Another charming story by Amy Clipston. I loved the characters is this story because they were familiar. I always love to find out what happens next in the characters lives. A cute love story fill with misunderstanding and a little jealousy. Love finally wins and I can't wait to see what happens next! A great read! ( )

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Raising a teenager is hard enough when you have a partner to help, but what would happen if your spouse was deceased and you had to travel this journey alone? This is an issue facing both Leanna Wengard and Emory Speicher, and author Amy Clipston successfully shares their trials and their triumphs in this wonderful, heartwarming story. She also offers Leanna and Emory a second chance at happiness, but will their respective teenagers willingly accept a new Mamm or Dat?

The Jam and Jelly Nook is the fourth book in the Amish Marketplace series and I believe that it is my favorite. I enjoyed watching Leanna and Emory's realistic interactions with her son Chester and his daughter Maggie, and I absolutely loved the special connection that these middle-aged adults began to feel with each other. There were heartwarming moments of discovery, thrilling instances as they recognized the possibilities, and heartbreaking times when they doubted that their feelings were reciprocated.

Clipston's novels often include romance, but this book celebrates love in a refreshing way! Romantic love is a special gift, and finding it again makes it even more wondrous to receive. The Jam and Jelly Nook shows us that love is possible the second time around, and finding it in later years makes it even more special.

This is an uplifting tale of hope, learning to let go, and accepting the new blessings that God freely offers. It also allowed me to reconnect with some characters from the first three Amish Marketplace novels. I recommend The Jam and Jelly Nook to all who enjoy Amish romance fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts. ( )

Communication is the key to unlocking the secret hidden in the hearts of these two single Amish parents. And they just can’t manage to turn that key. Leanna is fretful about her teenaged son Chester. He has developed some English habits, not in keeping with his Amish upbringing, and stays out late with his friends. Emory has the opposite problem with his teenage daughter Maggie. She feels it’s her duty to take care of the household and her father’s needs, and so seldom goes out with young people her own age. These two parents meet in rather a bizarre way, but end up befriending and helping each other. This tale was a delightful wrap-up to the series. It doesn’t matter if readers will likely guess the end long before they get there; the journey to the HEA ending is the meaningful part of the story. The characters who peopled this well written series have become like old friends. It’s a bit sad to say goodbye to them, knowing we won’t see them again. ( )

Good book. This is the fourth and final book in the Amish Marketplace series about four cousins who have shops in their local marketplace. It is the story of the oldest cousin, Leanna, a widow with a teenage son. Chester has gone from being a sweet boy to a sullen, contrary, young man, leaving her at her wit's end. Her worries come to a head when she receives a late-night call to pick him up from the police station. When Leanna arrives, she discovers he was trespassing with friends, one of whom is a young Amish girl named Maggie.

Maggie's father, Emory, is a widower struggling to raise his daughter on his own. Maggie is shy and would rather stay at home working on her sewing and taking care of her dad instead of going out with other young people.

Leanna and Emory meet at the police station and quickly connect over their shared troubles. Grateful to talk to someone who understands their challenges, a solid friendship forms between them. There are some sweet scenes between them as they share their troubles over coffee or a quick conversation in her jelly shop. As Leanna and Emory spend time together, Maggie and Chester aren't ready to see their parents moving on and make their displeasure known. When Emory discovers that Chester doesn't like his job, he offers Chester the opportunity to work with him at his shed business. Leanna is thrilled to see Chester with such an excellent role model and soon notices a change in his attitude.

Meanwhile, Emory's family pressures him to start dating, claiming that Maggie needs a mother's influence. His brother and sister-in-law are especially vocal with their opinions and quite pushy with their attempts to set him up. Justin also does his best to discourage Emory from spending time with Leanna. When Emory gives in and starts seeing Madelyne, he feels guilty because he feels more for his friend Leanna than he does for her. Meanwhile, Chester tells Leanna that Emory is seeing someone and tells Emory that his mom isn't interested in dating. Their friendship becomes awkward as each struggles to hide changing feelings.

When Leanna gets an offer to expand her shop, she invites Maggie to join her and sell her items. I loved Maggie's excitement and seeing Leanna take her under her wing. It was sweet to see how Leanna's cousins make Maggie part of their group. Leanna becomes very protective of Maggie, especially when Sarah Ann attempts to stir up trouble. Sarah Ann has been a thorn in the cousins' sides since the first book, and I loved seeing Leanna snap and read her the riot act when she started in on Maggie.

Meanwhile, Emory feels increasingly guilty over his relationship with Madelyne. He knows he doesn't love her but feels like he may have gone too far to back out. Besides, he thinks Leanna is only interested in friendship. At the same time, Leanna's feelings for Emory continue to grow, even though she thinks it's useless. If Emory were interested in her, he wouldn't be dating Madelyne. A crisis in Leanna's family forces both Leanna and Emory to do some soul-searching about what is important. I loved the ending, as both Chester and Maggie do what they can to make things right for their parents. The scene with Emory and Chester warmed my heart, and I loved the difference it made to Emory. Leanna's conversation with her grandmother gave her the confidence she needed to talk to Emory. I loved Emory's big moment as he shared his feelings and Leanna's unique way of showing him hers.

I loved the epilogue and getting a chance to catch up on the lives of all four couples. ( )