Title: The Farmer’s Bride by Kathleen Fuller
Amish Brides of Birch Creek Series Book Two
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
From bestselling author, Kathleen Fuller, comes another heartwarming romantic comedy set in the beloved Amish community of Birch Creek.
“Once you open the book, you won’t put it down until you’ve reached the end.”—Amy Clipston, bestselling author of A Seat by the Hearth, for The Teacher’s Bride
They promised to keep each other’s secrets . . . not realizing they were about to make some of their own.
Martha Detweiler has a problem many Amish women her age would envy: she’s the only single woman in a community of young men, and they’re all competing for her favor. Overwhelmed by the unwanted attention, Martha finds herself constantly fleeing from her would-be suitors, dismayed at what her life has come to.
Birch Creek’s resident matchmaker, Cevilla Schlabach, suggests a solution: Martha and the bishop’s son, Seth Yoder, should pretend they are dating. What better way to keep the other young men away?
But Seth is the only man around not interested in Martha. He has a secret hobby that keeps him away from social gatherings: woodcarving. Having grown up in poverty, he’s determined to keep his father’s farm successful, even if it means he has no time for dating. Then Delilah Stoll, a new resident of Birch Creek, eyes Seth as the perfect man for her granddaughter. Suddenly Cevilla’s proposition doesn’t seem all that ludicrous. Can Seth and Martha convince their family and friends to leave them alone?
The second book in bestselling author Kathleen Fuller’s Amish Brides of Birch Creek series, The Farmer’s Bride celebrates the unexpected power of love and the joy of discovering God’s calling.
Review:
The Farmer’s Bride by Kathleen Fuller is a delightfully heartwarming Amish romance. Although this latest release is the second installment in the Amish Brides of Birch Creek, it can be read as a standalone.
Martha Detweiler has zero interest in a romance. Her last relationship ended badly and she has yet to recover from the emotional scars. As the only single woman in Birch Creek, she is actively pursued by the single men in the community. Fearing hurting their feelings, Martha instead runs from conflict. A discussion with local matchmaker Cevilla Schlabach leads to a bit of an unusual remedy for Martha’s situation. But will Seth Yoder agree to a pretend romance to help Martha escape the unwanted attention?
Seth works hard on his family’s farm but he would rather be woodworking than planting crops. But he is an obedient young man who remembers all too well the family’s financial struggles before their farm became so prosperous. Seth reluctantly agrees to help Martha, but he soon feels guilty participating in such a duplicitous scheme. He is unexpectedly drawn to Martha but is Seth willing to turn their pretend romance into a real relationship?
Martha is surprised by how much she enjoys Seth’s company but she too feels a great deal of remorse for deceiving everyone. Just as they are about to reveal the truth, their situation soon becomes even more complicated when newcomer Delilah Stoll decides Martha would be the perfect match for her grandson, Levi. She is also certain that Seth is the perfect man for her granddaughter, Nina. Further difficulties ensue when Delilah and Cevilla clash right from their first introduction.
Martha and Seth’s paths have crossed several times in the past, but it is not until their pretend romance they begin to see another in a different light. Despite their unanticipated interest in each other, they know they cannot continue to deceive their loved ones. But will revealing the truth mean the end of their chance for a future together?
The Farmer’s Bride is an endearing Amish romance with a wonderful cast of charming characters. Martha and Seth are wonderfully developed characters who are perfect for one another. The romantic aspect of the storyline is understated but Seth and Martha’s feelings for one another ring true. With valuable lessons about trust and forgiveness, Kathleen Fuller brings this marvelous novel to a heartfelt conclusion. This newest addition to the Amish Brides of Birch Creek series is an engaging romance that is sure to delight readers of Amish fiction.
