Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 8/27/2022 + 2626 more book reviews

Good book with an unusual setting for an Amish book. Mandy has been fascinated with Hawaii since her cousin visited, so she talks her three best friends, Ellen, Sadie, and Barbara, into taking a cruise to the Islands with her. All four young women are still in their "running around" years before joining the church, so their families and church leaders permit the trip. Of the four, only Mandy has a boyfriend, Gideon. He wants to marry Mandy and isn't very happy about her trip.

We get to know the girls a little bit on the days it takes the ship to get from California to Hawaii. All are excited about visiting Hawaii as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I enjoyed seeing them experience life on the cruise ship, from Ellen's unfortunate seasickness to their enjoyment of the variety of foods. But as the days went on, I felt that Mandy was questioning her commitment to the Amish faith. Unlike her three friends, she is in no hurry to take the final step to join the church.

Once they reached the islands, the girls paired up, each touring something different and telling the others about their experiences. I thought this was a terrific way to maximize their time and get the most out of their trip. I enjoyed the descriptions of their tours of Oahu. Ellen and Barbara went to the Polynesian Cultural Center, looking forward to learning about the history and culture. Meanwhile, Mandy and Sadie visit the Arizona Memorial, as both are interested in WW2 history. I could feel their sadness as they contemplated the events of that day. It made a deep impression on both. Their next stop was Kauai, where Barbara and Sadie paired up to tour Waimea Canyon, and Mandy and Ellen decided to strike out on their own. Unfortunately, Mandy lost her phone and, taking time to look for it, she and Ellen missed the ship's departure. Their dismay and worry were evident. Fortunately, they were rescued by a couple who took them to a local B&B.

Here is where suspension of disbelief comes into play. Mandy and Ellen immediately latch on to the idea that they are stranded and must wait for the next cruise ship to resume their trip. In reality, there are multiple flights from Kauai to the Big Island each day. If they don't want to fly, there is also a ferry between the islands. They could have taken either option and met up with their ship the next day. But that would have made for a very short book! Instead, they stay with Luana and Makaio at the B&B while they wait for a ship. I liked how easily Mandy and Ellen connected with their hosts. With no luggage, Mandy and Ellen end up purchasing some non-Amish clothing. While Ellen is uncomfortable in the strange clothing, Mandy discovers she likes the freedom of the muumuu she bought. She also meets Ken, a young man she had encountered the previous day, who works on his parents' chicken farm, surfs, and plays ukulele at their church.

When Makaio is badly injured, Mandy and Ellen offer to extend their stay and help Luana run the B&B. I loved their willingness to help in a crisis. During their extended stay, Mandy and Ellen have the opportunity to see more of the island. Here we begin to see some differences crop up between Mandy and Ellen. Ellen is always conscious of the requirements of their faith. She frequently speaks of home and how she misses it. Mandy is fascinated by everything she experiences, from the lush gardens and plant life to the vastly different lifestyle. She spends more and more time with Ken, who shows her around the island, teaches her to swim, and is quite charming. Mandy begins questioning her feelings for Gideon as her feelings for Ken grow but has no idea if Ken feels the same way about her. Ellen sees all this happening and worries about her friend's commitment. Her interference causes Mandy to question herself right before they return to Indiana.

Upon their return, Mandy tries to settle back into her old life, but she's been changed by her experiences in Hawaii. The more she tries, the more she realizes that she no longer fits in her community. I felt her heartache as she remembered her time in Hawaii and yearned to return. When a stunning discovery sends her back to Hawaii, she finds she has unexpected options for her future. I loved how it worked out and enjoyed seeing Mandy's happiness.

The book's point of view flipped back and forth between the girls and the people back in Indiana. Much of the Indiana viewpoint is that of Gideon. He misses Mandy and often thinks of their plans to join the church and get married. I didn't care for the way he was against her trip as it felt a little controlling to me. I felt terrible for him when he would call the B&B and Mandy would be away, often with Ken or just too busy to talk. Barbara and Sadie returned from the trip without Ellen and Mandy and picked up their regular lives. But Barbara's sympathy for Gideon becomes more, and Sadie worries about the wisdom of that friendship. What will happen when Mandy finally comes home?

The title of the book, The Hawaiian Quilt, comes from Luana's story about a quilt she owned. Her mother had made a beautiful quilt for Luana and Makaio when they first married. But the quilt was lost when they moved from the Big Island to Kauai to open the B&B. The quilt's story has an inspiring ending, and I love how it fits into the book.

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