The Courtship Basket Book Review

I got the rest of the series in the library and I was excited to read the second book in the series.  The Courtship Basket (An Amish Heirloom Novel) by Amy Clipston was the next book that I was ready to read.  I was interested in seeing where the series would go.

Years ago, a picnic basket brought two hearts together. For Rachel and Mike, history may be about to repeat itself.  Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend. Her heart is broken, and she has all but given up on love. Determined to keep her mind off the pain, she starts teaching at an Amish school for children with learning disabilities.  Since his father became ill, Mike Lantz has been overwhelmed with the responsibility of providing for his family and caring for his six-year-old brother, John. When John joins Rachel’s class and she learns that his mother is deceased and his father sick, she desperately wants to help the family, even with something as simple as a meal.  With her parents’ old picnic basket, Rachel begins sending food to the Lantz family. As the weeks go by, John’s grades start to improve, and the attraction grows between Rachel and Mike. They can’t deny that their friendship is growing toward something more, but both of them are hesitant to risk a more serious relationship.  The last thing Rachel wants is another heartbreak, and Mike is worried about providing for his loved ones. Will the two be able to reconcile their past hurts with new hope for the future?

I loved this story about how a teacher can make a difference in a whole families lives and make a change in her life.  Rachel thought her life was over when her boyfriend of 4 years leaves her to be with her best friend.  She lost the person she thought she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with and the person that she always talked to about these things.  Rachel sees a child that is new to the school having problems and sends a note home which goes unanswered.  She decides to go visit and ends up getting in a fight with Mike, John's brother and guardian.  She let her anger get in the way of trying to find out how to help and works harder to help John in school.  She also decides to send home meals and do a few other things to help the whole family.  You need to pick up the book to find out what happens but I promise that you won't be disappointed.  It is a great story with a great ending that leads directly into the next book.  I couldn't wait to pick up the next one!!