Amish Fiction Book Review: The Jam and Jelly Nook

About the Book

Title: The Jam and Jelly Nook 

Series: An Amish Marketplace, Book 4 

Author: Amy Clipston 

Genre: Amish Fiction 

Publisher: Zondervan 

Release Date: May 4, 2021

Click here to purchase a copy of this novel.

Publisher's Book Description

"In the final installment of Amy Clipston’s bestselling Amish Marketplace series, a young widow struggling to raise her son dreams of one more chance at love. 

Since her husband died seven years ago, Leanna Wengerd has done her best—tending to her son, Chester, and running her Jam and Jelly Nook at the Amish market. Though she enjoys seeing her cousins and customers at the marketplace, she wishes she could find more time for her rebellious teenage boy. 

When Chester gets into trouble for trespassing, he winds up at the police station with his friend Maggie, who was riding with him to a youth group gathering. Leanna comes to the police station to fetch Chester and happens to meet Emory, Maggie’s father. Emory is also a widower, raising Maggie alone—and both he and Leanna have similar burdens and problems. 

Over time Emory and Leanna become closer friends, discovering how much they have in common. As single parents, they struggle with the limits of what they can provide for their children and feel somewhat responsible for what happened to their respective spouses. The two eventually realize they have feelings for each other—but when they try to date, their children resist. Will God pave a way for them to build a family together, or will hurdles block the path to a second chance at happiness?"

 

My Review

The Jam and Jelly Nook, by Amy Clipston, is the fourth book in the Amish Marketplace series. Beyond its lovely cover art, this book offers a cozy and uplifting reading experience. As the final book in the series, this novel is truly enjoyable with its engaging setting, memorable characters, and moving story of friendship, family, faith, and second chances. 

 

Whether featuring specialty coffee drinks, jams, jellies, or hand-crafted gifts, the booths at the local market serve once again as a special setting for the characters in this novel. This charming setting gives the characters a place to display their talents, nurture relationships, laugh together, and help one another through difficulties.  
 

Whether at home or working in their booths, the characters in this book show themselves to be authentic, vulnerable, and relatable. The relationships among the characters and the ways in which they interact with one another are believable and compelling. As they strive to overcome their uncertainties, reevaluate their expectations, and open their hearts to unexpected possibilities, they grow in grace and hope. Themes of honesty, integrity, forgiveness, and family resonate as the characters persevere even though they face doubts and tough choices. And as the characters press-on, the light of God’s grace and mercy shines through with hope, redemption, and restoration.  

 

The Jam and Jelly Nook is a special novel and a wonderful conclusion to a heart-warming series. Ms. Clipston certainly excels at creating communities and characters that draws readers in wholeheartedly, and this book is no exception. Once again, Ms. Clipston has written a touching story that is genuinely appealing, edifying, and thoughtful. A satisfying story from beginning to end, I recommend it to all readers. 
 

*I was given a copy of this book from the author. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

 

About the Author: Amy Clipston

“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.” --Biography from Amy Clipston’s author page on Amazon.com. 

Click here to visit Amy Clipston's website.