Andrew

Andrew is a delightful Amish romance novel. This story had me chuckling from beginning to end. We get to return to The Honeybee Farm owned by Bitsy Kiem Weaver who still changes the color of her hair regularly, has her shotgun at the ready and talks out loud to God. She willingly takes in Mary Coblentz when she returns to town unwed and pregnant. Bitsy is a wonderful character who I wished lived was my neighbor (minus the bees). I loved it when Mary said, “Bitsy isn’t afraid to love people who don’t fit in”. Mary is a nineteen year old who left the community and regrets her decision. She is a brave young woman who is not going to be bullied or hide inside just so other people will be satisfied. Andrew is taken with Mary until he sees that she is pregnant. But, thanks to the twins, he keeps encountering Mary. Andrew’s idea of right and wrong are going to be put to the test. Alfie and Benji were hilarious with their antics. I loved their simplistic outlook of situations. There are judgmental members of the Amish community who need to learn Christian charity. I like the Christian values and life lessons presented in Andrew (faith, forgiveness, redemption, grace, patience, second chances, honesty). We are all sinners and make mistakes. Everyone deserves forgiveness and a second chance. I thought the book was well-written and it proceeded at a steady pace. It seems like I barely began the book when I finished it (with many smiles and giggles along the way). It was interesting to learn more about creating homemade peanut butter. It is cute that the Petersheim brothers are called The Peanut Butter Brothers by locals. I cannot wait to read the next two books in The Petersheim Brothers series. If you have not read The Honeybee Sisters (though you really should), you will not be at a disadvantage. Andrew is a heartwarming story with the colorful, shotgun toting Bitsy, yummy honey, impish twins, homemade peanut butter, and merry mishaps.