Her Amish Christmas Wish: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance – A Sweet Friends to Lovers Story of Faith and Forgiveness

by Jocelyn McClay

To find her future,
she must risk a surprising love.

Feeling responsible for her younger sister's life-scarring accident, Sarah Raber has dedicated herself to Anne's care. Paying medical bills has left her no time to marry and have a home of her own, but at least she has the support of her best friend, Gideon Schrock. As they work alongside each other and Gideon helps the sisters find independence, Sarah realizes her feelings for him are deeper than she ever imagined. When an opportunity to start anew in a distant community arises, Sarah must decide if she’s brave enough to finally take a chance at happiness…for herself and Gideon.

From Love  Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Genres: Amish, Romance

368 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

New York Times and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author Jocelyn McClay grew up on an Iowa farm, ultimately pursuing a degree in agriculture. She met her husband while weightlifting in a small town - he 'spotted her'. After thirty years in business management, they moved to an acreage in southeastern Missouri to be closer to family when their oldest of three daughters made them grandparents. When not writing, she keeps busy grandparenting, hiking, biking gardening, quilting, knitting and substitute teaching.

Reviews

[Jennifer McClurkan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, cute Christmas read.

[Vicky Sluiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Author Jocelyn McClay has become one of my favorite writers of Amish fiction. Her characters, as in this book, are well developed and true to life. They make the story come alive.

Sarah is trying to make up for something she thought she was responsible for. But while doing that she’s limiting her little sister, Anne. Gideon is trying to help both of them, and Sarah doesn’t always appreciate it.

Gideon is feeling overworked and underappreciated in his brother’s shop and has plans to move away. But he hasn’t told anyone. Yet. I was really wondering how this would work out both with his family, and with Sarah. So I kept turning pages to find out.

Her Amish Christmas Wish is a story of learning to forgive ourselves and move ahead in life. Easily read as a stand alone, I did enjoy returning to Serenity Peak. We see some of the characters from other stories and I enjoy that immensely. If you enjoy Amish fiction I highly recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review. All thoughts are my own.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m glad McClay penned a story about Gideon Schrock after meeting him in earlier books in the Miller’s Creek series. This is a beautiful romance story of enabling someone to realize their potential despite what their lives had been. Sarah’s and Gideon’s friendship was sweet and truly showed they wanted the best for others. When Sarah started working at the Schrock’s Brothers Furniture store, Gideon was so understanding of her younger sister Anna. I loved Anna as a precious young child and how she grew after being understood and being insightful for her sister Sarah. The story unfolded with Gideon and Sarah facing challenges for their future with family situations, but trusting God to led their paths they knew everything was possible. What’s going to happen when Gideon wants to move away?

I received an early copy of this from the author without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own thoughts.

[Carolyn Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Raber thinks she will never marry since she feels responsible for her younger sister's medical care resulting from an accident a few years earlier. Gideon Schrock keeps things to "friends only" with Sarah because she is his best friend's sister. When Sarah begins working with Gideon at his brother's shop, they both find their feelings getting deeper. Gideon has a chance to start his own business in a community far away. Can he help Sarah release her guilt to forgive herself and will she find the courage to leave her family to start a new life with Gideon?

This is a story of self-forgiveness and redemption as well as overcoming fear of a new challenge. I found this to be an encouraging story of facing the path God chooses and stepping out in faith. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy inspiring Amish tales. I received an advance copy to read and all the opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Renee Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet story of friendship, love, and following dreams. Sarah Raber has dedicated her life to taking care of her younger sister who has scarring from an accident when she was a toddler. Sarah feels that since the accident was her fault that she should be the one to take responsibility and protect her sister from the ridicule of others. Gideon is best friends with Sarah’s brother and therefore they have also spent a lot of time together and she was like his younger sister. As the years pass and they grow up, they start noticing more than friendship, but it can never be more. Gideon has dreams which includes moving away, and Sarah can’t leave because of her sister. Putting their faith in God to show them what is meant to be , and how to make it work is all they can do. Whether it is meant for them to remain good friends, or one of them give up their dreams to have more . I love the characters and the love they have for their family, community and God

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful friends to more story that brought the reader back to the close community of Miller’s Creek. But don’t worry if you haven’t read any of the other connected stories. You can easily enjoy this one on its own.

I really felt for Gideon and Sarah as they navigated the potential change in their relationship. They had both put each other in the friend zone so long ago, that when feelings of more began to develop, it was difficult to know how to proceed.

This story also dealt with continued guilt that Sarah had carried for many years and Gideon’s longing to move out west and establish a business for himself. The romantic tension between the two was just right and I loved seeing how things worked out for them.

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Amish Christmas Wish by Jocelyn McClay was a hot-chocolate on a winter day read, and I loved it.

McClay takes us to a Wisconsin Amish community and introduces us to Sarah, who feels responsible for earning the money to pay her sister Annie's medical bills. To do so, she had to work, which meant she couldn't marry. I don't really know the rules of the Amish community, so I am taking this thought process at face value.

Gideon is a handsome bachelor who wants to leave the community and start his own business in another Amish community. He longs for freedom. A chance to make his own decisions. Do things his way instead of how his older brother wants.

Favorite character: Annie. Little Annie is a gem. One we could all learn lessons from.

I wondered partway through if the author would let the characters do as it seemed they wanted. So often this isn't so. But I was so happy to see this author let the characters steer the story. Way to go!

Recommend

[Joyce Kernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We return once again to Miller’s Creek to read the beautiful story of Sarah Raber and her best friend Gideon Schrock.
Friendship is often preliminary to romance, but falling in love can be unexpected and inconvenient.

Sarah feels responsible for the accident that scarred her younger sister Anne. Sarah is unable to forgive herself and thinks she can never marry due to helping care daily for her sister.

Gideon has dreamed of moving out west and leaving the family business to start fresh on his own.
“Sometimes you have to let go of something good to get something even better “

Will Sarah and Gideon each go their separate ways or will the love they feel for each other unite them for the future?

I love the Miller’s Creek community and all the interesting characters who live there. This has become a favorite series of mine.

[Joan Arning · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book! I learned much about Amish courtships in Her Amish Christmas Wish. My heart went out to Sarah Raber for the guilt she felt for an accident that scarred her young sister, Anne. Forgiving ourselves is hard. I admired Gideon Schrock for his patience and wisdom with Anne and with Sarah. Gideon and Sarah learn to step out in faith for a future together. I received an early copy of Her Amish Christmas Wish from the author. I recommend this book to others. This is my honest opinion.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Amish Christmas Wish

Oh how I loved the story of Gideon and Sarah. Sweet Christian romance full of Faith, Friends and Family. Gideon wanting to leave and carve out his own path, leaves no room for romance. Sarah feeling guilty over her little sisters accident and feels responsible, leaves her no time for romance. Can these two find common ground and let each other know their heart?

[Marcie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always exciting to return to Miller’s Creek! In “Her Amish Christmas Wish”, by Jocelyn McClay, best friends Sarah Raber and Gideon Schrock discover their feelings run deeper than either expected.

Ms. McClay writes the best characters and brings humor to her heartfelt, emotional stories.
If you enjoy Amish romance, you must read Jocelyn McClay.

[K H · Rating 5 out of 5]

So it was a good book. I didn’t realize that there were 11 other books for this series. It does well as a stand alone book. So I can say there was at least one bonus. The characters in this book were so easy to relate to. I also have to say that it didn’t go to into depth about the weather in WI. She kept it with real locations and counties as well, so that was also a big plus for me.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Amish Christmas Wish by Jocelyn McClay is an enjoyable read. If you enjoy friends to more stories and Amish fiction, I recommend this book.

[T. Rash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Amish romance has likable characters with relatable problems. A quick, easy read taking place during g the Christmas season.

[Christa Ruhnke · Rating 5 out of 5]

well written
enjoyed the story

[Becky]

very good book