My Description, i.e., the Blurb …
Mattie Byler is Amish, a young widow, and a mother of two. And she is pregnant. The last thing she expected when she opened the door was to stare at her dead husband’s face. Samuel Byler. Her husband’s twin brother. His shunned twin brother. No one had heard from him in years. Why was he here?
Samuel had no plans to return to his community after being in the Englisher world until he read about David’s death. He was there to marry Mattie; he had promised his brother. And like a bull in a china shop, he tells Mattie he is there to marry her. He is carrying a lot of baggage. And his blurted announcement is not well received by Mattie. The book is tagged as ‘An Uplifting Inspirational Romance‘.
My Review …
When I read the description on NetGalley, I immediately clicked the “Request” button. I felt lucky to be approved. This was a fun book to read because of a specific character — not a human but a little pygmy goat named “Charlie”. This little goat makes work for Mattie and her two sisters who currently live with her since her husband died so suddenly. She eats anything she pleases and, of course, she is NOT supposed to consume but does anyway. While Charlie is not stated as an ESA (Emotional Support Animal), she is. She has that knack of knowing when Mattie needs extra support. I have a fondness and a personal understanding of ESAs, as I have one. My little Thor never wavered after my husband’s sudden death. So — yeah, I loved “Charlie”.
You will like Mattie. She’s tougher than she knows. But it’s tough being a widow and being pregnant. She has more than two sisters who live with her. Evie has a disability but it does not define her or keep her from doing what she wants to do. There is a lot to admire in Evie’s character. Naomi has strong opinions about a lot of things and doesn’t hesitate to share them — well, most of the time. She definitely has one regarding Samuel.
There’s a sweet old yellow dog named “Goldie” that recognized Samuel — I have a HUGE soft spot for dogs. A passel of goats — David and Mattie had a “goat farm” — now Mattie is ignoring those who gently and not so gently suggest she needs to remarry because she needs help. She does and Samuel is determined to help her…and he does.
You’ll chuckle if not laugh out with the scene of the Bishop’s wife (hint, she’s the biggest gossip in the community), Charlie, and a piece of cherry pie.
You should be intrigued by now. There are more characters — but not too many at a time. And Samuel’s story comes out in pieces. And it is not a pretty one. You’ll probably think, as I did, “Go talk to the Bishop already!”
In a review of a published book, the reviewer can quote a passage or two. In ARC reviews, one is to avoid doing that because the passage could be removed or modified in the published version. There was one jumped off the page and I feel confident that no one could improve it. “Life math is hard.”
The passage comes as Mattie considers her life with David. Two — David and Mattie. Four — two children. And now there were just three. “Life math is hard.” I lost my husband suddenly too. At 3:45 pm there were two. At 5:00 pm, there was one. Life math is truly hard.
I liked this book but did feel the ending was rushed. There was all this angst and then — tada! At least, that’s how it felt to me. Other than that, this book was a wonderful read and I highly recommend it. While it occurs in the months before and after Christmas, the core of the story deals with trust and learning to let go.
I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) of “The Amish Christmas Promise” via NetGalley from the publisher, Harlequin – Romance, Love Inspired. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Rating: 4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars for sites showing on round numbers.
Cover: Nice cover — however, a red dress on “Mattie” is improbable.
Pages: 223
Publish Date: 28 Nov 2023
#TheAmishChristmasPromise #NetGalley #AmyLillard
