by Beth Wiseman
Gus continues to be a work in progress, and Esther is determined to help him be a better person. What are some instances when Esther succeeds?
Why do you think that Gus and Jayce ultimately end up forming a friendship? Is it because Gus and his daughter don’t get along, and also because Jayce and his father don’t see eye to eye? Or is there more to their relationship?
Evelyn and Jayce both tend to share their vulnerabilities openly with each other. What are some examples of this?
What do you think would have happened if Jayce’s father hadn’t found the note and read it to him? Would Jayce have eventually come back to Montgomery? And what about his father? After Brandon reads the note, we see a softer side of him. Do you think his conversation with Veronica leads to reconciliation?
Rose is a sweet woman who talks a lot. While there is more to be revealed about Rose in the next book, can you speculate as to why she is so chatty? Is she nervous? Perhaps she just can’t corral her thoughts and verbalize them without rambling? Or is there another reason for Rose’s chattiness?
Evelyn is afraid of any creature with wings. Jayce has a hard time being in enclosed spaces. Together, they work to conquer their fears. Without each other, do you think that either of them would have worked through their phobias alone?
It is obvious that Esther and Gus have a soft spot for each other. Do you think their feelings for each other run deeper than friendship? If so, why?
Imagine you are a young woman or man in your twenties. You fall in love with an Amish person. Could you do what it takes to convert to the Amish way of life? If not, what are the things that would hold you back?
What do you hope will happen in the next and final book in the Amish Inn series?
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my readers for following me on this amazing journey. Your loyalty and support keeps me motivated to continue writing stories that I hope inspire and entertain.
I have a wonderful publishing team at HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Thank you to everyone involved in the process, especially my brilliant editors, Kimberly Carlton and Jodi Hughes.
To my agent, Natasha Kern, another big thank you for all you do!
I’d be lost without my friends and family, so a huge thanks to all of you.
My fabulous friend, marketing guru, and advisor on most topics—Janet Murphy—I couldn’t do it without you.
To my street team, Wiseman’s Warriors, you gals are awesome! Thanks for all you do to promote my books.
God has blessed me more than I could have ever imagined. It’s so cool how He does that. Thank you, my heavenly Father.
Glossary
ab im kopp: crazy, off in the head
ach: oh
boppli: baby
bruder: brother
daadi haus: a small house built onto or near the main house for grandparents to live in
daed: dad
danki: thank you
dochder: daughter
Englisch: those who are not Amish; the English language
fraa: wife
Gott: God
grossmammi: grandmother
gut: good
haus: house
kaffi: coffee
kapp: prayer covering worn by Amish women
kinner: children
lieb: love
maedel: girl
mamm: mom
mei: my
mudder: mother
nee: no
Nichts zu danken: You’re welcome.
Ordnung: the written and unwritten rules of the Amish; the understood behavior by which the Amish are expected to live, passed down from generation to generation. Most Amish know the rules by heart.
rumschpringe: “running around”; the period of time when Amish youth experience life in the Englisch world before making the decision to be baptized and commit to Amish life.
sohn: son
Wie bischt: Hello, how are you?
ya: yes
About the Author
Photo by Emilie Hendryx
Bestselling and award-winning author Beth Wiseman has sold over two million books. She is the recipient of the coveted Holt Medallion, is a two-time Carol Award winner, and has won the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award three times. Her books have been on various bestseller lists, including CBD, CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly. Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in south-central Texas.
* * *
Visit her online at BethWiseman.com
Facebook: @AuthorBethWiseman
Twitter: @BethWiseman
Instagram: @bethwisemanauthor
Acclaim for Beth Wiseman
An Unlikely Match
“The glowing second in Wiseman’s Amish Inn series (after A Picture of Love) features elderly sisters Esther and Lizzie, who run The Peony Inn and enjoy a bit of surreptitious matchmaking . . . With multiple vibrant story lines, Wiseman’s excellent tale will have readers anticipating the next. Any fan of Amish romance will love this.”
—Publishers Weekly
“This was such a sweet story. I cheered on Evelyn and Jayce the whole way. Jayce is having issues with his difficult father, who’s brought a Hollywood crew to Amish country to film a scene in a nearby cave. Evelyn has a strong, supportive family, so she feels for Jayce immediately. As they grow closer and help each other overcome fears and phobias, they know this can’t last. But God, and two persnickety Amish sisters, Lizzie and Esther, have other plans. Can a Hollywood boy fall for an Amish girl and make it work? Find out. Read this delightful, heartwarming story!”
—Lenora Worth, author of Their Amish Reunion
“Beth Wiseman’s An Unlikely Match will keep you turning the pages as you are pulled into this heartwarming and unpredictable Amish romance story about Evelyn and Jayce, two interesting and compelling characters. Beth doesn’t disappoint keeping you guessing as to how this story will end.”
Molly Jebber, bestselling Amish inspirational historical romance author
A Picture of Love
“Beth Wiseman’s A Picture of Love will delight readers of Amish fiction. Naomi and Amos’s romance is a heartfelt story of love, forgiveness, and second chances. This book has everything readers love about a Beth Wiseman story—an authentic portrait of the Amish community, humor, the power of grace and hope and, above all, faith in God’s Word and His promises.”
—Amy Clipston, bestselling author of The Farm Stand
A Beautiful Arrangement
“Wiseman’s delightful third installment of the Amish Journey series (Listening to Love) centers on the struggles and unexpected joys of a marriage of convenience . . . Series devotees and newcomers alike will find this engrossing romance hard to put down.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A Beautiful Arrangement has so much heart you won’t want to put it down until you’ve read the last page. I love second-chance love stories, and Lydia and Samuel’s story is heartbreaking and sweet with unexpected twists and turns that make their journey to love all the more satisfying. Beth’s fans will cherish this book.”
—Jennifer Beckstrand, author of The Petersheim Brothers series
Listening to Love
“Wiseman is at her best in this surprising tale of love and faith.”
—Publishers Weekly
“I always find Beth Wiseman’s books to be both tenderly romantic and thought provoking. She has a way of setting a scene that makes me feel like I’m part of an Amish community and visiting for supper. I loved the title of this book, the message about faith and God, and the heartfelt romance between Lucas and Natalie. Listening to Love has everything I love in a Beth Wiseman novel—a strong faith message, a touching romance, and a beautiful sense of place. Beth is such an incredibly gifted storyteller.”
—Shelley Shepard Gray, bestselling author of the Seasons of Sugarcreek series
“Listening to Love is vintage Beth Wiseman . . . Clear your calendar because you’re going to want to read t
his one in a single sitting.”
—Vannetta Chapman, author of the Shipshewana Amish Mystery series
Hearts in Harmony
“This is a sweet story, not only of romance, but of older generations and younger generations coming together in friendship. It’s a tearjerker as well as an uplifting story.”
—Parkersburg News & Sentinel
“Beth Wiseman has penned a poignant story of friendship, faith, and love that is sure to touch readers’ hearts.”
—Kathleen Fuller, author of the Middlefield Family novels
“Beth Wiseman’s Hearts in Harmony is a lyrical hymn. Mary and Levi are heartwarming, lovable characters who instantly feel like dear friends. Once readers open this book, they won’t put it down until they’ve reached the last page.”
—Amy Clipston, bestselling author of The Bake Shop
Amish Celebrations
“Wiseman’s (Amish Secrets) collection of timeless stories of love and loss among the Plain People will delight fans of the author’s heartfelt story lines and flowing prose.”
—Library Journal
Home All Along
“Beth Wiseman’s novel will find a permanent home in every reader’s heart as she spins comfort and prose into a stellar read of grace.”
—Kelly Long, author of the Patch of Heaven series
Love Bears All Things
“Suggest to those seeking a more truthful, less saccharine portrayal of the trials of human life and the transformative growth and redemption that may occur as a result.”
—Library Journal
Her Brother’s Keeper
“Wiseman has created a series in which the readers have a chance to peel back all the layers of the Amish secrets.”
—RT Book Reviews, 41/2 stars and July 2015 Top Pick!
“Wiseman’s new launch is edgier, taking on the tough issues of mental illness and suicide. Amish fiction fans seeking something a bit more thought-provoking and challenging than the usual fare will find this series debut a solid choice.”
—Library Journal
The Land of Canaan Novels
“Wiseman’s voice is consistently compassionate, and her words flow smoothly.”
—Publishers Weekly on Seek Me with All Your Heart
“Wiseman’s third Land of Canaan novel overflows with romance, broken promises, a modern knight in shining armor, and hope at the end of the rainbow.”
—RT Book Reviews
“In Seek Me with All Your Heart, Beth Wiseman offers readers a heartwarming story filled with complex characters and deep emotion. I instantly loved Emily, and eagerly turned each page, anxious to learn more about her past—and what future the Lord had in store for her.”
—Shelley Shepard Gray, bestselling author of the Seasons of Sugarcreek series
“Wiseman has done it again! Beautifully compelling, Seek Me with All Your Heart is a heartwarming story of faith, family, and renewal. Her characters and descriptions are captivating, bringing the story to life with the turn of every page.”
—Amy Clipston, bestselling author of The Bake Shop
Other Books by Beth Wiseman
The Amish Inn Novels
A Picture of Love
An Unlikely Match
A Season of Change (available October 2021)
The Amish Journey Novels
Hearts in Harmony
Listening to Love
A Beautiful Arrangement
The Amish Secrets Novels
Her Brother’s Keeper
Love Bears All Things
Home All Along
The Land of Canaan Novels
Seek Me with All Your Heart
The Wonder of Your Love
His Love Endures Forever
The Daughters of the Promise Novels
Plain Perfect
Plain Pursuit
Plain Promise
Plain Paradise
Plain Proposal
Plain Peace
Other Novels
Need You Now
The House that Love Built
The Promise
Story Collections
An Amish Year
Amish Celebrations
Stories
A Choice to Forgive included in An Amish Christmas
A Change of Heart included in An Amish Gathering
Healing Hearts included in An Amish Love
A Perfect Plan included in An Amish Wedding
A Recipe for Hope included in An Amish Kitchen
Always Beautiful included in An Amish Miracle
Rooted in Love included in An Amish Garden
When Christmas Comes Again included in An Amish Second Christmas
In His Father’s Arms included in An Amish Cradle
A Cup Half Full included in An Amish Home
The Cedar Chest included in An Amish Heirloom
When Love Returns included in An Amish Homecoming
A Reunion of Hearts included in An Amish Reunion
Loaves of Love included in An Amish Christmas Bakery
Copyright
ZONDERVAN
An Unlikely Match
Copyright © 2021 by Elizabeth Wiseman Mackey
Requests for information should be addressed to:
Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Wiseman, Beth, 1962- author.
Title: An unlikely match / Beth Wiseman.
Description: Grand Rapids, Michigan : Zondervan, [2021] | Series: The Amish Inn novels | Summary: "From beloved bestselling author Beth Wiseman comes the second novel in the Amish Inn series-charming, sweet stories about two widowed innkeeping sisters who are determined to help their guests find love"-- Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020051052 (print) | LCCN 2020051053 (ebook) | ISBN 9780310357254 (paperback) | ISBN 9780310363163 (library binding) | ISBN 9780310357261 (epub) | ISBN 9780310357278 (audio download)
Subjects: GSAFD: Love stories.
Classification: LCC PS3623.I83 U55 2021 (print) | LCC PS3623.I83 (ebook) | DDC 813/.6--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020051052
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020051053
Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Zondervan titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email [email protected].
Printed in the United States of America
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