What a wonderful-gut read! This enchanting holiday romance by Shelley Shephard Gray is like a wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of hot chocolate on a snowy day. It gives The Family Stone vibes, but make it Amish and add a Christmas market element.

The story is about Wesley, said Christmas Market manager, and Liesl who are courting seriously but he hasn’t popped the question yet. There always seems to be an excuse and he distracts himself by constantly overworking (though in his defense; his Dad did seem pretty harsh, so I kind of get it.)

To get him to work less and pay more attention to her; Liesl invites her Aunt Jenny to come help for the holiday season. She agrees because she’s sad over a failed engagement and could use the time away. When she arrives at the store cue Wesley in shock. He didn’t expect Aunt Jenny to be so young—around his age—and definitely not so beautiful, Then once he sees her customer service skills in action, he’s a goner. At first I thought this was far fetched until I got to Ch 31. Apparently I have a new kink and it’s ethically selling handmade desks at fair and equitable prices because dang. I get it now Wesley.

Meanwhile Liesl is helping out this widower and his daughter who have both won over her heart. It’s quickly clear the wrong couples are paired up and you find yourself rooting for them to figure it out and switch up.

Overall, a delightful read that’s perfect for newbie Amish romance fans looking for a holiday story..

Wesley, an Amish man in his mid-twenties, is preparing for his hardest Christmas season yet. After his father's heart surgery and decision to spend the recovery time out of town, Wesley has been left to run the family Amish market alone.

Already seen as dragging his feet in his long-term courtship with Liesl, she offers a solution: her Aunt Jenny can come into town and work for him over the holidays! But Jenny is not what he expects and soon both Wesley and Liesl have some big decisions to make about each other, and their futures.

This was a sweet story with a fun ending which I read all in one day! I enjoyed the Amish setting and the use of Amish language to give the book some authenticity. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of the recipe for the infamous Cincinnati chilli! I wish I had read this prior to Christmas as its the perfect holiday read.

Thank you again to the author Shelley Shepard Grey, Hallmark Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Ah i love me a christmas novel! The perfect heartmelting story that really put me in the christmas feels. Christmas at the Amish market feels like a warm hug from your grandma by the fire.

First of all, the cover is absolutley goregus. Hallmark publishing always have stunning covers but this one might really be my favorite. It perfectly catches the cozy vibe of the book and it really does stand out. I hope more of the authors amish books will get a newer cover like this one, it really makes the book appealing to a different and younger audience. Making it a cute read for not only female adults but younger female adults in their 20s.

Liesl can rub you off the wrong way at the beginning of the story, As the story progress you really see her changing into a beautiful woman.

This book is gonna be perfect for all lovers of amish fiction. I always love Shelley Sheperd Greys books and this one was just as good. If one loves Hallmark movies one is guaranteed to love this one.

Thank you for giving me this Arc! It was an amazing christmas book that really put me in the right cozy mood over the holidays <3

Christmas at the Amish Market by Shelley Shepard Gray: I loved it! As always, Gray does a great job. Her characters make you smile and laugh. I always get emotionally vested and this was no different. You should definitely grab a copy and curl up with it as soon as possible! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers! I’m ready for more!

This was a wonderful story. I loved how each one is trying to do the “right” thing, but in the end they follow their hearts and a perfect ending. I was provided a copy by Netgalley but the opinion is mine.

CHRISTMAS AT THE AMISH MARKET is the story of Wesley Raber who is left to run his family market. Wesley is an Amish man who is in over his head, running the market on his own. His family is all away and he is drowning. Liesl, his long time girlfriend suggests her Aunt Jenny can come and help Wesley with the market. Wesley should have proposed to Liesl years ago, but something always held him back from asking. Anyway, Wesley is expecting an older woman, so when she shows up, Wesley is shocked at how young and beautiful she is. I have been reading Shelley’s books for years and CHRISTMAS AT THE AMISH MARKET is now one of my very favorites by her.

Shelley Shepard Gray sure knows how to make the reader feel as if they are right there in the back office with these two, with all their troubles and CHRISTMAS AT THE AMISH MARKET is exactly that! She made me sad, then the next moment I was smiling and giggling out loud! You can never go wrong with a Shelley Shepard Gray book if you are a fan of the Christian fiction genre. All of her characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again. You will also wonder how much heartache someone can stand before they completely break down and fall apart. Wesley needs to learn how to court a woman. He is so focused on running the store, it is basically his life. He is so focused on the store, he doesn’t see what is right in front of him.

CHRISTMAS AT THE AMISH MARKET is a heart tugging story filled with patience, loneliness, heartbreak, and love that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once I started this heartwarming story, it was very hard to put down! I really prayed that Wesley would be able to convince Jenny that she was ready to move forward with her feelings for him and that she deserved to be loved and cherished. Shelley Shepard Gray isn’t afraid to write about subjects out of the norm as far as the Christian Fiction genre goes. Oh, as a warning to the reader, keep the tissues handy and do not read the ending in a public place unless you don’t mind crying in front of strangers! I’m so excited to continue catching up on all of Shelley Shepard Gray’s previous books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hallmark Publishing through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love Christmas and Christmas romance. This was a sweet romance set at my favorite time of year. The characters were relatable, and the descriptions made you want to be there.

Christmas at the Amish Market

by Shelley Shepard Gray

Sometimes we forget how stressful being a shopkeeper in the month of December can be. There is no exception for Amish merchants as many customers seek out their wares for unique, special gifts. Wesley Raber has been working at his family’s large Amish market since he was a boy. As a young man he gradually took over most of the operation, but he had never tried to handle it alone until his father had a heart attack.

Jenny, who has a month-long break from her job as a nanny, is called in to help at the market. She stays with Liesl who is actually her niece although they are close to the same age. Wesley has been courting a frustrated Liesl for many years but has never proposed. Liesl is an expert seamstress and through her work has met the widower Roland and his four year old daughter Lilly.

Since Christmas at the Amish Market is a Hallmark book, you can guess where the plot is headed, but as always it is fun to learn more about the characters and their struggles, experience the ups and downs of their lives, and watch as romance develops in a very proper Amish way. The Pinery is a Christmas event center that plays an important role in the story. It attracts tourists and locals to view the magical light displays, sample delicious food and drinks, and get lost in a tree maze.

“For sure and for certain,” Christmas at the Amish Market is a fun holiday read with a quiet Amish background showing people trusting God and seeking his guidance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Romance, Religion, Christian

Notes: The book includes a recipe for Cincinnati-style chili. It is served in an unexpected way, and the reason it is a Christmas Eve tradition for Liesl’s family is shared in the story.

Publication: November 8, 2022—Hallmark Publishing

Memorable Lines:

…while Wesley was kind and sweet to her, he didn’t exactly have as much passion for life—or for her—as she might have imagined. He was more the steady, plow horse type of man. He clip-clopped along at a steady pace but never exactly did anything flashy.

He was currently in between a rock and a hard place with a side of torrential rain added into the mix. It was the holiday season, and he had a slew of customers needing to be served and two parents who were depending on him to not let them down.

“You know as well as I do that our Lord is in charge. Everything happens in His own way and in the right time. Doesn’t do any good to second-guess accidents and whatnots.”

In Ohio Amish country, love is everywhere in December. Wesley, who is courting, Liesl, is running his family market solo while his father recuperates from a recent health issue. Liesl brings her young aunt in to help Wesley, while she helps widower Roland and his 5-year-old daughter. I could see the ending a mile off, but the writing is charming and fun to read. Thanks to NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for providing an ARC.

Christmas is my favorite time of year. This time is magical. The characters are loveable and the cover is gorgeous. It's a beautiful romance. I like reading Amish books.

What a charming story and I adore the cover! I'd love to add Amish Christmas books by [author:Shelley Shepard Gray|1271571] to my Christmas reading list!🎄💓

This story centers around Wesley Raber of Raber's Amish Market in Walden, Ohio. The store is especially busy in December and with his father recovering from a health scare, Wesley is busy running the family business with little time for Liesl his girlfriend. Liesl asked her aunt Jenny to help at the market and Jenny happily agrees so she can take her mind off of her recent breakup.

Uh oh, sparks start flying between Wesley and Jenny! But Wesley and Liesl have been together for a long time and people think they're a perfect couple.

At first, Liesl bugged me a little bit. I felt she was somewhat self-centered and annoying, but I come to like her as much as the rest of the cast. "Christmas at the Amish Market" is a story about family, tradition, love, faith, and the spirit of Christmas. This is a pleasant and clean holiday romance with Cincinnati Chili recipe at the end of the book.

Thank you Hallmark Publishing and Netgalley for this DRC.

I love these Amish tales. Full of simple feel good stories and Christmas cheer. A real treat for the holidays.

Wesley has been courting Liesl for several years but has yet to ask her to marry him. While Liesl is waiting for Wesley to propose, she helps a recent widower and his daughter and realizes she has romantic feelings for him. To be able to spend more time with Wesley, Liesl asks her aunt to come help at his family store. During her time there, Aunt Jenny develops romantic feelings for her niece's man.

I enjoyed this book a lot, even though I have questions about its rationale. I do not know a lot about the Amish community, but I had always been under the impression that loyalty, religion, duty and respect were more a part of the culture than basic American thinking. With my thinking, I am unsure if the main characters would realize their true loves versus their duty and seeming wishes of their parents. As stated before, I do not know much about Amish culture and could totally be off base. Either way, I did like this book a great deal.

Thank you to Shelley Shepard Gray, NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for allowing me to read this eBook for free.

Christmas At The Amish Market by Shelley Shepard Gray

Wesley is busy running the family store and doesn’t have time for his girlfriend; meanwhile a new lady comes to help him in the store and he is thrilled.

This was a very enjoyable Christmas romance. The characters were great. Nice to get a look at the Amish community. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for review.

This is a charming love story about falling in love with the person that compliments you most. The characters are charming as the reader watches them grow through the trials of life and the struggles of relationships. I loved the happy ending that tied up all the story's loose ends.

I listened to the audiobook as well. The narrator had lots of inflection in their voice when they read the story, but had little voice differentiation for the characters' dialogue. I would give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for the ARC and the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

An Amish Christmas Story
"Christmas at the Amish Market" was written by Shelley Shepard Gray and published by Hallmark Publishing. Wesley Raver's father had a heart attack. As a consequence Wesley spends all of his energy running the Amish Market and does not have time for Liesl Fisher whom he has been courting for quite some time. Liesl suggests that her aunt Jenny Kurtz could help him but ignores to mention the fact that Jenny is only twenty-six years old. Jenny develops feelings for Wesley but feels guilty because of his relationship with Liesl. But then there is also Roland Hochstetler with his daughter Lilly. Liesl took care of Roland's wife before she passed away from cancer. Lilly and Liesl became attached to one another. The big question is: What will happen to all this relationships with their complications?
This was the first book by this author that I read. I enjoyed the facts that it dealt with romance and faith, I enjoyed its believable characters who have their faults and challenges. The book comes also with an original Hallmark recipe for Cincinnati-Style Chili. I highly recommend it to readers who like clean Amish romances that play at Christmas time.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#ChristmasAtTheAmishMarket #Netgalley

Shelley Shepard Gray's latest title, Christmas at the Amish Market, takes us into the busy world of storekeeper Wesley as he tries to balance his family's shop at Christmas time along with the needs of his longterm girlfriend, Liesl. With his father sick, Wesley must take charge of the shop during the busiest time of the year, while also feeling the pressure from his parents. Girlfriend Liesl comes up with a plan to have her aunt come help during the holidays. Complications, however, arise when Wesley realizes the aunt, Jenny, is around his own age and he begins to develop feelings for her. And that's not the only new romance that's budding. Christmas at the Amish Market is all about love, relationships, and being honest with one's self.

Over the years, I've had my ups and downs with Gray's novels. This one was an up. She took great care in developing the characters and relationships in this book in a way that makes them all enduring. Liesl was my least favorite character, but even in her selfishness, we're able to see a young woman who is still finding herself and striving to be better. The storyline of the book was realistic and highlighted the tension that we all face in balancing commitments and relationships. And while the romances became complicated at times, the characters still acted with integrity. Shelley Shepard Gray did a good job of crafting an engaging story while keeping the characters honest. This title makes for an enjoyable seasonal read.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Christmas at the Amish Market by Shelley Shepard Gray is a very special and happy Christmas book. It takes you away for a pleasing escape from all the rush.

I've read and enjoyed many, many books by this author. While this wasn't my favorite, it has a cozy feel to it, and the characters are well developed. Liesl was a bit hard to like at times, as she came across as self-centered, yet at other times she was quite considerate of others. The biggest discrepancy came with how she treated community members vs. Wesley. I enjoyed Wesley more than Lisel. The pace was a bit slow, but that's not totally uncommon with Amish-themed stories. I was surprised by the amount of emotional cheating that was included, as it's not what I'm used to reading with this genre or for a holiday-themed story. If you're looking for a quick holiday read, this is one to consider.

Christmas at the Amish Market is a very well written romance. Fast paced Christmas read. I recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.