Book Review: Bachelor’s Puzzle by Judith Pella
Ada Newcomb, long-time member of the Maintown church ladies sewing circle, is thrilled when the group decides to make a quilt for the soon-to-be arriving new pastor. However, when the quilt squares become more of a contest for his attention than a gift of welcome, the town is turned upside down.
Ada’s daughters are right in the midst of things. Ellie is sure she wants to be married to the new pastor – what could be better? Maggie, on the other hand, is a tom-boy and not sure she wants to marry anytime soon. The two sisters have very different opinions - first of the quilt square contest and later of the new pastor. Can they remain close despite their differences?
Zack Hartley, who rides into town to fill the pulpit, has secrets he must keep hidden to stay alive. He must convince the Maintown church town that he’s the right man for the job. They aren’t so sure he is, though. He behaves unlike any pastor the town has ever seen.
When the ladies of Maintown church present him with the quilt they’ve made as a welcome gift for him, he realizes that he’s missed being loved and accepted. He decides to stick around and see if he can make life as a pastor work. Will his secrets be revealed, costing him everything he’s finally found?
Award-winning author Judith Pella brings readers a heartwarming historical drama in Bachelor’s Puzzle. I was a bit disappointed to learn the pastor’s secret in nearly the beginning of story, which takes away a bit of the drama. However, in reading on, I found that Pella weaves in enough zigzags and plot twists to keep the story interesting. While it’s a bit predictable, it’s also a funny, charming story and well worth the read