The Amish Candymaker

by Laura V Hilton

[phyllish]

A sweet arrangement

My rating is 4.5 stars

Agnes struggled so much with the concept that Gott could love her. She felt that her prayers were not heard, especially after her family died in a fire. Not only that, she felt she was unlovable. Her very own father, a preacher, had told her that no man would want her - she was too independent and outspoken.

I loved Agnes' endearing habit of talking to inanimate objects, such a plants and dishes. You get the idea. Maybe I thought it was so fun because I've been known to do exactly that.

I wasn't a fan of Issac at first. He was a bit brash and overconfident. His smooth-talking ways that made him a much-demanded auctioneer also had him popular with the Amish women in the communities he visited. Not that anything ever happened beyond perhaps a few kisses, but still. . . He had no intention of making any commitments or settling down.

Yet as time went by, Isaac became more lovable. The way he embraced taking care of his nephew and nieces despite being so incompetent was very sweet. And the way he really did honor and respect Agnes; being able to see past her quirks to appreciate the wonderful woman she is.

Yet a Laura V. Hilton novel wouldn't be complete with ""just"" a romance. Her stories are much deeper than that! Issac carried deep guilt over an event that occurred several years earlier, separating him from his only remaining family - his twin brother. The grief and guilt he experienced caused him to live the life of a nomad and made him feel he wasn't worthy of the love he craved.

There was also a mystery surrounding the drug addict who had attempted to rob Agnes' candy store. While it was not a prominent theme of the story, it carried an undercurrent that added a little more drama.

Yes, this is part of a series and has characters returning from other stories, and yet it does stand alone quite well. Then again, Laura V. Hilton's books are all so good you should treat yourself and read them all!


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I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.