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The Amish Matchmaker #2
A Husband for Mari
Back to Amish Country
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.
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.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 19, 2016
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182 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 18, 2016
For me this was less of a romance novel and more a novel about finding yourself and coming home again. Sure the romance played an important part in this, and I probably would not have enjoyed it quite as much without it, however I felt a deeper connection to the underlying message in this story. It doesn't matter what you've done, or +how far astray you've found yourself, there is always the chance to start over and find where you have belonged all along.
The characters were not only strong, but also believable, maybe more so when it comes to Mari and her son Zachary. There is so much character growth with these characters that you felt privileged to be included in their journey.
Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone novel. You do not need to read the books that come beforehand in order to understand and enjoy this one!
Overall, I would certainly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good Amish/Christian romance, and I would in fact also recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good clean romance.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
The characters were not only strong, but also believable, maybe more so when it comes to Mari and her son Zachary. There is so much character growth with these characters that you felt privileged to be included in their journey.
Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone novel. You do not need to read the books that come beforehand in order to understand and enjoy this one!
Overall, I would certainly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good Amish/Christian romance, and I would in fact also recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good clean romance.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
November 17, 2015
Emma Miller weaves her characters and storylines so that the reader really comes to love and cherish them. The Amish Matchmaker series is no different.
When Mari Troyer finds herself facing hard times, she decides to move, temporarily, to Delaware in order to regain her footing. With a good job and a stable place to stay, Mari soon finds herself fitting back into her old life with the Amish Community. Growing up Amish, Mari left for the English world but now she is back and finding the comfort, peace, and simple life is what she has missed. But how can she ask her son to give up his English ways? But when someone asks the Amish matchmaker, Sarah Yoder, in Seven Poplars to find her a husband, can Mari renew her faith and her life back to the Amish. Will they accept her and her son? Could James Hostetler be the one for her? James Hostetler has always lived the quiet Amish life. He has his carpentry business that keeps him pretty busy. But when a beautiful but quiet English woman shows up at Sara's table, will he find himself being drawn to her? And when her son wins his heart as well..... I would highly recommend any book by Emma Miller.
When Mari Troyer finds herself facing hard times, she decides to move, temporarily, to Delaware in order to regain her footing. With a good job and a stable place to stay, Mari soon finds herself fitting back into her old life with the Amish Community. Growing up Amish, Mari left for the English world but now she is back and finding the comfort, peace, and simple life is what she has missed. But how can she ask her son to give up his English ways? But when someone asks the Amish matchmaker, Sarah Yoder, in Seven Poplars to find her a husband, can Mari renew her faith and her life back to the Amish. Will they accept her and her son? Could James Hostetler be the one for her? James Hostetler has always lived the quiet Amish life. He has his carpentry business that keeps him pretty busy. But when a beautiful but quiet English woman shows up at Sara's table, will he find himself being drawn to her? And when her son wins his heart as well..... I would highly recommend any book by Emma Miller.
December 30, 2015
This is another excellent installment in "The Amish Matchmaker" series and I can't wait for the third book.
It is a fairly quick read at only 224 pages and a great book to curl up with on a cold winters day.
Even though I am a non-believer I can recognize the spirituality behind this book, and how Mari has troubles deciding whether she is coming back tot he church for her beliefs or because she just want to belong.
Mari left the Faith on the very day of her Baptism. In the ensuing years she has had a child and her husband had left her. She had come home to Wisconsin and struggled to make ends meet and to take care of her 9 year old son.
Now she needs to find another job and she travels to Delaware -the Amish community of Seven Poplars. Here she can get back on her feet but she soon finds that it is a place of serenity, family, Faith and fun. And here is where she meets James Hosteltler. He is good not only for Mari, but he is wonderful with her son.
The growth of Mari and especially here son is amazing in these pages and the author's descriptions of the people and town make me want to go live there.
It is a fairly quick read at only 224 pages and a great book to curl up with on a cold winters day.
Even though I am a non-believer I can recognize the spirituality behind this book, and how Mari has troubles deciding whether she is coming back tot he church for her beliefs or because she just want to belong.
Mari left the Faith on the very day of her Baptism. In the ensuing years she has had a child and her husband had left her. She had come home to Wisconsin and struggled to make ends meet and to take care of her 9 year old son.
Now she needs to find another job and she travels to Delaware -the Amish community of Seven Poplars. Here she can get back on her feet but she soon finds that it is a place of serenity, family, Faith and fun. And here is where she meets James Hosteltler. He is good not only for Mari, but he is wonderful with her son.
The growth of Mari and especially here son is amazing in these pages and the author's descriptions of the people and town make me want to go live there.
January 19, 2016
Mari has had a rather rough life so far, and she is destitute with nothing left, except the joy of her life her nine-year-old son Zachary, she has no job, shelter, food, etc. and help arrives from her friend Sara Yoder.
Sara is a friend she met while she was in Wisconsin, and Mari know she is a matchmaker, but she also helps people, which she does as she opens her home to Mari and Zachary.
Your going to love the reaction Zachary has to leaving the English world and entering the Amish. He gives his Mom a hard time, but guidance and patience comes in the form of Amish carpenter James Hostetler, whom just happens to be working on Sara’s home.
This is a very fast read, and you won’t want to put it down once you open the cover, I had to keep reading, and only life got in the way. I can’t wait for the next book in this series; so far I have read two winners!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Love Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review.
Sara is a friend she met while she was in Wisconsin, and Mari know she is a matchmaker, but she also helps people, which she does as she opens her home to Mari and Zachary.
Your going to love the reaction Zachary has to leaving the English world and entering the Amish. He gives his Mom a hard time, but guidance and patience comes in the form of Amish carpenter James Hostetler, whom just happens to be working on Sara’s home.
This is a very fast read, and you won’t want to put it down once you open the cover, I had to keep reading, and only life got in the way. I can’t wait for the next book in this series; so far I have read two winners!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Love Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review.
June 10, 2016
I read this on the Kindle
This was another good book it had people from the 1st book in this series so that was nice
I think we all know what the outcome will be but still a good read
This was another good book it had people from the 1st book in this series so that was nice
I think we all know what the outcome will be but still a good read
October 3, 2018
A Husband for Mari is a story of new beginnings and renewed faith. Mari Troyer made the choice to move to Seven Populars, Delaware from Wisconsin. Her life hadn’t been easy since she left the Amish, but was assured by Sara Yoder of a place to live and a job. Mari wasn’t interested in finding a husband even though Sara was known as a matchmaker. Nine year old Zachary Yoder discovered more fun than he had anticipated in the Seven Populars Amish community. Will Mari be able to reconcile her past? I purchased this book at a resale shop, thus a review was not required. I have expressed my own opinion.
January 10, 2020
The characters and plot in this book were well-developed, interesting, and fun even though the main female character had a lot of baggage from her past which she had to address head on. It was a great read for one of my favorite genres, Amish romance.
I have enjoyed all of the books by this author that I have read, and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
I borrowed this book from the local public library.
*This book is completely clean in language and content. :0}
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I have enjoyed all of the books by this author that I have read, and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
I borrowed this book from the local public library.
*This book is completely clean in language and content. :0}
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March 2, 2017
I enjoyed this story in which the recession hits a young mother working a factory assembly line. She can't pay rent and her only hope of a warm winter for herself and her young son is to accept an invite to stay with her Amish cousin. The cousin is a matchmaker as it happens!
We see that different Amish districts interpret lessons in their own way. Mari's originally from an Amish district but left while quite young and when she had a baby the order was that she had to give away the child if she wanted to return. In her new home, there are so many kinner that one more is hardly noticed and they swap warm coats as these are outgrown. Good food and honest work become the routine and her lad settles in the basic school to her surprise. Partly he is helped by learning carpentry from the carpenter who is adding a few rooms to the matchmaker's house. But a surface acceptance does not mean that this outsider girl who is not of the church will be welcome to join anyone's family. There is plenty of subsurface tension and nobody is rushing into a relationship.
This is a pleasant family read with lots of information about the Amish way of life.
We see that different Amish districts interpret lessons in their own way. Mari's originally from an Amish district but left while quite young and when she had a baby the order was that she had to give away the child if she wanted to return. In her new home, there are so many kinner that one more is hardly noticed and they swap warm coats as these are outgrown. Good food and honest work become the routine and her lad settles in the basic school to her surprise. Partly he is helped by learning carpentry from the carpenter who is adding a few rooms to the matchmaker's house. But a surface acceptance does not mean that this outsider girl who is not of the church will be welcome to join anyone's family. There is plenty of subsurface tension and nobody is rushing into a relationship.
This is a pleasant family read with lots of information about the Amish way of life.
April 5, 2016
Emma Miller brings us another poignant story of redemption in a husband for Mari. Mari Troyer has been living English since before her son was born. Kicked out of her uncle's home because of a mistake she made, Mari has finally hit rock bottom. When a friend invites her to Seven Poplars to live with her in the Amish community there, she sees it as a temporary move. As she gets to know the people and sees their lack of judgement, she begins to see that God didn't desert her.
James Hostetler returned to his Amish home after living several years in the English world. He's been back two years and wouldn't you know? The first woman who catches his eye in all that time is Mari - one woman he's not sure is going to stay.
James Hostetler returned to his Amish home after living several years in the English world. He's been back two years and wouldn't you know? The first woman who catches his eye in all that time is Mari - one woman he's not sure is going to stay.
March 29, 2016
A Husband for Mari is a terrific book. The book begins with Mari moving to Seven Poplars to stay with Sarah with her son in tow. Her plans are just to stay there until she can get enough money to support herself and her son and has no plans to marry. She meets James and she is thinking she could change her mind. Her son has bonded quickly with James and things progress. Mari's decision to join the church and be baptized is put in jeopardy by her uncle who was the deacon when Mari left and is now the bishop. He says Mari was already baptized. Shocked James goes to ask Mari's Uncle and the results are quite shocking. Loved this book
January 18, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. Emma Miller tells a story like you are living right there with the characters. It is so nice to visit with my friends old and new. Mariwas left her uncle's home to live plain. things were not working out so she went to stay with her Amish friend in another state. James isn't sure aout Mari, He thinks he loves her but can she comite to the Amish faith once and be happy?
December 25, 2018
I'm really enjoying this series. This book dealt with a single mother who's having a hard time supporting herself, so she moves in with Sarah Yoder (the area's matchmaker) and works for the previous book's couple. There were some sweet scenes showing Amish community, the coat swap is one that definitely stands out to me. The romance was good and I liked how it happened slowly, yet didn't take that long when you think about it. A great book if you enjoy Amish fiction.
Read
February 25, 2016"This entry continues The Amish Matchmaker. Sara is a fun character, so it is nice to see her included in this series. Zachary’s plans for his mother are touching. The pace is just right in this enjoyable tale" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Miniseries: The Amish Matchmaker
Miniseries: The Amish Matchmaker
April 3, 2016
ANOTHER winner for Emma Miller. Loved the book.... just like every book that I have read of hers!
Some twists and turns, but a great read, and a wonderful ending! Love the way she creates her characters....ones that have all different life experiences, some you connect with better than others, but always things that most can identify with, and always full of forgiveness & grace.
Some twists and turns, but a great read, and a wonderful ending! Love the way she creates her characters....ones that have all different life experiences, some you connect with better than others, but always things that most can identify with, and always full of forgiveness & grace.
Read
February 1, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: The Amish Matchmaker
Miniseries: The Amish Matchmaker
March 23, 2016
Good story.
August 6, 2016
Enjoyed book
Really enjoyed book. Looking forward to reading others in series. Wished would have told couple who talked to matchmaker. Was looking forward to them finding out .
Really enjoyed book. Looking forward to reading others in series. Wished would have told couple who talked to matchmaker. Was looking forward to them finding out .
November 10, 2015
You can read my review in the Feb. 2016 issue of RT Bookreviews magazine.
February 18, 2024
Mari Troyer is a single mom of a nine year old son and she is struggling. Now, her friend Sara, who just happens to be a matchmaker, has invited her to stay at Sara’s house. This is more of a story of Mari finding her way than it is a romance. After Mari moved away from her faith, she never really felt at home anywhere until she arrives at her cousin Sara’s home in Seven Poplars. A HUSBAND FOR MARI by Emma Miller is a wonderful story filled with love, faith, and family. I am very surprised at how fast the story went and before I knew it, I was finished!
A HUSBAND FOR MARI will also introduce you to James. He works as a hired hand for Sara and is instantly drawn to Mari and her son, Zachary. James is looking for his true love and isn’t sure how he feels about someone else finding her for him. He will get married when HE finds the right one and not a moment sooner. While he is pulled towards Mari, he knows he will never walk away from his Amish community again and Mari is no longer Amish. James Hostetler returned to his Amish home after living several years in the English world. He’s been back two years and promises his sister that he will never leave again. Mari left the Amish when her uncle, who she was living with, found out she was pregnant and told her she had to give her baby away.
A HUSBAND FOR MARI isn’t the first time I’ve read Emma Miller and it certainly won’t be the last. She has such knowledge when she writes about the Amish people. She pulls you right in and never lets you go. You feel as if you are sitting right there with them discussing their lives. You will find yourself laughing out loud as Mari and James are bantering back and forth. An Amish Matchmaker? Who knew there was even such a person? Wholesome, honorable, and a faith driven story line. The characterizations were extremely faith driven, but not preachy or dictating. You are shown their love of God, family, and community in their actions and words. I can’t wait to read more of this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A HUSBAND FOR MARI will also introduce you to James. He works as a hired hand for Sara and is instantly drawn to Mari and her son, Zachary. James is looking for his true love and isn’t sure how he feels about someone else finding her for him. He will get married when HE finds the right one and not a moment sooner. While he is pulled towards Mari, he knows he will never walk away from his Amish community again and Mari is no longer Amish. James Hostetler returned to his Amish home after living several years in the English world. He’s been back two years and promises his sister that he will never leave again. Mari left the Amish when her uncle, who she was living with, found out she was pregnant and told her she had to give her baby away.
A HUSBAND FOR MARI isn’t the first time I’ve read Emma Miller and it certainly won’t be the last. She has such knowledge when she writes about the Amish people. She pulls you right in and never lets you go. You feel as if you are sitting right there with them discussing their lives. You will find yourself laughing out loud as Mari and James are bantering back and forth. An Amish Matchmaker? Who knew there was even such a person? Wholesome, honorable, and a faith driven story line. The characterizations were extremely faith driven, but not preachy or dictating. You are shown their love of God, family, and community in their actions and words. I can’t wait to read more of this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 14, 2018
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."
March 13, 2018
This was a new author for me, but I really enjoyed the storyline. It was lighthearted, but I thought the author stayed true in her portrayal of the Amish lifestyle, and I really enjoyed the book. I will look for more books not only in this series but from Emma Miller. Thank you for an enjoyable read!
July 9, 2025
Mari left the Amish life for the English, which didn't turn out well. She has been offered help from an Amish friend and so she returns, intending to only stay until she got back on her feet. And as you know things happen!
July 18, 2017
A good holiday read.
September 13, 2017
Love Emma Miller books
July 11, 2020
Mari goes to Delaware by invite of Sara to find a place to raise her son. Unknowingly her son hired Sara to be a matchmaker for his mom and James.
December 18, 2021
A heartwarming story about second chances, redemption, and going back to one's roots. Add in delicious homebaking and you have a fuzzy and cozy Amish romance.
March 2, 2023
Christian romance. Amish.
March 29, 2023
This is the first Emma Miller book that I’ve read and I really enjoyed it. I love learning about the Amish ways and enjoy a good love story.
March 14, 2025
I love this second chance story.
October 21, 2025
Sweet, romantic story. Love the Amish stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews