The More the Merrier by Merrier: An Amish Christmas Romance by Linda Byler

Book Description

From beloved Amish writer Linda Byler, comes a heartwarming Christmas romance set during the Great Depression.

It’s 1931, and times are tough for the Miller family, who are raising eight children in the midst of the Great Depression. When Eli Miller passes away unexpectedly, and then a fire destroys their barn, Annie has no idea how she’ll make ends meet. The Amish community rallies around her and the children, as is their custom, but as days turn into weeks and then into months, Annie’s friends and neighbors return to their own routines and seem to expect Annie to do the same. Annie knows she needs to stay strong for the children and figure out a way to keep everyone warm and clothed and fed, but she is heartbroken and exhausted. She reminds herself that God will provide, but every day feels like an uphill battle.

When Annie receives a letter from a widower with six children of his own, she tries to put it out of her mind. Her critical mother reminds her that it's too soon to start a new friendship with a man, and warns her that blending a family will be complicated. In the weeks and months to follow, Annie must learn to make her own decisions—and accept the consequences, good and bad—face her past, and embark on a new journey that will transform her and her large, complicated family. When life seems especially complicated one summer, she finds herself saying that by Christmas everything will start to come together, but she has no idea the challenges—and ultimately blessings—headed her way.

My thoughts:

Set during the Great Depression this is the heartbreaking story of Annie Miller and her 8 children who are trying to survive on their meager food supply which isn't an unusual storyline for that time in history but this story really made me sad.  Maybe it was reading it before Christmas that made me feel for the widow and her daily struggles to provide enough food for her family.

Then she meets widower Eli who is raising 6 children of his own and who thinks it would be a good idea to blend their families.  They have their work cut out for them after they marry and all live together. Of course there are some cute, sweet moments but there are bouts of jealousy, misunderstandings  but with love, patience and a lot of prayer, they can  be come the family they have needed.

What starts out to be heartbreaking ended up to be very heartwarming.  I enjoyed this quick read.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.