May 6, 2019
Beckstrand (Home on Huckleberry Hill) launches her Petersheim Brothers series with this pleasing tale set in an Amish community in rural Michigan. Alfie and Benji Petersheim are eight-year-old twins who, after their grandparents move in to their home, are forced to sleep in the basement. Determined to get a room back, they decide they need to get their three older brothers married off. As far as they are concerned, Mary Coblenz would be the perfect match for their oldest brother, 23 year-old Andrew. Mary is around Andrew’s age and pretty, but there are a couple problems. She recently returned to the Amish community pregnant after two years away, and she’s been banished from her parents’ home. As the twins plot to bring Mary and Andrew together at festivals and gatherings around the city, Andrew spends time with Mary and is shocked that she doesn’t seem remorseful for her sin. Mary wants her baby to grow up in a place of love and security, but the majority of the Amish are determined to ostracize her. As Mary and Andrew spend more time together, Mary challenges Andrew’s understanding of sin and punishment and causes him to question his upbringing, and Andrew begins to respect Mary’s plans for her baby. Fans of Dee Henderson will relish Beckstrand’s clever plot and moving ruminations on the nature of forgiveness.