Courting Caleb

Courting Caleb by Kelly Long is the second novel in The Amish Mail Order Grooms series. Courting Caleb can be read as a standalone if you have not indulged in Marrying Matthew. I have mixed reactions to this book. Courting Caleb is a unique Amish story. It is told from multiple points of view which can be confusing. It switches between Abigail, Caleb, Phillip, Mercy, and Joshua (I might have forgotten a character or two who had a POV). There are quite a few characters in the story. There is an eccentric bishop (Bishop Kore) who is loud and uses unusual phrases, Birchbark with his magical pack, and Fern the healer with her special ornaments. I like the addition of the paranormal element, but I wish the author had stopped with Birchbark. I would love a Birchbark in my village. I like that Abigail is a potter. I thought it was unique for an Amish novel. I was baffled as to the time period of the novel. At times it felt like it was set in the present day, but some elements made it feel like it was in the late 1800s (with log cabins, no running water). I was expecting a clean Amish romance novel. I was surprised by the amount of kissing, touching, and intimate thoughts. This book definitely crossed the line with the PDA (there was just so much of it). I like that we get to catch up with Matthew and Tabitha from Marrying Matthew. Courting Caleb was a miss for me. I liked the premise of a woman placing an ad for a groom and getting two responses. I felt that the author tried to combine too many differing elements into one book (the eccentric bishop, the paranormal and fantasy elements, too many characters, various storylines, and the sexual innuendos). I was looking forward to reading a sweet, clean Amish novel and that is not Courting Caleb. Courting Caleb is an unusual Amish romance with friendly folks, a boisterous bishop, a groom seeking ceramicist, a sour sister, a magical pack, a helpful healer, and a duo of eager grooms.