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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
The Courtship Basket by Amy Clipston is the second book in An Amish Heirloom Novel series. Rachel Fisher has been dating her boyfriend, David Beiler for the last four years. She is hoping that he will propose soon. Rachel is standing on the front porch when she hears his voice nearby. Rachel goes to investigate and finds David with her friend, Sharon. Evidently, David no longer wishes to see Rachel, but did not know how to tell her (I think telling her would be better than betraying her with her best friend). To help occupy her time, Rachel takes a position as a teaching assistant to her friend, Malinda at the special school. At this school the children receive more one-on-one attention that some children need (especially when in the first grade). Rachel will be working with the new student, John Lantz. John’s father, Raymond is extremely ill and Mike, his brother, is taking care of them. Mike is hoping the school will be beneficial to John. Then there is a misunderstanding on Rachel’s part. To make it up to Mike and his family, Rachel sends a meal to the family in her mother’s picnic basket (the first of many). The picnic basket was special to Rachel’s parents and has a beautiful (and comforting) verse on the underside of the lid (2 Corinthians 1:7). Slowly Rachel starts spending time at the Lantz farm helping John (tutoring him) and gets to know the family (especially Mike). But both of them are hesitant to take their attraction beyond the friendship zone. Then Rachel witnesses a scene (between Mike and a woman) and feels that Mike has betrayed her (no, she does not talk to Mike). Then a tragedy strikes the Lantz family. Just when Mike needs Rachel the most, she has pulled away. Is there a future for Rachel and Mike? Can the basket help bridge the gap and bring them back together?
The Courtship Basket is a sweet (though simple) story. It is a little predictable with the typical couple gets together, they have a misunderstanding (just when Mike needs her the most) and then back together again. I was hoping the book would not have the rift section. This would have been a wonderful opportunity for Rachel to step up. It would have helped the growth of her character. The Courtship Basket is well-written (as are all of Amy Clipston’s novels) and easy to read (and has a good pace). I liked the characters in the story as well as the lovely setting of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I liked the school concept portrayed in the book. It is a shame that there are not more schools like this for children. I give The Courtship Basket 4 out of 5 stars (which means I liked it). This is the second book in the series, but you can read it as a stand-alone novel. There are a couple of references to the first book, but they do not hinder the reader’s enjoyment of The Courtship Basket. I look forward to the next book in this series titled The Cherished Quilt.
I received a complimentary copy of The Courtship Basket in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
The Courtship Basket is a sweet (though simple) story. It is a little predictable with the typical couple gets together, they have a misunderstanding (just when Mike needs her the most) and then back together again. I was hoping the book would not have the rift section. This would have been a wonderful opportunity for Rachel to step up. It would have helped the growth of her character. The Courtship Basket is well-written (as are all of Amy Clipston’s novels) and easy to read (and has a good pace). I liked the characters in the story as well as the lovely setting of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I liked the school concept portrayed in the book. It is a shame that there are not more schools like this for children. I give The Courtship Basket 4 out of 5 stars (which means I liked it). This is the second book in the series, but you can read it as a stand-alone novel. There are a couple of references to the first book, but they do not hinder the reader’s enjoyment of The Courtship Basket. I look forward to the next book in this series titled The Cherished Quilt.
I received a complimentary copy of The Courtship Basket in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
rachel93's review
5.0
The Courtship Basket is the second book in the Amish Heirloom series by Amy Clipston.
In The Courtship Basket Rachel Fisher takes a teaching position after her boyfriend ends their relationship to be with someone else. On her first day teaching a new student, John Lantz, arrives and is not the most well behaved. After leaving a message not hearing from his brother, Mike, she goes to see him a work and ends up regretting it. Turns out there’s more going on then she knew of. To apologize she starts making dinners for the Lantz family and giving them to John in a basket she found up in the attic. She soon becomes close to the family and even starts to open her heart again. This is my favorite in the series so far. I feel for Mike taking on so much with taking care of his dad and brother. I liked the growth of Rachel’s and Mikes relationship throughout this story. I loved getting to see Veronica and Jason again. This was a well written book that will have you in tears at a point. Can’t wait to start book three.
I recommend this if you’ve read The Forgotten Recipe.
In The Courtship Basket Rachel Fisher takes a teaching position after her boyfriend ends their relationship to be with someone else. On her first day teaching a new student, John Lantz, arrives and is not the most well behaved. After leaving a message not hearing from his brother, Mike, she goes to see him a work and ends up regretting it. Turns out there’s more going on then she knew of. To apologize she starts making dinners for the Lantz family and giving them to John in a basket she found up in the attic. She soon becomes close to the family and even starts to open her heart again. This is my favorite in the series so far. I feel for Mike taking on so much with taking care of his dad and brother. I liked the growth of Rachel’s and Mikes relationship throughout this story. I loved getting to see Veronica and Jason again. This was a well written book that will have you in tears at a point. Can’t wait to start book three.
I recommend this if you’ve read The Forgotten Recipe.
diamondc's review
5.0
I enjoy reading about the Fisher daughters. These three sisters have such an amazing bond and have each other's back through love, heartbreak etc. My heart went out to Rachel when her boyfriend left her for her bestfriend since childhood. On top of that she still had to be around their happiness and not hold a grudge against them.
When Mike and his little brother came into the picture things were good and bad for her.
I listened to the audio version of this book and every detail and character's view were well read by the narrator.
When Mike and his little brother came into the picture things were good and bad for her.
I listened to the audio version of this book and every detail and character's view were well read by the narrator.
hannahjoy91's review against another edition
3.0
*happy sigh*
More Amy Clipston Amish Heirloom goodness!
I did really enjoy this book and I'm glad that I managed to finish it in a few days.
It was nice to see where Veronica and Jason were at and be introduced to great new characters.
John was so cute.
I loved some of the convesation between Rachel and Mike.
This book also had some sadness, more so than the first book I think.
Overall great story!
More Amy Clipston Amish Heirloom goodness!
I did really enjoy this book and I'm glad that I managed to finish it in a few days.
It was nice to see where Veronica and Jason were at and be introduced to great new characters.
John was so cute.
I loved some of the convesation between Rachel and Mike.
This book also had some sadness, more so than the first book I think.
Overall great story!
brandigovia's review against another edition
5.0
Another great read by Amy Clipston. The Courtship Basket brings not only romance for Rachel and Mike, but a friendship that you can see grow. I enjoyed the families surrounding the main characters as well, John is such a cutie.
beckyreads2's review against another edition
5.0
This book was an awesome read! Although I knew how it would end for Rachel (true to the genre), there were several layers to this story. I'm looking forward to the next book that may reveal the mamm's mystery of her early marriage. There were clues in book one and this book, but not enough to figure it all out.
The Courtship Basket is well-written, thought provoking, and very interesting, especially for those of us who love Amish romance books. If you haven't read the first book in the series, I recommend it not only because it was good, but also it's nice to read the books in sequence.
The Courtship Basket is well-written, thought provoking, and very interesting, especially for those of us who love Amish romance books. If you haven't read the first book in the series, I recommend it not only because it was good, but also it's nice to read the books in sequence.
kgormley's review against another edition
4.0
I started this on audio, and it must not have been really capturing my interest, because it passed its due date and disappeared from my device, so I had to check it out again .... and I still didn't end up finishing it, but was far enough into the story that I wanted to know what happened, so I checked out a print copy from the library, and then basically finished it in one sitting. I did not care for the narrator of the audio, and this may have been the bulk of the problem. I felt like the dialog and story was very stilted when I was listening to it, but I didn't feel that way when I was reading it.
cashleykate's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really enjoyed this one. The dynamic is definitely different than those in the Kauffman Bakery books and it felt really fresh to read after a good amount of binging on Amish romances / dramas. I honestly like this one a little more than the first, but I think this series is definitely worth the read.
nataliesboooks's review against another edition
4.0
Such a sweet and cute story. Like Book 1, this was definitely bittersweet as there is some sadness as well but overall so sweet and good!
I really liked Rachel. She was outspoken but also kind. Little John was just adorable. I felt for Mike and all the burdens he was dealing with.
This is such a heartwarming series!
I really liked Rachel. She was outspoken but also kind. Little John was just adorable. I felt for Mike and all the burdens he was dealing with.
This is such a heartwarming series!
kristi518's review against another edition
5.0
Amy Clipston is at the top of the list when it comes to authors of Amish fiction. Her writing is fantastic and she creates realistic, genuine, and imperfect characters for readers to fall in love with. The Courtship Basket is a perfect example of Amy Clipston’s superb storytelling.
Rachel and Mike embody everything the Amish are known for: caring, helpful, family-oriented. I couldn’t help but like these characters immediately and hope they would get the happy ending they deserved. It was nice to “catch up” with characters from the first book and meet new ones in this one.
One of the characters in the book has kidney disease which is an issue near and dear to the author’s heart. She did a wonderful job of writing about this health issue in a way that made it an important part of the story but not overwhelming. There was a good balance between the romance aspect of the story and the health issue aspect.
A storyline written around a mysterious blue onesie continues on from the first book. Personally, I love the secrecy around this article of baby clothing. It adds another level of reality to the story. The Amish aren’t perfect and don’t have perfect lives and the author does an excellent job of showcasing this.
One of the things I love most about the author’s writing is that she doesn’t repeat things from one book to the next. She gives you just enough information to know what’s going on while keeping the story fresh and entertaining.
With each book she writes, Amy Clipston grows as an author. She creates complex characters you can relate to in settings that are realistic. If you haven’t read one of her books yet you are missing out. The Courtship Basket would be a perfect book to start with. While it’s the second in the series it can be read as a standalone. I would highly recommend getting the first book though because it’s fantastic, too! Grab a copy of each and set aside some time to read. Once you get started reading you won’t stop until you have reached “the end”.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.
Rachel and Mike embody everything the Amish are known for: caring, helpful, family-oriented. I couldn’t help but like these characters immediately and hope they would get the happy ending they deserved. It was nice to “catch up” with characters from the first book and meet new ones in this one.
One of the characters in the book has kidney disease which is an issue near and dear to the author’s heart. She did a wonderful job of writing about this health issue in a way that made it an important part of the story but not overwhelming. There was a good balance between the romance aspect of the story and the health issue aspect.
A storyline written around a mysterious blue onesie continues on from the first book. Personally, I love the secrecy around this article of baby clothing. It adds another level of reality to the story. The Amish aren’t perfect and don’t have perfect lives and the author does an excellent job of showcasing this.
One of the things I love most about the author’s writing is that she doesn’t repeat things from one book to the next. She gives you just enough information to know what’s going on while keeping the story fresh and entertaining.
With each book she writes, Amy Clipston grows as an author. She creates complex characters you can relate to in settings that are realistic. If you haven’t read one of her books yet you are missing out. The Courtship Basket would be a perfect book to start with. While it’s the second in the series it can be read as a standalone. I would highly recommend getting the first book though because it’s fantastic, too! Grab a copy of each and set aside some time to read. Once you get started reading you won’t stop until you have reached “the end”.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.