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    The Lesson: A Novel
    The Lesson: A Novel
    The Lesson: A Novel
    Audiobook8 hours

    The Lesson: A Novel

    Written by Suzanne Woods Fisher

    Narrated by Amy Rubinate

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Sometimes love shows up when you least expect it.

    Nineteen-year-old Mary Kate Lapp yearns for adventure, but all she seems to find is trouble. Her dreams of travel have taken a backseat to her assignment to teach school this year. And nothing ever seems to happen in her sleepy Amish community.

    But when a sudden and unexplained death conveniently coincides with the arrival of a mysterious young man, M.K. is frustrated that no one takes it seriously. She’s determined to take matters into her own hands and get to the bottom of it. Will she find more than she bargained for?

    Centered on one of bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher’s most loved characters, this is the Stoney Ridge story you have been waiting for. With a surprise at every turn, a gentle romance, and a shocking answer to an old family mystery, The Lesson is the dramatic conclusion to the Stoney Ridge Seasons series.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateAug 6, 2013
    ISBN9781480532977
    The Lesson: A Novel
    Author

    Suzanne Woods Fisher

    Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty books, including The Sweet Life, The Secret to Happiness, and Love on a Whim, as well as many beloved contemporary romance and Amish romance series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at SuzanneWoodsFisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and X @SuzanneWFisher.

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    Reviews for The Lesson

    4.5/5

    50 ratings11 reviews

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    • 4/5
      This is the third book in the Stoney Ridge Series and I think the last. I'll miss the inhabitants of the little Amish community if that is the case. Admittedly Mary Kate, the subject of this novel was not my favorite by a long shot. She truly irritated me and I suppose it is good in a way when a character really gets under your skin - but sometimes I just wanted to sit this young lady down and tell her to chill. Mary Kate, always quick to jump to conclusions does so in grand style in this tale as she assumes the new visitor to town is a murderer and thief. While he does have secrets, they do not involve stealing money and killing sheep farmers. Mary Kate also spends time racing around on a scooter with her eyes closed so she often crashes into people but blames them for being where she was going. See what I mean about her being annoying? Nothing is ever her fault. She needs a huge comeuppance and fortunately she does finally get one.As always I did thoroughly enjoy Ms. Woods Fisher's way around the Amish community. I do hold a place in my heart and reading schedule for Amish fiction and the books from this author are some of my favorites. The characters (with Mary Kate's exception) are a delight and they remind me of places I visited when I was child living in Philadelphia and then New Jersey. The stories are wholesome and the romances sweet. A nice break from some of the darker, heavier books I read.I will look forward to the next series and the next set of Amish stories from the pen of Ms. Woods Fisher.
    • 5/5
      I have loved each of the three books in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series about the three Lapp sisters, Julia, Sadie and M.K. These books show the Amish as how I hope that they really are in terms of their senses of humor and their relationships with each other and with those of us in the English world. In this final installment of the series, youngest daughter M.K. unexpectedly finds herself teaching school for the term after she runs into the former teacher, literally, while zooming around on her red scooter. Even in adulthood, M.K. remains irrepressible. A newcomer, Chris Yoder, along with his younger sister, Jenny, arrive in the settlement. Jenny enrolls in school while Chris works for Amos Lapp, M.K.'s father. M.K.'s childhood friend Jimmy Fisher is also still around. The book revolves around M.K.'s development as a teacher and as an adult and the question of which of these men might be the one for her. Also, Uncle Hank is there and is as funny as ever. The book can be read as a stand-alone by a new reader or as part of the series for those who have read the earlier books. It's tip-top amongst Amish novels!
    • 5/5
      love these stories of love and lost and redemption.
    • 4/5
      Good conclusion to the series. In the first two books, The Keeper and The Haven, Mary Kaye (MK) is the trouble prone little sister. At the beginning of this book, she is now nineteen, but doesn't appear to have changed much. She is nearby when an apparent murder takes place, and believing herself to be something of a detective she wants to figure out who did it. She gets into trouble with the police one too many times, until it is made clear that she is to stay away. Taking her frustrations out in physical activity, she collides with the schoolteacher, causing some injury that keeps the teacher out of the classroom. MK is made the substitute teacher as a result. MK is not at all happy about it, as being cooped up in a classroom full of kids cramps her style. Chris Yoder and his sister Jenny have moved to Stoney Ridge, where Chris is renovating property he is due to inherit in a few months. The life they left behind in Ohio had been one that Chris is anxious to put behind him. He doesn't talk to anyone about his past as he tries to make a place for himself in the new community. He is determined to give his little sister a good life, and works hard at any job he can get. He works mostly for MK's father Amos, doing whatever is needed around the farm. His dream is to renovate the property and start a horse breeding business. Chris is very wary around others, but as time goes on he begins to relax his guard around the Lapp family.Chris's thirteen year old sister Jenny isn't at all happy about the move. Leaving Ohio means she doesn't get to see her mother at all. Their mother is an addict who has also been in trouble for most of Jenny's life, and is currently serving time in a rehab facility. Jenny doesn't agree with Chris's demand that there be no contact with her, and so she writes to her mother in secret. This will cause some problems down the road when Jenny is torn between her mother and her brother.There is also MK's friend Jimmy, who has been right beside MK on many of her adventures. He continues to be rather wild and irresponsible. He makes several bad decisions through the book, one of which has repercussions on more than just him.Throughout the book, Amos's wife and former housekeeper Fern, is a stable and guiding hand to many of the characters. Her actions are not always appreciated at the time, but she has a talent for knowing just what people need.MK irritated me through the first part of the book. I thought she was immature and thoughtless for her age. It was interesting to see her reaction to having to take over as schoolteacher. She was definitely out of her comfort zone and I felt a little bit sorry for her as she struggled. Of course, it was also a bit fun to see her on the other side of the desk and having to deal with students who had been like her. I loved seeing how Fern guided MK by introducing her to the old lady who had once been a teacher. I enjoyed seeing how her influence helped MK see her potential, and loved seeing her grow into the job. She also jumped into that murder investigation without thinking things through and seeing the consequences of her actions put her on the road to a bit more maturity.I enjoyed the relationship that built between MK and Chris. I thought that they were a nice balance for each other. MK's foibles seem to mostly amuse Chris, though there are a couple times it isn't so funny for him. Chris is cautious about opening up about his past, as he and MK get closer, but he finds himself wanting to do so. MK is drawn to Chris, but his reticence about his past concerns her. But there is also something about him that calms her restlessness. I loved the way that they came together during the crisis about Jenny, and how she stood with him later.
    • 5/5
      This is the third book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. Mary Kate Lapp (known as MK to her friends and family), is now 19 years old. The only things of interest to MK in her quiet Amish community is the unexplained death of a sheep farmer, which coincides with the arrival of Chris Yoder, a mysterious young man who seems to be keeping a secret. MK's curiosity leads her take solving the mystery of the crime into her own hands, but as usual, her habit of not thinking before she acts gets her into trouble.As a result of her impulsiveness, she accidentally runs into school teacher Alice Smucker on her scooter. (When her father asks her how that was possible, MK replies, "Well, there's a lot of Alice to run into!") This puts Alice out of commission to teach school, and the school board decides that MK will take her place, and being a school teacher is the last thing MK wants to be. It's sure to a be a recipe for failure, but MK just might surprise everyone, and herself too.I first "met" MK from the first two books of this series, when she was just a young girl. Even though she was a secondary character in those stories, she always had me laughing, and she quickly grew to be my favorite character ever in Amish fiction. I was very happy when she was finally given the spotlight in this book with her own story to tell. This book works as a stand alone story, but I recommend that you read The Keeper, and The Haven first; it gives you a background to all the characters in this book which greatly enriches the enjoyment of this story.This was my favorite book of the series, and it had several plot twists I never saw coming. I also enjoyed the secondary storyline of Chris and his younger sister Jenny.
    • 5/5
      This book was so cute! From the moment I started reading it I didn't want to put it down. The author does a great job of explaining things and she keeps the story flowing along. I did find that I could predict some of the things that happened but all it all it was a good book and I am going to check out more of her books!
    • 4/5
      Mary Kate (M.K.) has finally reached adulthood and she wants to spread her wings and explore the world. Although she dearly loves her family and friends, she's not sure the Amish life is for her. However, her big plans grind to a halt when she accidentally crashes into the community's school teacher, and she has to teach the kids until the regular teacher has recovered. But she is much more interested in playing detective than teaching. She wants to solve a murder and find out more about the mysterious strangers that moved into town. In this third and final book of the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, M.K. matures, but she is also the same fun-loving M. K. She learns to stay true to her nature while learning (once and for all?) that she should keep her nose out of other people's business. But will she stay in Stoney Ridge, or leave the community to explore the world?I'm really glad The Lesson gave me the opportunity to tie up all the loose ends on the Lapp family. The book is a quick read, with a light and humorous writing style. M.K. is probably the most complex character in the series, and this exploration of her strengths, weaknesses, and quirks makes for a satisfying conclusion to the Stoney Ridge Seasons series.
    • 5/5
      A Great End To A Great Series!I am sorry to see this series come to an end. I fell in love with Mary Kate (M.K.) from the first book “The Keeper.” Quite frankly I will miss the whole Lapp family. They weave a special place in your heart. I found myself yearning for a family just like theirs. Yes, they had their share of problems but there was never a lack of love shining through. Their faith in God is such a strong faith and is shared freely with those they come in touch with.Mary Kate, what can I say? In this book we find that she has matured and grown up. I hope down the road the author will write another book updating us on the Lapp family. I’d love to read what happens to Mary Kate. Does she finally learn true contentment?My heart went out to Chris and Jenny (Mitchell) Yoder. What their mother did to them broke my heart. I felt their pain. I cried for them. I also cheered for them as the Lapp family surrounded them with their love.I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed this book. I hope everyone will pick up this series and read about the Lapp family. Thank you Suzanne Woods Fisher for pure reading enjoyment!
    • 5/5
      I have loved each of the three books in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series about the three Lapp sisters, Julia, Sadie and M.K. These books show the Amish as how I hope that they really are in terms of their senses of humor and their relationships with each other and with those of us in the English world. In this final installment of the series, youngest daughter M.K. unexpectedly finds herself teaching school for the term after she runs into the former teacher, literally, while zooming around on her red scooter. Even in adulthood, M.K. remains irrepressible. A newcomer, Chris Yoder, along with his younger sister, Jenny, arrive in the settlement. Jenny enrolls in school while Chris works for Amos Lapp, M.K.'s father. M.K.'s childhood friend Jimmy Fisher is also still around. The book revolves around M.K.'s development as a teacher and as an adult and the question of which of these men might be the one for her. Also, Uncle Hank is there and is as funny as ever. The book can be read as a stand-alone by a new reader or as part of the series for those who have read the earlier books. It's tip-top amongst Amish novels!
    • 4/5
      This is the third book in the Stoney Ridge Series and I think the last. I'll miss the inhabitants of the little Amish community if that is the case. Admittedly Mary Kate, the subject of this novel was not my favorite by a long shot. She truly irritated me and I suppose it is good in a way when a character really gets under your skin - but sometimes I just wanted to sit this young lady down and tell her to chill. Mary Kate, always quick to jump to conclusions does so in grand style in this tale as she assumes the new visitor to town is a murderer and thief. While he does have secrets, they do not involve stealing money and killing sheep farmers. Mary Kate also spends time racing around on a scooter with her eyes closed so she often crashes into people but blames them for being where she was going. See what I mean about her being annoying? Nothing is ever her fault. She needs a huge comeuppance and fortunately she does finally get one.As always I did thoroughly enjoy Ms. Woods Fisher's way around the Amish community. I do hold a place in my heart and reading schedule for Amish fiction and the books from this author are some of my favorites. The characters (with Mary Kate's exception) are a delight and they remind me of places I visited when I was child living in Philadelphia and then New Jersey. The stories are wholesome and the romances sweet. A nice break from some of the darker, heavier books I read.I will look forward to the next series and the next set of Amish stories from the pen of Ms. Woods Fisher.
    • 5/5
      Another great book by Suzanne Woods Fisher. This is Mary Kate Lapps story, a free spirit, as you know if you have read the other books in this series. She loves her brown bees, and her red scooter. Can just picture her riding down hill with her eyes closed on this scooter...when she collides with Chris Yoder. Another collision with the then teacher, ends up making her the teacher!You have to "love" Fern, she seems to have it all...a Love of God, and family. She seems to be able to see into another person's heart, and loves her step-children as her own.M K is still a bit flighty, and of course, things happen to this young woman, and she doesn't always use the best judgement. She really does have a big heart, and she cares. When she makes a mistake, she is often devastated and remorseful.Enjoy a great look into the Amish way of life, you won't be sorry.I received this book Litfuse Publicity Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.