Christmas at the Amish Market by Shelley Shepard Gray
I listened to the audiobook version of this story. The reader, Suzie Althens, has a lovely voice and her reading flows nicely. I could get lost in the story and not feel like I had to focus too much through the narration.
We meet Wesley and Liesl. They’ve been dating for a few years but seem to have hit a slow patch and come to a halt in their relationship. Wesley’s parents own an Amish Market, and Wesley finds himself running it alone during the Christmas season. His father had a medical condition that required rest. Liesl suggests that Wesley hires her aunt, Jenny, for the holiday.
Jenny looks forward to the distraction of working at the market during the holiday. She is recovering from a painful breakup. Jenny is the same age as Liesl. They are closer than Aunt/Niece, more like cousins. When Jenny starts having feelings for Wesley, she struggles against them.
Liesl struggles with her own feelings in her relationship with Wesley, feeling as though he may not be the man God intended for her future.
“With humor, faith, and a little help from their friends in the community, everyone might just find what their hearts are looking for this Christmas at the Amish Market.”

I enjoyed this story. I listened to the audio version and had it finished within a week. It was no surprise; I always feel as though Shelley Shepard Gray's books end too soon. I get caught up in the story, and before I know it, conflicts are resolved, and the ending is near.

Review Thank you Net Galley and Shelley Shepard Gray for this advanced copy of Christmas At The Amish Market. I was not paid or reimburst for this honest review of this audiobook.

I have always had a facination with the Amish community so when I saw this audiobook was available and we are nearing in on Hallmark Overload of all things Christmas, I thought I would indulge in some easy sweet pleasurable reading. While this book was cute and clean, I really did not find either Liesel or Wesley great characters. I am not sure who we were suppose to cheer for(?) side with (?).
Liesel clearly just wanted to put a ring on her finger, and was to be honest very immature and by no means ready for marriage. She needed to work on herself as a person first, she let Wesley walk all over her and she acted so silly. If I was treated the way she was I would be like, this guy does not love me.
Now, all that to say, Wesley is not a "terrible" guy, he just isn't ready for marriage. He clearly had a lot going on in his life and was consumed by working in his fathers store. He needs to also put pause on life and examine himself and priorities. He was very self centered and I thought he was just plain rude to Lisel. Even if he was not interested in her, he should not have kept leading her on.
When Jenny enters the scene along with Roland for Jenny (again she should know better to clearly throw herself at him and act all innocent....can she really be that sheltered?) it becomes a clear case of emotional affairs occuring.
There was no "tender hearted" cute love story I was expecting, very self centered characters.....definatly did not give me the cup of cocoa and sugar cookie fight feeling I was hoping for

Yes! This is the type of book I've been wanting to listen to. I wanted something nice, cute and full of the holidays. I think that it is a great book for the holidays that will keep you listening or reading for all of the fun it contains.
Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story was about an Amish community leading up to the holiday season. It was a great story that had lessons on our expectations of others, who we think we’re meant to marry, and who we’re truly meant to be with. I loved the characters in this little Amish town and I found myself finishing this audiobook in two sittings. A really cute and wholesome holiday story that I think you’ll enjoy! Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscapes Media for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

If you love Amish romances and sweet stories, you will love this book. The author made the world come to life and the characters were interesting, fun, and, thankfully, actually used common sense in how they acted! There is a small faith element that is woven into the story which I enjoyed, but it is not heavy for those not interested. And as typical for this kind of book is is "G" rated.

I listened to the audiobook version and I really enjoyed the narrator as well - she was super clear to understand. I listen to several audiobooks a month and I get easily annoyed if there are any background noises/breathing/etc., and so this one was a winner for me! Her inflections in her voices got better and better as the book went on.

A sweet book that you would enjoy for the holiday season and beyond.

Charming Amish love story that takes place over Christmastime. Wesley and Liesel have been dating for years. At 26 and 22 years old, they should have their eyes on marriage. Instead, Wesley has to run his family’s market over the bustling Christmas season without enough help, and Liesel is feeling neglected. Liesel asks her relative, 26 year old Jenny, to come help Wesley. Liesel continues to spend time helping a young widower with his four year old daughter.

I definitely could have guessed the ending within the first 20% of the book, but it was charming to follow the story.

Release date; 11/8
Spice level; clean
No content warnings

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.

Follow Wesley and Lisel as they navigate growing pains. As Wesley takes on his family store Lisel begins to drift from her longtime beau. Just as Lisel's heart begins to drift, Wesley also experiences a shift as he spends time with Aunt Jenny who is helping in the family store. Lisel finds herself longing for the company of a widower Rowland and his young daughter. Will these long time love birds keep on courting or follow their changing hearts. This will surely inspire the Christmas spirit and have you longing for a snowy day and a cup of cocoa.

Thanks to NetGalley for an early listen to this audiobook. This story follows Liesl & Wesley who are an Amish couple that are headed for engagement this Christmas season. The problem is that they don’t actually like each other that much. There’s a fair amount of what I call emotional cheating here, and I just couldn’t get behind that. Even so, the scenes at The Pinery had me ready to take out my own Christmas lights and drink some hot chocolate. (It’s 83 degrees here today, so I probably won’t) Three out of five for me, y’all.

A light Christmas related read based in the Amish community. This is the story of Wesley who his parents and him run a Amish Marketplace. When Wesley's father becomes ill and they move away so he can be cared for Wesley is left to run the business. The holiday's are the busiest time for the store. Wesley has a girlfriend Liesl who thinks they will get engaged at Christmas. When Wesley has no time for Liesl do to the store she gets him help her Aunt Jenny. This book shows the importance of really exploring the capability and feelings prior to committing to someone. This ensures a continued path for the couple.



Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Hallmark Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.

I received a free Advanced Reading Copy via NetGalley in exchange for a complete and honest review.

Listened to the audiobook.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. The ending was a bit blah but I wasn't expecting a Pulitzer prize novel.

This book was not really my genre. Although it was a great romance tale, the setting (Amish and religious) was somewhat offputting to me. Book would be excellent for anyone really interested in the traditions, spirituality, and language of the Amish community. A little too "folksy" for me, though the character development was very good.