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?
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.
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