The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall ~ review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

After Gideon coldly broke her heart, can the warmth of the season revive Mattie’s hopes?

Christmas has always been special to cake decorator Mattie Eash, who was born on the wondrous holiday.

Yet the season has lost its appeal in the three years since then, her childhood sweetheart abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve. Mattie has moved on, left Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania and pursued her dreams of a cake shop in Berlin, Ohio and given her heart to someone new. Someone unlike Gideon Beiler. Someone safe.

Then an unforeseen setback forces her home and into painful proximity to Gideon. Will learning the truth behind his rejection restore her Christmas joy—or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?

My take on this book:

Mattie Eash and Gideon Beiler grew up in Apple Ridge Pa together,becoming best friends and later sweethearts that became engaged, but when Gideon broke off the engagement on Christmas Eve, Mattie was heartbroken. She decides to move to Ohio to live with her brother and open a bakery. Mattie moved on with her life, opened her bakery and found a new beau, but when unforeseen circumstances force Mattie to head back to Apple Ridge she has to confront the hurt from her past. Can she finally put the past behind her once and for all, and how will she handle the truth of why Gideon broke the engagement?

While this book was a very quick read at only 189 pages the author gives the reader a fantastic story with well drawn characters and plenty of details to bring the story to life. I thought each character seemed very realistic, and while Mattie was Amish she wasn't your typical Amish lead. She was a outspoken, and often a bit klutzy, but things normally worked out. It was nice to see that she moved on with her life instead of wallowing and deciding she would never love again. Gideon hid the reason for the breakup not only from Mattie but the others in his community as well, and since he had been baptized the secret must stay hidden. There are plenty of inspirational lessons to be taken from this one. While this is Christmas themed book I really think it could be read year round. The dessert recipes included were a great bonus.

Cindy Woodsmall is an author who always delivers a great Amish story and this one isn't any different. A must read for fans of Amish fiction or anyone wanting to get into the holiday mood.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.