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An Amish Christmas
Meg Hobart has a happy marriage to a handsome, successful husband, a beautiful home in Charlotte, North Carolina, and three wonderful children. But it all comes crashing down around her the day she learns that her husband, James, has been living a lie—and has brought the family to financial ruin. Penniless and homeless, the Hobarts pack up what little they still possess and leave behind their golden life for good. But it’s not the material things Meg finds herself mourning. Instead, she misses the certainty that she should remain married to James, who has betrayed her trust so thoughtlessly. Worse, she is suddenly very aware of just how spoiled her children have become. Meg wonders what her family has really sacrificed in their pursuit of the American dream.
A frightening twist of fate forces the Hobarts to take refuge with a kind Amish family in Pennsylvania, where they find themselves in a home with no computers, no cell phones, nothing the children consider fashionable or fun. Her uncooperative brood confined to the Amish world of hard work and tradition, their futures entirely uncertain, Meg fears she can never make her family whole again.
Celebrating life’s simplest but most essential values, packed with laughter and tears, this is a story of forgiveness and the power of love. You will never forget the special moment in time that is An Amish Christmas .
A frightening twist of fate forces the Hobarts to take refuge with a kind Amish family in Pennsylvania, where they find themselves in a home with no computers, no cell phones, nothing the children consider fashionable or fun. Her uncooperative brood confined to the Amish world of hard work and tradition, their futures entirely uncertain, Meg fears she can never make her family whole again.
Celebrating life’s simplest but most essential values, packed with laughter and tears, this is a story of forgiveness and the power of love. You will never forget the special moment in time that is An Amish Christmas .
239 pages, Hardcover
First published October 26, 2010
257 people are currently reading
1456 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
November 25, 2021
Digital audiobook narrated by Cassandra Campbell
2.5** rounded up
A family living the American dream in North Carolina discovers they’ve lost everything. With little more than the clothes on their backs, they head for a family’s home in Maine, only to crash their car in the midst of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Meg, the mom in this middle-class family, is a well-organized, suburban housewife, who loves to entertain, and is completely caught off guard when her husband, James, reveals he’s been out of work for four months. She’s upset by the family’s financial circumstances, of course, but more, she’s afraid she will never trust her husband again. And she is suddenly aware of how spoiled and bratty her kids are.
But the family’s enforced stay with an Amish family while their car is being repaired opens everyone’s eyes to what is really important in life: stability, family, teamwork, good neighbors, faith, kindness, good manners, and love.
It’s a sweet, and somewhat sappy, holiday story.
Cassandra Campbell is one of my favorite narrators. She does a fine job of voicing the large cast of characters.
2.5** rounded up
A family living the American dream in North Carolina discovers they’ve lost everything. With little more than the clothes on their backs, they head for a family’s home in Maine, only to crash their car in the midst of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Meg, the mom in this middle-class family, is a well-organized, suburban housewife, who loves to entertain, and is completely caught off guard when her husband, James, reveals he’s been out of work for four months. She’s upset by the family’s financial circumstances, of course, but more, she’s afraid she will never trust her husband again. And she is suddenly aware of how spoiled and bratty her kids are.
But the family’s enforced stay with an Amish family while their car is being repaired opens everyone’s eyes to what is really important in life: stability, family, teamwork, good neighbors, faith, kindness, good manners, and love.
It’s a sweet, and somewhat sappy, holiday story.
Cassandra Campbell is one of my favorite narrators. She does a fine job of voicing the large cast of characters.
December 23, 2013
It's always fun reading/listening to a Christmas book in December. This was pretty cheesy, though. I cracked up when she first meets the Amish father (at the scene of their car accident) and after he says four or five words she narrates, "The man's accent was a mixture of Dutch and German." hahaha That's some pretty astute linguistic deduction there, after a handful of words.
I also laughed when she makes an impassioned speech to her ill-mannered children, beginning with this part: Kid: "These people are really lame, mom." Mom: "No kids. YOU'RE the ones who are lame." and it goes on from there. Maybe that part was particularly funny because of the way the audiobook actor chose to read it, but it came off like the climactic moment of a Disney movie, where the protagonist tells off the bully. I couldn't help but laugh, especially since she was saying it to her own kids. The dialog in the whole book was so-so, but the character development was nonexistent. The kids in the family are detestably rude and mean, treating each other horribly and making fun of others (and getting no rebuke from their parents until The Speech), but then they suddenly turn good because of the influence of the perfect (and I mean PERFECT) Amish people. All this in one week. haha If I were sitting across from Ann (my sister), I would tell her about other funny parts, but I think I've said enough here.
Seriously, are there any decent Christmas books out there? If yes, I want to hear about them. I like the idea of Christmas books, but the truth is that they usually pretty much stink.
I also laughed when she makes an impassioned speech to her ill-mannered children, beginning with this part: Kid: "These people are really lame, mom." Mom: "No kids. YOU'RE the ones who are lame." and it goes on from there. Maybe that part was particularly funny because of the way the audiobook actor chose to read it, but it came off like the climactic moment of a Disney movie, where the protagonist tells off the bully. I couldn't help but laugh, especially since she was saying it to her own kids. The dialog in the whole book was so-so, but the character development was nonexistent. The kids in the family are detestably rude and mean, treating each other horribly and making fun of others (and getting no rebuke from their parents until The Speech), but then they suddenly turn good because of the influence of the perfect (and I mean PERFECT) Amish people. All this in one week. haha If I were sitting across from Ann (my sister), I would tell her about other funny parts, but I think I've said enough here.
Seriously, are there any decent Christmas books out there? If yes, I want to hear about them. I like the idea of Christmas books, but the truth is that they usually pretty much stink.
December 21, 2021
3.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Cute read - I always try to read a Christmas or Holiday themed book at this time of year. This story does take place around Christmas time, but what it really focuses on is the consumerism that modern day society has adopted & the impacts this can have on families.
It’s a story of moving passed assumptions & judgement - kindness of strangers & new friendships forming.
If you’re looking for an easy read before the holidays check this one out
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Cute read - I always try to read a Christmas or Holiday themed book at this time of year. This story does take place around Christmas time, but what it really focuses on is the consumerism that modern day society has adopted & the impacts this can have on families.
It’s a story of moving passed assumptions & judgement - kindness of strangers & new friendships forming.
If you’re looking for an easy read before the holidays check this one out
December 12, 2012
RATING: 4.5 OUT OF 5 - EXCELLENT
PROS: Reminder of what is truly important in life; situation is sure to be relevant to many readers who are struggling in today’s economy
CONS: Amish seem a bit too perfect
An Amish Christmas focuses on Meg Hobart’s family, who would appear to have the perfect life to any outsider. But Meg wishes that her husband would spend less time at work and more time with their family, and that her children would show more appreciation for all the work she puts into making their home a happy and comfortable place. Her life is full of endless to-do lists and keeping up with the latest gadgets that her kids simply must have in order to make their lives complete. But all of this is ripped away from her when her husband reveals that he has lost his job and made a bad investment with their life savings. The Hobarts are forced to sell their home and most of their belongings, and make the hard to decision to move in with Meg’s parents and help them run their shop. Meg’s parents never approved of her lifestyle, and she knows the transition won’t be easy. But matters are made worse when their car crashes en-route to her parents’ home, nearly missing an Amish buggy. The owner of the buggy, Daniel Lutz, is relieved that neither party is hurt, and insists on letting the Hobart family share his family home until their car can be repaired. Meg doesn’t think her family can ever cope without electricity and settle into a simpler life, even for the week or two that it takes repairs to be made on their car. But as they get to know the Lutz family, Meg and her family find an appreciation for the slow-paced life that the Amish live, and realise that in attempting to keep up with the pace of the outside world, they’ve forgotten about so many of the things that truly matter in life. Is this the push they need to get back on their feet and recover from their financial losses?
This was actually my second reading of An Amish Christmas, having discussed it with my online book group last December. I think I appreciated this book more on my second reading, as a married woman who is attempting to balance studying, working and housekeeping. I could relate to Meg’s desire to tackle everything on her to-do list and provide the perfect home for her family, while worrying about the instability of the current financial climate. What I loved about this book is that, although Meg came to respect her new Amish friends and learnt many lessons from them, she never wanted to become Amish. There are so many things I appreciate about the Amish – their tight-knit community where everyone helps each other in times of trouble, their humility, the way they raise their children to take on responsibility at a young age – but I know I could never become Amish. My job requires me to have access to the internet, I enjoy wearing clothes that make me stand out from my peers, and I have an egalitarian marriage. As much as I’ve enjoyed reading novels in which Englishers have converted to the Amish faith, it’s refreshing to read a book in which a family learns some valuable lessons from the Amish which they can apply to their own lives without having to give up electricity or start wearing kapps. I will admit that the Amish characters in this novella felt a bit too perfect at times, including the older brother who had been away on his rumspringe, but thankfully the flaws in the Hobart family balanced out the characterisation.
I think this is a book that will strike a chord with many readers, considering how many people are struggling in the current financial climate. In the midst of lay-offs and inflation, the Amish still manage to keep family, community and faith at the heart of their lives. Although the change in the attitudes of the Hobarts – particularly their younger children, who are rather brattish at the start of the novella – might seem a bit unrealistic, they had been through a massive upheaval, and I was encouraged by how they were able to stabilize their lives again, with the help of the Lutz family. The life that the Hobarts decide to live at the end of An Amish Christmas is very different from the one they’d had before James Hobart lost his job, but they were invigorated by the newfound trust and values they’d received during their visit with the Amish. I hope readers are similarly encouraged by this novella.
Review title provided by Ballantine Books.
PROS: Reminder of what is truly important in life; situation is sure to be relevant to many readers who are struggling in today’s economy
CONS: Amish seem a bit too perfect
An Amish Christmas focuses on Meg Hobart’s family, who would appear to have the perfect life to any outsider. But Meg wishes that her husband would spend less time at work and more time with their family, and that her children would show more appreciation for all the work she puts into making their home a happy and comfortable place. Her life is full of endless to-do lists and keeping up with the latest gadgets that her kids simply must have in order to make their lives complete. But all of this is ripped away from her when her husband reveals that he has lost his job and made a bad investment with their life savings. The Hobarts are forced to sell their home and most of their belongings, and make the hard to decision to move in with Meg’s parents and help them run their shop. Meg’s parents never approved of her lifestyle, and she knows the transition won’t be easy. But matters are made worse when their car crashes en-route to her parents’ home, nearly missing an Amish buggy. The owner of the buggy, Daniel Lutz, is relieved that neither party is hurt, and insists on letting the Hobart family share his family home until their car can be repaired. Meg doesn’t think her family can ever cope without electricity and settle into a simpler life, even for the week or two that it takes repairs to be made on their car. But as they get to know the Lutz family, Meg and her family find an appreciation for the slow-paced life that the Amish live, and realise that in attempting to keep up with the pace of the outside world, they’ve forgotten about so many of the things that truly matter in life. Is this the push they need to get back on their feet and recover from their financial losses?
This was actually my second reading of An Amish Christmas, having discussed it with my online book group last December. I think I appreciated this book more on my second reading, as a married woman who is attempting to balance studying, working and housekeeping. I could relate to Meg’s desire to tackle everything on her to-do list and provide the perfect home for her family, while worrying about the instability of the current financial climate. What I loved about this book is that, although Meg came to respect her new Amish friends and learnt many lessons from them, she never wanted to become Amish. There are so many things I appreciate about the Amish – their tight-knit community where everyone helps each other in times of trouble, their humility, the way they raise their children to take on responsibility at a young age – but I know I could never become Amish. My job requires me to have access to the internet, I enjoy wearing clothes that make me stand out from my peers, and I have an egalitarian marriage. As much as I’ve enjoyed reading novels in which Englishers have converted to the Amish faith, it’s refreshing to read a book in which a family learns some valuable lessons from the Amish which they can apply to their own lives without having to give up electricity or start wearing kapps. I will admit that the Amish characters in this novella felt a bit too perfect at times, including the older brother who had been away on his rumspringe, but thankfully the flaws in the Hobart family balanced out the characterisation.
I think this is a book that will strike a chord with many readers, considering how many people are struggling in the current financial climate. In the midst of lay-offs and inflation, the Amish still manage to keep family, community and faith at the heart of their lives. Although the change in the attitudes of the Hobarts – particularly their younger children, who are rather brattish at the start of the novella – might seem a bit unrealistic, they had been through a massive upheaval, and I was encouraged by how they were able to stabilize their lives again, with the help of the Lutz family. The life that the Hobarts decide to live at the end of An Amish Christmas is very different from the one they’d had before James Hobart lost his job, but they were invigorated by the newfound trust and values they’d received during their visit with the Amish. I hope readers are similarly encouraged by this novella.
Review title provided by Ballantine Books.
November 18, 2016
First, I should let you know that I could not finish this book. It made me so frustrated that I gave up on it all together. I was excited to listen to this audio book, and I wanted something feel good for Christmas. However, this book is anything but lifting, at least the first few chapters were not. I was willing to embrace the depressed feeling that settled on the home soon after Meg realizes that they have lost everything. I was willing to see where things would progress, because I believe that the plot line had a lot of potential that it did not deliver.
As I listened throughout my afternoon, the story slowly became less and less realistic. The mother is said to have given up her chance at law school to raise a family instead. I am a stay at home mom myself and can relate to her passion for her children and their upbringing. However, if she is such a smart woman with college experience, I don't think that she would have let her husband work for her parents. She pushes him aside threatening to leave him, and I expected her to take her kids and go find a job. For someone so unforgiving and distraught, she lets him walk all over her making the story contradict itself. She’s either one moody woman or something even worse.
She realizes soon that he thinks he is the victim in the situation, and her sympathy flees yet surprisingly she sticks with him. I didn’t understand it at first, but once I heard her phone conversation with her mother it all became clear. Meg has lived her whole life being told what to do by some strict and penny pincher parents. I’m sure her parents loved her and thought they were doing what was best. Still, it seemed so unrealistic for her mom to act that terrible even to her own grandchildren. Even if a mom is mad at her daughter or disappointed, what grandma totally shuns her grandchildren? Maybe there is more to it, and maybe last time she saw them they acted like the terrible brats that they are. However, it just frustrated me and made me loath her as a character from the start.
This book has caused a wave of emotions inside me, and at the very least, I can give it that. It just felt unreal. Did the dad really look for jobs, because I am sure he could have looked outside the state and found one with his experience? My husband can’t get a better one, because companies want men with years of experience. The more experience the better, and with teenage kids, he has to have been working for a very long time in the business. Realistically, he probably would have relocated to another big city with his kids. Him groveling to her dad was simply a motivator for the author to make the family go back home. It was the author’s way of bringing them back together.
I just feel like there could have been more help for them money wise, after having everything stolen. I even asked my husband who is an accountant about it, and he too felt that it was not realistic. Why didn’t she go out to some local places and ask for a job to give her enough time to decide what to do about money? Even if it was a simple job at as a cashier, anything would be better than nothing so why do they have to move back home? Because the author wants her to go back home to her family and meet the Amish. I know I probably sound a bit harsh. I have been reading some of these stories all year long, and as much as I have enjoyed them, there are some things that can’t be overlooked.
I will end by saying the things that I did like about the story. I loved the reader’s voice. She switches from character to character smoothly. She really does nail the overly dramatic teenage girl! I was impressed how good she made a crying and whining teen girl sound. In addition, the authors’ writing is really good. She has good description, sometimes spends too much time describing people, but overall I really liked how the paragraphs and scene flowed together. In the end, even that did not salvage this book for me. Her other books have gotten higher ratings so I might give one of them a try instead.
As I listened throughout my afternoon, the story slowly became less and less realistic. The mother is said to have given up her chance at law school to raise a family instead. I am a stay at home mom myself and can relate to her passion for her children and their upbringing. However, if she is such a smart woman with college experience, I don't think that she would have let her husband work for her parents. She pushes him aside threatening to leave him, and I expected her to take her kids and go find a job. For someone so unforgiving and distraught, she lets him walk all over her making the story contradict itself. She’s either one moody woman or something even worse.
She realizes soon that he thinks he is the victim in the situation, and her sympathy flees yet surprisingly she sticks with him. I didn’t understand it at first, but once I heard her phone conversation with her mother it all became clear. Meg has lived her whole life being told what to do by some strict and penny pincher parents. I’m sure her parents loved her and thought they were doing what was best. Still, it seemed so unrealistic for her mom to act that terrible even to her own grandchildren. Even if a mom is mad at her daughter or disappointed, what grandma totally shuns her grandchildren? Maybe there is more to it, and maybe last time she saw them they acted like the terrible brats that they are. However, it just frustrated me and made me loath her as a character from the start.
This book has caused a wave of emotions inside me, and at the very least, I can give it that. It just felt unreal. Did the dad really look for jobs, because I am sure he could have looked outside the state and found one with his experience? My husband can’t get a better one, because companies want men with years of experience. The more experience the better, and with teenage kids, he has to have been working for a very long time in the business. Realistically, he probably would have relocated to another big city with his kids. Him groveling to her dad was simply a motivator for the author to make the family go back home. It was the author’s way of bringing them back together.
I just feel like there could have been more help for them money wise, after having everything stolen. I even asked my husband who is an accountant about it, and he too felt that it was not realistic. Why didn’t she go out to some local places and ask for a job to give her enough time to decide what to do about money? Even if it was a simple job at as a cashier, anything would be better than nothing so why do they have to move back home? Because the author wants her to go back home to her family and meet the Amish. I know I probably sound a bit harsh. I have been reading some of these stories all year long, and as much as I have enjoyed them, there are some things that can’t be overlooked.
I will end by saying the things that I did like about the story. I loved the reader’s voice. She switches from character to character smoothly. She really does nail the overly dramatic teenage girl! I was impressed how good she made a crying and whining teen girl sound. In addition, the authors’ writing is really good. She has good description, sometimes spends too much time describing people, but overall I really liked how the paragraphs and scene flowed together. In the end, even that did not salvage this book for me. Her other books have gotten higher ratings so I might give one of them a try instead.
November 14, 2017
SO, I can see why a lot of people gave this a low rating, as the author has a SERIOUS teenage crush on the Amish. You know, the kind where everything they do is awesome and they have absolutely no flaws?
Still, I give it bonus points for being sappy, but not religious sappy, and not romance sappy.
2.5 Stars
Still, I give it bonus points for being sappy, but not religious sappy, and not romance sappy.
2.5 Stars
August 30, 2010
The story started off a lot like a Lifetime movie made in the late 90s or early 2000s. Basically the family loses all their money and its all the husband's fault and the wife and their children are victims of his selfishness, stupidity, etc. Its my opinion that if you have plenty of money and three children, you have a responsibility to at least be involved in your family's financial situation enough to ensure the children's futures are financially protected which is why I can't really see the mom as 100% victim. I would have liked if at some point she acknowledged just to herself that maybe she held a tiny percentage of the responsibility just for being so willing to stay ignorant of the family's financial position. But that is why I compare it to a Lifetime movie back when the main theme of every one was the man is evil, the woman is a victim, but will ultimately be rescued by a man who is perfect and somehow that means she is empowered. But I'm digressing from the review.
All other Amish fiction I've read ends with a person finding God and becoming Amish and this story had nothing to do with the family's relationship to God but to each other. In the end I gave it two stars instead of one because I'm a sucker for redemption and forgiveness and this story had both.
All other Amish fiction I've read ends with a person finding God and becoming Amish and this story had nothing to do with the family's relationship to God but to each other. In the end I gave it two stars instead of one because I'm a sucker for redemption and forgiveness and this story had both.
November 12, 2022
Book 204 of 2022
I went into this pretty blind. My book bestie read it & liked it, so that was enough for me to download it. I often overthink what book I’ll read next, so reading this “on a whim” was delightful.
I love stories that take place in an Amish setting, which is what I thought I was getting, so I was surprised when we start with a married couple with two kids in suburbia. After a couple chapters, I read the blurb, and I see the husband betrays his wife. I was expecting infidelity, so I was surprised when that wasn’t the betrayal. At this point, I’m trying to figure out how on earth we are going to transition to an Amish community for the setting. I love how the author changed the setting in such a seamless way.
Another thing I appreciated about the writing was how well the author wrote the mother’s feelings, especially her frustrations. I was irritated at her kids with her. I was annoyed at her husband with her. I was embarrassed for her because of her husband and kids’ attitudes. This was the most impressive thing about the book for me—her ability to make me feel the main characters’ feelings.
The Amish community was beautifully portrayed. I loved how open and welcoming they were to “outsiders.” They were patient, forgiving, and intentional. They made me smile.
There was also a lot of character growth in the story. In some ways the story was predictable, but in other ways, it was completely unpredictable. It was a perfect blend of both. This was a great Christmas read!
Format: audiobook (Libby)
I went into this pretty blind. My book bestie read it & liked it, so that was enough for me to download it. I often overthink what book I’ll read next, so reading this “on a whim” was delightful.
I love stories that take place in an Amish setting, which is what I thought I was getting, so I was surprised when we start with a married couple with two kids in suburbia. After a couple chapters, I read the blurb, and I see the husband betrays his wife. I was expecting infidelity, so I was surprised when that wasn’t the betrayal. At this point, I’m trying to figure out how on earth we are going to transition to an Amish community for the setting. I love how the author changed the setting in such a seamless way.
Another thing I appreciated about the writing was how well the author wrote the mother’s feelings, especially her frustrations. I was irritated at her kids with her. I was annoyed at her husband with her. I was embarrassed for her because of her husband and kids’ attitudes. This was the most impressive thing about the book for me—her ability to make me feel the main characters’ feelings.
The Amish community was beautifully portrayed. I loved how open and welcoming they were to “outsiders.” They were patient, forgiving, and intentional. They made me smile.
There was also a lot of character growth in the story. In some ways the story was predictable, but in other ways, it was completely unpredictable. It was a perfect blend of both. This was a great Christmas read!
Format: audiobook (Libby)
December 26, 2021
An Amish Christmas is a very heart-warming story about the differences in an Amish upbringing as opposed to an English childhood. Delightful story with many comparisons that could be teachable moments for today's families.
December 28, 2022
A family of five loses the life they've grown accustomed to living and sets off to start over. Along the way a chance encounter with an Amish family, and then the entire Amish community, affects them deeply and helps them find their way.
November 15, 2025
A refreshing plot for an Amish fiction novel. It begins with a middle class family like many families today with all the technology and connected to everyone but their own family. After a dramatic job loss and altering economic position the family begins a car trip towards New York to live with parents that are less than excited to host them. Then a twist of fate which turns the family around and slowly. A refreshing story with a happy ending absent of soppiness and overly Christian tones.
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December 23, 2021The perfect book for Christmas 🎄
August 11, 2024
A lot of information included regarding Amish traditions and a good story on genuine forgiveness.
December 21, 2024
Not a typical Christmas story at all Christmas in title only
July 23, 2021
Such a wonderful story that shows the differences in how Amish and those who don't live.
September 16, 2010
Disclaimer:
I've received quite a bit of ARCs recently so I wanted to get a timely review out of this one and had a colleague read and review it (a fellow librarian). I'm writing the review from memory from a conversation I had with her.
She stated she had stopped reading "Inspirational Christian Fiction" years ago. She had simply gotten burned out on it. She felt this book was quite different than how the genre used to be and she was very pleased with the improvements. Wherein past stories there would be this huge revelation moment where the person/people came to Christ and saw the error of their ways, this was more like the natural flow of people who are just living their lives, observing what they are doing right and wrong, and adjusting accordingly. It was inspirational and uplifting, but felt honest and real to how life actually happens for most people trying to be better people.
The story is very well written, with excellent descriptions. She stated she learned things about the Amish she didn't know and walked away from the book feeling good, and more knowledgeable. She gushed and sighed happily about the book when talking about it. I can tell it really affected her. She actually sold me on reading it as soon as I can.
It doesn't focus solely on Christmas and is really about the day to day lives of the people in the story. The characters do a good job of viewing their lives in realistic and honest ways that truly connect a reader to them.
It was also a very quick read. She finished it in only a few days.
I've received quite a bit of ARCs recently so I wanted to get a timely review out of this one and had a colleague read and review it (a fellow librarian). I'm writing the review from memory from a conversation I had with her.
She stated she had stopped reading "Inspirational Christian Fiction" years ago. She had simply gotten burned out on it. She felt this book was quite different than how the genre used to be and she was very pleased with the improvements. Wherein past stories there would be this huge revelation moment where the person/people came to Christ and saw the error of their ways, this was more like the natural flow of people who are just living their lives, observing what they are doing right and wrong, and adjusting accordingly. It was inspirational and uplifting, but felt honest and real to how life actually happens for most people trying to be better people.
The story is very well written, with excellent descriptions. She stated she learned things about the Amish she didn't know and walked away from the book feeling good, and more knowledgeable. She gushed and sighed happily about the book when talking about it. I can tell it really affected her. She actually sold me on reading it as soon as I can.
It doesn't focus solely on Christmas and is really about the day to day lives of the people in the story. The characters do a good job of viewing their lives in realistic and honest ways that truly connect a reader to them.
It was also a very quick read. She finished it in only a few days.
January 25, 2014
This is a clean, light read.
An Amish Christmas isn't as much of a Christmas novel as I expected, which was actually okay. The main point of the book (that I saw) was how living with the Amish for a few weeks impacted the life of this materialistic, spoiled family. The two teenagers in particular changed for the better due to their experiences in the Lutz household.
Some of the references to technology and current lingo struck me as bumpy, but that would make sense as they were coming from Meg's point of view. There was one, however, that made me laugh. Lizzie, the 15-year-old was talking with Will (who was 13 I think), and he said something about girls with really straight hair. Lizzie responded with something to the effect of, "They use this process to get their hair so straight." Not what she would have said. A real teen would have said, "They just straighten their hair everyday."
I was a little bummed that Meg, this college-educated woman who is obviously very capable is going to bake. And before she had had the dream of going to law school. I'm not really a feminist, but I can't think of one task that was completed by the opposite gender than would be expected. (The Amish aside, even. Meg did ALL of the housework when they were still in Charlotte, and only asked James to get the wine.)
I recommend this to anyone looking for a clean, quick, light read.
An Amish Christmas isn't as much of a Christmas novel as I expected, which was actually okay. The main point of the book (that I saw) was how living with the Amish for a few weeks impacted the life of this materialistic, spoiled family. The two teenagers in particular changed for the better due to their experiences in the Lutz household.
Some of the references to technology and current lingo struck me as bumpy, but that would make sense as they were coming from Meg's point of view. There was one, however, that made me laugh. Lizzie, the 15-year-old was talking with Will (who was 13 I think), and he said something about girls with really straight hair. Lizzie responded with something to the effect of, "They use this process to get their hair so straight." Not what she would have said. A real teen would have said, "They just straighten their hair everyday."
I was a little bummed that Meg, this college-educated woman who is obviously very capable is going to bake. And before she had had the dream of going to law school. I'm not really a feminist, but I can't think of one task that was completed by the opposite gender than would be expected. (The Amish aside, even. Meg did ALL of the housework when they were still in Charlotte, and only asked James to get the wine.)
I recommend this to anyone looking for a clean, quick, light read.
December 23, 2013
I was pleasantly surprised with how good this book was. When I first read some of the reviews, I thought, I hope this isn't a cheesy, fruity, happy, boring everything-goes-right book. It wasn't. It was a down-to-earth book that I wish more families could experience! It hit the nail right on the head with how most kids are today...spoiled with dependence on electronics, lack of respect, and poor quality time with family. The family in this book, thinking how their situation could not get any worse by being in a car accident in Amish country, eventually realizes this was probably the best thing that could happen to them: learn how an Amish family lives and how they appreciate the little things in life. They learned you don't have to have the latest gadgets or designer clothes. Why I didn't give this book 5 stars? Couldn't they have a garage sale to sell their over abundance of items? It seems like the husband doesn't want to find a lawyer job anymore and wants his wife to be the bread winner now. Was this baking job really a dream that she always wanted? I don't think so.
July 25, 2011
I won this Advance Reader's Edition from GoodReads.
This was a nice easy read. A heartwarming story of a family who finds what really matters after losing everything they thought was important. The story flowed nicely, it was well written. A genuinely feel-good family story. I will say I would have liked a little more depth to the characters and maybe gotten a little deeper into the conflict/resolution aspect. Also, I lived in a small town in PA for 10 years and spoke with many Amish people, I would have liked to have seen them portrayed a little more realistically. Their characters fell a little flat for me. However, overall it was a nice sweet story that I have given to my mother to read because this will be something that she will absolutely love. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys feel-good, family oriented, down-home type books.
This was a nice easy read. A heartwarming story of a family who finds what really matters after losing everything they thought was important. The story flowed nicely, it was well written. A genuinely feel-good family story. I will say I would have liked a little more depth to the characters and maybe gotten a little deeper into the conflict/resolution aspect. Also, I lived in a small town in PA for 10 years and spoke with many Amish people, I would have liked to have seen them portrayed a little more realistically. Their characters fell a little flat for me. However, overall it was a nice sweet story that I have given to my mother to read because this will be something that she will absolutely love. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys feel-good, family oriented, down-home type books.
July 28, 2011
I won this Advance Reader's Edition from GoodReads. This was a nice easy read. A heartwarming story of a family who finds what really matters after losing everything they thought was important. The story flowed nicely, it was well written. A genuinely feel-good family story. I will say I would have liked a little more depth to the characters and maybe gotten a little deeper into the conflict/resolution aspect. Also, I lived in a small town in PA for 10 years and spoke with many Amish people, I would have liked to have seen them portrayed a little more realistically. Their characters fell a little flat for me. However, overall it was a nice sweet story that I have given to my mother to read because this will be something that she will absolutely love. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys feel-good, family oriented, down-home type books.
June 26, 2015
How would your family react to finding that they lost everything, including your home?
In traveling through bad weather, there's a wreck, and while waiting for the car to be repaired, the family is put up by an Amish family...
The 2 of the kids are teens with a major attitude, the youngest is most at ease. Their parents aren't really speaking and don't even know if there is any love left between them.
The Lutz's are showing them what is really important in life, God, family & working together...
I really enjoyed this book & the lessons that are taught/refreshed in the Hobart family & what they are learning.
In traveling through bad weather, there's a wreck, and while waiting for the car to be repaired, the family is put up by an Amish family...
The 2 of the kids are teens with a major attitude, the youngest is most at ease. Their parents aren't really speaking and don't even know if there is any love left between them.
The Lutz's are showing them what is really important in life, God, family & working together...
I really enjoyed this book & the lessons that are taught/refreshed in the Hobart family & what they are learning.
December 25, 2015
Most of the Christmas books I read each December end up being pretty cheesy, and this one lived up to the cheesiness I expected. The story is of a rich, materialistic family who loses everything and after a car accident end up staying with an Amish family for a couple weeks. I love Amish stories and always think I'm nearly ready to convert and live among them when I hear about the way that they live. :) I appreciated that this family learned new attitudes from the time they spent among the Amish. It was all a bit too good to be true the way everything worked out so sweetly, but it's a cute story and a clean read for the Christmas holiday.
September 12, 2010
Thanks to Goodreads for sending this advance copy of An Amish Christmas. I am fascinated with Amish culture because of the simple life it portrays. The story-line provides a family whose life has spun out of control because of worldly problems brought into balance with the Amish influence.
This is an excellent story for when you need a short, easy-to-read, book that will make you feel good about life.
This is an excellent story for when you need a short, easy-to-read, book that will make you feel good about life.
January 1, 2016
This was even better than the first book I read by this author. Simple plot but with deep felt results.
December 15, 2016
I really enjoyed this. It makes you want to slow down and look for a simpler life.
December 29, 2018
The bickering and negative attitudes of the teens in this book really got to me, and even made me cranky in real life. I had to intentionally refuse to let the crankiness spill over, and intentionally listen to my own kids, who were not having these problems. For the most part.
The mom in the book wanted her kids to have cherished memories of the holidays and instead of tuning her efforts to doing less as the kids outgrew stuff, she plowed ahead with decorations and baking that no one appreciated. I felt a little sorry for her. She also did not parent her kids through their negativity, but just ignored their bad attitudes and pasted a happy face on herself. I think she might have benefited either from some sort of parental counselling or mentoring (yes, the Amish provided that, some) or even a good book on raising teens. Tim Sanford's "Losing Control and Liking It" is one that I'd recommend for the kinds of problems that her kids were facing.
Also, what her husband did to her could be considered "financial abuse." I've seen it happen to real people. I would've wanted guarantees and double-checks on that sort of behavior - and probably marriage counselling for both sides - before entering into relationship with each other again. They talk about trust, but not about how to re-earn it, and not about the wife taking more of an active role in their finances. Or even having completely separate finances, either temporarily or permanently.
In some regards, this book was a stereotypical negative-teens-turn-into-appreciative,-diligent-kids-by-connecting-with-those-of-a-"simpler"-way-of-life book. While parts of it make a sweet Christmas tale, I doubt the changes in the kids would last, once their connections with the Amish lessen. There is no plan for internalizing or maintaining the lessons they learned. They borrowed outward behavioral changes from those around them without having any convictions of their own about it.
"Over the years, the family had vacationed at Disney World and the Grand Canyon, in the Caribbean and the Outer Bans. Fun places and beautiful, but hardly educational when it came to learning about the rest of the world." This comment was in regards to the teens' lack of sensitivity when it came to them belittling the Amish. Nothing's wrong with those vacations per se. We've done some of them ourselves. But the comment made me think about how does one go about instilling a regard for other people and other cultures in kids?
It's not something I feel we've done very well with doing intentionally ourselves, but for some unknown reason, our kids still are sensitive to other people. Part of it may be from talking over with them various characters' feelings in books and movies. Part of it may be the various volunteering they've done. They've done far more volunteering than we or their schools would have asked of them. They like it.
"She tried not to compare the obviously tight bonds of these people with the ephemeral connections of her own past." How close a family feels is always relative, and it can change from day to day. Sometimes I've wondered if we were a close-knit family or not. Most other people looking in say that we are. And they are probably right. But there are ebbs and flows to that, too. I remember one time our youngest felt like our family wasn't as close anymore because we hadn't regularly played family games for awhile. When I repeated that to one friend, she was astonished because she considered our family close-knit.
Rather than trying to figure out if our family's close, I've decided it's more useful for me to think of it along the lines of investing in what helps our kids feel close. Game nights, apparently. Maybe we can't do them as often as before, but we still make an effort to include them some times. I suppose my over-all attitude on it is a new phrase on an old proverb: "The grass is always greener on the other side." "I haven't noticed whether your grass is greener, because I'm too busy watering my own." But there is certainly wisdom in watching and talking with those who invest emotionally connecting with their kids, too. That gets back to the concept of mentoring.
"If we ourselves are to be forgiven, how could we not forgive someone else?" The Amish views on forgiveness, and the radical ways they practice it, have always impressed me.
The mom in the book wanted her kids to have cherished memories of the holidays and instead of tuning her efforts to doing less as the kids outgrew stuff, she plowed ahead with decorations and baking that no one appreciated. I felt a little sorry for her. She also did not parent her kids through their negativity, but just ignored their bad attitudes and pasted a happy face on herself. I think she might have benefited either from some sort of parental counselling or mentoring (yes, the Amish provided that, some) or even a good book on raising teens. Tim Sanford's "Losing Control and Liking It" is one that I'd recommend for the kinds of problems that her kids were facing.
Also, what her husband did to her could be considered "financial abuse." I've seen it happen to real people. I would've wanted guarantees and double-checks on that sort of behavior - and probably marriage counselling for both sides - before entering into relationship with each other again. They talk about trust, but not about how to re-earn it, and not about the wife taking more of an active role in their finances. Or even having completely separate finances, either temporarily or permanently.
In some regards, this book was a stereotypical negative-teens-turn-into-appreciative,-diligent-kids-by-connecting-with-those-of-a-"simpler"-way-of-life book. While parts of it make a sweet Christmas tale, I doubt the changes in the kids would last, once their connections with the Amish lessen. There is no plan for internalizing or maintaining the lessons they learned. They borrowed outward behavioral changes from those around them without having any convictions of their own about it.
"Over the years, the family had vacationed at Disney World and the Grand Canyon, in the Caribbean and the Outer Bans. Fun places and beautiful, but hardly educational when it came to learning about the rest of the world." This comment was in regards to the teens' lack of sensitivity when it came to them belittling the Amish. Nothing's wrong with those vacations per se. We've done some of them ourselves. But the comment made me think about how does one go about instilling a regard for other people and other cultures in kids?
It's not something I feel we've done very well with doing intentionally ourselves, but for some unknown reason, our kids still are sensitive to other people. Part of it may be from talking over with them various characters' feelings in books and movies. Part of it may be the various volunteering they've done. They've done far more volunteering than we or their schools would have asked of them. They like it.
"She tried not to compare the obviously tight bonds of these people with the ephemeral connections of her own past." How close a family feels is always relative, and it can change from day to day. Sometimes I've wondered if we were a close-knit family or not. Most other people looking in say that we are. And they are probably right. But there are ebbs and flows to that, too. I remember one time our youngest felt like our family wasn't as close anymore because we hadn't regularly played family games for awhile. When I repeated that to one friend, she was astonished because she considered our family close-knit.
Rather than trying to figure out if our family's close, I've decided it's more useful for me to think of it along the lines of investing in what helps our kids feel close. Game nights, apparently. Maybe we can't do them as often as before, but we still make an effort to include them some times. I suppose my over-all attitude on it is a new phrase on an old proverb: "The grass is always greener on the other side." "I haven't noticed whether your grass is greener, because I'm too busy watering my own." But there is certainly wisdom in watching and talking with those who invest emotionally connecting with their kids, too. That gets back to the concept of mentoring.
"If we ourselves are to be forgiven, how could we not forgive someone else?" The Amish views on forgiveness, and the radical ways they practice it, have always impressed me.
October 1, 2023
I have to say, this is the 1st book that I've read from this author. I came across it, while looking for other books to read, on my library's website. I was quite impressed with this story, as well as the excerpt for another story of hers, that I will be reading next.
Cynthia Keller does an excellent job setting up this story, with the Hobart family, and with each of the family characters in the story.
The Hobarts are an English family that resides in Charlotte, North Carolina in this story. James, the husband/father, works a great job, with long hours & good pay. Meg, the wife/mother is a stay-at-home mom, for their 3 kids Will, Lizzie, and Sam.
The family is chaotic, like most american families, with school activities, work things, kids' friends, shopping, etc.
However, things come crashing down for this family, in such a huge way. The kids feel so betrayed, the wife loses trust in her husband, and her husband is the blame.
What is the problem(s)? Many, with underlying ones too, with only more to come, it seems.
The family ends up headed to Meg's parents' house in New York, but she had made little trips for the family on the way, as part of sightseeing adventures for them. One of those trips was a stop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for an Amish movie.
However, when they got into the town, on Sunday mind you, nothing was opened. Therefore, they missed out & decided to just get back on the highway, & continue to her parents' house.
Needless to say, an argument started about the way they were headed, which was the wrong way to get back on the highway, and they were on, very dark roads, not knowing names of them or anything. As they were traveling around a curve, James noticed a horse & wagon heading at them, and so he didn't want to hit them, and hit took a hard right.
Doing so, they ended up crashing into a telephone pole, on his side of the car, flinging him onto her side. The kids were cushioned from blankets & pillows they had for the travel, and warmth.
Suddenly, they heard & saw a strange looking man at Meg's window, asking if they were alright, and telling them he was going to help them. Everyone in the car was okay, overall, just bangs & bruises, nothing major, they suspected.
They realized the man was an Amish man.
From here, things get even better, and better in this amazingly, well-written story!
This story is, definitely, a MUST READ!!
ALSO, it's a great story to start getting you ready for the coming Holiday Season!!!
A GREAT CHRISTMAS STORY OF LOVE, COMPASSION, HURT, HEALING, FORGIVENESS, HUMBLENESS, FAITH, GRACE, MERCY, HOPE, HONESTY & TRUST...
Cynthia Keller does an excellent job setting up this story, with the Hobart family, and with each of the family characters in the story.
The Hobarts are an English family that resides in Charlotte, North Carolina in this story. James, the husband/father, works a great job, with long hours & good pay. Meg, the wife/mother is a stay-at-home mom, for their 3 kids Will, Lizzie, and Sam.
The family is chaotic, like most american families, with school activities, work things, kids' friends, shopping, etc.
However, things come crashing down for this family, in such a huge way. The kids feel so betrayed, the wife loses trust in her husband, and her husband is the blame.
What is the problem(s)? Many, with underlying ones too, with only more to come, it seems.
The family ends up headed to Meg's parents' house in New York, but she had made little trips for the family on the way, as part of sightseeing adventures for them. One of those trips was a stop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for an Amish movie.
However, when they got into the town, on Sunday mind you, nothing was opened. Therefore, they missed out & decided to just get back on the highway, & continue to her parents' house.
Needless to say, an argument started about the way they were headed, which was the wrong way to get back on the highway, and they were on, very dark roads, not knowing names of them or anything. As they were traveling around a curve, James noticed a horse & wagon heading at them, and so he didn't want to hit them, and hit took a hard right.
Doing so, they ended up crashing into a telephone pole, on his side of the car, flinging him onto her side. The kids were cushioned from blankets & pillows they had for the travel, and warmth.
Suddenly, they heard & saw a strange looking man at Meg's window, asking if they were alright, and telling them he was going to help them. Everyone in the car was okay, overall, just bangs & bruises, nothing major, they suspected.
They realized the man was an Amish man.
From here, things get even better, and better in this amazingly, well-written story!
This story is, definitely, a MUST READ!!
ALSO, it's a great story to start getting you ready for the coming Holiday Season!!!
A GREAT CHRISTMAS STORY OF LOVE, COMPASSION, HURT, HEALING, FORGIVENESS, HUMBLENESS, FAITH, GRACE, MERCY, HOPE, HONESTY & TRUST...
November 9, 2022
Book 113 of 2022
Here's something you need to know about me -- I absolutely love the Amish culture and lifestyle. I love reading about it, watching it portrayed in movies and the idea of the complete devotion to their ideals. I am fascinated with this lifestyle -- I am obsessed with "Witness" and "For Richer or Poorer" and one of my favorite crime series is based in the large Amish community in Holmes County, Ohio. So for me, this is right in my wheelhouse.
Was it campy in a Hallmark-movie kind of way? Absolutely. I knew that going in, so it fit the bill for me. I love the idea of loosing it all, loosing your way and changing your opinions about how others live. Even though this is an older book, the foundation is the same -- raising our kids in a tech-driven world and stripping all of that away. I loved how the book dealt with all of those things.
A lot of the scenes of the women cooking together made me think of one of my favorite things, which is going up north in Ohio to find the most perfect Amish-made fry pies. I am a sucker for a good ole fry pie, and now I am ready to make the drive once again to find them.
The only thing I wanted from this book was more -- more time in this community, more time in the Christmas spirit, more about how this family is forever changed by their interactions. This was short, quaint and easily enjoyable -- but only if you are okay with this light, holiday style. It's definitely niche, which is okay with me.
Rating -- four stars
Format -- audio book
Here's something you need to know about me -- I absolutely love the Amish culture and lifestyle. I love reading about it, watching it portrayed in movies and the idea of the complete devotion to their ideals. I am fascinated with this lifestyle -- I am obsessed with "Witness" and "For Richer or Poorer" and one of my favorite crime series is based in the large Amish community in Holmes County, Ohio. So for me, this is right in my wheelhouse.
Was it campy in a Hallmark-movie kind of way? Absolutely. I knew that going in, so it fit the bill for me. I love the idea of loosing it all, loosing your way and changing your opinions about how others live. Even though this is an older book, the foundation is the same -- raising our kids in a tech-driven world and stripping all of that away. I loved how the book dealt with all of those things.
A lot of the scenes of the women cooking together made me think of one of my favorite things, which is going up north in Ohio to find the most perfect Amish-made fry pies. I am a sucker for a good ole fry pie, and now I am ready to make the drive once again to find them.
The only thing I wanted from this book was more -- more time in this community, more time in the Christmas spirit, more about how this family is forever changed by their interactions. This was short, quaint and easily enjoyable -- but only if you are okay with this light, holiday style. It's definitely niche, which is okay with me.
Rating -- four stars
Format -- audio book
December 16, 2021
COULD NOT EVEN GET PASSED CHAPTER TWO...
I was listening to the audiobook ( I didn't read the bio beforehand, as it often spoils the plot, so I had no idea what I was getting into... ) , and was instantly appalled by the children and Meg's utter lack of effective parenting :0
I was raised Old School, MANNERS were a thing in " them days " as was, you know, BASIC RESPECT for others, especially one's own family and parents.
It literally hurt my soul to listen to these horrid spoiled rotten brats and Meg's pathetic excuses for parenting attempts. It infuriated me, plain and simple, and it grated on my nerves so that I couldn't stand it! :0
And as for the writing style...!! :
Now, mind you, I had only moments previously finished Fyodor Dostoyevsky's " The Brothers Karamazov " on audiobook, and so making the transition to this specimen of literary mediocrity was no doubt 10x the worse for such a comparison, but still...!
What excuse can there be for such a flat book? Any good book, draws you into it. 2 chapters of any book is enough to show you a good idea of the writing style therein. This one was proving to be, FLAT 🤷♀️
And based off the others reviews of those more steadfast than myself, who were actually able to soldier on through this stress-fest ( almost nothing stresses me more than observing BRATS and Bratty behavior 🤢 ) to the very end ( bravo, by the way, I salute you ) my suspicions were confirmed.
Save yourself the stress, and don't read this one 🙃
I was listening to the audiobook ( I didn't read the bio beforehand, as it often spoils the plot, so I had no idea what I was getting into... ) , and was instantly appalled by the children and Meg's utter lack of effective parenting :0
I was raised Old School, MANNERS were a thing in " them days " as was, you know, BASIC RESPECT for others, especially one's own family and parents.
It literally hurt my soul to listen to these horrid spoiled rotten brats and Meg's pathetic excuses for parenting attempts. It infuriated me, plain and simple, and it grated on my nerves so that I couldn't stand it! :0
And as for the writing style...!! :
Now, mind you, I had only moments previously finished Fyodor Dostoyevsky's " The Brothers Karamazov " on audiobook, and so making the transition to this specimen of literary mediocrity was no doubt 10x the worse for such a comparison, but still...!
What excuse can there be for such a flat book? Any good book, draws you into it. 2 chapters of any book is enough to show you a good idea of the writing style therein. This one was proving to be, FLAT 🤷♀️
And based off the others reviews of those more steadfast than myself, who were actually able to soldier on through this stress-fest ( almost nothing stresses me more than observing BRATS and Bratty behavior 🤢 ) to the very end ( bravo, by the way, I salute you ) my suspicions were confirmed.
Save yourself the stress, and don't read this one 🙃
January 26, 2018
I see there were many people who didn't like this book, and many others who liked it very much. I read a lot of Christmas books in December, and had a hard time finding a really good story. I found An Amish Christmas, to be a very good read. I listened to an Audible version of this book, and thought the narration was excellent. I had my doubts about the book, when the family started to fall apart. The husband made investments, and lost almost everything the family owned. The family was homeless, and looking at living with the the in-laws, where they wouldn't be welcome. Their car is wrecked, and the Amish man invites them to stay at his home. The family sees how spoiled they are, and each of them find the Amish life comforting, at different times. They learn to enjoy the simple things in life, and they grow closer together as a family. They find a way to start a new life, without going to the wife's parents.
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