Bestselling Amish novelist Linda Byler spins a sweet tale of heartache, disappointment, and ultimately hopes fulfilled at Christmastime. Liz had been in love once, had even been engaged. In fact, the wedding had been planned, the barn cleaned, and the celery was set to be harvested to make the traditional wedding soup. Just two weeks before the day she was to exchange vows with her beloved, he … her beloved, he changed his mind, and that was that.
The humiliation was almost as bad as the heartbreak. The whole community had celebrated her engagement, had participated in the wedding planning, had started giving her advice on keeping a home and raising children. When the wedding was canceled, no one knew what to say. She had to bear the pitying looks and awkward glances for many months. She vowed never to be such a fool again, never to trust her heart to a man who could just up and leave her with hardly an explanation. She’d rather be an old maid than go through that again.
Years pass, and Liz has made peace with her life as a single woman, a “leftover blessing” as the Amish say. She can admit to herself that Matthew, the owner of the Amish restaurant at the market where she works, is handsome. And she is aware that he is single. But she reminds herself over and over that it’s not worth feeling anything for the man. He’s her boss and that’s it. So why does she look forward to work so much every day? And why can’t she make her heart beat at a normal pace when he comes near?
Linda Byler is beloved for her skillful story telling and true-to-life descriptions of Amish food, faith, and culture. As an Amish woman herself, she can share details of Amish life that few can replicate. In this charming novel, Byler shares intimate details of day-to-day life in an Amish community while spinning a sweet tale of love and hopes fulfilled at Christmastime.
more
Liz is a young woman, she works as a cook in a restaurant in the market, she is single.
“All was not lost, not at all, neither was anything promised. The realization that nothing is over promised, but the fact that we live by faith was the most astoonding thing.”
Sometimes the future deserves good news to people, you must pray, hope and think well.
Amish books, like this, to the readers have the power to relax, feel good and loved by God. thanks.
A Christmas Engagement: An Amish Romance by Linda Byler is a quick, easy to read Amish Christmas romance. It has family, friendship, second chances, forgiveness, and romance.
I do think the story had quite a few stretched out portions.
I was given an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
A Christmas Engagement by Linda Byler has Liz planning on staying single the rest of her life after being disappointed in love. She cannot handle going through the heartbreak again. The restaurant where Liz works is purchased by Matthew who exasperates Liz. At the same time, Liz finds him handsome and attractive. When Matthew asks Liz out, will she say yes and risk her heart once again? A Christmas Engagement contains good writing, and we get to see inside Amish life. I like that there are comparisons between how the Amish have done things and how the current generation prefers to do them. I did feel that the characters lacked development. We are introduced to Liz with only a first name. The book is of the length (240 pages) that I wanted to know more about the characters and the setting. The books pacing fluctuated. I found it slow going at times especially when Liz was thinking about how she was betrayed by Ray, whether she can love again, and other such thoughts. There is also a repetition of information and predictable nature to the tale. A Christmas Engagement is a sweet story, but it needed a more depth. The Christmas element is not as expansive as I had hoped for a book with Christmas in the title. I did enjoy the Christian elements in the story. My favorite message is that we are never alone as long as we have God in our life. If you are looking to escape from everyday life, then The Christmas Engagement fits the bill. The Christmas Engagement is a subdued Amish novel with an energetic eatery, a hurt heart, a massive wedding, a profusion of food, and the magic of Christmas.
The author is an active Amish member and writes Amish fiction and romance. Her novels don’t have the finesse of Beverly Lewis or Wanda Brunstetter but they are just as good. They feel authentic.
I read an interesting article the other day that mentioned she writes them long hand and mails the notebooks to her editor. They type them up as is and make very few changes.
A Christmas Engagement is a sweet, quick read. Perfect for a quiet night by the fire with a cup of tea or cocoa to get you in the Christmas spirit.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Good Book, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
A Touching Story
I have always thoroughly enjoyed each of Linda Byler’s stories, and A Christmas Engagement is no exception to that rule.
Main characters, Liz and Matthew, have each had their share of heartache from past relationships, making it somewhat difficult for them to trust and love again. As they work through this, they focus on their faith and God’s will to help them move forward. While the journey has some bumps in the road, they remain steadfast in their faith and God’s will.
I found this story to be inspirational, funny, romantic, and touching which made it a very enjoyable read. I also love how author Linda Byler includes pieces of Amish culture which help draw the reader in and give the reader more insight. I especially enjoy the faith message that is an integral part of the story. She has a special talent for adding all of these components in such a way that is not overwhelming and does not overshadow the main characters’ story. Those details are what make A Christmas Engagement a very moving and touching story that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
***I received a complimentary arc copy of this book from the Author and Publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is an Amish Fiction book that is actually written by an Amish author. By that I mean she is still living in the Amish faith. I have always been very curious about the Amish and their lifestyle. Linda Byler had added nuggets of gold to this story, about the Amish lifestyle, for readers like me. I have read the first book that introduced readers to a very young Lizzie so I enjoyed this book that bought me up to date on an older Liz. I thought the characters were realistic and the author is truthful in this book when she gives her Amish characters good and bad personalities. I was drawn into the story and loved it.
Liz Byler was engaged to be married to Ray three years ago but he broke her heart when he called off the engagement one month before the wedding date. He wasted no time in dating Liz’s best friend and then marrying her. Liz has guarded her heart for the past three years to protect herself from being hurt again. When her new boss Matthew Zook shows interest and wants to spend time with her Liz struggles with trusting him or any man for that matter.
Matthew Zook is very handsome but Liz is very insecure and doesn’t want to open her heart only to be hurt again. All the women at work flirt with Matthew and he seems to enjoy it. Wouldn’t it be best to just stop seeing him and go back to being just single Liz?
I recommend this book to readers of Amish Fiction. It can be read as a stand alone.
I received a complimentary arc copy of this book from the Author and Publisher through Netgalley. A favorable review was not requested. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.