A Christmas Gift for Rose - eBook

"A Christmas Gift for Rose" by Tricia Goyer is a short and sweet novel that takes place shortly after WWII in an Amish community in Ohio. Rose Yoder is the adopted daughter of an Amish couple who is searching for her place in the world. Jonathan, an Amish WWII vet, has returned from Europe with hopes of returning to Rose and their relationship. Rose, however, believes there is only one right way and she gets to decide what that right way is. The novel watches Rose mature as she searches for her true family and explores PTSD in soldiers returning from war. Goyer brings quiet a lot on impact in such a tiny little book. Goyer is one of the few Amish writers that I really like, however, this book goes beyond the usual Amish scenario. It goes much deeper into what a true family is and how all of us have wounds we just need to know how to live with them and heal. I give this one 4.5 stars. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from www.netgalley.com.

A Christmas Gift for Rose

Tricia Goyer

Book Summary: Award-winning author Tricia Goyer writes a heartwarming novel of faith and family in her first Christmas novella. Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns the truth of her birth. She was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work. Was she meant to be Amish, or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind---Englischers? And was her intended's gift of discovering her birth family given out of love or fear? Inspired by a true story, A Christmas Gift for Rose is a heartwarming novella of sacrifice and deep love.

Review: This was a sweet and wonderfully written story about family, faith and love. A love that transcends our earthly relationships and shine on the love of God. It was inspiring and gave me much to ponder. Rose and her Amish parents were so well written that I felt like the room cam alive with them and their home. The landscape and events were so vivid that it was very real. Roses struggle and those of the other characters was very moving. It celebrating the true spirit of Christmas self sacrificial love.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Zondervan Fiction for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.

Tricia Goyer has penned a heartwarming, Amish Yuletide tale set amongst the snow-covered hills of Berlin, Ohio, and of a young Amish woman's search to find out which world she truly belongs in---the Amish or the Englisch.

When her fiancé, Jonathon Fisher leaves Rose Yoder and their Amish community to become a medic working in field hospitals during the war, she turns her back on him. Though still in love with Jonathon, Rose feels he has betrayed his faith by joining the war, and feels he is more Englisch than Amish. However, she has many lessons to learn about judging others when her world is shattered by the news that she was adopted and that her birth parents were not of the Amish faith. Rose searches for answers, and in doing so she finds out the meaning of true love, self-sacrifice, and God's plans for her life.

This is a wonderful read for any time of the year...truly thought provoking and enriching! Tricia Goyer touches on some deep issues that will leave the reader reaching for the tissues---adoption, shell shock and PTSD, and feelings of rejection. But she does so with finesse, compassion, and dignity to the sufferers...leaving no doubt that trusting in God is the answer to life's deepest problems. Nicely written, with realistic characters and storyline, A Christmas Gift For Rose gets a thumbs up from me!

Well, Tricia Goyer has done it again with another wonderful Amish story just in time for the holidays. There is never a dull moment in this book, and I was pleased to read about the real life inspiration behind this story. This is full of emotion, love, and of course, the strength of the Amish people. Tricia is a master at painting these people flawlessly without any kind of judgment nor criticism.

My favorite thing about Tricia is the way she seamlessly incorporates the Christian faith into each of her books. She never preaches, but she shows faith in action. While the story is somewhat predictable, it is a good kind of predictability. If you like Amish books, I call this one a must-read in anticipation of the upcoming holiday season.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

Rose turned her back on the man she loves after he assisted the Englisch during World War II---only to discover she's an Englischer herself. Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns that she was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work. Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind---Englischers? When the man she loves leaves her behind, Rose is certain he left for good. Yet Rose discovers sometimes our greatest gifts are the ones we fear.

My Review:

This little novel packed a very big punch! It is the sort of story that makes you want to read more about the time period and made me very sad that it had to end. If only there was a way to ask Goyer to write a sequel to their story! The setting was one I had never considered before through the Amish's eyes, and as it turns out, I loved it.

Between the time setting of WWII, the mystery of Rose's past, and the uncertainty of her future with Jonathan, this was a spectacular novel that is not to be missed! As the mystery of her life unravels, Rose discovers more about who she is and how the family she has is really the most important thing in her life. The best part was that Rose's story was based on a true story - and that just made this a spectacular read.

This book was provided by the publisher through Litfuse Nest for free in exchange for an honest review.