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Kathleen Fuller did it again! Another heartwarming novel that shows us that God’s plan may not always be our plan.
We first meet Charity Raber in Birch Creek, in An Amish Mail Order Bride series. Charity went to Birch Creek to find a husband and she was a little desperate. She was also downright mean to the other prospective brides, especially Katherine, from “Love in Plain Sight”.
Charity decides to get a new start so she moves to Marigold. She moves next door to Priscilla and Micah, who we met in “An Amish Schoolroom”. Charity and Jesse both go on self discoveries. You can’t give your love to anyone until you love yourself.
I love how Kathleen Fuller weaves in characters from Birch Creek. I know Jesse, Charity and Monroe will pop up again in her books!!
I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series. Many thanks to the author, Zondervan and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

READ THIS IF YOU
Like Amish fiction
Enjoy dating mayhem
Believe God is in control

This is a great start to the Amish of Merigold series. It's a fun yet heartfelt read that was a joy to read. It has wonderful characters and a great story line. Parts of this book will have you laughing out loud, I loved it and highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy from Zondervan Fiction via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Kathleen Fuller has done it again! Come to Marigold and spend time with Jesse and Charity: two people determined not to like each other. Charity is a bit awkward, but very sweet. Jesse has always been a big joker. When Jesse finds out Charity wants to find a husband using a courtship plan she wrote with the help of some library books, he is determined to show her how crazy that is. But, God has a bigger plan. One that just might be crazy enough to work! Thanks NetGalley. I really enjoyed the story! Can’t wait for the next one.

Charity is a unique, quirky woman. She's never known what it is to be truly cared for and doesn't really know how to care for others either until a disaster of a "date" sends her to Marigold. She's not there too long before Jesse, of the disastrous date, moves in next door. That's okay, though, because she has a courtship plan she's developed with the help of three books. You can guess that this leads to more mayhem. At one point, I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to wake my husband.

Shirley, the older woman that Charity lives with, is wonderful. She comes to care for Charity as more than her employee and Charity blossoms with the affection and knowledge that she is cared for. She learns some other lessons that help her see she's gone about things in unhelpful ways. It's nice to see Charity growing because she was sometimes hard to take.

This is a fun read. Charity's blunt manner leads her to say unexpected things which take others off guard. It's entertaining. Thank you to Zondervan for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is a fun and easy book to read. The reader quickly figures out how the story will probably end but it is fun to go along with the characters as the story unfolds. Monroe and Shirley were my favorite characters.

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

Oh my! This book is the definition of a romantic comedy...witty, light, joyous, but at the same time, it is heartfelt and tugs at the heartstrings. Just an overall lovely addition to Amish Fiction.
My one pause would be that sometime the language and expressions used by the main characters sounded quite "modern" or "English" for an Amish fiction...maybe to highlight the difference and outsider perspective of Charity never quite fitting in. But the chemistry between her and Jesse is so strong and developed so nicely. Really enjoyable read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to #NetGalley and #Zondervan for the ARC.

Kathleen Fuller's Amish books are so sweet and this is no exception. Charity wanted a husband so bad and sets her sights on Jesse Bontrager. He's not interested but a year later they meet up again and things are different this time around. Love the Bontrager family and hoping there's more in this series!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publishes 17 January 2023.

After living in Birch Creek for over a year Charity thought her day had come Nelson Bolivia said his brother Jesse wanted to go on a date with her at the local café. Charity was so excited, Jesse was the cutest of the Bolivia Brothers with his cork screw curls in his to die for smile. Unfortunately this was just a joke Nelson was playing on his brother Jesse and to say it backfired terribly would be an understatement. Charity was so embarrassed that she packed up and moved out of Birch Creek. Year later Jesse got a new job in Marigold and he was excited to not only finally be on his own but to have a new job where he would learn how to make buggies. On his first day in Merigold, while settling in he hears a noise at his front door and when he opens it an adorable black and white dog runs in. It looks like Jesse has made a new friend but soon after he hears a familiar voice and it’s surprised to see Charity at his door. Turns out Charity is living in Marigold taking care of an elderly lady in Monroe is her dog and oh yes they’re also his new neighbors. He on his first new glance of charity sees she’s a little bit different although still awkward and still boyish she seems more confident. Charity is blown away to see Jesse in Merigold but little does charity know due to Miss Shirley’s snooping her and Jesse will see a lot more of each other. It’s because since charity has moved to marigold she started studying on how to get a man and has written down a courtship plan, this worries Miss Shirley. so one day when Jesse goes to bring the roaming Rover back home again she shows it to him and although he feels a little uncomfortable about it he still is more worried about charity. He is taking it upon himself to look out for her and at his first sing in with other local Amish teens, what an angelic voice charity has and then when Clarence mentions how pretty charity is Jesse can’t help but agree. Eventually they both notice their thoughts about each other or changing because they both cannot stop doing it. Will these two unlikely people get together or will just is denial and not wanting to date be ag permanent thing? I was so excited when I got this book and was so excited to read it! I put this book top of the list I couldn’t wait and was not disappointed. I love Amish and mail order bride stories and this is sort of both an absolutely love Kathleen Fuller‘s books. She’s the author who got me in to amish stories, so thanks for that if you are looking for a truly fun book where you really don’t know if they’ll end up together you should read the courtship plan by Kathleen Fuller you will not be disappointed. There’s a lot to be said for a book where do you know pretty much how it’s going to end yet you still want to read it that’s because the journey is so worth it I love this book and can’t say enough about it a true five star read! I received this book from NetGalley and Zanderfin press but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Forgiveness resonates throughout this story, from beginning to end. Harmless jokes? Well, not really, this read picks up where the last series ended when a joke ends up bring many young Amish woman to Birch Creek, including Charity Raber!

What happens to make both Charity and Jesse end up in Marigold, and the journey to healing! As we turn the pages some answers unfold, but then some additional problems rear, and yes, keep reading answers do come, some good life lessons. I was page turning for answers, and did they turn out like I wanted? Well, some yes, but there are surprises, and I love that there are more books to come in this series!

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

My Thoughts: Loved It!

Kathleen Fuller has such a way with her story telling that immediately draws you in. She also has characters that you connect with right from the start. You either love them, dislike them or go on a love/dislike roller coaster ride with how you feel about them. Such was the case with The Courtship Plan.

When I first met Charity Raber, she had me riding the roller coaster of like and dislike. However, her quirkiness and sincerity pulled me over to the like side, as did her courtship plan. When she began putting her plan in motion I found myself laughing out loud more than once. Charity was quite sure her plan was foolproof, but Jesse Bontrager thought otherwise. It was a good thing that he was there to save her from herself and her plan. And that's when things got even more interesting and drew me deeper into Charity and Jesse's story.

I absolutely loved this story! It made me laugh and it made me cry. It also had an element that touched me deeply because of how applicable it is to every day life. It has to do with taking responsibility, making things right no matter how much time has passed and forgiveness. That along with the romance, humor, great characters and the twists and turns of Charity and Jesse's journey made this amazing story a definite must read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are strictly my own.

I had mixed feelings about this book at first, I didn’t like Charity very much which was concerning because she is one of the main characters. I did start liking her once she moved to Marigold where she became a caretaker for a kind elderly lady. I think I fell in love with the rowdy dog owned by Charity’s employer before I cared about Charity.

I thought the courtship plan Charity engaged in was fairly amusing as were the interactions with her least favorite person, Jesse Bontrager. They have a rocky past from Birch Creek were they both used to live, that caused embarrassing times for Charity. I became more engaged in the story a few chapters in and found myself chuckling and shaking my head at some of the things I was reading. It turned out to be a much better read than I thought and promises to be another good series by Ms. Fuller.
I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

#TheCourtshipPlan #NetGalley

Charity,is determined to find a husband, she checks out books on relationships from the library, and makes a plan. Charity, is a little awkward and quirky, but such a fun character.
Jesse, comes from a large family, he's used to being teased and giving it right back. When his brother, Nelson, tricks him, into thinking; he's meeting him for lunch and finds Charity instead, sparks fly, with how upset Charity is. When Jesse moves to Marigold for a new job, his new neighbor is none other than Charity, working for an older lady. An escapee, for a dog, Monroe, keeps getting lose, and keeps forcing Charity and Jesse together. A fun quick read.

Spending most of her live in her bedroom to escape the rejection, she held on to her emotions, not being able to grieve her loss, she lost her ability to connect.



Charity Raber has answered the want ad of single women that landed her in Birch Creek, Ohio. Along with many other Amish women who seemed to be able to find the match that she seems to miss. After an embarrassing encounter with Jesse Bontrager, she leaves town and lands a job in the nearby town of Marigold. She becomes a live in care taker for Shirley. A lovely older woman who becomes more than an employer but a friend and anchor for Charity. Charity knows she needs to change her life but her past keeps her in awkward social places. She decides that if she reads up on snagging a man and learning to keep him, she will be set. However, God has different plans for her and Jesse. Jesse knew he embarrassed Charity back in Birch Creek and she had been on his mind for weeks. Thinking a new change of place, job, and distance from his family whom he loves, he lands in Marigold working for Amish buggy maker. When Charity makes an appearance at the shop chasing a dog named Monroe, a lovely redemption is blooms.

I loved this story. I cried many times for Charity and I also laughed. At times she had no filter and she was always forthcoming in trying to work out her failings. Sometimes we are our worst enemy. Jesse also had his own failings. He has a great heart and his heart connected to Charity so well. They both had to work out the past to be able to have future. There was healing because of grace and that is the best lesson of all.



A great plot because Charity had taken a courtship plan from a book that each chapter had a quote from how to Snag a Man and Keep him. How fitting that the end of the book ended in scripture.

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

Readers who have read previous books in the Amish of Birch Creek series will be happy to see the story continue. Quirky Charity is desperately searching for a husband but seems to scare everyone away with her manner. Jesse's trick of posting a newspaper ad to advertise desperate bachelors needing wives just may backfire. Readers will emphasize with Charity as her background is revealed but will she ever fit in? Enjoyable story.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read, and enjoyed, books by this author before. So I had high expectations for this book. I ended up liking it as much as I was expecting to.

Just fell in love with the characters in this story. Charity and Jesse are both fun characters

The things Charity did to get Jesse to court her were just hysterical. I loved her library research!

I so wanted them to just give it up already and fall in love!

I am a sucker for happy endings and was so upset when it didn't look like thing we're going to work out.

A truly good read

Highly recommend

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and couldn't put it down. I had to see what came next!

Charity is awkward and desperate. Jesse is a confirmed bachelor who pulled a dirty trick. They part ways and I thought it was over. That each would find another. But fate, or was it God, brought them back together and I really liked how it happened.

Sometimes I felt bad for each of the characters. Sometimes I wanted to shake them. A good story pulls you in and makes you feel emotions. This one did just that as I laughed, sighed, and even shed a tear or two. If you enjoy Amish fiction I highly recommend this one. Author Kathleen Fuller never disappoints.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

This is the story of Charity Raber who goes to Birch Creek for one reason to find herself a husband because there is a shortage of available women there. When she thinks she has a date with Jesse Bontrager she is so thrilled and then finds out it was a terrible prank. She leaves Birch Creek to care for a English women Sally and her dog. When Monroe gets loose and Charity goes running after him she finds the new neighbor is Jesse Bontrager. It is hilarious how she has a courtship plan that she makes up with books from the library. Will Jesse and Charity come together or will there be more problems for Charity? Characters are cute and lots of laughs. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for a cute and funny book.

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

When I first read ”Love in plain sight” (the preceding book in the series), I kind of hated Charity. She was a nasty character and seemed like a really dislikeable person. Then, somewhere towards the end something clicked in me and suddenly I saw her as this young, misguided, and lonely girl. All I could think about was the stupid things most of us said or did as teenagers and I hoped she would get a redemption story.

This is that redemption story.
And it’s all I wanted and then some.

First of all, Fuller does not gloss over how unlikeable Charity was and how she very much needs to grow as a character. The opening scenes were painful to read… yet also heartwrenching. While acknowledging her flaws, Fuller still manages to make us feel sympathy for Charity.

Then there is Jesse, who, though more likeable, also has a lot of growing up to do and humility to learn. I liked how Nelson especially drove that home.

What I loved most about this book was that it wasn’t a conventional romance plot where two characters dislike each other, get thrown together, then fall in love.

It had more road bumps than that. About half way through I was like, waaait a minute, where is this going? Half the book is left!

Because the book is as much about personal healing as it is about finding love, and there is a stress that healing generally should come first, but also that it is a work in progress. AND that it is about all the relationships in your life, not just romantic ones.

I think I cried about 4-5 times during the reading of this, primarily when Charity struggled and felt isolated and lonely, particularly after her fight with Saloma; or like when she said she needed ”fixing”.

Now, she did need to change and grow, that is true, but it was very painful to read things from her perspective and her need for genuine love and affection. Made me feel guilty, again, for how I initially judged her harshly.

The love story felt very well ”earned” by the time it came to that, and I thought that was well balanced and with plenty of chemistry.

There were plenty of times I laughed too, I should add, like the singing or, (and only once you’ve read it you’ll get it) cringing and screaming ”noooo, girl, nooo!” at the ”hand holding” incident. For all her forwardness, Charity quickly went from annoying to funny (in a secondhand embarrassment kind of way).

I liked the Shirley and Wendy sideplot too, and Saloma, which was impressive since these are all new characters to this series, yet they felt familiar.

In future books I really hope to see more of Charity and Jesse, I know that once ”their” story ends, the couples end up in the background (like Ezra and Katharine in this one), but I would like to see more of Charity and Jesse, and how they tackle their future together! They just had such great chemistry and it would be fun to see as they continue to grow. One can but dream!

TL;DR - you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll get a convincing romance and personal growth. All the good stuff you could look for in one of these. It filled me with good feelings by the end.


Thank you NetGalley, Zondervan, and Kathleen Fuller for the opportunity to read this in advance.

(As it is an ARC I hope someone else also noticed that a ’was’ had dropped out of the sentence: ”And she so very grateful” on p.300)

Thank you Zondervan Fiction for allowing me to read Kathleen Fuller’s latest book, The Courtship Plan. Kathleen has once again allowed us to visit Birch Creek, Ohio, to see how things are progressing with the desperate bachelors a newspaper advertisement informed the world about.

Charity Raber Had come to Birch Creek with one purpose, Find a husband. After failing yet again, she left town and settled in the neighboring community of Marigold to care for an older Englisher. And work on her courtship plan.

Things went along quite well until one of the nuisances, Jesse Bontrager, from Birch Creek, showed up in Marigold to work and live next door.

We laugh and cry as Jesse and Charity battle it out in order to co-exist.

Kathleen has a lovely way of telling a story and this 5-star story does not disappoint.

The views are my own, and I was not required to give a positive review.

Pre-order yours today. Release day is scheduled for January 17, 2023. You will be glad you did.