Recommended Reading Order for Prairie State Friends
For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Prairie State Friends trilogy in its publication order. Although each book focuses on a different couple within the same community, the background stories of the supporting characters, the communal relationships, and the overall timeline of Arthur, Illinois, progress chronologically from the first page of the debut novel to the final pages of the third.
- The Decision (2015) - Introduces the community of Arthur and follows Jonah Miller as he relocates to escape a painful past, only to find new hope with Elaine Schrock.
- The Gift (2015) - Centers on Adam Beachy and Leah Mast, exploring themes of healing, grief, and a marriage of convenience.
- The Restoration (2016) - Also known as The Revelation, this final book wraps up the trilogy with a tense love triangle involving Priscilla Herschberger, Elam, and David.
Understanding the Trilogy: Book-by-Book Breakdown
The Decision (Book 1)
The series begins with The Decision, published in 2015. The story introduces Jonah Miller, an Amish buggy maker from Pennsylvania who is reeling from the humiliation and heartbreak of being left at the altar. Seeking a fresh start and a quiet environment to heal, Jonah relocates to the Amish community in Arthur, Illinois. There, he meets Elaine Schrock, a young Amish woman who is immediately drawn to his gentle nature. However, Elaine faces a difficult struggle of her own: she is the sole caregiver for her ailing grandmother, who is her only remaining relative. As their feelings grow, Elaine is caught between her sense of familial duty and her desire to build a new life with Jonah. The novel sets the tone for the trilogy by highlighting the importance of community support and personal sacrifice in times of trial.
The Gift (Book 2)
In the second book, The Gift, also published in 2015, the narrative shifts to focus on Adam Beachy and Leah Mast. Adam is a lifelong bachelor who has grown deeply cynical about marriage and family due to his mother abandoning his family and the Amish faith during his childhood. However, his quiet life is upended when his sister and brother-in-law die in a tragic accident, leaving him as the sole guardian of his three young, orphaned nieces. Recognizing that he cannot raise three children alone while managing his livelihood, Adam decides to seek a wife. He proposes a marriage of convenience to Leah Mast, a compassionate woman known for her practice of reflexology, which she considers a therapeutic gift. Despite Adam's skepticism regarding reflexology and their mutual lack of romantic feelings, they enter into the marriage. The story details their journey of overcoming past baggage, learning to respect one's unique callings, and finding love in unexpected places.
The Restoration / The Revelation (Book 3)
The trilogy concludes with The Restoration, published in 2016. The plot revolves around Priscilla Herschberger, a young Amish woman who finds herself caught in the middle of a complex love triangle. She is courted by Elam, a lifelong friend from her Amish community who wants to build a traditional life with her. However, their relationship is tested when David Morgan, an Englisher (outsider) visiting his grandparents in the area, becomes smitten with Priscilla. David's growing affection for her leads him to contemplate a massive life decision: joining the Amish church to be with her. This potential conversion sparks intense jealousy and possessiveness in Elam, who tries to convince Priscilla that David will never truly fit into their way of life. The story explores themes of forgiveness, jealousy, and spiritual devotion, reaching a climax after a community tragedy forces everyone to reexamine their faith and relationships.
The Setting: Arthur, Illinois
Wanda E. Brunstetter is famous for setting her series in real-life, vibrant Amish communities, and Prairie State Friends is no exception. Set in Arthur, Illinois, the series showcases the fourth-largest Amish settlement in the United States. This setting is more than just a backdrop; the unique agricultural traditions, local buggy making, regional Amish lifestyle, and geographical layout of the Illinois prairies heavily influence the plotlines and character choices. Brunstetter's deep research and personal relationships with Amish families shine through the authentic details of daily life, church gatherings, and home-cooked meals featured in these pages.
Practical Reading Guidance: Standalones vs. Continuity
A common question among readers is whether the books in the Prairie State Friends series can be read as standalones. Technically, yes—each novel features a complete romance arc with a definitive resolution for the main couple. However, the overarching community timeline, the reappearance of characters from previous books, and the development of the neighborhood social network make reading them in chronological order far more rewarding. For instance, characters introduced as neighbors or friends in the first book continue to influence events in the second and third. For those who want to read the entire series at once, publisher Barbour Books has released The Prairie State Friends Trilogy, a single omnibus volume that collects all three stories in one place.
The Third Book Title Confusion
When searching for the final book in the series, readers may encounter different titles: The Revelation and The Restoration. This is not a separate fourth book, but rather a title variation. While early publisher listings, pre-release catalogs, and some secondary database sites used the title The Revelation, the book was ultimately published and distributed as The Restoration. If you are tracking down physical copies or purchasing ebooks, rest assured that these titles refer to the exact same third volume containing Priscilla, Elam, and David's story.
Connected Works and Prequels
While Prairie State Friends operates as a self-contained trilogy, fans of Wanda E. Brunstetter's Illinois setting can find connections in her other books. Most notably, the 2026 novel The Beginner's Quilt—which serves as a prequel to her famous Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club series—is also set in Arthur, Illinois. This story follows a young Emma Bontrager who is sent to stay with her grandparents in the Arthur community, making it a great companion read for fans who want to spend more time in this particular setting. Additionally, Brunstetter's Discovery Series (a six-part Lancaster County saga) is often grouped in thematic listings alongside Prairie State Friends, though it is set in Pennsylvania and features a completely different cast of characters.