Loved reading this book. Amazing story and the characters lend to the charm of this book. I would highly recommend this book. You would not be disappointed.

Believable characters with a look at a culture we don't often think about. The story moves quickly with a surprises that entertain and urge one to the next page. Well written with just the right amount of dialogue.

Marrying Matthew is the first of Kelly Long's Amish Mail Order Grooms series. It is the story of Tabitha and Matthew, two strangers who agree to marry without realizing what that actually means. Tabitha is the daughter of a mill owner with a passion for wood-working that is prohibited in her home of Blackberry Falls. She has a continuous set of beaus wanting to court her, but not for her. They are interested in her father's business. Matthew answers an ad that Tabitha places for a mail order groom. His interest actually lies in apprenticing with her father, but he is willing to marry to make that happen. He has no idea that Tabitha is also a master carver and also a lovely young girl who will ignite a spark in him. The two of them face a bumpy road, especially since there is also a murder in the area and people suspect Matthew, as he is an outsider. Can the two of them make their way and also discover how to change a community's long standing rule about women carvers? On a side story, there is Anke and Abner, two older people who have spent their lives watching out for Tabitha. Both have their secrets and their heartaches, but can they find love together? This was a fun story, full of mischief and sparkle. I enjoyed the characters. Tabitha and Matthew were young and exciting and full of life. I especially enjoyed Anke and Abner's story though, as they both learned to love and let go of the past. Thanks to #NetGalley for the chance to read this story. All opinions are my own. #MarryingMatthew #Bookstagram #all_the_pages

Marrying Matthew starts Kelly Long's series, Amish Mail Order Grooms. I thought it was pretty good and am giving it four stars.

Blackberry Falls, PA Amish woman knows her father expects her to marry and her husband will take over his wood carving company. Having no interest in marrying she decides to put an ad in the paper and look for a mail order groom, one who wants her for herself and not because he'll take over her father's business.
When Matthew King shows up because of her ad it seems perfect to fit her needs. Marrying Tabitha Stolfus for herself is not what Matthew has in mind though it's to have an apprenticeship from her father to further his wood working skills. She is easy on the eyes though and he finds himself stealing kisses from her. Unknown to each of them they both have an ulterior motive for the marriage. Can this relationship based on secrets last ?
There is another side romance going on, a secondary characters couple that I'd love to see a book on them as well. I really enjoyed Matthew as he's a very charming young man who is tender and sweet and woos Tabitha in all the right ways.
Tabitha's grandmother is a real firecracker and she feels entitled to say whatever she wants at her age. She is a hoot!
Very enjoyable book!

Pub Date 01 Dec 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Kelly Long touches on a new concept in her Marrying Matthew novel, a mail-order groom. This is different from any other Amish book that I have read, and again, I loved it. I think it is creative and that that part of the story was done really well. There is romance, mystery and intrigue in this book, and you want to keep reading to see how it all ends up.

Marrying Matthew by Kelly Long is the first book in The Amish Mail Order Grooms series. Marrying Matthew not your typical Amish novel. I liked the unusual premise of a mail order Amish groom. I enjoyed the descriptions of Blackberry Falls, Pennsylvania. There are a variety of quirky residents with Bishop Kore leading the pack. I like that there is a mystery which adds depth and suspense. I was turned off, though, by the sexual innuendo and intimate situations. I read Amish and Christian novels because they do not contain that type of content. I was surprised to find it in Marrying Matthew (and so much of it). I was puzzled about the time period. While in Blackberry Falls it seems that we have stepped back in time. I thought it was the early 1800s from the way things were described and the way the Amish spoke. But then they went to the local hospital and were able to watch television. If this had been a clean, Amish novel, I would have enjoyed Marrying Matthew. It has a great premise along with mystery, suspense, a charming town, humor, unique characters, and suspense. If you enjoy explicit romance novels, then you will enjoy Marrying Matthew much more than I did.

Mail order brides are commonly found in novels, but mail order grooms are certainly a new topic! "Marrying Matthew" is the first in a series of Amish fiction novels that feature mail order grooms, not to mention feisty, independent women.

As heiress to her dad's mill and woodworking business, Tabitha has successfully avoided men who want to marry her in order to take over the business. However, Tabitha determines to marry on her own terms, so she places an ad for a groom. She never intends to fall in love with her mail order groom.

Matthew King answers her ad with the intention of gaining woodworking skills from Tabitha's dad, with marriage as an incidental. However, he never planned to fall in love with his new wife. Matthew also failed to consider the reactions of the men at the mill, or the independent attitude of his wife.

Another romance brews between Abner and Anke, older individuals who hide their secrets from each other. However, they find it increasingly difficult to hide their growing attraction to each other.

Of the many Amish fiction novels I have read, this one definitely contained many nuances that set it apart from the others. The story line includes twists and turns that motivate the reader to continue reading. Mystery and suspense also add to the unpredictable nature of the plot. The mountain setting and descriptions of the Mountain Amish community also display a unique aspect to this series.

The characters are interesting, likeable, and well-drawn, with depths to their personalities and motives. Although a "sweet" story, the novel contains a bit more spice than most Amish novels, although always within the bounds of good taste. Readers who enjoy Amish fiction will find this a thoughtful and well-written change of pace. I am looking forward to reading the next installment in the series.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I enjoyed the setting of this book. I found it quite interesting to read about an Amish community set in the Appalachians. The delightful and sometimes unusual people of the community of Blackberry Falls added depth to the story. Being the strong-minded, independent thinking daughter of a wealthy Amish business owner, Tabitha Stolfus wants marriage on her own terms, and she decides to advertise for a “mail order groom”. She gets more than she ever imagined in Matthew King. There’s romance and a little bit of suspense in this book and the storyline has some intensity that kept me turning pages to find out how the mystery of who was attempting to kill Matthew. The setting, characters, and storyline are all strong features of this book.

A note about this story: I know that this book is published under general fiction, not Christian fiction, and that the guidelines are different for those two genres. However, the intimate scenes between Matthew and Tabitha, even though they were married, were too “spicy” for me. They weren’t entirely inappropriate, but it was past my comfort zone. I do realize, however, that this book was not labeled as Christian fiction, and that was not necessarily the intended audience for the book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Everyone knows that Tabitha's father owns a very successful wood carving company. Tabitha is weary of being pursued by men for marriage whose only real interest is in her father's company-not her. Her dad has a man that he wishes Tabitha to wed. Tabitha is very much against it. Being the head-strong, spoiled young lady that she is, she takes matters into her own hands and places an ad for a mail order groom? Is that even done, she wonders? Mail order brides, yes, but a groom?
Matthew answers the ad, and he is far enough away that Tabitha thinks he surely has not heard of her father's business. She arranges for him to come while her father is away, so she can marry before her father can stop her.
Matthew has heard of her father's business. He is known far and wide, it seems. He really has no interest in a wife, but an interest in an apprenticeship under her father. Who better to learn from?
The storyline is very good, but...I would have loved to have given five stars, but there were too many details in the intimacy between Tabitha and Matthew. Not at all what I expect when reading Christian fiction. Real life, yes. But, I do not wish to read it. This was a disappointment in the story.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher, Kensington Books and Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

The hero is very alpha, and there’s an enemies to lovers energy with the storyline. Both of these are unusual in Amish romances, and neither are my fave. I think this might work for readers who find beta heroes annoying. Personally, I thought Matthew was a jerk.

Getting married takes a day. Being married takes a lifetime.

Tabitha living in the Amish mountain community knew that her father wanted his only daughter married. Married in that he would have a son to carry on the family business. Tabitha wanted marriage in her own own terms and sent out for a mail order groom. Matthew King had his own terms. He wanted to learn from the best in wood working and knew Tabitha's father would be the means to the end. They both got more than they bargained for.

Both Tabitha and Matthew were developed nicely in this romantic prose. They both were deep in what is right and in loyalty to those that they loved. Tabitha and Matthew both had secrets that they were wanting to reveal in their own time but faith always as its own timing that always makes for a deeper impact. The other characters in the community made for a community that you long for. It wasn't perfect but it was true.

The relationship between Matthew and Tabitha also was a savory peel of what they were made of. How they got to know and ultimately trust each other for a real marriage. This trust lead to a support of who God created them to be. A great Amish romance.

A Special thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

What a fun read.
Tabitha wants a husband and decides that the best way to get one is by mail order. She had very specific qualities that her future husband must have. Her advert is answered by Mathew.
This is a delightful story set in a small Amish village. We meet a number of the towns people and as Tabitha and Mathew get to know each other , they learn that no all is as they think.

I love Amish stories and this did not disappoint.

I absolutely LOVED this novel. A very different story, in the Amish genre, this book was a "can't put it down, until I'm finished"!! Now, I can't wait for the second installment, in this series!

Tabitha Stolfus, a strong willed Amish woman, has listened to her father's wish for her marriage for far too long!! She has taken to putting an advertisement, in a publication, for a mail order HUSBAND!! What a great take on the "mail order" way of marriage. She gets an answer from Matthew King who comes right out to be her spouse. He knows of her father's business as he is a woodworker who greatly desires to apprentice under Mr. Stolfus.

What a journey this story takes....lies, deception, fear, intentional accidents and a trip down the twisted road of love. Can Tabitha live with Matthew's marriage stipulations....can Matthew live with Tabitha's unique personality? It is a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I see a review that spoke of "graphic intimacy".....there is nothing graphic, only innuendo and where your mind takes you. I did not find it to be objectionable but within the boundaries of a clean Amish novel. It may stretch the limits, but it is clean but fun!!

Grab this book, a nice warm afghan, a comfortable chair and the drink of your choice to spend a wonderfully fun night reading a great novel.

This is the first in a new series by Kelly Long. I loved the premise of the book (and series) of a mail-order groom. This is different from any other Amish book that I have read, and again, I loved it. I think it is creative and that that part of the story was done really well. I also liked that these were not Amish farmers as so many Amish book characters are. There is romance, mystery and intrigue in this book, and you want to keep reading to see how it all ends up. I also enjoyed the redemptive aspect of the story that shows up in several areas. The only downfall to me, was the graphic intimacy scenes. I understand that the couple is married, but it was very unexpected in a Christian Amish book and while I wouldn't label it smutty, I wouldn't be able to say that it is a "clean" read either. I would not want my teenage daughter to read this book. Other that than, I did enjoy the story line and concept of this book. If you are not put off by slightly more graphic intimacy scenes, and love romantic fiction, you will enjoy this book.

Kelly Long has again given us a wonderful new book, Marrying Matthew, which will be published December 1.

In true Kelly Long fashion, this book is a little different than most Amish love stories. Tabitha Stolfus sends away for a mail-order groom because she wants someone to love her, and not just her dad’s business and money.

Answering the add is Matthew King., a woodworker who really just wants to apprentice for Tabitha’s dad.

Is there anyway for true love to come from this business deal?

This is a 5-star book and deserves to be ordered today.

Thank you to Kensington Books and Kelly for making making this book available through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to give a positive review.

Marrying Matthew is quite the different take on mail order brides. A very well written Amish romance. Good plot and character dynamics. I highly recommend. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

"Marrying Matthew" by Kelly Long was a wonderful Amish style book that did not follow any of the outlines that the many books I have read have basically followed. One of the things I most appreciated was that the author did not find it necessary to over explain any emotions, or even the high German words used. It isn't hard to understand what words mean when reading them in context, even when the words are sprinkled in from another language. Every Amish book I have read before has given a dictionary list at the beginning (or end) of the book with a list of the meanings of every word used, as well as literal interpretation of every word used throughout the book (making the appendix list totally redundant). Ms. Long simply sprinkled in words as they would be used in the culture of the storyline, and treated the reader with a nice level of anticipated intelligence to figure out what the words meant in the context of the usage.

I loved that Ms. Long combined two concepts in this story...an Amish background together with an Amish woman seeking a mail order husband. These are not concepts that would usually be thought of in a storyline, and this shows the wonderful imagination that went into writing this story. There were many main characters that were deeply developed. Two relationships were fully explored with true depth in one storyline. I felt like I got a two for one story! I was pulled into the story from the very first page, and had a hard time putting it down before the very last sentence! This is saying something, as I often will choose an Amish story as an "easy read" when I don't necessarily want a book that takes a lot to get into. I was pleasantly surprised to be so thoroughly pulled into this story, and to truly not be able to guess every part of the story before it unfolded.

My only wish was that more was explored about Annie's mother. I felt, personally, like this was left a little too open ended. I don't want to give away too much, because it would truly be a spoiler to say more. However, to the publisher and author, I do wish more was explored here. Now, maybe this is a part of a series? If so, please touch on this in the future. This could be an amazing story all of it's own!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books (Zebra) through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Amish mail order grooms is definitely a new twist in Amish fiction. The Amish have many rules but the rule that Tabitha is breaking seems petty at best. I liked that Matthew wanted to get to know his wife and the restraint with his relationship with Tabitha. The side story of Anke and Anger was sweet. This was an enjoyable story. Hoping to find out about Tabitha's mother in the next book.

I received this book from netgalley! I loved it can't wait for from this series. I hope to read more from kelly. I loved Tabitha and Matthew story at BlackBerry falls. I loved the character's and the cover and the title to the book. thank you for the opportunity to read it.