I won an ARC edition in a GOODREADS giveaway. ( )

I enjoyed this book about two people of opposite personalities and how they fell in love while trying to help each other find a mate. I'm glad a little bit of the the Amish school scene was included. ( )

Christian has always felt the call to be a school teacher, even though his father looks on teaching as a woman’s job. But Christian is quite good at teaching, and his students are fond of him. When a freak accident forces him to stay off his feet for a while, his friend Ruby subs for him. Ruby was at loose ends, not knowing what to do with her life, but she soon discovers she loves teaching. And the scholars love her. They have a great time, until the second day when she tells the children they could bring their pets to school the next day. And then, it’s chaos. This is a delightful and well written tale, with a little bit of humor, some romance, a few problems to solve, and an unforeseen accident. The characters come alive on the page, and readers certainly will be eager to see how the story unfolds. ( )

4.5 stars.

The first installment in the Amish Brides of Birch Creek series, The Teacher's Bride by Kathleen Fuller is a very heartwarming and entertaining romance.

Twenty year old Ruby Glick decides to move from her hometown of Lancaster to Birch Creek where her brother Timothy and his wife Patience live. Unsure of what she wants to do other than settle down and marry, she is delighted to discover several single men to choose from. Ruby is upbeat, positive and kind-hearted but she finds it difficult to talk to the young man she is interested in. Beset by nerves, her attempt to catch his eye ends in a bit of disaster which is unfortunately, not an unusual occurrence for her. Thankfully, Ruby's attention is diverted to school teacher Christian Ropp, whom she has agreed to help figure out how to get to get to know the young woman he is would like to date.

Christian is meticulous, socially awkward and quite reserved. He runs a well-ordered classroom and he is trying very hard to engage his students and foster a love of learning. Like Ruby, Christian is ready to wed and with a dearth of marriageable young women, he has set his sights on his sister Selah's friend, Martha Detweiler. Unfortunately, Christian cannot quite work up the nerve to talk to her. So when Ruby offers to give him tips about getting to know women, he eagerly accepts her help.

Christian and Ruby are complete opposites but they perfectly complement one another. Christian is introverted and finds it difficult to express his feelings. Ruby is rather impulsive and although her heart is in the right place, she fails to think about the consequences of her actions. Christian finds it easy to talk to Ruby and she does not hesitate to point out when his social skills are lacking. Christian can be a bit oblivious at times, but he quickly picks up on Ruby's lack of self-confidence and he gently encourages her. They are a surprisingly perfect fit for each other but Christian's inability to express his feelings jeopardizes their chance at happiness.

The Teacher's Bride is a fast-paced romance with winsome characters and an endearing storyline. Ruby is a charming, lively young woman who is very easy to like. Christian's reserve is a bit off-putting initially, but it does not take long to warm up to him as he interacts with his students and Ruby. Although their romance is a bit unorthodox, it completely fits with their personalities. The conflict that arises between them leaves their future together looking rather rocky and uncertain. Kathleen Fuller brings the novel to a uplifting conclusion that is incredibly sweet. A sneak peek at the next book in the Amish Brides of Birch Creek series will leave readers impatiently awaiting its release.
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It was so good to get back to a Kathleen Fuller novel. I haven't read one in a bit, and this was a refreshing jump back to her work. This is the first in a what's sure to be a wonderful series, and every minute of this book had me hooked.

From the start, I loved Ruby's character. I saw a lot of myself in her, and I really felt connected with her. Watching her, following her story, seeing how hard she tries to do good, but something always fails, it all really had me turning the pages long into the night.

When Christian enters the picture, the story just gets that much better! The quirks of the story really shine through him, making this a story that had me laughing out loud, cheering for him and Ruby and praying that they get what they want.

This book is definitely a 4 star book. If you want a quick, fast paced read and one that will instantly hook you, look no further. Ms. Fuller's books are filled with hope, laughter, beautifully chiseled characters and a tender message that will leave you wanting more. I can't wait to see the next book in the series! Well done, Ms. Fuller! Well done!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from The Fiction Guild and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.* ( )