Book Review of Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand

I recently read an Amish novel by Jennifer Beckstrand that was quite entertaining.  The book was Huckleberry Hill, the first book in the new The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series by Jennifer.  This book was a pure joy to read, the kind of book that you don't want any interruptions while reading, you just want to keep reading until you find out how it ends.  I was rooting for our protagonist the entire time, but then I always root for the underdog.

I have also read the last series by Jennifer titled Forever After in Apple Lake which is comprised of Kate's Song, Rebecca's Rose, and Miriam's Quilt.  If you haven't read that series, I highly recommend those books as well.

So with my highest recommendation, here is my review of Huckleberry Hill:

Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand (Kensington Publishing) is as appealing as the delicious pies described within its pages.  Huckleberry Hill is located in remote Bonduel, Wisconsin.  That is where twenty six year old Moses Zimmerman’s delightful and loving grandparents, Felty and Anna Helmuth live on a farm.  Moses is tall, handsome, kind, and owns his own cheese making operation, yet he is still single.  He’s been waiting three years for his old Amish girlfriend to return from jumping the fence to turn English.  Sweet Grandma Anna has decided it’s time to play matchmaker and get Moses a wife.

In response to Grandma Anna’s request, Lia Shetler comes to stay the summer to help Anna and Felty at Huckleberry Hill.  Little does Lia know that Grandma Anna has a secret plan for Lia to marry Moses.  Lia is almost six feet tall and struggles with the teasing she has received over her height and she feels certain she will always remain a spinster.  Slowly but surely, Moses finds his heart turning to Lia.  He doesn’t want to admit this to himself or Lia.  Lia as well finds herself drawn to Moses. 

All is going according to Grandma Anna’s scheme until Lia is called home to help with a relative’s funeral.  Lia’s beautiful yet incredibly spoiled and selfish younger sister, Rachel, decides she wants to visit Huckleberry Hill and meet this handsome and successful Moses and marry him herself.  Rachel only knows getting what she wants, regardless of the cost to others.  Lia and Rachel’s father have always coddled Rachel and given in to her demands, so Rachel is the one to travel to Huckleberry Hill after the funeral. 

Eventually Grandma Anna is able to get Lia back to Huckleberry Hill as well, but which girl will Moses prefer?  Or will Moses still pine for his old Amish girlfriend turned Englisher?

Jennifer Beckstrand has pulled all the elements of a great Amish book together. This book features comforting Scripture, fascinating characters, interesting conflict, dreamy romance, frequent humor, unexpected extremely bad food as well as mouth-watering pie, making it immensely readable and definitely not ordinary.  Readers should plan on blocking out time to read this straight through, as they will not be able to put this book down.  Huckleberry Hill is the first book in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series.  Huckleberry Summer continues the series and will be available June, 2014.  Jennifer’s previous series, Forever After in Apple Lake is also extraordinary reading in the Amish genre.