A BOOK REVIEW OF HUCKLEBERRY CHRISTMAS BY JENNIFER BECKSTRAND

Jennifer Beckstrand, author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, writes the most enjoyable and humorous Amish romance series out there.  Huckleberry Christmas (Zebra Books) is a sweet, tender-hearted, romantic Christmas novel with plenty of laughter sprinkled on the pages.  The only downfall of the book is that readers will not be able to get their own Christmas plans completed as they will find it impossible to put Huckleberry Christmas down once started.

 

This delightful novel begins with the sweet matchmaking grandparents, Anna and Felty, discussing another match that Anna wants to make, this one between their granddaughter, Beth Hostetler, and Tyler Yoder, a neighbor who recently had his engagement broken.  Tyler is convinced that love is not for him.  Beth has been widowed and is the mother of a 20 month old boy, Toby.  Beth’s deceased husband, Amos, was harsh and very critical of everything Beth did.  After Amos died, Beth spent a year being a slave to her mother-in-law Treva’s every wish, but Treva also criticized everything that Beth did.  Now Beth feels like she never wants to remarry.  But that won’t stop Grandma Anna from using her matchmaking skills to bring Beth and Tyler together. 

Tyler’s first meeting with Beth does not go right at all.  Beth yells at Tyler for something he didn’t do.  Beth is furious with Tyler, yet little Toby loves Tyler and bonds with him immediately.  Beth can’t help but be impressed with Tyler’s good looks, helpful nature, and caring personality.  In order to not fall for Tyler, Beth decides she will find him a good wife.  The matchmaking that Beth does is laughable; each girl Beth matches Tyler with is worse than the last.  Could it be Beth really wants Tyler for herself? 

Meanwhile, Beth’s mother-in-law and brother-in-law are insistent that they want her to come back to them.  The brother-in-law wants to marry Beth and the mother-in-law wants Beth to cook, clean, and take care of all her needs.  Will Tyler be able to save Beth from her in-laws? 

Jennifer Beckstrand has written a thought-provoking and fun filled novel that also includes conflict and family abuse.  Overall the book is light hearted but there is a true depth to the loveable characters in this book as well.  Readers can read this book as a stand-alone, but the entire series is top notch and well worth reading and adding to your permanent library.  Huckleberry Christmas will be published October 7, 2014.