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.

First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill is the second book in a series. I recommend this these books are read in order of publication

I have read every book in the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series. I will admit I absolutely love Anna and Felty, they are my favorite older Amish couple to read about.
They are just the cutest couple ever! You just can't help but love them. Anna and Felty are older, in their eighties but spunky and have so much living to do as well.
They have lots of grandchildren and under the pretense of needing some work done around the house or some other nonsense they get their grandchildren to come visit them one by one and they match make for each of them. Everyone in their family knows how meddling they are but they don't do it in a bossy way and all of their family adores them. When their latest conquest, er grandchild comes to visit the matchmaking once again starts up.
But instead of the story revolving around the grandchild's story it takes us back in time to Anna and Felty's own courting story when they were much younger. Though Amish Felty feels led by God as a young man to enlist, he did some things while enlisted that he's not proud of and won't talk about it as an older man. Returning home after his time serving, the Amish don't welcome him home as they are a peaceful people and don't condone violence. When he becomes an instant hero after a near tragedy, he is heartily welcomed home. Anna and Felty had feeling for each other before he left but neither knew it at the time. I love that Felty loves Anna for who she is despite her being a terrible cook and seamstress. He has a chance to have the prettiest girl in their community and she's the bishop's daughter, but he just wants his Annie. This is what I call genuine love. At the end of the book, it does switch back to modern times where the grandparents are older. Such devotion to each other, this couple has it for sure. Loving this series. This is a long running series that I will continue to read as long as she keeps writing them.

Pub Date 28 Sep 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

It has been awhile since I have read and I am getting caught in my reviews so this will be a short and sweet.

What caught me was the expectations we are faced. How we deal with it in faith. Anna and Felty Helmuth loved each other before their lives changed drastically. Felty had gone to war and his community had shunned him when he had come back. Anna had her own feelings to deal with and loving Felty was the only way she could.

Sometimes it takes the faith of others for our hearts to open to the love of God.

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

A very sweet, funny prequel tale to the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series. All of the books stand alone, but are even more fun if read together. This is the story of Felty and Anna. Felty felt compelled to join his country's war effort, even though the Amish frown on military service. When he returns, some in his church community don't want anything to do with him. Anna's parents are particularly against the union, but you can't really tell Anna anything!! Well, I suppose I can't say much more without giving away the ending, but definitely an enjoyable read.

Good story!

Description
The endearingly mischievous matchmaking grandparents Anna and Felty Helmuth have helped generations of their Wisconsin community – including many of their own grandchildren – find love over the course of USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Beckstrand’s beloved Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series. Now, in this heartwarming prequel set in 1952, Anna and Felty’s own love story takes center stage as the young couple spends their first uncertain Christmas together.


Before irrepressible eighty-somethings Anna and Felty Helmuth became Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin’s most-beloved matchmakers, they were mismatched young lovers facing seemingly impossible obstacles…

She can’t cook, sew, sing, or clean. And no matter how hard young Anna Yoder tries, she’d much rather help people in trouble than be a well-behaved pretty face and properly perfect Amish maidel. So she instantly reaches out to her old schoolmate, Felty Helmuth, when their Amish town ostracizes him for his Korean War army service. He's still the only one who's ever understood Anna—and liked everything from her green Jello carrot salads to her love of books. And this holiday season, she can't help hoping that somehow she and Felty can find a way to be the perfect match…

It was my first time reading an Amish book. It took a bit of getting used to some of the words but I hung in there and ended up enjoying the story. The main characters were very likable. Got a bit confused as I didn't think it made it clear that the story went back in time to the couples first Christmas but about 3/4 through I thought it had to be. It gave me a bit more understanding of Amish life

I loved First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill. It was a sweet story and enjoyed it. I am giving it five stars.

This is such a delightful, well-written book. I have loved Annie and Felty since the Huckleberry Hills novels, and wish this series could go on indefinitely,
It was such fun to read how these two were in their younger days and how their love continued to grow into the legacy of loved they will leave on my favorite fictional characters for generations to come.
Copy provided from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Anytime I get to read a Jennifer Beckstrand story with those endearingly mischievous matchmaking grandparents Anna and Felty Helmuth is a treat! Always full of fun and laugh out loud situations. You can't go wrong with a visit to Huckleberry Hill! Yes! This is one of my very favorite authors and I highly recommend this and all of her stories. I received a copy through NetGalley, no review was required, my opinion and review are voluntary.

The perfect Christmas book for cosy nights abd frosty mornings. The ideal mic of. Likeable characters and storyline. Perfect.

An enchanting prequel that tells the love story of matchmaking grandparents Anna and Felty Helmuth in 1952.

Raised by her widowed father Anna Yoder can't cook or sew like the other young women in her community, though she does her best, but her tender heart has her reaching out to newly returned Felty who is something of an outcast due to his service in the Korean War. A heartwarming and humorous read that tells the story of Huckleberry Hill's favorite couple.

A delightful Christmastime romance that brought a smile to my face. I loved how Anna knows she isn't like the other girls, but she always does her best and isn't afraid to blaze her own trail, yet she is always considerate of others. I like that Felty stands up for Anna and has her back, he has learned to stand his ground for what he believes.

Overall this was such a fun read, with endearing characters. I admired Felty for being courageous and choosing to do the hard things, following the call. The side characters were well written, I especially liked Anna's brothers and her father. A heartwarming Christmas read great for fans of the series or new fans alike. Highly enjoyable!


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand is a sweet Amish romance. It tells the story of Anna and Felty from The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill courtship. It is full of romance and humor. It also goes into Felty serving in the Army during the Korean war and the repercussions for him. This well written, heartwarming story is perfect for a Christmas read.
I was given an ARC from Zebra books via NetGalley for an honest review.

This novel provides the prequel to how Anne and Felty, the matchmaking stars of the Huckleberry Hill series, met and married. Felty returns to his Amish community after serving as a soldier in Korea. The community treats him with disdain since the Amish believe in nonviolence, even though Felty believed he was called by God to serve. Felty is determined to claim Anne, the love of his life, also an outcast in the community due to her unusual ideas about cooking and Amish life in general. When Felty saves a child's life, his heroism catapults him as an accepted member of the community, and single ladies vie for his attention and affection. How can Anne compete with others who seem prettier and more talented than she?

Readers who are fans of Amish novels, and this series in particular, will not be disappointed by this latest story. This is a sweet and clean romance, lacking in suggestive sexual scenes or strong language. The Christian message is clear and overt, playing an important role in the lives of the characters. The novel provides a glimpse of the difficulties encountered by members of the military as they return to their home communities. It also includes many hilarious and touching moments, as the main characters try to fit in with traditional Amish ideas, although they are quite unique individuals. This book is part of the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series, although it can be read as a stand-alone.

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

First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill By Jennifer Beckstrand

This is the beginning of the series in a backward way. This is the story of Anna and Felty. Felty did something unheard of in the Amish community and now that he is home he will need to face the members of the church as well as his family and friends.

This book is amazing and must have taken great concentration to write. I loved it. I am sure you will too!

I was given the privilege of reading this book by NetGalley and the publishers. The review is my own.

Felty and Anna have played matchmakers for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Now the readers finally get the story of how it all began. We find out the love story of the two most wonderful and loving characters. They truly show how love begins and continue to grow. Jennifer Beckstrand has 10 books to the series. I look forward to more. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

Jennifer Beckstrand has written an Amish story with a different twist! Felty Helmuth felt called by God to enlist in the military during the Korean War against his non-violent Amish upbringing. The community doesn't exactly welcome him back with welcome arms until he saves a small child's life. Poor Anna Yoder's mother died when she was young and she has learned to take care of her father and brothers. You'll enjoy how Anna likes coming up with unique dishes even when she has been asked to NOT bring food to church dinners! I felt sorry for Anna as everyone seems to put her down but Felty remembers the young girl from his school days and loved her even then. You will wonder what will happen when the bishop's daughter sets her cap for Felty! Anyone who enjoys Amish fiction will want to read First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill. I received a complimentary e-book fhrough NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

What a beautiful romance. It was time we learn the love story of the greatest matchmakers in fiction, Anna and Felty.

I really connected with Felty because his stories of the Korean War were so similar to the stories my dad tells of his time in the Korean War. To this day my dad doesn't like the extreme cold.

My heart hurt for the cruelty Anna experienced from the others in her community. She was trying her best without a mom to guide her. I loved her perseverance to keep putting one foot in front of the other and how her fun-loving spirit never truly wavered. The cruelty she experienced shows us how no matter your community unkindness still exists.

If you have not read this series, you should check it out. You will laugh your way through and find a smile on your face long after the last page.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed above are entirely my own.

Oh, how I LOVED this book...First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill!! Oh, how I have LOVED this series, set on Huckleberry Hill. I wish for it to never end and because I have the series, it will never end for me!!! I have read the books, in order, and I think it helps to follow the characters and relationships that are developing.

Here we have the story of how Anna and Felty Helmuth became a couple. They had to struggle with a beginning that was full of challenges and people that did not accept who they were as people or a couple!! Many of us have been there and have come through with minor scars.

Anna, who has never felt worthy of anyone, still carries that lack of confidence when it comes to relationships. She sees herself as "less than" and must find her way to become the woman God created her to be.....and it is a wonderful journey where she finds her way despite those who do not believe in her.

Felty has always loved Anna, but God called on Felty to go down a road that very few Amish men travel.....Felty joined the Army, during the Korean conflict and served for several years. That journey has it's own set of challenges and conflicts that result in Felty having to come to terms with the ravages of war. Felty is like the rudder of a boat.....always keep it steady and you will find your way.

Here you will find the reason why there is a "Huckleberry Hill" , how so many have come together as a result of Anna and Felty!!

Grab a warm cover, your favorite drink, light a fragrant candle and settle in to become a part of Huckleberry HIll and the journey of Anna and Felty.....You will not regret it and will yearn for more!!!

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

Jennifer Beckstrand never fails to bring delight with her stories! And First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill is no exception. I laughed and cried and laughed some more throughout the book. The story is about Anna and Felty, how they met and fell in love, when Felty had just returned from the Korean War, something no Amish person did. He is ostracized because of his choice to serve. And Anna, always a bit odd because she doesn't cook or sew the way the other "Good Amish Girls" do, is his friend, regardless of his censure. As they grow closer, they must fight Anna's low opinion of herself and Felty's memories of war, as well as their church, which is not as supportive as they would like. But, as we all know if you have read any of Beckstrand's matchmaking series, Anna and Felty will find themselves drawn together and you will enjoy this delightful story of how it happens. I haven't even finished all of the matchmaker books but I still loved every minute of it! Thank you, yet again, for a delicious story!
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