How to Read the Ada’s House Series
The Ada’s House series (also collected under the title Hope Crossing) is a three-book contemporary Amish romance and faith-based series by Cindy Woodsmall. Because the novels take place within the same community and feature overlapping characters, the recommended way to read them is in publication (and chronological) order.
1. The Hope of Refuge (2009)
Start your journey here. The story follows Cara Moore, a widowed single mother fleeing a stalker in New York City. She seeks refuge in the Amish community of Dry Lake, Pennsylvania, where she is helped by Ephraim Mast, who must risk his own standing in the community to protect her.
2. The Bridge of Peace (2010)
The second book shifts focus to Lena Kauffman, a Dry Lake schoolteacher dealing with community tensions, a physical birthmark that challenges her self-image, and the arrival of a new love interest who tests her dedication to her community.
3. The Harvest of Grace (2011)
The trilogy concludes with Sylvia Fisher, a young woman who relocates to Dry Lake to help run a struggling dairy farm after suffering a deeply personal betrayal. There, she must learn to trust again while working alongside a man with secrets of his own.
Understanding the Orders: Publication vs. Chronological
Since the books are set in the same chronological order in which they were written, there is no separate chronological timeline to worry about. Following the publication timeline ensures you get to see how the community of Dry Lake evolves and how previous characters continue their lives in the background of subsequent books.
The Hope Crossing Collection
If you prefer to buy your books all at once, look for the Hope Crossing omnibus. This single-volume edition collects all three novels of the Ada’s House trilogy (The Hope of Refuge, The Bridge of Peace, and The Harvest of Grace) under one cover.
Spin-offs and Related Series
While there are no direct spin-offs or sequels to the Ada’s House trilogy, readers who enjoy the blend of emotional depth, spiritual growth, and Amish culture can find similar themes in Cindy Woodsmall’s other standalone series, such as the Sisters of the Quilt series or the Apple Ridge series.