This was a sweet Amish romance and is book 2 in the Honeybee Sisters series. Despite the sweetness of this tale, real relatable issues are addressed and resolved. Jennifer Beckstrand did a phenomenal job of drawing me allowing me to feel a part of the story and the characters’ lives rather than as a simple observer. The emotions, issues, and challenges the characters face are universal and could easily be experienced in any segment of society. Expect to feel all the feels when you read this book - joy, sorrow, anxiety, love, and relief. You’ll definitely laugh, cry, gasp, and grit your teeth. Poppy is one of the Christner sisters. After the death of their parents, Poppy and her sisters have been raised by their unconventional Aunt Bitsy. Bitsy and the family’s cats are an integral part of the laughter and joy of the book. The family supports themselves with the honey from their bee hives. Poppy is more of a tomboy with a desire to do everything regardless of it is typically something a boy would do. Poppy had a tendency to get in physical altercations when she was younger frequently defending her sisters and others. Luke is very handsome, used to being fawned over by the women in the community and is interested in settling down with a sweet, biddable woman. Someone the exact opposite of Poppy. There is an small underlying mystery of someone who is targeting Poppy’s family with escalating vandalism. Poppy and Luke’s more and more frequent interactions start when Luke, who is a carpenter/wood worker, agrees to rebuild the family’s chicken coop after it is destroyed by vandals. Poppy and Luke initially clash due to their similar strong, fiery, loud personalities. On the way to their HEA, Poppy and Luke have to learn to embrace who they are even if they do not the traditional Amish roles as well as learn to find balance together to find their way to a loving, respectful, and faith based relationship. I cannot wait to read what’s next for the Honeybee sisters.

Merged review:

This was a sweet Amish romance and is book 2 in the Honeybee Sisters series. Despite the sweetness of this tale, real relatable issues are addressed and resolved. Jennifer Beckstrand did a phenomenal job of drawing me allowing me to feel a part of the story and the characters’ lives rather than as a simple observer. The emotions, issues, and challenges the characters face are universal and could easily be experienced in any segment of society. Expect to feel all the feels when you read this book - joy, sorrow, anxiety, love, and relief. You’ll definitely laugh, cry, gasp, and grit your teeth. Poppy is one of the Christner sisters. After the death of their parents, Poppy and her sisters have been raised by their unconventional Aunt Bitsy. Bitsy and the family’s cats are an integral part of the laughter and joy of the book. The family supports themselves with the honey from their bee hives. Poppy is more of a tomboy with a desire to do everything regardless of it is typically something a boy would do. Poppy had a tendency to get in physical altercations when she was younger frequently defending her sisters and others. Luke is very handsome, used to being fawned over by the women in the community and is interested in settling down with a sweet, biddable woman. Someone the exact opposite of Poppy. There is an small underlying mystery of someone who is targeting Poppy’s family with escalating vandalism. Poppy and Luke’s more and more frequent interactions start when Luke, who is a carpenter/wood worker, agrees to rebuild the family’s chicken coop after it is destroyed by vandals. Poppy and Luke initially clash due to their similar strong, fiery, loud personalities. On the way to their HEA, Poppy and Luke have to learn to embrace who they are even if they do not the traditional Amish roles as well as learn to find balance together to find their way to a loving, respectful, and faith based relationship. I cannot wait to read what’s next for the Honeybee sisters.

A Bee in Her Bonnet by Jennifer Beckstrand is the second book in The Honeybee Sisters trilogy. Poppy Christner is not like other Amish young women. Poppy is headstrong, independent, stubborn, determined (she acts before she thinks) and you get the picture. She wants to prove that she can do the same things as men (despite her continual bruises, cuts, and broken bones) and does not need the help of a man. Luke Bontranger is a local carpenter and neighbor. Luke is always trying to help Poppy and protect her (he does not want to see her hurt). He believes he should protect all women and help them (and that they should only do women’s work—don’t you want to bop him one). Luke needs to change his way of thinking but then so does Poppy (and quit their fighting). Can these two stubborn people learn to work together and what happens when they do? Incidents are still happening at the farm. They have had bee hives overturned, laundry line cut down and clothes in the mud (and stomped on), the chicken coop destroyed with an axe, the barn door written on with a nasty message (again), and Queenie (the horse) is a victim as well. Who is behind these awful shenanigans? Poppy almost caught the culprit, but she damaged her arm in the process (and Luke had to save her). Will they ever catch the miscreant? Join the Honeybee Sister for more fun and adventure in A Bee in Her Bonnet.

A Bee in Her Bonnet is a fun story to read. A Bee in Her Bonnet picks up where the first book in The Honeybee Sisters series ended. I was entertained by Poppy’s and Luke’s antics (I was laughing). I found A Bee in Her Bonnet to be well-written and easy to read (can be finished in a few hours). It is the second book in the series, and I believe it would be helpful to read the first book (but you do not have to). The author does catch up the reader in case you have not read the prior book. I give A Bee in Her Bonnet 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The romance is predictable, but I found their courtship amusing. I look forward to the next book in The Honeybee Sisters (Rose’s story).

I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

A Bee in Her Bonnet is the second of the honeybee sisters trilogy by Jennifer Beckstrand (who is my favorite Amish romance writer!). There are so many things I like about Beckstrand's novels including the wonderful characters, the glimpse into the Amish lifestyle, the settings in my home state of Wisconsin and most of all the sweetness of couples getting to know each other. A Bee in Her Bonnet has all of those elements.

This book features the second Christner sister, Poppy. Poppy is tall and has always been told by her disapproving grandfather that she will end up an old maid. She is sure that he must be right. Luke Bontrager, the best friend of her sisters fiance, agrees. He is confused by her desire to learn how to do everything herself and wonders why she thinks she can do things better than anyone else. However, after several perilous outings, that leave both of them injured they both discover that there is no one role for anyone and that they are both perfect just the way they are.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit, however not as much as the first one, Sweet as Honey. This one felt a little rushed at times, as if the relationship between Poppy and Luke was being forced. I am very much looking forward to the final book!

4 1/2 star TOP PICK

The latest book in The Honeybee Sisters series is another hilarious and breathlessly romantic adventure. Aunt Bitsy continues to be delightfully amusing, her Amish roots blending with her Englisch experiences in ways that are both unconventional and laugh out loud funny. The added bits of more physical humor this go-around, as well as the love-hate nature of the romantic tension, give this book its own distinct feel from its predecessor. Beckstrand has a knack for combining humor and romance along with “real” characters, and this series is the best example yet!

(I was paid to write a review for RT Book Reviews. All views expressed are nevertheless only my honest opinion.)

4.5 stars. Delightful! Slow progress on the series-arc issues, but a terrific story for Poppy and Luke. This is an enemies to lovers story with some interesting psychology (Luke feels like it's his job to protect all women and keep them from anything he thinks is "men's work" while Poppy wants to be self-sufficient in everything.) I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series asap.

Poppy can drive anyone up a wall, except her sisters and most of the time, her Aunt B. This book was, to me, not quite as strong as the first or third books, but it was still a good read. I wouldn't have wanted to skip this book in the series. Poppy has so much to work through, and so does Luke. Will she ever learn to stop sounding like a record stuck on one track? I had a hard time with this sister. Meanwhile, the issues happening on the honeybee farm haven't gone away. So many questions need answers! I would plea with the author, if you have Luke in future books, PLEASE keep that boy out of the kitchen. What happens to him was jarring and about made me pass out. (Shiver!)

Even so, this book is an important progression to the series and I wound up happy with the outcome. I liked the new cat, Billy Idol and Lenard Nimoy. They were wonderfulgute additions to the story.

My copy came from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.