Martha Yoder moves to Hollybrook to help her sister Sarah with her three young sons. Sarah is alone now since her husband’s efforts at farming failed, and he went north to work at the factories. At Sarah’s home, Martha’s days are filled with housework, helping to care for her nephews and tending the animals. She even goes so far as to take a job in town.

Rachel Fisher struggles to live peaceably with her late husband’s aenti, who took Rachel and her son in when they needed shelter. But Barbara continually interferes with how Rachel is raising young Evan, and sparks fly. Rachel tries to get along - she really does - but Barbara pushes her to the limit. When newcomer David Wengerd moves into the district, Rachel is intrigued. But there are secrets there, something David is hiding. 

Lydia is a free spirit, resisting her parents' attempt to have her court the son of her father's friend, David. She feels nothing for him and will only marry for love. Her childhood friend, Jacob, has secretly loved Lydia for a long time, but hasn't confessed his feelings to her as he knows a courtship between her and David is imminent. As Lydia spends more time with Jacob, she finds her feelings for him changing. As Christmas approaches, both Jacob and Lydia look at each other in a new light, with Jacob seeing Lydia as only a friend now.

Chloe Smucker and her blind sister, Rachel, are to manage their late aenti’s raspberry farm. They will need help, and help they get—though in an unexpected way. Asher Ropp can no longer tolerate how his father makes his money. If he stays, isn’t he a party to it? He leaves home abruptly, taking refuge in what he thinks is an empty raspberry farm, planning to offer his help to maintain the place.

Nearly three years ago, Collette Schmucker lost her husband to a car accident. Since then, she and her two young sons have lived with her in-laws. But Collette is ready to move on - she wants to court again, find a new love, make her own home. Her mother-in-law Ruby has a different opinion. Collette has been married once, and to Ruby’s precious son. Why would Collette want another man? Why would she not be satisfied with what she had? 

Leah is raising her two children alone after losing her husband three years ago in an accident, and is in fear of losing their farm. Leah is being courted by widower Jonah, hoping that her feelings for him will grow. Leah longs to love again and struggles with continuing to court Jonah, although marrying him will provide security for her family. But when she finds a friend in neighbor Simon, she finds herself happy again, even though Simon's family tries to keep them apart.

At the tender age of 16, Hagar King falls in love. She is certain all will go perfectly with her 15-year-old beau, Enoch Yoder. But she is wrong—very wrong. Hagar falls pregnant and is shipped off in shame to give birth to a beautiful baby girl. Under protest, her child is snatched away. Enoch’s family leaves the state, and Hagar does not hear from him again. In the present day, Hagar lives with an empty gap in her heart and life—one that can never be filled. But everything turns upside down when Enoch returns to town. He never stopped loving Hagar. 

Leora King’s life boils down to two things: running her parents’ farmhouse and trying to keep her cranky father happy. Both require all of her energy. She’s all but given up on finding true love; she’s all but given up on a home of her own. Johnathan comes to Green Valley for the express purpose of finding a wife and settling down. His first choice is Mae Gross. She is a pretty, nice, friendly girl, who just happens to be Leora’s best friend. 

Timothy Studor barely makes it through his former fiancée’s wedding. When it’s finally over, he’s ready to flee when he overhears his friends talking. Pausing to listen, he learns that the Amish district in Green Valley, Ohio, is calling for young Amish men from Hollybrook to move there and court their women. It’s the perfect chance for Timothy to get away. Though not interested in courting again, he nevertheless volunteers.

Anna Mast has accepted Daniel Studer’s proposal of marriage. She is giddy with excitement, and her mind spins with wedding plans. When Daniel stops by the next day, refusing to come inside, instant dread courses through her. And Anna is right to worry. Daniel has been caught by Deacon Elias using technology, and he is to come before the church for discipline.

Ellen Kauffman’s younger sister Nancy is walking a dangerous path. Smitten with the divorced father of one of her nursery school students, Nancy has become deaf to Ellen’s warnings. Ellen will do anything to save her sister from being shunned. So, when Mark Otto, the man Ellen secretly loves, declares his interest in Nancy, Ellen sets aside her feelings and does all she can to help him.

Rachel never wanted to court Jed. Jed wants a wife to help run his store and romance doesn't figure into his plan. While Rachel's parents encourage her to marry Jed for a secure life, Rachel refuses to live a loveless life. Matthew has arrived in town to help his cousin, who was injured in an accident, on his farm. When Matthew meets Rachel, he's intrigued and wants to get to know her better, until he learns she is courting Jed.

Nancy Jantzi’s father had dared bring Englisch machinery onto their land, and ever since, things had gone downhill. Now, her family is in danger of losing their farm. The only way Nancy can help is by getting a job. After a tragic accident, Vernon Verkler is raising his two young nephews alone, but he is slowly drowning. He needs help - badly. When Nancy is recommended for the position, he agrees immediately.

In his youth, Josiah Schwartz suffered a disastrous courtship, effectively ending his romantic life. But now, his loneliness cannot be ignored. He promises himself he’ll try one more time to find a woman to court. He settles on Nancy Mast - a nice local widow, kind and steady. Josiah follows his plan and begins courting her, with a promising outcome. But Josiah doesn’t reckon on running into newcomer Sharon Bontrager - literally. Her ankle is badly injured when she’s spooked by his mare, and she is unable to care for her aenti’s farm.

Katie Smucker didn’t set out to break the rules. The first time she saw her shunned sister and spoke to her, she nearly buckled with guilt. But every time after that, it got easier and easier. Both Katie’s sisters have left their Amish roots. Katie’s heart breaks every time she thinks about her mother never seeing her two grandchildren. Is there any way Katie can intervene? But how, without taking even more risks…