BOOK REVIEW: A Christmas Home by Marta Perry @berkleypub #bookreview #achristmashome

I like to mix up my book genre so I only read a few holiday books each December. This year one of the ones I chose is the first in a series about an Amish community, which was a new-to-me setting to explore. I found Marta Perry’s novel A Christmas Home to be cozy and heart-warming!

About the Book

National bestselling author Marta Perry captures the spirit of Christmas in this first novel of her all new series set in the quaint Amish community of Promise Glen.

After ten years spent keeping house and raising her younger siblings, Sarah Yoder returns home to Promise Glen determined to make a fresh start. Her new job with neighbor Noah Raber’s furniture business seems promising—until she and the woodworker clash over everything from the best way to reach new costumers to how to raise his mischievous six-year-old twin boys.

Though Sarah longs for a home of her own, she fights the appeal of this ready-made family, resolved to maintain a professional distance. But when she and Noah both agree to help with the school’s annual Christmas program, Sarah finds her heart touched by the motherless boys and Noah’s quiet strength. Thrown together at work and at the school, their feelings continue to grow, and Sarah struggles to keep Noah at arms’ length.

Loving Noah may seem impossible, but with faith, love, and a little help from their close-knit community, there may yet be a Christmas home for them both.

Reflection

Filled with family, friends, love, faith, and magical winter days, this is a charming book. I really enjoyed the setting in Amish country, since this isn’t a setting I have read much about. It really transported me into a different place while reading it!

And of course, there is a love interest Noah Raber who is a man that is good with his hands, crafting beautiful furniture. Don’t we all kind of fall a bit for someone who is able to create with their hands??? When Sarah Yoder returns home and is asked to help Noah with his business, it seems like things might be coming together for a great love story. But things are so simple or predictable. There is a pretty big obstacle in the way of Noah and Sarah developing a relationship, and it’s not a simple one.

Noah is the father to a pair of rambunctious twins, whose mother mysteriously disappeared. Through an exploration of faith, integrity, and following your heart, we see their story unfold. This was a charming story and one that made me think a lot about the compass that we dedicate to guide us through life, and what happens when life doesn’t stay on course.

There’s also a section at the back with some Amish recipes and traditions that I thought was a cute addition. A sweet book that will give you all the right cozy winter feels!

Thank you to Berkley for my copy. Opinions are my own.