I was hooked from the start with this one. The author did a great job writing this book. I found it to be well written and it held my attention from start to finish.

A series of mini reviews: This one has a cute cover ... But a cliche plot line, not for me... Amish lovers will love and I may come back to it if I can get a paperback.

Engaging humor bring this story to life and capture the reader from page 1, You will love the characters or Christian and Ruby.

It was a very funny, lively kind of romance. Kathleen Fuller brought to the Amish schoolhouse two very different people, Christian and Ruby, both well-meaning, but oh so different. Just the difference in their characters and ways of thinking and doing things makes for an interesting read. At the beginning Christian, despite his many good qualities, didn´t seemed to me to be ready for marriage, but he made a huge effort to make things happen, just as Ruby did.
An element that was especially interesting to me (as a teacher who often works with pupils with SEN): Christian´s behaviour and thinking point towards autism spectrum, most probably Asperger syndrome. It´s never specified in the book, and in a way, the no-label situation gives Christian a lot of freedom to live his life free of expectations that sometimes come with the diagnosis. Food for thought for me.

I really enjoyed this story. It was lighthearted, and I found myself laughing several times. I loved the characters, who all had interesting subplots and storylines. Another great book from Kathleen Fuller.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story- the author did an amazing job of bringing the characters and setting to life and keeping my interest on each page. I love how she writes somewhat quirky characters and shows the different ways they relate to life. Christian is kind of socially awkward because of his pragmatic personality, I thought it was hilarious how he set out to make new friends in the community. He and Ruby are so different, yet they grew to understand each other and their contrasting attributes bring balance to their relationship and helped them develop new strengths.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

4 Stars: 4/5 stars ****

Teaching comes with many challenges. I taught for many years in public schools and I find it hard to imagine having to teach all grades in a one-room setting. Christian plans to put this school back into order, but Ruby takes over when he is injured and they find help in each other. They are both seeking a spouse but just don't communicate well with the opposite sex. Can they help each other find a spouse? Or are they doomed to live alone?

I highly recommend this book to those who like Amish fiction or a humorous romance. This is a clean read and would be appropriate for teens as well as adults.

I received a digital copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Another non-stop page turner by Kathleen Fuller! She has not disappointed with The Teacher’s Bride, book one in her new series Amish Brides of Birch Creek. I loved that she has incorporated this new series into the lives we already learned to love in Birch Creek and was delighted to see them appear in the story.
I loved the contrast between Christian and Ruby’s personalities. Where he was professional and rigid, she was a free spirit. I also liked that Christian followed his dreams and became a teacher in a predominately female role in the Amish lifestyle, all the while, not following in his fore-father’s footsteps. I loved watching Christian and Ruby try to help each other find themselves and love, while all the while not realizing what was right in front of them until it might be too late.
I cannot wait for book two to release to see whose story is next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, netgalley, and the publisher in return for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed The Teacher's Bride. The best part of this book was the endearing characters. I loved watching these odd characters develop and finally fall in love.

Ruby Glick leave Lancaster and come to live with her brother and his family in an attempt to make something of herself. She typically makes mistakes and just has not found her niche in life yet. When she arrives in Birch Creek she decides the best thing for her to do it to find a husband. As she goes about trying to do that, she meets Christian Ropp, the teacher in their Amish community.

Christian "Chris" is an intellectual person who enjoys reading and takes things quite seriously. He makes the decision he should find a wife so he goes to a singing to do just that. He ends up talking to Ruby and find they talk quite easily. When Ruby and Chris bump into each other again, they both decide to help the other one get a spouse. The exchange between the two is so endearing. I love the visual picture Fuller paints of Chris writing in his notebook tips he gets from Ruby.

When Chris gets hurt, Ruby gets to substitute in his classroom. In doing this, she finds the one thing that for the most part she is good at. This gives her much needed direction. Things get foggy between Chris and Ruby when marriage is proposed, strictly from a logical point of view. But what happens when feelings get involved?

The Teacher's Bride is book one in the Amish Brides of Birch Creek series and it is a winner. I can't wait to read book two.

What a sweet story. There were several times I was laughing out loud. Love when that happens in a book. I did struggle a bit with the characters. I had a hard time with the way they were so loud about finding a husband/wife. It felt unnatural. It was a nice story aside from that.
I received a digital copy of this book from netgalley. This has in no way influenced my review. All thoughts are my own.

This almost reminded me of Big Bang Theory... but of course Amish. It's clear Christian has some "issues" even if not formally addressed in this book. He reminds me a LOT of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory. He can't read social cues, struggles when talking to women but is incredibly intelligent.

A very different story about with Amish community. Loved his sister's story and her own issues.

** ARC received from Netgalley **

Goals

1)Secure a teaching job
2)Purchase/build a house
3)Get to know people in the community
4)Get married

When you are Amish, you have expectations and when those expectations turn into fear, you run away. Christian an awkward Amish man in 20's moved from his parent's community to a new community in Birch Creek. Leaving the expectations of his father, he has turned to teaching. Christian has a passion for children and their education. His younger sister Selah has joined him as well in the move, running from expectations and a secret fear.

With Christian's background, he has an awkward time meeting women until he meets another Amish run away Ruby, a walking disaster. She has run away from her parent's home to her brother's farm in Birch Creek. Her brother Timothy is wary of giving Ruby refuge, however, with his wife's persistence and grace, Timothy welcomes his sister to his home and family. Ruby is looking for a new start and she is determined that if she gets married, her problems will be solved. When walking disaster, meets awkward teacher and they discover they have the same goals, they naturally become good friends and come to care deeply about each other never realizing that they maybe meant for each other. They come to love each other as they help each other snag a spouse. It is with humor and circumstances that they become drawn to each other.

Not only is it a budding romance but it also touches on mental illness and the affects of emotional trauma. How expectations can cause unnecessary fear and with fear, as the good word says, there is no love. It is love that casts out fear and it is love that that permeates thru and thru. Loved this.


A Special Thank You to Zondervan Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

As I started reading The Teacher's Bride, I just wasn't sure about the characters, Ruby, Christian, and Selah. The awkwardness and mismatched ways they were leading had me a bit befuddled. But as the story unfolded, I grew to love these characters and see how they were brought through each of their circumstances and blossom. And I absolutely loved Cevilla making a cameo appearance in this story. It was interesting to see Kathleen Fuller use a male as an Amish school teacher as well. I've always heard the females were teachers in their schools, so I loved this different approach. This is a great story and one you'll need tissues nearby for as you delve into this mismatched love story.

Christian Ropp serves as a dedicated teacher in his Amish community, with an organized classroom and organized life. His unsettled sister, Selah, comes to live with him but he seems unsure how to relate to her. He’s also uncertain about how to relate to young women, yet he longs to marry. He has his eye on one, but another one, Ruby Glick, becomes involved in his life. Will their friendship lead to anything more serious? I enjoyed the developing relationships the author explored in this novel. The interaction felt realistic, and the character-driven story didn’t seem to drag as some books do in the middle. It was interesting to have a male teacher as the main character since Amish stories often focus more on women. I think this is one of Kathleen Fuller’s best novels yet. Most people should be able to relate to the struggles portrayed within the pages as well as come away with satisfaction at the end. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

Birch Creek has a new Amish teacher in their community. Christopher Ropp has a rambunctious classroom that needs put back in order. That comes with a few challenges, a few educational challenges. Wish his check list, Chris feels his life is in order, except for one, a wife.

Ruby Glick is also new to Birch Creek community. Ruby has one little problem clumsiness. However Ruby doesn't allow being a klutz get in her way of helping Chris and the community out when Chris gets injured. She's determined to prove herself as a teacher, which helps her out by the end of the book.

You don't want to miss reading this book. Kathleen will have you laughing in parts, heart pounding in another, and yes don't forget the serious parts that life has for us humans too.

Each book that Fuller writes becomes my new favorite. I loved "The Teacher's Bride". I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I got my copy for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is of my own words. No money was exchanged.

Kathleen Fuller never fails me. I know that when I pick up one of her books I’m going to be pulled into a community of people that I can relate too (even despite our vast difference in lifestyle) and appreciate. I adore getting to go back to Birch Creek, and despite the fact that technically I started a new series I’m with my same ol’ friends (I mean even Cevilla made a cameo!). I like that Kathleen focuses several series around the same community. She continues to branch out with new themes with each series while keeping a central cast of characters that are familiar and comfortable. Fresh and familiar are an alluring combination for someone who isn’t keen on change (that would be me :D). I also love that she can dig into some deeper themes while still maintaining a coziness to her writing that is like a gentle reminder that even when things are hard there is still good all around us. And I think we all need to be reminded from time to time that especially when things are hard God has still got us.

If ever there was a pair of mismatched people it is Ruby and Christian. Ruby who is so effervescent and truly optimistic that she is not appreciated by those around her. I get her. OK, outside the whole bubbly optimistic thing, I’m more a pessimistic optimist but ya know, moments of square pegs in round holes. She’s scatterbrained and clumsy and just can’t seem to get it right, until she does. I get that. I am that. In running from home to her brother’s so perhaps she can start a future with a fresh start she’s really just trying to run from herself. She just doesn't’ realize it. Location doesn’t magically turn you into a round peg. Thing is, she had to run from herself to find herself. Christian, on the other hand, doesn’t even realize he’s a square peg trying to fit into anything. He’s just a peg. He knows what he knows and does what he does and while he wants to grow a future he doesn’t even get that he doesn’t get it. But thinks that he can learn it from a book. Let’s face it, I could totally be Christian too :D Only thing is that Christian doesn’t need to run from anything, he’s got his mind set and his goals in place. He just doesn’t realize that he can’t achieve them simply by making them, and that not everything can be learned from a book . . . sadly.

I loved watching these two disasters figure out life. And each other. I loved that Kathleen stepped away from the traditional cliché idea that only women could be teachers. I mean, I’m sure male Amish teachers are pretty rare but she introduced the idea to the mainstream reader. And she showed the heartache that must come with that, stepping outside the traditional gender roles and away from family expectations to pursue a passion. She also built an intriguing secondary story line with Selah, Christian’s sister, and her struggles to figure out life as well. I enjoyed watching her grow and change. I enjoyed watching her run away from herself as well. I think we all do that sometimes. In trying to figure out this thing we call life, we try to escape what makes it hard when really it’s our own selves just trying to find our matching peg. Sometimes it’s ourselves we are trying to run from and run too. We just can’t seem to see the other side. Another highly recommended Kathleen Fuller book that kept me engrossed in the lives of my Birch Creek family. And the impatient waiting for the next book commences. . .

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Christian moved to Birch Creek to accept the teaching position and in hopes, it would widen his availability to find a wife. When a sprained ankle sidelines home for a few days, he has to depend on "accident waiting to happen" Ruby to cover his class. Will Christian be able to see past Ruby's clumsiness to find the love she has to offer?

The Teacher's Bride has plenty of laughs to offer between Christian and Ruby. You will be laughing out loud aplenty. I think many of yes will be able to relate to how both get nervous and tongue-tied and clumsy when wanting to impress someone.

My opinion on Christian's sister, Selah, is still out. I had to remind myself several times as I was reading that she is only 19 years old and 19-year-olds can be very selfish and self-centered. I hope her story is explored more in a future novel.

I enjoy the way Kathleen Fuller writes. It like a warm hug on a cold night; comforting and welcoming. I would have no problems giving her books to young teen girls to read as they are clean and wholesome.

I received a copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

First of all if you read my reviews you know I love my Amish books. I don't know why but I love them. This one is just as heartwarming and sweet as the rest. Amish guy and girl who will have you wrapped up in their individual lives before you can blink your eyes! A must read!

The author has us back in Birch Creek, and with some old friends, she has also given us a male, Christian Ropp, teacher, and although he seems to be a bit antisocial, he is looking for a wife.
Then we are presented with a young woman who is looking for a husband, Ruby Glick, she has left her home in Lancaster with the hopes of new beginnings. You will chuckle as some of her happenings, some are serious and others are just unhandy, but she is a bit of a klutz!
There is a very serious topic that does come up in this story, and it is in every culture and we see that there is help out there.
You will be wondering if these two unlikely young people will make a match, or will they each end up with the people they seem to desire.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.

I don't think I've ever read a story about two more awkward people before. Ruby is a bit accident-prone. Christian, or Chris, as he's known, is so uptight that at times I wanted to reach in the book and give him a shaking. Add in his standoffish sister, Selah, and at times I thought I was going to lose my mind. But the talented Kathleen Fuller made me end up enjoying these characters more than I ever thought I would as I journeyed with them through acquaintanceship, friendship, and perhaps more.

So if you're thinking I didn't like these characters you're wrong. I really liked them. I found Ruby endearing and easy to relate to as she navigated her world. Ruby is an awkward gal and things don't always go the way she intends for them too. But this all just made her so realistic. Christian, while I wanted to shake him at times, entertained me endlessly with his vocabulary. What I liked best about these characters was the way they weren't awkward at all around each other but so at ease even though they didn't realize it. I really liked the way the author brought these characters together and slowly let their relationship form.

The story itself is well-written and as she always does, the author pulled me right into the story and kept my interest until the very last word. (And boy does this book have an ending! A nice setup to the next story in series perhaps, Mrs. Fuller?) I found the pace of this book to be excellent as it kept my attention and there was a perfect buildup to the climax of the story.

Fans of the genre and the author are sure to love this book. This would be a great introductory book to the author's work for anyone who hasn't yet read any of her books. I can't wait until the next book in the series to see what's in store for the folks of Birch Creek. Grab a copy of this book today. You won't be disappointed!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.