This was a bit of a stretch for an Amish romance, but it was sweet and happy. I enjoyed it quite a bit. A baseball player in Amish country? Who falls in love with an Amish woman? That wouldn't happen. But I liked it anyway.

This is such a cute, enjoyable read. The main characters made me laugh throughout the book. If you’re looking for a light, wholesome story, you won’t go wrong here.

Cute and funny. Wholesome and sweet.

Being called an “old maid” at just 28 years of age, oh my!

I enjoyed the lightness of this read but also enjoyed being drawn into the story. I could put this down and be excited to pick it back up at the same time.

This would be a good read for when you need a break from the heavier reads out there!

The Amish Quiltmakers Univited Guest is book 5 in the Amish Quiltmakers Series. This book will give you inspiration, heartache, family bond and laughter. It is a fast easy read that you will not want to put down until the end.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own

This lovely story will bring smiles if not outright laughter. I am a list maker and work best WHEN I make a list of things to do but Menno’s list-making was a hoot. And yes, perhaps a whap for his bishop up the side of the head for, IMHO, a ridiculous must-do for Menno. Esther has a quilt business as well as being a superb quiltmaker. Menno, her husband’s distant cousin, a widower with his small daughters invites his family into her house for a month because he needs to find a wife ASAP.

I immediately loved Esther when she was introduced. She’s known to have quite a temper and she is taking her anger out on a small rag rug, poor thing. Can you imagine having a Menno with his entourage landing in your home for a month??!! You don’t know that he expects a list out of Esther as well — a list of fraa candidates! And Esther already has her hands full. No wonder she is giving the rug what-for. I was ready to dislike Menno from the start, but that man snuck underneath my defenses.

Ever heard of lilac ice cream? Neither have I. (It’s in the book.) I’m thinking, maybe if they added some chocolate …

Joanna Yoder is the same age as Menno and ends up on Esther’s list of possible fraa‘s by default. Joanna runs a bakery business out of her home but offers to help Esther with the children saying she can rearrange her schedule. She refuses to be considered by a man who makes a list like he would make one to do grocery shopping.

To tease you, I’m giving you the first Menno’s list:
#1. Find a wife.
#2. Memorize the four gospels.
#3. Order mulch.
#4. Write to Mamm and let her know I made it to Colorado safely.

I laughed out loud when I read this list — #3 just did it. “Memorize the four gospels” followed by “Order mulch” were just too much. One easy and the other — let’s just say he is ambitious.

I chuckled and laughed while reading. You’ve heard of sticking your foot into your mouth? Well, Menno could easily go past his kneecap. But he dotes on his daughters and can be quite understanding.

I highly recommend The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unlikely Match. It’s a fun read that will put a smile on your face. I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) via NetGalley from the publisher, Kensington Books | Kensington. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Rating: 5 stars
Series: The Amish Quiltmaker, #5
Cover: Nope. The yellow titles are a complete miss.
Pages: 286
Publish Date: 25 June 2024
#TheAmishQuiltmakersUnlikelyMatch #NetGalley #JenniferBeckstrand

When a drunken athlete crashes quite literally into Mary Yoder's life, she never expected to fall in love.

A quick and enjoyable read with likable characters, and an upbeat plot. Clay is running from his bad boy past, when he meets the kind and honest-hearted Mary Yoder. Clay is a charming man, with a sincerity about him despite his demons. I liked his and Mary's friendship, and how he is always brightening the days of others. Mary is a very kind and honest woman, and she brings out the best in Clay. They have a sweet chemistry, and I loved how Mary encourages Clay to turn to God for answers.

This was a fun read, with the added tension of a doomed attraction. Engaging story with familiar faces from previous books, and a sweet romance. It was the perfect lighter read to recover from a little reading slump.

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

The fourth book featuring Amish Quiltmaker Esther Kiem brings us a highly unusual story, about an outsider coming among the Amish folk. This isn’t a suspense tale but he’s hiding out all the same. THE AMISH QUILTMAKER’S UNLIKELY MATCH occurs when worlds collide. A baseball player had a poor game, and he crashes his car while drunk, into a barn. Perhaps coincidentally, Mary Yoder, whose home this farm is, had just been sewing a quilt pattern called Drunkard’s Path. The quilters said a choice of pattern can affect more than a bedspread. Esther plays only a minor role in this tale.
Continued.

A perfect blend of quilting and unexpected romance. I loved the close knit community and the atmospheric Colorado backdrop.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rarely do I read a book that actually makes me smile, but this one did it. How could you not enjoy it with Cathy and her wit?
I did not read the other books of the series but might in the future.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

This book is a quick read. Less than 200 pages and I rated it 3⭐️⭐️⭐️.

It starts in a car accident where a man is trapped in his car and these two people are trying to get him out before the car burns.

That’s how you are introduced to the male and female main characters Clay and Mary.

As it turns out, Clay is a Major League Baseball player and Mary is an Amish woman.

The book takes you on the journey of their relationship, and learning a little about each other’s world.

It was a cute love story and honestly I would have rated it higher except for a good portion of the book the main characters are going back and forth about how unworthy and not good enough they are, and quite frankly I got to the point I just didn’t want to hear it anymore.

But I pushed through and finished this short read giving it 3 ⭐️.

I really liked the banter between Mary and Clay. They worked through their own issues as their relationship developed. I read a lot of Amish fiction and I must say I had some problems with believability. Mary was 27 and a member of the church. Her family including her father seemed to have no problem with her spending most of her time with Clay. While we do have a happily ever after it’s a little bit far fetched for me. I still would recommend this book and give it 4 stars. We all can dream!

What a fun premise with the famous baseball player and the Amish girl! I had a hard time putting this one down. Even though it seemed far-fetched at first, the author did a great job making it believable that he was so tired of all the pretense and people only liking him for his money that the Amish world would be attractive to him. I loved all of it and was both satisfied and a little sad when it came to an end.

I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from NetGalley.

"Amish Quiltmaker's Unlikely Match" offers readers a refreshing escape from hefty 700+ page tomes with its light-hearted narrative. If you're in need of a break and a dose of classic Amish Harlequin-style romance, this book may just be the perfect choice.

The heart of the story revolves around the unlikely pairing of Clay and Mary, two characters whose journey is filled with second chances and the age-old theme of a troubled soul in need of redemption. The predictability of the plot is offset by the charming dynamics between the protagonists, making it an enjoyable read for fans of the genre.

A standout feature of the book is the character Cathy, the non-Amish friend who adds a delightful layer to the narrative. Cathy's presence serves as a lens through which the differences between the two communities are skillfully portrayed. Her inclusion injects a sense of fun and highlights the contrasting lifestyles, adding depth to the overall storytelling.

True to its title, "Amish Quiltmaker's Unlikely Match" lives up to the promise of an unexpected romance. The chemistry between Clay and Mary is both endearing and believable, creating a sense of connection for readers invested in their love story.

While this may not be a life-changing read, it certainly exceeds expectations. The book manages to strike a balance between predictability and engaging storytelling, making it a satisfying choice for those seeking a brief escape into the world of Amish romance. With its well-executed character dynamics and a touch of unlikely love, this novel proves to be a pleasant surprise that holds its own within the genre.

It’s always nice to read a good Christian story. An unlikely union with two good characters. Thanks for the advanced copy. I enjoyed it.

This novel is quite different from any other Amish tale or love story I’ve ever read. Imagine a young Amish woman who helps save a famous baseball player when he crashes his car in her barn. Needless to say, sparks fly. You’ll have to read the book to see how it plays out and the unexpected conclusion. At first, I wasn’t sure I’d like this so well, but it drew me in and made me a fan. I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #TheAmishQuiltmakersUnlikelyMatch #NetGalley

It all began with a discussion about a new quilt to be made for Great-grandmother Beulah, to celebrate her one hundredth birthday. The ladies are gathering to select the blocks they will make for the new quilt.
Master Quilt Maker Cathy Larsen is invited to the gathering to offer help and advice and even though she is acerbic, she has a kind heart, pointing out no matter what pattern they choose to sew, every quilt has a little bit of magic sewn into it.
Mary Yoder, selects the Drunkards Path an intricate pattern that she believes will look wonderful when complete. At the age of 28 years, she is considered a spinster in the Amish County. Even though she would dearly love to marry and have a family, she is happy with her life on the farm. She would rather stay single than marry the wrong person.
When a car crashes through their fence hitting the barn, she and Dat rush out to rescue the driver, only to discover he is trapped in the car, with flames beginning to lap up the barn wall. He is dragged out of the car, and once the flames are extinguished, Mary realises he is not only drunk, he has concussion and a serious gash on his head that needs attention.
As Clay heals from his injuries, he finds the gentle nature of the Amish family soothes the deeply felt wounds of his past and recent present. Mary is not at all sure who he is and why he is so upset. When she accidently discovers he is a famous baseball player whose team missed section due to what is considered his bad pitching, she vows to learn all she can about baseball. And him!
As the time slowly drifts past Clay’s fame brings disruption to the small family. Eventually Mary and Clay have to make the decision to confront the past to begin to form a new future together, but can they overcome so many of the obstacles fame and being Amish place in their way.
This well written, gentle story The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unlikely Match unfolds along unexpected pathways to deliver a heart-warming story about kindness, love, courage and strength which is perfect for a lovely weekend at home indulging in a well written, charming and delightful little bit of captivating escapism!

It has been a long time since I have read a nice, clean, Christian Romance book. I forgot how nice and refreshing it can be. I loved the dynamic between the Amish and English. You could tell they would end up together (it is a romance after all) but how? I think the author captured the conflict Mary was going through wanting to be there for Clay but not knowing how to handle the English world—especially the world of a Major League Baseball player and all that goes with it.

Jennifer Beckstrand is an amazing writer and this book was a pleasure to read. As the story progressed you really began to love each and every character she introduced. I would highly recommend her books.

This one was different than the others I have read by this author. Usually I am laughing a lot. Not big laughs this time but lots of sweet smiles. Jennifer Beckstrand never fails! She is my all time favorite author! A really good book and a lovely time enjoying the book with a cup of hot chocolate and a warm quilt. Thank you, Jennifer Beckstrand, for such a sweet moment in my life!

The Amish Quiltmaker's Unlikely Match is the 4th book in the author's Amish Quiltmaker series. I read the first book, The Amish Quiltmaker's Unexpected Baby, and loved it so I requested this new title from Net Galley and was lucky to receive a copy of the book.

The publisher's summary:

Though Mary Yoder longs to marry someday, she finds caring for her community’s injured and sick is much easier than courting. But when Englischer Clay Markham crashes his car nearby, Mary’s nursing shows her his hidden wounds are more painful than his injuries. Though she’s irresistibly drawn to his kind nature, can she risk letting him into her heart?

On the run from his troubled past, ex-pro baseball player Clay can’t believe the quiet sanctuary he’s found under Mary’s care. Her gentle faith and knowledge are somehow giving him hope he can change his life—and offer her the love she truly deserves. But when his secrets catch up with him, can he and Mary find the courage to face the truth, set things to rights . . . and make way for a future together?

I enjoyed this story immensely. There was some mystery to the story. The reader doesn't know how long Clay and Mary can remain to be friends given that Clay was not Amish. I kept waiting to read that they stopped seeing each other. However, one thing after another happened to Clay that brought him and Mary together. As with all Amish fiction, there is a happy ending. The suspension of belief that you see with cozy mysteries is evident here. I believe that suspension of belief was a little far to be believable but hey, at least it's a happy ending. This is why I read Amish fiction. When I buy one of them I am looking for a light read and a book that I will enjoy. The Quiltmaker's Unlikely Match hit the spot.