A Perfect Amish Romance Book Review

Book Description

From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray comes a new series that follows a bookmobile driver-turned-matchmaker who learns that her Amish patrons need a whole lot more than just new books to read.

Aaron Coblentz has a secret: he’s been studying to take the GED to get promoted at work. But he can’t let his Amish family know, not when his older brother already left the faith just a year after getting baptized, practically crippling the family. When Aaron asks bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller for some additional study guides, she does one better. She arranges for Kayla Kaufman to be his tutor.

Kayla has a secret, too. Her life has been turned upside down in a matter of months—her mother’s death propelled her father into a constant state of depression, and unable to deal with his erratic behavior, her longtime boyfriend has broken things off. But despite losing those she holds most dear, she hasn’t completely given up on love. Only now she seeks to find it in the sweet romance novels she secretly checks out from Sarah Anne’s bookmobile.

As Aaron and Kayla’s study sessions start to feel less like work and more like pleasure, they soon realize that happily ever afters don’t only happen in fiction; sometimes they happen when you least expect it.

From a “skilled storyteller who reminds the reader that faith can help us survive the ups and downs in life” (RT Book Reviews), A Perfect Amish Romance is a moving and deftly told story that paints a heartwarming picture of the magic of true love.

My Thoughts

The premise behind this newest series from Shelley Shepard Gray is sweet as can be – a bookmobile driver that visits Amish settlements and unwittingly becomes a matchmaker. In this first installment, Aaron visits the bookmobile to get research materials to study for the GED. Sarah Anne quickly sets him up with a local tutor, Kayla, and a sweet little romance blossoms between them.

Since I’ve always lived in a major metropolitan area with access to multiple libraries, I’ve never had the privilege of visiting a bookmobile or even having one nearby. For a small community, I can see why they hold such charm as you never know what books will be waiting each week, month, etc. I believe this is the first book I’ve ever read that included one, which made it that much more appealing. Each chapter also included a quick word of librarian advice suited to what was upcoming in the story.

I loved the connection between Kayla and Aaron. They each had secrets that, once revealed, changed their opinions about each other and drew them closer together. I also liked the secondary story between Joel and Tiny as there were some misconceptions that, once cleared up, paved the way for their relationship to develop, too.

I listened to the audiobook version, and I have to give kudos to the narrator for doing such an incredible job! Each character was distinctly represented with a different inflection and tone, with Tiny’s character interpreted the best of all.

Since this series revolves around Sarah Anne and her bookmobile, this will be the only visit with these characters. I can’t wait to see where she travels and who will be matched together next!

4 Stars

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**This book DEFINITELY has a bookmark on the way and maybe some other designs, too! I have the cutest idea for a bookmobile bookmark that I hope will be as charming as the story itself. And if you’re not sure what I’m talking about here, click this link to see What I Do Here.