An Unexpected Amish Proposal

An Unexpected Amish Proposal by Rachel J. Good is the debut of the Surprised by Love series. I enjoyed reading this entertaining Amish novel. It contains a delightful cast of characters from Fern to Aiden to Mrs. Vandenburg. I like the diverse cast of characters. There are not just warmhearted characters that you will love. The mean-spirited owner of the market who is only interested in money, the grumpy Nick who owns the candy stall, Nick’s son who is going through a rebellious phase, and Nettie, Gideon’s sister-in-law, who wants more than a brotherly relationship with him. Gideon Hartzler is a strong character. He is a man who has taken on a heavy load that has him sacrificing a personal life. Gideon has liked Fern since they were children, but his obligations keep him from courting her. He also has a secret that is weighing him down. Fern is a good balance to Gideon. She has a kind, thoughtful woman with a big heart. Fern is also a wonderful baker who makes cinnamon rolls that Gideon just loves to eat. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters. The dialogue was realistic especially between Nick and Aiden (an angsty teen with a hot headed, grumpy father). Mrs. Vandenburg is a delight. She is a forceful woman who wants to help others. I hope we see more of her in the other books in the series. The Valley Green Farmer’s Market is the central location of the book. The stall owners know each other and some of them have had stalls since the market began. There are regular customers who expect their favorite shops to be there with the items they are used to acquiring especially candy and baked goods. Forgiveness and prayer are the two dominant Christian themes. It is important to not only forgive others but yourself. An Unexpected Amish Proposal is more than a romance. There are a couple of storylines happening at the same time. I like how it all came together into one engaging Amish tale. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. An Unexpected Amish Proposal is feel-good Amish story with scrumptious cinnamon rolls, market stall mayhem, revenue problems, a needy in-law, and succulent chicken.