Stopped reading it after about 8 chapters because I was so dang bored. ( )

I am not a fan of Christian fiction, even though I am a HUGE fan of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have read my fair share of this genre, and don't like the heavy-handed way (almost 100% of) the authors verily beat the reader over the head with their brand of Christianity. The only book I can think of that I have ready this century that does not fall into that gross generalization is When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin, which I highly recommend.

Back to Operation Bonnet. I was very pleasantly surprised by the witty writing and real-life thoughts and feelings. There was not a holier-than-thou feel to the writing, story or message. The thread of Christianity was subtle though out the book as a standard way of life, and not some overpowering Mother Teresa-type of lifestyle. Being a Christian is a mind-set that is day-by-day, sometimes minute-by-minute for me. It's neither easy nor innate, as some would have you believe. This book made it real-life while providing a fun and entertaining story.

I will read more by this author. ( )

This is the first Kimberly Stuart book I have read, and I enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure if a book written about the Amish community would hold my interest, but it certainly did. It isn’t even all about the Amish, but gives some insight into that lifestyle, while also following the main character in her own life in the mainstream community.

Operation Bonnet is about a young woman, Nellie, who wants to be a private investigator, but living in a small community she can find no one needing a PI. That is, until she meets Amos, a young man who, of his own accord, left the nearby Amish community and the girl he loves. He is forbidden to visit so hires Nellie to spy for him. To do that Nellie has to somehow infiltrate the strict community, so she pulls some trickery in order to get herself into the home and kitchen of the feared and respected matriarch of that community. It’s a nerve-racking experience for Nellie, for although she is quite good at keeping up in the kitchen (she loves to cook) she has trouble keeping out of trouble.

Even though Nellie is trying to help another in the romantic front, her own heart is tried because of her best friend, the guy with whom she grew up. As smart as she is she just doesn’t see what is happening in her own relationships.

What added another interesting dimension to this story, for me, is the fact that Nellie is trying to take care of her aunt who has dementia and resists allowing her parents to place her aunt in a home.

I don’t want to tell you any more about the story because it is worth your reading it yourself. Kimberly Stuart writes with humour and heart, creating believable characters and realistic dialogue that I think you will enjoy in Operation Bonnet. ( )

This book is a little bit Amish Fiction; a little bit Christian fiction; and a little bit chick lit. It was amusing, inspirational, romantic-but mostly just fun. Nellie's family is well-off, but not snobbish and live in a small town in Ohio, not too far from an Amish community. Nellie wants to be a P.I. and her first case is for this ex-Amish guy who comes to work at the same golf course she does. He's building a mini-golf course and she works in the club house. He left behind a girl (Katie) he suspects (rightly) is going to marry another guy, so he hires Nellie to investigate. She goes to a professor for help and ends up taking over her research by taking cooking lessons from the grandma in same Amish family where Katie is working. Nellie has to balance this with taking care of her grandma with dementia, cooking for her family (when her parents are home from their many golf trips,) her job with and exuberant fat boss and a guy best friend who is falling in love with her. The Amish guy is kind of typical of the alien in America, picking up English idioms from old TV reruns and dressing off the bargain rack at Target.
You hope he can get the girl back, but also know he made his choice and only Katie's decision would determine whether it would work. ( )

I absolutely ADORED this novel! It's true to it's word, though, when it says it's "not your grandmother's Amish fiction". It's laughs, it's mystery, it's mishaps and it's just all around FANTABULOUS fiction. Kimberly Stuart is a new to me author and one that I will be adding to my long growing lists of favorite authors.

In OB, Nellie is a 20 year old student who becomes a PI. Yep. That's right a PI. So, where does the Amish come in, you may be wondering??? Well, it's simple. Through Amos. I ADORED his character! His an Amish-wanna-be-English boy who hires Nellie to be that PI. It's laugh out loud quirks comes in as Nellie spies on the old Amish girlfriend of Amos' by "becoming" Amish during her "investigation". DEFINITELY a first in Amish fiction! But, one that is totally worth the laughs, the love, even the crazy mixed up family that Nellie belongs to. Especially Nona. Oh, sweet Nona. She was by far, my favorite lovable character.

So, if you want a new twist on Amish and love, then please. Grab a copy of this TERRIFIC new novel by a talented young author. It's got 5 star characters, amazing plot line and fantastic messages from God. I will be adding this one to my rapidly growing list of awesome, easy reads and Amish novels. Well done, Stuart! ( )