Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 11/4/2022 + 2617 more book reviews

Fun book. Mattie Zook is a very unconventional Amish woman. She is headstrong, opinionated, vocal, and always ready to fight for what is right, even when it goes against her Amish upbringing. At home in Lancaster, she went so far as to sue a neighbor for dumping garbage on her family's land. In desperation, Mattie's father sends her to live with her Aunt Esther in Colorado.

But instead of learning her lesson, Mattie finds herself embroiled in another controversy. Furious at a local ordinance discriminating against the Amish community, Mattie decides to take advantage of her rumschpringe to run for town council. This decision does not sit well with her new community, but Mattie is determined.

Local farmer Freeman Sensenig is one of those who disapproves. He and Mattie clashed from the moment they met. Freeman is just as opinionated as Mattie and is vocal in his opposition. But something about her brings out his protective side, and he finds himself secretly serving as her campaign manager.

I enjoyed following the ins and outs of Mattie's campaign. Her opponent is an arrogant man who will do anything to win. Meanwhile, Mattie gets a crash course in politics with the help of a local Englisch woman. I loved seeing Mattie run a focused and clean campaign that appealed to those who were tired of the incumbent's antics. It isn't an easy campaign, as there are obstacles that she must overcome. A bit of trouble causes Mattie to rethink her decision, but in the end, the principal of the race wins out.

I liked the development of the relationship between Mattie and Freeman. They are both stubborn people, and because of that, many of their interactions are contentious. Freeman is vocal in his disapproval of Mattie's plan but also worries about her safety and feelings. Mattie is adamant that her feelings are not so fragile that she can't take whatever her opponent dishes out. It was amusing to see Freeman's confusion over why he is so concerned about Mattie - after all, he doesn't even like her! Meanwhile, Mattie isn't sure why she feels so much more confident when Freeman is nearby - all he wants is for her to withdraw. There comes the point when Freeman realizes his feelings and that he needs to support her to make her happy, while Mattie faces a decision of whether to quit or go on. I liked Freeman's "aha" moment and the sweet scene that resulted from it. The ending was terrific.

I enjoyed the variety of characters. Aunt Esther disapproves of Mattie's plan but can't stop her. However, she can try to distract her and gives it her level best. Fortunately, Mattie sees through the attempt and finds an interesting way around it. Caleb is Esther's seventeen-year-old brother-in-law and the tool she uses for distraction. Caleb is a typically awkward teenager who is no match for Mattie's determination. It isn't long before Mattie has him helping her despite his fear of discovery. Sarah and Sadie are Freeman's eighteen-year-old twin sisters who are firmly on Mattie's side. I loved their enthusiasm and involvement. Cathy is the older Englisch lady who is the moving force behind Mattie's campaign. She was quite an interesting character, as there were times when I wasn't sure what she would say next.

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