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    Minding Molly
    Minding Molly
    Minding Molly
    Audiobook10 hours

    Minding Molly

    Written by Leslie Gould

    Narrated by Stina Nielsen

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Leslie Gould Returns with More Award-Winning, Bestselling Amish Romance Capable and optimistic Molly Zook has a slight issue with control: She doesn't like giving it up. So she's chafing against her mother's wish that, to save the family farm, she marry Mervin Mosier--especially after she meets Leon Fisher. He's from Montana but is working in Molly's district, training horses at a nearby ranch. He is tall and muscular, with a confident demeanor. Molly has never met anyone like him, and he seems to feel the same about her. Determined to let nothing get between them, Molly decides the best course of action is to get Mervin to fall back in love with her best friend, Hannah. Molly organizes a weekend camping trip hoping to bring them together, but things quickly go awry and it seems Leon and Hannah might be falling for each other instead. Will Molly keep struggling to control everyone and everything around her? Or will she learn to let God handle the twists and turns of her life?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateFeb 4, 2014
    ISBN9781490619118
    Minding Molly
    Author

    Leslie Gould

    Leslie Gould (LeslieGould.com) is a Christy Award-winning and #1 bestselling author of over forty-five novels, including four Lancaster County Amish series. She holds a bachelor's degree in history and an MFA in creative writing. She enjoys church history, research trips, and hiking in the Pacific Northwest. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon, and have four adult children and two grandchildren.

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    Reviews for Minding Molly

    4/5

    21 ratings8 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Mary wonders if their a way to save her family farm. Molly also struggles with controlling everyone and making them happy. Her mother wants her to fall in love with Mervin and to save the farm. Mary does not love him in that way. He like a big brother to her. She upset that her father had died of a heart attack. Her brother and sister were older and have come to help out as well. She does to become quite a friendship with a Leon. During the camping trip, thing start to go astray and things are happening. They run into a neighbor as well.
    • 3/5
      Here is some of the description from the back cover of the book: "Molly Zook's always liked being in control, so she's struggling with her mother's wish that, to save the family farm, she marry Mervin Mosier. Especially after Molly meets Leon Fisher. He's from Montana but is now training horses at a nearby ranch.. Molly has never met anyone like him and she's sure he feels the same about her.Determined to let nothing get between them, Molly tries to coax Mervin into falling back in love with Molly's best friend, Hannah. A weekend camping trip in the Poconos could be just the place . . . but things quickly go awry, and it seems Leon and Hannah might be falling for each other instead! Will Molly keep struggling to control everyone and everything around her?"I must admit that I couldn't wrap my head around this story. I had a hard time liking Molly and the whole Mervin and Leon conflict was also very confusing for me to figure out who Molly actually would end up with. You can read this as a stand alone story, but there are characters in this story that you will have gotten to know better, if you read them in the order written. This series, for me, is not your typical Amish story; as they each have a different twist to them (maybe that is because the author takes each story and tries to interweave a Shakespeare storyline into each book. This story takes after 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.
    • 4/5
      Molly Zook is many things: headstrong, bossy, controlling, and perhaps, even conniving. But she is also Amish, even if she all those other things. When her widowed mother tries to coerce her into marrying their next-door neighbor in the hopes of saving their homestead and farm, Molly balks. She has her eyes on someone else. But the man of her dreams is only visiting and plans on returning to Montana, his home state. And Molly has no intention of leaving her home. It seems like an impossible situation with no solution that will please everyone. Molly might just have to learn to let go and let God. But can she do that? Interesting and complex characters abound in this Christian novel which is not your typical Amish romance. Sweet and demure might not describe Molly; she had a backbone and a voice she is not afraid to use, but she also has a kind heart. This remarkable tale is entertaining and enjoyable.
    • 3/5
      This book works well as a stand-alone novel; when I requested it, I didn't realize that it was part of a series, but never had any confusion or felt like there was too much back story presented. It really is its own individual story.

      The story started off very strong with vivid and unique characters. I really identified with Molly in her position as the eldest child with a lot of responsibility on her shoulders who is bossy, has high standards and seems to break the mold of what it means to be feminine by not having a "normal" reaction to children. My feelings were hurt right along with her when her sister said some of the things that she said. Having a strong personality or being bossy doesn't necessarily give you a thick skin and when you're not trying to take advantage of people, but just do a good job, being criticized for it, especially by someone close to you, can really hurt.

      However, the one thing I disagreed with Molly on (emphatically I might add) turned out to be the whole theme/message of the book. At first, I thought Molly's whole search for love at first sight was just a natural view based on immaturity. I appreciated the tempering stories that showed another perspective (like her own mother's) and believed, based on the synopsis, that she would learn that love comes in many different forms and would be grateful to receive it in whatever way God chose to bless her with it. Because of this, and it's implications toward Mervin, I felt confused and had barriers up toward Leon for quite awhile.

      Then at the end of the book, the author seemed to unravel all the work she had put into showing many different perspectives of love and marriage (her mother telling Molly that she lied earlier and it actually was love at first sight for example). She just sort of tossed it all aside and started championing this idea of insta-love. That's something I have a serious problem with.

      Molly pushes repeatedly for "only marrying for love." Personally, I agree that I'd prefer to be in love with the person before marrying them, but I don't believe it's necessary. I also don't believe that will necessarily make the marriage stronger or more lasting- a constant dosage of God does that and He puts couples together in a variety of ways and for a variety of reasons. Anyway, Molly seemed to imply that either love was present or it wasn't and that you couldn't have a marriage without it being present. And that, I think, is a lot of the trouble with couples today. Love CAN be controlled. It's not something you're a victim of, something involuntary. It's something that is sometimes present naturally, but more often you have to work at, you have to cultivate, you have to grow with determination. Lawana Blackwell put it very well in her The Widow of Larkspur Inn book:


      'And then a question cropped up into her mind from seemingly nowhere. Was love something that suddenly swooped down upon a person, like a cold? She mulled that over for a moment. It did in my case with Philip. But I know now that was only infatuation.
      What if love wasn’t a mysterious “thing” that capriciously attached itself to whomever it willed? Could it be instead a deliberate choice of action? Jesus had commanded His followers to “love one another.” Would He give such a commandment if people had no control over their ability to love?
      And does that mean that romantic love between a man and woman can be cultivated, just as Mrs. Kingstron cultivates her roses?
      She recalled standing at a window facing the Anwyl and determining that, like Saint Paul, she would learn contentment. If contentment could be achieved through an act of will, t hen why couldn’t love? And it would seem that a love purposely cultivated for a man because of his kind nature and comforting ways would eventually grow stronger and deeper than one based on mere physical attraction.'


      When Molly talks about love, she really only refers to the way it makes her feel- that's chemistry and attraction. With Leon, it never appears to be built on anything more than a spark. She doesn't talk about his character or values or anything really. Just how good he looks and how she's never 'felt this way' about anyone else. That instant spark, while still a good thing, is not love. Molly never realizes that while that fire can strike instantly like lightning, it can also grow and flame after a lot of work and relationship building (more like rubbing sticks together to build a fire). And I would say that a fire built, rather than instantly ignited, is more stable and lasts longer. I'm not saying that love at first sight never happens or that it can't lead to a successful marriage, I'm just saying that it's not the only way, the normal way or the best way. It's not something to hold out for and value above all other forms, the way Molly does.

      Anyway, the other things I didn't like about this book were few and minor in comparison. But I really grew to strongly dislike Hannah. Most of the characters test out their flare for melodrama by crying out "how could you do this to me" now and then, but I thought it was most inappropriate when she responded that way when she was caught flirting with her best friend's beau. Now she's the victim?! I don't respect people who play mind games, so I was not okay with her trying to use Leon to get Mervin back. But it was made a million times worse by the fact that she new there was something going on between Leon and Molly. Why would she ever think that would be okay? Hannah was just very self absorbed. Molly continually puts Hannah's needs and feelings first, always worrying about her emotionally and mentally and Hannah takes advantage of that. She's just not a good friend, starting scenes in public, not being there for Molly when she's grieving and not speaking up (but rather talking behind her back to others, like Beatrice) when she thinks her best friend is out of line.

      The end came rather abruptly with several characters back pedaling or acting unnaturally for the sake of tying up lose ends, which I just didn't like.

      But I really liked the mention of the parallel to the Mary/Marthal. That was such an excellent reminder that God created us all differently and not to judge someone as 'failing' or 'lazy' etc just because they work differently, accomplish different things at different rates or have different strengths. Because we know there is only one Way, I think we often forget that there are many paths to get to Him.
    • 4/5
      Minding Molly by Leslie Gould is an Amish story with a little different twist. I don’t remember reading any Amish books that had such a domineering female main character. But by the end of the book I liked her and actually felt sorry for her at times. Molly Zook always wants to be in control of any situation and she is having a huge problem with her mother. Her mother wants Molly to marry Mervin Mosier for this will save the family farm. However, Molly is working very hard to get Mervin to renew his interest in her best friend Hannah. To add to the problem, Molly meets Leon Fisher and is instantly drawn to him. He is from Montana and is now living in Pennsylvania and working at a nearby farm training horses. Molly plans a camping trip in the hopes of getting to know Leon but it seems that he is more interested in Hannah than her.The author did an excellent job in the development of the characters and they came to life on the pages of the book.. Usually I really like the main character of a story but I had to read almost the entire book before I began to like Molly. The other characters definitely were a group with a wide range of personalities. Some I liked and others were somewhat unlikeable. Scenes were well developed and I felt as if I were right where the action was happening. Sometimes I just wanted to shake Molly and her sister and tell them to shape up. At times the dialogue seemed a little immature but it did fit some of the characters. I was glad that by the end of the story, Molly had softened and was learning to let God lead her. There were a few twists and turns to the plot that kept me guessing as to which woman would end up with which man. All in all the story had a happy ending.I recommend this book if you like Amish fiction and also like a bossy main character.Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
    • 4/5
      Minding Molly (The Courtships of Lancaster County)-" Molly Zook's always liked being in control". Her father has just passed away and the farm is endanger of being lost. Her mother has come down also ill and starts to forget things as well as press Molly to marry. Forced to obey her mother she considers marrying her best friends love to save her family and farm. Until she meets Leon Fisher from Montana. She then has to decide between saving her childhood farm and obeying her mother or follow her heart. This is a great Portray of young innocent love and proper courting. I just love stories like these they truly awaken the feminine side of romance without all the physical actions. Just simple sparks of first loves. This book does not have much action so if you like that this is not the book for you. I would say this is an easy read but on the longer side with 352 pages.
    • 5/5
      This is the third book in this series that I have read, and greatly enjoyed.This is Molly Zooks story, who has recently lost her Dad. She is now trying to save their home and farm. Her Mom has a solution, she has picked out a husband for Molly, and he has some land that will help. Yeah right, but Molly has always obeyed her parents, this is asking a lot. As she tries to find a plan to work, she meets someone who she is smitten with.Can Molly reject the one her Mother wants for her? Or will she follow her heart? When you think you know just the way this story is going to unfold, guess again.Now Molly is a control freak...she has to have things done right, and the way she wants it! We travel with the Amish gang or Youngies and go camping...oh fun!! Molly has to have it done her way, she has a chart...listen all we need this and this. Sound like fun?Through all we see people who live their faith, and are there for one another, in good, and hard times. We celebrate weddings, and births, and then the loss of loved ones, and illnesses. I loved this visit and hope for more!!I received this book through Bethany House Publishers, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 4/5
      Minding Molly is the third in the series "The Courtships of Lancaster County". Like the others novels this one is inspired by Shakepeare play this one being A Midsummer's Night Dream. I have read all three books. I enjoyed book 1, book 2 not so much but I liked this one even though the main character frustrated me at times. I felt she was a little bossy to those around her particularly her little sister. Molly and her sister's beloved dat had just died from a heart attack. This farm is struggling financially and Molly must find ways to save it. It doesn't help that her mother may have a serious illness. Her mother wants her to marry Mervin, the boy next door. She feels that this is a way to save the farm. She does not love Mervin but considers it since Marvin is no longer dating her best friend until a new man arrives in town. Leon works on her best friend's farm training horses. He seems perfect for her except she is afraid of horses. Also, Leon may be planning on returning to Montana. Molly does not feel that she can leave with her mother's health up in the air. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House for providing me a ecopy of this book to review.