Kristina A. reviewed on 6/15/2016 + 1528 more book reviews

The Saddle Maker's Son by Kelly Irvin is the third book in The Amish of Bee County series. Susan King is the local schoolteacher and Rebekah Lantz is her assistant (and niece by marriage). Her mother and stepfather will not let her have a job in town since her sister, Leila left the Amish to marry Jesse Glick. Rebekah is outside the schoolhouse reading a letter Leila left for her (in a secret place they used when they were younger) when she discovers two children hiding out in the shed. The children are Lupe (short for Guadalupe) and Diego. They have traveled from El Salvador to Texas on their own (sent by their grandmother). Lupe and Diego are heading for San Antonio to find their father (can you imagine two young children coming all that way). They are hiding from the bad men who helped them get across the border. They want to catch Lupe and have her work for them (you know it is nefarious and immoral). Rebekah is trying to get them inside the schoolhouse when a wagon pulls up scaring them. Levi Byler has just moved to Bee County, Texas from Ohio and is enrolling his youngest children in school. Levi is a widower with nine children (can you imagine). His son, Tobias is with him and he helps Rebekah to locate Lupe and Diego. When Levi and Susan are introduced there are some definite sparks flying between the two of them. It is up to the leaders (the men) in the community on what happens with Lupe and Diego. Lupe and Diego need help (especially since they are in the country illegally) and they are just what is needed to help Rebekah and Tobias move forward with their lives (to let go of the past). They will need to work with Jesse Glick to help the children find their father and to keep them in the States. Read The Saddle Maker's Son to see how Rebekah, Tobias, and others work to help these two children.

The Saddle Maker's Son is a charming story. It is easy to read and enjoy. It is not a complex book and the ending is predictable, but I enjoyed this nice change of pace. The Saddle Maker's Son is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone book. I do, however, recommend that you read the other books first. I think it would be beneficial in order to understand the Amish community (the people) and the issues they are dealing with in Bee County. I give The Saddle Maker's Son 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). It was interesting to read about how the system is handling illegal immigrants especially children. The great thing with books in a series is it gives the reader an opportunity to catch up with people you have come to know and love as well as be introduced to new characters. I will definitely be reading books by Kelly Irvin in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of The Saddle Maker's Son from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.

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