Belonging (Temptation Novel, #2)

by Karen Ann Hopkins

[Angie]

I received an ARC through NetGalley.

Wow. Woah. What?! I did not see that ending coming at all! While I really enjoyed Temptation, Belonging is even better! In the first book we got see Rose and Noah fall in love despite being from totally different worlds. Now we get to see their dedication to each other, or at least Rose’s dedication to becoming Amish. It’s not a decision to take lightly, but Rose wants Noah more than anything, so giving up her life of luxury comes easily. However, actually making the transition and adapting to the Amish way of life is hard work. I don’t just mean doing laundry by hand. Rose also has to take their values and customs to heart, not just play the role of dutiful Amish girl. Things were going quite well for Rose…until they weren’t.

I still found myself frustrated with Rose at times, but she did grow on me in Belonging. She is determined to prove that she can make it as an Amish woman in order to be with Noah. But that’s just it, she’s trying to prove something. A lot of the time I felt like it was her stubbornness keeping her in Meadowview rather than her love for Noah and an actual want to become Amish. It also seemed like she was trying to show him that she’s willing to make sacrifices for him, so that he’d make the ultimate sacrifice and leave his community for her. Maybe I’m just suspicious though. Rose does work very hard, but her attitude didn’t change much as she kept pointing out how the Amish are doing things “wrong.” She wasn’t really making the change, just putting on a show. I never doubted her commitment to Noah though.

Speaking of Noah, I adored him before, but now I like him even more! Sure some of his ideals about relationships are “backwards” but I could tell he really wanted Rose to succeed and become Amish so they could be together. He tried really hard to make sure she stayed on the righteous path, even though that was hard since they had very little time together. But he is a teenage boy with raging hormones, so at times he was less than gentlemanly. ;)

My favorite part of Belonging was learning more about this Amish community. As Rose settled into her new life, she of course asked questions, and her host parents answered them. It all felt natural without being info-dumpy, which I really appreciated. We also got to witness a few special events and observed how the Amish celebrate them. One being a wedding (one of the things Rose felt wasn’t up to her standards), the other being child birth. Rose also encounters members of other Amish communities and a Mennonite, so there were some contrasts between these different groups. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about a lifestyle so different than my own. We’re also let in on some of the more scandalous secrets of some of Rose’s new Amish girlfriends.

I also enjoyed seeing how Rose’s relationship with her family changed as she spent more time at Meadowview. It’s definitely not happy, as her father wants her home, but is hoping she’ll make that decision herself. Her brothers also miss her. There are actually a few chapters from Sam’s POV, which I didn’t really see the point of at first. However, it becomes clear toward to middle of Temptation. I can’t say more without spoiling, but it truly is rotten!

That ending was insane! Well, there’s actually two shocks. The first, I never saw coming at all, and it definitely had me at the edge of my seat. The second, however, was fairly predictable. I had a suspicion, since it was hinted at few times throughout, but I wasn’t sure if it would actually happen. Things are definitely going to get more complicated for Rose and Noah.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.