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A Simple Christmas Wish
Rachel Milligan is caring for her seven-year-old niece, Holly, at her home in Chicago when she receives devastating Holly's parents have been killed in a plane crash. Because Rachel is Holly's only known relative, she assumes that she will be her beloved niece's guardian. However, custody is awarded to Lydia, a distant aunt who happens to be Amish. Just a week before Christmas, Rachel takes Holly to the Amish community in the hopes of persuading Aunt Lydia to relinquish custody. Instead, Lydia sets out to teach Holly to live according to the Amish way. As family secrets emerge and old wounds are healed, Rachel realizes that she will do whatever it takes to ensure that Holly has the loving family she needs.
Combining an Amish family saga with the anticipation of Christmas cheer and the promise of a budding romance, this newest Christmas story from beloved author Melody Carlson is sure to please.
Combining an Amish family saga with the anticipation of Christmas cheer and the promise of a budding romance, this newest Christmas story from beloved author Melody Carlson is sure to please.
168 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2013
215 people are currently reading
1328 people want to read
About the author
Melody Carlson
418 books3,238 followersMelody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
December 15, 2013
It's your basic story of an aunt who unexpectedly gets custody of her 6yr old niece, and then loses her to an heretofore unknown relative of her niece, an Amish aunt! The story was very superficial, predictable and not very 'romantic' for a romance novel, and aside from taking place at Christmas time, not very holiday-ish. This book is pretty much a waste of time.
June 22, 2016
A Simple Christmas Wish is a great read for the Holidays!
When Rachel's brother and sister-in-law die in a plane crash, Rachel assumes she will be taking care of her young niece, Holly. Only her brother's will states otherwise... Rachel has no choice but to bring Holly to an Amish farm, where the aunt she has never met before will care for her. Convinced Holly belongs in her care, Rachel tries her best to bring her home for Christmas.
The story the author crafted is very touching. It's a tale of love between a little girl and her aunt, and ultimately, Rachel's quest to determining what's best for her niece. There's also a little romance story on the side. Furthermore, the author sheds some light on the ups and downs of the Amish lifestyle. Although the book is short, the events don't feel rushed and the story is nicely finished.
The main characters are beautifully developed. But, given the length of the book, most of the supporting characters are somewhat left in the shadows, as we don't learn much more than their names.
The dialogues between characters are a little odd and seem unnatural at times... However, this doesn't take away from the story and I would still recommend A Simple Christmas Wish to anyone looking for a good book to read at Christmastime.
When Rachel's brother and sister-in-law die in a plane crash, Rachel assumes she will be taking care of her young niece, Holly. Only her brother's will states otherwise... Rachel has no choice but to bring Holly to an Amish farm, where the aunt she has never met before will care for her. Convinced Holly belongs in her care, Rachel tries her best to bring her home for Christmas.
The story the author crafted is very touching. It's a tale of love between a little girl and her aunt, and ultimately, Rachel's quest to determining what's best for her niece. There's also a little romance story on the side. Furthermore, the author sheds some light on the ups and downs of the Amish lifestyle. Although the book is short, the events don't feel rushed and the story is nicely finished.
The main characters are beautifully developed. But, given the length of the book, most of the supporting characters are somewhat left in the shadows, as we don't learn much more than their names.
The dialogues between characters are a little odd and seem unnatural at times... However, this doesn't take away from the story and I would still recommend A Simple Christmas Wish to anyone looking for a good book to read at Christmastime.
January 7, 2015
This was my first book by Melody Carlson and I wasn't disappointed. I loved this short Christmas story about a woman named Rachel, who, after the tragic death of her brother and sister-in-law, took care of their only daughter, Holly.
I loved Holly and her loyalty to her aunt. Both she and Rachel clung to each other in this hard time and I felt like I was right there beside them. This author did a great job with this story and I look forward to reading more of her work. This story is very clean and it made me enjoy the story even more.
I loved Holly and her loyalty to her aunt. Both she and Rachel clung to each other in this hard time and I felt like I was right there beside them. This author did a great job with this story and I look forward to reading more of her work. This story is very clean and it made me enjoy the story even more.
October 10, 2013
When will I learn not to read Amish fiction? I picked it up due to the Christmas theme not due to the Amish theme. I just couldn't get into. Sorry!
December 22, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded up
The ending was a little far fetched, but the story was so sweet that I didn’t mind.
The ending was a little far fetched, but the story was so sweet that I didn’t mind.
December 29, 2020
Although it begins on a very sad note, it is a book filled with good things. From the world of the Amish comes a story of healing, and friendship, and love.
A second read ... I couldn't put it down, and read it in just over an hour, so it's an easy read. But the story is one of kindness and caring and especially, healing.
A second read ... I couldn't put it down, and read it in just over an hour, so it's an easy read. But the story is one of kindness and caring and especially, healing.
November 23, 2013
This is the 2nd book of Melody Carlson's I've read and I'm making the exact same comment. There isn't enough character development. The story seems rushed. It was a good story but it could have spread itself out quite a bit more.
December 9, 2020
A Simple Christmas Wish is a very enduring story by Melody Carlson. This story is set in Amish country at Christmas time. This is such an enjoyable short story and I wish it could have gone on a little longer. With her young niece in tow Rachel Milligan makes her way from Chicago to Ohio and the Amish way of life. When secrets are revealed all Rachel wants is for her niece Holly to have a very loving family. Can the forgiving spirit of Christmas help make this happen?
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others especially at Christmas.
Congratulations to Melody Carlson on writing such an inspiring story of what family really means at Christmas.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others especially at Christmas.
Congratulations to Melody Carlson on writing such an inspiring story of what family really means at Christmas.
September 15, 2022
2.5 stars, rounded up
While an interesting premise, the overlooking of obvious legal avenues for custody and the sudden, happy ending made this a frustrating read
While an interesting premise, the overlooking of obvious legal avenues for custody and the sudden, happy ending made this a frustrating read
May 17, 2023
A very cute book.
January 1, 2022
Very good! Made me cry and smile! Loved it.
August 1, 2022
I enjoyed the author’s style and will be pursuing other books she has written. She developed a great storyline with meaningful characters that the reader grows to care about in a short fiction read. It’s fascinating how quickly the story moves, yet how attached the reader becomes.
December 9, 2018
This book was a really good one!! Its was sad in parts but had a very happy ending!!! I really liked it!!
November 6, 2013
A Great Christmas Read!
Do we believe in life changing situations that are out of our control? In this story that is just what happened. Life was going pretty good for Rachel Milligan when a terrible tragedy struck. Heart broken and left with a niece to care for Rachel set to work trying to create a good life for her young niece. Just when she thought everything was under control another life altering situation blind sighted her. How did she not know of this secret life of her sister-in-law? Why was she not told?
I read this book in one day because I had to find out what happened. I found myself getting a little antsy because things just didn’t seem to be going the way I would hope this book would go.
This is a book you don’t want to miss for this Christmas season. I found it to be frustrating on one hand and heart warming on another. One thing we do learn is God is in Control and it is all in His time, not ours.
I would love to see author Melody Carlson write a follow up book on the characters. Perhaps a Christmas sequel is in order for 2014? I do hope so!
Do we believe in life changing situations that are out of our control? In this story that is just what happened. Life was going pretty good for Rachel Milligan when a terrible tragedy struck. Heart broken and left with a niece to care for Rachel set to work trying to create a good life for her young niece. Just when she thought everything was under control another life altering situation blind sighted her. How did she not know of this secret life of her sister-in-law? Why was she not told?
I read this book in one day because I had to find out what happened. I found myself getting a little antsy because things just didn’t seem to be going the way I would hope this book would go.
This is a book you don’t want to miss for this Christmas season. I found it to be frustrating on one hand and heart warming on another. One thing we do learn is God is in Control and it is all in His time, not ours.
I would love to see author Melody Carlson write a follow up book on the characters. Perhaps a Christmas sequel is in order for 2014? I do hope so!
February 21, 2014
I want to start out by saying, I love Melody's Christmas books, I eagerly await them each year. But this year's book, just wasn't up the level of her other books. I have thought and thought about why, and I think for me it lays in the fact, I felt rushed reading it. Not because there was a deadline to finish it, but because the story was rushed. The characters and the story line was more suited for a full length novel, than a novella. That being said, I loved little Holly and Aunt Rachel. Benjamin was a favorite also. He provided a friendly listening ear for Rachel as she dealt with the sudden changes in her's and Holly's lives. Over all I give this book 3.5 stars. It has the makings of a great story, just needs further exploration and deepened.
This book was provided by Revell for review purposes only. No payment was received for this review.
Available November 2013 from your favorite seller of Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing.
This book was provided by Revell for review purposes only. No payment was received for this review.
Available November 2013 from your favorite seller of Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing.
December 5, 2018
I didn't really care for this book. It was a slow start and really didn't pick up much. The dispute between Rachel, Miriam, and Michael was lame and did not deserve the repercussions it caused.
Lydia was annoying and mean. For her to immediately try to enforce the Amish life onto Holly, who was from a life in the city, was harsh. Then she used her sister as her lame excuse as to why she was acting the way she was.
I also felt the sparks between Benjanin and Rachel should have been left out of the novel. You don't need romance in every Christmas story.
Lydia was annoying and mean. For her to immediately try to enforce the Amish life onto Holly, who was from a life in the city, was harsh. Then she used her sister as her lame excuse as to why she was acting the way she was.
I also felt the sparks between Benjanin and Rachel should have been left out of the novel. You don't need romance in every Christmas story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2013
It was a pleasant Christmas story but....
If you have no family, or if you are estranged from your family this book will leave you feeling bad.
If you have no family, or if you are estranged from your family this book will leave you feeling bad.
January 21, 2014
I so enjoyed this story. Seems I learn different things about the Amish life style. Beautiful story.
November 22, 2015
Fast, fun read with a nice ending!
December 5, 2020
Such a lovely cover for such a disappointing book.
The story of an aunt who expects to get custody of her 6 year old niece but instead is told the child will be living with Amish relatives.
There is no character devilment. How she tells the girl her parents are dead (plane crash) just is not how one would go about it. Its a very rushed story.
The Amish aunt comes across as very rude.
Oh and we have a ‘love story’ about the aunt falling for an Amish relative. Of course we do.
It works out and she gets to keep her niece but really you ask what’s the point of this book. One story line would have been enough not this many in a 170 page book.
Before I forget this all happens less then three weeks before Christmas. As I said the only good thing about the book is its cover. You know what they say never judge a book by its cover. Very true.
https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...
The story of an aunt who expects to get custody of her 6 year old niece but instead is told the child will be living with Amish relatives.
There is no character devilment. How she tells the girl her parents are dead (plane crash) just is not how one would go about it. Its a very rushed story.
The Amish aunt comes across as very rude.
Oh and we have a ‘love story’ about the aunt falling for an Amish relative. Of course we do.
It works out and she gets to keep her niece but really you ask what’s the point of this book. One story line would have been enough not this many in a 170 page book.
Before I forget this all happens less then three weeks before Christmas. As I said the only good thing about the book is its cover. You know what they say never judge a book by its cover. Very true.
https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...
November 15, 2024
𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰. ┈ ⋞ 〈 A Simple Christmas Wish 〉 ⋟ ┈ ★★★☆☆
╰┈➤ I expect all the feels from a Christmas book… but this one didn’t meet the expectations I had. It was a great plot but the realism struggled for me. The livestock care wasn’t accurate (I promise I’m someone who can claim that lol), and I feel like it wasn’t right for the Amish to be put under such a negative light. While I enjoyed it overall, I also would’ve liked for the Amish to be shown more respect. But if we’re still talking realistic I think the grief was portrayed pretty well (Rachel did have a lot more emotional stability than me when loosing loved ones but everyone grieves differently 🫶)
There was an undertone of faith, and the theme of family was prevalent <3
╰┈➤ I expect all the feels from a Christmas book… but this one didn’t meet the expectations I had. It was a great plot but the realism struggled for me. The livestock care wasn’t accurate (I promise I’m someone who can claim that lol), and I feel like it wasn’t right for the Amish to be put under such a negative light. While I enjoyed it overall, I also would’ve liked for the Amish to be shown more respect. But if we’re still talking realistic I think the grief was portrayed pretty well (Rachel did have a lot more emotional stability than me when loosing loved ones but everyone grieves differently 🫶)
There was an undertone of faith, and the theme of family was prevalent <3
December 10, 2025
I love reading Melody Carlson's Christmas books for the holiday season. Quick, touching stories to put you in the holiday mood. This was the first holiday book I read by her that had an Amish storyline. This showed the differences between celebrating Christmas as the Amish compared to how Englisher's celebrate the holiday. Also, how they live every day life. It would definitely not be easy to leave the Englisher way of life and join an Amish community. I would love to read another book that continued the story of these characters.
December 5, 2023
This was an okay story. I liked the premise of the story, but perhaps it could have been executed and bit better.
I didn’t like how the 11 year old interacted with the main adult character. It made it seem like she thought she was stupid, when really, she was just unfamiliar with their way of life.
I was frustrated about the lack of communication and somewhat childishness from the adults in the book.
I’m personally not a fan of communication issues being the main tension in a story.
I didn’t like how the 11 year old interacted with the main adult character. It made it seem like she thought she was stupid, when really, she was just unfamiliar with their way of life.
I was frustrated about the lack of communication and somewhat childishness from the adults in the book.
I’m personally not a fan of communication issues being the main tension in a story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2018
Just loved this story of Rachel and her niece Holly. (sad for the way it came about). Holly is being sent to live with her Aunt Lydia and family in Amish country, her Aunt Rachel is going along hoping she wont have to leave her behind. Love Melody Carlson's book! The flow of the story has you glued to the book and you will be surprised on how quick the time will go by!
December 26, 2021
A New Family
Melody Carlson has written another inspiring story of the Amish. This book also brings in a little girl and her Aunt. Upon the death of her parents, Holly's Aunt Rachel finds out that her sister in law, had a family she did not know about and this family was going to change their lives. This is a wonderful story. Enjoy
Melody Carlson has written another inspiring story of the Amish. This book also brings in a little girl and her Aunt. Upon the death of her parents, Holly's Aunt Rachel finds out that her sister in law, had a family she did not know about and this family was going to change their lives. This is a wonderful story. Enjoy
November 24, 2023
3.5 stars
A nice sweet story, although it started off quite sad. I loved Holly & Rachel. I thought Lydia was hard on Rachel. I did think it was a bit far fetched though, with the legal aspect regarding the will etc. A nice quick read though, which is what you want for Christmas reads. I read this via Kindle Unlimited.
A nice sweet story, although it started off quite sad. I loved Holly & Rachel. I thought Lydia was hard on Rachel. I did think it was a bit far fetched though, with the legal aspect regarding the will etc. A nice quick read though, which is what you want for Christmas reads. I read this via Kindle Unlimited.
December 11, 2025
Difficult book to write a review . Think I would have liked this better as a novel rather than novella. It was thought provoking and definitely could provide some great bookclub description. I wasnt completely comfortable with the ending. Melody Carlson is a great author and so I am sure I will read more of her books.
December 14, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads. A good story but the drama elements were a little high for me, with this being a Christmas novella. The end was good because it ended up working out the way I thought it should but getting there hurt my mama heart. Not my favorite Melody Carlson Christmas novella but still good.
December 11, 2018
Read for my local library book club. It was quick and simple but a little too rushed even for a novella. I could easily see it being a Hallmark movie. It wasn’t really bad but just not something I would have picked for myself.
December 13, 2020
Loved this little Christmas story that is filled with lots of love between Aunt Rachael and her, Niece, Holly. Romance blossoms for Rachael, Holly gets her wish, all are happy. I also learned a lot about the Amish.
Another great Christmas story for Melody Carlson! I just love her books.
Another great Christmas story for Melody Carlson! I just love her books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews