You know how sometimes an idea is good the first time or two you see it, but then it gets old after it is repeated over and over? Well . . . that is NOT what happens with Jennifer Beckstrand's Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series. Return to Huckleberry Hill is (I think) the 7th book in this series, and the stories just keep on entertaining!

Once again Anna Helmuth is concerned about doing some matchmaking for one of her grandchildren. Her original plans for a granddaughter get sidelined when grandson Reuben shows up from Ohio. But never fear, Anna shifts directions quickly and the fun begins!

Anna's knitting and culinary skills are of course important parts of the story. And who would have thought that Felty's license plate game could helpful in affairs of the heart!

Jennifer once again fills her story with a fun and quirky cast of characters. Her creativity leads to plenty of fun and thrilling adventures for everyone involved. I certainly hope that she continues to give us more opportunities to visit Anna and Felty on Huckleberry Hill. Fans of fun Amish fiction should enjoy this delightful read.

Thanks to Celebrate Lit for providing a copy of this book. I was pleased to voluntarily share my own thoughts for this review.

Love this wonderful story. Jennifer knows how to tell a story.

I had a hard time liking Reuben, which made reading the book a little more difficult than usual. However, he did come around in the end so that made finishing the book worthwhile. However, Fern was delightful and I really enjoyed her character. Overall a solid addition to the series. I am glad the series has returned and also that there is a new book to enjoy soon!

This story may seem farfetched and filled with plenty of humor, but that carries the deeper message about the perils of pride and the value of unselfish love. Reuben Helmuth is a paradox. He is arrogant and sometimes rude to others, yet he honors his elderly grandparents and enjoys his grandmother’s odd cooking creations. Will his eyes ever get off himself and open to the truth of who really cares for him?

Fern King has been the persistent tagalong little sister of Reuben’s best friend, John. Now John and he are alienated, and Fern tries to help make things right between them. She follows Reuben when he flees and sacrifices her own life and comfort for his future.

Reuben’s matchmaking grandmother, Anna of Huckleberry Hill, determines to get him married. Will any of the girls in the knitting club she and Fern form work out? Lots of mix-ups and surprises make this a fun read. I received this book from Celebrate Lit. All Opinions are my own.

lovely story about two people who were childhood friends and how they helped each other. Fern is the friend we all need. She is there for you and will tell it like it is. Reuben needed her to learn some valuable lessons.

Their journey of discovery was a delight to read. Three words came to me while reading this book- Loyalty, Pride and Forgiveness. Fern was loyal to to Reuben. She knew he always looked out for her and had a warm, softer side. Reuben allowed pride to blind him of what was important in his life. Forgiveness was needed for Reuben to move on and to grab a hold of happiness. I love to read anything by Jennifer Beckstrand. I have no problem to RETURN TO HUCKLEBERRY HILL over and over again.

Return to Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand is the seventh book in The Matchmaker of Huckleberry Hill. It is Christmas Eve in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Reuben Helmuth along with the youth group is providing some Christmas cheer to the elderly and shut-ins in the community. Reuben is happy to spend time with his girlfriend, Linda Sue (Bishop’s daughter). Reuben notices that Linda Sue is no longer with the group and starts searching for her. He finds her with his best friend, John King. It turns out that Linda Sue and John have been seeing each other (behind Reuben’s back) and have fallen in love. Reuben feels humiliated and his pride is wounded (other people knew about Linda Sue and John’s relationship). He cannot believe that Linda Sue would pick a pig farmer over him. Reuben departs Sugarcreek and heads for Bonduel to stay with his grandparents. Anna and Felty are surprised by Reuben’s appearance, but they are happy to see him (though it changes their current matchmaking plans). A couple of months go by and Reuben is still at Huckleberry Hill. One day Fern King, John’s sister arrives in town. She is there to get Reuben to return to Sugarcreek and forgive John. Anna and Fern devise a plan to find Reuben a new girlfriend and get him out of his funk. They set up a knitting group of eligible young women. When Reuben ends up insulting the ladies (foot-in-mouth disease), he enlists Fern’s help to make amends. But what happens when a couple of the girls get the wrong idea. Reuben is in for a challenging time, but it will not be boring with Fern along for company. Will Anna and Felty succeed in making another successful match for one of their grandchildren?

Return to Huckleberry Hill is just delightful. Anna and Felty are amusing and heartwarming characters. Their hijinks are guaranteed to make you smile (and laugh). I could not believe that Reuben actually liked Anna’s cooking (there must be something wrong with his taste buds). Some of the food descriptions will put you off your next meal (Anna’s food combinations are certainly creative). Fern was a great addition. I appreciated her spunk and outlook on life. I give Return to Huckleberry Hill 5 out of 5 stars. Some of the messages or themes in Return to Huckleberry Hill are forgiveness, the downfall of pride, trusting in God and judging others based on occupation, appearance, or social standing. I thought Return to Huckleberry Hill was well-written and had a good pace. The author’s descriptive writing allowed me to picture the scenery and characters. This really brings the book to life for me and allows for a pleasurable reading experience. The ending left me giggling and a clue to Anna and Felty’s next victim. While Return to Huckleberry Hill is the seventh novel in the series, it can be read alone. I do, though, recommend reading this entire charming and romantic series of books. I will be on the lookout for the next enchanting book in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series.

What a story! Grandparents are matchmaking. Broken hearts and a knitting club.. cooking.. family love.. young love.. I love how this author tells a story. Another for my favorites list!

I was delighted to be back in Huckleberry Hill with Anna and Felty. I think I could be a bit like Anna – always trying to pair people up. She was so forward with Fern when Fern first came to the house that I was literally laughing out loud. Yes, I get some looks from others in the room! What I love about Anna is that she is not afraid to be outspoken and honest. She adds humor to this story and is a wonderful supporting character.

The thing I like about this storyline is that it is a little different than the norm, and I’m always looking for that in Amish fiction. Here we have a proud Amish boy (whether he wants to admit it or not) who was betrayed by his best friend, flees his surroundings, is followed by Fern who obviously has feelings for him, and really starts “dating” more than one girl at a time. I found this to be extremely hilarious at times. Here’s the thing though….. Reuben is very naive. I know it may not seem like someone who was proud could be, but if you really look into the way the author writes his part you can start to piece it together. I thought Reuben was like an onion. He had these layers to him, but he wasn’t ready to show them all to the world. You had to peel away layers, slowly, to get to his true core.

The last few chapters had my full attention. I was engrossed in what was happening with Reuben, Fern, and even a surprise visitor! Ms. Beckstrand wrote the ending perfectly, exactly how I wanted it to read. The characters came together and responded in a way that was realistic and sincere. And there’s even a section that gives you hope for another story to come from Anna and Felty! Can’t wait 🙂

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The romance is very sweet and a delight to read.

This book is full of wonderful characters. Some of them are very peculiar and have some very unusual interests and tastes. Fern King is an absolute sweetheart and I fell in love with this character from the very beginning. She truly wants to get along with everyone and has a marvelous happy and optimistic disposition.

I really like the open and frank lessons about snobbish behavior. A couple of other issues that are presented are pride and the need to forgive others. All of these are very important topics that we all deal with at some point. I think that the author did an incredible job of presenting and exploring them.

I received a free eBook copy of this novel through Celebrate Lit. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

A fun book to read, very pleasantly written with the words that come from German and of course the happy ending I was hoping for!

I so enjoyed this book. I love Felty and Anna, they are so sweet together and love to find mates for their offspring. Anna's cooking is hahahahaha. Reuben is a bit stuck on himself and learns hard lessons about life, at first I didn't like him but throughout the book he grows on you. I cheered for Fern to reach her lifelong quest. Want to know what I mean on Anna's cooking, Reuben's stuck up attitude and Fern's quest. Read the book, you'll enjoy the story.
Blessings,
Karen Hadley
Rating: 5*
I received a copy of this book as a gift, all opinions are my own.

Who are Anna and Felty Helmuth you may ask? Well they are just the cutest older couple you ever did see. In this book,Return to Huckleberry Hill, which is book 7 in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series you will see Anna and Felty are up to their old tricks again. And by being up to their old tricks again I mean meddling in their families business by playing matchmaker to their grandson Reuben Helmuth this time. It's all well intentioned mind you, after all they have grandchildren yet to get married off.
Reuben was best friends with his pal John for many years until John stole his girl. Needing to get away from the betrayal of his best girl and his ex best friend he finds himself on his grandparents doorstep. Who shows up in town though, well none other than John's kid sister, Fern. Now Fern has always been the tag along little sister that the boys had to take along when they went places as they were growing up. Reuben has bailed her out of trouble more times than he wants to count,like the time he saved her hide from almost drowning when she was 10 years old. Why has she come to Huckleberry Hill you wander? She has come to get Reuben to forgive John and then she can bring him back home. When he is finally ready to start socializing his handsome good looks get him to meet many girls. His kind personality has him doing nice things for several of them at a time and more than one girl thinks he has courting on his mind because of his help. What a pickle he gets himself into with these girls. He finds himself attracted to the last girl he thought would be on his mind for courting.
This is an absolutely delightful Amish story and I do hope you get a chance to read it and enjoy it.
Even though this is book 7 in the series it works very well as a stand alone but I suggest not missing out on the others for the enjoyable reads.
Pub Date 30 May 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was fantastic. I love the continuing characters. This is book seven of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill and I love Anna and Felty. They are great matchmakers. Reuben comes to stay with Anna and Felty when he believes that everyone in his hometown is laughing at him. Fern comes to Huckleberry Hill to try to cheer Reuben up and get him to come home. While at Huckleberry Hill Fern and Reuben learn many lessons. I did not want to put this book down. I received an ebook copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Thank goodness for this author and her delightful series. I feel like I read one of her books just when I need it. They always have a message beyond romance and Amish faith.

Anna is back at it, only this time with her grandson Reuben. Let’s just say Reuben is in this book to get a good serving of humble pie, and it won’t be sweet. Fern is the dearest character I have read in a long time for Amish fiction and she gave it the perfect fairy tale feeling.I felt the message of kindness and being humble spoke volumes in this book, and it was a part that I took away. Even though I adore Anna’s matchmaking skills, and her way just knowing who is right for who. It wasn’t the only aspect of this story. I loved the idea of a knitting group, and Anna can I join? I could use to meet the right guy. Knitting never sounded so good.
Reuben has the ability to be very righteous and not in the way that is attractive, he was struggling as a one would that has never had to attempt they are human, but when love hits he is seeing life a bit differently. I really loved how Fern treated him, she would put him in his place, but she also had a way of building him. She had gave him kindness.

The theme to me was kindness throughout this book. No matter the person, extend kindness and forgiveness. That is truth to today as well, we may not live simply like the Amish but we can be kind and forgive when needed. Anna saw that in Fern, she knew that Fern would bring this out of her grandson, and it did. I am excited to think of my next adventure with Anna.

We are back with two of my favorite people, Annie and Felty, the wonderful Amish grandparents, who feel that in their senior age need to find their grandchildren the right spouse.
This time their grandson Reuben is in need, and worse of all he feels he has been betrayed by his fiancé and his best friend, and is now at his grandparents for recuperation.
Feeling she needs to help with his healing, his friends sister Fern, has arrived in Huckleberry Hill to be there for Reuben, and help him learn to forgive.
The theme of this story is about forgiveness, and some find it easy and others find it next to impossible. We are offered different scenarios and each individual is very different
Parts of the story I found to be predictable, and others were taking a bit long to get to the acceptable conclusion. I did have a great deal of compassion for Fern, wow what a gutsy girl, and all heart.
Will Reuben wake up and see what is in front of his eyes, and will our loveable grandparents be able to help him, answers are waiting.

I received this book through Net Galley and the publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.

This is the seventh novel in the Huckleberry Hill Matchmakers series, and I haven't read any of them yet. Nevertheless, this story stands alone quite well -- enough to earn it 5 stars from me.

Anna and Felty are an older couple who are just made for each other, and they seem to be at the center of each book. Reuben and Fern are the stars of this novel. These characters are real. Reuben is self-centered but easily liked by those around him (don't we all know someone like that? ). He can also be kind, but doesn't put much value on that. Fern is poor and often overlooked by her community, almost like someone of an "untouchable" caste -- something I had never heard of in the Amish community, even after 20 years of reading this genre. She stays positive, but we really see her pain in the second half of the book. It was so palpable, it made me cry.

Definitely worth reading this one.

I adore Felty and Anna, the endearingly quirky and precious matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill. They are funny and unpredictable and just so darn cute. And on a mission to see all their grandchildren happily married.

In Return to Huckleberry Hill, Anna’s figurative stash of Cupid arrows are pointed at her grandson Reuben, who I have to say is kind of a spoiled brat lol. He’s cocky, sure of his good looks, more than a little arrogant and clueless at times. But, God bless him, he loves Anna’s cooking. Anna, in case you don’t know, loves to experiment in the kitchen – usually not with good results. Blueberry Egg Hash. Oyster and Water Chestnut Salad. Spam Pinwheels. At one point, Fern marvels at Reuben’s ironclad tastebuds and I had been wondering the same thing since chapter three when he ponders that the “best thing about being at Huckleberry Hill, besides his grandparents, was the food.”

Reuben has a lot to learn. As Felty so wisely tells him, “The measure of a man isn’t how popular he is with his friends, but how he treats those who have nothing to give him.” And once he learns this lesson – without giving any spoilers – he had me in tears!

Fortunately for Reuben, Fern is around. I love Fern! She’s compassionate and loves to tease, and she has a warrior’s heart. She also has loved Reuben since childhood. “She had a very full basket of ‘shouldn’t haves’ but it didn’t change the truth that she loved Reuben Helmuth like crazy…”

Bottom Line: Return to Huckleberry Hill is charming and sweet and tender at all the right moments, while still never losing the endearing qualities that go hand-in-hand with anything Jennifer Beckstrand writes. If you love Amish fiction – and even if you don’t – you need to read the Huckleberry Hill series. I guarantee you’ll come to adore Felty and Anna as much as I do!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

The matchmaking grandparents, Annie and Felty, are back again. This time, they want to help their grandson Reuben. He’s bitter after his friend John becomes engaged to the girl Reuben loved. John’s sister Fern wants to help mend fences between John and Reuben, and she may give Reuben a reason to consider giving love a second chance.

While there is some predictability, this is still an enjoyable story which easily captures the reader’s attention. It contains sincere characters and a quaint setting. The author places the reader right there along with the characters. Forgiveness is a key theme. Don't be surprised if you fall in love with Annie and Felty. They truly make the series!


Disclaimer: I received a free copy as part of the Celebrate Lit Blogger Program. However, I was not required to give a positive review.

A delightful return to visit with Anna and Felty at Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin.

Anna and Felty are joined by their grandson, Reuben as he flees his hometown of Sugarcreek, Ohio after being jilted by his fiancé for his best friend. Soon to follow is Fern, his best friend's little sister. Whatever is he going to do to make her see that he cannot forgive the two people he loved the most? Will Anna be able to work her magic on these two with her knitting or has she finally met her match?

From book one I have absolutely loved the wisdom that Anna and Felty share with the young'uns. My favorite passage in this book is: "The measure of a man isn't how popular he is with friends, but how he treats those who have nothing to give him." A lesson I think we all can be reminded of time and time again.

I appreciate that Beckstrand doesn't feel the need for bible verses every other page. She gets the point across of living a Christian life through your actions to others and how you view the world.

Jennifer Beckstrand has done a wonderful job in making the characters come alive in the heart of the reader. You find yourself cheering, being angry and even crying when her characters do in the book. I am looking forward to another visit to Huckleberry Hill in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC of this book for my own honest opinion.

Return to Huckleberry Hill is the 7th book in this series, but the first I have read. I had no issues picking it up and not knowing what was happening as it can be a stand-alone novel
Reuben Helmuth finds himself upset over the loss of the “love of his life” due to the betrayal of her and his best friend and runs to his grandparents, Felty and Anna in Bonduel, Wisconsin. Poor heartbroken Reuben is devastated as he knows he is good lookin', eligible and well-to-do and considers himself the catch of all catches! Fern, his best friend’s little sister and loyal friend to Reuben finds him conceited, spoiled, rude, and a whole list of other negative adjectives. Despite that, she loves him with all her heart and follows him to Bonduel to help him forgive her brother John and make amends. I love Felty and Anna, they honestly reminded me of my own grandparents, and I think they really made this book. Anna is a creative cook, and some of her concoctions do not sound very appetizing but her family seems to love them. Felty is an honest, hardworking man and is very acceptable to all people.

Jennifer Beckstrand did a wonderful job with this book and I am happy to say that I will gladly pick up the first six books of this series. This book had me laughing-out-loud and almost in tears the next. I enjoyed getting to know Fern and Reuben, and hope that maybe the next match might include poor heartbroken Johnny Raber.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from netgalley in return for my honest opinion of the book.