has agreed to the betrothal he arranged for her with the devout but shy Ebbie Miller.

Despite the attempts of Hope and other Kingdom residents to maintain the status quo, changes have already begun to stir in the small Mennonite town. The handsome and charismatic Jonathon Wiese is the leader of the move to reform, while Ebbie insists Kingdom must remain true to its foundation. When Hope's safety is threatened by a mysterious outsider, she can't help but question what she's always been taught about the Mennonite tradition of nonviolence.

As it swiftly becomes apparent the threat Hope faced is only the beginning, the town that's always stood so strong finds itself divided. With tensions high and their lives endangered by an unknown enemy, will Hope and the people of Kingdom allow fear and division to break them or will they draw on the strength of the God they serve?

My Review:

I reviewed Inescapable last year and was looking forward to spending more time in the Kingdom community.  The book begins with us meeting the sweet Hope Kaufmann. She has a loving and kind Father and wonderful friends who adore her.  Hope is sure of herself when things are safe and calm, but begins to question herself when their community is in danger.  She also struggles with her feelings for two very different men, Jonathan and Ebbie. 

I enjoyed this book. While it didn't have the safe heart pounding danger Inescapable had, there was an element of not knowing what would happen next.  This Mennonite community is very different than what I would picture that lifestyle to be like.  While I'm not a pacifist, I appreciated the self examination Hope and those around did while they faced the possibility that someone would wish them harm.  They had to decide if they would turn the other cheek and stand firm in their ideals of nonviolence even when their loved ones were in danger.  

I especially liked the end of the book where Hope decides which man she will marry.  Neither was a villain, and so her choice could not be cut and dried.   

Unbreakable is a book that keeps you guessing and may also lead to come self examination of your own beliefs, and that's the kind of book I like best. 

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