I love Amish fiction and this book didn’t fail to disappoint. A lot of love, twists, and surprises led to a satisfying end.

The Bake Shop is the first book of a new series Amish Marketplace. I had to realize that to understand why the first part of the book is so descriptive and brings so little development of the story - instead, we get to know the background and people in the new series. Once this opening part is over, the story of Christiana and Jeffrey develops nicely and at a good pace. Both are relatable, likable characters who work hard to make things happen once they have a goal in their lives. Overall a good book for lovers of Amish romance.

I just loved reading this book !! The storyline was very engrossing. I read the book in two days. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series !! Love this author !!

This is your typical Amish love story. But, it was a very slow start. About the first half of the book was like reading someone's diary, someone that led a very routine life. But, it did pick up after the halfway point and got quite a bit more interesting.

The characters were fairly well developed, especially the father of Christiana. Christiana and Jeff were also well developed, the supporting characters were just that, no more and no less.

This was a clean, non-offensive read. Once you got past the halfway point the story flowed well.

I was given this book through Netgalley and this review is freely given and my own, honest opinion. I chose to read and review this book as I've read other books by Amy Clipston. This is not her best book but not awful, either. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

The Bakeshop by Amy Clipston makes one yearn for the delicious baked items that Christiana produces in abundance! It is a story that speaks about loss, forgiveness, friendship, and a romance between two Amish young people who work in an Englisch environment while trying to preserve how they believe God wants them to live.

I found the story dragged with similar situations repeated throughout the novel. It didn't ring true of what I've read about Amish courtship in the past. Jeff kisses Christiana before her father even gives him permission for the two of them to court. It's a sweet story; however, it didn't grab me at all.

I receive an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley for this my honest review.

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
God will take care of your broken heart.

Jeffrey Stoltzfus is recovering from a broken heart. He built his fiance's house and was ready to start a family. His confidence and courage took a hit when his fiance cancelled the wedding without a reason. Now Jeff works at the Amish Marketplace to sell his hand made leather wares. It has given him a new purpose however, when a new Amish tenant moves next to his booth, his emotions are hard to control.

Christiana Kurtz loves to bake and currently has a stand to sell her baked goods by her home. She feels isolated from her family and friends and when a booth opens up at the Amish Marketplace, she feels the call of God to move her business there. Her father has always been more protective than most fathers and when he agrees to the move with a stipulation of not being influenced by the English ways, he gives his support. Jeff and Christiana run each other with words and the sparks begin to fly. Christiana sees a sadness in his eyes and cannot understand his curtness. Jeff sees a woman that he is attracted to but cannot trust.

Each must move past their judgments and communicate their heart. With the help of his family, Jeff begins to pursue Christiana and the hope that he can have a future. The promise of a future comes to a halt when Christiana's father questions Jeff's faith. It is faith that that brings down the walls of fear and puts up grace of love.

A Special Thank you to Zondervan and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

The Bake Shop
by Amy Clipston

Zondervan Fiction

Zondervan

Christian , Romance


Pub Date 05 Nov 2019



I am reviewing a copy of The Bake Shop through Zondervan Fiction and Netgalley:


Christina Kurtz has a passion for baking but when she gets so much demand it is to much for her bake stand, her Mother encourages her to move her business to the local market where are they are more suited to keep up with the demand. Her New Bakeshop is so popular that it becomes so inundated with customers that the line blocks the leather and woodcraft shop next door, which is run by Jeffrey Stoltzfus. When Jeffrey complains that her stand is driving away business due to the lines, she complains to him that his personalization machine smells. Despite the rocky start to their relationship will they be able to forge a friendship.


Just as things begin to look up Christiana’s father makes a surprise visit to the market, he is upset to find that Jeffrey uses the building’s electricity to personalize his items. He tells Christiana that Jeffrey is too modern , and she’s forbidden from dating him or even being friends with him. Christiana is heartbroken, but she knows going against her Fathers wishes could lead to something horrible.



One day Jeffery’s shop catches fire putting the entire market place in jeopardy but despite the mistakes he has made, the danger he put everyone in, Christina can’t deny what she feels for Jeffery. Despite seemingly impossible odds can the couple find a way to be together without going against there faith.


I give Bake Shop five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

A warm, delicious read that will leave you full of love. The story between Christiana and Jeffrey is romantic but like all relationships there is strife. I admire their persistence to keep believing all will work out.

The only complaint and it is not a big one: I wish there were recipes for Christiana’s yummy bakery items. Clipston makes them come to life.

I’m excited about this new series and am already counting down the months to book two.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Zondervan, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

This is book one in a brand new series Amish Marketplace. This book is well written and had me hooked from the beginning. I enjoyed reading about Christiana and Jeff, this is their story. I had different emotions while reading this book. Going from feeling happy to times of feeling sorry for Christiana and Jeff. Overall I loved this book and can't wait to read the other books in this series.

Christiana love to bake and she was good at it....maybe too good!! Customers would come knocking at the home door, when her stand was closed. So, it was decided that she should open up at the local indoor Amish Market. It was wonderful and profitable, but it also came with some complications....in the name of Jeffrey!! Jeffrey had the adjoining stall, where he made personalized leather goods. It seemed that both Christiana and Jeffrey and an eye for each other, but when Christiana's father found out that Jeffrey used the electric, in the market, to operate his equipment, that was the spark that blew the top off of young friends relationship. In a effort to redeem himself, Jeffrey went back to not using the electric but was this the cause of the fire that started in the market? An investigation had to be done and while everyone waited for the outcome, Christiana was told, by her father, she had to leave the market. Was this the end of her relationship with Jeffrey.....would she be destined to be alone....would her parents ever understand??? Well, sit down, get a warm blanket, a cup of spiced tea and enjoy this wonderful novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I think you will also!!

"The Bake Shop" tells the story of Jeff and Christiana, two young Amish people with secrets of their own. These two become acquainted at the marketplace where both of them have booths. As they get to know one another, Jeff and Christy share thoughts and dreams. When Christiana's dad finds out about their interest in one another, he becomes very protective of Christy, throwing a road block into their romance.

This story moved along at a pace that kept the interest of the reader. The lively characters display spirit and spunk, with an underlying thread of tenderness and care. Each of them is well-described and plays an integral part in the storyline. I liked this aspect of the story, since there were no superfluous characters to keep track of. I also liked the idea that Jeff and Christy owned their own businesses and were not fearful of taking their own paths within the Old Order Amish traditions. The Christian message is clearly stated but not preachy. Although the characters experience disappointment and conflicts, the story is clean and sweet.

Readers of Amy Clipston will not be disappointed in this offering. I am looking forward to more books in this series.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I loved this book and truly enjoyed reading this book. The characters weren’t interesting. The storyline was sweet and held my attention.
However I did not like that although no knew the “hero” they were okay asking the main character to give him another chance even though it seemed like he had a temper. (Spoiler alert: he didn’t)
I liked that the relationship developed naturally, not forced or rushed. I liked being able to see and understand emotions, thought processes and outcomes throughout this story.

A good story, although at times, some of the plot seemed to drag out a bit (Christiana’s father is very strict and kind of goes on and on about refusing to allow her to see Jeff). As an avid reader of Amish fiction, I know the ending is a happy one and you already “know” how things will turn out in the end, so some of the book seemed to be a little drawn out getting to the end. Overall and enjoyable read!

The cover is just as sweet as the story of Christiana Kurtz and Jeffrey Stoltzfus. I love Lancaster County so I'm always ready to return there, spending time there in person or through the eyes of characters, it's always a treat for me. Going to an Amish market is a fun way to see the lovely crafts, quilts, baked goods and just walking around taking it all in is always a pleasant experience.
Amy Clipston brings that experience to life in the first book in her new series.

Christiana has a bake stand at her parents house but the time comes for her to move her baked goods to the market, with her fathers permission of course, which wasn't easy to get. It's actually a good place for her to be with family and friends working or shopping there. One of the first people she runs into is Jeffrey which results in spilled coffee which would put anyone in a bad mood especially since he has to work that day. Oh, and his booth happens to be next t her.
I liked that there friendship started off slowly and that there were obstacles in there way. making for an interesting storyline that was fun to read.

I was in the mood for a lighthearted read after reading some that were not so lighthearted. There are several characters in this book that I liked so I'm curious to see what's in store for them.

I revived a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Good story about love, friendship, and forgiveness. Christiana is a wonderful baker and runs a bake stand from her family's home. It is such a success that it nearly takes over her entire life and that of her family. When customers start knocking on her door at all hours of the day and evening, Christiana's mother suggests that she look at opening a booth at the local farmer's market. Her two cousins, who also have shops there, are all for the idea, but Christiana's father worries that being around so many Englischers will pull her away from the Amish faith. With a great deal of effort, Christiana convinces her father to give her a chance. She's excited for the opportunity to grow her business, and with the market only open three days a week, she may have enough free time for a social life too.

Her first day gets off to a rough start when she collides with a young Amish man, spilling his coffee on him. Jeffrey doesn't react well, and both are dismayed when they realize that their shops are next door to each other. The situation becomes even more contentious when the lines to her shop block the entrance to his. There are some harsh words spoken between them, as neither wants to admit to being the problem. Cooler heads encourage Christiana and Jeffrey to talk through the issue and find a compromise.

I found both Christiana and Jeffrey a little on the stubborn side. Christiana seems to be quick to judge and slow to forgive, something unusual in Amish books. She doesn't seem to like to admit when she is wrong and digs in her heels. Jeffrey started his wood and leather business as a new beginning after a huge disappointment. He is low in self-confidence in his abilities but blames Christiana's shop for his lack of sales. But under the antagonism are sparks of interest. Unfortunately, Jeffrey's heart was broken when his fiancée left him for another man, and he is reluctant to trust his heart to another. Christiana falls foul of his distrust several times, causing her to pull away from any interest she might have in him.

Slowly, Christiana notices that there is more to Jeffrey than his attitude and becomes curious about the sadness she senses in him. With patience on her part, they become friends, sharing lunches and laughs. Jeff's depression begins to lift a little, but the past continues to haunt him. Christiana works hard to show him that she can be trusted. But just as each begins to think that there could be something more between them, Christiana's father discovers that Jeffrey uses electricity in his shop. Furious, and convinced it's just the first step on the road to leaving the Faith, he forbids Christiana from spending any more time with Jeffrey. Both are heartbroken.

I ached for both Christiana and Jeffrey, as it looked like they would be separated for good. I was also angry at Christiana's father for his refusal to listen to either of them. I became a little more sympathetic to him after Christiana's conversation with her grandmother, but I wasn't sure if he would ever let go of his fear and anger. I loved Jeffrey's determination to find a way to reach him and make him understand his intentions and the depth of his faith. A near tragedy almost ends Jeffrey's hopes altogether, but love wins the day. I loved the way things worked out and what finally brought Christiana and Jeffrey back together.

The Bake Shop is the exciting first book in the author's new Amish Marketplace series.
I always know when I pick up an Amy Clipston book I will enjoy it.
Her stories have likable, realistic characters and well plotted stories.
This one taking place in Lancaster County is full of lush descriptions make you want to pack up and drive to Amish country try to find this bake shop. No one bakes like Christiana Kurtz, she can't keep up with her customers demands at her home stand and is thrilled at the offer of opening at bigger stand at the Amish Market Place.
The meeting of her neighbor at the Market Place gets off to a rocky start as she meets Jeffrey Stoltzfus.
He's in the next stall over with his leather shop.
This is a man who's gone through a lot of hurt through his ex-fiancee and he has about given up on finding God's chosen mate for himself.
Christiana's father is ultra conservative past the point of what the bishop is even. As we read we come to realize why this deeply religious man is this way.
The path getting from here to there is not an easy one and there are many struggles along the way as this couple look for a way to commit to a lasting love.
Once I started I read it almost the whole way through in one sitting, it's just that good!

Published November 5th 2019 by Zondervan
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The Bake Shop is my first Amish literature, but it will not be the last one. I know very little about the Amish culture, and it intrigued me to find out about the Amish lifestyle. The Amish remind a little bit of the Ashkenaz ultra-orthodox Jews with the difference in the use of electricity, and the women and men from a certain age are not allowed to touch each other.
The Bake Shop is a very compelling book. It has the elements of forgiveness, and faith includes throughout the novel. It's appealing chapters, memorable settings, and exciting friendships that are a mix in such a way that creates an uplifting experience.
The Bake Shop has the right amount of charm, struggle, and also romance. This book is a foodie-book that I read that doesn't have recipes. Well, it might be because I got through Netgalley for an honest review.

This was the first book in the Marketplace Novel series by Amy Clipston. I loved it. I will definitely be reading The Farm Stand which is the next in the series. I enjoyed it so much! I loved the way the story developed and how it involves a second opportunity and forgiveness and definitely love. This is a great example of Amish fiction.

This book was exactly how I envision Amish markets. The people there have their shortcomings and trials, for sure, but as you read, they become endearing and you want them to succeed and find happiness in their life. Christiana and Jeff build their relationship from a growing friendship. So good!

I received an ebook version from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

I've read a lot of this author's works over the years, and they never fail to be a pick me up for me. This book was no exception to that! The story was quick and engaging, but with an interesting story from the past.

I liked the really slow simmer of this relationship! It had a bit of an enemies to lovers vibe at first, but it made the actual blossoming of the relationship that much sweeter to see! I found Jeff a little too quick to anger, though, and he sometimes came off as too indecisive when it came to actually being in a relationship because of his past hurts. I did like how Christiana kept trying to fight for what she wanted, despite the confines of her faith.

I'm eager to see where this series heads next!

No one bakes sweets like Christiana Kurtz, and her empty bake stand every day proves it. People come from all over to buy her goods, many times coming to her house during their dinner to buy pies or cakes.

When Christiana visits her cousins at the Bird-in-Hand market tell her of a booth opening up, Christiana approaches her extremely strict father about opening up her bake stand in the market booth. She has to talk really hard to convince her father about moving to the market and the benefits it will bring her family to only be open three days a week. She will have more time to help out at home while she does her baking in between chores, and no more after hours visits from customers.

The Bake Shop is Amy Clipston's newest book and the first of a series taking place in the marketplace. I think the coming books in the series will be about Christiana's cousins who already have booths in the marketplace.

In the booth next to Christiana's is Jeff Stolzfus, maker of gifts in leather and wood. It's not long before they notice each other and find that there is something more than friendship between them. The only fly in the ointment is Christiana's father's attitude.

Amy is one of the best Amish fiction writers around. I will read her books (along with Kathleen Fuller's) any time I get a chance. They are fun, engaging, intriguing, and altogether consuming. This is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a homemade whoopie pie.

My thanks go to Zondervan Fiction and NetGalley.com for providing the galley I read for this review.