Courting Caleb by Kelly Long
Abigail Mast advertises for an “Amish Mail-Order Groom” just like her best friend did. Caleb King responds to the ad after another abusive encounter with his fater. He appears in the open door at Abigail’s pottery without writing ahead. Startled at his sudden appearance, Abigail drops the mug she was working on. Then — Abigail informs Caleb that there is another groom already there. Phillip Miller. Two grooms, one ad.
My reaction during and after reading — WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH KELLY LONG? In the past few years, I have read seven (7) books and several novellas by Kelly Long; the lowest review rating was four stars. Sorry — not this time.
The pacing is thrown off because the story bounces back and forth between Abigail, Caleb, Mercy (Abigail’s sister), Phillip, a unique character Birchbark, and an even stranger Bishop Kore, Matthew & Tabitha King (book 1), Joshua (Mercy’s son) … Plus, other people that live in Blackberry Falls.
The author wanted, I believe, to make the bishop a whimsical character with his “moon pies and popsicles”, “teeter totters and spaghetti”, etc. comments. For this reviewer, it wore thin quickly. His whimsy just didn’t seem to fit, especially with the bounce of the storyline.
I enjoyed the Birchbark character throughout, his backpack has somewhat of a magical quality. Enjoyable. You wish you had a Birchbark in your neighborhood. But the author introduces yet another semi-paranormal character — perhaps, too much of a good thing.
However, I did not like the way the couples interacted with each other as their relationships grew. Frankly too much touching, kissing, etc. for an Amish novel. I wondered if one couple was going to go well beyond that. One groom was especially forward in his suggestions — too forward, IMHO.
So, no. I did not like and cannot recommend Courting Caleb, rating 2.5 stars; 2 stars on websites showing only whole numbers. I did not feel I was missing information from (not-read) book one, Marrying Matthew, which might have helped in reading book two. Courting Caleb can be read standalone. This book was just TOO — too many characters, too much paranormal-ish, too many sexual inuendoes, too cutesy of a bishop … just too much shoved into the same book.
I received a complimentary e-ARC* copy of Courting Caleb from the publisher, Kensington Books, Zebra, via NetGalley. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
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