Lilly Allen has had her share of life's ups and downs. With the loss of her baby weighing heavy on her heart, she receives another shock that sends her reeling. She finds comfort in an unexpected corner, in the presence of Robert Miller, an Amish man. His simple ways and quiet demeanor give her the strength to silence her troubles. He quite simply soothes her. The more time Lilly spends with him, the more she knows that she is falling in love with him. Is she prepared to give up all of her modern conveniences to embrace what it is to be Amish? Is her love enough to break through all those barriers?

Robert Miller has had his portion of troubles, but he keeps on going. As a young widower, his life was over before it ever had a chance to truly begin. When he meets Lilly, his world brightens and he now is able to focus on the future instead of lingering in the past. He never expected God would send him an Englisher to fill the void in his heart. He knows he has been given a gift, but she is not Amish and he has made vows to the church. Will Lilly sacrifice everything she knows to enter his world? Or is he asking too much?

Shelley Shepard Gray is back to doing what she does best -- writing sweet and tender Amish romances. However, Lilly and Robert's romance is not typical. In most cases, an English girl and an Amish widower do not mix or even make for an interesting pair. Lilly and Robert have some huge obstacles to hurdle for them to see if loving each other is really worth the price. We have seen Lilly grow through the series and it is nice to see her have her chance at happiness. Ms. Gray continues to encourage and to pen wonderful stories with believable characters. AUTUMN'S PROMISE illustrates that God is in control and that there is always light at the end of the tunnel no matter how dark it may seem. This was a lovely tale and a splendid conclusion to the Sugarcreek series.

Book Summary

Some promises are meant to be broken. . . .

Until Robert Miller met Lilly Allen, his world had been dark. A widower after only two years of marriage, he'd been living in a haze, feeling that, at twenty-four, his life was already over. But thanks to his friendship with Lilly, he now has new reasons to wake up each day. He knows his connection to her doesn't make sense. She's only nineteen, with a past the whole town talks about. Even more, she's not Amish, like Robert. A marriage between the two of them could never happen.

Lilly's heart is drawn to Robert, not to his faith. No matter how much she admires his quiet strength and dependability, she doesn't think she could ever give up her independence and reliance on the modern world. Is their love doomed before it even begins?