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!
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
All 3 for you in this series
See full series
More like Andrew (The Petersheim Brothers Book 1)
Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Loading...
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
Wow!! You will love this book!!
Wow!! What a wonderful book!! You will love Jennifer Beckstrand's newest book, "Andrew". (The first book in The Petersheim Brothers series.) It has humor, romance, and lessons on forgiveness. You will meet a pregnant, unmarried,Mary Coblenz, who has returned from living in the English world. People gossip about her and treat her differently...including her parents. Mary will find a friend in Bitsy and her husband, Yost. You will laugh at the shenanigans of 8 year old twins, Benji and Alfie Petersheim. Finally, you will love Andrew Petersheim. When everyone else ignores Mary... Andrew steps up. But, Mary still thinks of leaving her Amish community. Will she break Andrew's heart? Is there really any love there? Will her baby be accepted? This is one book that you will want to read cover to cover!! You will not want to put it down!! Thank you to Jennifer Beckstrand for her wonderful, inspirational writing!! (With humor thrown in.) I highly recommend this book!!
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2021
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2022
