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An Amish Gift
From the author of An Amish Christmas and A Plain & Fancy Christmas comes a heartwarming novel of marriage and family, new beginnings and poignant homecomings—just in time for the holidays.
After her husband, Shep, loses his latest job, Jennie Davis is grateful to be in a car en route to beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Shep has inherited a house from a distant cousin, along with the cousin’s long-established bicycle shop. The move gives Jennie, Shep, and their two children a welcome chance for a fresh start.
While Shep dives into his new venture at the bike shop, Jennie carefully restores their broken-down house. She loves being a stay-at-home mom but yearns to find some fulfillment outside of her family—particularly as they struggle financially. On morning walks, she forges a friendship with her Amish neighbor, Mattie Fisher, who opens up about her modest way of life. Mattie’s unswerving good character in the face of adversity encourages Jennie to seek practical solutions to her own difficulties. A passing remark by Jennie’s son transforms desperation about their finances into inspiration, leading her to embark upon a candy-making enterprise.
Soon, Jennie’s newfound purpose collides with Shep’s growing stress at work and long-simmering tensions between husband and wife rise to the surface. As the holiday season approaches, their family is challenged as never before—until an unexpected visitor arrives to give Jennie the greatest gift of all.
Praise for Cynthia Keller’s heartwarming Amish novels
An Amish Christmas
“This little book is a holiday charmer young and old will find appealing.”—Fredericksburg Free Lance–Star
“[A] sweet, poignant story.”— USA Today
A Plain & Fancy Christmas
“[This novel] does what a good holiday tale should; it invites readers to turn off the cellphone and television and wrap themselves up in a warm, compelling story.”— Lincoln Journal Star
“A wonderful read for the Christmas season.”—FaithfulNews
After her husband, Shep, loses his latest job, Jennie Davis is grateful to be in a car en route to beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Shep has inherited a house from a distant cousin, along with the cousin’s long-established bicycle shop. The move gives Jennie, Shep, and their two children a welcome chance for a fresh start.
While Shep dives into his new venture at the bike shop, Jennie carefully restores their broken-down house. She loves being a stay-at-home mom but yearns to find some fulfillment outside of her family—particularly as they struggle financially. On morning walks, she forges a friendship with her Amish neighbor, Mattie Fisher, who opens up about her modest way of life. Mattie’s unswerving good character in the face of adversity encourages Jennie to seek practical solutions to her own difficulties. A passing remark by Jennie’s son transforms desperation about their finances into inspiration, leading her to embark upon a candy-making enterprise.
Soon, Jennie’s newfound purpose collides with Shep’s growing stress at work and long-simmering tensions between husband and wife rise to the surface. As the holiday season approaches, their family is challenged as never before—until an unexpected visitor arrives to give Jennie the greatest gift of all.
Praise for Cynthia Keller’s heartwarming Amish novels
An Amish Christmas
“This little book is a holiday charmer young and old will find appealing.”—Fredericksburg Free Lance–Star
“[A] sweet, poignant story.”— USA Today
A Plain & Fancy Christmas
“[This novel] does what a good holiday tale should; it invites readers to turn off the cellphone and television and wrap themselves up in a warm, compelling story.”— Lincoln Journal Star
“A wonderful read for the Christmas season.”—FaithfulNews
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
63 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
December 8, 2017
A generous 2.5 stars, since it had a promising start, but was ultimately disappointing. I picked this up from the library's holiday display table. I don't have very high expectations for these types of books, people. I approach it as I would a Hallmark channel Christmas movie: no need for a complicated or unique plot line, complex characters, or lyrical prose. The only expectation is for it to deliver on what is promised, namely a mindless read full of Christmas cheer. Christmas should be a driving force behind the plot. Unfortunately, that was not the case with this book (or many Hallmark channel Christmas movies). At first I really enjoyed the premise and the characters. I identified with Jennie and her family, both the move to a new place hoping for a fresh start and the dire financial straits they found themselves in. While not immediately apparent, I could see how Christmas could become a driving force for solving conflict and delivering the feels that I was hoping for. But, that didn't happen. Instead, the family solved their conflict in a climax outside of the Christmas season and there was an epilogue-like chapter describing all the ways the family was so much happier. But then there was still another 50 pages of ... the family being happy, and then it was Christmas. The End. A happy ending and a cheerful one, but not one that makes you love the magic of Christmas. I also found the idealization of the Amish lifestyle and the constant perfection of all their ways annoying. I suppose the moral of the story is not the magic of Christmas, but the magic of being Amish.
November 11, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. First time for me to read anything by Cynthia Keller. I'm a person drawn to pretty covers on books. I loved the peaceful country setting as an Amish buggy makes its way across a wooden bridge. I love anything Amish but this book is a story about a dysfunctional English family that makes friends with an Amish family.
Shep Davis has lost his job again. There's just not that much work available where the Davis family lives in Massachusetts. Things look grim for the family as their savings has dwindled down to nothing. Then out of the blue Shep learns that a distant cousin who he's never met from Lancaster County Pennsylvania has passed away and left his house and cycle business to him.
Jennie and Shep look at this opportunity as a fresh beginning. A chance to start over again. Their kids aren't happy about the move but there's really not much of a choice for the family. They set out on the highway to make the long trip to Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Tired and grumpy from the long trip they arrive at their new home. They pull in the driveway and sit there stunned by what they see.
Things are not what they expected. The house is run down and in need of repairs. The lawn over grown. Did they come all this way for nothing?
From there the story begins. I thought the Author put a lot of feeling into the story. There are sad times and good times. The story takes place over a year and a half span of time. They go through two Christmas seasons. A lot of changes are made. I hope that if you read this you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Shep Davis has lost his job again. There's just not that much work available where the Davis family lives in Massachusetts. Things look grim for the family as their savings has dwindled down to nothing. Then out of the blue Shep learns that a distant cousin who he's never met from Lancaster County Pennsylvania has passed away and left his house and cycle business to him.
Jennie and Shep look at this opportunity as a fresh beginning. A chance to start over again. Their kids aren't happy about the move but there's really not much of a choice for the family. They set out on the highway to make the long trip to Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Tired and grumpy from the long trip they arrive at their new home. They pull in the driveway and sit there stunned by what they see.
Things are not what they expected. The house is run down and in need of repairs. The lawn over grown. Did they come all this way for nothing?
From there the story begins. I thought the Author put a lot of feeling into the story. There are sad times and good times. The story takes place over a year and a half span of time. They go through two Christmas seasons. A lot of changes are made. I hope that if you read this you will enjoy it as much as I did.
December 7, 2012
The David family moves to Lancaster County, PA to live in a house left to them from a family member as well as an established business. The house and business were both in rough shape. Jennie Davis is hoping this move is just what her family needed to get back together. Her son, Tim and daughter, Willa, were both miserable teenagers; neither wanted to be there or to help out. Jennie was struggling to make the house a home and hold her family together. Then she started talking to an Amish neighbor, Mattie Fisher, when she would take the dog on walks. A friendhsip bloomed between their families that became invaluable. Will the Davises find happiness and become a family again? What will they learn from their Amish neighbors to help that?
Although this book focused more on the Davis family than the Fisher family, it was still considered an Amish book. I did enjoy growing with the Davis family and watching them change as time passed by. But this was not the typical Amish books that I read. This book made the Amish seem like anyone who knows an Amish person can change their life around for the better. I thought the story was good overall; although I would have liked to get to know more of the Fisher family. It was a heart warming Christmas story about family, love and forgiveness.
Although this book focused more on the Davis family than the Fisher family, it was still considered an Amish book. I did enjoy growing with the Davis family and watching them change as time passed by. But this was not the typical Amish books that I read. This book made the Amish seem like anyone who knows an Amish person can change their life around for the better. I thought the story was good overall; although I would have liked to get to know more of the Fisher family. It was a heart warming Christmas story about family, love and forgiveness.
December 2, 2012
What an entertaining book...I read it in one afternoon. The story begins with what is a new beginning for the Davis familly..Jennie, Shep, Tim, Willa and their dog Scout. Can you imagine a relative you have never heard of leaving you their home, and business?
What we soon discover is that both the house and business need a lot of TLC. On several walks with Scout, Jennie meets an Amish family, first Mattie Fisher, and then the whole family and extended.
We travel through two Christmas's with the Davis Family, on the first there is so much anger and bitterness. As we travel along the next year, something changes.
What an enjoyable read between the two cultures. Yes there are differences, but there are also many of the same problems. We see how things are handled within each family, and we come to love them all.
A really different story of Amish books...I for one Loved it, and didn't want it to end!
I was provided with a copy of this book through the Publisher Random House, and Net Galley, and was not required to give a positive review.
What we soon discover is that both the house and business need a lot of TLC. On several walks with Scout, Jennie meets an Amish family, first Mattie Fisher, and then the whole family and extended.
We travel through two Christmas's with the Davis Family, on the first there is so much anger and bitterness. As we travel along the next year, something changes.
What an enjoyable read between the two cultures. Yes there are differences, but there are also many of the same problems. We see how things are handled within each family, and we come to love them all.
A really different story of Amish books...I for one Loved it, and didn't want it to end!
I was provided with a copy of this book through the Publisher Random House, and Net Galley, and was not required to give a positive review.
August 19, 2020
I thought this would focus more on Christmas. It also wasn't as light as I thought it would be. There are some serious issues in this story. There is a happy ending, but it wasn't what I hoped it would be.
January 14, 2021
This was a very heart warming story about persevering through struggles and hardships. The theme is not giving up and in the end forgiveness.
The Amish way of life values hard work and being present for others in need. Good reminder ❤
The Amish way of life values hard work and being present for others in need. Good reminder ❤
October 31, 2012
An Amish Gift by Cynthia Keller
While this could have been a real sappy story that most people of this day and age would not believe; this was not that sort of story. I loved the fact that this non-Amish family, the Davis’s had problems, REAL problems and the Amish while being stoic and helpful ,never preached, They just saw what needed to be done and then did it. In addition, I loved the fact that the problem solving was give and take. So many authors have the Amish become resistant to accepting any advice or help or even friendship from the Americaners.
The Davis family is on the brink of bankruptcy when an inheritance forces them to move from Massachusetts to Lancaster Penn. Two adults, two teenagers’ and a dog crammed into a car hauling a trailer of their worldly possessions. When they reach their destination things just aren’t as good as they could have hoped and the family makes their dissatisfaction clear to Jennie. Jennnie is holding the family together with string and prayers at this point. Until one day an inadvertent aside from her son allows her to try something new, something that could really help them get out of their financial mess.
This is a character driven story that spans 2 Christmases. A lot happens in these few pages. But one this I will say is that for a while I thought Jennie was allowing herself to be the whipping post, taking garbage from each member of her family.
Nevertheless, she stuck it out, and I’m so glad she did.
This family was quite ‘real’ to me as was the neighbors and friends of the neighbors.
What a difference a year makes!
While this could have been a real sappy story that most people of this day and age would not believe; this was not that sort of story. I loved the fact that this non-Amish family, the Davis’s had problems, REAL problems and the Amish while being stoic and helpful ,never preached, They just saw what needed to be done and then did it. In addition, I loved the fact that the problem solving was give and take. So many authors have the Amish become resistant to accepting any advice or help or even friendship from the Americaners.
The Davis family is on the brink of bankruptcy when an inheritance forces them to move from Massachusetts to Lancaster Penn. Two adults, two teenagers’ and a dog crammed into a car hauling a trailer of their worldly possessions. When they reach their destination things just aren’t as good as they could have hoped and the family makes their dissatisfaction clear to Jennie. Jennnie is holding the family together with string and prayers at this point. Until one day an inadvertent aside from her son allows her to try something new, something that could really help them get out of their financial mess.
This is a character driven story that spans 2 Christmases. A lot happens in these few pages. But one this I will say is that for a while I thought Jennie was allowing herself to be the whipping post, taking garbage from each member of her family.
Nevertheless, she stuck it out, and I’m so glad she did.
This family was quite ‘real’ to me as was the neighbors and friends of the neighbors.
What a difference a year makes!
December 8, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It is a light, full of hope story of 2 very different families struggles to survive, both within the family unit and in the outside world.
I loved the transformations that took place, over time, in the English family and how the Amish family, in their own quiet way, was such a positive influence on them as time went on.
This is a wonderful book for the holidays or anytime. It is filled with hope, sadness, fear, anger, rejoicing and forgiveness. I highly recommend this book!
I loved the transformations that took place, over time, in the English family and how the Amish family, in their own quiet way, was such a positive influence on them as time went on.
This is a wonderful book for the holidays or anytime. It is filled with hope, sadness, fear, anger, rejoicing and forgiveness. I highly recommend this book!
January 4, 2016
The plot of this book had so many similarities to An Amish Christmas that I wondered if these were different ideas the author had while writing the first book. Enough differences for me to thoroughly enjoy the book because it resulted in a totally different story. Sadly, I can't find any more books by this author.
April 26, 2020
Stressed and dysfunctional English family meets friendly and functional Amish family. Object: changed behaviors that results better familial relationships. In the first part of the book, the reader is introduced to the Davis family, Shep and Jeannie and their two teenaged kids, Willa and Tim. They have inherited a rundown house and bicycle shop in an Amish community. It’s their last chance to make a living, but they have no savings to fall back on, and little ability to make a go of things. Shep has not been able to earn a living, despite having several jobs. The kids snipe at everyone, and no one is happy. Enter the Fisher family, Mattie and Abraham and their eight kids. The interaction between the two families, and the growth of the characters really make this tale interesting. Bad things have happened to both families, but their outlook and coping mechanisms are different, at least until the families start to alter the way they look at things and react to them. It’s a heartwarming story, and nice for any time of the year.
March 4, 2019
I loved the overall theme of this book. I liked the characters of Jennie and her Amish neighbor Mattie. There were some negatives to the book for me though that dragged the book down. The continued focus for half the book on the brattiness of the two teenagers was depressing. It just happened again and again.
Also, the idea that the Amish neighbors changed this family could have been shown a bit more. There weren't that many interactions shown, especially not ones where lessons were learned. It felt more like the author declared at the end that it had happened, rather than showing along the way. The interactions with Jennie and Mattie that did occur were the best part of the book, and I wish the author had spent more time there and less on the business development and relationship with her brother-in-law's family (which really was an unnecessary rabbit trail).
Also, the idea that the Amish neighbors changed this family could have been shown a bit more. There weren't that many interactions shown, especially not ones where lessons were learned. It felt more like the author declared at the end that it had happened, rather than showing along the way. The interactions with Jennie and Mattie that did occur were the best part of the book, and I wish the author had spent more time there and less on the business development and relationship with her brother-in-law's family (which really was an unnecessary rabbit trail).
January 12, 2021
Sweet, a little sappy, and a tied up with a perfect bow ending . . . Which is just the kind of easy read you need now and then. I could relate to Jennie and her family frustrations, and always love stories that include the Amish, a culture that fascinates me. Not a great literary work in any way, but a quick easy read, with some warm-hearted life lessons mixed in. I wish real life always always worked out so nicely.
December 16, 2022
I enjoyed the heartwarming qualities of this book. It's a little cheezy at times, but I kind of wanted that when I chose it. My only complaint is a very nitpicky one, but there is no discussion of the annoying parts of running a business, i.e. taxes, healthy department inspections, labor laws, etc. I kept expecting her to run into that and she never did, so the business felt unrealistic to me. But that's not actually what the book is about, so most people probably don't care.
October 29, 2023
I enjoyed this book very much A lot of love and forgiveness. Understanding family is the most important, Jennie and her husband Shep and their two teenage children move to Lancaster County to start a new life after inheriting a home and a business.After meeting their new neighbors, life makes more sense. Family is what is important but to get through the unhappy teens problems will take some work.
November 24, 2025
I did actually finish this in 2017 so it does count for last years total. (It's only 12:57 and it doesn't seem right to say "last year" hehehe ... )
Loved loved loved this book! It was the classic Englischer family comes in and is completely opposite of the Amish and Englischer mom yearns for her kids to be like the Amish kids (kind, helpful, etc). I won't give it away, but let's just say I always love a happy ending!
Loved loved loved this book! It was the classic Englischer family comes in and is completely opposite of the Amish and Englischer mom yearns for her kids to be like the Amish kids (kind, helpful, etc). I won't give it away, but let's just say I always love a happy ending!
August 14, 2017
What a joyful bunch of solved situations!
I gave this book five stars because of what was accomplished in all the situations, dealing with unhappy teens, depressed adults, not knowing but not asking for help...the solutions and joy that came from those decisions. Great quick read!
I gave this book five stars because of what was accomplished in all the situations, dealing with unhappy teens, depressed adults, not knowing but not asking for help...the solutions and joy that came from those decisions. Great quick read!
October 2, 2017
Perhaps the resolution with the family came a little too quickly , too easily . But I was in the mood for a feel-good story . And this book felt that promised beautifully. Oh, I would say that building a website that can sell online is not typically something that teenagers can easily do – and do for free . I like the book anyway .
July 24, 2018
This was a well written novel with interesting characters. I enjoyed seeing the two families, one Englisch and one Amish, become friends and learn from each other in different ways. The main characters find freedom in various ways throughout their year of transitioning to living in the country as opposed to the city.
December 19, 2021
Plus one star for a good dog. Otherwise this is a mediocre book. The author tells more than shows, it seems like the plot jumps around too much — you’re being set up for something at least a little bit exciting and then next thing you know you’ve jumped ahead past it.
(Can we all agree that Amish fetishization is strange? One character says as much in the opening pages and yet ...)
(Can we all agree that Amish fetishization is strange? One character says as much in the opening pages and yet ...)
August 5, 2017
Inspirational
Simple story with interesting characters told from the mother's perspective. Beautiful lessons for all of us to learn, especially about what's really important in life.
Simple story with interesting characters told from the mother's perspective. Beautiful lessons for all of us to learn, especially about what's really important in life.
August 17, 2017
I loved the story line. Can Amish people have English people for fri
I Love the story line. can Amish have English people as friends? My daughter and her husband lived next to some Amish once. They were friendly but not friends.
I Love the story line. can Amish have English people as friends? My daughter and her husband lived next to some Amish once. They were friendly but not friends.
November 21, 2021
Uplifting
I have always enjoyed reading fiction and non-fictionabout the Amish culture. This was a simple quick read, that connects well to anyone who struggles in the "English" world. It is a good reminder that true faith is always transformative.
I have always enjoyed reading fiction and non-fictionabout the Amish culture. This was a simple quick read, that connects well to anyone who struggles in the "English" world. It is a good reminder that true faith is always transformative.
November 23, 2022
This story is about two families who come from two different backgrounds who help each other thorough difficulties. If you pick up this book you will find it very hard to put down. You will even hate to see the story end. Happy Reading Everyone!
July 1, 2017
Great Book
It was a wonderful written book, but I missed the absence of God being mentioned even once. I would recommend this to anyone loving the Amish.
It was a wonderful written book, but I missed the absence of God being mentioned even once. I would recommend this to anyone loving the Amish.
August 25, 2017
Good Read
This was an inspiration book. I enjoyed it. However, I have read many many Amish books and all of them discouraged being friends with outsiders. It was still a good read.
This was an inspiration book. I enjoyed it. However, I have read many many Amish books and all of them discouraged being friends with outsiders. It was still a good read.
December 5, 2019
Cut.story
December 8, 2020
Not bad but not great
July 31, 2021
It was ok, author should reaearch more on Amish and use correct language it would have been more authentic.
November 29, 2021
Good little read
Read
December 4, 2022Gimme all the Amish Christmas books pls!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews