REVIEW: A Simple Amish Christmas

A SIMPLE AMISH CHRISTMAS is a sweet, faith-based story from the Amish point of view. Well-researched, this novel is about the true meaning of Christmas and spending time with those you love.

A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman
Published by Abingdon Press; Original edition (October 1, 2010)
ISBN: 978-1426710667, Rated 4 out of 5 Stars
Book pulled from my eBook TBR Mountain Range, rec’d for free.

I received this book a couple years ago as a free read from Barnes and Noble for Nook, with no expectation of review.

At seventeen-years-old, Annie Weaver and her Amish family decide it’s best if she spends some time with her Englisch aunt and cousins. She was struggling with who she was and whether being Amish was right for her, so they decided it was time for her rumschpringe, which is a time for young adults to explore before joining the church. After three years away from her community, Annie must rush back to care for her dad who was in a serious buggy accident.

Having spent the last three years earning a nursing degree, Annie isn’t quite sure how she’ll explain this to her family, or if her training will fit into their Amish way of life. Once back in her hometown, Annie realizes what she has been longing for, even when she thought her life was fulfilling. First, she must help her dad get back to normal and then find a life for herself with her Amish family, if they’ll have her.

Samuel Yoder, an Amish widower, has been healing the Amish with his medical knowledge, even though he’s not actually a doctor. He’s the one they trust and will take his suggestion to seek further medical help at the hospital. Mostly, he helps with colds, stitches and minor problems when a doctor isn’t necessary. When one is, he’s the first one to advise that they see one. Jacob Weaver is his good friend and the buggy accident reminds Samuel too much of the day his wife and child died in a similar incident.

Ten years apart in age, Samuel is protective over Annie, but doesn’t think he should follow his heart for something more. Initially butting heads with Samuel, Annie becomes more and more attracted to him as they spend time together, using their healing backgrounds for the good of the Amish community.

A SIMPLE AMISH CHRISTMAS is a realistically portrayed story about how the ways of the Amish and their Englisch neighbors often overlap, putting pressure on the ability to maintain the Amish customs. This book is full of faith sentiments which add to the story. Author Vannetta Chapman intersperses Amish words to give the book realism without it becoming difficult to read. Including a glossary in the back is the perfect way to keep the story authentic. My only complaint is that this book ended too quickly when I really wanted to spend more time with the characters in their future. In-between a novella and a novel in length, A SIMPLE AMISH CHRISTMAS is a beautiful Christmas story that fits easily into a busy holiday season.