Book Review: "Huckleberry Spring" by Jennifer Beckstrand

Anna Helmuth is up to her matchmaking ways again in "Huckleberry Spring".  This time, she lures their grandson Ben Helmuth back from Florida so he can help on Huckleberry Hill while Felty has surgery.  She talks Emma Nelson into helping her to grow a giant pumpkin in the hopes that Ben and Emma will rekindle their romance.  Ben had abruptly called off their engagement 8 months ago and moved away.  Emma is sure that her propensity for accidents is what drove Ben away, but Ben doesn't want to burden Emma with his secret, so they suffer heartache in silence.  Can they realize God's plan for their lives isn't always pretty, but to trust Him anyway?

"Huckleberry Spring" is the fourth in the "Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill" series.  I have read all but the very first in the series, as well as a novella ("Huckleberry Christmas").  Like the other books that I've read by Jennifer Beckstrand, I enjoyed reading this book as well.  It was a mystery to me why Ben kept saying he wasn't deserving of Emma's love until the pieces fell into place.  And even then, I guessed wrong!  I loved Emma and Ben and Mahlon and Lizzie and of course Anna and Felty.  I enjoyed the subplot story as well (which I did guess correctly)  I am glad that Ben grew in his walk with God and accepted His will for his life even if it wasn't easy.  I am glad that Emma realized she was strong and not just prone to accidents.

I would recommend this book to those who like Inspirational Amish Romances.

"Huckleberry Spring" is available in paperback:

• Series: Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill
• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (January 27, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420136496
• ISBN-13: 978-1420136494
• Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 1 x 6.8 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 1128 KB
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1420136496
• Publisher: Zebra Books (January 27, 2015)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00M4ASPLA

I received a free eBook Advance Readers Copy from Kensington Books through netgalley in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Book Review: "Huckleberry Summer" by Jennifer Beckstrand

I received a Kindle edition of "Huckleberry Summer" by Jennifer Beckstrand from the publisher through netgalley.com so I could write a review.

Aden Helmuth is reckless and sometimes trying to do the right thing lands him in trouble, including spending time in jail.  He goes to his grandparents' house for the summer for a fresh start.  His grandmother decides what he needs is a good wife and she knows just the girl - Lily Eicher.

Lilly Eicher is overly cautious and obedient.  She wouldn't dream of going against what her father says and when he says she isn't to get involved in any of Aden's "schemes" she does her best to comply.  But when she finds that Aden is the only thing she can think about and his touch sends her heart galloping, will she have the courage to follow her heart?

I really enjoyed reading "Huckleberry Summer".  I found the characters realistic and well developed.  I would have liked to know how old Aden and Lily were, though (it does finally mention near the end that Lily had shared a room with her sister for 19 years).  I wanted to give Lily's fater a piece of my mind on more than one occasion and shake Lily awake so she would realize that she needed to follow her heart!

There were a few spots where there was a missing or misplaced space (ie words run together), but otherwise it was well edited.

"Huckleberry Summer" is a clean, inspirational, Amish romance.  If you like those types of books, then I think you will like this book.

"Huckleberry Summer" is available in mass market paperback (list price $7.99)

• Series: Huckleberry Hill
• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (June 3, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420133586
• ISBN-13: 978-1420133585
• 
  

or in Kindle edition for $5.38

• File Size: 1189 KB
• Print Length: 353 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1420133586
• Publisher: Zebra Books (June 3, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00GYLVSUU