A MATCH MADE AT CHRISTMAS is the first book in the Amish genre that I've ever read or reviewed. Considering that I've been doing this for over twenty years now that might sound strange. I get to choose what books I want to review, now that I've done it for so long, well over a thousand reviews. But something about the description of A MATCH MADE AT CHRISTMAS made me choose this book by Patricia Davids. I am also new to stories created by Patricia Davids and must say I am awestruck by her writing. Her characters are wonderful and real, and of course flawed.
Most of the folk in this book are Amish living amicably with Mennonites and the English. They live in a small community in an area of Kansas. Hardworking, genuinely caring folk that treasure their families and friends. Most are highly religious in that they take their lives as a part of God's plan.
When Sophie and her sister Joanna come to the town the townspeople are welcoming and accepting. Sophie has been hired as a teacher for their one-room schoolhouse. Sophie needs a new start after completing a regimen of chemo treatments following a partial mastectomy. This cancer seems to run in her family and Sophie lives under a gray cloud. Moving to Kansas hopefully meant a reprieve from sad eyes.
But life does have a way of following you. Learning the traditions and meeting new people helped Sophie get acclimated to what she hoped would be her new home. But challenges remain.
There are lovely characters in this amazing story. Patricia Davids treats them all with such respect. And as a reviewer, I was enthralled by the entire tale. The characters became very familiar to me. As a traditional person, I shared so many of their thoughts and values that the difference was blurred. Suffice it to say that I was truly surprised at how much I loved this book. It wasn't centered on how different their lives were but on how similar their challenges are to almost everyone. Sure, living in their Amish community meant following some strict guidelines. Rules are important in any civilization. We all have rules dictated by our religion, faith, upbringing, etc. Patricia Davids is more centered on the relationship of her characters and their challenges and joys. And that is what brings A MATCH MADE AT CHRISTMAS to life.
Christmas comes to a small Amish community—and brings new beginnings with it.
Karl Graber is too busy struggling with his hardware store and two young daughters to indulge local matchmaker Rose Yoder’s schemes. After his wife’s death, the thought of loving and perhaps losing another woman holds no appeal. So while he’s relieved to learn he’s not on Rose’s list of potential husbands for new schoolteacher Sophie Eicher, he’s also surprised. Despite himself, Karl can’t help wondering what Rose thinks he lacks—and why outspoken, attractive Sophie has so little interest in marriage.
After surviving breast cancer, Sophie is hoping to make a fresh start in Harts Haven. Perhaps the handsome widower next door would make a good match for her sister, but Sophie won’t burden any man with her uncertain future. But when Karl offers to help her to create a “living nativity” Christmas program for the schoolchildren, she gratefully agrees.
It’ll take a bold plan and help from Karl’s children to make this chaotic Christmas play a success. And as friendships deepen, hearts open and hopes are rekindled, two unlikely people may discover the healing gift of love.
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