A Husband for Mari ~ Emma Miller

• Series: The Amish Matchmaker
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Love Inspired; Not for Online edition (January 19, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373719345
• ISBN-13: 978-0373719341

Purchase A Husband for Mari here.

Struggling single mother Mari Troyer decides to move—temporarily—to the Amish community of Seven Poplars. With a place to stay and a good job, Mari soon fits right in with the warm, welcoming Delaware residents. But when her son asks a matchmaker to find Mari a husband, Mari worries that the handsome builder who's become the boy's father figure can never be her intended. James Hostetler requires a wife as committed to the Amish life as he is. Need brought Mari to Seven Poplars, but maybe love and renewed faith will make her stay forever.

My take on this book:

A Husband for Mari is the story of Mari Troyer and her young son Zachary. Years before Mari had left her Amish community right before she took her vows to join the church. She has struggled for years as a single mother, so when her friend Sarah invites her to come to the Amish community of Seven Poplars the hope of a new beginning makes her go. Her son isn't happy, but when James Hostetler, an Amish builder takes him under his wing things start to change. It doesn't take long for Mari to find herself drawn to James as well,but he needs an Amish wife. Will Mari decide to stay in Seven Poplars or is it just a stopping place until she and her son can do better?

This book was a quick easy read that provides an interesting story of one woman finding her way back into a way of life that she left behind. While I was knew how the story would end the author provides a rich story that kept me reading. It was interesting to read about Sarah and the matchmaking services she provided. Mari's life was far from easy, she had carved a life for her nine year old son Zach, but when the factory that she worked in closed she didn't have a lot of options. The author showed contrast between Amish and English schools by allowing the reader to understand the issues Zach faced in both settings. Overall the story flowed smoothly and was a wonderful way to spend a few hours. While this book is part of a series it can easily be read as a stand alone. I haven't read any other books in the Amish Matchmaker series but had no problems diving right into the story.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review.