The Second Christmas by Marta Perry

The Second Christmas

Book Summary

The warmth of the Christmas season and a woman’s return home to the charming Amish community of Promise Glen opens the door to a second chance at love.

When Leah Beiler pictured returning to Promise Glen, she imagined taking everything she learned from her aunt’s business in Upstate New York and starting up a quaint herbal tea shop of her own. What she didn’t expect was for Josiah Burkhalter to insist on helping her. Josiah might have been her childhood sweetheart but they’ve both changed a lot since then and Leah’s not sure she can trust the man who once broke her heart.

Josiah is determined to make the most of this unexpected second chance. When he hears of Leah’s plans to open her own shop, he resolves to help in any way he can—beginning his gentle campaign to win her back by renovating the small cottage on her family’s farm.

 

During her time away, Leah looked forward to once again spending the holiday season with her family, especially Second Christmas, December 26th, a time of celebrating with extended family and close neighbors like the Burkhalters. But as Christmas nears, her feelings for Josiah grow more confused, strengthened by their time of working together. Now it will take all the magic of the season for Leah to confront her fears and reach for the love she deserves.

My Thoughts

The Second Christmas by Marta Perry is a heartwarming story.  It is the first An Amish Holiday Novel which is set in Promise Glen.  I like Marta Perry’s writing style.  It is engaging and friendly.  The story has a good flow as we go between Leah and Josiah’s point-of-view.  It allowed me to see things from each person’s perspective.  Leah is busy getting items ready for her new business and helping the family get ready for Christmas.  Leah has a secret that she has not shared with her parents.  She is hoping to keep it to herself, but she soon learns there is no escaping the Amish grapevine.  Josiah is doing the carpentry work on Leah’s little shop.  Josiah feels he does not have his father’s trust and he worries about this younger brother who loves to play pranks.  I enjoyed getting a glimpse of how the Amish prepare and celebrate Christmas plus Second Christmas.  I like how all the storylines came together to make a sweet story.  There are good life lessons that include forgiveness, trust, and leaving your worries with God.  Unburdening yourself to Him will always lighten your load.  The Second Christmas is a story that will tug at your heartstrings.  I look forward to the next An Amish Holiday Novel.  The Second Christmas is a touching tale with a shameful secret, ex-beau troubles, crafting Christmas gifts, a prank predicament, colorful Christmas cookies, a difficult letter, and curative clemency.

The Second Christmas is available from Amazon*.  The next An Amish Holiday Novel is The Promise of Easter which comes out February 7, 2023. You can find Marta Perry's The Promise Glen series here. You can find Marta Perry's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I am featuring The Road to Christmas by Sheila Roberts tomorrow.  I hope that you have a heartwarming day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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