The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms was a very quick read. It is the story of two brothers, two beliefs and 2 girls. Annie is sent to live with her Daadi (grandfather) after a family conflict. While there she is re-introduced to Aden, a boy she grew up knowing but who has now become a completely different man from the boy she knew.

It's a very conflicted relationship as Annie's grandfather tries to protect her by keeping her away from Aden. I really enjoyed this book. I've had it for quite a few months but never got to read it. I'm so glad I got to it!

The book is set in an area with Old Order Mennonites and Old Order Amish families.

Now I have my list of what I need to take as far as outfits and all. But I am also planning for tonights road trip there and the one back on Sunday. Also for my own reading pleasure while he is in meetings and I am lazing around by the pool. Oh yeah, it is that warm in Texas still. I have Scent of Cherry Blossoms (sounds like a lovely perfume) written by Cindy Woodsmall to read. It is one of the new books that is so popular with Amish story lines. I love this one though as it reminds me a lil of the star crossed lovers tale. Our main lady, Annie, is Mennonite but meets an Amish gentleman, Aden. Now from the outside looking in we would not think that it would be that big of deal. But when your looking from the inside it can send your heart trembling. Then it looks like every lil difference is enough to tear apart what is just starting.

After finishing this book I long for spring so that I can smell and see the Cherry Blossoms in our town blooming. The images of the Cherry Blossoms in this book are so strong I can almost smell them. Trusting God despite our circumstances is one of the hardest things for anyone to do. Several of the characters are dealing with this in the Scent of Cherry Blossoms and I know I have dealt with it in my own life. The author relays the hurts and strength of the characters in this book so well that I wish I knew them in real life. True Love also blossoms in this book and it was a truly glorious story. This book was a very quick read for me and not only because it is a little shorter of a book but mostly since it was so engaging. It made me think about what is really important and helping me to realize those important people are always worth fighting for. I highly recommend this book and author Cindy Woodsmall, she never disappoints!

This is the fourth book by Cindy Woodsmall I have read; the other three were part of the Sisters of the Quilt series. I always thought I didn't like Amish fiction; but, since I've loved all four of the books I've read so far, maybe I do like it after all! :)

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms is about Aden Zook and Annie Martin. Aden and Annie have been friends for years and now are falling in love with each other, but a relationship between them is forbidden because he is Old Order Amish and she is Old Order Mennonite.

I really enjoyed reading about Aden and Annie's budding relationship. Their story was interesting and I was curious as to how it was all going to turn out!

The side story of Aden's brother Roman was also interesting. Although at first I was a little bored when reading about him, I enjoyed his story as well and was glad with where his story seemed to be going.

I felt the ending was a bit abrupt and would have liked it better had there been an epilogue.

Overall, I really liked The Scent of Cherry Blossoms. I thought it was a quick, well-written read that I would recommend to fans of Contemporary romance and Amish fiction.

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall is the story of Annie Martin and Aden Zook. Annie and Aden have known each other for childhood and their paths cross whenever Annie visits her grandfather. Aden's family owns a diner in which Annie's grandfather is a partner. When Annie finds herself on an extended visit, she ends up working closely with Aden at the diner. Feelings that have been there since childhood, become stronger but because Annie is Old Order Mennonite and Aden is Old Order Amish anything more than a casual friendship is strictly forbidden. The two must decide if their relationship is worth the scandal it will bring to their families and the excommunication for one of them from their church.

I liked the twist of a relationship between an Old Order Mennonite and an Old Order Amish because I didn't know that there was contention between the two groups. I think many people think these groups are the same and it was interesting to learn about a few of the differences. I liked how the relationship between Annie and Aden developed because communication is hard for Aden. It was sweet that Annie met him where he was at and that Aden became open to different ways of trying to communicate with her. I loved the significance of the cherry orchard. There were times the story moved a little slowly, but overall a good effort.

Thanks to Water Brook Multnomah for providing me a free copy of this book to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a favorable review.