Eight years ago, Levi Shelter sat down at a piano and knew how to play--beautifully. How could that be? He was Old Order Amish and instrumental music was forbidden so he had never had the opportunity to play. Only one person heard him play in that room and that is Mary who left the room with a promise to keep Levi's secret and his promise to write to her.
All these years later, the two find themselves together again, helping a "English" widow, Adeline, with her property. Levi is still fighting the desire to play and struggles with the Amish believing instrumental music is forbidden by God, especially when musical instruments are spoken of so often in the Bible. Mary is in her rumschpringe and is drawn to music as well, often playing it on her cell phone. Their love of music as well as their devotion to Adeline draws them together and both continue to struggle with understanding the Amish ways compared to that of the Englischers.
Natalie, a young relative of Adeline's, begins having frequent visits with Adeline when she is close by for work. What begins as an underhanded request from Natalie's mother turns to a special relationship between Adeline and the three young adults. Hearts in Harmony is a beautiful story of friendship across the generations and one of three young people trying to find their way in the world while respectively seeking wisdom for their elders.
I have never read a Beth Wiseman book that I didn't thoroughly enjoy and this first in the Amish Journey series is no exception. Wiseman remains one of the best authors for Amish fiction. How refreshing it is to read about the simple Amish way of life in today's fast paced world. Even though both Amish, Levi and Mary's way of life are quite different as Mary's is much more advanced technologically--a learning experience for me and one I found unique in this book.
Two thumbs up for Wiseman's Hearts in Harmony. I hope the next book in the series follows soon and picks up the story where this one left off.
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