Huckleberry Christmas 

The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill

Mass Market Paperback, ebook, paperback, audio, and audio CD

October 7, 2014

by Jennifer Beckstrand 

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra 
• ISBN-13: 978-1420133608

Now that they've happily married off two of their grandchildren, Anna and Felty Helmuth are ready for their next matchmaking challenge. What better way to celebrate the most heartwarming of seasons--and make Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, the place for unexpected love. . .

A difficult marriage has left the Helmuths' widowed great-granddaughter, Beth, finished with wedlock. She's content to live with them and make a life for herself and her toddler son. But once she turns down handsome Tyler Yoder's proposal, it seems only fair to encourage him to find a suitable wife. Trouble is, his gentleness and generous ways are showing her how joyous a real meeting of hearts can be. . . 

After a failed courtship, Tyler thought the best he could hope for in a wife was mere companionship. But spirited Beth is the one he longs to protect, and hold close. Earning her trust is the hardest thing he's ever had to do. And soon, both will discover that forgiveness and understanding are gifts that only rekindled faith--along with the happiest of holidays--can bring.

My thoughts:  I have read two of Ms. Beckstrand's books and loved them, so I was eagerly awaiting the day when Huckleberry Christmas made it to the top of my to-be-read pile. I read Huckleberry Hill and Huckleberry Spring, and these were probably out of order.  I was amused by them, Ms. Beckstrand is a humorous writer, and made me laugh. But this story fell flat.  Beth was too angry, always lashing out, though I understand, she doesn't want to be married, blah blah, and everyone wants to marry her, so she's angry. Tyler was too apologetic. Always saying "I'm sorry." Over and over and over for the same thing until I wanted to smack him. That made me angry. Not only that but Beth willing took  her son back to an emotionally/verbally abusive home.

This story was not near the quality of the other two books I read and I was greatly disappointed by it.  There are a lot of five star reviews so obviously most people disagree with me, but for me this was a huge miss. But don't take my word for it! You might be one of the many that loved it!  There is some humor, but in my opinion, this was not Ms. Beckstrand's best.

I received this book from www.paperbackswap.com and was not required to write a review.  I have sent my copy on to the next person on this wish list and hope they enjoy it more than I did.  

If you like Amish fiction or Jennifer Beckstrand's stories, you might love HUCKLEBERRY CHRISTMAS. Most others did. There was only one 2 star review (she said it was boring. I disagree. It wasn't boring) and two 3 star. (One said it was good,  the other said it made her mad. I agree. It made me mad) The rest were overwhelmingly 5 stars.