The Amish Cookie Club Courtship

The lovely third installment of Price’s Amish Cookie Club series (after An Amish Cookie Club Christmas) centers on four best friends and their families in the community of Shipshewana, Ind. Wilma suggests neighbor Edna Esh hire her 19-year-old twin daughters, Rachel and Ella Mae, to assist with her baking business. However, Edna and her fellow members of the Cookie Club figure out that Wilma’s true intention is to set them up with Edna’s bachelor sons, Jonah and Jeremiah. Edna reluctantly agrees to hire the girls because she desperately needs the help, even though they have a reputation for bickering and lacking a work ethic. As she gets to know the twins, though, she sees that behind their similar appearances are two very different personalities: where Rachel is forward and confident, Ella Mae is more reserved and contemplative. Edna soon realizes the girls would be excellent matches for her boys and plays cupid, setting up Jeremiah with Ella Mae and Jonas with Rachel. However, when Rachel develops an interest in Jeremiah rather than Jonas, things quickly go awry. While the resolution is easy to see coming, readers will enjoy following Edna’s attempts to bring her sons and the twins together during cheerful Friday night baking gatherings. Readers who enjoy good-intentioned characters and communities filled with faith and friendship will feel right at home here. (Nov.)