In Temptation, Laura Hayes is in Pennsylvania’s Amish country to film a movie.  Since she’s going to be there for a few months, she decides to buy a farm house instead of living in a hotel.  Being in the middle of Amish country, seeing their lifestyle up close, quickly has Laura looking at life in a new way.  And her attraction to her neighbor is only complicating things.  Jacob doesn’t quite follow the Amish ways exactly.  He’s been fighting a few doubts about their teachings, but it becomes more difficult when he finds himself attracted to his new neighbor.  As his feelings grow, so do his struggles.

This story was so amazingly sweet, with captivating characters and an ending that just grabbed my heart.  I really enjoyed the glimpse into the Amish lifestyle, both the upside and the down.  Barrett does a great job of showcasing the difficulties they find today, trying to balance their teachings with an every advancing world.

Jacob is a complex man, with doubts and wants.  His conflict, and how he handles it, makes him one of my favorite heroes.  Laura has her own concerns and doubts.  She comes across as selfish and pushy, but that’s part of the growth she needs to experience.  And with time on her hands in the quieter world living near the Amish she has plenty of time to think about her life.  The decisions these two have before them make for a riveting read.

Barrett also gives readers a cast of secondary characters, some in detail and some in glimpses, which nicely rounds out the Amish world. It’s a well-crafted and intriguing place, with very unique rules that creates an extended family unit that is rare today.  It’s a compelling community and one that most people will never see.

Temptation delivers beautifully on issues concerning faith, responsibility, sacrifice and love.  It gives readers a wonderful tale of two people trying to figure out if they can be more than they are and most importantly if they should.