A Heart Once Broken by Jerry S. Eicher is the first book in The St. Lawrence County Amish series. Lydia Troyer has always competed with her cousin, Sandra Troyer with their friend, Rosemary Beiler standing on the sidelines watching. Their latest competition is over Ezra Wagler. They both would like him to ask them home in his buggy (a courting practice after singings). But then tragedy strikes both families. Their father’s invested money in a Ponzi scheme and they lost everything. This event starts things spiraling out of control. Lydia’s parents are ignoring the antics of the two younger daughters, Emma and Rhoda. They are afraid they will lose the girls (they will leave the Amish community). Sandra’s family suffers a loss and she uses this to convince Lydia to let her have Ezra. But Rosemary is tired of watching from the sidelines. She decides to go after Ezra herself. Join us in St. Lawrence County and finds out what happens.

A Heart Once Broken is a sweet, Christian romance novel but it also includes life lessons. I liked the characters and the beautiful setting. A Heart Once Broken is well-written (as usual) and easy to read. The novel can be read in just a few hours (about two without interruptions). I love that there is no foul language or sex scenes in the book (so refreshing). I give A Heart Once Broken 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I will definitely be reading the rest of the book in The St. Lawrence County Amish series.

I received a complimentary copy of A Heart Once Broken from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of the novel. ( )