“I’ve just finished an Amish romance,” I told my husband.

“You must have got to the part where they hold hands,” he said.

“I’ve read a few Amish romances, but this one is unusual,” I told him. “The hero’s just back from the Korean War.”

“Oh, that is odd.”

“The young people are allowed go out to the world for a few years before taking their vows as adults. This is called rumspringa, running around time. So this young man said his rumspringa would be spent at war, since he felt God was calling him to serve. He’s back now and can’t be shunned, because he hadn’t taken the vows, but the people don’t want him.”

“Too strange.”

“Outside influences, and he’s been violent. But one girl is pleased to see him home safe.”

Anna and Felty Helmuth feature in the good-natured ‘Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill’ series, and this tenth book celebrates the extraordinary lives of this senior couple. We return to wintry 1952, with the Korean War still ongoing, as Felty gets off the bus in Wisconsin. He’s come home to the community, but he knows his community may not welcome him. The first adult he meets is Anna Yoder, shopping with her undisciplined younger brothers. Anna is a near neighbour, and a good knitter, but her unusual ideas about cookery don’t endear her to the other women.

I knew how the story would turn out, but I was delighted to roll back the years and uncover more of the backstory behind the cheerful community at Bonduel and the farm on Huckleberry Hill. The prejudices and machinations of other people are artfully exposed, more so in contrast to modern life where we are told to celebrate our strengths and successes. A young woman who cooks and bakes excellently is considered a good catch, as women don’t work outside the home yet, and tradition includes many favourite recipes. Yet a woman who claims to be a good cook is considered prideful, boasting, and putting herself above others. The principles are still sound, and I’m delighted that Felty has not been hardened by his experiences; in fact, he cares more about the feelings of animals than do many of the good folks.  

Fans of Jennifer Beckstrand need not worry; this romance has her trademarks of humour, warmth and incredibly real characters. If you follow the Huckleberry Hill series, you’ll definitely want to know how this love got started. Even the man in your life might like the read.

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