Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman

This book is a light fictional story about a family who agrees to go on a reality TV show where they will experience the Amish way of life.  Two sister-in-laws and their children embark on this journey, each searching for different things.  Julie is tired of life being so busy and juggling her over-committed schedule.  Susan is hoping to use the show to launch her career.  While the Amish life is not "easy", the simplicity ended up teaching both women about themselves and how to better set their priorities.

I enjoyed this story, but didn't find myself very involved in it emotionally.  I tend to prefer books with more drama and depth.  However, I did like the main lesson the book had to teach.  We all have gifts...things that we are good at.  As women we tend to compare ourselves with one another, envying the gifts we see in others rather than recognizing and appreciating what we do well.  Or we can become prideful over our strengths and become frustrated with others who don't adhere to our standards.  I think in some way we can all relate to the struggles these characters faced.

I have always wondered what it would really to be like to be on a reality TV show.  Since this is fiction, I don't know if the way the show was depicted is representative of how these shows really work, but it was interesting to think about.  I don't think I could endure that invasion into my privacy :)

Overall, if you're looking for a light, entertaining read then this is a good book to check out!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.