A Simple Christmas
Written by Charlotte Hubbard
Narrated by Susan Boyce
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
Nora Hooley's shop is abuzz with preparations for the holiday open house, and Rosalyn Riehl is handcrafting wreaths from evergreen boughs, pinecones, and other natural materials. The work is a welcome diversion for the only unmarried daughter of Cornelius Riehl: her gruff dat has been receiving envelopes marked Past Due, leaving dutiful Rosalyn to manage the household's inexplicably shrinking budget. Then another distraction swaggers into Simple Gifts-blue-jeaned and leather-jacketed, with a reputation that precedes him.
Marcus Hooley hightailed it to Willow Ridge on a wing and a prayer-not that he's the praying type. He rejected his Amish roots long ago. But behind the bad-boy attitude is a gifted horse trainer who's counting on some bent-but-not-broken family ties to throw him a lifeline. He can't erase his past, but a sparking attraction with strong, spirited Rosalyn holds the promise of a second chance . . . and of shedding light on shadowy secrets to build a bright tomorrow.
Charlotte Hubbard
Charlotte Hubbard considers it her personal mission to feed people-to share hearth and home. Faith and family, farming and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle, and the foundation of all her Amish romance series. She's a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and when she's not writing, she loves to try new recipes, crochet, and sew. Charlotte now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their border collie.
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Reviews for A Simple Christmas
13 ratings4 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Rosalyn, as the only unmarried daughter left at home with her gruff dad, relies on her married sisters for help. But her father is getting more secretive and unpleasant, and the girls all start to worry when past-due bills arrive in the mail. Marcus, an unbaptized Amish man, returns home, having lost his job as a horse trainer. He is hoping to get one with a wealthy Englishman who is looking for a dependable trainer. Marcus will have some trouble becoming that, but his attraction to Rosalyn will either make him or break him. This is a delightful Amish story, filled with well developed characters, both the good and the not-so-good. Author Charlotte Hubbard has a way of writing Amish tales, and in her case, it’s all good.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Simple Christmas by Charlotte Hubbard is the third book in the Simple Gifts series. This is the first one I read and had no trouble loving this story without reading the first two. Nora Hooley’s shop, Simple Gifts, is full of beautiful handcrafted Amish items including wreaths made by Rosalyn Riehl. Rosalyn works in the shop part-time, happy to escape from her miserable father. Rosalyn is the last unmarried daughter of clockmaker, Cornelius Riehl. There is suddenly a problem with money in the house, past due notices, bills not being paid and no money for groceries. Cornelius has been having problems since the death of his wife and he expects Rosalyn to take care of him. When Marcus Hooley, a horse trainer, shows up at the shop when he arrives in town, Rosalyn has feelings for this rude and handsome young man. He has been hired to work for Wyatt McKenzie. He was recommend by his cousins, but Marcus’ wild ways have gotten him fired from his last three jobs. He is hoping he will get a chance to show what he can do, but does not want to get too involved in the Plain life. Wyatt hires Marcus with certain conditions. This is Marcus’ last chance and he knows it. As he makes himself comfortable in Willow Ridge, Marcus becomes attracted to Rosalyn. There are secrets being kept about something her father has done and is supposed to confess, but his confession does not happen. He becomes more abusive to Rosalyn and is not happy when he realizes there is an attraction between Marcus and his daughter. Marcus has questions about what Cornelius is doing, and he wants to find out so he can share it with Rosalyn.
A Simple Christmas is a lovely, heartwarming Christmas and Amish story. It is an engaging novel that captured my attention from the start. It was well paced and I read it in one day. There are several twists involving Cornelius and I was eager to find out what secrets he has been keeping. I did not like Cornelius and I could not even pity him once his secrets finally came out. Rosalyn is a caring woman with a good heart, who finds it difficult to not be the dutiful daughter she has been taught to be all her life. Marcus was a wonderful character and it was great to see his growth as the story evolved. I enjoyed the setting of Willow Creek. The Amish businesses, the tourists, family and friends all make it seem like a great place to live, Amish and Englisch. One of the main Christian themes of putting our worries in God’s hands and trusting Him to handle it, is central to the story. I enjoyed A Simple Christmas and will definitely go back and read the first two in this series. The publisher, Kensington Books, generously provided me with a copy of this book. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Charlotte Hubbard has done it again, kept me up late and loving this sweet read!We are updated on some of the folks from past reads, but it is a stand-alone book, I just love being with these folks, and lessons can be learned.A page-turner for sure, and when I was finished I wanted to keep right on reading, now if I could find a way to move into a book?We also see first-hand how some way ward individuals can and do turn their lives around, but others, well, you need to pick up this book!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Simple Christmas by Charlotte Hubbard is the third book in the Simple Gifts series. Nora Hooley’s shop, Simple Gifts is full of beautiful handcrafted Amish items including wreaths made by Rosalyn Riehl. Rosalyn works in the shop part-time as well happy to escape from her crotchety father. Rosalyn is the last unmarried daughter of clockmaker, Cornelius Riehl. They have been receiving bills with Past Due on them and Cornelius is providing less money for household expenses including food. Cornelius spends a great deal of time locked away in his workshop and his attitude, which has never been cordial, has gotten worse of late. Rosalyn is thankful her sister and her husband are still living with them. Marcus Hooley, a horse trainer, arrives in town for his new job with Wyatt McKenzie. Marcus’ wild ways have gotten him fired from his last three jobs despite his excellent skills and he is worried that someone is following him to Willow Ridge. Marcus was raised Amish, but he jumped the fence and has been enjoying the Englisch lifestyle. Despite his unorthodox arrival at his farm, Wyatt hires Marcus with certain conditions. This is Marcus’ last chance and he knows it. When Marcus meets Rosalyn, he is attracted to the lovely Amish maidel. Spending time with Rosalyn and the residents of Willow Ridge, makes Marcus rethink his life choices. Marcus beings to notice some oddities and may be able to shed some light on hidden secrets. A Simple Christmas is a lovely, heartwarming Amish story. I thought it was well-written with steady pacing. It is an engaging novel that captured my attention right away and held it until the end. There is a complex plot involving Cornelius with unexpected twists along the way. I was eager to find out what secrets Cornelius has been keeping from his family and the town. Cornelius is the type of character that readers will dislike (just like we are supposed to). Rosalyn is a caring, thoughtful woman with a good heart. Marcus was the perfect partner for Rosalyn. It was nice to see him evolve. Charlotte Hubbard creates wonderful characters, and I love the town of Willow Ridge (I want to live there). Such a charming small town with thoughtful residents. It was nice to spend more time with Wyatt and Rebecca. Readers will be happy with the developments in their relationship. A Simple Christmas is not a standalone novel. You need to read the books in the Simple Gifts series in order as each book builds upon the previous one. I am giving A Simple Christmas 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). While the romance is predictable, is it sweet and romantic. One of the main Christian themes is putting our worries in God’s hands and let Him handle it. A Simple Christmas is an uplifting novel that will warm your heart and have you humming Christmas carols.