Cover Image: The Amish Quiltmaker's Unconventional Niece

The Amish Quiltmaker's Unconventional Niece

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The Amish are taught to love your enemy and to turn the other cheek. When Mattie is sent to Byler, Colorado because she didn’t follow this teaching in the exact way her father expected her to, she finds yet another situation where she refuses to completely turn the other cheek. Disregarding all convention she runs for city office, shocking her aunt and uncle hosting her and most of the town. What she discovers is that running for office against the incumbent is more difficult and complicated than she anticipated. One of my favorite parts of the book was when a teenager and a young man both try to profess their love for Mattie at the same time. Not every girl experience that everyday. A fun read, especially if you enjoy reading about the Amish faith.

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This is an Amish Fiction. and this is the third book in the Amish Quiltmaker series. I really love the main character in this book, and I love to have a book that has an Amish character that stands up from themselves. I know that is not the Amish way, but I know chances are there are some that do. I found this story to be so much fun to read, and I really love the mix of characters. I really laugh and smile several times while reading this book. There is a small romance part at the end of this book, but I would not say this is romance. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Zebra Books) or author (Jennifer Beckstrand) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

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Third in the series. Continues to delight just as if not better than it's predecessors. Jennifer Beckstrand writes witty, engaging Amish fiction and this is no exception.

It was nice to run into old faves from the previous novels but our main characters held their lead.

This book was a departure from the typical Amish novel just a little but it kept true to the genre.

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The Amish Quiltmaker's Unconventional Niece by Jennifer Beckstrand, book three in her Amish Quiltmaker series. I loved Freeman Sensenig and Mattie Zook’s sweet Amish romance. Because of an unconventional action at home, Mattie has been sent from her community in Leola. Pennsylvania to stay with her aunt in the Byler, Colorado Amish community. Freeman is a member of this community and the son of a potato farmer. Despite their sparks, Freeman and Mattie disagree from their first meeting. When Mattie decides to run for town council to try to overturn an unjust buggy ordinance, Freeman agrees to assist her, in secret. Freeman and Mattie have to deal with lack of support from some community members and learn to trust their own hearts and beliefs before finding their way to a loving, respectful, and faith based relationship.

Ms Beckstrand adds another outstanding installment to a wonderful series; drawing me into the story making me feel as if I’m part of the story rather than a spectator. The emotions, issues, and challenges the characters face are not just those of the Amish, but could affect people worldwide. You will feel all the emotions while reading this book: joy, sorrow, anxiety, love, and especially laughter. I highly recommend The Amish Quiltmaker's Unconventional Niece to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

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The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unconventional Niece by Jennifer Beckstrand is an amusing Amish tale. It is the third book in The Amish Quiltmaker series. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series, but you will be missing out on some entertaining stories. Jennifer Beckstrand has an engaging writing style. Her stories are easy to read with humor throughout. I loved Mattie Zook. She is a spunky Amish woman who will fight for what is right. Filing a lawsuit nor running for an office are the Amish way, but Mattie is not going to let that stop her. Freeman Sensenig and his twin sisters (Sarah and Sadie) were fun. I enjoyed the sibling banter (and bickering). There is a great cast with differing personalities. Cathy, an Englischer, who supported Mattie running for office (in her own way) and let us not forget the color-blind Caleb who likes to work on puzzles (he breaks out in a sweat when he lies or does something he feels is wrong). We get to travel to Byler, Colorado which has a small Amish population. I did not blame Mattie for trying to get the new Amish buggy law repealed. If you cannot travel the main streets, it is next to impossible to get anywhere by buggy. There is a touch of romance. I am glad it was not the predominant feature in the book (there was just enough). I had mixed feelings about the ending (I do not want to spoil it for you). I like that the author left us laughing. We do get to catch up with the characters from The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unexpected Baby and The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unruly In-Law. The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unconventional Niece is a fun, unconventional Amish novel. I was sorry when my time in Byler, Colorado came to an end. The Amish Quiltmaker’s Unconventional Niece is a witty tale with an unbalanced buggy law, sassy twin sisters, a plethora of puzzles, unkind election hijinks, beholding a bevy of sunsets, and campaign consequences.

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Mattie Zook is a truth teller. She doesn't mind telling it, even when maybe she takes it too far like when she insults the Amish community she has been sent to in Colorado. Freeman Sensenig isn't afraid to speak truth either when he tells her she is a snob for sure and certain. Mattie's truth telling ways got her sent from her Pennsylvania home to her Aunt Esther's place after she sued her father's neighbor.
Both Amish young people are in agreement when town councilor Bill Isom seems to be targeting their community with a new ordinance restricting where buggies and horses are allowed to travel. It isn't fair. Freeman, although angry decides to live peacefully as Gott intends but Mattie is of a different mind. She is in Rumschpringe and isn't bound by Amish law the same as those who are baptized, so she decides to run against Isom for town council. Series character Cathy Larson gets involved leading to a classic Jennifer Beckstrand tale! I can count on laughing out loud, having my emotions grabbed and being prompted to think seriously on God's plans when reading any book Beckstrand writes.
I love this series. Esther, the Amish quiltmaker has a healthy temper as readers learned in the first book. It would seem that it runs in the family. Mattie has a lot to learn and has quite a journey with a political campaign and eye-opening lessons for her life and attitude. Deciding to watch over her, Freeman is in for a wild buggy ride.
I want to thank the publisher, author and NetGalley for my advanced reader's copy of the book. This is my own unsolicited personal opinion. I loved it.

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The Amish Quiltmaker's Unconventional Niece

I have been a fan of Jennifer Beckstrand's since I found her Huckleberry Hill series; I love Anna and Felty. I am enjoying her Amish Quiltmaker Series.

We meet Ester in book one (The Amish Quiltmaker's Unexpected Baby); she is in each book and adds an element of hilarity to each story. Her niece, Mattie Zook, is from Pennsylvania. Sent to live with her aunt, Mattie cannot help but jump into action when she learns that there is a new local ordinance that discriminates against the Amish. Since she is in her rumspringa, no rules are keeping her from running for town council.

Freeman Sensenig, a baptized member of the Amish, decides to help Mattie and keep her from crossing lines. Freeman thought Mattie to be opinionated and rude, only thinking of herself. When Freeman begins to fall for Mattie, he suddenly finds unexpected obstacles and a romantic rival in the way.

This book is hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud and becoming angry with Bill (you'll see). I prefer books that take me on a journey with the characters, and Jennifer Beckstrand did not disappoint.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. I recommend this book with a 5-book stack rating.

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Loads of fun! Not sure this would happen in real life but that’s why it’s called fiction. Trouble seems to follow Mattie everywhere. Freeman can’t say anything right. This is a fun sweet read with enough action to keep you turning the page.

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Good synopsis, poorly executed.

I'm sorry but the protagonist was unbearable to me. I swear, she gave me eye twitches every time she got mad at Freeman or anyone out of the blue. I feel like she was very childish in certain parts of the book and generally reckless with her own situation ☠️ The town council situation was so boring for me, I was tempted to jump from one chapter to another on many occasions.

This is a personal opinion but the romantic relationship didn't feel that romantic, Freeman and Mattie would have been better as friends, although they did have a really passionate kiss, huh. There is nothing grumpy x sunshine or one of those tropes, they are just two young people who fall in love due to the circumstances that bring them together.

I never read anything with Amish people so I had trouble understanding certain words, looking up their meanings was frustrating tbh.

The Amish Quiltmaker's Unconventional Niece might interest you if you like fmc heroines, small towns, (conventionally attractive) amish boys. This book may not have been for me but it might work for someone else!
.

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This was a lovely, lighthearted visit to Beckstrand's community in Colorado that I have come to love. It was fun to revisit old friends and to meet the new characters introduced as well. I liked the unconventional nature of this book, and while there were very funny parts, I also keenly felt the inner struggle of the main characters as they wrestled with doing what they had been taught was right and doing what they believed was right in their current situation. It is so difficult when those two things aren't the same. Yet even while grappling with some big feelings and big issues, Beckstrand managed to make this a fun read that never once felt heavy or preachy which is why she remains the only Amish-genre author I still read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley.

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Readers will enjoy this unusual Amish story! I always look forward to an upcoming book by this author. Her type of humor will put smiles on reader's faces. Mattie is quite unconventional but has a heart of gold and a duty to do the right thing. When town councilman Bill bans the Amish buggies from the main streets of their small community, just how far will Mattie go to help. Loved Cathy! Recommended.

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This is the third book in the Amish Quiltmaker's series by Jennifer Beckstrand. Mattie has been banished from Pennsylvania to Colorado to live with her aunt and uncle because she filed a lawsuit in PA, and her father is very angry with her. Shortly after moving to CO, the town of Byler, where she lives, is beset by a very unfair ordinance in which the Amish aren't allowed to drive their buggies on the roads. Knowing that she's the only one who will stand up to the town bully, Bill Isom, who's on the city council, she decides to run against him, as he comes up for re-election. The Amish community does not get involved in politics, so this, of course, is very unconventional and controversial in her community. Freeman, a very handsome Amish man, now enters the picture, as he secretly helps Mattie with her campaign for city council. Will their annoyances and angriness with each other turn into a lasting friendship, or perhaps, even more?

This was an unusual Amish book in that it deals with politics. I did enjoy reading it, but thought it got a little slow in places.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Kensington books for the ARC e-reader copy of this book. All the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

#TheAmishQuiltmakersUnconventionalNiece #NetGalley

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This is the third book in “The Amish Quiltmaker’s” series, but it can be a standalone novel. Mattie is a realistic and relatable character. She's a bit headstrong, which isn't common with some Amish lead characters, but she's also brave and willing to fight for what she believes in. Freeman is a great match for her, as he's also opinionated and a bit headstrong. If you've read the prior books in the series, you'll find that some familiar characters make an appearance. I read many Amish-themed novels, and this one has a unique addition of the town council race, which I enjoyed. There's a bit of something for everyone: romance, humor, forgiveness, and healing.

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Fun and Entertaining

What a fun and entertaining story! Mattie Zook is definitely in a class by herself. She is quick to stand up for what is right regardless of the fact that it may take her in a direction that is not that of a traditional Amish young lady, According to Freeman Sensenig that fact is not exactly a good thing. Even so, Mattie and Freeman find themselves working together as Mattie's campaigns for a position on the town council. Needless to say it is quite a bumpy ride as they continually clash in some way or another and are faced with unexpected stumbling blocks. However, as they work together, they begin to see each other in a different light and their relationship begins to take a turn. All of this unfolds into a charming Amish fiction romance story full of humor, romance and faith which will leave you smiling to the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All comments and opinions are completely my own.

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This book was an absolute joy to read! It hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. Mattie's story will make you laugh out loud in spots and keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next. I loved everything about this delightful book.
I received a complimentary copy from Kensington Books, Zebra and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Mattie Zook may be Amish, but she can't stand injustice and keeps making stands, the reason she is now staying at her uncles in Colorado.

She is not here very long when she is at it again, she is supposed to be a pacifist, turn the other cheek, well, when it comes to one person hurting others, she can't stand it! Thus she ends up running for the City Council, can you just picture it? An Amish young woman in government!

Enter Freeman Sensenig, he is Baptized, will he risk being under the ban, or will he end up helping Mattie ? He is living the life of a young Amish man, farming and living his everyday life until Mattie.

With the humor I tend to expect Jennifer Beckstrand had me chuckling and page turning with another of her delightful reads!

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

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This is book number 3 in the series. What I liked about this book, was that the Main character's different a lot from amish female people. She is streng, willfull and runs for the town council. I liked the banter in the book, it was lol moment. An entertaining read. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

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Mattie Zook is a handful. She knows what is right and is loyal to the core. In fact because of her deep seeded need for justice, her father has sent her to Colorado. At first you do not know why but it has her troubled. She misses her home in Pennsylvania. Where the air is not so dry, and she surrounded by what she knows. In Colorado, it is a little different. The Amish community is quite small. Her first meeting with her neighbors turns out to be a war with words. Freeman who is the oldest and is not in any hurry to marry was a little irate by Mattie and her opinions. In fact they both were little put of by each other, until they came together for a great cause. A local council member of their small town had declared that the Amish could not use public roads in town. Mattie and her the help of her aunts English neighbors, decide that she should run for public office. She is not baptized and is not part of the community but she feels the unfairness of the ordinance. However, her own aunt is not sure about Mattie's political endeavors so she has her own way of putting a wretch in the wheel.

Of course there is all kinds of tension and I thought I was reading about our last election and hooligans' that was going on. However in this election, there is humor, romance, and revealing of what really matters in this fun political Amish romance.

A special thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

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The Amish Quilt Maker’s Unconventional Niece by Jennifer Beckstrand was a very different type of Amish book. Mattie came to live with her aunt and uncle as punishment by her father because she filed a lawsuit concerning a neighbor. Mattie was sent to Colorado from Pennsylvania to live with her aunt and uncle.

Mattie decides to run for city council after an ordinance is passed stating that the Amish buggies cannot travel on the main roads in the small town. This will cause some trips that would only take 10 minutes to now take one hour. Mattie is very upset and decides that she is going to run for the City Council. She has not been baptized so she can do this. Most of the Amish people are not in favor of her trying to win the election, but some are supportive and many of the Englishers are happy to have her. Mattie has a older English woman who is helping her with her campaign. She also enlists several of her Amish friends to help. Freeman along with his twin sisters help Mattie. There is a very nasty man who holds the position now that most people would rather see off of the council. Mattie’s campaign has many ups and downs. There is a love interest, actually two and some of the chapters are very funny.

I highly recommend this book and I’m giving it five stars. I received a copy of the book from NetGalley.. The opinions expressed are my own

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