The Photograph

Written by Beverly Lewis

Narrated by Christina Moore and Stina Nielsen

Eva Esch and her sisters are in a predicament. With the passing of their widowed mother, Eva's older brother plans to move his growing family into the Eden Valley farmhouse where they all grew up, leaving little room for his three single sisters. Unless they marry within the year, the only apparent option is for two sisters to go to Indiana to live with an elderly great aunt. Eva hopes to be married, but she isn't sure she wants to give up her sweet shop for the life of a farmer's wife. And she can't see how her prospects would be any better in Indiana. When younger sister Lily disappears in the night, leaving only a brief note, Eva fears she has been wooed away from the People by an outsider. And when Jed Stutzman, a young Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up at Eva's market stand in Lancaster with a photo of a Plain young woman, Eva's world begins to tilt. She feels powerfully drawn to the quietly charming stranger--but the woman in the forbidden photograph is no stranger at all ...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 8, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490694603

Beverly Lewis

Beverly Lewis (beverlylewis.com), born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than 19 million books in print. Her stories have been published in 12 languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today. Beverly and her husband, David, live in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, making music, and spending time with their family.

Reviews for The Photograph

[kevin shumway · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was such an incredibly touching story, reminding one to never loose heart!

[Leslie Wolf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a beautiful story! It was clean and she always writes a great book!

[whybehave2002 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beverly Lewis is an amazing author! There is never that moment that you are holding the book and wondering if you should read it. It's more like how can I shift my schedule so that I can start reading it right away. A warm family story with the angst of the young on the edge of spreading their wings.

[rrnicovich · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed reading this book by Beverly Lewis which I received from Bethany House Publishers through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program. The Amish lifestyle is interesting and I enjoyed the characters. I recommend this book for a light, cozy read.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When Jeb Stutzman begins his journey from Holmes County, Ohio to Eden Valley, Pennsylvania, his life is about to change again. He is still reeling from the sudden death of his beloved fiancé a year ago, and having trouble recovering and moving on with his life. He works for his Uncle learning and possibly taking over his buggy building business.While on the bus he finds a copy of Little Women wedged between the seat, and in it a picture of a beautiful Amish woman, a graven image, how could she be Amish and taking picture? This simple photo is about to change his life when he meets, or thinks he does, the girl in the photo.Eva and her sister Frona are barely hanging on after their younger sister Lily left to go English, their brother Menno has also dropped a bomb that he wants to take his birthright and live in the family home. Someone is going to have to leave and Eva will have to close her candy store, Menno and his family need the room.What is about to happen makes this book a page turner, and a delightful read, come along and experience the trial and tribulations of wanting to move on with their lives and feeling the loss of their beloved sister.I received this book through Bethany House Publishers Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review.

[polarmath · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An interesting story of family and understanding. I really enjoyed learning about the characters and what made them as they were. Three sisters have been living in the family farmhouse, but when their father dies and leaves it to their brother, they must make other plans. The brother does not feel like the sisters will be useful and wants all but one gone. When the youngest leaves altogether, this cause problems as it seems that she has left the Amish faith. I liked seeing the family dynamics and how the did not just accept how things were, but worked for what they believed in. I received this book free to review from the publisher.

[robin661_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The PhotographBeverly LewisBook Summary: Eva Esch and her sisters are in a predicament. With the passing of their widowed mother, Eva's older brother Menno plans to move his growing family into the Eden Valley farmhouse where they all grew up, leaving little room for his three single sisters. Surely, Menno reasons, at least one of them will marry this coming wedding season. Eva does hope to marry, but she isn't sure she wants to give up her sweet shop for the life of a farmer's wife, and she has no other prospects. When younger sister, Lily, disappears in the night, leaving only a brief note, Eva fears she has been wooed away from the People by an outsider. And when Jed Stutzman, a young Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up in Lancaster with a photo of a Plain young woman, Eva's world begins to tilt. She feels powerfully drawn to the quietly charming stranger--but the woman in the forbidden photograph is no stranger at all. . . .Review: I read Ms. Lewis’ newsletter where she made some comment about this was one of her personal favorites. I can honestly say that there is good reason for that. This story was riveting and I read it in one extended period of time. I found the characters to be so real I almost would expect to meet the if I were to go to the Lancaster area today. The time period was the 80’s and yet it could be today. I loved the main characters Eva and Jed while almost too perfect they were believable and lovable. The story was so seamlessly woven that I found I almost had to read it in a day to do the story justice. There was no long extended period of time occurring and things came together so effortlessly that I would have thought Ms. Lewis wrote it quickly, although from her newsletter it would seem the story was a long time coming. I am so glad that she was willing to share this story. It truly was ordinary and special all in one. The theme simple and magical. There is real tragedy all around both main characters and they do not down play the healing process, yet despite the tragedy this is not a story about weeping. There are many elements to the plot (loss of life, a wayward sister, uncertainty, and misunderstanding) and through it all I wanted the story to never end. I could go on and on but the best advice is dive in and see for yourself.I would like to thank Net Galley and Bethany House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Photograph by Beverly Lewis is her latest Amish fiction book. It is 1980 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Eva Esch lives with her sisters Frona and Lily in the family home. Both of their parents have passed away and the farm went to the youngest son, Menno (a pompous blowhard with a big head). Menno has been working the farm since their father passed away, but his family does not live on the farm. Menno has decided to take over the farmhouse and the three sisters cannot stay (can you believe him). Menno said that there would be room for one sister if she would agree to be his wife’s helper with the children (how considerate of him). Eva has helped support the sisters with her candy shop, The Sweet Tooth. Their father added the structure to the house when Eva was a young teenager and showed a gift for making confections. Menno considers it a nice hobby, but told Eva that she cannot expect to do it forever (you just want to slap him).Lily is the youngest sister and she has been acting strangely since their mother passed away. The day after Menno announces he is going to move in, Lily is gone. She left a note stating she does not wish to stay Amish. She is going “fancy” and does not wish to be found. The family wants to find her as well as the bishop. They start sending out letters of inquiry to family and friends. Can they find Lily before it is too late?Jeb is an apprentice buggy maker in Berlin, Ohio. He lost his fiancé, Lydiann a year ago. He had been hoping to take over his Uncle Ervin buggy business when he retired, but things have changes since a new apprentice has arrived. The new apprentice, Perry Hostetler is already a member of the church and has plans to marry. Just the type of person Uncle Ervin wants to leave his business to. Jeb had planned to join the church with his fiancé before their wedding. Uncle Ervin is sending Jeb to Pennsylvania to learn how they make their buggies (just for a week) from Jonas Byler. While on the train, Jeb discovers a copy of Little Women. It has notes in the margins about the book (he likes how thoughtful and insightful they are) as well as a photograph. He finds himself intrigued about the woman who wrote the notes (as well as the photo) and wonders if he will meet her. A couple of days later at an auction, Jeb is pleasantly surprised to meet the woman in the photo, Eva Esch.Jeb and Eva get a chance to spend a little time together before he has to go home. But then he shows her the photograph. Will these two be able to overcome a misunderstanding (as well as a lack of communication)? Who will find Lily and will she be willing to come home? You will just have to read The Photograph to find out.I enjoyed reading The Photograph. It is just a lovely book. It is well-written and makes the book so easy to read (the book just flows beautifully which makes it pleasurable to read). I did get frustrated by the lack of communication between people in the book. Speaking plainly would be so much easier than all the misunderstandings (and confusion). I also could not understand how a father could leave his daughters without a home or any provisions in his will (or even making sure that the brother would always give them a home). The brother who inherited can just walk in and toss them out. To me this seems to go against what we hear about the Amish (how they embrace family). Without these things, though, we would not have the book to read! I give The Photograph 4.5 out of 5 stars. I look forward to reading Beverly Lewis’ next book.I received a complimentary copy of The Photograph from NetGalley and won a copy from the publisher through LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[passionforbooks_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have been a huge fan of author Beverly Lewis for many, many, years. I have read all of her Amish fiction books and have loved them all; some more than others. In my opinion, this is her best book ever. I loved The Photograph. It is a book of faith, love, hope, and forgiveness. When we leave the comfort of our family and loved ones, can we ever come home again? When we've lost our way, can we find it again? I love a good Christian fiction book that relies on God's Word and prayer. This is one such book.I won this book on LibraryThing to read and review. My thanks to Bethany House for providing me with an Advance Review Copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone. I highly recommend this book.

[hobbitprincess · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Three sisters share a house after their parents pass away, but one disappears. This book has many of the same themes that are prevalent in Lewis's other writing. Young people struggle with their Amish heritage while others embrace it thoroughly. There is romance, both on again and off again. There are challenges with dealing with the modern world versus the Amish community. I have read so many of Lewis's books that they all begin to run together. Only the names seems to change. The story was decent, and I enjoyed the read, but from the first five pages, I knew exactly what was going to happen. The characters did not surprise me, nor did the plot lines. If you enjoy Amish fiction, it's worth reading.

[kykim-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Photograph by Beverly Lewis is an awesome read full of twists and turns.Three young sisters, whose parents are recently deceased, must make decisions about their futures. Their four older brothers are all married with families of their own. The youngest, Menno, has inherited the family farm, and lets the three sisters know he plans to move his family into the home. There isn't enough room for everyone so they will have to make plans for their futures.Frona the oldest sister, is a worrier, always trying to look out for for her younger sisters. A position that an oldest often takes (speaking from experience).The youngest sister Lily, decides to leave and become fancy. Which shakes everyone in her family as well as the community up, as they try to find her.And the middle sister, Eva Esch, who dreams of being in love with whoever her future husband might be. Eva has a candy store that her father built for her, scared it will no longer be in her future as her brother takes over the family farm.Jed Stutzman, a buggy maker from Ohio, who shows up in Eden Valley, finds a photo of a beautiful young Amish woman stuck in a book, along with personal notes. Eva feels drawn to this handsome young stranger.An enjoyable read as you visit Eden Valley, meet the Esch sisters and follow along with the troubles of their lives. I enjoyed this book as much I do all of Beverly Lewis's books. Look for it on September 8, 2015 I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review.

[julie3billing · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Always excited to see another Macomber book, and especially so now that I've finished this one. The Photograph brings three sisters who have lost their parents and are coping with the changes in their lives. They are each finding their way and are strong in different ways, but the youngest sister decides to leave the Plain community. While I always enjoy Macomber's books, the style, depth and heart in this one seemed to be a little more on par with some of the older ones that I originally fell in love with (The Shunning, Abraham's Daughters, etc.). Review based on advanced reader copy. Look for The Photograph in September.

[drebbles · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Eva Esch is still reeling from her mother's death when her sister Lily disappears. She fears Lily will leave the Amish to become Englisch - fears that seem realized when Jed Stutzman shows up with a picture of Lily. Jed himself is still reeling from his fiancée's death but finds himself attracted to the woman in the photo including notes she left in a copy of Little Women. When he finally meets Eva he quickly falls for her and she falls for him but what will happen when he realizes she is not the woman in the photo?“The Photograph” is another nicely done book by Beverly Lewis set among the Amish. The plot of this book is interesting and different as the Amish normally do not have their pictures taken. While the romance between Jed and Eva is nicely done (why aren’t there more Jeds in real life?) the heart of the story is Eva, her family, and the changes they are going through - from the death of their parents, to their brother wanting to move into their house, to the disappearance of Lily. This is nicely done and readers really get to know Eva as a character and pull for her as she deals with the changes. I do wish we had seen more of Lily in the outside world - her struggles aren't nearly as developed as Eva’s are and her storyline is a bit too neatly wrapped up. Jed’s story, while heartbreaking, is also a bit underdeveloped but I do love the interactions between him and Eva. Lewis, as always does an excellent job of portraying life among the Amish. In the end, I was sorry to see this book end and I hope that in future books Lewis lets us know what is happening to these characters much like she lets us know in this book what has been happening with some of the characters from “The River”.“The Photograph” is another good book by Beverly Lewis.

[mom2acat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When her sister Lily disappears from their Amish community only a few months after their mother's passing, Eva Esch fears she has been wooed away from the People. Unfortunately, Lily's disappearance isn't the only concern for Eva and their older sister Frona. She and her sisters must relocate when their brother and his family take over the family farmhouse; where will they go? And will her only choice be to be marry, even though she is not ready?Soon after Lily's disappearance, Jed Stutzmen, an Amish buggy maker from Ohio, shows up in Eden Valley with a picture of a Plain young woman, wearing Amish clothing, yet staring boldly at the camera. Eva feels drawn to the charming stranger, but the woman in the forbidden photograph turns out to be no stranger after all.While this was an enjoyable story to read, I feel like I've read this same plot and storyline before. A lot of "bonnet books" (Amish fiction) are like that, especially if you've read as many of them as I have, but coming from the "Queen of Amish Fiction", I expected more from this author. I felt like this book was written just to "churn out another story" for the publishing company.I won a free advance reader copy of this book from Library Thing. This book will be released for sale on September 8, 2015.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Eva Esch is grounded in her faith in God and her belief in her Amish community. The grief she feels with the sudden death of her father, and then just a few years later, when her mother, too, dies, is shared and lessened by the love of her sisters and one her mother's close friends. But when her brother Menno declares his intentions of taking over the family's home, her life is thrown into turmoil. Worse yet, her younger sister disappears. Now Eva must make some serious decisions. What can she do to find Lily? Should she marry someone she cares for but doesn't love just to have a place to live? Can she survive on her own if need be? And to complicate matters, a handsome man comes for a visit to her little community. Life may be plain for Eva, but it is anything but simple! Author Beverly Lewis has given us another interesting and entertaining Amish tale. A story of choices, of relationships, of family and trust in God, there are a few unexpected twists along the way to keep you wondering how it will all turn out. But whatever happens, you know it was meant to be.

[bandings · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"The Photograph" is another wonderful Amish story by author Beverly Lewis. I am always impressed that Ms Lewis can come up with yet another interesting story, create new characters that are different from previous characters, and include story elements that mimic none of her other many books involving the Amish.I learn so much from Lewis' books, and feel confident that her research is solid -- so when I read, for instance, about buggy making in this book, I can be sure that what I learn is trustworthy.As would be expected, there are some parts of the story that are similar to other Amish stories (there is nothing new under the sun). There is a character that leaves her Amish community to discover life in the outside world. There is romance planted, romance thwarted, romance redeemed. There are communication breakdowns. However, for all the "typical" Amish situations, this book includes things that have not been found in Lewis' other books. I would be disappointed if Ms Lewis ever wrote a different type of book; it would be terrible if she ever tried to re-create a Tom Clancy-style novel, for example. She shines at writing stories about the Amish.The story moved along quickly; I was able to finish the book in a few hours' reading time. I look forward to reading it again in the future.