Kristina A. reviewed on 9/17/2016 + 1528 more book reviews

The Hawaiian Quilt is the latest novel by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Jean Brunstetter. Mandy Frey is almost twenty-one years old and lives in Middlebury, Indiana. Mandy has been courting with Gideon Eash, but Mandy is not sure he is the right man for her. Mandy has been wanting to go on a trip to Hawaii for two years since hearing about it from her cousin, Ruth. Mandy and her three friends (Ellen Lambright, Barbara Hilty, and Sadie Kuhns) are going on a cruise to Hawaii (they are not supposed to fly). They take the train to Los Angeles, California to board the ship. Everything goes along swimmingly until the island of Kauai. Ellen and Mandy went off on their own instead of sticking with a group. They easily lose track of time (neither of them are wearing a watch), and Mandy lost her cell phone somewhere while sightseeing. When they arrive back at the dock, the ship has already departed. They are stuck on the island until the next boat comes through (personally, I would find a way to the ship's next stop, but that was not part of the book). The girls are taken in by Luana and Makaio Palu at The Palm B&B. Mandy is glad for a little extra time on the island. Mandy feels at peace on Kauai. Luana gets the girls some island clothes for them to wear while on Kauai (which Mandy adores). When Makaio in injured leaving Luana without assistance, Mandy and Ellen offer to stay until April. Luana can use their help, and they work out a deal (work in exchange for room and board). Mandy meets Ken, who lives nearby with his parents on their chicken farm. Ken takes Mandy and Ellen around the island to see the various sights (though he only has eyes for one of the girls). Barbara and Sadie head for home and continue on with their lives. Barbara is lucky enough to get a job at Peggy Eash's quilt store (Gideon's mother). Slowly, while Mandy is away, Gideon and Barbara spend time together and get to know each other (a friends). Gideon misses Mandy and hopes that she will return home soon. But what happens when Mandy returns home? Can she be content back in her old life? Will Mandy be ready to be baptized and settle down after her time away? You will have to read The Hawaiian Quilt to see what choices Mandy makes.

The Hawaiian Quilt is a lovely story. There are beautiful descriptions of Hawaii, the gorgeous quilts at the B&B, the vegetation, the ocean, animals, and etc. I enjoyed reading about Mandy and her friends on their adventure. It might be their only opportunity to ever go on such a trip. The Hawaiian Quilt is an engaging, well-written story. It captured and held my attention throughout the novel. It is an easy novel to read that can be finished in a few hours (a great way to spend an afternoon). I thought The Hawaiian Quilt was such a sweet novel. It was different from other Amish novels and I liked that about it. I give The Hawaiian Quilt 4.5 out of 5 stars (I really liked it). It is a little predictable, but it does not detract from the storyline. Another hit from Wanda and Jean Brunstetter. There are recipes at the end of the book along with discussion questions and the history of Hawaiian quilts. I will definitely be reading the next book by this writing duo.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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