This charming Christmas tale was so enjoyable to listen to as an audio book. The narrator did a nice job and the narration flowed well. The story itself was a fun peek into an Amish community at Christmas time.

The main characters who were dating when the story began, Wesley and Liesl, were a good example of a couple who had lost the original spark of interest that was there when they first decided to court. The romantic attraction they felt for each other as teens years earlier had settled into a dating relationship that was simply expected by everyone around them. It was clear to me from the beginning that neither Wesley or Liesl truly realized how far from love they had moved. I think that neither one understood that what they felt for each other did not compare to what real romantic love would be like, until they began to each feel it for someone else.

I believe that Liesl should have broken things off with Wesley years earlier and followed where her heart was truly leading her instead of trying to force Wesley to match an ideal that she had. However, it probably would have meant that her Aunt Jenny would not have come to town when she did and that would have been a shame, as she was definitely the perfect match for Wesley. I wouldn’t exactly call this a love triangle…perhaps a love square? I had fun listening to it and waiting to see how everything would get straightened out for these characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed Christmas at the Amish Market. It was a cozy read that was clean and heartwarming. The cover of the book was just how I pictured the market. If you like Amish fiction you will really enjoy this seasonal read. I received the audiobook version on NetGallery.

i have never tried an audio book before and wanted to give it a try. i did not like this at all. it wasn't the story, it was the person reading. i couldn't even finish this and therefore cannot give this a proper rating.

This Christmas Amish romance is a classic story of courtship, being true to yourself and family.
Wesley feeling overwhelmed by his families business isn’t being a good boyfriend according to Liesl. Liesl is getting fed up and tried to help. This act up creaspeza domino effect turning lives around. Expect the unexpected.
This is such a sweet story about falling in love. The Amish touches are not overwhelming or beyond what someone not familiar could understand. I like a good love story without smut and this book delivers.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was great! The pronunciation of different Amish terms were executed perfectly.
I will be seeking out other books from this author in the future. I actually listened to this book in 1 day. I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t wait to see what happens!

Christmas at the Amish Market was the first Christmas book of the season for me to read. I had intended to go back and forth between the written book and the audio version but the audio version was such a delight to listen to that I wound up sticking with the audio version.
The setting revolves around the Amish market that Wesley's family owns. Christmas is around the corner so the place is hopping with activity. Wesley is overwhelmed with running the market while his father is recovering from some heart problems. Added to the mix is long time girlfriend Liesl.

Liesl is an accomplished seamstress and finds great satisfaction with making beautiful things. But she's a bit oblivious to the needs of others. In fact she's put out with Wesley's devotion to his family's business. With the guise of helping Wesley but really helping herself, Liesl brings her Aunt Jenny into the mix. Unbeknownst to everyone the arrival of Jenny will change everything.

If you enjoy Christmas themed books you'll love this one. It's the perfect combination of interesting characters, situations and solutions. There's a good mix of conflict and sweet romance that makes this a perfect read for the season.

It's been a while since I last listened to a story based on the Amish, and this was a nice return to the genre for me. I enjoyed the storyline and how it demonstrated how God works in mysterious ways.

I did find Liesl to be a bit much with how she teetered on the edge between being self-centered and considerate. So it was hard to come to terms with how caring she could be to others in her community, and then be demanding and impatient with Wesley. Ultimately, they just didn't seem like a good match, and I was surprised that Wesley never grew impatient with her immaturity.

Of course, all of that laid the foundation for what God actually had planned for their lives, and I did enjoy seeing how that all played out.

I must say too that the narrator did a wonderful job with the characterizations and dialect that supported the story beautifully.

Thank you to Shelley Shepard Gray, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

I did not enjoy the narrator of the story but I did enjoy the story line. I listened to about an hour and it was putting me to sleep. I will check out the print version of the book.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to review and read the book.

Though I have read many Amish series this is my first “listen” to one of Gray’s books. I definitely expected and appreciated the simpler lifestyle, honor and duties that come with the Amish community. Also the avid conversations with and prayers to God. This was all wonderful. The storyline itself, however, just did not have enough oomph for me. It was too slow and often redundant. In the end I wanted more from the characters.

The narration by Suzie Althens was excellent. She handled the Amish dialect beautifully and added an overall authenticity.

Thankyou to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC.

There is a family owned Amish market and the father has a medical emergency which causing him and his wife to leave their son, Wesley, in charge of the market. Wesley is dating Liesl and is not able to give her the time she wants as he is trying to run the store all by himself and not let it go under. To free up some of Wesley's time Liesl invites her aunt Jenny to come help him at the market. As the book goes on there is widower an his daughter introduced into the storyline.. Who ends up with whom? Well you will just have to read the book to find out.

I listened to the audio version of Christmas at the Amish Market. It is a sweet story of giving in to true feelings instead of going along with expectations. This happily ever after story is just what I needed after a season of reading thrillers!

Christmas at the Amish Market
Shelley Shepard Gray
Wesley’s father has been ill and staying in Kentucky with family while he recoups leaving Wesley in charge of the family business an Amish market. This is the busy time of year and Wesley is a bit overwhelmed. He has been courting Liesl for years. She is feeling more than a little neglected. Wesley has no proposed, something has held him back. Liesl contacts her Aunt Jenny asking her to come help Wesley in the store. She forgot to mention that Jenny is only twenty-six years old. Wesley is expecting a much older woman. The customers are charmed by Jenny’s sweet personality. Wesley finds her charming, beautiful, and hard-working.
Jenny enjoys working with Wesley. She is still getting over the heartbreak of breaking up with the man she thought she would marry. She finds herself falling in love with Wesley but knows he and Liesl are expected to marry.
Liesl has been helping at a neighbor’s home. Roland is a widower with a four-year-old daughter, Lily. She finds herself falling in love with him. He realizes he is in love with her but how does she break the news to Wesley and her parents.
This is a sweet tale. The cover is beautifully done. I enjoyed watching Wesley and Jenny as they discover they love each other. I found Liesl to be childish in many ways; she and Wesley did not belong together. I did not like Wesley’s father; he was ungrateful for all that Wesley was doing for him.
This is a Hallmark book. The story is clean, well-written and a pleasant read although predictable.

This isn’t my usual genre but there was something about the cover and the synopsis that drew me in. I’m so glad I requested this because it was so enjoyable! The atmosphere is very reminiscent of where I live, making it so easy to picture the descriptions!

If you’re looking for a clean, feel-good story with romance, friendship and all the Christmas vibes, this is a great book!

Suzie Althens narrates and what a lovely voice she has! I enjoyed this one so much and I’ll be recommending this to everyone.

My thanks to @Dreamscape_Media for this ALC!

A sweet story set in a Midwest Amish community. I enjoyed the entangled love interests and the almost comical developments. I appreciate all the character’s commitment to family, honesty, and hard work. Sometimes, the growing pains of the heart are the hardest pains of all. The relationships unfolded naturally and organically and everyone achieved a happy ending (one of my favorite part of Hallmark endorsed stories). It’s a wonderful feel-good Christmas story set in a charming Amish community. Shelley captures the people and community in such a real and captivating manor. The culture, mannerisms, and language nuances are excellently represented. I wholeheartedly recommend this Christmas gem.
I received a complimentary audio copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

I came to this book having little to no knowledge of Amish culture. I was hoping for a good Christmas story and to get some education on the Amish. Thankfully I got both. The story deals with something that is hard to spin into a feel-good story but it does a great job and I loved how it all came together in the end.

Liesl is looking forward to marrying her boyfriend Wesley. Wesley is running his family's Amish market, which around Christmas time is extremely busy. With Wesley giving his all to the market he has less time for Liesl. Liesl then gets her aunt to come and help out at the market to take some of the strain off of Wesley. Wesley hearing that his girlfriend's aunt is coming to help, he is expecting an older woman. However, Liesl’s aunt Jenny is only a few years older than her and is 26, the same age as Wesley.

While Wesley is working with Jenny and getting closer to her, Liesl is getting close to Roland and his young daughter Lily. This is a story that deals with a couple who fall for other people and still manages to be a happy story and I really appreciate that.

I really liked that the author educates you on Amish culture but it is not done in a way that is obvious. It just brings you into their Amish village and you learn about the culture through all the interactions you experience in the story. It was refreshing.

This book was so cute! I truly felt the Christmas spirit in it! I was very intrigued by these 4 people who just needed a little push to go after who they wanted instead of listening to what everyone else thought! It was super interesting to view this love rectangle from the lens of being Amish! I definitely recommend this book!

This is a slow paced double love story for which I have mixed feelings. I don't know enough about the Amish to be able to say if this story is authentic or not but I expected it to be less modern in speech and cultural references than it was. Some phrases were jarring to me, again, because of my expectations. They may well be perfectly fine to include in this book. But they surprised me.

The characters were likable for the most part. Liesl seemed immature and I didn't like her at all with Wesley yet with others she was thoughtful and helpful. I couldn't figure out why she couldn't be bothered to help Wesley while he was in need but jumped right at the chance to help others. Some won't like the way he treated her but I didn't like the way she treated him since he was kind of stuck in a situation beyond his control, aside from walking out on his family in need. Anyway, overall they were likable even with flaws.

I was a little uncomfortable with how long it took characters to deal with their feelings but perhaps that was realistic. I've never been in their situation. Maybe I'd do the same thing, though I would hope not.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a good job overall.

No sex, language or violence
*I received a complimentary audio version of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

Book Title: Christmas at the Amish Market
Author: Shelley Shepard Gray
Audiobook Narrator: Suzie Athens
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing
Genre: Chick Lit/Holiday Romance
Pub Date: October 25, 2022
My Rating: 🎄🎄🎄🎄 Stars

I was drawn to this story as
 I love the cover
 I love Christmas
 The Amish have always fascinated with their no frill life style
 Publisher ~ Hallmark so I was sure it was going to be a nice sweet love story.

Characters: Wesley, Liesel, Aunt Jenny, Roland and his 4 year old daughter Lily.

Place and Time: Pennsylvania Amish village at Christmas - of course!

This story starts on a busy day in December at the Amish Market. Twenty-six year old Wesley Raber is in charge of managing the family Market while his father is recuperating in Kentucky. His mother and sibling are also there to assist. However, Wesley is overwhelmed at the amount of work on his shoulders while the family is out of town and it is only December 4th. .
Liesel Fisher (Wesley’s long friend girlfriend) stops by at closing as they have a date for a Christmas outing. Yikes! he was so busy he completely forgot. Needless to say, Liesel is not pleased. She has a bright idea that perhaps her Aunt Jenny can help at the market. Liesel assures Wesley that Aunt Jenny is a hard worker.

True to her recommendation, Jenny Kurtz is a hard worker; Things seem to be working much better at the Market.
In the meantime, Liesel had been helping Roland when his wife was suffering from cancer, Liesel pitched in to help with daily chores. However, Liesel continues to drop by for visits - usually with an excuse that she made something for little Lily. Lily loves Liesel and is always excited for her visits.

True this story is predictable and also a bit slow. However, I was in the right mood for a sweet Christmas story filled with love and faith in God.

Suzie Athens the audiobook narrator was fabulous in performing the characters.
I read a few reviews where the readers didn’t like some of the characters. I believe if they listened to the audiobook they would have had a different opinion-as Suzie Athens’ voice was so smooth and enjoyable to hear.
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The descriptions of the village at Christmas made me wanted to go for a visit.
We do have our Christmas traditions here in Southern California; One of our favorites is the Boat Parade ~ boats are all decorated and we watch from the pier while sipping hot mulled wine!
Note: Although we don’t have any snow; this seems to be a better tradition that Cincinnati Chili! 😀

Want to thank NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 25, 2022.

This audio book is a good choice for getting into the Christmas spirit. It is an Amish romance featuring Leisl and Wesley who have been courting for years, planning to make it official soon. However, Leisl has been helping widower, Roland, and his very young daughter through their recent loss and Wesley is quite taken with Jenny, Leisl’s young Aunt Jenny, who is helping in the Christmas store. The story is sweet, but the outcome is very obvious, yet it takes nearly 40 chapters to get there. I feel the book could use some editing.

I received a free copy of the book on tape from Hallmark Publishing and NetGalley for my honest voluntary review. The general concept is good, but the ending is expected and drawn out much too long.

“Hallmark and bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray present a Christmas Amish romance with lots of surprises in store…“

Love and Christmas and the Amish. Oh, my!

If you’re looking for a charming, quiet, lower-your-heartrate book, this one might be for you.

The dialogue was a bit heavy on the exposition (“We should call Aunt Jenny!” “Aunt Jenny? Your mother’s unmarried, youngest sister, who lives two towns over, and is always looking to make extra money?”) and the pace was glacial, but it’s a Hallmark book. An Amish Hallmark book. Most of the characters are all from a highly religious group, whose main method of transportation is horse and buggy.

The snail’s pace wasn’t a shock.

Listen, this story was fine. The plot was fine. The characters were fine. The romance was fine.

It was just SLOW.

6/10

Thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Hallmark Publishing for this cozy ARC.

Such a cute Amish Christmas story. I used to read a lot of Amish books but just don't have the time anymore. When I saw this was on audio, i jumped at the chance to listen. While this book was very predictable, I'm not sure this author was going for huge shocks or anything. Just a cute amish book, with amish Christmas traditions, and two love stories. Very heart warming.