A Perfect Amish Romance

Berlin Bookmobile #1

by Shelley Shepard Gray

The first in this “book lover’s dream” (Carla Laureano, author of Under Scottish Stars) series from the New York Times bestselling author of The Loyal One follows a bookmobile driver-turned-matchmaker as she discovers that her Amish patrons need a whole lot more than just something to read.Aaron Coblentz has a he’s been studying to take the GED. But he can’t let his Amish family know, not when his older brother already left the faith just a year after getting baptized, practically crippling the family. When Aaron asks bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller for some additional study guides, she does one better. She arranges for Kayla Kaufman to be his tutor. Kayla has a secret, too. Her life has been turned upside down in a matter of months—her mother’s death propelled her father into a constant state of depression, and unable to deal with his erratic behavior, her longtime boyfriend has broken things off. But despite losing those she holds most dear, she hasn’t completely given up on love. Only now she seeks to find it in the sweet romance novels she checks out from Sarah Anne’s bookmobile. As Aaron and Kayla’s study sessions start to feel less like work and more like pleasure, they soon “discover the true magic of unexpected love” (Woman’s World).

Genres: Amish, Romance, Fiction, Amish Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Audiobook

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 19, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: AKA Shelley Gray (Western Romance).

Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.

Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.

Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.


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Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Amish Fiction, and this is the first book in the Berlin Bookmobile series. This book as a lot of characters, and they all have a lot going on. I have to say it was a lot of characters and their drama to keep up with for a first book in the series. After I got all the characters figured out I did really enjoyed the book. I am looking forward to the second book in this series. I love the Bookmobile, and this book follows the people that visits the bookmobile. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Gallery Books) or author (Shelley Shepard Gray) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new book series is always fun to start. This one is by an author that I have read many books by. I have seen her writing progress over the years and each book is better than the last.
This series focuses on a bookmobile librarian named Englisher Sarah Anne Miller her husband passed away and she is grieving him. Sarah knows the Amish and helps them pick out the books they need and has the ones ready for them to pick up whenever they come in including study books for Amish man Aaron Coblentz who is secretly studying for his GED.
She does him one better though as arranges for Kayla Kaufman to be his tutor.
Kayla is finding it hard to keep things in order as her father spirals into depression after his wive's death and she must deal with his erratic behavior and act like the parent .
When her boyfriend breaks up with her instead of letting it get her down she isn't ready to give up on love and checks out romantic fiction form the library bookmobile.
AAron and Kayla both have a lot of baggage they carry but we see them talking and realizing they have a lot in common. Bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller is quite the matchmaker.
Multiple Sclerosis is also covered in a respectful way.
Looking forward to reading more in this series.


Pub Date 03 Mar 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A PERFECT AMISH ROMANCE is the first book in the Berlin Bookmobile Series by Shelley Shepard Gray. Aaron is a young Amish man who is trying to study to pass his GED. He thinks by doing this his boss will find him more suited to advance in the ranks of his business.. Aaron hires Kayla to help him study for his GED and through their studies a friendship develops. Kayla holds a secret about her father and her life after her mother’s death. As Aaron and Kayla get to know each other a spark connects them. I have been reading Shelley’s books for years and A PERFECT AMISH ROMANCE is now one of my very favorites by her.

Shelley Shepard Gray sure knows how to make the reader feel as if they are right there at the kitchen table with these two, with all their troubles and A PERFECT AMISH ROMANCE is exactly that! She made me sad, then the next moment I was smiling and giggling out loud! You can never go wrong with a Shelley Shepard Gray book if you are a fan of the Christian fiction genre. All of her characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again. You will also wonder how much heartache someone can stand before they completely break down and fall apart.

A PERFECT AMISH ROMANCE is a heart tugging story filled with patience, loneliness, heartbreak, and love that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once I started this heartwarming story, it was very hard to put down! I really prayed that Kayla would be able to convince Aaron that she was ready to move forward with her feelings for him and that he deserved to be loved and cherished. Shelley Shepard Gray isn’t afraid to write about subjects out of the norm as far as the Christian Fiction genre goes. Oh, as a warning to the reader, keep the tissues handy and do not read the ending in a public place unless you don’t mind crying in front of strangers! I’m so excited to continue catching up on all of Shelley Shepard Gray’s previous books. Now I have to patiently wait for the next book in this wonderful new series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gallery Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this after my loooooong pending approval. Oh my! It was so worth the wait!
New characters to love and well it's just Shelley Shepard Gray! Fabulous!
I thought the name Tiny was unusual and cute! Matched her personality just perfectly. I finished this novel late into the night and I have no regrets it was so very good! This book will be on my list of 2021 faves.
I enjoyed the aspect of the bookmobile. I think it's because it can reach people who can't get out or people that don't have any way of going to the library.
Sarah Anne was a wonderful librarian. I liked her immediately! I think real life librarians can learn some lessons from her in hospitality. Sure she was nervous at first because she didn't think that she wasn't the right person for the job. I especially like how Ron built her confidence up so that she might be able to good a job. I thought she was perfect!
The first in a brand new series by Shelley Shepard Gray that will be sure to delight you. It did me but then, I love Amish romance anyway and this one was no exception.
I wanted to leave you all with a favorite quote because it's very true for most of us.
"Perfection is overrated. No one needs you to score perfectly or even to always be happy. " Only that you give life a try." I feel that this is so true for a lot of us. I have some regrets along that line too.
You should take a chance on something that you want to do, because if not you will always wonder what might've happened or how life could have turned out for you.
I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this amazing book! I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sqqquuueaaall! A new series by Shelley Shepard Gray is always something to shout (or squeal) about! And this one features a bookmobile which is all kinds of library magic right there. Sigh. I've worked in school libraries and college libraries and genealogy libraries and church libraries but I always longed to be a bookmobile librarian. Alas, it was not meant to be but at least now I can enjoy the experience vicariously through Sarah Anne. :-)

In true SSG fashion, this novel is as much about community as it is the characters. I love the way this author follows a theme through the lives of various folks...in this case it's the perils of secrets that build tension and drama throughout the story. And...eeeepppp!!!...we get two romances and five points of view (including Sarah Anne's) as these characters discover that the perfect Amish romance is actually an imperfect one.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Tavia Gilbert who did a great job of bringing these captivating characters to life.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I should say I love the books by this author, and this one was no exception!
We meet Sarah Anne Miller, the new bookmobile librarian, and now maybe matchmaker?
There are a lot of assumptions about what another person is thinking here, but how these problems are resolved, well some are big surprises!
There is some sweet romance, some physical challenges, along with everyday survival. We meet some of these problems, as the characters here face their life’s problems!
One surprisingly wants to get his GED, why? Amish only go to the eighth grade, but he feels he will do more with his life, will he? Another is bogged down with her grieving father, the rent is due, how will this all turn out.
Come along and enjoy entering the lives of these Berlin Ohio Amish folks, and see the hearts of some, and how some seem to enjoy the pain of others! Once you are involved you won’t want to leave!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Gallery Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the concept, a bookmobile librarian that turns into a bit of a matchmaker in Amish country. In this story we have not one romance, but THREE potential romances and one of them is set in motion by the librarian when Aaron Coblentz asks for help finding a tutor to help him study for the GED. He's keeping it a secret from his family, but he's not the only one with secrets. His tutor, Kayla Kauffman, has secrets aplenty about what's going on in her house. Her father can't hold down a job or be bothered paying the bills so Kayla is running herself ragged trying to make sure that everything stays afloat. Their secrets drive them apart at first, but when they open up it starts to draw them together. Thoroughly enjoyable, even if a bit cheesy at times.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read a new Amish series by Shelley Shepard Gray as she is a multi talented author in other genres but her Amish books grip my heart. What better setting than a bookmobile run by a genuine warm widow woman who cares about her patrons especially the Amish. There are so many wonderful characters that it is hard to pick a favorite. It starts with a beautiful cover and opens to heartwarming stories that sweep you into the worlds of several families all tied together with their love of books and family. I love how the characters grew and some learned to look outward and learn to help others. Just a great beginning to this new series and I look forward reading more. With all the turmoil in the world it was great to curl up with a book that made me smile.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely the sweetest book I have read in ages and one I really needed. After an extremely rough week and mourning, I really needed a sweet romance and this just fit it on so many levels. Love books and librarians? You’ll be delighted by this new series. It appears in each book the bookmobile librarian will have new couples to gently help find their HEA together. Along with wonderful life lessons. I just adored this book and all the couples. There’s even a hint of maybe a romance in the works for the librarian! 😍😍😍 not even an Amish reader, per say and I loved this! Highly recommend.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Shelley Shepard Gray but it's not the worst either. I guess I found there were too many storylines for me and I wasn't really heavily invested in them. A Perfect Amish Romance isn't terrible to read, I did somewhat enjoy it.

[Nikki Glassley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ridiculous. I obviously loved it.

[Tamara Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

“A Perfect Amish Romance” is a Christian fiction novel in the Amish subgenre involving bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller who acts as matchmaker between two Amish community members.

The novel consists of a prologue, thirty-five chapters, an epilogue, acknowledgements and reader’s questions at the end of the novel.

In the prologue, the reader is introduced to Sarah Anne Miller, new part-time library bookmobile driver. Sarah Anne was an accountant for twenty-eight years and has recently retired. Sarah Anne is worried that she won’t do a good job and doesn’t but is reassured that she will do well by Ron Holiday who was raised Amish. Sarah Anne reminds her boss that although she’s taken classes and has volunteered in a library building, she’s not an official librarian. Ron, her boss feels that her experience volunteering in a library building and good recommendations from others makes her the best person for the job.

Chapter one occurs one year later and introduces Sarah Anne Miller’s best bookmobiling rules which is a log she creates to see professional growth and learn from her mistakes. Chapter one also introduces the reader to Aaron Coblentz, a twenty-two-year-old Amish man who has been studying to take the GED to get promoted at work but has been hiding this secret from his family. Aaron has goals to become store manager at the furniture store where her currently works. Aaron’s family consists his parents, older brother Timothy (who’s been permanently shunned from the community,) eighteen-year-old brother Jack, and seventeen-year-old sister Elizabeth aka “Tiny,” and three-year-old sister Rebecca.

Kayla Kauffman’s is a twenty-five years old woman who lives with her father and works at a quilting store run by her Aunt Pat. Kayla’s longtime boyfriend ended their relationship several years ago and this breakup turned her life upside down. Since Kayla regularly visits the bookmobile, Sarah thinks she’s be able to help Aaron. Kayla is secretly addicted to reading Amish romance novels and dreams of getting her own happy ending someday. Although Kayla starts having romantic feelings for Aaron, she worries about getting her heart broken again.

When Aaron asks for additional study guides, librarian Sarah arranges for him to be tutored by Kayla. Although they have an awkward first meeting, over time, romance blossoms.

As the novel progresses, Sarah Anne find friendship with Kayla and Aaron. Although Aaron dreams of Kayla becoming his girlfriend, he feels their age difference is too big a gulf to overcome.

The novel also has a side plot involving Sarah Anne feeling lonely since the death of her husband and longing for romance. In addition, there is also another side plot involving Tiny’s relationship woes.

As I read the novel, I was interested by the Amish concept of everyone having gifts as well as the idea of an non-stereotypical Amish family in that are loud, disorganized, and messy. I was also intrigued by the old order and new order type of Amish and different Amish communities in different states including Florida. Reading this book lead me to do more research about the Amish including the languages they speak and the difference between the old and new older.

By the end of the novel, Aaron’s professional life is settled and his future with Kayla is bright. Kayla sets boundaries with her father and breaks the cycle of his reliance of her to pay bills.

In the epilogue, it is five months later and Sarah’s job is in peril for doing things outside of her job description. After having a conversation with her boss about the friendships she has established with her bookmobile patrons, she is able to continue provides leads to another year of work as well as new bookmobile stop.

Although I don’t usually read books from the Christian fiction genre; especially in the Amish subgenre. Having said this, since the novel storyline moved quickly and the characters were likable, I really enjoyed this novel.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw a correlation between an Amish proverb at the beginning of the book about the lack of signposts at the crossroads in life with the numerous times I have experienced driving somewhere I have never been and failing to find adequate road signs. In all my travels, I had never once thought about the similarities between that and living life. I often get exasperated when I am in a sizable city trying to find a particular street but the street signs are on the corner that is the farthest distance from where I am, and they are either blocked from view by other vehicles or too small to read from where I sit. So, you are probably wondering what that could possibly have to do with an Amish romance. Some may have already figured it out. In any romance, we would love to have signs clearly marking out the route to keep us from making major blunders. One young couple in the story has known each other since early childhood, growing up as neighbors. As they are now of courting age, everything is suddenly different. No one has placed any signs to mark out the route for them to follow, so both of them keep coming up with the wrong answers. The other young man and young woman meet for the first time at the beginning of the story. The bookmobile librarian arranges for them to meet because one of them needs a tutor and the other is a tutor. They need signposts as well, but probably a different type from the first couple since they just met. I particularly enjoyed the role of the librarian. She was a retired accountant who needed something to do since her husband had passed away. Even at the age of sixty, she felt the need for signposts as she began her new job. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Susan Faloon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. I'm excited about this new series. It's such a neat idea to have a book mobile and librarian go into rural areas in an area where Amish families live. The interaction between the characters with books and a lonely widow is so sweet. I just love the whole idea of it. Sarah Anne Miller touches lives in a way she never expected and the patrons of the library on wheels touch her life also.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy romance with a more realistic storyline and characters with human flaws, worries, secrets and dreams. Aaron Coblentz is that kind of young man. He has a dream to get his GED so he can improve his standing at his workplace. Sarah Anne recommends a tutor for him, one who will keep his secret. Kayla, the tutor has her own secrets as she nervously takes on the job of tutoring the man Sarah gives her contact info to. The magnetic plot continues as tension mounts with misunderstanding and secrets all around.
I can hardly wait for the next book and see what or who Sarah Anne gets herself involved with next. My thanks goes out to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book. I love the story.

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Anne miller is a widowed, retired accountant who begins a job for the local bookmobile. As a person who used to work in a library, I loved this aspect of the story. I enjoyed how much joy that she brought in to the lives of her patrons. She cared about not just what books they were reading but also what circumstances they were going through. Aaron uses the bookmobile to read books for his GED and Sarah Anne helps him find a tutor in Kayla. Jane is a young widow who has been struggling with her health and she is a friend to her.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

[Lisa Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first in a new series by Shelley Shepard Gray leaves one anxiously expecting the second book! With well-rounded characters and families that show different facets of the Amish, A Perfect Amish Romance will have you flying through the chapters!

[Kailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great start to this series! I loved Sarah Anne! I also loved Aaron and his family and Kayla. I hope we get to read more about them in future books!


I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have recently read several books promoting literacy. When I picked up A Perfect Amish Romance by Shelley Shepard Gray, I was worried it would be along the same lines. I have loved everything that I have read by Gray, and I enjoyed this book as well. A Perfect Amish Romance was original, thought-provoking, and nothing like the other books I had read.

Sarah Anne Miller has recently retired from being an accountant. On a whim she signed up to be a part-time librarian, driving the bookmobile around the country roads of Berlin. She is nervous about this new adventure and wonders if anything will go right. Her boss reminds her that no one expects perfection. In her role as the bookmobile librarian, she has the opportunity to help the patrons and goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Aaron is trying to get his GED but does not want his family to know. He goes to Sarah Anne for help and she introduces him to Kayla, who will tutor him. Kayla has her own secrets and is several years older than Aaron. Despite the differences in age and the way they were raised, can they overcome the obstacles that stand in their way?

A Perfect Amish Romance is a masterpiece. The details are intricately woven together into a beautiful story. The plot flows seamlessly, the characters are well-developed and engaging, the dialogue is intriguing and authentic. While there are some serious moments in the book, I found this to be fairly light reading. There are many themes in this book, including a strong faith element.

I loved this book! I love that it is promoting literacy through a bookmobile. It took me back to my childhood when we had bookmobiles that would come around. It also made me wonder why such a thing does not exist anymore. Or if it does, why don’t I know about it? I adored the character development and loved Aaron’s whole family. The way they interact with each other was refreshing. I also appreciated Sarah’s best bookmobiling rules at the beginning of each chapter, they were an unexpected bonus to the story.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading. I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading stories about the Amish, although in this book it is not a strong element. I would also recommend it to anyone who likes clean romance novels.

Thank you to Net Galley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review but am more than happy to do so! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Perfect Amish Romance by Shelley Shepard Gray 308 pages Hardback, story ends on 294
The Berlin Bookmobile #1

Genre: Christian Fiction > Amish Fiction; Romance > Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance; Adult Fiction

Featuring: Author's Letter, Epigraphs, Berlin Ohio, Traveling Librarian, Sexagenarian MC, Tutoring, Books, Courting, Minding Your Business, Community, Reader Questions, Next Book Preview: An Amish Surprise - ch 1. 6 pgs

Rating as a movie: PG-13 for some suggestive content

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

My thoughts: Page 5 of 294/308 Ch. 1 - I'm loving this book already. Between the letter and the Prologue I need to get rid of those other 2 books and drown into this one. I do remember my first trip to the school library in kindergarten. They only let me take one book. I was 7 before I was making weekly trips to my local library at the request of Ms. Dolan because I was reading too much at school, textbooks and all.
📖 96 Ch. 12 - I love it, but why are people always vague causing unnecessary problems. 😒
📖 191 Ch. 24 - If Character A is New Order Amish and Character B is Old Order Amish, why are they attending the same church service? I thought this would be one or 2 romances at a time but there are a handful of couplings. I really like the librarian epigraphs.

I think the proposals were wack. [That's not a spoiler, it's Amish Romance] The story was awesome until thoses came rolling in. I'm excited to read the rest of the series. I think the characters were all complex and had a good variety of conflicts.

Recommend to others?: Yes! This is a good series for those who love stories about libraries and librarians.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Berlin Bookmobile series had been recommended to me by more than one blogger I trust, so when I saw the audiobooks available on Scribd, I decided it was time to give it a go. I am glad I did as I really enjoyed meeting bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller and the patrons that she interacts with. This story is about Aaron Coblentz and Kayla Kauffman. Aaron needs a tutor so he can get his GED, a dream he has but is keeping secret from everyone except Sarah Anne and Kayla. Kayla already has her GED and had plans to go to college before her mam died. She is now living with her dat and keeping them afloat with whatever money she can earn. Her father goes to work when he feels able and disappears often. This time he has been gone over a week and Kayla is getting worried. Aaron is hoping if he has his GED, he will be promoted and given more responsibility at work. He is keeping it a secret from his parents as his older brother already left the Amish life and he doesn't want to worry his parents. As the tutoring progresses, so do Kayla's and Aaron's feelings to one another.

I loved getting to know this community as well as the characters. This is a sweet Amish Romance, with Sarah Anne setting the stage and then stepping back. The romance progressed well, with a few bumps along the road. Kayla was a pushover when it came to her father and I was not happy with his treatment of her. Kayla had to develop a backbone and stand up to her father and I am glad she finally did. This was a well written and plotted story that I recommend to those who enjoy Amish Fiction.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the opportunity of reading an early release of A Perfect Amish Romance by gifted author Shelley Shepard Gray. I’m never disappointed in her stories. This one is another winner with a bookmobile in rural areas serving the Amish. Aaron and Kayla story is more than him striving for his GED. Sarah Anne Miller is a bonus with her caring and friendly librarian skills and a confidant to many. The multiple characters with strong traits and flaws are discovering that life isn’t all about having a mapped out plan but unearthly treasures they had not anticipated during their own struggles and sorrows. I look forward to reading each book Gray releases in her Berlin Bookmobile series.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Gallery Books for the early release without a positive review being required. I have shared my own personal thoughts. I highly recommend this book to fans of Christian and Amish fiction who wants to enjoy a heartwarming and uplifting story.

[Diana C. Kobylak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading/listening to this story. It was different from the Amish stories I’ve read in the past in that it highlighted the fact that the Amish have troubles similar to everyone else. Kayla struggles with thoughts of leaving the Amish community. Her life is a hard one. She lost her mother three years prior and her father, suffering from prolonged grief, chooses to ignore his responsibilities at home by missing work regularly. Sarah, the mobile librarian refers Aaron, an Amish young man hoping to pass his GED, to Kaylah for tutoring.
Aaron’s younger sister, Tiny, has had a crush on Joel since childhood, and Joel now returns her affections. However, Tiny suffers from jealousy because Joel has been working for a young widow, who unbeknownst to Tiny, suffers from MS. The plot thickens as the characters grow after discovering their own flaws and preconceived notions and make changes.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

[Connie Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am lucky enough to be given the opportunity to read a pre release copy of this book so I am offering my unbiased review. This is a truly wonderful story, the main characters are Kayla and Aaron and their story of finding themselves individually and together. I recommend this to any fan of Amish Fiction and to any Christian Fiction fan and to the reader who is in need of a bit of positive encouragement. Happy Reading a Shelley Shepard Gray story.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winter - Berlin, OH

This focuses on Aaron and Kayla, their problems, and their relationship. Kayla definitely had a troubled life. I was hoping for more out of her home life part of the story. There were somethings that were left unfinished. The story also has two other couples, but they are in the background. I would have liked more involving these couples. They had a lot going on and were closely connected.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Beginning to the Berlin Bookmobile series by a favorite author of mine. Sarah Anne has started a new job as the driver librarian of a bookmobile. There are several stories going on with the characters and I love how the author worked out the situations in each of the characters lives. Secrets, misunderstandings, and romance all kept my interest. I listened to a library copy of the audiobook and am not required to write a review.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not my cup of tea, from what I listened to as an audiobook, it was a well-narrated story.

I really enjoyed listening to the author at a Zoom author's visit at our Library a few months ago. She has a passion for this type of romance novel and I could see how gentle-read fans would love her stuff!

[Lori Wilen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Shelley Shepard Gray book in quite a while and I absolutely loved it and remembered why I enjoy this author so much. This 5 star first book of the Berlin Bookmobile Series hooked me in from the very first sentence and I did not want to put it down. I thought the end came far too soon. I enjoyed the setting, the characters, the charm, the charisma, the plot and they magnificent writing. I felt as if I knew the characters and that I was there in Berlin watching it all come about. If you like Amish romances then I would definitely add this to your must read list. If you have never read an Amish romance this would be a great place to start. You could get a feel for Berlin which is in Ohio by using Google and it will give you a picture to carry in your head as you read the book. Thank you so much Shelley Shepard Gray for such a delightful read and I will definitely be reading the other two in the trilogy.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a perfect representation of the Amish romance genre. It's a good book, but the only unique aspect of the book (the bookmobile) isn't really touched on as it's more just there when it's convenient. There's nothing wrong with this book, but there's nothing great about it either.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the library and started reading it the day I saw the author speak through a library event.

This is a sweet book. I am eager to read the next installment.

I especially liked the hints by the bookmobile librarian to start each chapter. I hope we get to know her better.

I was amused by the use of the word "reckon" in the book.

[Niki]

Turns out Amish romance is not my thing 🤷‍♀️