The first installment of Amy Clipston’s bestselling Amish Marketplace series! Cakes, pies, and a tender romance await you in The Bake Shop.
Christiana Kurtz loves to bake, but when her bake stand becomes too busy, her mother encourages her to move her business to the local market. Her new bake shop is an instant success, but it becomes so inundated with customers that the line blocks the leather and woodcraft shop next door. The shop’s owner, Jeff Stoltzfus, catches Christiana’s attention at first glance with his dark brown eyes and sad expression, and she longs to know more about him.
After a series of mishaps and Jeff’s complaints that her stand is driving away his business due to the lines, their relationship begins rockily. Drawn to each other despite themselves, Jeff and Christiana forge a friendship that begins to deepen, and Jeff slowly begins to trust her with the painful secrets of his past.
When Christiana’s father makes a surprise visit to the market, he is upset to find that Jeff uses the building’s electricity to personalize his items. He tells Christiana that Jeff is too modern for her, and she’s forbidden from dating him. Christiana is crushed, but she knows she must obey her father.
When Jeff’s shop catches fire one day, he puts the entire market in jeopardy—including Christiana’s bake shop, but she can’t deny how she feels about him despite his mistakes. Though the odds are against them, can the two young people find a way to rebuild both their businesses and their relationship?
Sweet, inspirational Amish romance
Full-length novel (85,000 words)
First book in Amy Clipston’s Amish Marketplace series
Fans of Amish fiction are going to love Amy Clipston’s latest, THE BAKE SHOP. It’s filled with warm and cozy moments as Jeff and Christiana find their way from strangers to friendship to love.
Sweet, wholesome Amish fiction. Amy Clipston crafts her characters well letting you know why they act as they do.
I loved this book! I didn’t want to put it down, but I didn’t want it to end.
I liked that Christiana was independent and had a bake shop which she moved to the market. I loved her relationship with her cousins and the supportive relationship she had with her sister. There was a scene where her cousins were lovingly pointing out that perhaps Christiana was not offering Jeff enough grace and that she had a history of making judgements and not offering grace. I thought this was a great scene!
I thought the book was fast-paced. I liked how Christiana and Jeff had to work out the issues of their marketplace stands as well as why Jeff was reacting to Christiana in a certain way. I enjoyed watching their friendship grow. I liked the support that Jeff’s family and best friend gave him as well as the “I’ve got your back” support that Christiana’s sister gave her.
I thought it was sweet how their friendship blossomed into more. There were issues with Christiana’s father and I wasn’t sure how they were going to be resolved which was another layer that kept me turning the pages.
I really liked this story for the glimpses into the lives of the Amish characters. The writing was simplistic, but that further reminded me that these characters are living in a more simple world. I kept reading the story because of the traditional family values, and the relationships shared by the female cousins…they were very caring towards one another, and it reminded me of my younger self with my own cousins!
I’m a little late in reading this newest beginning to An Amish Marketplace series, but it means I don’t have to wait long for book two to be released and that is good news as I’m anxious to read more. I love these characters and feel such empathy for Christiana having such an overbearing father. This is a story of hope and relying on God to work all things out for our good even when we can not see how it will happen. I love the marketplace and the different sights and smells that are described in a way that make you feel like you are there. A good solid book of family, faith, friendships, and falling in love. I want to grab a cup of flavored coffee and sit in the Coffee Corner and get to know these characters more.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
I just finished The Bake Shop (An Amish Marketplace Novel Book 1) by Amy Clipston . For this book I listened to the audio book version and I really loved the book and the story. This is the tale of an Amish lady who moves her bakery from a road stand to a small mall. She meets Jeff, who has had some past heartache. They slowly grow fond of each other, but the path is troubled by a disapproving Amish father. This is a sweet and fast read. I highly recommend this entertaining and clean Amish romance.
Kind of slow, but has a twist.
Good story and good characters. Very enjoyable.
One word to describe this book, Heartwarming! I just loved this story of two people trying their best to come together through obstacles of heart ache and family. I just loved “Daisy” the cat, she was a bit character but brought joy to everyone she met, she never met a food dish she didn’t like! Thank You Amy Clipston for such a great story and I can not wait for the next one!
The Bake Shop was a nice start to The Amish Marketplace series. The main characters definitely struggled with communicating with each other and making assumptions for awhile. But, once they figured out how to communicate, I really enjoyed watching as they began to fall for each other.
It was difficult to read about how strict and unyielding Christiana’s father was regarding decisions that he made. His unwillingness to listen or change his mind about things created problems for Jeff and Christiana. This was a good story and I think that fans of Amish fiction will be happy for the start of this new series, set at a local Amish market, which I found to be a very interesting setting.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
A warm, delicious read that will leave you full of love. The story between Christiana and Jeffrey is romantic but like all relationships there is strife. I admire their persistence to keep believing all will work out.
The only complaint and it is not a big one: I wish there were recipes for Christiana’s yummy bakery items. Clipston makes them come to life.
I’m excited about this new series and am already counting down the months to book two.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Zondervan, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
The Amish Bakeshop by Amy Clipston
I always look forward to getting to read Amy Clipston’s books, so when I got this one, I couldn’t wait to dive into it. This is the first book in this author’s new Amish Marketplace series. It was a very enjoyable story that centered around forgiveness and love. The characters and their problems were so relatable it was easy to get caught up in their story. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the author, but was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of this book.
Fans who enjoy Amy Clipston’s Amish romances will continue to love them after reading The Bake Shop. It is a story of seeking freedom to spread your wings and finding love after facing great rejection. Christiana Kurtz is twenty-five and unmarried and she has become known for her delicious desserts. In fact, her success is making it difficult to operate out of the little bake stand next to her home that she shares with her parents and family in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. When she gets the chance to open a little Amish bake shop in the local marketplace she believes that she’s found her solution.
What she doesn’t foresee, however, is her father’s strong opposition to her ‘English’ landlord and that next door there is another business owner who will soon become very important to her. As her feelings deepen for the leather shop owner, she realizes that Jeffrey Stoltzfus has been badly hurt and he is very reluctant to open his heart to love again. Christiana also faces the objections from her father about Jeff’s use of electricity in his business. Old Order Amish have a strict rule about modern conveniences and Mr. Kurtz vehemently objects to any relationship between his daughter and this Amish man with his ‘modern ways’.
The Bake Shop has family drama, many references to the rules and beliefs of the Amish culture, and best of all, sweet romance. The Bake Shop is the first novel in the new Amish Marketplace series and I heartily recommend this book to those who enjoy Christian fiction and Amish romance.
I received a complimentary copy from the author but I wasn’t obligated to post a positive review. These are my own opinions.
Good story about love, friendship, and forgiveness. Christiana is a wonderful baker and runs a bake stand from her family’s home. It is such a success that it nearly takes over her entire life and that of her family. When customers start knocking on her door at all hours of the day and evening, Christiana’s mother suggests that she look at opening a booth at the local farmer’s market. Her two cousins, who also have shops there, are all for the idea, but Christiana’s father worries that being around so many Englischers will pull her away from the Amish faith. With a great deal of effort, Christiana convinces her father to give her a chance. She’s excited for the opportunity to grow her business, and with the market only open three days a week, she may have enough free time for a social life too.
Her first day gets off to a rough start when she collides with a young Amish man, spilling his coffee on him. Jeffrey doesn’t react well, and both are dismayed when they realize that their shops are next door to each other. The situation becomes even more contentious when the lines to her shop block the entrance to his. There are some harsh words spoken between them, as neither wants to admit to being the problem. Cooler heads encourage Christiana and Jeffrey to talk through the issue and find a compromise.
I found both Christiana and Jeffrey a little on the stubborn side. Christiana seems to be quick to judge and slow to forgive, something unusual in Amish books. She doesn’t seem to like to admit when she is wrong and digs in her heels. Jeffrey started his wood and leather business as a new beginning after a huge disappointment. He is low in self-confidence in his abilities but blames Christiana’s shop for his lack of sales. But under the antagonism are sparks of interest. Unfortunately, Jeffrey’s heart was broken when his fiancée left him for another man, and he is reluctant to trust his heart to another. Christiana falls foul of his distrust several times, causing her to pull away from any interest she might have in him.
Slowly, Christiana notices that there is more to Jeffrey than his attitude and becomes curious about the sadness she senses in him. With patience on her part, they become friends, sharing lunches and laughs. Jeff’s depression begins to lift a little, but the past continues to haunt him. Christiana works hard to show him that she can be trusted. But just as each begins to think that there could be something more between them, Christiana’s father discovers that Jeffrey uses electricity in his shop. Furious, and convinced it’s just the first step on the road to leaving the Faith, he forbids Christiana from spending any more time with Jeffrey. Both are heartbroken.
I ached for both Christiana and Jeffrey, as it looked like they would be separated for good. I was also angry at Christiana’s father for his refusal to listen to either of them. I became a little more sympathetic to him after Christiana’s conversation with her grandmother, but I wasn’t sure if he would ever let go of his fear and anger. I loved Jeffrey’s determination to find a way to reach him and make him understand his intentions and the depth of his faith. A near tragedy almost ends Jeffrey’s hopes altogether, but love wins the day. I loved the way things worked out and what finally brought Christiana and Jeffrey back together.
Another great book from Amy Clipston
The Bake Shop is the exciting first book in the author’s new Amish Marketplace series.
I always know when I pick up an Amy Clipston book I will enjoy it.
Her stories have likable, realistic characters and well plotted stories.
This one taking place in Lancaster County is full of lush descriptions make you want to pack up and drive to Amish country try to find this bake shop. No one bakes like Christiana Kurtz, she can’t keep up with her customers demands at her home stand and is thrilled at the offer of opening at bigger stand at the Amish Market Place.
The meeting of her neighbor at the Market Place gets off to a rocky start as she meets Jeffrey Stoltzfus.
He’s in the next stall over with his leather shop.
This is a man who’s gone through a lot of hurt through his ex-fiancee and he has about given up on finding God’s chosen mate for himself.
Christiana’s father is ultra conservative past the point of what the bishop is even. As we read we come to realize why this deeply religious man is this way.
The path getting from here to there is not an easy one and there are many struggles along the way as this couple look for a way to commit to a lasting love.
Once I started I read it almost the whole way through in one sitting, it’s just that good!
Published November 5th 2019 by Zondervan
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
The Bake Shop, by Amy Clipston, is the first book in the Amish Marketplace series. With a delightful setting, endearing characters, and an engaging story this novel is entertaining, touching, and full of heart.
Whether offering specialty coffee drinks, baked goods, quilts, or handmade leather and wooden items, the booths at the local market are a remarkably special setting for the story that unfolds in The Bake Shop. In and around the booths, friendships are formed, dreams are nurtured, and romance finds a space to bloom. This distinctive setting offers the characters a place to display their talents, laugh with one another, and persevere through uncertainties.
And as they work in their booths, the characters within this novel reveal themselves to be authentic, vulnerable, and utterly relatable. They demonstrate courage and patience as they strive to overcome their struggles, pursue their goals, and develop their faith. Themes of obedience, forgiveness, and family resonate as the characters grow and mature by facing tough choices and overcoming personal losses, doubts, and fears. And as the characters press on, the light of God’s grace and mercy shines through with hope, redemption, and restoration.
The Bake Shop is certainly an enjoyable novel. The elements of grace, forgiveness, and faith that are included throughout the story ensure that it is very encouraging and edifying. Its genuine friendships, appealing characters, and memorable setting blend together to create a moving and uplifting reading experience offering just the right combination of struggle, romance, and charm. A satisfying story from beginning to end, I recommend it to all readers.
*I was given a copy of this novel from the author. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
Author Amy Clipston begins a new series with this book. An Amish Marketplace is sure to be a winning series for those who enjoy Amish fiction, as Clipston has become one of the premier authors of this genre.
Well developed characters, with flaws and insecurities, make this story very believable. Threads of forgiveness, and learning to trust God are throughout the book, reminding us of what is really important in life. Christiana’s struggle for independence from a strict father added a very human side to this sweet story.
I think if I had one “complaint” it was that there was a bit too much rehashing of tales between the characters, making the story slow down at some points. But it was definitely worth sticking with and I look forward to book two.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
I’ve read a lot of this author’s works over the years, and they never fail to be a pick me up for me. This book was no exception to that! The story was quick and engaging, but with an interesting story from the past.
I liked the really slow simmer of this relationship! It had a bit of an enemies to lovers vibe at first, but it made the actual blossoming of the relationship that much sweeter to see! I found Jeff a little too quick to anger, though, and he sometimes came off as too indecisive when it came to actually being in a relationship because of his past hurts. I did like how Christiana kept trying to fight for what she wanted, despite the confines of her faith.
I’m eager to see where this series heads next!
The Bake Shop by Amy Clipston is an easy to read Amish romance. I am a huge fan of Clipston and this story did not disappoint.
The love of family shows through, as does the daily problems that life deals not only the English, but also the Amish.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.