How to Read the Hearts of Middlefield Series
If you are looking to immerse yourself in a heartwarming Amish community where faith, forgiveness, and slow-burn romance are at the center of every story, Kathleen Fuller's Hearts of Middlefield series is the perfect place to start. Set in the real-world Amish hub of Middlefield, Ohio, this trilogy was Fuller's debut foray into Amish romance and established her as a USA TODAY bestselling voice in Christian fiction. The series is highly regarded for its authentic portrayal of Amish culture, steering clear of flat stereotypes to deliver characters who experience relatable human struggles.
To get the most out of your visit to Middlefield, it is highly recommended to read the primary trilogy in its original publication order. While each book focuses on a different couple and their unique path to love, the character relationships, community ties, and spiritual growth build upon one another, providing a much richer experience when read sequentially. The town itself feels like a recurring character, evolving as the books progress.
Hearts of Middlefield Recommended Reading Order
The core series is a straightforward trilogy published between 2009 and 2010. Because the chronological timeline aligns perfectly with the order in which the books were written, there is no need to navigate complicated timeline shifts. Here is the recommended reading path for the main trilogy:
- A Man of His Word (2009): The series opens with the emotional story of Moriah Byler, whose life is upended when her husband leaves their Amish community. As she rebuilds her life and navigates the pain of abandonment, she finds hope through a new love that tests her faith. This book sets the stage for the community dynamics of Middlefield and introduces readers to the close-knit Byler family.
- An Honest Love (2010): The second book turns the focus to Anna Miller. Following a painful broken engagement, Anna relocates to Middlefield for a fresh start. While running a local gift shop, she finds healing, community support, and an unexpected romance. However, building a future together requires absolute honesty and overcoming past betrayals.
- A Hand to Hold (2010): The trilogy concludes with the story of Ruth Byler, a dedicated Amish schoolteacher. Ruth has her entire life planned out, but her structured world begins to unravel when she meets Zach Bender. Ruth is forced to let go of her need for control and trust in a higher path, wrapping up the initial trilogy's themes of surrender and faith.
The Broader Middlefield Universe: Spin-Offs and Companion Series
Once you finish the main trilogy, you do not have to leave the cozy town of Middlefield behind. Kathleen Fuller has returned to this beloved setting across multiple companion series and standalones, creating a broader literary universe. If you want to continue exploring the lives of the town's residents, here is how the other Middlefield series fit in:
1. A Middlefield Family Series
This three-book companion series acts as a direct spiritual successor to the Hearts of Middlefield books. It features new families, deep emotional journeys, and the same trademark community warmth. It should be read in this order:
- Treasuring Emma (2011): Emma Bontrager has accepted her life as a housekeeper, but when an unexpected request brings her into the path of a grieving widower, she must decide if she is ready to open her heart again.
- Faithful to Laura (2012): Laura Stutzman relocates to Middlefield after a family tragedy, finding comfort in the quiet community and a blossoming relationship with Mark King, which tests her ability to trust.
- Letters to Katie (2013): Katie Miller receives mysterious letters that lead her to confront secrets from her past and seek guidance from her family and faith to find true love.
2. Mysteries of Middlefield Series
For readers who enjoy a lighthearted mystery alongside Amish values, this series is aimed at middle-grade readers (ages 8–12) but is frequently enjoyed by adult fans of the universe. It follows young sleuths uncovering harmless secrets around the community:
- A Summer Secret (2010): Twins Mary and Christian find a mysterious old key in their new house, leading them on a quest to uncover local history.
- The Secrets Beneath (2010): The mystery continues as the young sleuths discover hidden clues in a local barn.
- Hide and Secret (2011): The final book wraps up the childhood adventures with a search for a missing community treasure.
3. Standalone Middlefield Novels
Fuller has also written standalone books set in the same community that cross over with existing characters. Most notably, A Faith of Her Own (2015) features Anna Mae, a young Amish woman questioning her path, and Jeremiah, a returning childhood friend who has become a veterinarian. This book is a wonderful companion piece that revisits characters from the Mysteries of Middlefield series, offering a nostalgic look back for longtime readers.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you pick up the first book, here are a few practical reading tips to guide your journey through Middlefield:
- Can they be read as standalones? Yes. Each book in the Hearts of Middlefield series contains a self-contained romance with a satisfying resolution. However, recurring characters appear in the background, and reading them out of order will spoil the relationship outcomes of previous books. For the best emotional payoff, start with A Man of His Word.
- The Tone: Expect clean, faith-focused romance. These books emphasize character growth, forgiveness, community support, and spiritual themes over high drama or steaminess.
- The Setting: Unlike many fictionalized Amish settings, Middlefield, Ohio, is a real Amish community. Fuller's books capture the realistic geography and cultural atmosphere of the area, making the setting feel authentic and lived-in.