Kara G. reviewed on 7/20/2013 + 82 more book reviews

I have read several books by this wonderful author and each story holds something very precious and unique.A Simple Amish Christmas was also a wonderful experience for me. From the first page, this book caught my attention and I was eager to see what happened next. Annie is being sent to live with her aunt during the time of her rumschpringe. However, instead of being spontaneous and having crazy fun with the Englischers, she puts herself through medical training and becomes a nurse. She becomes desperately homesick and when attending her patients one Christmas season, she is called home by her parents to help her injured father.

From the moment Annie rushes to her fathers bedside, Samuel Yoder is amazed by the woman Annie has become. He is now a widower having lost his wife and daughter to a tragic accident, he is considered the community medical helper even though he is not an official doctor, and Annies father, Jacob, is a close friend of his. After accepting his lonely lifestyle thinking this is Gods will for him, he is surprised at how attracted he becomes to Annie and her feisty personality. Wouldnt she be better off with a man with a clear past and closer to her age?

Samuel is such a great character and once he and Annie finally click they make such a great team together. He gets her; her heart, her fears, her humor, and her devotion to God, family, and their Amish neighbors. After his time of solitude, being with Annie and her close family brings life back to Samuel. That being said, I was annoyed with their initial encounter and couldnt understand why Samuel is so insecure about Annies feelings. The chemistry and sparks between them are fun, the romance is sweet, and their connection is tangible. Its noble how Samuel wants to do the right thing for himself and for Annie, but I wish he wouldve had more peace throughout the story.

One of my favorite scenes is when Annie is baptized into the Amish church, I felt how precious and symbolic it was of her faith. She fully commits to this act with her whole heart and theres never a doubt that she belongs there.

The other scenes I utterly enjoyed are Annie with her family, her conversations with her mamm, and how she works with her neighbor patients. She is so in tune with her patients, she has a special touch with each of them regardless of the situation or background, and she brings professionalism and hope with each person.

Even though this book takes place during Christmas, it was a refreshing read and kept me cooled off during the summer heat. There are parts of the story left unanswered and Im looking forward to the sequel to see what happens next :)

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details