Disclosure: I received these books for review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

Love a good spring read? If you’re wondering what to read this weekend, check out these titles!

The small town of Charm revolves around a lumber mill that was featured in the first book, and A Daughter’s Dream revisits the same community.  The family-owned business is managed by Rebecca Kisinger, a reluctant receptionist.  Her struggles to find her niche really spoke volumes as she navigated the waters of young adulthood.

This book is so short that it doesn’t contain too many unexpected twists. If you’re okay with a predictable, sweet story, then this is the one for you.  I adored Rebecca’s quirky family, and the affection she shows for her friends.  The book explores the idea of talents and achieving one’s dream, despite hardships and obstacles that stand in the way.  Additionally, there’s an underlying theme about trusting God’s plan.

A new family appeared in this book; Jacob and his niece Lilly struggled to make a home in their new town.  I really liked the way that Lilly’s academic success was valued by her teacher, friends, and family.  So many times I’ve read about the limits of Amish education, but wondered why they didn’t pursue higher levels of training for those who show aptitude. Rather than visit an English doctor, why don’t they encourage having an Amish doctor as an option?  I hope to see more about Lilly’s progress in the academic world.  I’m definitely looking forward to more titles in The Charmed Amish Life series!   Be sure to enter the 5-book giveaway, too. I did!

How can you go wrong with a book about a murder mystery in a small town?  If this appeals to you, check out Murder Comes By Mail by Ann H. Gabhart.

Hidden Springs reminds me of Mayberry, and Michael Keane bears a certain resemblance to a young Andy Griffith. I appreciated the clean cast of characters that filled out the story, from plucky Aunt Lindy to the local paparazzi news reporter. I could imagine certain characters in my mind, and that’s always fun!  The murder scenes were slightly graphic in description. If that tends to bother you, it’s easy to bypass the rather gory details if necessary. Gabhart does an excellent job of developing the storyline through a slow build rather than through a tremendous crash. There’s an element of romance trailing through the plot as well, but it’s not overwhelming. It takes a nice spot over on the back burner, which pleasantly allows the mystery to be at the forefront.

There were a few things that kept me from giving Murder Comes By Mail 5 stars. First, I was rather put off by the overuse of the word “psycho” when referencing the serial killer. Additionally, there were some obvious blunders and details overlooked by the law enforcement officials that seemed slightly ridiculous. These things gave the impression that Hidden Springs, and perhaps small towns in general, are uneducated and unskilled. I don’t believe that at all, so it took away some of the genuine charm of Hidden Springs for me. Still, I’d definitely continue reading this series. This book held my interest, and I liked the setting very much.

Don’t hesitate to dive right into this mystery, even if you didn’t read the first Hidden Springs novel. Enough background story is provided to catch up new readers. You’ll feel right at home in Hidden Springs!