Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Edythe Amsel is delighted with her first teaching assignment: a one-room schoolhouse in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. Independent, headstrong, and a strong believer in a well-rounded education, Edythe is ready to open the world to the students in this tiny community. But is Walnut Hill ready for her?

Joel Townsend is thrilled to learn the town council hired a female teacher to replace the ruthless man who terrorized his nephews for the past two years. Having raised the boys on his own since their parents' untimely deaths, Joel believes they will benefit from a woman's influence. But he sure didn't bargain on a woman like Miss Amsel. Within the first week, she has the entire town up in arms over her outlandish teaching methods, which include collecting leaves, catching bugs, making snow angels, and stringing ropes in strange patterns all over the schoolyard. Joel can't help but notice that she's also mighty pretty with her rosy lips, fashionable clothes, and fancy way of speaking.

When Edythe decides to take her pupils to hear Miss Susan Anthony speak on the women's suffrage amendment, the town's outcry reaches new heights. Even Joel isn't sure he can support her newfangled ideas any longer. And if he can't trust her to know how to teach the boys, how can he trust her with his heart?


The Review:
My Ranking: `9 out of 10
Ages: 14 & up


I have read a couple books by Kim Vogel Sawyer and loved them all, so I was excited to pick up Courting Miss Amsel. It has SUCH a gorgeous cover, too! The writing style was easy to read and understandable, and it made it very easy for me to enjoy the story at it's most.

Edythe was an awesome character that I instantly fell in love with. She had SUCH a heart for teaching kids - so much like me! I would love being a teacher, especially during that time where the classroom had an average of 16 kids of an assortment of ages. Edythe really had such a huge love for the kids and I loved watching her interact with them. She was such a sweet and loving character - it was so easy to like her. :)

Another character I liked a lot was Joel. He was a sweet guy, though at times I was wishing I knew more about him. He was sweet and I loved his relationship with his nephews and his willingness to take them in after his brother and sister-in-law passed away. One thing I was wishing was to read more of Edythe's and Joel's experiences together. I felt the romance was somewhat rushed and based off of...actually, I'm not really sure what. I think that they made an excellent couple, I just wish there was more foundation to their relationship.

There is very little to mention as far as content. Aside from a kiss at the end, there is nothing to mention. 

I really loved this book and highly recommend it! The only thing that kept it from receiving ten stars was the lack of foundation in their relationship. But other than that, I found this an awesome book that I look forward to rereading in the future. :)

I received this free book in return for an honest review from Bethany Publishers. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.