Andrew (Petersheim Brothers, #1)

by Jennifer Beckstrand

[phyllish]

Great book!

This is my first Jennifer Beckstrand book but it will not be the last!

The synopsis doesn’t include information about Andrew’s youngest brothers, Alfie and Benji. These eight-year-old twins are determined to get their older brothers married off so they can move out of the cellar bedroom they were relegated to when Mammi and Dawdi had to move in with their family. Their plan is to marry off their three older brothers so a room will become vacant for them. Yeah, when I read a review that explained that, I knew I had to read this series!

I love the way the author didn’t just make this a cute story about matchmaking boys. Instead, she tackled some heavy spiritual matters. Gossip. Judgement. Unforgiveness.

It must have been so difficult for Mary to return to her community, knowing how the gossips would be. And yet, she desired to have her baby in the safety of her family. So when she was rejected by her parents, she was crushed. My heart went out to her, longing to hug her and love her through her pain!

Despite Andrew’s initial judgemental attitude towards Mary, enough of his tender heart shone through so I didn’t despise him. It was clear that his expectations of “seeing” signs of repentance in her were out of a desire for holiness and not simply meanness or pride. Moreover, he did champion her when others were unkind. Where he truly made me like him was in his relationship with his little brothers and the deep love he had for them, even when they did crazy things!

The conversations Mary and Andrew had regarding her sin and what he perceived as a lack of repentance were very insightful and thought provoking. The entire community expected to “see” her repentance – yet what would that look like? Should she go around in sackcloth and ashes? Refuse to smile or laugh? (In case you are wondering, the answer is no!)

My review would be incomplete without another mention of the twins. Oh my! The things they got themselves into were so funny! I could just picture them, thinking they had these amazing plans and then being so surprised when things went from bad to worse and they needed to be rescued. Yet they were not only full of fun and games. They loved Mary so fiercely and so unconditionally. Truly, they exemplified a reason Jesus said we need to be as little children.

Dawdi is living with the Petersheim’s after suffering a stroke. He is unable to speak, yet Benji and Alfie have found that they can communicate with him quite well, as long as they ask him yes and no questions – which he answers with a smile or a frown. Andrew confesses his deepest hopes and fears to him. By the end of the story, Dawdi is still not recovered enough to speak. I’m anticipating many more of these sessions in the books to come with the other brothers and hope that he recovers his speech soon so we can hear what he has been thinking all along!

Andrew is delightful, insightful, and sweet. I highly recommend this wonderful story!

Read my full review at Among the Reads