Digital audiobook narrated by Cassandra Campbell
2.5** rounded up

A family living the American dream in North Carolina discovers they’ve lost everything. With little more than the clothes on their backs, they head for a family’s home in Maine, only to crash their car in the midst of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Meg, the mom in this middle-class family, is a well-organized, suburban housewife, who loves to entertain, and is completely caught off guard when her husband, James, reveals he’s been out of work for four months. She’s upset by the family’s financial circumstances, of course, but more, she’s afraid she will never trust her husband again. And she is suddenly aware of how spoiled and bratty her kids are.

But the family’s enforced stay with an Amish family while their car is being repaired opens everyone’s eyes to what is really important in life: stability, family, teamwork, good neighbors, faith, kindness, good manners, and love.

It’s a sweet, and somewhat sappy, holiday story.

Cassandra Campbell is one of my favorite narrators. She does a fine job of voicing the large cast of characters. ( )

I very much enjoyed this book.

This was a great read of how when God shuts a door he opens a window.

Meg and her family were living high on the hog (as they say) when her husband drops the bomb that they are now broke. This is the story of Meg standing by her man in front of her children and parents, even though she is furious at what he has done. This is a story of change, forgiveness and the kindness of Amish people ( I do hope some non amish are this kind but I haven't run across any in a long time).

This is a book that made me feel like life can be ok - even in what you think are the worst times. ( )

all is made right for a troubled 21st century family when they are taken in by an Amish family. Sweet, although improbable

A family losing their home and having to be on the road to her parents home at Christmas time finds living with an Amish family , for a time, a rude awakening for the 3 children. They learn to love the simple way of the Amish and the mother finds that she can do baking and selling the products. Her husband finds that furniture making is another way to bolster the income because of furniture making in NC. where they originally lived.

This is a wonderful read that teaches the lesson that just maybe breaking the bank and counting how many presents are under the tree really isn't as fulfilling as many of us try to convince ourselves. The Amish way of life compared to upper middle class living at first may seem boring and much too difficult but as the book moves along, the rich family in question soon learn just which way of life is the fullest. ( )