The Reconciliation by Susan Lantz Simpson has us shivering during a cold January in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Rebecca “Becky” Zook is returning home after running away to New York City six months ago. Becky learned that her marriage to Vinny was not real after confiding in him that she was pregnant and then found his friends standing over his dead body. Thankfully, Becky’s parents welcome her home as does Bishop Lapp. Lena Troyer is a widow with two little girls and a third child on the way. Becky offers to help the overwhelmed woman and, in the process, obtains a dear friend as well as a new vocation. Atlee Stauffer offers to be Becky’s friend and be a kind, listening ear. He has noticed that her time away has changed Becky and he is drawn to her despite his family’s warning. Becky enjoys spending time with Atlee, but she feels unworthy of a good man. Atlee will need to slowly win Becky’s trust and convince her she is deserving of forgiveness and love.

The Reconciliation is the third book in a series set in Southern Maryland by Susan Lantz Simpson (The Promise and The Mending). Becky Yoder was about to be baptized when she bolted and disappeared to New York City. Becky used to a flirtatious and fun young woman. Her experiences in the big city have changed her and she comes home a different woman. Becky feels she is unworthy of happiness and a good man after the trouble she caused her family. Atlee notices the change in Becky along with how she spends her time alone. He befriends her to help her and finds himself falling in love. Atlee needs to work past Becky’s defenses to show her that she merits grace and being loved. The Reconciliation is a sweet, heartwarming Amish romance. It shows people that we can be forgiven for our mistakes. We need to learn from our missteps and move forward. While The Reconciliation can be read as a standalone, I found it helpful to have read the other books in this series. I enjoyed the casual writing style which made The Reconciliation easy to read. There is kissing and hugging only in the story which makes it a nice, clean romance. The Reconciliation is a heartfelt Amish love story with good Christian morals and valuable life lessons.