The Christmas House

Author: Beverly Lewis
Genre: Amish Holiday Romance
Pages: 160
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Beverly Lewis, the number-one bestselling author of Amish fiction, delivers a delightful Christmas novella of faith, romance, and heartwarming holiday traditions.

With the holidays approaching, Liz Lantz is dedicated to using her Hickory Hollow buggy tour business to share God's love with the Englisher tourists who visit her Lancaster County community. But when her father and brother are called away for a while, Dat finds a young Amishman to assist her on the tours in her brother's place, much to Liz's dismay. Regardless, the popularity of her Christmas House Buggy Tour means she could use the help, so as the countdown to Christmas begins, she works alongside Matthew Yoder, who quickly takes a genuine interest in the tour customers--and Liz.

As an Englisher family in Hickory Hollow expresses their festive spirit with a lavishly decorated house for the second year running, Liz's Amish community becomes increasingly concerned about attracting unwanted traffic and attention, and Liz wonders if there is any way to bridge the gap to help the new neighbors feel welcome. At the same time, she grapples with her growing feelings for Matt, whose position with her is only temporary. Can she find a way to bring harmony to Hickory Hollow in time for Christmas?

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

The Christmas House by Beverly Lewis is a sweet Amish holiday romance that will make you forget it’s the dead of summer and not the middle of winter.

Liz Lantz has a buggy tour business in Hickory Hollow, and when her brother (who accompanies her) goes out of town with her father, another young Amish man, named Matthew Yoder, steps in to help. As the two develop an attraction for each other, the story progresses with an underlying theme of sharing the gospel with your neighbours and befriending them, even when you might have nothing in common.

While I found the book a tad dull, I was still impressed by how Liz was determined to reach out to the owners of the Christmas House. Her Amish friends and neighbours didn’t like the garish displays, but Liz is determined for them all to get to know each other, making for a Hallmark moment at the end of the book.

If you like Christmas novellas and Amish fiction, you will enjoy The Christmas House by Beverly Lewis.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Diana Lea

Reading a Christmas story in July always feels like a treat, and The Christmas House by Beverly Lewis delivered exactly that. Set in the Amish community of Hickory Hollow, this novella offers a peaceful, faith-filled glimpse into Amish life—with just the right blend of romance, tradition, and seasonal charm.

The main part of the story is about Liz Lantz, a young Amish woman who runs a buggy tour business, connecting visitors with Amish traditions, local shops and bakeries. In this particular pre-Christmas season, Liz faces a time of quiet waiting. Her older sisters are married, and her younger sister has a beau. Instead of fretting, we see Liz’s faith grow while she remains ever prayerful to let God reveal her future. She meets Matthew Yoder when she unexpectedly needs an assistant with the tours. Readers are left to wonder: Could he be the one she has been trusting God for?

Another layer to the story involves the Hyatt family, the “Englishers” whose extravagant Christmas decorations disrupt the usually serene nature of the countryside. Their home, more commonly known as “The Christmas House”, becomes a symbol of both cultural clash and unexpected connection. Liz’s instinctive kindness and empathy shine as she finds herself drawn to this family and begins to bridge the gap between the two worlds.

The writing brings the setting to life with cozy, vivid detail—from sleigh rides through fresh snow to the scent of peppermint candy and home-baked treats. These scenes sparkle with nostalgic charm, including old-fashioned touches like taffy pulls and handmade gifts. Faith is woven gently and meaningfully into the narrative. Liz and Matt both pray, quote scripture and seek God’s guidance in a way that feels authentic and unforced. 

While the romantic arc between Liz and Matt is fairly predictable, the story’s emotional heart lies in Liz’s growing awareness of the needs around her—and her desire to respond with compassion. Her efforts to reach out to the Hyatt family reveal a deeper purpose at the center of the book: that even small acts of kindness, when guided by faith, can spark something bigger than expected. One of the most rewarding parts of the story is watching how the wider community responds—not with hesitation, but with generosity that goes beyond what anyone imagined. 

The Christmas House isn’t just a holiday romance-it’s a quiet celebration of faith, patience, and the power of kindness to bridge divides. If you enjoy clean, inspirational reads with a dash of romance and community, The Christmas House will leave you smiling. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews in exchange for my honest review. 

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Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt

Good things take time to grow.—Ella Mae Zook 

With her wonderful storytelling abilities, Beverly Lewis entertains you with this heartwarming tale of family, faith and loving your neighbors no matter who they are. It’s been many years since I’ve read a book by Lewis, and I’m asking myself why. I always find myself feeling like I’ve come home with one of her novels. She first introduced me to this thing called Christian fiction with her Daughter’s of Abram series, and I have since then discovered so many other CF authors! 

I love the unfolding of the warm and gentle romance between Liz and Matthew. Could this be the man God has for her? Maybe even her dad has done a little matchmaking knowing Liz’s desire for a husband and eventual children. Liz and Matthew were wonderful characters. I was rooting for them the whole time! I really enjoyed watching the close-knit family ties between Liz’s mom, sister and her church community. Their strong Amish faith is something I always love reading about. 

This story takes place just before Christmas, so experiencing all the preparation & traditions from an Amish point of view was a lot of fun. There is also mention of an English family who moved into their neighborhood, and I like Liz’s heart to try to reach them in spite of a lot of opposition from her Amish community.

What she did at the end was very heartwarming! The Christmas House has it all for me: faith, family, a touch of romance, a tight-knit community and being the hands and feet of Christ to those who are outsiders. And through Beverly Lewis’s pen, she brought it to life for me!    

I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House through both NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

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Reviewer: Elizabeth Eckmeyer

Beverly Lewis takes us back to Hickory Hollow. A small community where everyone knows everyone. This short story of fun and romance is sure to get everyone in the mood for Christmas! 

Liz is living at home waiting for the right relationship. She so much wants a husband and family, but is waiting for the right man. She convinced her dad to let her give tours to the tourists as a business. 

As her dad and brother go out of town, her dad hires a man to help on the tours in place of her brother. Slowly, Matt the helper of the tours and her become friends. Could they become more? 

I truly loved the characters in this story. They brought it to life. It is a short story but also packed with common and relationships. You will be sure to love this book! 

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Baker Publishing Group through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.

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