Book Review: Emma Blooms at Last by Naomi King

If Amish fiction is a favorite of yours, then Naomi King is an author you need to read.

In Emma Blooms at Last, the second book of King's One Big Happy Family series, Amanda and Wyman Brubaker are thrilled that their blended family is bonding together. But when construction on Wyman's grain elevator is delayed causing the cost of the project to rise, Amanda's rallying of the children to work and help with the family's finances comes into conflict with Wyman's sense of responsibility as the provider.

Meanwhile, Amanda's nephew Jerome has been sweet on Emma Graber for a long while. While he wishes to get to know shy, quiet Emma better, she isn't sure how to trust fun-loving, never-serious Jerome. As they struggle to understand each other, the Brubakers face a challenge that allows them all to discover what it means to fight the Amish way.


I have not read a book by Naomi King in so long, I truly forgot how much I loved them. Her characters are real. You understand and sympathize with their plights. You want them to succeed. The reader can meet the Brubakers in the first book of this series if they want to start from the beginning, but it is not necessary. Emma Blooms at Last is a total stand-alone novel.

In this heartwarming story, you have two plots running: the Brubakers dealing with a financial crisis and Emma unsure of Jerome's intentions and how they could ever be a couple. Since all of King's books create that sense of community so often found in Amish fiction, these two stories blend nicely. You see family member roles evolving as challenges present themselves.

What's truly nice to see in this story is Emma's transformation. She learns things about herself and her abilities along the way to discovering her feelings for Jerome. So, Emma Blooms at Last is not only about the romance between Emma and Jerome. It is a story of woman taking a leap of faith that she can use her God-given talents to help her community and that the man God has brought into her life is right for her.

Emma Blooms at Last is a touching story that fans of Amish fiction will enjoy from beginning to end. I hope we see more from King soon.


Series: One Big Happy Family (Book 2)
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley (November 4, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780451417886
ISBN-13: 978-0451417886
ASIN: 0451417887

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.