DNF at about 30%. There have been too many violent scenes that don't mesh well for me with the Amish setting. The main girl is also kind of annoying but the romance is cute and Noah is fun to read. I was hoping for a cute, light read and those scenes really rubbed me the wrong way, so just not for me right now.

Review on momsmusings.substack.com will go live June 15 when the link will be added here.

A Great Story

This was such a great story and one that had me connecting to its wonderful characters right off the bat.

While some may disagree, Caroline was an absolute breath of fresh air. I loved how she had a directness of saying whatever came to mind while also having such a deep and caring nature. That may sound like an oxymoron, but in her case it’s true. Reigning in her directness and impulsivity causes her some difficulty, but watching her grow in doing so was sometimes funny and sometimes painful, but also inspiring.

Noah touched my heart from the get go. There was some mystery revolving around him and his story, and I really wanted to find out what that was all about. Getting to know him and his story caused me moments of sadness, but also moments of joy, especially as I watched him and Caroline develop a beautiful friendship. Their story kept me turning pages to see how their relationship would continue to develop especially when some unexpected issues crept in.

However, a major highlight for me was a revelation that Noah experienced which was unexpected and left me completely in awe. I was touched beyond words as it had me reflecting on how great God’s love and faithfulness truly are. The story is a wonderful combination of many rich elements that deeply touched my heart and will stay with me for quite some time. I highly recommend it.

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

I wish I had realized that this was part of a series before I read it. It can be read as a standalone but I felt like it would have been useful to have read the previous novels first as I felt a little adrift at parts, like there was key information about the setting and characters I was missing.

I generally enjoy books about the Amish and whilst this wasn't a bad novel by any means it just didn't do all that much for me and I struggled to stay invested in the story and characters. Caroline and Noah were alright as main characters but the romance felt stilted and I wanted more spark between them.

This was an alright read but it didn't wow me. It is a sweet read and is well-written.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Kensington Books and Rachel J Good for the E ARC of this book. This is book 5 in the Surprised by Love series.
We meet Caroline who everyone has opinions about. She is a bit clumsy and one day taking a short cut to work at the farmers market bumps into Noah, the new auctioneer. For Caroline it is love at first sight. Noah has no intentions of getting involved with anyone, he has a secret that he means for no one to find out.
Caroline has a problem with an Amish boy and sees the only way out is to pretend she has a boyfriend, Noah. This leads to complications for both of them and the lady who owns the farmers market gets involved as she sees the promise in both of them and what they could be together. Not everyone is pleased with Caroline and Noah and do their best to make trouble for them.
There were a couple of characters that I didn’t like and was quite surprised that the author wrote such characters, especially one who was Amish, but I understand why she did so.
I really enjoyed this book as I have done with all the others. The characters were well written, the plot was good and engaging. I look forward to the next book.

This is book 5 in this series, an we are reunited with old friends, and some not so welcoming!

This is Caroline's story, and yes, we have met her previously, but this is also Noah Rielhl's story, he is now an auctioneer. Fate puts these two together and we are there to see how people react to this. To get out of a sticky situation, Caroline insinuates that Noah is her boyfriend, um, and thus the title of this read comes into play.

When some serious facts become know, everyone is soon shaking their heads and changing their mind as to their opinion of a young man. Enter our dear Mrs Vandenberg, and her inspirational wisdom, and we are gifted another page turning read!

Will justice be served?

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

Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend is a wonderful and sweet addition to the Rachel J. Good's Surprised by Love series. I loved it. Four and a half stars.

In Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend, Caroline is an impulsive, energetic young lady who pretty much always speaks and acts before she thinks. Noah recently moved to their Amish community trying to escape God and a past that he definitely wants to stay in the past. With the help of Mrs. Vandenberg, Caroline is determined to help Noah right the wrongs that he has suffered, whether he wants the help or not.

This story definitely lives up to the high standards of the previous books in the Surprised by Love series. I loved getting to check in on the other Green Valley Farmer's Market people that we've met in previous books. This story was very entertaining and thoroughly engaging. There were several times that I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next. The characters were well-developed and lovable, and Caroline's impulsive nature led to many hilarious moments.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story which is book five in the Surprised by Love series. The book is great as a stand-alone story, but I would definitely recommend readers go back and read the other stories in the series as well.

This book was provided to me courtesy of Kensington through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a heartwarming, emotional and joyful tale

I loved, loved Noah and Caroline’s fake boyfriend with a side of healing Amish romance. This is a heartwarming and emotional romance full of lovable, relatable and wounded characters with a light amount of angst. This one had me feeling all the feels - laughing, crying, swooning, cringing, teeth gritting, and cheering. Caroline is exuberant and energetic Amish woman and she is forever being told to be less impulsive and to be quieter to attract a suitable husband. Noah is also Amish and is working as an auctioneer at the same market where Caroline works. He is just trying to keep his head down and do his job. They meet when Caroline is rushing to work and barrels into Noah causing him to drop vintage puzzles he is carrying. Both Noah and Caroline have been wounded in their pasts and it affects how they interact with other people including each other. Circumstances keep bringing Noah and Caroline together but things are also pulling them apart. Noah and Caroline are portrayed as real, relatable people who have flaws, but are really trying to just do their best as messy fallible humans. This was a beautifully crafted story of second chances, grace, forgiveness, and love all within the beautiful backdrop of the Amish community’s faith and lifestyle as shown through sweet moments, mundane life snippets, painful pasts, friendships, and life choices. The story was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline. This is a new to me author but I am excited to add her books to my TBR list.

How do you see people thru God's eyes when they have destroyed your life?

I have enjoyed reading this series. All centered around an older English woman known as Mrs. V or Mrs. Vandenberg who owns the local market place that allows business to thrive. Amish and English work together with Mrs. V's watchful eye. She knows what is going on, who needs help, and who needs a word from God. She also bats 100 when it comes to matchmaking. She has her eye Caroline and Noah.

I have to say that what makes this series so good to me that it is character driven. Take for example Caroline. Her family runs the chicken stand at the market with the help of the rest of the family. Caroline is excited about life and the people she loves. She is very excited and loves to play volley ball and put in 100%. Her family and close friend always have to remind her to tone it down. (I actually felt put off by this but it is part of the contrast of characters building). She has a loyalty to her that I admire that drives her to push ahead without thinking about the implications. Noah has come from another community and with a big secret. He has saved the day for Caroline several times but seems to keep his emotional distance from her. It is when his secret is revealed that that their characters are tested. Of course Mrs. V is in the mix of things, always making wrongs right with the right people.

It is a sweet romance that remind us that we all need second chances, forgiveness, and someone like Mrs. V that has our back.

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

I was very happy to be back in the Amish marketplace along with Gideon, Mrs. Vandenberg, whom I love dearly.
Her wisdom means much to me. I've learned a lot from her.
Her determination to help people and get things done no matter her age still astounds me. That's why she's my favorite character.
I can relate to Caroline a lot! I feel like she is me! Trying too hard and overthinking things!
I enjoyed this sweet story so much that I couldn't put it down until I was finished.
My my some juicy secrets in there as well! Ooohhh, I love secrets! These are what kept me glued to the book.
However; there was one character that I really really wanted to "yell" for being so mean! Actually, I'll take that back there are 2, but I won't say who they are.
I don't want to give away the rest!
I will say that this book is part of an on going series. I recommend reading the others first.
Good has done a marvelous job with her characters' feelings in making them realistic and relatable.
Just wanted to remind all that God has a plan for us all. If it's meant to be, then it will happen whether we want it to or not. God is the boss man. What He says goes.
I have to keep reminding myself of that everyday even though I know it will hurt. So I feel exactly like Caroline does through most of this sweet story.
Well done Ms. Good. Please keep them coming!
I highly recommend this book. 5 stars for a well written story.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Caroline is a very energetic Amish girl. Her Maam and her best friend tried telling her to slow down. She loved sports but she wanted to win. So she would do anything that she could to win.. Even doing a "pancake" in Volleyball with a dress on.

This is a cute story about a determined young Amish girl who wants the best for everyone. She sometimes thinks after she acts much to her parents dismay.

Love the cast of characters and could not put the book down.

Noah is looking for a new start moving to Lancaster and taking a job as an auctioneer at the Farmer's Market. It's quiet, and Noah can keep to himself.

Caroline thrives on noise, and she is not the most organized person. She bumps into Noah as she runs into the market, as she is late for her shift! Caroline then finds herself asking Noah for a favor, and he reluctantly agrees. Noah will pose as Caroline's boyfriend.

Caroline learns how sweet, gentle, and generous Noah is, despite the rumors that are being spread about him. She knows in her heart that Noah is a good man. Caroline is struggling though; their relationship is only fake, but her feelings are real. Noah realizes that he is beginning to fall for Caroline.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel!

This book is part of a series but definitely can be read as a stand alone. I love Mrs. Vandenberg. She knows how to get things done, never mind her age. This is a book about love at first sight and how some things are just meant to be. I loved this book. I was provided a copy by Netgalley but the opinions are mine.

This is another book in the Green Valley Farmer’s Market series. We find many of the people in former books, and of course, the wonderful Mrs. Vandenberg. She is known for her matchmaking abilities and ability to foresee the future for people. We find that she has her mind set on the two lead characters getting together in spite of all the problems they will encounter to get there.

Noah Reihl has moved from Chicago for a fresh start. He has hidden secrets from his past that have followed him here. He is working as an auctioneer at the market.

Caroline Hartzler asks him for a favor, to be her pretend Amish boyfriend to help her distract an unwanted suitor. She finds herself drawn to him and refuses to listen to the gossip about Noah. Noah finds that he, too is drawn to Caroline, but with his unstable faith because of what has happened in his past, he knows he can not pursue a relationship with Caroline since he is not part of the church.

This is a sweet love story that you will not want to put down until you have discovered what the hidden secrets are in his life, and how the past affects a possible relationship with Caroline.
I enjoyed this book so much and highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book from Kensington and NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

It's always fun to be back in the market and get reacquainted with all of the characters. Mrs. V. has her hands full with Noah and Caroline but what a great story it was.



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. Noah is hiding a secret. All he wants to do is do his job as an auctioneer and fly under the radar. Caroline is an outgoing girl and attracts an unwanted suitor. She wants to discourage him, so she asks Noah to help her even though there are rumors about him. I enjoyed this book very much. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books/Zebra for the
E-ARC. This is my own opinion.

Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend by Rachel J. Good

Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend is book#5 in Rachel J. Good’s Surprised by Love series. This was my first book in this series, and I loved it. I will definitely have to go and get caught up on all things Valley Greens Farmers Market.
Give this one a shot, you won’t be disappointed!!

Rating: 5 Stars

Release Date: June 27, 2023

I received complimentary ARC copy of this book from its publisher and author (Thank you!! I loved being a part of this book) via NetGalley . This review is my honest opinion, I was in no way required to give a positive review.

Her Pretend Amish Boyfriend by Rachel J. Good earns a 5 star rating from me. I had read other books in this series, and it was a pleasure to revisit the market where Amish and English people have stands. Caroline reminded me of Anne of Green Gables, because she was so outgoing and so enthusiastic about life. Her mouth many times gets her in trouble. In this book she runs into a man who is the new auctioneer at a nearby booth and sparks fly. Even though Noah has a deep dark secret Caroline is able to uncover the secret and help Noah get back into a life with his family and God. ..

I received a copy of the book from NetGalley.. The opinions expressed are my own

It was a pleasure to revisit Green Valley's Farmer's Market in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and particularly to see Mrs. Vandenberg in action again as the righter of wrongs and supreme matchmaker. I think she is my favorite character in the series.

In this book, Noah Riehl is happy that he has gotten a job selling at the Farmer's Market, where he is also learning to be an auctioneer. Noah has a past that he wants to leave behind, and this is his new beginning. He meets Caroline Hartzler, a young Amish woman, at the market. Caroline is an exuberant and high-spirited young woman who is constantly chastised for it (or so it seems to her). The two could not be more different. Caroline enlists Noah's reluctant help to discourage an unwelcome suitor.

There is more drama to come, when Noah's past becomes known, and it jeopardizes the new life he is building. Noah has another secret, though, concerning the car wreck that sent him to prison.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher Kensington Books/Zebra via NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are mine.

Caroline asks Noah to pretend to be her boyfriend to stop another boy from bothering her. The more they are around each other the closer they become. But Noah has a terrible secret. Lovely Amish story. HEA.