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I have read other books by this author though I can't remember if I read the first book in the trilogy. I think I did, but a while ago.

The plot seems fairly predictable (at least in where it is going) though there are some twists along the way.

From what I have read in Amish fiction different communities have different rules. There's a remark made in this book that Nick pursuing/getting a GED (or college education) would mean he could never become Amish. I don't think that's true as long as Nick hadn't already made the commitment to join the church and live under the Ordnung.

A different Amish fiction book had a former non-Amish woman who decided to join the Amish. I can't remember if she had any college education, but she probably would have at least had a high school diploma or GED. She was still allowed to join the Amish church in that location.

Another Amish fiction book indicated that sometimes the bishops did allow "higher education" (beyond the 8th grade level) if it would benefit the entire community. The example in that book was a veterinarian (or vet tech) who would be able to help the community treat their animals for diseases and problems.

So, as long as Nick was willing to put his ideas of higher education behind him, I'm not sure why he couldn't return to the Amish community and perhaps even join church.

WARNING: SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW. READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.

*****

When I said the story is predictable, I meant I was able to predict early on in the book what I suspect will happen by the end of the trilogy.
1. I suspected Silas and Rose would not end up married to each other (that appears to have happened in this book since they broke off their engagement).
2. I predict Silas and Rebecca will end up as a couple.
3. I suspect Nick and Rose will end up as a couple--not quite sure how Nick will return to the Amish faith (as I suspect he will have to in order for Rose to consider him as a husband as I don't see her choosing to leave the Amish faith--I believe if she did, she'd be shunned since she has already joined the church.)

I hope that Hen and Brandon will work out their differences and remain married. I am not sure if Brandon will agree to join the Amish (and again, this would be another circumstance that would challenge the "those with higher educations can't join the Amish church") or if they will remain outside the Amish church but keep many of the changes that Hen wants/proposed.

I hope that Emma gets some relief from her pain.

I wonder what will happen with the Brownings. Beth thought that they would have to move to be with her grandmother once the grandfather died--but there's been no confirmation of that by her father. There's also an upcoming visit with Beth's aunt (which I'm guessing will happen in book 3). ( )

This story picks up where book one (The Thorn) left off. Rose and her sister Hen are both trying to figure out their future. Rose must decide if her new beau is really ready to be married to Rose, and Hen must decide what to do to keep her marriage and her from falling apart and her daughter taken from her through divorce. Rose will befriend a young girl named Beth and Hen will end up caring for her husband after an accident. Once again, the author leaves you hanging at the end, so on to book three I will go (The Mercy). A different look at the Amish and their concerns and the way they handle hardships in their life. ( )

#2 in Rose Trilogy. Good. ( )

Two Amish sisters reunited by unforeseen circumstances.

The Rose Trilogy Book II