3.5 stars

This is a charming, quick read. I really liked Bethel. She's hardworking and easy to connect with. The kids (Sam, Molly, and Matthew) stole the show. Aaron is a good complement to Bethel. The characters are easy to root for and realistic.

Aaron, New Order Amish and a widow with 3 young children, finds it hard to run his sawmill business, see to his children’s needs and keeping his house clean. When one of his workers, Karl, mentions his cousin Beth, Aaron makes a business arrangement with her father so she can come be a mother to his children and be his wife.

Beth, being Old Order Amish and born with a limp, has no hopes of getting married because of this imperfection. Due to the business arrangement between her father and Aaron and the ability to escape from the abuse of her father and brother, she arrives by train from Indiana to Maryland, only to realize that the family has modern conveniences and everything that Old Amish Order does not allow. So many obstacles she must overcome and Molly, the middle child with a sweet disposition, readily jumps at the chance to show Beth how to use the unfamiliar appliances. Molly’s older brother Samuel, is spiteful and hateful towards Beth, while Matthew, the youngest child, has not spoken a word to anyone since his mother’s death. In no time, Beth has the house cleaned, meals cooked and slowly starting to gain the children’s trust, but will her husband Aaron ever see her more than just hired help?

So many obstacles stand in the way, but trust is the main one. Will Samuel ever accept Beth as his step mom and will Matthew ever speak again? Will the relationship between Aaron and Beth go beyond friendship?

I throughly enjoyed this book and the author did a good job in drawing you into the story and keeping your interest.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.

This book hooked me right away! We meet Aaron, a widower with three children and his “mail order bride” right away. Beth has one leg shorter than the rest and was teased and abused her whole life because of it. We see how she moves into the role of mother and wife in the wholesome book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zebra through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

LOVING MRS. BONTRAGER by Loree Lough, is an excellent story. Loree really tells a great story. She is never ordinary. She approaches topics that are not usually approached by other Amish authors.

Aaron Bontrager is in need of help to raise his three children while grieving after his wife’s death. A marriage of convenience is arranged between him and Bethel Mast. After her arrival, Bethel brings a sense of stability to his and his Children’s lives.

Will Bethel be able to show Aaron and his children that their practical agreement to marriage and family might be much more?

This five-star book will be published on April 27 and can now be pre-ordered.

I was given an ARC by Zebra press through NetGalley. All opinions are mine, and I was not required to give a positive review.

Sweet story! Bethel is a woman that has been teased her whole life because of a shorter leg, and she has a terrible relationship with her father and brother. She has no idea what her husband to be will be like, until she meets him. Aaron has been widowed for two years, and he just doesn't know how to manage his successful business, and his three children, and his household. It's really more than he can handle, so taking his friend's advice, he agrees to marry this woman that is coming to live with them. She manages to turn his world upside down, but for the better. Great story that was interesting and clean!

I love when a book gets me involved, from the very first chapter!! Not only did this get me interested from the first chapter, it would not let me put it down, until I turned the last page....at 3 am!!! I love a book that I cannot put down....it doesn't happen often, but this one did it!

Aaron Bontrager, a widower to 3 children, is at his wit's end. He has tried to do it all but it is all too much and many areas of his life are falling apart. He needs help and he needs it yesterday!! His brother in law suggests to bring his cousin, from Nappanee, IN, to Maryland to help with Aaron's mess of a life. BUT, this cousin, Bethel Mast, has a disability--one leg shorter than the other--and no one has wanted to marry her, so she takes the train to Maryland to take a gamble on life.

The day arrives when Bethel arrives and things do not go smoothly, with the children. The only daughter, is excited....the oldest son, is beyond upset and the youngest son suffers from muteness from the trauma of his mother's death. Bethel has her hands and days full.

This is to be a marriage of convenience.....Aaron's convenience....he has vowed, to himself, to make this arrangement one that will help his children and keep his house and life in order. But, as we all know....the best laid plans.....are not always God's plans.

Find your comfy chair, a good drink, a warm blanket and a nice candle and open a book that your will not put down!!! Enjoy the twists and turns of a life upended and hearts that have had their fair share of pain, heartache and abuse. Follow the road that leads two people to face their fears, their pasts and their futures.

I loved this book and I think you will, too. Thanks Loree Lough for another evening well spent!!!

I loved the female Main vara ter in this book. She was compassionate, strong and kind. I loved the strong family dynamic in this book. There was a incident in this book, where i do not agree with what The author is writing. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

Aaron is a widowed father of three who is having a difficult job running the sawmill and attending to the needs of his three kids.

Beth is a young lady who lives with her brother and father who treat her terribly because of a problem with her leg that causes a limp.

Beth agrees to marry Aaron as a marriage of convenience to take care of the kids and the house. Beth is amazingly selfless woman who tackles the job with such love for Aaron and the kids even when they can be unkind.

I loved the character of Beth so much! She worked hard from before sunup to long after sunset without complaining. She treated others with such compassion even when they did not return the gesture.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed t his book. A single parent with three active children, a profitable sawmill and a house that needs to be cared for finds he cannot do it all. he searches for a woman to care for his home and children. He succeeds in his search, but there are strings attached - they must be married in two weeks. . Bethel comes from an more conservative Amish area so she has a lot to learn, and deal with children who really don't want a replacement for their mother, but needs must. Some things are very familiar to her while others - such as electric appliances are not.. She comes to love the children and her husband, and they her. A really good story. -

Aaron Bontrager wants a marriage of convenience to help him raise his three children after losing his wife. Bethel Mast wants out of the abuse from her father and brother. She wants to feel loved. When Aaron agrees to marry her he just wants someone to care for his children. This is a beautiful story of forgiveness and love. I fell in love with the characters. How the children felt when she came. Molly reaches out to her, Sam abuses her and Matthew is unsure. Will this only be a loveless marriage or will Aaron be able to open his heart and find love?

A good overall enjoyable Amish romance story. Aaron has 3 young children, and is struggling to cope with the house and still run his business. After 2 years he decides he needs another wife and his brother in law mentions his cousin from back home that would be a good prospect. Bethel is abused by her father and brother, and is basically sold to Aaron. Meeting the kids, the oldest boy is rude and not welcoming, the girl is the opposite, and the youngest boy doesn't speak. A fun bunch. I did enjoy this one, and especially liked the interaction with the kids as they work together. Found it odd how Aaron's family, especially his mother and sister were a bit mean and gossipy, and hints are that many women looked down on Bethel. Didn't like the brief rudeness in the restaurant either. Didn't see the need for it. In general though, I liked the book fine and would recommend it and the author.

Bethel Mast is traveling to her new home n Maryland to enter into an arranged marriage. The family she is marrying into has a 10 year old boy, Sam, an 8 year old girl, Molly, a 6 year old mute boy, Matthew, and a 30 - something year old man, Aaron.
This family is New Order Amish, they have a truck, electricity and other benefits Bethel's Old Order Amish family lack.
The house overflows with dishes, dirt and unwashed laundry - Bethel has to work hard to clean and get to know the children and their father, who only wants a maid and caretaker.
But there are secrets, both on Bethel's side and Aaron's that are uncovered, will they last as a family?