Naomi's Gift: An Amish Christmas Story

It’s a Christmas miracle for two lonely people when they meet by chance during the Christmas season. Caleb, a widower with a young daughter, is visiting family. They first see Naomi at a shop at the farmers’ market, and then again at a church service, and once more at a friend’s get-together. Despite some problems caused by some interfering people, they are attracted to each other. The tale is a sweet one, the end destined for a happily-ever-after for the likable characters, and a lovely story for the Christmas season, or really, any time.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

First off, I have to say that I love Amish stories so I went into this expecting to love it, even though I have not read any of Amy Clipston's books before. I wasn't disappointed! I really, really loved it! I am definitely going to be getting my hands on more of Amy's work!

From Goodreads: "Naomi's Gift re-introduces twenty-four-year-old Naomi King, who has been burned twice by love and has all but given up on marriage and children. As Christmas approaches---a time of family, faith, and hope for many others---Naomi is more certain than ever her life will be spent as an old maid, helping with the family's quilting business and taking care of her eight show more siblings. Then she meets Caleb, a young widower with a 7-year-old daughter, and her world is once again turned upside-down."

Poor Naomi has a bit of a reputation in her Amish community as a man-chaser. This is not quite true, but her mother believes it and reminds Naomi of it on a regular basis. Because of this, Naomi has decided that God does not intend for her to find love, but to work in the family business and take care of her siblings. Enter Caleb, a handsome widower with an adorable, precocious 7 year old daughter who is visiting from Ohio for the Christmas holidays. His family is from Bird-in-Hand but he's been away for years. Naomi meets Susie and takes an instant liking to her, and vice versa, but when Naomi meets Caleb and finds herself attracted to him, she fights it because she's afraid of people gossiping about her again. Unfortunately, Caleb's big sister, who he's staying with, is the biggest gossip of all. She also thinks she knows what's best for Caleb and doesn't hesitate to do what she can to push her agenda.

I love that this book, although about the Amish, is something that anyone, Amish and English alike, can relate to. Feeling embarrassed about something you did when you were young is also a subject that is very relatable. All in all, this whole book was a very quick and easy read because you can feel Naomi's pain and embarrassment, and you find yourself really rooting for her to find happiness.

I also have to say that Amy's writing is so beautifully descriptive you feel like you are there in the quilt shop, or in the Kauffman house, or the bakery with the characters. I'm really looking forward to exploring more of her wonderful imagery in her other books about the Kauffman family.

In summary, this is a beautifully written Christmas novella that I highly recommend, not just to people who like Amish books, but everyone who loves holiday romances :D show less

Caleb, a widower, takes his daughter Susie from their Ohio home to Pennsylvania to visit relatives during Christmas. The girl wants to stop at the farmer's market to get a pie to take with them, so they ask their driver to stop. She takes off, having seen a quilt that reminded her of her mother. She takes an instant like to Naomi, the one minding the booth. His sister Sadie wants to set him up with Irene, who seems to dislike children. She thinks Naomi is overly eager to wed, but when Caleb does some independent checking with the men, he discovers a different story altogether. The novel shows a blossoming romance in a situation where either of the parties could be hurt. It's a great story for the Christmas season although it could be show more read any time of the year. show less

A fantastic novella containing the characters from the Kauffman Amish Bakery series by Amy Clipston. In this book it focuses on Naomi, one of the minor characters who in the other books tried to court some of the Kauffman boys.

It was lovely to see a story based around Naomi. In this one you go to know her as a person, not some love-sick girl. Her journey to becoming a woman was amazing.

I loved the widowed character and his adorable daughter. The characters had me hoping for them to get everything they dreamed of and more. Though his sister had me yelling at my book quite a few times!

I loved how normal she made the characters...flawed, loving and with the best of intentions. Its great to see realistic characters in Amish books as so many show more of them create this vision of them being perfect, when in fact they are flawed like the rest of us.

It was yet another fantastic book by Amy. I cannot wait to read her 4th book in the Kauffman series which I am anxiously awaiting it from the publisher for review. show less

Naomi's Gift: an Amish Christmas Story
by Amy Clipston
Published 8/16/2011
Zondervan

RATING: 3.5 stars

Summary: Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you'll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman's story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams ... and secrets. You'll discover how the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle can clash with the 'English' way of life---and the decisions and consequences that follow. Most importantly, you will be encouraged by the hope and faith of these women, and the importance they place on their families. Naomi's Gift re-introduces twenty-four-year-old Naomi King, who has been burned twice by love and has all but given up on marriage and show more children.

As Christmas approaches---a time of family, faith, and hope for many others---Naomi is more certain than ever her life will be spent as an old maid, helping with the family's quilting business and taking care of her eight siblings. Then she meets Caleb, a young widower with a 7-year-old daughter, and her world is once again turned upside-down.

Naomi's story of romantic trial and error and youthful insecurities has universal appeal. Author Amy Clipston artfully paints a panorama of simple lives full of complex relationships, and she carefully explores cultural differences and human similarities, with inspirational results.

Naomi's Gift includes all the details of Amish life that Clipston's fans enjoy, while delivering the compelling stories and strong characters that continue to draw legions of new readers.

Review: Caleb Schmucker and his young daughter, Susie, travel to Pennsylvania to celebrate Christmas with his Amish family and church district. Widowed for two years, Caleb realizes that he misses the community he grew up in and how the relationships there play a positive role in he and Susie's path to the future.

Naomi King feels undeserving of anyone's love or attention after two failed relationships. She takes pride in her work as a quilter and helping to care for her younger siblings, and believes this will be her mission in life. Quietly, however, she yearns for her own 'happy ever after' in accordance to God's plan.

Susie has just one simple Christmas wish--- he wants to see the light in her father's eyes; that he may experience joy and be truly happy again. She just needs to figure out a way to get meddling Aunt Sadie and her friend, Irene out of the way first.

I really enjoyed this sweet, love story. While both Caleb and Naomi seemed to waver back and forth constantly in their decisions, the emotion that they felt seemed realistic in each of their situations. They seemed to have some magnetic attraction right from the beginning. The fact that their relationship blossomed in such a short amount of time (a week maybe?) felt a bit rushed, but in the end could probably be described as love at first sight.

Recommended show less

Naomi’s Gift
Amy Clipston
This is novella which is standalone book that is part of Amy Clipston’s Kauffman Amish Bakery series. It was a very enjoyable story about a young woman who has been searching for love. Through a meeting in the Amish farmer’s market she meets a man and his daughter. Thus begins the novella that takes us through the growing relationship between these three characters. With ease and skill Amy Clipston is able to guide the reader through this magical Christmas season full of snow, hot coco and family was a treat from start to finish. Having never read any of her books previously I am very interesting in visiting Bird-in-the-Hand again. I am grateful to Zondervan for their allowing me to have a free copy of this show more book and providing this review. show less

Although this is suppose to be a Christmas story, there wasn't much Christmas to it. Still, it was a good, short book.

Caleb returns to Bird-in-Hand for Christmas with his small daughter, Susie. Caleb is a widower and falls in love with Naomi. He wants to marry her but his siter, Sadie, has other ideas. She wants him to marry Irene, but Irene does not like little Susie.