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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
5.0
Return to Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand is the seventh book in The Matchmaker of Huckleberry Hill. It is Christmas Eve in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Reuben Helmuth along with the youth group is providing some Christmas cheer to the elderly and shut-ins in the community. Reuben is happy to spend time with his girlfriend, Linda Sue (Bishop’s daughter). Reuben notices that Linda Sue is no longer with the group and starts searching for her. He finds her with his best friend, John King. It turns out that Linda Sue and John have been seeing each other (behind Reuben’s back) and have fallen in love. Reuben feels humiliated and his pride is wounded (other people knew about Linda Sue and John’s relationship). He cannot believe that Linda Sue would pick a pig farmer over him. Reuben departs Sugarcreek and heads for Bonduel to stay with his grandparents. Anna and Felty are surprised by Reuben’s appearance, but they are happy to see him (though it changes their current matchmaking plans). A couple of months go by and Reuben is still at Huckleberry Hill. One day Fern King, John’s sister arrives in town. She is there to get Reuben to return to Sugarcreek and forgive John. Anna and Fern devise a plan to find Reuben a new girlfriend and get him out of his funk. They set up a knitting group of eligible young women. When Reuben ends up insulting the ladies (foot-in-mouth disease), he enlists Fern’s help to make amends. But what happens when a couple of the girls get the wrong idea. Reuben is in for a challenging time, but it will not be boring with Fern along for company. Will Anna and Felty succeed in making another successful match for one of their grandchildren?
Return to Huckleberry Hill is just delightful. Anna and Felty are amusing and heartwarming characters. Their hijinks are guaranteed to make you smile (and laugh). I could not believe that Reuben actually liked Anna’s cooking (there must be something wrong with his taste buds). Some of the food descriptions will put you off your next meal (Anna’s food combinations are certainly creative). Fern was a great addition. I appreciated her spunk and outlook on life. I give Return to Huckleberry Hill 5 out of 5 stars. Some of the messages or themes in Return to Huckleberry Hill are forgiveness, the downfall of pride, trusting in God and judging others based on occupation, appearance, or social standing. I thought Return to Huckleberry Hill was well-written and had a good pace. The author’s descriptive writing allowed me to picture the scenery and characters. This really brings the book to life for me and allows for a pleasurable reading experience. The ending left me giggling and a clue to Anna and Felty’s next victim. I will be on the lookout for the next enchanting book in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series.
Return to Huckleberry Hill is just delightful. Anna and Felty are amusing and heartwarming characters. Their hijinks are guaranteed to make you smile (and laugh). I could not believe that Reuben actually liked Anna’s cooking (there must be something wrong with his taste buds). Some of the food descriptions will put you off your next meal (Anna’s food combinations are certainly creative). Fern was a great addition. I appreciated her spunk and outlook on life. I give Return to Huckleberry Hill 5 out of 5 stars. Some of the messages or themes in Return to Huckleberry Hill are forgiveness, the downfall of pride, trusting in God and judging others based on occupation, appearance, or social standing. I thought Return to Huckleberry Hill was well-written and had a good pace. The author’s descriptive writing allowed me to picture the scenery and characters. This really brings the book to life for me and allows for a pleasurable reading experience. The ending left me giggling and a clue to Anna and Felty’s next victim. I will be on the lookout for the next enchanting book in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series.
jencook29's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time liking Reuben, which made reading the book a little more difficult than usual. However, he did come around in the end so that made finishing the book worthwhile. However, Fern was delightful and I really enjoyed her character. Overall a solid addition to the series. I am glad the series has returned and also that there is a new book to enjoy soon!
lbates0009's review against another edition
4.0
Reuben is a forlorn young man who has been jilted... for his best friend.
His best friend's sister, Fern feels awful about the situation.
His grandmother is determined to find him a good wife, and his best friend's sister is happy to help with the matchmaking.
The two decide to form a knitting group so that Reuben will have lots of young ladies to socialize with as they visit his grandmother's house.
I loved how Reuben's pride was seen as such an issue... too often he was convinced others would judge him because he had been abandoned for his best friend, but they really didn't see it as being a big deal.
I loved his elderly grandmother, as well.
Fern is a likeable character who truly has his best interests at heart.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction with a little bit of romance.
I've never read other books set in Huckleberry Hill but believe I will give them a try.
I did receive a complimentary book for giving an honest review through Celebrate Lit. This is my honest opinion.
His best friend's sister, Fern feels awful about the situation.
His grandmother is determined to find him a good wife, and his best friend's sister is happy to help with the matchmaking.
The two decide to form a knitting group so that Reuben will have lots of young ladies to socialize with as they visit his grandmother's house.
I loved how Reuben's pride was seen as such an issue... too often he was convinced others would judge him because he had been abandoned for his best friend, but they really didn't see it as being a big deal.
I loved his elderly grandmother, as well.
Fern is a likeable character who truly has his best interests at heart.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction with a little bit of romance.
I've never read other books set in Huckleberry Hill but believe I will give them a try.
I did receive a complimentary book for giving an honest review through Celebrate Lit. This is my honest opinion.
saorsa32's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
I adore Felty and Anna, the endearingly quirky and precious matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill. They are funny and unpredictable and just so darn cute. And on a mission to see all their grandchildren happily married.
In Return to Huckleberry Hill, Anna’s figurative stash of Cupid arrows are pointed at her grandson Reuben, who I have to say is kind of a spoiled brat lol. He’s cocky, sure of his good looks, more than a little arrogant and clueless at times. But, God bless him, he loves Anna’s cooking. Anna, in case you don’t know, loves to experiment in the kitchen – usually not with good results. Blueberry Egg Hash. Oyster and Water Chestnut Salad. Spam Pinwheels. At one point, Fern marvels at Reuben’s ironclad tastebuds and I had been wondering the same thing since chapter three when he ponders that the “best thing about being at Huckleberry Hill, besides his grandparents, was the food.”
Reuben has a lot to learn. As Felty so wisely tells him, “The measure of a man isn’t how popular he is with his friends, but how he treats those who have nothing to give him.” And once he learns this lesson – without giving any spoilers – he had me in tears!
Fortunately for Reuben, Fern is around. I love Fern! She’s compassionate and loves to tease, and she has a warrior’s heart. She also has loved Reuben since childhood. “She had a very full basket of ‘shouldn’t haves’ but it didn’t change the truth that she loved Reuben Helmuth like crazy…”
Bottom Line: Return to Huckleberry Hill is charming and sweet and tender at all the right moments, while still never losing the endearing qualities that go hand-in-hand with anything Jennifer Beckstrand writes. If you love Amish fiction – and even if you don’t – you need to read the Huckleberry Hill series. I guarantee you’ll come to adore Felty and Anna as much as I do!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
See my review at Reading Is My SuperPower
In Return to Huckleberry Hill, Anna’s figurative stash of Cupid arrows are pointed at her grandson Reuben, who I have to say is kind of a spoiled brat lol. He’s cocky, sure of his good looks, more than a little arrogant and clueless at times. But, God bless him, he loves Anna’s cooking. Anna, in case you don’t know, loves to experiment in the kitchen – usually not with good results. Blueberry Egg Hash. Oyster and Water Chestnut Salad. Spam Pinwheels. At one point, Fern marvels at Reuben’s ironclad tastebuds and I had been wondering the same thing since chapter three when he ponders that the “best thing about being at Huckleberry Hill, besides his grandparents, was the food.”
Reuben has a lot to learn. As Felty so wisely tells him, “The measure of a man isn’t how popular he is with his friends, but how he treats those who have nothing to give him.” And once he learns this lesson – without giving any spoilers – he had me in tears!
Fortunately for Reuben, Fern is around. I love Fern! She’s compassionate and loves to tease, and she has a warrior’s heart. She also has loved Reuben since childhood. “She had a very full basket of ‘shouldn’t haves’ but it didn’t change the truth that she loved Reuben Helmuth like crazy…”
Bottom Line: Return to Huckleberry Hill is charming and sweet and tender at all the right moments, while still never losing the endearing qualities that go hand-in-hand with anything Jennifer Beckstrand writes. If you love Amish fiction – and even if you don’t – you need to read the Huckleberry Hill series. I guarantee you’ll come to adore Felty and Anna as much as I do!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
See my review at Reading Is My SuperPower
faerytaleonfire's review against another edition
3.0
This addition to the series falls far short of what I've come to expect. Annie and Felty are delightful as always, and I greatly enjoyed the low-key secondary romance in this book, but the heroine and hero seemed more walking stereotypes than actual characters, and the hero wasn't even likeable.
librarykate's review against another edition
3.0
After his girlfriend shows a preference for his best friend, Reuben leaves home determined to escape his humiliation. Fern, his best friend's sister, follows him to his grandparents' home determined to cheer Reuben up. Reuben must learn to forgive while building his new life. Maybe he will even find true love.
I don't read Amish romance expecting the next award winning book. I read them for escapism and a sweet happy story. The story was fine, but the pacing was a bit slow. Reuben spent way too much time serving the knitting group girls to earn back their favor. Things seemed awfully slow until the very end. Overall, it was a decent Amish romance.
I don't read Amish romance expecting the next award winning book. I read them for escapism and a sweet happy story. The story was fine, but the pacing was a bit slow. Reuben spent way too much time serving the knitting group girls to earn back their favor. Things seemed awfully slow until the very end. Overall, it was a decent Amish romance.
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