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The Beginner's Quilt
Not yet published
Expected 1 Mar 26A Lifelong Love for Quilting Starts in 1967, Arthur, Illinois
Despite the best efforts of Emma Bontrager’s mother, Emma hasn’t learned much of anything that will prepare her to be an Amish wife. Therefore, she’s sent to Arthur, Illinois, to be taught by her paternal grandmother. Though she would rather be fishing, hiking, or playing baseball, Emma finally listens to her grandmother and even finds she enjoys working on a Tree of Life quilt. Having met a nice young man, she now feels more prepared for marriage. But rumors swirl around his character, and it looks like she’ll be returning to Indiana with a broken heart. Even so, her time in Illinois has ignited a new passion for quilting that will last for years.
- A stand-alone prequel to The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club and Half-Stitched, the musical.
Despite the best efforts of Emma Bontrager’s mother, Emma hasn’t learned much of anything that will prepare her to be an Amish wife. Therefore, she’s sent to Arthur, Illinois, to be taught by her paternal grandmother. Though she would rather be fishing, hiking, or playing baseball, Emma finally listens to her grandmother and even finds she enjoys working on a Tree of Life quilt. Having met a nice young man, she now feels more prepared for marriage. But rumors swirl around his character, and it looks like she’ll be returning to Indiana with a broken heart. Even so, her time in Illinois has ignited a new passion for quilting that will last for years.
- A stand-alone prequel to The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club and Half-Stitched, the musical.
- GenresAmish
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 1, 2026
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A stand-alone prequel to The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club and Half-Stitched, the musical.
Reading is my favorite hobby. I always have a book nearby to read. I am recuperating from knee replacement and I have my ereader nearby when I can't sleep or relaxing.
The Beginner's Quilt will be released in March 2026. I received an early copy and finished it in record time.
Emma's self-esteem was at an all time low. She couldn't cook. She couldn't sew. How could she ever attract an Amish husband? She is sent to stay with her grandparents for the summer. Maybe just maybe she can learn and have a better chance for finding a husband.
That summer was one of discovery for Emma. She learned so much about herself. Emma conquered her fears. She turned the negative self-talk around. And she met a young man that cared for her and not what she can make for dinner.
I loved the book. Everyone has a special talent. Sometimes it takes awhile to find yours.
A great story.
Reading is my favorite hobby. I always have a book nearby to read. I am recuperating from knee replacement and I have my ereader nearby when I can't sleep or relaxing.
The Beginner's Quilt will be released in March 2026. I received an early copy and finished it in record time.
Emma's self-esteem was at an all time low. She couldn't cook. She couldn't sew. How could she ever attract an Amish husband? She is sent to stay with her grandparents for the summer. Maybe just maybe she can learn and have a better chance for finding a husband.
That summer was one of discovery for Emma. She learned so much about herself. Emma conquered her fears. She turned the negative self-talk around. And she met a young man that cared for her and not what she can make for dinner.
I loved the book. Everyone has a special talent. Sometimes it takes awhile to find yours.
A great story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A young Amish women is being sent to her Grandparents, as her parents are a bit worried that she can't cook or sew! Not a typical Amish problem, but we are there as her Grandmother attempts to teach her, and we are there for the results.
What wasn't expected was a bit of sweet romance, will this trip end up changing Emma's life? Will she learn to cook and sew?
Things really can't run smoothly, and a big bombshell is dropped in the last quarter of this book, I was really page turning for answers.
As a quilter I loved the patterns that were talked about, I'm looking into some of them, and hoping for another book to spend time with the Bontrager family!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.
What wasn't expected was a bit of sweet romance, will this trip end up changing Emma's life? Will she learn to cook and sew?
Things really can't run smoothly, and a big bombshell is dropped in the last quarter of this book, I was really page turning for answers.
As a quilter I loved the patterns that were talked about, I'm looking into some of them, and hoping for another book to spend time with the Bontrager family!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love Wanda E. Brunstetter's books! I really enjoyed this one! Emma is sent to her grandmother's to learn more about cooking and sewing even though she would rather be fishing or playing baseball. She meets someone that changes her mind though! I really enjoyed this one with the pacing and especially towards the end with the twist! If you are a fan of Wanda Brunstetter's books you will love this one! Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher Barbour for the eARC in exchange for a honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is a prequel to Brunstetter’s Half-stitched Amish Quilting Club series that she wrote over 10 years ago. I had never read that series, so after enjoying this preview, I quickly bought the whole series.
I really enjoyed the relaxed pace of this book, and the characters are quirky and fun. There are good plot twists to move things along when necessary, and interesting resolutions to the relationships in the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #TheBeginnersQuilt #NetGalley
I really enjoyed the relaxed pace of this book, and the characters are quirky and fun. There are good plot twists to move things along when necessary, and interesting resolutions to the relationships in the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #TheBeginnersQuilt #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wanda Brunstetter has always been one of my favorite authors and this book is proof why. I always know I'm going to be reading a good, wholesome story that is clean, yet always so riveting.
Emma is sent to her grandparents to learn how to do what most comes natural to most Amish women. However it doesn't come natural to her. I love how she finds Ivan and even in the midst of what seems to be a hopeless out come, faith and love always prevail!
You won't be sorry you picked this book to read!!
Emma is sent to her grandparents to learn how to do what most comes natural to most Amish women. However it doesn't come natural to her. I love how she finds Ivan and even in the midst of what seems to be a hopeless out come, faith and love always prevail!
You won't be sorry you picked this book to read!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Loved reading the inspirational and engaging story. When Emma is sent to live with her grandparents to learn to cook and sew, she, at first, has a difficult time, but when she starts to learn how to quilt by her grandmother's friend, Emma enjoys learning to quilt, and spending time with Ivan. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and another must read riveting romance story by Wanda E Brunstetter.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. Thank you to Wanda Brunstetter for another amazing book!!! I absolutely loved it and I have to say that I was so happy that this was a stand alone and not part of a series. I so enjoyed the storyline and I loved all the characters!!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews