A Christmas Home

Sarah and Noah’s story was a wonderful tale of two people struggling with the restrictions placed upon them by their religious community and family needs in A Christmas Home by Marta Perry, book one in The Promise Glen series. After the death of her mother, Sarah Yoder spent ten years keeping house and raising her younger siblings, following the wanderlust of their father. When she returns home to Promise Glen she is ready to make a life of her own. Sarah’s new job is with her neighbor, Noah Raber’s furniture business. Noah is the single father of six-year old twin boys. His young wife ran away, abandoning their family, looking for an adventure. There is no divorce in the Amish community, so Noah is married, but not; single, but not; at loose ends. He needs Sarah’s assistance in organizing his business but acts resentful. The two clash over everything from the arrangement of the work space, how to reach new costumers, or how to raise his mischievous twin boys. Despite longing for her own home, Sarah is conflicted with her feelings toward this ready-made family and especially Noah. When these two are forced to work together on the Christmas pageant, their feelings grow; forcing them to avoid being alone. Sarah knows that loving Noah will not end with a happy ending, but with faith, love, some help from their close-knit community, and maybe some Christmas magic, there might yet be a Christmas home for them both. I felt sympathetic toward Sarah and Noah as both were in difficult spots. Noah was not a free man, able to pursue his interest in Sarah. As these two worked together, Noah recognized the strengths, kindness, and problem-solving skills that Sarah possessed; traits which made her perfect for him and his sons. Sarah wanted to be loved. Maybe more than that, needed to be loved and appreciated for who she was. Ms. Perry wrote a sweet love story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with emotions, attraction, chemistry, wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters in an interesting Amish community, all helping Sarah and Noah find a way to their own Christmas home. I highly recommend A Christmas Home to other readers and look forward to future books in this series. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

A Christmas Home by Marta Perry is the first book in The Promise Glen Series. I always enjoy reading books from Marta Perry who has a charming writing style and relatable characters. Sarah Yoder lost her mother when she was eighteen. She has three younger siblings which meant she had to take charge of the household and raise them as well as taking care of her father. Sarah’s three siblings are now happily married and settled so she can have a life for herself. She has chosen not to join her father on his latest move. Sarah has returned home to Promise Glen, Pennsylvania to live in the grossdaadi haus with her grandmother, Etta Miller. She obtains a bookkeeping position with Noah Raber and helps to promote his furniture business. Sarah tries to resist falling for Noah and his busy twin boys because Noah is married. His wife left when the kids were babies and divorce is not an option for Amish. Can you imagine being stuck in a marriage for the rest of your life after your spouse has deserted you? I liked the characters in A Christmas Home from the insightful Etta Miller to Noah’s active twin boys, Mark and Matthew. There is a wonderful community with thoughtful, caring people as well as those who gossip. The book is well-written with steady pacing. The author’s depictions allowed me to visualize the settings and the characters. I could feel the character’s emotions in this heartwarming Christmas story. I like Christmas stories because it is a time of year when people are in better spirits and it seems that anything can happen during this magical season. The phrase I wanted to share from A Christmas Home is “You can always trust God to take care of the details.” There are recipes at the end of the book along with Amish Christmas customs. A Christmas Home is a touching tale with busy boys, furniture making fundamentals, scheming friends, bookkeeping bedlam, and family Christmas traditions.