Edna and three of her long-time friends get together regularly to bake cookies for the meals that follow their church services. Talk often turns to their families, and some of the problems they experience. Verna’s daughter Myrna is too outspoken for her own good, and she has been fired from every job she has ever had because of her unbridled tongue. As a last resort, she is compelled by her family to care for the four young children of a widower. He is gruff, and she immediately dislikes him. This story quietly illustrates that first impressions are not always dependable, and that the rumors that swirl around a person are often untrue. The characters are quite delightful, and the premise of the series is very interesting. Even though readers will guess how it will end, the journey to that conclusion will be a bit of a mystery. Well done. ( )

A multi-layered story but the main thread woven throughout is that you shouldn't believe everything you hear. Four Amish mothers get together every Friday to make cookies for the Sunday services and to lean on each other for support and friendship. When Verna tells her friends about her strong willed daughter getting fired from yet another job the friends offer not only their support but come up with a job opportunity for hard headed Myrna. In a neighboring church district there is a young widower with three children and a baby; struggling and in need of help. Myrna is dispatched to help out, but she is convinced that she is being set up and groomed to be a replacement wife. She is pleasantly surprised when she finds herself falling for the kids and is pleased that for once her hard work is appreciated. But when a rumor starts floating around about the reasons behind his wife's death (refusing treatment for breast cancer) the four friends in the Amish cookie club start to have doubts about this widower's character and their judgements start to rub off on Myrna. A story of second chances and a reminder that gossip does more harm than good. Sweet and wonderful. I can't wait to read the rest in this series! ( )

“The Amish Cookie Club” tells the story of a group of Amish women who meet often to bake cookies for the dinners after worship services. In addition to baking, they work together to solve problems. I really appreciated that the women were middle aged, rather than cute youngsters who are just courting.

In this novel, the women work to help Myrna, one of their grown up daughters, to find a job. Myrna is definitely no wilting lily! It was refreshing to read about someone who is outspoken and a real character. I hope this novel presents a new breed of the Amish novels that show strong women who have careers and characteristics in their own right, rather than being shadows of their strong male partners.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

The Amish Cookie Club is a cute Amish romance novel. I enjoyed the four main characters who gather together every other week at Edna Esh’s to bake cookies for their respective church districts to be enjoyed after the worship meal. Their children are grown up, but they are still causing problems for the women. Edna suggests that they come up with a plan for each child starting with Myrna Bontrager, Verna’s daughter. Myrna is outspoken with certain ideas and a whiz at organizing. Unfortunately, her employers have not appreciated her skills including her own father. When Edna hears that Ezekiel Riehl needs someone to take care of his home and kids, it seems like the perfect place for Myrna. And a mother can always hope that romance might blossom. I liked Myrna with her zest for organization and planning. She certainly has her hands full with four children to watch, a house to clean, laundry, gardening, canning, and cooking (wears me out just thinking about all the chores). Cookies are a recurrent theme throughout the book and the ladies soon find themselves making more cookies after being cornered by the bishop’s wife. There are recipes at the end too! My favorite lines from The Amish Cookie Club is “. . .we can’t change the past. Only try to do better tomorrow.” I enjoyed reading the engaging The Amish Cookie Club. It is a light-hearted story that will have you laughing and craving cookies. ( )

I really enjoyed this read, and I loved Myrna, a young out-spoken Amish woman, that if she was working for you, this is a possibility she could make you lose business.
The Amish Cookie Club is a small group of women who now that their children are grown are looking for ways to get together and help their community. Of course, they discuss their problems and concerns, and thus our story blooms.
Gossip, at its finest, the Amish grapevine working hard, and with twisted facts, will this young woman be able to help this widower. You can almost see these children bloom under Myrna’s organizational skills, and cookie making!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review ( )