Review of:  Loving Jenna

Amy Lillard.  Kensington, $7.99 (304p) ISBN 978-1-4201-4956-2

The first in a new trilogy set in the Amish community of Wells Landing, Oklahoma, Loving Jenna centers around the budding romance between two unlikely heroes.  Jenna and Buddy are both seen as “less than” by their community due to their respective cognitive slowness.  Jenna, her mother and grandmother have just arrived in town wanting a fresh start after losing both her father and grandfather (p. 1 ff).  Jenna longs to make friends and socialize like the other young women; however due to a childhood traumatic brain injury her mother forbids any act of independence.  Jenna meets Buddy at church (p. 21) and learns that he has Down’s Syndrome.  The two quickly form a friendship, connecting over their shared challenges and desiring to be seen as capable of more responsibility by their families.  When their relationship takes a romantic turn, their families try to keep them apart.  However, as they determine to be together, their courage in pursuing love changes everyone.  Lillard does an excellent job of depicting real-life challenges faced by those with mental disabilities with accuracy and compassion.  This story is sure to inspire and warm the hearts of readers.  5 stars