Marry Me, Millie - (Paradise Valley) by Amy Lillard (Paperback)

Millie Bauman is a recent widow who is also six months pregnant. She has moved to Paradise Valley and is staying with her Aunt Sylvie who runs a bed and breakfast. Sylvie is also working on recipes for the upcoming Whoopie Pie Festival because she wants to continue her winning streak. She is trying multiple flavors in order to find the winning combination. Henry King has come to Paradise Valley to help his grandfather and convince him to move to Oklahoma. He is also trying to get over his heartbreak at losing his fiancé. She decided to go on a mission trip to Belize rather than marry Henry. Both Henry and Millie have decided that marriage is not for them. Sylvie decides that Henry is perfect for Millie. She teams up with Henry’s grandfather, Vern to play matchmaker. They conspire to make sure that Henry and Millie manage to “bump” into each other (often). Marry Me, Millie by Amy Lillard is the first novel in the Paradise Valley series. I thought Marry Me, Millie was well-written with developed characters. Amy Lillard created some delightful characters. I thought they were realistic and relatable. Millie is six months pregnant and still grieving the loss of her husband. She decided a fresh start was needed. Millie did not count on her Aunt Sylvie and the ladies of the Whoopie Pie Widows Club. They are a romantic bunch as well as gossips. I loved the humor in the story. I laughed frequently while reading Marry Me, Millie. I liked the dialogue and the various storylines. Marry Me, Millie has a good ending. I am looking forward to the next novel in the Paradise Valley series. There are recipes at the end for some of Sylvie’s baked goods. Marry Me, Millie is a sweet story about faith, loss, family, hope, friendship, and new love. Marry Me, Millie is an amusing Amish tale with wordy widows, whoopie pie competitiveness, a meddling matchmaker, a determined dawdi, and a gracious God.

There are moments of sadness in this book, but much of the time I found myself laughing out loud. Marry Me, Millie has wonderful characters, a great setting, and an additional element of humor. It also has romance, two in fact, and author Amy Lillard shows that romance between an older couple can be just as special as one between a younger pair. Millie and Henry have both known love, and they've also experienced loss, so a new relationship isn't on either of their agendas. Millie's aunt Sylvia and Henry's grandfather Vern decide to change their minds, and that's when the fun begins! These mature matchmakers are aided by members of the Whoopie Pies Widows Club, and their efforts are downright hilarious. Millie and Henry don't stand a chance, but the real surprise is the spark that seems to be smoldering between Sylvia and Henry! This sweet, inspiring story is filled with faith, friendship, love, and second chances, and Lillard also shares recipes for some of the delicious Amish food that is mentioned throughout the story. I can't wait to try the recipes, and I look forward to the next book in this Paradise Valley series! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.

I was so excited to read the first book in this new series by Amy Lillard. I just love everything I read from this author and really enjoyed this sweet romance. This story is based in Missouri. Millie is an Amish woman who has just experienced the tragic event of her husband's death. And then she discovers a baby is on the way. I loved the matchmaker. Sylvie, a member of the Widows Club, who has plans for Millie and Henry, but does Millie want this? There are some sweet humorous lines in the book which I really enjoyed reading. And if you don't know anything about Whoopie Pies, you will soon! Plus there are some recipes at the end and I am going to make some Whoopie Pies of my own! This is an enjoyable start to a new series and I can't wait for the next book! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.

This story quickly became a page turner for me, I had to know how things were going to work out! So much tragedy in Millie Bauman's young life, I can't even imagine loosing my husband and then finding out that I was pregnant, but with her faith she moves in with her Aunt to help run her B&B, Enter Henry King, a young Amish man tasked with getting his grandfather to leave Missouri and move to Oklahoma. He is also decided that marriage is not for him, after being jilted. This story keeps on giving, filled with whoopie pies, matchmaking, gossips, and a sweet baby, and in the end we are offered sweet romance! This is a wonderful story to get lost in! I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.