Audiobook Review: A Match for the Amish Beekeeper by Laurel Blount

 

A Match For the Amish Beekeeper by Laurel Blount

Publication Date: August 25th 2026 by Harlequin Audio

Pages: 213

Audio Book Length: 6hrs 36min

Narrator: Stina Nielsen

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Lydia isn’t looking for a husband. After losing her fiancé, Caleb, and later her parents, she has learned to stand on her own through beekeeping. Caleb’s Aunt Mattie left her beloved bees to Lydia, but she left the cottage to Caleb’s twin brother, Ben. Determined to continue the business, Lydia prepares a proposal to convince Ben to let her rent the cottage and keep the apiary running.

 

Ben left the area after Caleb’s death and built a successful life working with horses, a profession he loves and excels at. He returns home to attend Aunt Mattie’s funeral and is surprised to discover that she left him her cottage and that Lydia is still living there. He’s even more unsettled to learn that Lydia never married after Caleb’s death, especially since he once promised his brother that he would make sure she was cared for.

 

This was a sweet, low-drama romance. It was enjoyable watching Lydia and Ben develop a genuine friendship before their relationship turned romantic. Although they shared a connection through Caleb, the years had allowed both of them to grow, change, and mature. I always enjoy romances that are built on a solid foundation of friendship, and the time they spent caring for the bees, improving the cottage, and dealing with an unfriendly Englisher helped deepen their bond and gradually move their relationship into something more.

 

The matchmaking subplot added a fun touch, and it was obvious that a little behind-the-scenes scheming happening. It was charming and brought some lighthearted moments to the story. Overall, this was a warm, comforting romance with likable characters and a satisfying friends-to-lovers journey.

 

I listened to an audio version narrated by Stina Nielsen and enjoyed the way she brought the characters to life, each distinct and with genuine emotion. Definitely enhanced my enjoyment!

4 Stars

Book Description:

After losing her beloved fiance, Lydia Riehl has supported herself as a beekeeper with Aent Mattie’s guidance. There’s only one when Mattie passes away, she bequeaths the bees and hives to Lydia, and the house and land to Caleb’s twin brother, Ben King. Ben promised his brother he’d look out for Lydia. When he steps up to repair the house and learns the ins and outs of beekeeping, their friendship deepens into something more. Will these two lonely souls decide to be open to love’s possibilities?

Review: Home From the Storm by Laurel Blount

 

Home From the Storm by Laurel Blount

Publication Date: December 26th 2023 by Berkley 

Pages: 352

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Caleb Hochstedler’s parents were violently murdered and he left his Amish life and wife behind to pursue their killer, Trevor Abott. Two years later Caleb narrowly misses Trevor, and what he’s left behind chills him to the bone: pictures of Caleb’s wife, Rhonda.

 

Caleb high tails it back home to Johns Mill and has the shock of his life when he discovers he’s a father of two-year old twins. There’s so much he missed. There’s hurt, betrayal and old wounds that need to be addressed. Not the least is Caleb’s issues with the church. Will he be able to reconcile his differences of opinion with the Amish faith, his love for his family, and his pursuit of justice to lead to a HEA? That’s what I wanted to know.

 

Caleb and Rhonda’s story has been brewing in the background throughout the series. I felt bad for Rhonda, but also for Caleb since his grief caused him to act hastily. Details of Rhonda and Caleb’s history were revealed and even though it seemed like Caleb was the one mainly in the wrong, there were other factors at play. Both needed to step back and examine their actions, past and present. There was still so much love between Caleb and Rhonda, and I was rooting for them to heal and make their way back to each other, especially since they now had the two little ones to think about.

 

I loved the Hochstedler’s close knit family. The bumped heads a bit here and there, but there was an abundance of love between them. Caleb and Rhonda’s twins were so adorable, too!

 

Like the other stories in the series, there was a bit of danger and suspense with Trevor lurking about and unhinged. I was afraid for all the Hochstedler’s, not knowing when or where he’d surface and what kind of damage he’d inflict.

 

Home From the Storm was a well-done second chance/marriage-in-crisis romance. Not only that, it was also an uplifting story of healing, forgiveness, looking for the best in each other, and love. I’ve loved this series from the start! A definite recommend!

4 Stars

Book Description:

In this stirring Amish romance about love and second chances, a shunned man returns to protect the wife he left behind—and falls in love with the family he never knew he had.

After a senseless loss, hotheaded Caleb Hochstedler left his Amish faith and his young wife to seek justice. Two years later, he tracks his parents’ killer back home to Johns Mill, where he’s astonished to learn he’s the father of twins. Now he's determined to protect his children and the woman he still loves—if she’ll let him.

Her new husband’s abandonment broke Rhoda Lambright’s heart and proved her father, the bishop, right. Such a stubborn man could never be happy among the peaceful Amish. When Caleb unexpectedly returns, Rhoda is caught between her rock of a husband and a very hard place.

Her church forbids divorce and requires forgiveness, so Rhoda lets Caleb back into their home. But can she ever let him back into her heart? One thing’s for certain sure. This second chance will take all the faith they can find.

Review: Courage in the Storm by Laurel Blount

 

Courage in the Storm by Laurel Blount

Publication Date: April 25th 2023 by Berkley

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I’ve been looking forward to Miriam’s story since she witnessed the tragic murder of her parents when were gunned down by an obsessive “Englischer” in her family’s general store. Since then, Miriam has suffered from major PTSD, and has not been able to leave the family home in more than a year. Only now has she been able to venture outside to feed the chickens and visit Breeze, a traumatized horse. A horse she’s become attached to, and unfortunately may not last if they can’t get him past his fears enough to be useful. Breeze is her brother-in-law’s horse injured in a buggy accident that scarred them both and Sam doesn’t want to sell the horse for slaughter, so he decides to call in a favor from an old friend with a special talent for working with horses.

Reuben Brenneman left the Plain/Amish life when the abuse of his father, a mean drunk, was reported and overlooked. Reuben felt betrayed by the people he felt should’ve protected him, and so going to the Hochstedler’s farm, an Amish one, isn’t something he wants to do, but he owes Sam. What he doesn’t count on is Miriam. The Amish woman terrified of him at first, in his Englischer clothes, but she’s willing to try to work with him to help Breeze, since Breeze has formed an attachment to Miriam. They work together and form a friendship, Miriam making progress overcoming her fears while helping with Breeze and with Reuben seeing a different side of the Amish people. Both falling a little more for each other with every day that passes.

 Courage in the Storm was a moving, emotional story with three souls overcoming a tragic past: Miriam, Reuben and yes, Breeze. I was invested in their journey of healing and love! It was a gradual process, but every step brought me such joy. The story is inspirational, compelling, and filled me with happiness!

5 Stars

Book Description:

In this powerful Amish romance, an isolated woman and a compassionate man learn that love can build a bridge between their two worlds.

Since witnessing the murder of her beloved parents, Miriam Hochstedler suffers from paralyzing anxiety and a deep-seated fear of the Englisch . Unwilling to venture beyond her family’s Tennessee farm, she forms a close bond with a badly injured gelding. Like Miriam herself, the traumatized animal seems unlikely to recover—until skilled horse whisperer Reuben Brenneman arrives.
 
A survivor of an abusive childhood, Reuben understands fear better than most. He’ll do whatever it takes to help a terrified animal, but his compassion doesn’t extend to the church that turned a blind eye to his family’s suffering. Once he finishes this job, he’ll return to the Englisch world, putting his Amish heritage behind him forever.

As Miriam works alongside Reuben, battling the horse’s fear—and her own—an unexpected friendship blooms and deepens into romance. But the Amish faith that sustains her inspires only distrust in Reuben, and the Englisch world he’s chosen has already broken her heart once.
 
Falling in love was easy. But staying together will take all the courage they have.

Review: Strength in the Storm by Laurel Blount

 

Strength in the Storm (Johns Mill Amish Romance #2) by Laurel Blount

Publication Date: February 22nd 2022

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Emma’s family suffered a tragic loss when her parents were gunned down by an “Englischer” (a non-Amish person) obsessed with Emma. The event has left her sister, Miriam, who was present, shaken and with PTSD. Unfortunately, it seems Emma is hindering Miriam’s recovery being a little too helpful. 

When the aunt of Emma’s childhood sweetheart, Sam, needs caring for it seems like the perfect opportunity to get out of the house and give Miriam some space to progress in her healing. Aunt Ruth is not an easy patient and I admired Emma’s patience dealing with her. She was empathetic despite Ruth’s sharp tongue, but not to the point of being a doormat.

 Emma and Sam were once best friends and a little more, or as much as you can be as young teenagers, but Emma broke Sam’s heart. Of course, caring for Aunt Ruth means Emma and Sam spend more time together. Being around Sam brings back some of the old feelings she had for him and now being more mature she’s able to appreciate his good qualities. His good looks certainly don’t hurt either! However, when another tragedy strikes, will the second chance they have at romance evaporate? These two had a bumpy road to cross. Their romance was full of longing and a bit of angst, and I loved every bit of it!

There’s a lot at play here with the “Englischer” who murdered Emma’s parents on the run and still posing a threat and then an accident that put their future together in peril. I loved how determined and steadfast Emma was. She dealt with so much, but she tried to stay positive. Sam went through a lot as well and like any normal person, didn’t deal with it well at times, but that was more because he didn’t want to be a burden.

I haven’t read many Amish romances, but I’ve enjoyed the ones I’ve read so far.  I like the inspirational outlook presented in Strength in the Storm. With so much negativity out there it’s nice to read about characters, like Emma and Sam, who try to look for good wherever they can find it and persevere through adversity. I was rooting for their well deserved HEA. 

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

In this touching Amish romance, a brokenhearted woman and a steadfast man discover that the safest place to weather tragedy is in each other's arms.

After the murder of both her parents, Emma Hochstedler returns to the small community of Johns Mill, hoping to resume her quiet existence. Reclaiming her place proves harder than expected--especially now that a movie is being made about her family's loss. But then, an old friend offers her a lifeline that gives her new purpose.

Amish builder Samuel Christner is the biggest--and the strongest--man in town. In fact, the gentle giant has only one weakness--Emma. Even though she broke his heart, he won't let his childhood sweetheart face her troubles alone. He hires Emma as a nurse for his elderly aunt...and finds himself falling for her all over again.

But while romance blooms, storm clouds gather. And when darkness falls, it will take all Sam's strength--and all their love--to see them through.

About the author:

Award-winning author Laurel Blount writes captivating romances full of grit and grace—with characters who’ll walk right off the page and into your heart. She lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, their four fabulous kids, and an assortment of ridiculously spoiled animals. Learn more online at laurelblountbooks.com.