When Strawberries Bloom is creatively set in an Amish town. Readers will know what the setting looks like through the plain, simple words the author uses to describe, but a lack of figurative language prevents them from really seeing the surroundings or feeling like they are actually there. On a different note, the characters are extremely realistic. They each have their own flaws- Lizzies temper, Mams favoritism, and Emmas slight bossiness. They are relatable and I can easily imagine having conversations with them in my head. While I did not like Lizzie, the main character, I found Emma the closest to innocent out of everyone. The setting could have been improved, but the characters were wonderfully crafted. There is no distinct mood or voice in this book. The writing can change from smooth to fiery, flattering to insulting, depending on what Lizzie is feeling. This style does help readers further understand her, but it also is a bit confusing. It may have been better told in the first person, because it felt like a biography of Lizzie and her emotions.

One major problem is the ending. It resolves absolutely nothing, neither the main conflict nor any subplots. This could be considered excusable because it is part of the series, but is confusing and highly disappointing. Every book, even part of a series, should have a climax, falling action, and then a resolution. Here, it felt like event after event after event, with no clear ending or resolution. The end of the plot could definitely use some polishing. Perhaps the biggest issue is that of the main conflict. The point of the book seemed to be that Lizzie was trying to choose between marriage and teaching school. First of all, school is described as her lifelong dream, and marriage is called her wish, and, seeing the difference between these two labels, it is unclear why Lizzie would even consider marriage. Either the descriptions or the conflict should be changed to show that the actual problem is that she is having second thoughts.

Second, because this is the major conflict, Lizzie should be mostly focused on it. Instead, her thoughts flit about from subplot to subplot, and especially on her boyfriends. The author should consider altering the main theme- the writing wouldnt even have to change very much, since it already centers on romance.

The vocabulary used in the book is overly simple, even the Amish words. These are written and then immediately followed by an explanation of the meaning. To make the writing more sophisticated, readers should have to use context clues to figure it out. Based on vocabulary alone, the appropriate age level could easily be lowered. However, considering the love theme, the book is only suitable for middle schoolers and up. In conclusion, I think this book appeals to a narrow audience. It wasnt deep enough for me, but there are people who like fast, flighty romances. The writing and plot could have been improved; however, I liked the setting and characters. Unfortunately, this book has a tendency to disappoint. Therefore, I predict that it will sell fast, but will be remembered as no more than mediocre.