The Englisch Daughter

Starred review from March 2, 2020
In this charming inspirational from Cindy and Erin Woodsmall (A Christmas Haven), a mother and daughter-in-law writing team, Roy and Jemima Graber are an Amish couple coming to terms with life after a buggy accident leaves Roy debilitated and their eldest daughter disabled. A year after the accident, Roy becomes more distant from Jemima, and their difficulties go beyond Roy’s physical recuperation. Jemima’s badgering attitude, meanwhile, only serves to place a guilt trip on Roy. Jemima learns that Roy has cheated on her with a former girlfriend and, to support his girlfriend and their child, has drained the bank account that Jemima and Roy’s sister have been using to save money for a food truck. Despite Jemima’s devotion to her faith and family, the prospect of rebuilding trust will not be easy. Roy’s emotionally charged road to redemption provides many profound moments of reflection from the characters on the ripple effects of sins and the struggle to forgive. This is the Woodsmalls’ best work yet.