Set in a Mennonite community in Indiana near the end of World War II, A Season for the Heart, by J. M. Hochstetler, asks age old questions such as "Why does a God who is good allow war and suffering?" and "How do I learn to be content with what God has given me?" Ellie has just finished high school and is working to pay room and board for college so she can become a teacher. Her old boyfriend, who is not a Mennonite, wants to get back together. This causes all of the yearning Ellie had for things "plain" people don't have and don't do to return with a vengeance. Jude, a neighbor's son, was abused as a child and ran away to join the Marines. He was severely wounded on Iwo Jima and is now returning back to his widowed mother and to the home place he never wanted to see again. Jude wonders if there is even a God, and if so how could he allow war, abuse, and suffering.

With the kindnesses of neighbors, Jake's heart begins to soften. But several traumatic events to Ellie and her family cause his heart to harden. This is a sweet story of how God never gives up on people and how, through the love shown by believers, good can come from it all. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

3.5 stars.
A story about a wounded hero navigating different and conflicting worlds until he finds peace, “A Season for the Heart”, by J.M Hochstetler, is also a compelling outlook into Amish and Mennonite beliefs and lifestyles.
The conflict between religious beliefs, pacifism and patriotism, themes of domestic violence and bullying, and traditional gender roles are portrayed through the characters and pervade the historical novel.
Jude is an amazing hero, a “wounded, battle-hardened stranger” who has seen war, death, destruction, needs peace and feels an outsider in his small community.
Jude’s initial disorientation and anguish about the future and the slow recovery are conveyed in a very realistic way.
Ellie is a great heroine, too. She’s down-to-earth but kind, and has dreams and ambitions going “beyond their plain way of life”.
I really liked how lovingly the author lead us through her characters inner worlds and turmoil. I felt very much in tune with them, particularly the main characters.
The slow romance is also sweet and heartfelt.
The depiction of Amish and Mennnonite beliefs and lifestyles, the hardships of farming, the cruelty of war are also engaging.
I found the book dragged a bit in the end. Jude’s renewal of faith seemed a bit quick for me.

This was a read that drew me in and didn't let go. A young man that dealt with abuse problems his whole life leaves his Mennonite community and becomes a Marine, this is WWII time.
Then we are given a young women who is also a Mennonite and wants to spread her wings. She has a desire to be a teacher and has won a scholarship.
Jude comes home broken, and has a long recovery. Ellie and he are neighbors, and her family believes on helping neighbors, thus they are together a lot.
There are a lot of decisions here, some good, some questionable, but there is also a lot of compassion and love for fellow men.
Will Jude come to terms with all that has happened to him, can he forgive his past? Will Ellie become a teacher? Answers come and we have a great read to lead us to them!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher BooksGoSocial, and was not required to give a positive review.