My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing
Synopsis
From bestselling
authors of Amish fiction come four delightful stories perfect for
celebrating love, joy, and the everyday miracles Christmas brings.
Evergreen Love by Amy Clipston
Ryan
Lapp had promised to marry Lorene Bontrager as soon as he was able to
build them a house, but the day never came. Ryan moved away. Five years
later, Lorene has settled in to her old maid role, and she’s shocked
when her younger sister announces her quick engagement to Ryan’s younger
brother. As they rush to plan the wedding, Lorene is constantly around
the family she almost joined. Worse, she’s forced to face Ryan himself,
who has returned to town. As both Ryan and Lorene examine their own
feelings, they must decide if they can find grace with each other—and
the young people they once were—this Christmas season. There just might
still be love in their future.
Holiday of Hope by Kelly Irvin
Henry
Lufkin is one of four bachelors who lived in the West Kootenai,
Montana, cabins that were destroyed by wildfires. He’s the only one of
them who hasn’t since married, but he likes his solitude. Then an old
friend asks him to care for his son, and Henry has to share his small
cabin and his life with bewildered and rebellious ten-year-old Tommy.
When the child encounters trouble at school, Henry reaches out to
Tommy's teacher. Leesa Yoder never expected to find herself single and
teaching sixteen young scholars, and she certainly didn’t anticipate an
inexperienced bachelor telling her how to do her job. Amid the flying
sparks, can Henry and Leesa see that there might be hope and love in
this unexpected situation?
Wreathed in Joy by Kathleen Fuller
Mary
Wengerd and Jakob Mullet have been best friends since childhood.
Pressured by friends and family, they decided to date—with disastrous
results. When they break up, their friendship is ruined. A year later,
Mary is baking her Englisch friend’s wedding and groom cakes
for a Christmas Eve wedding. Mary loves the Christmas season, and had
always dreamed of marrying during that time. Now she wonders if she’ll
ever marry. After she and Jakob form a tenuous new friendship, Mary
breaks her arm. As he steps in to help her with the cakes, Mary is
inexplicably and suddenly falling for him. But they've already dated,
and that ended so horribly. Could it be better this time?
A Christmas Prayer by Vannetta Chapman
Widower Micah Miller runs the Amish Tour Company, offering Englischers a
glimpse of a simpler life as well as tea at Rachel King’s. Rachel has
never married and has recently lost her parents. When Micah comes across
an abandoned and injured dog, he gives it to Rachel for company. As
Rachel is charmed by the dog and shocked by news of the existence of
family she never expected, her heart and mind bend toward the
possibilities of change in her life—even toward the possibility of love.
My Review
What a sweet collection of second chance at love and love later in life! It's always wonderful when I enjoy each story, and just can't stop reading. I was impressed by the vivid personalities, romantic chemistry, individual plots, and cozy Christmastime setting. The two that stood out to me are Holiday of Hope by Kelly Irvin and Wreathed in Joy by Kathleen Fuller. I admire when characters can make the best of a difficult situation and recognize the blessings that come because of their efforts.
Disclosure
statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from
a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley,
OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from
Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not
required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
