In Shelley Shepard Gray’s fourth book in her Charmed Amish Life series, an unlikely Amish romance reveals that Christmas is a time for family, miracles—and love.
Ever since his father died in a tragic fire, Levi Kinsinger has felt adrift. Newly returned to Charm, Ohio, Levi is trying to fit into his old life, only to discover he seems to have outgrown it.
But when Julia, his young widowed neighbor, asks for his help with a Christmas project, Levi finds a sense of purpose for the first time in months. She and her daughter are new to Charm and could use a friend, a job Levi takes personally. Soon enough, friendship grows into attraction, but Levi can’t help having doubts. There’s something about Julia that doesn’t ring quite true…
Like Levi, Julia Kemps has survived her fair share of hardships—but only by hiding the truth of her past. Being an unmarried mother in an Amish community was unthinkable. Feeling hopeless, Julia did the only thing she could do: she moved to a new town and pretended to be a widow. But meeting Levi, she’s hopeful for the first time. Little by little, she begins to imagine telling him her darkest secret, and eventually…perhaps even sharing her life with him.
Christmas is a time for family, and as the holiday draws closer, Julia and Levi will have to face their pasts together…in order to find the healing, support and love they so desperately desire.
Goodreads Summary
Levi is still hurting from his parents' death, but when he meets Julia, things begin to look up. Unfortunately for Levi, not everything is as it seems with secretive Julia. Will he accept her even after she tells him her secret? I don't want to give too much of the plot away; the majority of the book concerns Levi overcoming his parents' deaths and Julia coming to grips with what drove her from her community in the first place. I liked how their relationship developed slowly and definitely didn't qualify as insta-love. Their romance was sweet and more of a slow burn.
Levi's character was a large part of the novel. I really liked that because I felt like the majority of Amish-centered books I read are more female-centered. I understood Julia's reasons for her secrets, but felt she took the fear and distrust a little too far. I love the Holidays and this book being set around Christmas-time gave it a levity that added to the story for me. Shelley Shephard Gray has pulled off another great Amish novel yet again.
4 Stars
This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ
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