The Blended Quilt

by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter

The Plain people, or the Amish, are the focus of The Blended Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter. The premise is simple: Amish boy (Wyman) courts Amish girl (Sadie). The story does not roll out quite that simply however. Sadie is inspired to design a quilt that blends her Amish quilting knowledge and skills with her experiences on a cruise to Hawaii. Her success in making this unusual quilt leads her to write a book about her time in Hawaii and her work on the quilt. A frugal girl, she works hard and saves her money. Wyman spends money he doesn’t have and changes jobs frequently whenever he decides he is bored.

There are so many issues to be resolved. When Sadie inherits a sizable sum, it causes jealousy within the family. There is also resentment as her quilt and book projects take time away from chores at home and courting with Wyman. Is the problem that Sadie has changed or that others are not supportive?

Although I enjoyed the story, I didn’t find that the resolutions to the problems were explained thoroughly or realistically enough. It was all too easy; I still had many unanswered questions. It is an interesting story with a dramatic, unexpected event leading to the conclusion. There were yet many relationship issues to be worked through, however, before there could really be a “happily ever after.”

I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Barbour Publishing (Shiloh Run Press) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: General Fiction (Adult), Christian

Notes: At the end of the book there are questions for discussion and a recipe for Sadie’s Coconut Carrot Cake.

Publication: November 1, 2020—Barbour Publishing (Shiloh Run Press)

Memorable Lines:

Don’t let yourself become full of hochmut, Sadie told herself as she took one final look at the quilt before leaving her room. It was never a good thing to let pride set in over anything a person said or did.

“God’s ways are not our ways, and accidents can happen when least expected. When the Lord calls us home, Grace, we go to be with Him.”

“Would you like my advice?” “Of course.” “Pray about the matter—ask God what He wants you to do with the rest of your life.”

Amish fiction is one of my favorite genres, and The Blended Quilt is no exception. It explores themes not usually found in Amish fiction.

Sadie Zook has been courted by Wyman Kaufman for six months. Sadie would like to get married and start a family; however, Wyman doesn't seem like the best choice. He doesn't have clear goals and seems uninterested in maintaining a steady job.

Sadie, along with friends, traveled to Hawaii to visit another friend. While there, she becomes interested in the similarities between Amish and Hawaiian quilting, and decides to make a quilt blending the two techniques.

The quilt leads to other opportunities; however, Wyman is jealous of any time Sadie spends pursuing her own goals. What choices will she make?

I really enjoyed this book. I would highly recommend this title to fans of Amish fiction.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this book to review from Net Galley.

#TheBlendedQuilt#NetGalley

This was not like other typical amish fiction I have read. I enjoyed it at times and felt annoyed a lot of the time. Sadie does something in this book that most Amish women wouldn’t even consider. I saw her as such an adventurous woman that I grew to admire her and her choices. Her family and boyfriend really bothered me in this book for many different reasons.

TW: Miscarriage

Any book authored by the Brunstetter's is worth taking a look at however this one is not quite up to the standards of the others I've read. The premise of the story is unique -- a blended Amish quilt combining memories of a trip to Hawaii with the main character's Amish life. Sadie is a truly likeable character and spending time with she and her family is enjoyable. She clearly has strong values and honors her family, all while having dreams of her own and the determination to make them a reality. Sadie's boyfriend Wyman is a truly unlikable character and does little to endear himself to the reader throughout the story, as he continuously whines and cares only about himself. He must be given credit for trying, but one wishes that he and Sadie could have found a way for her to continue to tell her story and support each other as husband and wife.

There are many ups and down with Sadie's friends as well as Wyman's brother, and these stories intermixed with that of Sadie and Wyman make the book more realistic, as they all face their own troubles and overcome each in their own way.

I will read other books by Wanda Brunstetter, however I might not recommend this one to anyone just exploring Amish fiction.

I loved this book it was so good I didn't want to put it down. I love Wanda's style of writing it drew me in from the very beginning.

Another great addition to the Hawaiian Quilt Series. Characters from previous books join Sadie as she navigates relationships, quilting, book publishing, and some surprises along the way. I was given a complementary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was not required to post a review.

I really liked this novel! I was not expecting another story from the Hawaiin characters that these wonderful ladies brought to us, but it was a welcome surprise! It really tied up any loose ends that could have been found in the previous two novels, and then just left us with a sense of peace with the characters. It truly blended everything together, as the name suggests...bringing Hawaiin quilting to Amish country. Thank you so much for the opportunity to review!

The Blended Quilt, written by Wanda Brunstetter, begins with Sadie Kuhns who is having doubts about her job hopping boyfriend Wyman. Wyman is restless and unsure of what he wants & seems to be unreliable and hides the truth from friends and family. After quitting another job, Sadie ends the relationship. While working on her broken relationship with Wyman, Sadie receives an unexpected inheritance & pursues an endeavor that takes her time away from friends and Wyman. Wyman, on the other hand, steps up to the plate to help his dad after his brother injures his back. It appears their roles have switched. Both are left with decisions to make about what they want & what they want for their future. It kept my interest & it was hard to put it down. This was an interesting read that deals with real life situations and how unexpected turn of events are handled. I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to give a review.

I really enjoyed reading The Blended Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter. I loved all the books in the series especially this one. I liked that the characters from the other series continued to be featured in each book with a little bit of how their every day life is. The main characters in this book is about Sadie Kuhns and Wyman Kauffman. Their relationship, disappointments with each other and learning to deal with their feelings with sudden changes in their life and how they overcame them. I really love the authors’ writing of this series and I was not disappointed with any of them. I couldn’t put it down when I started reading. I finished the book last month, so the review is kinda late. Better late than never. I’m always looking forward to reading more books from these authors. I do recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

I was not pleased with how this book dragged out I was wanting so much more the reason I gave 4 stars was the story about the quilt was adorable

Sadie is a young Amish woman who constantly remembers her trip to Hawaii with her friends, and starts the project of creating a quilt that blends both Amish and Hawaiian patterns. She has been having some problems with her boyfriend Wyman since he kips getting bored and changing jobs. Is he reliable enough for them to start a family? After a while, however, Sadie has to face an unexpected event that enables her to fulfill her dream of writing a book about her blended quilt. This new project absorbs her, which brings interesting changes for her family, her relationship, and herself.

What I liked: I love Wanda Brunstetter's books because I learn a lot about the Amish lifestyle, her plots keep me interested, and the stories don't have unnecessary drama. I mainly enjoyed this book because Sadie had to face the problem that many women have: is it possible to follow your dreams and have a family? Can someone have it all at the same time? How to balance your personal projects with your obligations towards your loved ones? However, she also had to take into account if her dream was compatible with the Plain people's believes about simplicity and modesty. I also liked how the characters of Sadie and Wyman evolved throughout the book, as neither of them was perfect and they had to work on their issues.

What I did not like: The ending was a little bit rushed for me, I mean, everything was solved almost the same day. Some side stories were not as developed as I would have wanted, like Mandy's problem, Jana Beth and Kaylene's envy, the marital problems between Michael and Lovina, or Wyman's attitude towards his job. I did not want everything to be perfect, but those problems were explained and then they were barely mentioned or were magically solved without giving more information to the reader.

(I want to thank NetGalley, Shiloh Run Press, and the authors for this ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review.)

I love Wanda Brunstetter’s books, and she’s one of my favorite Amish authors. I liked several different aspects of this story: The Amish community that supports each other; the unusual storyline of Sadie being an author and the inheritance she receives; and the close relationship that Sadie shared with her mother. It was interesting following the choices that Sadie had to make about her “career” as an author and her desire to follow a traditional Amish lifestyle.


There was one drawback to this book for me: No matter how hard I tried, I never connected with Wyman, one of the main characters. I had a hard time accepting Sadie and Wyman as a couple. I kept waiting for someone that was a more compatible partner for Sadie to make an appearance in the book.


Despite this, I still enjoyed reading the book. There’s good lessons for us about putting others first and turning to God for His guidance in our lives. Sadie and Wyman might not be my favorite couple, but I’ll still be looking forward to reading Wanda Brunstetter’s next book.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Blended Quilt is written by mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo, Wanda and Jean Brunstetter.

Sadie Kuhns and Wyman Kauffman have been courting for a while now, but Sadie struggles with Wyman's inability to be satisfied with any job he's had. After all, if he gets bored this easily, what is there to say he will be satisfied being married to her? When Sadie's circumstances change and her life suddenly becomes extremely busy, Wyman is left wondering if there is still room for him in her bustling world. Will they be able to work past their issues and compromise on a life that works for both of them, or will they go their separate ways?

I have to admit this wasn't my favourite of Brunstetter's books so far. I was hoping to see far more character development and maturity, especially on Wyman's part, and felt like the ending was quite abrupt. I definitely struggled with getting into the story. However, I really enjoyed the little side glimpses into Wyman's family and Sadie's friends' lives and appreciated that everyone in the story was willing to grow and to admit when they had done wrong.

*I received a complimentary copy of The Blended Quilt through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

The Blended Quilt was a beautiful mix of Amish and Hawaiian. I enjoyed how Sadie designed and put it together. Her life had a few tough spots as she worked it all out and trying to write a book too! She was just too busy for her friends and family. Great ending!

Great book! Every time I read one of her books I’m never disappointed. Her books are books that you can forget about the struggles of life and just read and forget about everything. I would highly recommend.

Rating 3.5 Stars

Sadie Kuhns and Wyman Kauffman have been courting for awhile. However, when Wyman was not forth coming on a decision that would affect their future together, Sadie knows that it might be best if they broke up until Wyman's priorities are more aligned with their future. They both love each other and know that a tough love must happen to make the changes they need to have a strong foundation. To set her mind off Wyman and their break up, Sadie turns to making a blended quilt which leads to a dream that is not reachable for the Amish. However, when a aunt passes away, her dreams turn into a nightmare.

Both Sadie and Wyman learn spiritual lessons of contentment. How contentment changes your priorities. What is interesting in their story they seem to flip. Distractions become key in their relationship and in their faith. Their families are supportive in learning this lesson along with what drives a community. You will be encouraged by what contentment means and how we live in contentment.

A Special thank you to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

This is a wonderful Amish fiction book.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know both Sadie Kuhns and Wyman Kaufman. They each have some personal problems that they need to work through. At the same time they are trying to figure out how to make a relationship with each other work.

The biggest question that they had to work out individually was sorting out their own priorities. Once they had that answered then they just needed to make each decision they were faced with based on that answer. This is a universal question that everyone has to deal with. I loved watching their growth as they processed it and figured out what mattered most in their lives.

They each have a number of people surrounding them helping them grow. Some of them were only providing listening ears as they wrestled with their problems. I loved seeing the variety of people that were supporting them even while dealing with their own problems. This is truly what being part of a community is all about.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

This is an Amish Fiction/Clean Romance/Christian Fiction. This book is not like any other Amish Fiction.book I have read in the past, and I loved it so much. I love that this book is a totally unique, and it covers the Amish in a different way. I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the characters, and the way this book is written where you get to hear what the characters are thinking and how they are feeling.
Once again, I was totally enthralled by the work of Brunstetter. I am impressed with the level of imagination that goes into her books, and how they are so individually written. They truly are not easy to predict, and the characters are given such wonderful depth. I felt like I was right there in the midst of all of these incredible events.

2 stars
Blended Quilt by Jean Brunstetter; Wanda E. Brunstetter
This book is one of the most unique Amish fiction books I have ever read. The authors wrote characters who are easy to relate to and like or dislike. The whole story is a tad far-fetched as the authors had a real opportunity to have Sadie do some real good deeds with the money she received from her aunt. Her aunt's will was even written to point the book and Sadie in that direction. But the authors skipped over a wonderful opportunity that would have made this a far better book.
Wyman is a highly unlikeable character and why Sadie puts up with him is beyond me. There is a lot of characters in this book with way too many side stories that really do not need to be included.
The book is good enough and I think fans of Jean Brunstetter and Wanda E. Brunstetter will like it. As for me, the ending just made me mad and the whole book was just one big missed opportunity.
I really do not recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved every book in this series. Each one fills me with joy and comfort. I feel as if Sadie and her family have invited me into their home to visit. The author has a way that makes me wish this was a real family and we could be friends. I would love to sit and eat dinner with them, join them at church services and be part of their nightly Devotionals.



Sadie is not content with her relationship with Wyman. He flitters from job to job and that makes her have doubts . How can she marry someone who doesn’t have a steady job? I enjoyed reading how they try to work things out but they do not see eye to eye on things.

When an unexpected inheritance comes to Sadie, her dream of writing a book seems possible to achieve now. I loved reading how she incorporates Hawaiian designs with Amish designs to make beautiful quilts. The book offers a variety of styles along with facts about Hawaii. I would definitely purchase her book. Not everyone in the family is happy that Sadie inherited so much money. After all her sisters didn’t get anywhere near the amount Sadie did. The author examines how jealousy can cause friction among friends and families.

I really enjoyed how the family realizes they need to be happy for Sadie and encourage her as she publishes her book. There is a little conflict in the story between a married couple that I found to be quite interesting, The Amish deal with similar issues as we do and money seemed to be one of the big problems between this husband and wife. I liked how the author had them seek a Christian counselor for help. At times I though the wife was bitter and allowed her anger to push her husband away.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the turmoil Sadie had as she started to become famous due to her book. She has less time to help with chores and her relationship with Wyman suffers as well. Is pride getting in her way? The author demonstrates how important prayer is and supporting each other in time of need. Sadie is surrounded by Godly people who along with God’s guidance make decisions that will honor Him. Do Sadie and Wyman reconcile and get married? You have to read the book to find out.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The review is my own opinion.