Will Bailey and Timothy discover a love worth waiting for this Christmas?
Returning home for the holidays is bittersweet for Bailey Miller. While she loves her mother and stepvatter’s family and wants to spend time with them, she knows she’ll inevitably run into Timothy Stoltzfoos—the man who betrayed her and broke her heart. Although Timothy’s available now, she’s not interested. At least, that’s what she tells her traitorous heart. She’s promised to Mark Petersheim—a man she doesn’t love nearly as much as she once loved Timothy. But he’s a nice man and will make a good husband.
Timothy Stoltzfoos messed up big time when he chose MaryAnn Kinsinger over Bailey Miller. It has been four years since he heard she’d left their Amish community for the Englisch world to live with her vatter in New Jersey. But now she’s back and she’s Amish again—and engaged to be married to an Amish man in a nearby district. Timothy would give just about anything to have her back in his life—she’d never left his heart. He knows Bailey would never give him a second chance, but Christmas is a time for miracles, isn’t it?
By the grace of God, USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer Spredemann began writing professionally as J.E.B. Spredemann in 2012. The acronym J.E.B. stands for Jennifer, Emily, and Brandi. Emily and Brandi are Jennifer's two eldest daughters, and co-authored the Amish Girls Series books, along with A Christmas of Mercy. (Brandi also writes Christian Western Romance under the pen name, Brandi Gabriel.) You will find Jennifer's Amish-themed books under both Jennifer Spredemann and J.E.B. Spredemann. Jennifer also writes (non-Amish) Christian romance under the pen name Michelynn Christy. As of 2025, Spredemann has penned over fifty titles, the majority of which are Amish romance. Readers describe Spredemann's stories as books they "can't put down." Spredemann strives to tell intriguing stories that touch the hearts of her readers and bring glory to God.
Book 5 was a great addition to the Amish Country Brides Series. A story of forgiveness, love and kindnesses. The characters made this book a heartwarming and very enthralling book. I enjoyed the storyline of "returning home for the holidays". Something we all wish we could do right about now! As Bailey returns, her path crosses that of an old flame that had ended up sadly, but that she never forgot. This is a very engaging story, just as the earlier books have been and I am very glad that I had the opportunity to read this great read. I enjoyed it very much!
I received a complimentary copy from the author. All thoughts are my own.
I have enjoyed every book in Jennifer Spredemann’s “Amish Country Brides” series. As of the time I’m writing this review, this heartwarming story is now my favorite of the series.
It’s been fun following Bailey Beachy Miller’s story throughout the books from the time that she was a little girl. She’s now a sweet and beautiful young Amish woman who is seeking to understand the true state of her heart as it relates to whom she should marry. Mark is an Amish young man who is courting Bailey, but his drive to establish a successful business and achieve financial success takes precedence over the time they can spend together. Timothy is the young Amish man who broke her heart when they were teenagers; but Bailey also recognizes his compassionate heart to help others in need. As Bailey struggles to understand her own emotions, God provides guidance in the form of a time of need to help her clearly understand the true state of her heart.
This would be a wonderful book to read in any season, but it’s especially perfect reading during the Christmas season. It’s a great reminder to look around and see how we can be an encouragement to others during a time of need.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed reading Bailey and Timothys story. It will take you on a roller coaster of emotions as you begin the story. Mark and Bailey are a couple when suddenly, her old love, Timothy, who left her for another woman, comes back into her life. She tries to keep her heart protected from letting him break her heart again. I love how the author presents a contrast in the way Mark and Timothy behave with Bailey and with others. Complete opposites of each other and now Bailey must decide which man is right for her.
This book is appropriately named The Giver because the characters give love, patience, forgiveness and even give of their time in helping others. A great reminder to all of us as the Christmas season approaches and even throughout the year. You will not want to miss the opportunity to escape into this heart warming story. I read it in one night because it was so good! I received a copy of this book for my honest review and opinion.
The Giver is book 5 in the Amish Country Brides Series and each one just keeps getting better and better. This is Bailey’s story. You could read this as a stand alone and really enjoy it, however I would suggest starting with book 1 as you will pick up so much back story, watching Bailey grow up and become the independent woman she is in this story. Forgivness, and coming together which we all could use a lot more of at this time comes together to give us a heartwarming story, it’s as if Jennifer Spredemann timed the release of this book at the exact right time as a reminder to us all. Thanks for that. I highly recommend this book and the series. I was given an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.
This author is a gift! I am honored by the opportunity to read this prior to its release in exchange for my honest review. I am truly humbled. This series has been a joy to read. The Giver is Bailey's story, through the series she has grown from a sweet precocious little girl to a young woman with a giving heart. If you are a fan of heartwarming stories, while part of a series of could be a stand alone book, however I highly recommend the series. Thank you Jennifer Spredemann.
The Giver is the fifth book written by Jennifer Spredemann in her Amish Country Bride series. The reader gets to catch up with the amazing characters from the previous books but also get to continue on with Bailey's story. This story centers around Bailey who has been living with her father and step mother but longs to return to her mother's house. Bailey is afraid if she moves back with her mother she will run into her former beau, Timothy. When she unexpectedly runs into Timothy at the local library she knows things are about to get difficult. Winning Baily back just as a friend is going to be hard for Timothy especially since he wants more. This story not only has amazing characters but there is also faith, family, and forgiveness all revolving around Christmas.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions expressed are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
Congratulations to Jennifer Spredemann on continuing her series with this heartwarming Christmas story.
If you have read the prior books in this series, you need no encouragement to and this one to the list. I've noticed that the gives don't think of themselves as such. To them it is normal to give and give it difficult to understand why someone would not want to. And yes, I do recommend this one.
I did have two problems with the book which reduced the star level: 1) If you haven't read the series one after another with no other books in between, you will be puzzled too now an Amish girl would have the mother married two another man besides her father, who is also Amish. And he is married to another woman. I wish MS Spredemann had given a clue about this when the two different families are introduced. Or perhaps a peace that is covers the situation. 2) Mark becomes Mike in one part of the book. Typo reported.
However, both of these are the kinds of errors I report as a Beta reader or first editor. Anything that makes the reader do and research a situation or a name should be brought two the author's attention. This is another author I wish I could be in that role.
The Giver by Jennifer Spredemann is a wonderful addition to her Amish Country Brides series.
Bailey Miller is conflicted about returning home for Christmas. She loves her mother and stepfather and her father and stepmother, (strange situation for Amish families, right?), but worried about running into the beau that broke her heart.
In her unique writing style, Jennifer weaves an interesting story of understanding, forgiveness and listening to Gods guidance in all things. Pray and wait on God’s timing, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
The characters are realistic and you definitely will not want to put the book down when you start.
I received a free download from the author, but was not required to give a positive feedback. All views are my own.
I love reading Jennifer Spredemanns books. This is an amazing story of second chances and forgiveness intermingled with the upcoming Christmas season. The characters are endeared to my heart, the kindness of Timothy and Baileys spirit will have you loving the characters and the story. Highly recommend this story.
I was given the opportunity to review this story by Jennifer Spredeman and I am under no obligation to give a positive review. Thank you Jennifer for the opportunity to read and review an amazing story.
At this time of year finding forgiveness in one heart like in the book can be hard. But when you have kindness and beliefs it can help. The world can use more people like this with all the hardships and pains we go through. The book was inspiring and giving hope that having God in our lives and trust and belief we can have a better life even though its a hard life with pain and lost and so many many emotions. Thank you for a beautiful story to be shared with others.
Very good!!!!!!!!!! just like the last 4 in the series I have read so far, now starting on the Giver. I really like jennifer Spredemann books, she is new for me and will want to read her other books. Only complaint I have the stories are a little short for me unless they our shorter on the kindle reader, just wish they were longer. I really enjoy them very much and like that she puts scriptures in with the story line. She is a very good author and enjoy her book so much!!!!!!!!!
he Giver by Jennifer (J.E.B.) Spredemann is one of the best books I have read in awhile. Bailey and Timothy had been broken up for about 4 years and this is their story they traveled to reconnect.
Bailey finally realized who really loved and cared about her. Also who she really love..Mark or Timothy. This book is full of surprises and inspiring. A book you must read.
This was a sweet book about love and forgiveness. Bailey had to do a lot of soul searching and learn to be forgiveness. I really enjoyed the love Timothy gave to Bailey's brother. I actually got tears in my eyes. This whole series is an absolutely must to anyone who loves Amish fiction.
The fifth book in Jennifer Spredemann Amish Brides series. A story about an ex boyfriend coming back into Bailey’s life after she has moved on. This stirs up old feelings and she explores them and decides who would be better to spend her life with. A lot of emotions. Enjoyed this series.
Beautiful story of two young ones that know what love is before their parents.I loved the way the Characters looked at each other and how you discribed them. Oh so real. Anyone could read this and enjoy it at any age level
This was a fantastic story. It shows all you have to do if have Faith in God and everything will work out in your life. God always takes care of you and will never leave you.
This edition was very good and I enjoyed it more than the previous one. The story was interesting and kept moving. I think others will enjoy this, too.
This is the story of Timothy and Bailey. Jennifer Spredemann has done it again with The Giver from the Amish Country Brides series. I have read every one in this series and hope there are many more to come. This story is set at Christmas time so would be a great gift too. This book has many twists and turns so don't plan on getting much done or much sleep until you finish. I fell in love with Timothy. He has a very kind heart. An inspiring quote in the book was: Ask God to open the doors he wants you to walk through and ask Him to close the ones He doesn't want you to enter. I need that advice in my life. #thegiver #amishcountrybrides #AmishChristmasBook #amishfiction #Spredemann