The Bake Shop (An Amish Marketplace Novel)

I loved this book! I didn't want to put it down, but I didn't want it to end.

I liked that Christiana was independent and had a bake shop which she moved to the market. I loved her relationship with her cousins and the supportive relationship she had with her sister. There was a scene where her cousins were lovingly pointing out that perhaps Christiana was not offering Jeff enough grace and that she had a history of making judgements and not offering grace. I thought this was a great scene!

I thought the book was fast-paced. I liked how Christiana and Jeff had to work out the issues of their marketplace stands as well as why Jeff was reacting to Christiana in a certain way. I enjoyed watching their friendship grow. I liked the support that Jeff's family and best friend gave him as well as the "I've got your back" support that Christiana's sister gave her.

I thought it was sweet how their friendship blossomed into more. There were issues with Christiana's father and I wasn't sure how they were going to be resolved which was another layer that kept me turning the pages.

I love to read about a place I have been to. This book takes place in the area of Bird-in-Hand. The main character Christiana loves to bake and is said to be one of the best bakers in the area. She opens a stand at the Bird-in-hand Market. Her cousins have different stands at this market as well.
A new male friend and a strict parent do not make a good match. You will need to read the book to see how it all works out. Enjoy!

The Bake Shop was a nice start to The Amish Marketplace series. The main characters definitely struggled with communicating with each other and making assumptions for awhile. But, once they figured out how to communicate, I really enjoyed watching as they began to fall for each other.

It was difficult to read about how strict and unyielding Christiana’s father was regarding decisions that he made. His unwillingness to listen or change his mind about things created problems for Jeff and Christiana. This was a good story and I think that fans of Amish fiction will be happy for the start of this new series, set at a local Amish market, which I found to be a very interesting setting.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

A good story, although at times, some of the plot seemed to drag out a bit (Christiana’s father is very strict and kind of goes on and on about refusing to allow her to see Jeff). As an avid reader of Amish fiction, I know the ending is a happy one and you already “know” how things will turn out in the end, so some of the book seemed to be a little drawn out getting to the end. Overall and enjoyable read!

I received this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. My opinions are my own.

It was a nice story. I did not care for the father in the story. All the baked goods made me hungry.

I can't tell you how much I loved this book, The Bake Shop (Amish Marketplace #1) - the first in a new series by author Amy Clipston. Such a sweet story that felt like the beginning of a series that will be in competition with Ms. Clipston's Kaufman Amish Bakery Series.

Set in idyllic Amish country in Pennsylvania, we meet Christiana Kurtz who is well known for her amazing baked goods. Christiana opens a stand at the local Amish marketplace. She soon meets Jeff Stoltzfus, who is a talented craftsman himself and although he has peaked her interest, she may not be able to get passed his sometimes irritable and cranky moods. She has no idea that he gave his heart to someone who rejected him at the alter. All she knows is that one minute their friendship is blooming into what she hopes is a romance, and the next he's cranky and rude. If that isn't enough, Christiana's overly protective, and sometimes overbearing, father may throw a wrench in their budding friendship.

This book also introduces us to the heroines of the remaining books in the series who happen to be Christiana's cousins. Bethany Gingerich runs a coffee shop, Leanna owns a jam and jelly shop, and Salina operates a farm stand all at the Amish marketplace. I am looking forward to the next installment, arriving in May 2020.

Please note I was gifted this book by the author. My review is an honest opinion and was not a requirement for receiving a copy.

I enjoyed reading the book...a good read on a winter evening..
The book arrived on time and in good condition.

Good story about love, friendship, and forgiveness. Christiana is a wonderful baker and runs a bake stand from her family's home. It is such a success that it nearly takes over her entire life and that of her family. When customers start knocking on her door at all hours of the day and evening, Christiana's mother suggests that she look at opening a booth at the local farmer's market. Her two cousins, who also have shops there, are all for the idea, but Christiana's father worries that being around so many Englischers will pull her away from the Amish faith. With a great deal of effort, Christiana convinces her father to give her a chance. She's excited for the opportunity to grow her business, and with the market only open three days a week, she may have enough free time for a social life too.

Her first day gets off to a rough start when she collides with a young Amish man, spilling his coffee on him. Jeffrey doesn't react well, and both are dismayed when they realize that their shops are next door to each other. The situation becomes even more contentious when the lines to her shop block the entrance to his. There are some harsh words spoken between them, as neither wants to admit to being the problem. Cooler heads encourage Christiana and Jeffrey to talk through the issue and find a compromise.

I found both Christiana and Jeffrey a little on the stubborn side. Christiana seems to be quick to judge and slow to forgive, something unusual in Amish books. She doesn't seem to like to admit when she is wrong and digs in her heels. Jeffrey started his wood and leather business as a new beginning after a huge disappointment. He is low in self-confidence in his abilities but blames Christiana's shop for his lack of sales. But under the antagonism are sparks of interest. Unfortunately, Jeffrey's heart was broken when his fiancée left him for another man, and he is reluctant to trust his heart to another. Christiana falls foul of his distrust several times, causing her to pull away from any interest she might have in him.

Slowly, Christiana notices that there is more to Jeffrey than his attitude and becomes curious about the sadness she senses in him. With patience on her part, they become friends, sharing lunches and laughs. Jeff's depression begins to lift a little, but the past continues to haunt him. Christiana works hard to show him that she can be trusted. But just as each begins to think that there could be something more between them, Christiana's father discovers that Jeffrey uses electricity in his shop. Furious, and convinced it's just the first step on the road to leaving the Faith, he forbids Christiana from spending any more time with Jeffrey. Both are heartbroken.

I ached for both Christiana and Jeffrey, as it looked like they would be separated for good. I was also angry at Christiana's father for his refusal to listen to either of them. I became a little more sympathetic to him after Christiana's conversation with her grandmother, but I wasn't sure if he would ever let go of his fear and anger. I loved Jeffrey's determination to find a way to reach him and make him understand his intentions and the depth of his faith. A near tragedy almost ends Jeffrey's hopes altogether, but love wins the day. I loved the way things worked out and what finally brought Christiana and Jeffrey back together.

The Bake Shop, by Amy Clipston, is the first book in the Amish Marketplace series. With a delightful setting, endearing characters, and an engaging story this novel is entertaining, touching, and full of heart.
Whether offering specialty coffee drinks, baked goods, quilts, or handmade leather and wooden items, the booths at the local market are a remarkably special setting for the story that unfolds in The Bake Shop. In and around the booths, friendships are formed, dreams are nurtured, and romance finds a space to bloom. This distinctive setting offers the characters a place to display their talents, laugh with one another, and persevere through uncertainties.
And as they work in their booths, the characters within this novel reveal themselves to be authentic, vulnerable, and utterly relatable. They demonstrate courage and patience as they strive to overcome their struggles, pursue their goals, and develop their faith. Themes of obedience, forgiveness, and family resonate as the characters grow and mature by facing tough choices and overcoming personal losses, doubts, and fears. And as the characters press on, the light of God’s grace and mercy shines through with hope, redemption, and restoration.
The Bake Shop is certainly an enjoyable novel. The elements of grace, forgiveness, and faith that are included throughout the story ensure that it is very encouraging and edifying. Its genuine friendships, appealing characters, and memorable setting blend together to create a moving and uplifting reading experience offering just the right combination of struggle, romance, and charm. A satisfying story from beginning to end, I recommend it to all readers.
*I was given a copy of this novel from the author. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

Amy Clipston has written another great inspirational romance. The bake Shop has a very good plot an well developed characters. I look forward to reading more books in this series. Fans of Amish fiction will enjoy this book. I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.