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Stoney Ridge Seasons #4
Christmas at Rose Hill Farm: An Amish Love Story (Thorndike Press Large Print Christian Fiction) by Suzanne Woods Fisher
book novel
Hardcover
First published August 26, 2014
309 people are currently reading
1660 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Woods Fisher
73 books3,971 followersSuzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling, award winning author of fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish for Revell Books, host of the radio-show-turned-blog Amish Wisdom, a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazine.
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.
Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.
Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.
Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.
Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
October 6, 2023
I'm not sure why I borrowed this book, but since I needed a winter book, this fit the bill. This is set in the 1970s, although it came out in 2014.
The blurb tells you what you need to know about who the main characters are and that's it's about a mysterious rose bush Bess Riehl finds. If you like Amish romances that include an angel who quotes scripture--you aren't told he's an angel til near the end but I thought it obvious virtually right away.. The book has a 4.25 average rating, so most people are quite pleased with this book.
I am no rosarian, so there was too much talk of types of roses, etc, for my liking; the romance is predictable, but not everything that happens along the way book is. I give it a plus because the author correctly named Canada goose/geese. After I moved to the States I was flummoxed by people who call them Canadian geese--if they aren't born and raised in Canada, they are not Canadian, but they might be part of the Canada goose species.
The blurb tells you what you need to know about who the main characters are and that's it's about a mysterious rose bush Bess Riehl finds. If you like Amish romances that include an angel who quotes scripture--you aren't told he's an angel til near the end but I thought it obvious virtually right away.. The book has a 4.25 average rating, so most people are quite pleased with this book.
I am no rosarian, so there was too much talk of types of roses, etc, for my liking; the romance is predictable, but not everything that happens along the way book is. I give it a plus because the author correctly named Canada goose/geese. After I moved to the States I was flummoxed by people who call them Canadian geese--if they aren't born and raised in Canada, they are not Canadian, but they might be part of the Canada goose species.
September 26, 2014
I enjoyed this sweet, gentle story about a young Amish woman named Bess who faces quite the conundrum when she realizes that Billy, the man she has never stopped loving, has arrived back at Rose Hill Farm. That in itself would be an interesting story. But, this just gets better and better. Bess has to decide how Billy’s return affects her relationship with Amos, the man she is to marry in a matter of days!
I really liked the subtle way the author allowed the reader to have glimpses into these characters’ recent pasts to tell this story. It was not confusing at all. It was very clear when something was a flash back in time. This was a great way to help the reader slowly understand the relationships and problems that caused Billy to leave the Amish community in the first place.
I appreciated that there was not a simple fix to the situations. There was confusion over what had happened, hearts that were hurting, and things that needed to be said. The overall theme of “God being faithful even when we are not” was a beautiful one, as was the story of the mysterious rose that brought Billy back to the fold. I enjoyed watching Billy and Bess slowly learn to reconnect with each other over this flower, and the character of George added to the sense of wonder of the season. This was a nice, sweet story for Christmas.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell, through Litfuse Publicity, in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.
You can read this review on my blog at:
http://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.co...
I really liked the subtle way the author allowed the reader to have glimpses into these characters’ recent pasts to tell this story. It was not confusing at all. It was very clear when something was a flash back in time. This was a great way to help the reader slowly understand the relationships and problems that caused Billy to leave the Amish community in the first place.
I appreciated that there was not a simple fix to the situations. There was confusion over what had happened, hearts that were hurting, and things that needed to be said. The overall theme of “God being faithful even when we are not” was a beautiful one, as was the story of the mysterious rose that brought Billy back to the fold. I enjoyed watching Billy and Bess slowly learn to reconnect with each other over this flower, and the character of George added to the sense of wonder of the season. This was a nice, sweet story for Christmas.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell, through Litfuse Publicity, in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.
You can read this review on my blog at:
http://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.co...
September 15, 2014
I am not a huge fan of Amish fiction per se but there a few authors whose Amish novels I always read, and Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of them. She has released another delightful tale with Christmas at Rose Hill Farm. The characters and plot are engaging, and the details about the roses were fascinating. Like a rose carefully cultivated which blossoms at just the right time, this story and the relationship between Bess and Billy unfold under Fisher's masterful and creative hand. Bring in the season early with Christmas at Rose Hill Farm!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Baker/Revell Publishing and Litfuse Publicity as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Baker/Revell Publishing and Litfuse Publicity as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 18, 2018
Beautiful multi layered story of faith, love, and second chances...
Excellent narration of Rachel Botchan
Excellent narration of Rachel Botchan
November 28, 2016
Love, love, loved this story! Christmas at Rose Hill Farm was a story filled with many colorful characters during a Christmas Season. This is my first book by this author and I loved her writing style. I usually struggle through Amish stories but this one was very good. The story was interesting and I cared about every thing going on.
Two of my favorite people were George and Maggie. Without them, this story would of been dull. And of course I LOVED the romance. The main characters of this story had lots of chemistry and I couldn't wait to find out how it was all going to end. This was a Christian book and I liked how George reminded us about our Lord and it never sounded preachy. I am definitely going to read another one by S W Fisher. Merry Christmas everybody and let the celebrating begin.
Two of my favorite people were George and Maggie. Without them, this story would of been dull. And of course I LOVED the romance. The main characters of this story had lots of chemistry and I couldn't wait to find out how it was all going to end. This was a Christian book and I liked how George reminded us about our Lord and it never sounded preachy. I am definitely going to read another one by S W Fisher. Merry Christmas everybody and let the celebrating begin.
Read
December 20, 2016roses and religion and prodigal sons? I skipped over the bible verses I'll confess. our star-crossed lovers made good. one kiss, lots of heated glances.
March 25, 2017
I think this is the longest I've taken to read so short a book. It wasn't even that I didn't want to read it, I mostly enjoyed the reading experience, I just had no problem walking away from it for weeks between reading half a chapter. I liked the characters and was invested in their relationships working out. It wasn't too romance heavy, the relationships were all not working out so there wasn't a lot of kissy-face, hand holding, mooning going on, there was grumpiness and anxiety and one-sided devotions. Mostly I was trying to find out what exactly happened to Billy to bring him to that point in his life.
I had some issues with the book, 1) the setting and 2) the lack of satisfactory relationship conclusions. Why is it set in the 70s, they're Amish people, what difference does it make? I suppose it does make a difference for rose identification, but I think it's mostly set then because her other books with the same periphery characters are set then. I don't know how long she's been writing, maybe it was current when she started, or maybe that's the time she researched Amish people, I don't know, it doesn't matter. Maybe buses ran more frequently in the 70s, considering Billy seemed to be catching them at all hours to show up at the farm. The first time he needed a carriage ride to get there from the bus stop but never again so the distances involved in this town were questionable. Also were there answering machines because how were people leaving messages at phone shanties? I obviously don't know as much about Amish people as I thought. I can't tell if these aren't very strict ones or it's something about the 70s. I don't know if reading some connected book would help answer my questions about why things are certain ways, but I doubt it'll happen.
The real issue with this book is that there is no real relationship payoff. The wedding is called off, but we don't get any new ones. It was clear very early on that Bess and Billy should be together and Maggie and Amos should become a couple, but we didn't even get those little payoffs really, let alone big wedding payoffs (though I guess Amos has his own series which is disappointing too because it's Billy and Bess that I want to hear the rest of the story about). We didn't get Christmas either for that matter, it ended on Christmas Eve kind of thing.
George the angel was cool though, and I liked the subtle religious undertones (or more clearly stated like Bible verses). Because there were a number of extras at the end of the book I didn't realize there was no hope of things going according to my expectations until suddenly the book was over. I guess the author writes about this imaginary place in other series so all the stuff that's left hanging may be answered later and the way things were kind of half introduced sometimes may just be because most readers already know the place. It wasn't confusing or anything, and the parallel of waiting for the rose to open to identify it and trying to figure Billy's past and family situation was nice. I think it could've been a stronger book if it had focused more on family drama instead of failing romance, it stayed pretty fluffy reading even when dealing with attempted suicide and bad family situations.
I had some issues with the book, 1) the setting and 2) the lack of satisfactory relationship conclusions. Why is it set in the 70s, they're Amish people, what difference does it make? I suppose it does make a difference for rose identification, but I think it's mostly set then because her other books with the same periphery characters are set then. I don't know how long she's been writing, maybe it was current when she started, or maybe that's the time she researched Amish people, I don't know, it doesn't matter. Maybe buses ran more frequently in the 70s, considering Billy seemed to be catching them at all hours to show up at the farm. The first time he needed a carriage ride to get there from the bus stop but never again so the distances involved in this town were questionable. Also were there answering machines because how were people leaving messages at phone shanties? I obviously don't know as much about Amish people as I thought. I can't tell if these aren't very strict ones or it's something about the 70s. I don't know if reading some connected book would help answer my questions about why things are certain ways, but I doubt it'll happen.
The real issue with this book is that there is no real relationship payoff. The wedding is called off, but we don't get any new ones. It was clear very early on that Bess and Billy should be together and Maggie and Amos should become a couple, but we didn't even get those little payoffs really, let alone big wedding payoffs (though I guess Amos has his own series which is disappointing too because it's Billy and Bess that I want to hear the rest of the story about). We didn't get Christmas either for that matter, it ended on Christmas Eve kind of thing.
George the angel was cool though, and I liked the subtle religious undertones (or more clearly stated like Bible verses). Because there were a number of extras at the end of the book I didn't realize there was no hope of things going according to my expectations until suddenly the book was over. I guess the author writes about this imaginary place in other series so all the stuff that's left hanging may be answered later and the way things were kind of half introduced sometimes may just be because most readers already know the place. It wasn't confusing or anything, and the parallel of waiting for the rose to open to identify it and trying to figure Billy's past and family situation was nice. I think it could've been a stronger book if it had focused more on family drama instead of failing romance, it stayed pretty fluffy reading even when dealing with attempted suicide and bad family situations.
December 18, 2023
1977 Pennsylvania
A Christmas novel about roses and forgiveness.
A Christmas novel about roses and forgiveness.
April 30, 2019
What a wonderful read! I loved the characters, the emotional writing and the unique plot. The narrator is excellent as well. Happy reading/listening!
July 2, 2021
Love
Billy infuriates me in this book but I still loved it. George was my favorite. I don’t know how I feel about Maggie’s outcome with Amos but I just love this series so much that it doesn’t matter!
Billy infuriates me in this book but I still loved it. George was my favorite. I don’t know how I feel about Maggie’s outcome with Amos but I just love this series so much that it doesn’t matter!
December 28, 2014
Reviewed at The Power of Words: http://tinyurl.com/p7q2jcv
It goes without saying that Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my very favorite Amish fiction writers, but that "favorite" status also holds true in the general fiction area because of her ability to create rich, character-driven stories with multi-layered plots. Christmas at Rose Hill Farm, Suzanne's 25th novel, develops an unfinished love story from one of her previous novels, The Search - and although I've not yet read Suzanne's earlier books, this story easily stands alone. With a family rose farm, familiar characters in Stoney Ridge, a heartrending love triangle, and a mysterious character named George, this story thoroughly entertains and inspires.
The characters are realistic, easy to engage with, and the setting of Rose Hill Farm is so vividly described that I could see and almost smell Bess's roses. Although I've never tried to grow roses, their beauty is unsurpassed and I found this aspect of the story fascinating. Billy, a "rose rustler," hunts for forgotten old roses that have survived for generations and tries to preserve them. And with his arrival at Rose Hill Farm, old feelings and hurts are resurrected. The story is set in 1977 and Suzanne very effectively interweaves their back story from the late 1960s with Bess's feisty and loveable grandmother, Bertha Riehl.
I love how Suzanne has created a sense of community throughout her Stoney Ridge novels, the way characters and settings overlap. Something else that I especially enjoy is her use of descriptive phrases that poignantly convey a character's feelings, such as Bess's thoughts about the way Billy had changed over the years: "He had hardened into manhood. Yet he was stunted somehow . . . like a crop that had suffered an unexpected frost." Amos was conflicted over his best friend Billy's return, trying to smile "though his chest tightened with a sharp sadness that felt like the crisp snap of a twig."
I'm always intrigued by the idea of divine appointments - a seemingly "chance" meeting with someone that was actually orchestrated by God - and that theme was beautifully illustrated when Billy is called to identify the rose Bess discovered in her greenhouse. Another message that I never tire of is the reminder that God is faithful, even when we are not.
Christmas at Rose Hill Farm will fill readers with the spirit of Christmas, but is perfect for any time of the year as well. Highly recommended. The back story of this lost rose will be unveiled in Anna's Crossing, a story of the first Amish who crossed the Atlantic in 1737 on the Charming Nancy ship. Due out in March 2015!
Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
It goes without saying that Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my very favorite Amish fiction writers, but that "favorite" status also holds true in the general fiction area because of her ability to create rich, character-driven stories with multi-layered plots. Christmas at Rose Hill Farm, Suzanne's 25th novel, develops an unfinished love story from one of her previous novels, The Search - and although I've not yet read Suzanne's earlier books, this story easily stands alone. With a family rose farm, familiar characters in Stoney Ridge, a heartrending love triangle, and a mysterious character named George, this story thoroughly entertains and inspires.
The characters are realistic, easy to engage with, and the setting of Rose Hill Farm is so vividly described that I could see and almost smell Bess's roses. Although I've never tried to grow roses, their beauty is unsurpassed and I found this aspect of the story fascinating. Billy, a "rose rustler," hunts for forgotten old roses that have survived for generations and tries to preserve them. And with his arrival at Rose Hill Farm, old feelings and hurts are resurrected. The story is set in 1977 and Suzanne very effectively interweaves their back story from the late 1960s with Bess's feisty and loveable grandmother, Bertha Riehl.
I love how Suzanne has created a sense of community throughout her Stoney Ridge novels, the way characters and settings overlap. Something else that I especially enjoy is her use of descriptive phrases that poignantly convey a character's feelings, such as Bess's thoughts about the way Billy had changed over the years: "He had hardened into manhood. Yet he was stunted somehow . . . like a crop that had suffered an unexpected frost." Amos was conflicted over his best friend Billy's return, trying to smile "though his chest tightened with a sharp sadness that felt like the crisp snap of a twig."
I'm always intrigued by the idea of divine appointments - a seemingly "chance" meeting with someone that was actually orchestrated by God - and that theme was beautifully illustrated when Billy is called to identify the rose Bess discovered in her greenhouse. Another message that I never tire of is the reminder that God is faithful, even when we are not.
Christmas at Rose Hill Farm will fill readers with the spirit of Christmas, but is perfect for any time of the year as well. Highly recommended. The back story of this lost rose will be unveiled in Anna's Crossing, a story of the first Amish who crossed the Atlantic in 1737 on the Charming Nancy ship. Due out in March 2015!
Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 12, 2016
This review is also posted on Book by Book.
Is it too early to be in the Christmas mood? Well, I just finished reading Suzanne Woods Fisher’s Christmas at Rose Hill Farm and I don’t think so. This novel offers a heartwarming love story as it captures the holiday’s warm feelings of home and family. It is a wonderful story to read – even in the middle of September.
After several years apart, an unidentifiable rose brings Bess Riehl and Billy Lapp back together for what seems like a second chance at love. (I assume their relationship began in The Search, though I have yet to read that novel. Luckily, Fisher provides enough references and flashbacks to easily understand what happened in the past and how it affects the present.) The two feel drawn together by their remaining feelings, but stubborn pride, guilt and of course, Bess’ engagement to Amos Lapp separate them. As they wait for the rose to bloom, both Bess and Billy work through the complications of their pasts and presents and find the value of forgiveness and faith just in time for Christmas.
A sweet story, Christmas at Rose Hill Farm is an enjoyable read, perfect for the approaching Christmas season. I recommend this novel to lovers of Amish fiction and especially to those who already met Bess and Billy in The Search.
Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Christmas at Rose Hill Farm and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
Is it too early to be in the Christmas mood? Well, I just finished reading Suzanne Woods Fisher’s Christmas at Rose Hill Farm and I don’t think so. This novel offers a heartwarming love story as it captures the holiday’s warm feelings of home and family. It is a wonderful story to read – even in the middle of September.
After several years apart, an unidentifiable rose brings Bess Riehl and Billy Lapp back together for what seems like a second chance at love. (I assume their relationship began in The Search, though I have yet to read that novel. Luckily, Fisher provides enough references and flashbacks to easily understand what happened in the past and how it affects the present.) The two feel drawn together by their remaining feelings, but stubborn pride, guilt and of course, Bess’ engagement to Amos Lapp separate them. As they wait for the rose to bloom, both Bess and Billy work through the complications of their pasts and presents and find the value of forgiveness and faith just in time for Christmas.
A sweet story, Christmas at Rose Hill Farm is an enjoyable read, perfect for the approaching Christmas season. I recommend this novel to lovers of Amish fiction and especially to those who already met Bess and Billy in The Search.
Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Christmas at Rose Hill Farm and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
December 2, 2014
Fans of Suzanne Woods Fisher's work are going to love this year's Christmas book. It is again set in Lancaster County and contains characters that we have come to know and love through some of her other series.
The main character is Bess Riehl who we first met in The Search (Lancaster County Secrets, Book 3). We meet up with Bess as she is busy planning her wedding to Amos Lapp. He isn't her first love, that would be Billy, but Billy is nowhere to be found and Bess is just trying to get on with her life.
When a mysterious variety of rose is found Bess and her family decide to try and find out its origins. They send for a rose expert and low and behold it winds up being the long lost Billy. Billy has secrets he's hiding and doesn't want to risk getting involved with Bess again. He wants to identify the rose and then leave. But of course God has other plans and sends the mysterious George to help guide Billy.
I loved this quick little novella. It was not only a great story of redemption and restoration it was also a very interesting lesson on the science of roses. It gave me a whole new appreciation for those planted around my house. Come spring I am going to definitely be wondering about the origins of my particular plants.
Another exciting little follow up to this book is that the story continues in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. It is such a fun little peek into the lives of those familiar characters. This would make the perfect stocking stuffer for the book lover on your Christmas list.
I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
The main character is Bess Riehl who we first met in The Search (Lancaster County Secrets, Book 3). We meet up with Bess as she is busy planning her wedding to Amos Lapp. He isn't her first love, that would be Billy, but Billy is nowhere to be found and Bess is just trying to get on with her life.
When a mysterious variety of rose is found Bess and her family decide to try and find out its origins. They send for a rose expert and low and behold it winds up being the long lost Billy. Billy has secrets he's hiding and doesn't want to risk getting involved with Bess again. He wants to identify the rose and then leave. But of course God has other plans and sends the mysterious George to help guide Billy.
I loved this quick little novella. It was not only a great story of redemption and restoration it was also a very interesting lesson on the science of roses. It gave me a whole new appreciation for those planted around my house. Come spring I am going to definitely be wondering about the origins of my particular plants.
Another exciting little follow up to this book is that the story continues in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. It is such a fun little peek into the lives of those familiar characters. This would make the perfect stocking stuffer for the book lover on your Christmas list.
I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
November 10, 2014
Oh, my Christmas is on its way! This story will touch your heart and bring the Christmas season to full bloom. I loved this book and its characters. Since I am a rose lover and grower the focus on old roses added another great dimension. A darling Amish couple, Bess Riehl and Amos Lapp are headed toward their wedding day in a few weeks. Amos is preparing to paint their apartment over his family's barn as Bess' family finishes her dress. In the midst of all this, Bess discovers an old rose in the greenhouse. They own many old roses as part of their thriving rose business, but this one has been hiding. This rose brings with it a history that changes everyone's life as Christmas approaches. I became more absorbed as the pages went by with several twists and turns added in. This quick read involves several Amish families in need of forgiveness, honesty, and grace which the author delivers beautifully. This is a must read for the Christmas season especially if you collect Christmas books. I stayed in a bath gone cold to finish it!
I highly recommend Christmas at Rose Hill Farm: An Amish Love Story by Suzanne Woods Fisher.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by The Book Club Network.
I highly recommend Christmas at Rose Hill Farm: An Amish Love Story by Suzanne Woods Fisher.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by The Book Club Network.
December 3, 2015
It was fascinating to learn about heirloom roses and their history- for once I was more interested in that than the romance! I loved that the mystery of the lost rose was revealed slowly throughout the book. Even though Bess's grandmother was passed away, she was very much a strong presence in the story through memories and flashbacks. I loved her quirky sayings and the way she mixed up words :) The author did a good job of making the reader feel Bess's desperation as her wedding loomed closer and her emotions didn't align with the choices she made. A close friend of Bess, Billy and Amos adds another dimension to the plot as she helps each of them sort out their true feelings.
(Thank you to Revell Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
(Thank you to Revell Publishing and Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
September 17, 2014
CHRISTMAS AT ROSE HILL FARM is a throwback to one of Ms. Fisher's earliest Amish series. I enjoyed getting reacquainted with the characters from this earlier collection, and remembered Bess' aggravation when her love interest only had eyes for another--and left with her.
I understood Bess' anguish as her wedding approached, and Amos tried to do whatever he could to please her, but she kept thinking of Billy... Because a girl never forgets her first love.
With realistic characterization that drew me into the story, Ms. Fisher pens a story with a love-triangle, a forgotten rose, and a plan that may completely fail. Highly recommended.
I understood Bess' anguish as her wedding approached, and Amos tried to do whatever he could to please her, but she kept thinking of Billy... Because a girl never forgets her first love.
With realistic characterization that drew me into the story, Ms. Fisher pens a story with a love-triangle, a forgotten rose, and a plan that may completely fail. Highly recommended.
April 15, 2017
"Christmas at Rose Hill Farm" is a nice Christmas book. It follows Bess Riehl and Billy Lapp from the book, "The Search" book 3 in the series Lancaster County Secrets series. You can read this book without having read "The Search", but if you have read "The Search" it gives a nice setting to this story.
December 22, 2019
An unusual romance
This romance is centered around roses. It starts with a young tween who stays behind to be with her grandmother as company after the death of her grandfather. She never seems to go back home, but it seems her father came to her.
The grandmother is seriously into roses. She knows of a young boy whose mother has died & whose father refers to him as "the runt" & puts down everything he does. He catches his brothers putting sawdust into flour bags then topping it off with the flour. When he threatens to tell his father, his brothers say their father has instructed them to do this. Disgusted, he runs to the bishop & makes him aware & the bishop puts the father under the bann for 6 months & confiscates the flour, which means a financial loss. Over & over, his brothers abuse him & so does his father. Knowing this, the girl's grandmother tells him she needs him to graft roses for her because she doesn't know how & when he says he doesn't know either, she tells him to go to the library & find out. And so he starts his career as a rosarian. The girl is around the same age, & they fall in love, but there is an ex girlfriend about whom, the story hints, he seemed undecided. When he helps her, & she hugs him in gratitude, the girl finds out & loses her trust in him, something the brothers had planned. He had ordered a new buggie to use to court his love, but several things happen that lead to his losing the buggy. It happens they helped a man with a flat tire, & since he didn't have a wrench, they send the youngest to get it. In the time he is gone, they steal something from the truck bed, then claim he stole it. He knows who probably did steal it, & finds it, stashing it in his buggy to take to town to return it...but it is gone. His father & brothers framing him, taking his buggy, & his girl not believing him make him just say that he's done. He just up & leaves that night, wandering around, from job to job, at one time in despair, he takes his pocket knife out & lightly runs it against his wrist...then realizes he wants to live. Meanwhile, his friend & cousin, who is his rival for the girl's affections, & also his childhood friend, has been looking for him, when an older black man says to him that his friend needs him, to go now, & tells him where the friend lives. His friend takes care of him, gets him to a hospital, he is evaluated for risk of self harm, released, but refuses to go back home. He had been working in a nursery, lost that job, but they recommended him to the greenhouses at the nearby university, where he works.as a rose wrangler. Meanwhile, the girl's cat drags her coat down to the floor to take a nap while she cares for the roses, & as she retrieves the coat, she notices a rose bush that has leafed out & has a bud. Not sure what kind of rose this is, they call a rose wrangler who is unable to come, but recommends the one at the university, who just happens to be the boyfriend. But in his absence, his cousin has courted his girl, both of them certain he won't return...that if he did, he wouldn't stay, & so they plen to be married. She loves them both but in different ways. Meanwhile his 3 brothers are in trouble woth the law. One got a girl pregnant but refuses to marry her & is lying low to avoid child support. The other 2 were caught poaching & moved to a different county to avoid prosecution. And his father is dying. In the middle all this, a black man in thin clothes shows up at the greenhouses at the university & the young man shares food woth him & gives him his coat, thinking he is a hobo. He pays the guy under the table to do his work in the greenhouses so he can keep checking on the unknown rose.
The question of what thappens between the 2 rose loving lovebirds, the cousin & the pending marriage, the relationship of the young man with the father, & the reason the black man is hanging around, are all in the story.
Enjoy.
This romance is centered around roses. It starts with a young tween who stays behind to be with her grandmother as company after the death of her grandfather. She never seems to go back home, but it seems her father came to her.
The grandmother is seriously into roses. She knows of a young boy whose mother has died & whose father refers to him as "the runt" & puts down everything he does. He catches his brothers putting sawdust into flour bags then topping it off with the flour. When he threatens to tell his father, his brothers say their father has instructed them to do this. Disgusted, he runs to the bishop & makes him aware & the bishop puts the father under the bann for 6 months & confiscates the flour, which means a financial loss. Over & over, his brothers abuse him & so does his father. Knowing this, the girl's grandmother tells him she needs him to graft roses for her because she doesn't know how & when he says he doesn't know either, she tells him to go to the library & find out. And so he starts his career as a rosarian. The girl is around the same age, & they fall in love, but there is an ex girlfriend about whom, the story hints, he seemed undecided. When he helps her, & she hugs him in gratitude, the girl finds out & loses her trust in him, something the brothers had planned. He had ordered a new buggie to use to court his love, but several things happen that lead to his losing the buggy. It happens they helped a man with a flat tire, & since he didn't have a wrench, they send the youngest to get it. In the time he is gone, they steal something from the truck bed, then claim he stole it. He knows who probably did steal it, & finds it, stashing it in his buggy to take to town to return it...but it is gone. His father & brothers framing him, taking his buggy, & his girl not believing him make him just say that he's done. He just up & leaves that night, wandering around, from job to job, at one time in despair, he takes his pocket knife out & lightly runs it against his wrist...then realizes he wants to live. Meanwhile, his friend & cousin, who is his rival for the girl's affections, & also his childhood friend, has been looking for him, when an older black man says to him that his friend needs him, to go now, & tells him where the friend lives. His friend takes care of him, gets him to a hospital, he is evaluated for risk of self harm, released, but refuses to go back home. He had been working in a nursery, lost that job, but they recommended him to the greenhouses at the nearby university, where he works.as a rose wrangler. Meanwhile, the girl's cat drags her coat down to the floor to take a nap while she cares for the roses, & as she retrieves the coat, she notices a rose bush that has leafed out & has a bud. Not sure what kind of rose this is, they call a rose wrangler who is unable to come, but recommends the one at the university, who just happens to be the boyfriend. But in his absence, his cousin has courted his girl, both of them certain he won't return...that if he did, he wouldn't stay, & so they plen to be married. She loves them both but in different ways. Meanwhile his 3 brothers are in trouble woth the law. One got a girl pregnant but refuses to marry her & is lying low to avoid child support. The other 2 were caught poaching & moved to a different county to avoid prosecution. And his father is dying. In the middle all this, a black man in thin clothes shows up at the greenhouses at the university & the young man shares food woth him & gives him his coat, thinking he is a hobo. He pays the guy under the table to do his work in the greenhouses so he can keep checking on the unknown rose.
The question of what thappens between the 2 rose loving lovebirds, the cousin & the pending marriage, the relationship of the young man with the father, & the reason the black man is hanging around, are all in the story.
Enjoy.
December 6, 2025
This was a great book, but I wasn’t expecting it to be about Rose Hill Farm. I guess what I want to say is, I followed reading the Stoney Ridge series of books with Rose Hill Farm. Then I read the Windmill Farm Series. Going back to characters from the Rose Hill Farm series was really challenging for me. I take notes on the books I read so I remember characters’ names. Amish books are a bit more challenging due to the large families. I want to get everyone straight! So between these two series of books, not only was time going back and forth, but now I had to go by my summaries to get my memory back on track with the characters. (I get rid of my notes once I finish a series.) I kind of understand why this book was put at the very end, but maybe if it was at the end of the Rose Hill Farm series it would have been better. I do remember saying in the summary of the book with Bess, Jonah, and Lainey that I wish there was a book with what happens to Bess! So with that said, this book takes place on Rose Hill Farm. Billy Lapp, the boy who helped Bess with taking care of roses, has gone away. Bess was in love with Billy, but there was a misunderstanding with Billy giving an ex-girlfriend money, and Bess understandably gets upset. Also, Billy was having problems with his family. He didn’t get along with his three brothers who were always doing wrong and unethical things. His father also was on his case, even accusing Billy of stealing a box with a valuable bank from a guy who was fixing a flat tire. So time has passed since Billy left and Bess has been dating Amos Lapp, and they are now engaged. Now Amos Lapp we know from Windmill Farm. His wife, Maggie Zook, passed away. But in this story, we come to know how Amos and Maggie got to know each other better. We even catch a glimpse of how Maggie is similar to her daughter, MK, who also has no interest in teaching but her father, Bishop Caleb Zook, may have to give her the job. So we know that Amos and Bess do not get married, even though Amos was really in love with Bess. Bess is still in love with Billy Lapp. And he comes back to Rose Hill Farm because an unusual rose is found. Billy is a rose rustler that can study what kind of rose it could be, possibly an old and rare rose.
This story had other stories within it going back in time, which helped. But it was also confusing that this story had Bess coming to Rose Hill Farm many years ago because of her grandfather’s funeral. The other book had her grandmother saying she needed help from Bess after surgery, which only turned out to be getting her teeth pulled, and only for the summer.
So in the end, the special rose blooms and Bess remembers more and more about what her Mammi knew about the rose. Bess cancels the wedding with Amos and we know she and Billy become a couple. There’s even an angel, George, who helps and guides Billy to reconcile with his father, who passes away.
This story had other stories within it going back in time, which helped. But it was also confusing that this story had Bess coming to Rose Hill Farm many years ago because of her grandfather’s funeral. The other book had her grandmother saying she needed help from Bess after surgery, which only turned out to be getting her teeth pulled, and only for the summer.
So in the end, the special rose blooms and Bess remembers more and more about what her Mammi knew about the rose. Bess cancels the wedding with Amos and we know she and Billy become a couple. There’s even an angel, George, who helps and guides Billy to reconcile with his father, who passes away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2017
4 stars
Synopsis: Bess and her father have run her grandmother's rose business since her grandmother died. Bess has even expanded it to include old remedies, and they have a lot of fairly rare roses. One day, Bess discovers a rose that she has never seen before at the back of the greenhouse. Neither she or her father can identify it, so they try to get someone who can. They are put in contact with Penn U, who sends out their rose rustler. The rose rustler turns out to be Billy, whom Bess loves still, even though she is going to marry his cousin in a few weeks' time.
Billy ran away from his community several years ago due to a falling out with his family. His brothers were always bullies, but something pushes Billy over the edge. He vowed to never return, and when he is forced to come back to the Plain community to try to identify the rose, he asks that no one tell anyone. Unfortunately, Billy can't be one and done, because the rose that Bess and her father show him isn't one that he has seen before. And since the single bud hasn't bloomed yet, that makes it even more difficult to figure out what it might be.
As Bess' wedding to Amos draws nearer, so does the end of any contact with Billy, because once he identifies the rose, he never wants to return.
What I liked: the spiritual aspect. It was a steady presence in the background, the foundation for the entire story. (Just for the record, I am not religious at all, and to have "spiritual" characters completely forget their faith until they all of a sudden say "praise the lord" or other things like that is annoying.) I liked that Billy struggled with his faith; trying to figure out how it fit in to his world now, and how it fit in to his life before. I also liked that Bess and her father were progressive without stepping outside of the Plain ideal.
What I didn't like: I felt as though Bess could have actually stepped up and not made Amos be the one to let go, especially since he wasn't the one who loved another person.
Synopsis: Bess and her father have run her grandmother's rose business since her grandmother died. Bess has even expanded it to include old remedies, and they have a lot of fairly rare roses. One day, Bess discovers a rose that she has never seen before at the back of the greenhouse. Neither she or her father can identify it, so they try to get someone who can. They are put in contact with Penn U, who sends out their rose rustler. The rose rustler turns out to be Billy, whom Bess loves still, even though she is going to marry his cousin in a few weeks' time.
Billy ran away from his community several years ago due to a falling out with his family. His brothers were always bullies, but something pushes Billy over the edge. He vowed to never return, and when he is forced to come back to the Plain community to try to identify the rose, he asks that no one tell anyone. Unfortunately, Billy can't be one and done, because the rose that Bess and her father show him isn't one that he has seen before. And since the single bud hasn't bloomed yet, that makes it even more difficult to figure out what it might be.
As Bess' wedding to Amos draws nearer, so does the end of any contact with Billy, because once he identifies the rose, he never wants to return.
What I liked: the spiritual aspect. It was a steady presence in the background, the foundation for the entire story. (Just for the record, I am not religious at all, and to have "spiritual" characters completely forget their faith until they all of a sudden say "praise the lord" or other things like that is annoying.) I liked that Billy struggled with his faith; trying to figure out how it fit in to his world now, and how it fit in to his life before. I also liked that Bess and her father were progressive without stepping outside of the Plain ideal.
What I didn't like: I felt as though Bess could have actually stepped up and not made Amos be the one to let go, especially since he wasn't the one who loved another person.
October 26, 2022
Christmas at Rose Hill Farm is...a nice book. It's just the thing if you are in bed with a cold. However, if you are not in bed with a cold, and your wits are sharper, it may not be the thing. Here's the story. It's Christmas in the late '70s in Amish Country. Bess Riehl is contemplating her coming marriage to Amos Lapp, not with joy, but with something like dread. Amos is a lovely man. He is kind, gentle, generous, responsible, and down with being Amish, or Plain, as Bess calls it. So what's the problem?
The problem is Amos's cousin, Billy Lapp. Bess fell for Billy when she was only 15. He was terribly goodlooking, but, as Billy and Bess were starting to feel like they had something like a relationship, Billy's old girlfriend turned up and ruined things. Then Billy disappeared.
Bess is a rose farmer. She started learning about the propagation of roses from her grandmother, Bertha. At 20, she is running a successful rose business, selling plants as well as rose soap, and even remedies made from rose petals. One day, she discovers a rose hidden away in her greenhouse, one she has never seen before. To identify this mystery rose, she calls the rose experts at Penn State University, who send ....Billy.
Billy is happy working at Penn State, but his personal life is a mess. He is estranged from his family, lonely, but ducking attempts by women to get to know him better. He is not at all happy to return to Rose Hill Farm. It reminds him of his failed romance with Bess, and of his family.
So that's basically it. Boy (Amos) loves girl. Girl (Bess) isn't sure she loves him back. Girl still compares boy number one with boy number two (Billy.) Then, there is a mysterious guy named George who keeps popping in at opportune moments. The thing about George is, no one seems to notice him but Billy. Hmmm.
Like I said, it's a nice book.
The problem is Amos's cousin, Billy Lapp. Bess fell for Billy when she was only 15. He was terribly goodlooking, but, as Billy and Bess were starting to feel like they had something like a relationship, Billy's old girlfriend turned up and ruined things. Then Billy disappeared.
Bess is a rose farmer. She started learning about the propagation of roses from her grandmother, Bertha. At 20, she is running a successful rose business, selling plants as well as rose soap, and even remedies made from rose petals. One day, she discovers a rose hidden away in her greenhouse, one she has never seen before. To identify this mystery rose, she calls the rose experts at Penn State University, who send ....Billy.
Billy is happy working at Penn State, but his personal life is a mess. He is estranged from his family, lonely, but ducking attempts by women to get to know him better. He is not at all happy to return to Rose Hill Farm. It reminds him of his failed romance with Bess, and of his family.
So that's basically it. Boy (Amos) loves girl. Girl (Bess) isn't sure she loves him back. Girl still compares boy number one with boy number two (Billy.) Then, there is a mysterious guy named George who keeps popping in at opportune moments. The thing about George is, no one seems to notice him but Billy. Hmmm.
Like I said, it's a nice book.
December 9, 2019
~ AUDIOBOOK REVIEW ~
2.5 Stars. This was a hard one to rate because some parts I enjoyed, others not so much, and at one point I almost returned the book. It just wasn’t what I was expecting, I was looking for a light, cozy, heartwarming story to get me in the Christmas spirit. But I did enjoy learning about roses, and I enjoyed Maggie’s character.
I appreciate the character growth and under other circumstances I might not have minded this part. But listening to the book to fall asleep I was shocked by a detailed description of a character self harming. I don’t think the detail was necessary for the story line. Maybe I’m sensitive but I found it difficult to sleep and it made me cautious for the rest of the book - turns out I didn’t need to be because nothing else like that is mentioned. (For those wondering it is referred to again, but never in detail after that point)
Series:
I haven’t read anything else in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, so I’m not sure how this fits in. But I didn’t feel like I was missing anything reading it by itself.
Audio Rating: 6/10
Narrator: Rachel Botchan
Time: 7hrs 16mins.
2.5 Stars. This was a hard one to rate because some parts I enjoyed, others not so much, and at one point I almost returned the book. It just wasn’t what I was expecting, I was looking for a light, cozy, heartwarming story to get me in the Christmas spirit. But I did enjoy learning about roses, and I enjoyed Maggie’s character.
I appreciate the character growth and under other circumstances I might not have minded this part. But listening to the book to fall asleep I was shocked by a detailed description of a character self harming. I don’t think the detail was necessary for the story line. Maybe I’m sensitive but I found it difficult to sleep and it made me cautious for the rest of the book - turns out I didn’t need to be because nothing else like that is mentioned. (For those wondering it is referred to again, but never in detail after that point)
Series:
I haven’t read anything else in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, so I’m not sure how this fits in. But I didn’t feel like I was missing anything reading it by itself.
Audio Rating: 6/10
Narrator: Rachel Botchan
Time: 7hrs 16mins.
July 2, 2017
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. I thought the details about roses, especially 'founds' were fascinating. I also liked George and how he figured into the story. And, I definitely got a chuckle out of Maggie. What a firecracker! :)
I did want to smack Billy, Bess, and Amos upside the head a time or two, though. It especially irked me that Bess wouldn't be honest with either guy. Amos was kind, but a bit of a pushover, until the end. And Billy? The stubborn apple didn't fall from the tree methinks. But, even though I wanted to shake some sense into them, I also wanted what was best for all 3 characters, so that's good.
This book says it's the 4th in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, but TBH, I would recommend reading it as a segue between the Lancaster County Secrets series and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series (so, between 'The Search', or even 'A Lancaster County Christmas' and 'The Keeper'). That said, I read them in the order mentioned here on GoodReads, and several years after reading the Lancaster County Secrets series and was not confused at all.
3.5 stars
I did want to smack Billy, Bess, and Amos upside the head a time or two, though. It especially irked me that Bess wouldn't be honest with either guy. Amos was kind, but a bit of a pushover, until the end. And Billy? The stubborn apple didn't fall from the tree methinks. But, even though I wanted to shake some sense into them, I also wanted what was best for all 3 characters, so that's good.
This book says it's the 4th in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, but TBH, I would recommend reading it as a segue between the Lancaster County Secrets series and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series (so, between 'The Search', or even 'A Lancaster County Christmas' and 'The Keeper'). That said, I read them in the order mentioned here on GoodReads, and several years after reading the Lancaster County Secrets series and was not confused at all.
3.5 stars
August 16, 2017
While looking for more books to read by this author, I discovered this book. It ties together characters from the two series that I've already read (although, I now realize, I read them out of order).
Years have passed, and Bess Riehl is grown and engaged to be married...but not to the young man she fell in love with all those years ago. Rather, she's about to become the wife of Billy's cousin. All was well until Billy returned to Stoney Ridge to identify a mystery rose at Rose Hill Farm. Through pain past and present and the challenges of being able to forgive, Bess, Billy, and Amos try to find their ways to the truths hidden deep inside their hearts.
I so enjoyed this story. As a gardener, I loved the details the author gives about roses and caring for them. (Roses don't grow well where I live, but I love them.) I also enjoyed the "hobo" character that helped Billy through so much. (No spoiler, but I figured out who he was before it was revealed!) A wonderful story of forgiveness and love.
Years have passed, and Bess Riehl is grown and engaged to be married...but not to the young man she fell in love with all those years ago. Rather, she's about to become the wife of Billy's cousin. All was well until Billy returned to Stoney Ridge to identify a mystery rose at Rose Hill Farm. Through pain past and present and the challenges of being able to forgive, Bess, Billy, and Amos try to find their ways to the truths hidden deep inside their hearts.
I so enjoyed this story. As a gardener, I loved the details the author gives about roses and caring for them. (Roses don't grow well where I live, but I love them.) I also enjoyed the "hobo" character that helped Billy through so much. (No spoiler, but I figured out who he was before it was revealed!) A wonderful story of forgiveness and love.
May 26, 2019
****Christmas at Rosehill Farm: An Amish Love Story: Stoney Ridge book 4
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the novel Christmas at Rosehill Farm: An Amish Love Story: Stoney Ridge book 4 by Suzanne Woods Fisher and this review was given freely.
titled as book four but really takes place prior to The Keeper {Stoney Ridge Seasons book 1} and around the same time as A Lancaster County Christmas.
A mix of the present with the past combined with a struggle with truth,faith, memories and love combined with a history lesson on roses. Beth Riehl prepares for her Christmas wedding to Amos Lapp but questions the feelings she still has for her first love, Amos' cousin Billy who left the faith but suddenly returns from the English world as Penn State Extension's rose authority/rose rustler to identify an unknown rose in the Reihl greenhouse. Also contains the budding romance of Maggie Zook.
November 15, 2019
I don't read much Amish fiction anymore, as it all began to feel very formulaic. But Fisher's Christmas novel is very much outside the box. Bess Riehl is still living at home, works in her Mammi's (grandmother's) greenhouse, and is engaged to Amos. Mammi has passed, Bess is now in charge of her business of antique rose growing. When she discovers a strange rose shoved back behind one of the workbenches, she calls for help in identifying it from Penn State. To her dismay, the "rose rustler" is Billy Lapp, Bess' ex Amish boyfriend.
I enjoyed that the focus was predominantly on the mystery of the "found" rose and its identification. Yet we still got to feel Bess' angst as she comes to realize that Amos is not her forever mate and that she still has feelings for Billy. The touches throughout the story with "George" filled the story with Christmas magic. A good Christmas read.
I enjoyed that the focus was predominantly on the mystery of the "found" rose and its identification. Yet we still got to feel Bess' angst as she comes to realize that Amos is not her forever mate and that she still has feelings for Billy. The touches throughout the story with "George" filled the story with Christmas magic. A good Christmas read.
July 12, 2021
Awww Christmas in July!
Well not exactly but we are having a July Heat Wave and thought this would be a pleasant read on hot summer’s day. Should have read this in June as it is pointed out that June is national ‘Rose month”
I have read several Suzanne Woods Fisher Amish stories. My favorite is At Lighthouse Point.
This story is more religious than the other books I read and I know that isn’t for everyone.
Love the author’s note with the history of roses!
Well not exactly but we are having a July Heat Wave and thought this would be a pleasant read on hot summer’s day. Should have read this in June as it is pointed out that June is national ‘Rose month”
I have read several Suzanne Woods Fisher Amish stories. My favorite is At Lighthouse Point.
This story is more religious than the other books I read and I know that isn’t for everyone.
Love the author’s note with the history of roses!
October 26, 2025
A cute story of forgiveness and redemption. I really enjoyed learning what happened with Billy Lapp and Bess Riehl after the novel The Search ended. I really appreciated the journey Billy traveled in this story to find forgiveness and work through his hurt. I find Christian novels tend to over simplify struggles which was not the case with this story (actually not the case with most Suzanne Woods Fisher books). I connected with Billy's desire to hold on to his resentment and hurt - after all no one came for him. However, I also loved when he realized that his perception was not the full story leading him to forgiveness.
The character of George is wonderful - he just shows up when needed.
The character of George is wonderful - he just shows up when needed.
November 26, 2023
I truly love Amish Christmas stories, but this one fell a little short. The writing was well done, the characters interesting, but it reads almost like the author was trying to "make" this offering into a "Christmas book" . There was very little contemplation or celebration of the holiday, beyond the characters eating an occasional Christmas cookie, and lots of snow. Still, it was a compelling and unusual tale of an Amish woman deciding -during her wedding- that she wants a marriage based on true and honest love instead of comfortable security. Well worth the read.
December 14, 2019
A Beautiful Story
The beauty of an Amish story with a study of the history of the rose. Informative, poignant, touching, this book reminds you that with God you are never alone. It reminds you to be true to yourself, God, and others. It has a twist with a guardian angel that may not be realistic, but works to remind us of our guardian angels that God sends for our protection and help.
The beauty of an Amish story with a study of the history of the rose. Informative, poignant, touching, this book reminds you that with God you are never alone. It reminds you to be true to yourself, God, and others. It has a twist with a guardian angel that may not be realistic, but works to remind us of our guardian angels that God sends for our protection and help.
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