Amish Fiction Book Review: The Bake Shop

About the Book

Title: The Bake Shop
Series: An Amish Marketplace Novel
Author: Amy Clipston
Genre: Amish Fiction
Publisher: Zondervan
Release Date: November 5, 2019

Click here to purchase a copy of this novel for yourself.

Publisher's Description

"Return to Lancaster County with the first installment of Amy Clipston's charming new Amish Marketplace series.

Christiana Kurtz loves to bake, but when her bake stand becomes too busy, her mother encourages her to move her business to the local market. Her new bake shop becomes so inundated with customers that the line blocks the leather and woodcraft shop next door, which is run by Jeffrey Stoltzfus. When Jeffrey complains that her stand is driving away business due to the lines, she complains to him that his personalization machine smells. Though their relationship starts off on bad footing, they eventually forge a friendship.

When Christiana’s father makes a surprise visit to the market, he is upset to find that Jeffrey uses the building’s electricity to personalize his items. He tells Christiana that Jeffrey is too modern for her, and she’s forbidden from dating him. Christiana is crushed, but she knows she must obey her father.

When Jeffrey’s shop catches fire one day, he puts the entire market in jeopardy—including Christiana’s bake shop. Christiana, however, can’t deny how she feels about Jeffrey despite his mistakes. Though the odds are against them, can two young people find a way to rebuild both their businesses and their relationship?"

My Review

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.


My Reflection

I was deeply touched by the main characters’ willingness to patiently trust in God’s timing in their lives. Though they had to endure periods of waiting and uncertainty, they did so with great faith and perseverance. Though they had to set aside their hearts’ desires, unsure of what their futures might hold, they did so with grace, trusting fully in God’s goodness. The Bake Shop not only offers a charming story, but it also offers an encouraging story that reveals the transformative power of placing one’s faith and trust wholeheartedly in God.

About the Author

"Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery series with Zondervan, which is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. An advocate for organ and blood donation, Amy donated a kidney in 2011 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Through her donation, her husband received a second kidney transplant. Amy and her husband matched another couple and swapped kidneys with them. Amy's memoir, A Gift of Love, will be available in early 2014. She hopes her story inspires others to become organ and blood donors. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats. You can find her on the web at www.AmyClipston.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmyClipstonBooks." --Biography from Amy Clipston's author page on Amazon.com.

Click here to visit Amy Cliptson's website.

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