Member Reviews

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.

Was this review helpful?

It was a really cute romance story for an unlikely couple. It is just like Jennifer beckstrand’s stories we have learned to love and are accustomed to.

Was this review helpful?

No one can sink so low that the light of God's love can't find him.

There is many misconceptions of what being a Christian and living the Christian life can be. I think this sweet love story uncovered those misunderstandings. Linda Eicher did everything right. She obeyed her parents, loved her community, and she knew how to have fun enjoying Colorado in all that it had to offer. When she witnesses Ben Liems antics that is not so becoming to a young man and the preacher's son, she shows no sympathy. Ben gets what he deserves. However, things change when she witnesses how Ben is to his sister in law Esther and her young daughter. He is loving and deeply cares for Esther. She becomes intrigued to why after all these years Ben has always been a trouble maker in his Amish community. With the encouragement of Esther, Linda invites Ben to an adventure. Their friendship blossoms with the help of others in the community that come alongside Linda and Ben in their new found friendship. Linda encourages Ben to stop smoking and start taking care of himself. They both find themselves feeling more towards each other until fear takes over.

Ben has a fear of rejection after years of being told that he would never amount to anything and Linda has her own fears of protecting her heart. I loved how they both overcame their fears when it really mattered and how it affected the whole community as a whole. Many lessons to learn with this one.

A special thank you to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

Was this review helpful?

Having just finished this book, all I can say is that I enjoyed it very much. I have a spot for angry because they're sad characters and, also, characters that try to be practical non-sentimental and end up kind of failing. This book had both and it worked great.
This was a love story, a good one.

Was this review helpful?

DNF

I just couldn’t get into it. At 10% of the way through the book I gave up. Ben is just far too immature. He acts like a young kid. Very immature. I cannot picture him as a young adult that’s going to fall in love

ARC received from netgalley

Was this review helpful?

This was a wonderful book! I enjoyed the adventures the characters went on while also developing their relationships. Another great book by Jennifer Beckstrand. She is becoming one of my favorites!

Was this review helpful?

The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unruly In-Law by Jennifer Beckstrand is book two in her Amish Quiltmaker series.

Linda Eicher is a typical young Amish woman. Ben Kiem is no where near being a typical young Amish man. They would make an awful couple, or maybe that’s an awesome couple. Only time will tell.

The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unruly In-Law is another great example of Amish fiction. Jennifer Beckstrand has conceived another compelling plot. The characters are well-developed and believable. Beckstrand’s knowledge of Amish culture is readily apparent and adds authenticity to the story. I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to all readers of chaste romance, especially Christian romance.

My thanks to Kensington Books, Zebra, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely wonderful story from a very talented author! The characters drew me into the story immediately and I loved every page of this book. If you love Amish fiction, don’t miss this one!

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

Was this review helpful?

This is an Amish Clean Romance, and this is the second book in the Amish Quiltmaker series. I have read and review the first book in this book series before picking this book up, but I do not think you really need to read the first book before picking this book up. I liked this book a lot. I really enjoyed the characters in this book, and I liked the storyline. My favorite characters in this book was the two older women which was side characters (one the English driver and one the Grandmother of Ben). Those two women had me laugh several times. I love older characters in book. The main characters are Linda and Ben. Ben is an Amish bad boy that likes to hang out with Englisher. Linda is an Amish good girl. So, this is really a Good Girl loves the Bad boy just with Amish. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Zebra) or author (Jennifer Beckstand) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Was this review helpful?

When I am in need of some comfort, light-hearted, romantic reads, Amish is what I turn to. This book fit the bill!

Was this review helpful?

The Amish Quiltmaker's Unruly In-Law, book two from The Amish Quiltmaker series Jennifer Beckstrand, was a delight to read. Four and a half stars.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who enjoy books about Amish people will find this a refreshing change from some of the usual Amish novels. Apparently not all Amish people are quiet, well-behaved, and upright, as one often sees in the Amish novels. Ben is determined to demonstrate his unruliness and independence by reckless living, mainly to irritate his parents. His low self-image underlies his behavior. Linda Eicher is an outspoken and practical young woman, so falling in love with outlaw Ben comes as a total surprise to her. Although Ben is equally attracted to her, he continues to sabotage their relationship and hold her at arm's length. Several intriguing and troubling events draw them closer together, but readers wonder if they will ever make a match of it. Throw in a couple of elderly ladies with a sense of adventure, and a matchmaking sister-in-law, and the resulting story is alternately hilarious and touching.

The plot for this novel moves along quickly, and the characters are interestingly portrayed and quite individualistic. At some points, the reader may need to suspend disbelief and critical thinking in order to enjoy the spirit of the novel. The Christian message is overt and runs as a thread throughout the book. I am hoping for follow-up novels that feature the same quirky characters found in The Amish Quiltmaker's Unruly In-Law.

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

Was this review helpful?

I always love the vibrant characters this author brings to life in her books. Esther is a favorite with her quirky mannerisms, and I love her compassion and caring for Ben, difficult as he can be. It was a little heartbreaking as the reasons for his behavior are slowly revealed, and even though he was difficult to understand in the beginning, by the end I was really rooting for him to find peace. Linda is such a good match for him and I enjoyed their challenging friendship and the blossoming of deeper feelings. Esther's friend Cathy is a hoot and was a bit of a scene stealer in this book. I loved how she got involved in the lives of the younger characters. There are deeper themes woven in that made this more than a simple Amish romance, which is why this author is one of my must-reads!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Was this review helpful?

This is a delightful contemporary Amish romance set in Colorado. The Amish Quiltmaker is Esther Liem and she’s actually surreptitiously matchmaking her rebellious brother-in-law, Ben, with the plain speaking, sensible Linda Eicher. Esther agrees to help keep Ben’s latest escapades from his parents if he agrees to ask Linda to allow him to drive her home…..

Ben has been ostracised by many members of his Amish community and generally goes around with two close friends and the three of them are recognised as trouble makers by all. Linda, however, proves to be different, seemingly accepting him as he is and challenging him. This is a story of fearing love because of the danger of rejection hurting. It is one with some brilliant and somewhat unexpected champions – including an 83 year old lady who seems to be in amongst it all, regardless of what happening. It has humour and heartbreak, laughter and love in a delightful story with faith and love at its heart.

Thank you to Kensington Books/Zebra and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book!
If you read J. Beckstrand's last book in this series, you know that the quiltmaker is Esther, Levi's wife and adopted mother of Winnie. Ben Kiem is Levi's brother and the unruly in-law.

Ben has been running around with some friends who encourage him to do some pranks that are harmful to his neighbors. One of these pranks involved an incident with the Eicher family in their buggy. Linda laughed when she saw Ben hanging on to the taillight by a rope. Ben didn't like people laughing at him and Linda couldn't help herself from laughing but not always in a mean way.

Esther tries to encourage Ben and Linda to meet knowing they would be good for each other. Ben is a bad boy and has taken on that role in defiance to his father the Bishop and most of the Amish in his District who thought Ben had gone too far. Linda can see that Ben has given up on himself. He can't seem to do anything right when the people blame him for every wrong. Can she control her laughter and help Ben realize that he is a good person? Only prayer and forgiveness on everyone's part is needed to heal.

I received this e-book from NetGalley and the publisher. This review is my own.

Was this review helpful?

The Amish Quiltmaker's Unruly In-Law by Jennifer Beckstrand is book two in the Amish Quiltmaker series. It can be read as a standalone.
This Amish romance features Esther's brother in law, Ben. Ben is definitely sowing his wild oats and running with the wrong group. That is until he gets to know Linda. Even though they went to school together, he never got to know her. Slowly the romance builds but Ben doesn't think he is the right person for her. Linda knows he is but has to get him to see it too.
The easy to read romance has family, friendship, and humor. The main characters are likeable and the english driver is a hoot!
I was given an ARC by Kensington via NetGalley for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Second in the series The Amish Quiltmaker, The Amish Quiltmaker's unruly In Law finds us following Esther's brother in law, Ben. Ben is making the wrong connections and name for himself in the community. When she encourages Ben to keep company with the sensible Linda Eicher, Ben cannot see himself being friends. They have nothing in common. However, fall in love they do. What will Ben and Linda do when a misunderstanding puts them at odds? Can they find the future?
I love Jennifer Beckstrand's series. The characters are fun and enjoyable. I look forward to the next. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

Was this review helpful?

If you like/love Beckstrand's Huckleberry Hill series you will love this series as well. It is a laugh a minute. I finished reading this book a couple of weeks ago and I am still laughing when I think about Esther, Linda, and Cathy. Linda was a true joy of an addition to the series.

Esther is hilarious but has the biggest heart of gold. I love trying to guess what she will have behind her ear next. Cathy, the Englischer, will make you cackle with delight. I hope when I am an octagenarian that I am as spry and willing to try new things.

The love story between Linda and Ben is beautiful and feels like it is plucked from today's world. I have come to learn that I like stories of angst and indecision and watching the characters work out their differences.

Each book in the series can be read as a standalone. Both books are clean, Christian reading and can be shared with the teenager in your life.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington Books, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Another funny, quirky, keep you engaged to the last page book from Jennifer Beckstrand. We meet up again with Esther now Kiem thanks to her recent marriage.
Esther loves her brother-in-law and he loves her but Ben does not always make wise decisions.
Linda is the opposite of Ben. She does what is right and seeks to make good decision yet she finds herself spending more time with Ben and enjoying it.
This is a little more than an opposites attract story because at the heart of both our main characters we see many similarities. Forgiveness, believing in oneself, truth and understanding, love, second chances and a host of other great themes run throughout this entirely enjoyable book.

Was this review helpful?

"The Amish Q!uiltmaker's Unruly In-Law" is the 2nd book in The Amish Quiltmaker series. Ben Kiem is an unruly Amsih youth who does whatever it takes to get people to disapprove of him, even though he's the Bishop's son. Linda is a practical Amish girl with a ready smile. Will she be able to convince Ben that he's worthy of love?

I've yet to read the first book in this series, which I'm sure would give the reader a better background of the characters. It was an enjoyable read to me, with a fairly predictable ending. The thing that I found distracting about the book was it's use of Amish phrases for which there was no glossary for their meaning. I think it would be highly desirable to include a short glossary in this book.

Net Galley provided an e-copy of this book to me. All opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

#TheAmishQuiltmakersUnrulyInLaw #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?