It may come as a surprise to some of you that I once dove headfirst into a whirlwind of Amish romances. Yes, you read that right. At one point in my life, I devoured these charming tales like candy, seeking something I still yearn for today—or perhaps it was merely a fleeting obsession. In any case, I lost myself in a world of bonnets and buggies until the genre became overcrowded with authors churning out the same stories on repeat, leaving me weary and longing for something fresh. There’s one exception, though: Beverly Lewis, the undisputed queen of Amish fiction and the first author to lure me into this quaint world. Her latest novella, The Christmas House, dropped last week via Bethany House—maybe a tad too early for holiday cheer, but hey, who am I to judge? Maybe early November would have been the sweet spot.
The storyline unfolds like a cozy blanket as the holidays draw near. Liz Lantz, our earnest protagonist, is determined to splash her Hickory Hollow buggy tour business with a sprinkle of God's love for the Englisher tourists flocking to her beloved Lancaster County. It's all very Hallmark until her father and brother get called away on some mission, leaving her in need of help. Enter Matthew Yoder, a young Amish man drafted to assist her—an arrangement not exactly met with wild enthusiasm. But as the popularity of her Christmas House Buggy Tour picks up steam, Liz begrudgingly finds herself working alongside Matt. And wouldn’t you know it? He takes a sincere interest in both the tour customers and, naturally, Liz herself.
Meanwhile, an English family in Hickory Hollow is throwing a Christmas bash so extravagant it threatens to attract far too much attention—a definite no-no in Liz's Amish community. With mounting concerns from her neighbors, Liz is left pondering whether she can forge a warm bridge to welcome the new residents without sacrificing her traditions. At the same time, she's grappling with her unexpected feelings for Matt, whose stay is, after all, only a temporary gig. Can she conjure up a little holiday harmony before Santa comes to town?
It’s been a while since I last set foot in Hickory Hollow—okay, I admit, I’m a few books behind; they’re collecting dust on a shelf somewhere—but as soon as I opened this one, the familiarity washed over me like a warm cup of cocoa. Beverly Lewis’s writing possesses a quaint charm, like an old photograph you find tucked in a book. The plot, while predictable, unfolds in a way that's comforting, like a well-worn sweater. The sweet, innocent protagonist is a staple of these Amish tales, and Liz hits that mark flawlessly. As for Matthew, he's a touch too sugary for my taste—but, let’s face it, in Christian fiction, sweetness is practically the main ingredient.
Overall, The Christmas House is a delightful little confection full of charm, faith, and just the right sprinkle of romance. After all, who doesn’t crave a little love story, especially during the holiday season? It may be just a novella, but it serves up all the cozy feels—a reminder that sometimes, even in the most unexpected places, warmth and connection can be found. ╌★★★★★
So, to all the Amish romance out there: grab your copy, [*], a warm beverage of your choice, and read this heartwarming tale.
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