The Amish Matchmakers

by Beth Wiseman

Two Amish elderly sisters, Esther and Lizzie, own the Peony Inn and two neighboring cottages which they rent out. The sisters have a reputation in their community as matchmakers, but in this story they turn their skills on each other. They love each other so much that neither wants her sister to be alone or lonely if she passes first. When retired Englisch dentist Ben Stotzfus leases one of the cabins for 6 months, each determines to make a match for her sister, but both widowed women are actually attracted to Ben.

Another part of the plot introduces Ben’s granddaughter Mindy. Ben was semi-estranged from that part of his family, but now that she is grown they have reconnected. Gabriel is an Amish young man who works for the sisters at the inn, mainly when they need outside work done. He and Mindy meet when an accident occurs at Ben’s cottage. A spark flies upon their meeting but they wonder if anything can come of it since Amish and Englisch romances often have bad endings.

As older adults, Ben and Esther have medical issues that they try to keep secret. Lizzie is an energetic, feisty woman who is an avid reader of romances. She has decided that the cottage is haunted by the ghost of a previous tenant even though that concept is not part of Amish beliefs. Esther frequently has to rein Lizzie in, suggesting that she get rid of books on ghosts and serial killers and calling her out on some lies.

Depending on the issue, the antics and interactions of Esther and Lizzie can be serious or humorous, but their actions, although sometimes extreme, are always well-intentioned. The setting centers around Thanksgiving and Christmas giving an Amish holiday air to The Amish Matchmakers.

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

Rating: 4/5

Category: Romance, Christian, Religion

Notes: Standalone

Publication: October 17, 2023—Zondervan

Memorable Lines:

“Gott had a plan. I believe that when things fall into place easily, it was meant to be.”

He truly did believe laughter was good for the soul, and he’d seen plenty of instances where a person’s joyfulness had prolonged their life.

He could lie, but she’d see through him. Mothers has a superpower when it came to lying.

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.

Loved this book. Entertaining characters that you can care about. Lizzie is a hoot! When she saw Ben in his “underwear”, oh my goodness!
Really have enjoyed these matchmaking ladies.

I love Beth Wiseman’s books and this novel was an excellent read. It is a charming tale of late in life love, and is told with warmth, humor, and heart.. The characters are endearing. and I loved the Amish traditions.
Many thanks to Zondervan and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love reading Amish books. This author is one I don't read as often but when i do, i enjoy her style, the way she writes her characters and the awesome stories that she tells. This is one I'll be telling my friends about and would make a great book club read. I'm still thinking about it and can't wait to read another from her.

I love all stories by Ms. Wiseman! This was one of her stories about two widowed sisters in their 70's who are innkeepers together. They have a great deal of fun matchmaking! However, this time around, there is a two part story at play. One of the guests of the inn happens to be a handsome man in his 70's (their age), and his grandson whom he happens to be there visiting (another opportunity to matchmake).

This was a wonderful story with so much fun character development. I will continue to seek out books by this author.

Thank you, NetGalley and Zondervan Fiction, for this wonderful opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review! I greatly enjoyed it!

I don't know when the last time was that I laughed out loud while reading a book, but this one had absolutely the funniest scene right near the beginning. It involves innkeeper Lizzie and their new boarder, Dr. Benjamin Stoltzfus. That's all I'm saying. I don't want to spoil the fun of this scene for anyone!

Widowed sisters Esther and Lizzie have been matchmaking from their Peony Inn for years, so what happens when a new man arrives - in THEIR age range - and they are BOTH interested? Neither one expected to have a second chance at love, especially not in their 70s, so each decides to match Ben with her sister. The shenanigans that ensue are too funny.

Readers who have been reading Beth Wiseman books for a while will recognize Esther and Lizzie from her Amish Inn series. Lizzie, as always, is an absolute hoot with her collection of clandestine romance novels that she has recently expanded to include ghost stories and murder mysteries and her ill-fitting dentures that she is constantly rearranging in her mouth. Esther is the calm in Lizzie's storm but Lizzie's enthusiasm for life keeps Esther plugging away.

I loved that there were actually 2 love stories at play in this book, both dealing with an Amish person and an Englisch one. Ben's granddaughter, the reason he has moved to Esther and Lizzie's inn, meets Gabriel, the young man who does the yard work at the inn. The way the two stories intertwined, and the tension between the two lifestyles make for great reading.

Readers who enjoy Amish romance with a heavy dose of humor will love The Amish Matchmakers. This is not billed as part of the Amish Inn series, but it should be. However, you don't need to read the entire series before you pick this one up. It can easily be read as a stand-alone. I flew through it, and laughed often. Highly recommend!

The Amish matchmakers Lizzie and Esther now have their own story! Readers of the Amish Bookstore novels me these two ladies in cameo appearances, but this book is all about them. When retired widower/dentist Ben moves into the cottage owned by the ladies, he captures the hearts of both of the widows. Lizzie is a fireball of energy and emotion, while Esther is the more controlled and conservative of the two senior citizen sisters.

The story also features a love conflict between Ben's granddaughter Mindy and her Amish beau Gabriel. Will they follow their hearts, or will they suffer broken hearts, since Amish and Englisch do not often make a match.

I appreciated and enjoyed the romance between the older adults as well as the younger ones. The best part of the story is the unconditional love demonstrated by the sisters. This story alternately made me laugh and cry, with the antics of both sisters in contrast to each other. Serious topics of health scares, cultural differences, and relationships are included, and I worried about the possible endings. I am looking forward to another book with Esther as the recipient of romance.

While this book features characters from another series, it can be read as a standalone novel.

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

This was a lovely novel featuring multiple aged characters of both Amish and Englisch upbringing. It was nice to read about romance of a mature age, and the book was well paced. I did find a couple of issues with continuity (ie a situation involving a father later became the mother instead) but overall it was enjoyable.

If you love someone enough, you give them the freedom to choose.

I have enjoyed this series with the older sisters Lizzy and Esther that own Peony Inn. They are known for their antics in match making but the tables have turned this time around. Englisher Benjamin Stoltzfus is renting the old cottage the sisters had rented to an old spunky friend that had passed away. The sisters are quite taken with Ben and each have decided to play matchmaker with the other to Ben. Things become interesting when Ben's granddaughter Mindy is attracted to the sisters help Gabriel. This becomes a mutual attraction. A few threads going on with Mindy and Gabriel. Mindy and her grandfather. Grandfather with the sisters. At times, it has serious tones but mostly it is light hearted on second chances and waiting for God to reveal his plan. In the words of Gabriel's mother, if you don't know what God's plan is go find out. Each of them were confused with the what comes next but were comforted by how God confirmed those plans. I think we all have experienced that. It was a great reminder that God is involved in the details.

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

This book was a truly enjoyable book. I loved the story line and the characters. I had not read a Beth Wiseman book in a while, it was refreshing to say the lease.

Loved this book, very sweet story. great characters and setting. highly recommend., I read it in two afternoons.

Great book! I love the banter between the sisters and how crazy mixed up they are! Hoping to hear more about them and Gabriel, Mindy and Ben!

One of the absolute best books Ive read this year. Truly. Sometimes you just want to read a good love story. One filled with that butterfly feeling and not filled with smut and profanity and this was it. It was a non traditional love story and I think it made it even better. It wasn't the typical 18 year olds falling in love and it just warmed my heart beyond measure. I wanted it to keep on going! The characters were just so relatable. It's not my typical read, but now it makes me want to read even more!

I've only read one Beth Wiseman book before this one. It was a detective story and was quite serious.

This book's tone was vastly different. It's mischievous and full of intrigue. The characters are all likeable, although Esther was my personal favorite. This particular tale follows the sisters, Esther and Lizzie, as innkeepers. They attempt some classic matchmaking, which results in hilarious situations. I would love to see this as a Hallmark film. There are some lessons about family, faith, and forgiveness along the way, but I didn't feel it was preachy.

I found out after I read this book that this is a series. I'll definitely be going to check those out.

I loved returning to the Peony Inn and staying with Esther and Lizzie. While this book can be read as a standalone, reading the others in the Amish Inn series will help some things to make sense. And do read them. They are delightful!

Matchmakers Esther and Lizzie are so sweet, and warm hearted, and funny. You’ll be glad you spent time at the Peony Inn. They just want to see everyone happy. Throw in a handsome dentist and his granddaughter and you’ll be kept wondering what is happening and how.

Author Beth Wiseman does write reality, and in this case she talks about serious disease, and even death. But she does it gently and with a bit of humor so it is not heavy in any way.

I loved how this book resolved the story line, and I highly recommend it if you enjoy Amish fiction.

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

Esther and Lizzie are still at it! They are Amish widowed sisters who run the Peony Inn. Lizzie's dentures still don't fit correctly and she likes moving them around inside her mouth which drives Ester nuts!
Dr. Stoltzfus rents one of the cottages on their property. He's a retired dentist. Did I mention a very nice looking retired dentist? However, he is not Amish. Hmmmm...
However, both sisters find themselves attracted to him, but each wants happiness for the other thinking ahead of one of them passing away and leaving the other sister alone, and sad. It is hilarious the lengths each goes to to try to steer the man towards the other sister.
His granddaughter, Mindy, has left the hustle and bustle of the city to live in a quieter Amish country. She visits often.
Gabriel mows for the sisters, and is shocked when his mower catches a limb and throws it into Mindy's cute little red car! Naturally, he offers to pay for the repairs. Did I mention he is single, and Mindy finds him attractive? Perhaps another matchmaking opportunity for the sisters.
Very cute, fun, sometimes sad story with a happily ever after ending for everyone.
I was given an advanced ecopy by the publisher, Zondervan through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

This book made me laugh. Esther and Lizzie have played matchmaker for many in their community but when a widowed dentist moves into their rental cottage, they each think he might be perfect for the other. The scene where Lizzie meets Ben was hysterical. She is such a spitfire. I love her and Esther.

There's a secondary story with Gabriel and Mindy that was interesting but the older folks really took center stage.
It was an entertaining read. I'd highly recommend it.

Thank you to Zondervan for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Esther and Lizzie are known to be matchmakers. However, when the tides turn will they become matchmakers for each other. When a strange older gentleman checks into a cabin at their bed and breakfast, Lizzie and Esther set about finding out just who and why he is there. When his granddaughter shows up, will there be a possibility of another love match? Will there handyman Gabriel fall for Englisher Mindy? Once secrets come to light will everyone be able to move forward or will hearts be broken? I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

This book will make you laugh out loud as the two matchmaking sisters try to match each other with the same man. I loved it!
I received a complimentary copy from Zondervan Fiction via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.