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A Husband for an Amish Bride: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance
She’ll do anything for her family…
Even if it means marrying the man who broke her heart.
Naomi Lambright has only two months to find a husband. According to her father’s will, she must marry—or lose her family home, the farm…and be separated from her cherished siblings. But the only bachelor who will take on an Amish maed with a disabilityand her seven younger siblings is Abe Dienner, Naomi’s once-betrothed. She’s been let down by Abe before, and trusting him might be the ultimate act of faith. But can a marriage of convenience be the answer to Naomi’s prayers…or put her family—and her heart—at risk?
Even if it means marrying the man who broke her heart.
Naomi Lambright has only two months to find a husband. According to her father’s will, she must marry—or lose her family home, the farm…and be separated from her cherished siblings. But the only bachelor who will take on an Amish maed with a disabilityand her seven younger siblings is Abe Dienner, Naomi’s once-betrothed. She’s been let down by Abe before, and trusting him might be the ultimate act of faith. But can a marriage of convenience be the answer to Naomi’s prayers…or put her family—and her heart—at risk?
- GenresAmish
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published November 26, 2024
17 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Christina Rich
75 books72 followersChristina is an author of clean contemporary and historical romances, some with faith-based elements. She also owns and operates Redbud Row Publishing.
But that's not why you came here, is it? You want to know more about Christina.
Christina—just Christina—has no beginning, since she was found in a strange vessel looking like a giant meteorite. She was raised in a small farmhouse in Kansas by Jonathan and Martha Kent, where, once she became a young lady she was swept up in a giant cyclone and carried off to a magical place called Oz. She spent a considerable amount of time unconscious and running from flying monkeys and wicked witches while recovering from a head injury. She eventually woke, but not before dancing on a golden brick road in ruby red shoes with her friends Lion, Scarecrow and Tinman, and discovering that there really is no place like home.
She began penning tales on a steam train shortly after it was held up by Jesse James at her favorite theme park in Kansas City. However, she spent twenty years earning a doctorate in domestication and life before she traveled to New York and applied for a position at the Daily Planet. Of course, domestication skills and big dreams did not qualify her for the job, so she sought out smaller venues for her muse.
And if you believe all of that she has beachfront property on the moon she'll give you for the right price.
But that's not why you came here, is it? You want to know more about Christina.
Christina—just Christina—has no beginning, since she was found in a strange vessel looking like a giant meteorite. She was raised in a small farmhouse in Kansas by Jonathan and Martha Kent, where, once she became a young lady she was swept up in a giant cyclone and carried off to a magical place called Oz. She spent a considerable amount of time unconscious and running from flying monkeys and wicked witches while recovering from a head injury. She eventually woke, but not before dancing on a golden brick road in ruby red shoes with her friends Lion, Scarecrow and Tinman, and discovering that there really is no place like home.
She began penning tales on a steam train shortly after it was held up by Jesse James at her favorite theme park in Kansas City. However, she spent twenty years earning a doctorate in domestication and life before she traveled to New York and applied for a position at the Daily Planet. Of course, domestication skills and big dreams did not qualify her for the job, so she sought out smaller venues for her muse.
And if you believe all of that she has beachfront property on the moon she'll give you for the right price.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 22, 2025
Such a sweet story. The romance is a bit of a slow burn, but it's worth the wait for them to make things right!
Naomi is running out of time to marry, before she loses the farm and has her siblings split up. But every man she's been brought will not take all of her siblings. That is until Abe comes back in town. They were engaged before ,and he left without explanation. She doesn't trust him and hasn't forgiven him. But when Abe offers a marriage of convenience to keep her family together, it's the best offer she has. If only they can manage all the forced proximity that's causing all the feelings to come back up. Abe is now married but doesn't want to get too close. He'll help fix the farm, stay for his required 3 months, and then go back home. Or will he? He's slowly finding himself wanting more than a convenient marriage. But with the past he has with Naomi, she may never trust him again. And he still has a secret he is hiding, and it may get in the way of any future possibilities for them.
Such a sweet story. It touches on some tough topics, but it is still very well done. I love marriage of convenience stories, and this one was rather unique.
Naomi is running out of time to marry, before she loses the farm and has her siblings split up. But every man she's been brought will not take all of her siblings. That is until Abe comes back in town. They were engaged before ,and he left without explanation. She doesn't trust him and hasn't forgiven him. But when Abe offers a marriage of convenience to keep her family together, it's the best offer she has. If only they can manage all the forced proximity that's causing all the feelings to come back up. Abe is now married but doesn't want to get too close. He'll help fix the farm, stay for his required 3 months, and then go back home. Or will he? He's slowly finding himself wanting more than a convenient marriage. But with the past he has with Naomi, she may never trust him again. And he still has a secret he is hiding, and it may get in the way of any future possibilities for them.
Such a sweet story. It touches on some tough topics, but it is still very well done. I love marriage of convenience stories, and this one was rather unique.
December 29, 2024
Delightful
This is the first book by Christina Rich that I have read, she is new to the Amish fiction scene. Here I sit hoping for more. This is a beautiful story of loss, love, forgiveness, and mending two broken families. Abe and Naomi are delightful! I look forward to more stories from Christina Rich.
This is the first book by Christina Rich that I have read, she is new to the Amish fiction scene. Here I sit hoping for more. This is a beautiful story of loss, love, forgiveness, and mending two broken families. Abe and Naomi are delightful! I look forward to more stories from Christina Rich.
December 18, 2024
Marriage of convenience Amish romance? Yes please! I love Naomi and Abe and the representation of those with disabilities and those recovering from life altering events and trauma. This was my first novel by the author and definitely will be looking forward to reading more from her.
September 9, 2025
September 8, 2025
Rating: 2.5/5
It took me an embarrassingly long time to read this fairly short book—four whole days. In my defense, I read a dozen or so books last month and have been focused more on writing and drawing this month, so I haven't been reading as often.
That being said, this book was... okay. It was decent. I liked the beginning the best. Abe and Naomi were both decently-written characters who had personalities of their own, and I liked that. I admit that I had a bit of difficulty distinguishing all of Naomi's siblings, especially the boys, since their ages were mentioned once or twice and that was it.
I thought that the backstory of Abe being abused as a child and fearing becoming abusive to his own wife was interesting, but I found the execution of that concept to be pretty lackluster. Despite Abe's constant fears of getting violent, there is only one—one!—instance in the entire book where he gets physical, and that's because his father is beating the absolute crap out of Levi. And that instance was two years ago at the very least, so it's not even in the present day. Every time that we see Abe, he's chill, relaxed, and patient. His fear of being abusive seemed unfounded to me, so that sorta took me out of the story.
This book also had a habit of inserting a loooooong monologue either at the start of a chapter or after a character has said something and the other is waiting to answer. There is so much random exposition-dumping in the middle of conversations that it made it hard to understand what was going on, not to mention that it's quite boring after some time.
The second half of the book is a bit of a mess in terms of plot. Things happen and I can't get a grip of what's going on. Naomi offers to take her sisters shopping for fabrics, but Abe offers to do it because Naomi injured her ankle. Abe then proceeds to... not shop with the girls and instead go to some grocery store where he overhears gossip about him and Naomi. He only goes with the girls to the fabric store off-page. When he and the sisters get back home to Naomi, they explain some interesting stuff that happened in the fabric store (including a sketchy conversation and... shopping for buttons?), but we don't get to SEE any of it. WHY?
(Side note: Abe pulls his brother Levi aside for several important conversations that I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO READ. BUT NO, IT'S JUST COMPLETELY SKIPPED OVER. ARGH.)
Then Naomi takes her two little brothers to visit her mother-in-law and is caught in a horrific storm with hail the size of grapes and 80 MPH winds... yet Abe just takes the tractor out in this to look for his wife and he's somehow not knocked over, not bruised, and not even injured. And the tractor is perfectly fine too.
(Another side note: I've read quite a few Amish books and have never encountered an Amish community that allowed tractors. I found that to be odd.)
Abe says that he needs to forgive his father for abusing him, but in the last twenty-or-so pages of the book, it's revealed that his father isn't actually his father. His real father died when Abe was four and Levi was in the womb, and his mother's husband is his father's second cousin. According to his mother, the second husband wasn't always abusive and used to play with her sons when they were young. It's never explained why the husband became abusive, though. It felt like the plot point of the abusive father not being Abe's real father was just shoved in at the last minute because it has just about no effect on the plot whatsoever.
Rating: 2.5/5
It took me an embarrassingly long time to read this fairly short book—four whole days. In my defense, I read a dozen or so books last month and have been focused more on writing and drawing this month, so I haven't been reading as often.
That being said, this book was... okay. It was decent. I liked the beginning the best. Abe and Naomi were both decently-written characters who had personalities of their own, and I liked that. I admit that I had a bit of difficulty distinguishing all of Naomi's siblings, especially the boys, since their ages were mentioned once or twice and that was it.
I thought that the backstory of Abe being abused as a child and fearing becoming abusive to his own wife was interesting, but I found the execution of that concept to be pretty lackluster. Despite Abe's constant fears of getting violent, there is only one—one!—instance in the entire book where he gets physical, and that's because his father is beating the absolute crap out of Levi. And that instance was two years ago at the very least, so it's not even in the present day. Every time that we see Abe, he's chill, relaxed, and patient. His fear of being abusive seemed unfounded to me, so that sorta took me out of the story.
This book also had a habit of inserting a loooooong monologue either at the start of a chapter or after a character has said something and the other is waiting to answer. There is so much random exposition-dumping in the middle of conversations that it made it hard to understand what was going on, not to mention that it's quite boring after some time.
The second half of the book is a bit of a mess in terms of plot. Things happen and I can't get a grip of what's going on. Naomi offers to take her sisters shopping for fabrics, but Abe offers to do it because Naomi injured her ankle. Abe then proceeds to... not shop with the girls and instead go to some grocery store where he overhears gossip about him and Naomi. He only goes with the girls to the fabric store off-page. When he and the sisters get back home to Naomi, they explain some interesting stuff that happened in the fabric store (including a sketchy conversation and... shopping for buttons?), but we don't get to SEE any of it. WHY?
(Side note: Abe pulls his brother Levi aside for several important conversations that I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO READ. BUT NO, IT'S JUST COMPLETELY SKIPPED OVER. ARGH.)
Then Naomi takes her two little brothers to visit her mother-in-law and is caught in a horrific storm with hail the size of grapes and 80 MPH winds... yet Abe just takes the tractor out in this to look for his wife and he's somehow not knocked over, not bruised, and not even injured. And the tractor is perfectly fine too.
(Another side note: I've read quite a few Amish books and have never encountered an Amish community that allowed tractors. I found that to be odd.)
Abe says that he needs to forgive his father for abusing him, but in the last twenty-or-so pages of the book, it's revealed that his father isn't actually his father. His real father died when Abe was four and Levi was in the womb, and his mother's husband is his father's second cousin. According to his mother, the second husband wasn't always abusive and used to play with her sons when they were young. It's never explained why the husband became abusive, though. It felt like the plot point of the abusive father not being Abe's real father was just shoved in at the last minute because it has just about no effect on the plot whatsoever.
November 20, 2024
A Husband for an Amish Bride by Christina Rich is book #1 in her Amish Garnett, Kansas series. I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. It centers on an Amish woman who’s parents have died leaving her to raise all her younger siblings. Her dad’s stipulation in his will is that she must marry by the end of the morning period or else she will lose the farm & her siblings will be sent to live with others in the community. Abe Dienner comes home after leaving Naomi right before their wedding. He has a secret, but he can’t not help Naomi. The two agree to marry. It’s a marriage of convenience. I love stories centered around marriages of convenience. Abe & Naomi didn’t disappoint & neither did the kids. I cried many a tear reading this book. It deals with a heavy topic that many people might not associate with the Amish, but indeed it can happen to anyone. I think it was handled delicately, but got the point/emotions across. This was a sweet story of two people who sacrificed to help the other. There were moments of laughter, moments of tears, and moments of tenderness. It had all the feels. Of course, there was an epilogue which had me crying tears even more. Tears of happiness. I loved this story & can’t wait for the next one. Happy to learn about an Amish community that drives tractors. I was given a copy, but all opinions are my very own.
November 18, 2024
Naomi Lambright has the world on her shoulders. She's still mourning the loss of her parents, trying to take care of seven younger siblings, plus manage their farm. Oh, and her "daed's" will stipulates she must find a husband before the end of the mourning period...two months away.
Abe Dienner, once betrothed to Naomi, is back in town, hopefully only for a day. He left town shortly before his and Naomi's wedding, and this is the first he's returned. He didn't expect to run into the woman he loved, but left. Abe is carrying a burden - a secret - that led to him leaving town.
In order to keep the farm, and keep her family together, Naomi finds herself entering a marriage of convenience with Abe. But can she trust him after being let down before? Why did he leave? How are they going to have a marriage - even a fake one - if all he can think about is how soon he can leave town again? But maybe...is "Gott" using the fake marriage to bring their hearts together for real? You will want to find out, plus is has my favorite, an epilogue! Author Christina Rich carefully treats a sensitive topic in A Husband for an Amish Bride, weaving fear with hope and love. I highly recommend this read! I received a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.
Abe Dienner, once betrothed to Naomi, is back in town, hopefully only for a day. He left town shortly before his and Naomi's wedding, and this is the first he's returned. He didn't expect to run into the woman he loved, but left. Abe is carrying a burden - a secret - that led to him leaving town.
In order to keep the farm, and keep her family together, Naomi finds herself entering a marriage of convenience with Abe. But can she trust him after being let down before? Why did he leave? How are they going to have a marriage - even a fake one - if all he can think about is how soon he can leave town again? But maybe...is "Gott" using the fake marriage to bring their hearts together for real? You will want to find out, plus is has my favorite, an epilogue! Author Christina Rich carefully treats a sensitive topic in A Husband for an Amish Bride, weaving fear with hope and love. I highly recommend this read! I received a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.
October 6, 2025
A HUSBAND FOR AN AMISH BRIDE was a touching story about faith, love and second chances set in an Amish community in Garnett, Kansas. A community a tad bit different from the others I have read, making this story all the more interesting.
Abe and Naomi were promised to one another when tragedy struck. Abe was forced to leave under horrible circumstances and Naomi was left to pick up the pieces. Two years later they are thrust back together as life throws them an unexpected curveball. I wasn’t prepared for how much Abe would touch my heart. His demons were strong and he came by them honestly. Watching him overcome everything and become the husband and brother to Naomi and her siblings was everything I like to read in a wholesome and uplifting romance such as this one. Well done, Christina. Well done.
A HUSBAND FOR AN AMISH BRIDE was a read in one sitting romance and gets the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy.
Abe and Naomi were promised to one another when tragedy struck. Abe was forced to leave under horrible circumstances and Naomi was left to pick up the pieces. Two years later they are thrust back together as life throws them an unexpected curveball. I wasn’t prepared for how much Abe would touch my heart. His demons were strong and he came by them honestly. Watching him overcome everything and become the husband and brother to Naomi and her siblings was everything I like to read in a wholesome and uplifting romance such as this one. Well done, Christina. Well done.
A HUSBAND FOR AN AMISH BRIDE was a read in one sitting romance and gets the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy.
May 21, 2025
This was sooo good!! Two years ago, Naomi and Abe were to be married. Then, suddenly, Abe left without a word. Now, Naomi is trying to raise her siblings, keep the family farm, and make a new life for all of them without their parents after they were killed in an accident. Abe comes back, and when he finds that Naomi needs to marry to meet the terms of her father's will, he knows he has to help her. He offers her a marriage of convenience, as he's afraid that he'll be like his father, and he couldn't bear to hurt Naomi or siblings. Both think that they've dealt with their feelings for each other, but their love was only buried, and now they both long to make their marriage real. Abe has to realize that he's not like his father, and Naomi has to see that she can truly trust Abe. Love how, when trouble comes, both step up and realize just how much they love and need each other.
February 6, 2025
Could Not Put It Down
What a fantastic story! Once I started it, I could not put it down. Naomi and Abe's story was wonderful and heartwarming. Theirs is a story of two people with a past that left one struggling to forgive the other and the other struggling to forgive self. Their story deals with loss, grief, faith, family, and second chances. It also deals with a sensitive topic that the author dealt with flawlessly. This combination, along with the wonderful cast of characters, makes this wonderful story of love, faith, recovery, and second chances a fantastic read that deeply touched my heart.
Book Quote:
"Gott, whatever it is, whatever I should do or wherever I should go, I ask You to Illuminate the way ahead of me."
What a fantastic story! Once I started it, I could not put it down. Naomi and Abe's story was wonderful and heartwarming. Theirs is a story of two people with a past that left one struggling to forgive the other and the other struggling to forgive self. Their story deals with loss, grief, faith, family, and second chances. It also deals with a sensitive topic that the author dealt with flawlessly. This combination, along with the wonderful cast of characters, makes this wonderful story of love, faith, recovery, and second chances a fantastic read that deeply touched my heart.
Book Quote:
"Gott, whatever it is, whatever I should do or wherever I should go, I ask You to Illuminate the way ahead of me."
December 19, 2024
This is the 1st book I read by Christina Rich 💰. I liked this book's storyline. This book's storyline was sad 😔. I liked the Christian ✝️ theme in this story. I liked Naomi's character. I liked Abe's character. I felt sorry for Abe. There were a few topics in this story & liked how Ms. Rich talked about them. I liked the ending.
January 20, 2025
What a great story of two people finding their self-worth through their faith in God. This book has a little bit of everything from grief/loss, a marriage of convenience, family secrets, forgiveness, and more. The siblings of the main characters added to the overall tale, making this a thoroughly engaging read. I will be looking for more from this author!
December 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this book my only critism is that I am sure I have read it before a long time ago
I know that it's also in a book bundle with other books but I don't have that so can't be that
But after all said & done a lovely read & can recommend it
I know that it's also in a book bundle with other books but I don't have that so can't be that
But after all said & done a lovely read & can recommend it
January 11, 2025
This is a wonderful story about love, loss, mending two broken families and forgiveness. Abe and Naomi are great characters and I like how Abe made up for past transgressions by helping Naomi out of a difficult situation. Well-written with good descriptions.
November 12, 2024
Abe and Naomi are darling characters. So lovable and relatable. I love how Rich handled the topic of abuse. Also, the twist, I did not see that coming. I may have hoped for it though!. Great read!
December 14, 2024
A Husband For An Amish Bride has the characters and story that had my emotions feeling happy and sad. Just type of book that I didn’t want to put down! Very very good!!
January 5, 2025
Such a great book. This is the first book I have read by the author, Christina Rich, but hopefully not the last. This is a must read book!
January 29, 2025
A lot of praying and too gender coded but cute.
April 17, 2025
A beautiful love story with a religious background,
So touching
So touching
December 1, 2024
Oh my gosh I could not put this book down. I felt the struggles and the love of each character! It was so heartwarming. I definitely recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews