Naomi's Christmas

Pleasant Valley #7

by Marta Perry

Christmas is a time for new beginnings. But when a dutiful Amish woman's life is turned upside down, she may have to risk her heart to get everything she's always wanted in this charming Pleasant Valley novel.

Since her mother's death, Naomi Esch has been devoted to caring for her father and siblings, sacrificing any hope of finding love or having a home of her own. Still, working at the local bakery and expanding her beekeeping business give Naomi a satisfying sense of purpose. Then, in the weeks before Christmas, her father announces his plans to remarry. He and his new wife need the house for themselves, leaving Naomi in need of a plan.

But opportunities soon come her way. A friend finds Naomi a place to stay, and widower Nathan King offers his sprawling farmland to Naomi to continue her business--on the condition that she helps take care of his children. The setup is so perfect that the community assumes a wedding will inevitably follow. But Naomi has vowed never to marry without love. And to Nathan she's merely convenient help. Now, for those in Pleasant Valley, uniting these two stubborn souls may take a Christmas miracle.

Genres: Amish, Christmas, Christian Fiction, Amish Fiction, Christian, Romance, Fiction

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 2, 2012

About the author

Marta Perry is a Pennsylvania-based author of over 35 novels, many of them inspirational romances. She uses her rural Pennsylvania life and her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in writing her books, especially in her Pleasant Valley Amish series for Berkley Books and her new Amish-set suspense series for HQN Books.

Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids.

Reviews

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

At an early age Naomi made the sacrifice to raise her younger siblings and keep house for her widowed father. The years passed and before she knew it her brothers and sisters had married and left home. With just the house work and her Dad to care for Naomi found herself with extra time to take on a part time job at the bakery in Pleasant Valley and also to raise bees and make honey. Things were going well for her until the night her family all got together at the home place to celebrate her birthday.
Instead of the joyful occasion it should have been, Dad had invited a Amish lady that the family didn't know. Early in the evening Dad made the shocking announcement that he was getting married to this lady. He informed Naomi that she would need to move out and her bee hives would need to go too. His fiancee was allergic to bee stings . Her Dad had carefully planned things out for the rest of Naomi's life. She didn't like his plans and refused to part with her honey bees.
From this point the story moves on and the changes in Naomi's life begins to take shape. Hard feelings between family members split the family , but life must go on. Will Naomi give in to her father's demands or go her own way in life. Will her Dad ever forgive her and except that Naomi is no longer a child but a grown woman able to make decisions for herself.
I have loved every book in the Pleasant Valley series that I've read. This makes the seventh book and there are two more books to this series. The author is very knowledgeable about the Amish since she has relatives and ancestors from the plain people. I love her writing style and she has a way of making her stories seem so real. I highly recommend every book in this series. All readers of Amish Fiction or Christian Fiction will enjoy her writing.
I borrowed this book from the Brown County Ohio digital library. A review was not requested. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jjean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I try to read some books during the season - I choose this for one of my Christmas books - Read it as a "stand-alone" and found it to be a good, clean romance along with family drama among the Amish - Interesting family "ways" -

[Mary Kamrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naomi's Christmas is an enjoyable novel about the Amish traditions and their holiday events I certainly enjoyed her story and will continue to read the series, although this is #7 and I have yet to read the others. Great holiday story!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Amish Christmas stories.

Naomi has raised her younger siblings ever since her mother died. Now that they are all grown up and out of the house all she has is her bees and the honey they make. Her father has decided that Naomi must move out as he is remarrying and wants privacy.

However, he requires that Naomi move in with one of her siblings and help with their children. Thirty year old Naomi is afraid that her own chance of happiness has passed her by while she was helping her dad and she has accepted that. Or, has she? Naomi does not want to raise her nieces and nephews but she will help with the children of friend and widow Nathan. He in return will allow her to keep her bees on his property. Nathan, whose wife Ada had died in an accident 2 years before is still grieving for the love of his life but he enjoys having Naomi around and so do the children. Naomi is still grieving also as Ada was her best friend. Will his/her heart change? Or, perhaps the question is what will make their hearts change?

Great story, with some twists and turns along the way. I have never read an Amish story that includes a character with a mental illness. Ada's sister is ill and wishes that Naomi would just go away and does whatever she can to make that happen.

Marta Perry has included some really interesting bits about the Plain People and how they celebrate Christmas, or 3 Christmas' sometimes. She has also included a great glossary of terms the Amish use. Some I had not heard before.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, the disclaimer. "I bought a copy of this book but not from Amazon. All opinions are my own." That done, I have read some of the other books in this series, and I wanted to read this one. I liked strong, stubborn Naomi and was glad she decided to follow her own path instead of being shuffled off to live with her younger brother like she was worthless and would never marry. I hated the people made that comment about her. "Marry Naomi?" And then laugh as if it were a joke.

Naomi was kind and level headed and serene and quiet. She was great with children, great with bees, and great with pie dough. And she was great at bringing peace and comfort to Nathan's home. But not so great at diffusing gossip when Nathan's sister-in-law starts causing trouble and stirring up gossip. And not so good at avoiding discord in her own family when they got angry at her for trying to find her own way instead of being a burden.

I know this is an older book, but I also know I'm not the only Amish fan out there who hasn't read it. I have read it now. And I enjoyed it. A sweet Amish story with children, bees, and romance--set at Christmas time. Pick up your copy today.

[Kylie Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely read inspirational romances and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this one - kudos to Ms.Perry for her talent and skill for hooking me.

Having lived in Pennsylvania, I quite enjoyed reading about the Amish, and the two main characters story kept me turning the pages.

Like a couple of other readers I didn't realise this was #7 in the series until after I received the book. But this can certainly be read as a stand-alone, and the story/characters never lacked because of it being so far into a series. Ms Perry gave enough on each character, particularly the secondary characters to make the plot and past events make sense.

[Lucy Nix · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful Christmas read!

I loved this authors use of words to bring her characters to life, they were believable to life. Through all the problems that both Naomi and Nathan faced in the end they found love and was able to become a family. This is a heart warming story dealing with loss, sorrow, and finding love in an unexpected situation... And dealing with wagging tongues amongst the Amish community. I highly recommend you to have this as one of your Holiday reads this Christmas season. At the end of the Novel the author includes facts about the Amish during the Christmas season as well as a few Christmas cookie recipes.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one gave me all the feels. It’s an emotional blend of angst and heartwarming mixed up with the tender reverence of Christmas in an Amish community.

The seventh, and last, book in the Pleasant Valley series, Naomi’s Christmas can be read as a standalone. We do get lots of quality time visiting familiar friends from other books in the series — a great reconnect for PV fans and a lovely introduction for the newbies.

A gentle love story springs out of necessity and circumstance and not without a load of trouble thrown in. There were characters/situations that made my blood boil and I wanted to throw my book against the wall a time or two. (Rest assured, no books, pages or spines were harmed in the reading of this novel.) Happily, those scenes were countered by achingly sweet ones involving Nathan’s children. And then something seems to spark between our hero and heroine and that just stirs things up all the more.

A holiday tale centred around finding hope in second chances.

https://kavsbestreads.ca/2023/10/27/n...

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

After her mother’s death, Naomi devoted herself to helping her father raise her siblings. Now past the time when most young women are married, she keeps house for her dad and raises bees. All that changes when her dad announces that he is remarrying, and she should go live with her brother and help his wife with their kids. Naomi doe something quite unexpected: she respectfully disobeys her father to make own way. What she does and how she copes makes for some very interesting reading. An engrossing plot peopled with well-developed characters makes this Christmas tale special indeed.

[elereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was curious since I don’t really know much about Amish culture!! It was a nice easy book to read in the middle of all the other books I’m on. I think I would have enjoyed it more if the whole “ugh women are so difficult/emotional/I don’t understand women” idea hadn’t been repeated over and over again.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant, light read

[Emily Ste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorry to have reached the end!
On to the “Lost Sisters of Pleasant Valley”!

[Kathy Aufleger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Marta Perry's writing.

[Sandra Mistretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comfort is what exudes from this book. The reader knows exactly how things turn out, but it just feels relaxing to read this.

[Marie Buccellato · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok

[Tina Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved all of Marta Perry's books so far in the Pleasant Valley series; Naomi's Christmas was no surprise either.

Naomi's Christmas was TERRIFIC and is one of my favorite books among the Pleasant Valley series now.

Naomi Esch get an unexpected shocking announcement on her thirtith birthday from her father and her personal life upside down from what she's known.

What does she want in life now?
What does she want to do with her life now that all of her siblings are grown-up now?
Where will she go?

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clean romance about a strong, 30-something Amish woman at Christmas? Yes please. It was an easy choice. I have never read any of Marta Perry's books before but didn't feel lost reading this, book seven in the series, first.

I loved Naomi's character. She was quiet but firm, determined to do what was right for herself and those she loved. It was interesting to read a book peppered with Pennsylvania Dutch terms and learn about Amish Christmas customs.

My favorite custom is Second Christmas. On Christmas Day they celebrate with just their immediate family. Second Christmas is the day after and is a day spent feasting and celebrating with extended family. Genius!!

There were a lot of different dishes mentioned (stew and cakes and cookies and pies and more), it made me so hungry. Yum! I am going to be investigating more Amish Christmas traditions and recipes.

[Dawn Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the seventh book in Marta Perry's Pleasant Valley series. Naomi is a strong Amish woman who disagrees with her father and stands her ground. In exchange for rent for her beehives, she defies her father and takes care of her deceased best friend's children. The romance between Naomi and Nathan, the children's father, is predictable but I still found myself wanting to finish the book. Although this is part of the Pleasant Valley series, you can read one without reading the others. It was great to see the previous books' characters in this as well and to see what has happened in their lives since their story or the previous book. To understand all of the characters better, you should read the other books. I like how Marta Perry introduces the next book's character in the previous book.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book in a First Reads Giveaway.

I was so excited to receive it. My heart sank a little when I noticed for the first time that it is part of a series, but that didn't dampen my enjoyment of the story at all. The book stands well on it's own.

This was such a sweet story. I liked the loving descriptions of home life. You imagined these lovely images and then thought about all the things that are joyful or bittersweet in your life. The characters were well fleshed out and the story progressed evenly. I never got bored or overwrought.

This was a pleasant and joyful read and I will be looking for the other books in the series soon.

[Tasha enderby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the women in this book had a back bone, you see so much of the humility and submission in Amish women in the Christan fiction novels. Naomi is a madel which means she is past 25 years old and no longer in the running to get married. I love that after years her dad just boots her out of the house where she helped raise her brothers and sisters and now that they are all married her dad gets married to a widow and they want their space. The men in this book make you want to speak your mind and not let them run all over you. It was nice to see that they have real emotions and real actions we can all relate to.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love reading about the Amish people and just compare a lot of their entertainment is not much different than others, we all like to gossip and reading this one which I really enjoyed, found myself smiling at how they seem to be so good at gossiping and that is without the use of telepones and other communication methods we use daily. I have read other books about mental illness and the Amish and I love how they incorporated this problem which happens in so much in our society and how many times we seem to hide this trait in a person without facing it and helping the person before a crisis happened.

[Everydayreader1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naomi Esch, a young Amish woman, has a life filled with her work at a bakery, keeping bees and helping to raise other people's children. She thinks marriage has passed her by. When circumstances lead her to care for her deceased best friend's children, Naomi suddenly longs for more. She is faced with choices that she has not had to confront, previously, and her decisions are not easy when they do not fall into line with her father's wishes for her.

I enjoyed Naomi's Christmas by Marta Perry. The characters wrestled with real life problems while still staying true to the values of Amish life. It was a good story.

[David Freas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marta Perry always delivers an engaging, enchanting story that will keep you turning pages to the very end. This, the seventh in her Pleasant Vally series and her 50th published novel, continues that string.

I haven't read all of her books, but I have read many of them and I have never been even mildly disappointed. Some I liked better than others, but every one delivers a great story full of emotion and tension.

I also have the pleasure of knowing Marta and consider her a dear friend, one anyone would be lucky to have.

[Vicki Andrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It was my first marta Perry read, and after reading it I definitely plan to read more of her books!

I loved Naomi and Nathan's story! I would totally recommend this book! Full of love, and the love of the Lord! Such a good book!

There are more in this series, this was book 7. I don't typically start in the middle of a series, but these books can be read that way, and I started it during Christmas time, so decided to read it then. But I do plan to read the others in the series at some point!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naomi's Christmas is the seventh book in Marta Perry's Pleasant Valley series, and I enjoyed this one just as much or more than the others. Naomi is a dear character, sweet, but strong, and very likable. It was good to read another story in the series and be familiar with the characters, yet it introduced a character and plot line that I wouldn't expect in a book about the Amish. Very well done!

[April Suter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe it is Naomi's turn. Her father is remarrying and sends Naomi to live with her brother. She choses to help a widower with children instead which upsets her father. She moves her bees to Nathan Kings farmland and falls in love with his children. When she has to help one of the children well into the night rumors fly and Nathan's sister-in-law is upset. This return to Pleasant Valley was a treat.

341 pages

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmastime brings changes to Pleasant Valley. Naomi Esch, who works part-time at the bakery, is content remaining a spinster and caring for her father and sisters following her mother's death. She looks forward to expanding her beekeeping business - the one thing she can call her own. But when her father announces his plans to remarry and declares that he and his new wife will want the house to themselves, Naomi's expectations are turned upside down.

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story, but for me it didn't suck me in until the middle. It had a slow beginning for me. I like how Marta involves everyday problems that we encounter, like a parent that thinks their way is the only way to do things. I would recommend this book to people. I do like reading Marta Perry's pleasant valley series and I am always eager to read the next book.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read--just happens to take place at Christmas. It is a continuation of the story of Pleasant Valley Amish. Naomi, a maiden who has raised her siblings is told to leave the home by her father who has remarried. Nathan is a widower, with 2 children who needs someone to watch his children during the day. Neither are looking for love or a mate. But God has other ideas.

[Larisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book no. 7 in The Pleasant Valley Series and if you didn't read the earlier books, you can jump right into this one and feel right at home.

As the main character, Naomi, says so well in the book "Life is about painful times and pleasurable times - all mixed together. Mourning the passing of the old and embracing the new. The future will surely hold many more endings and beginnings!"