The Jam and Jelly Nook

Written by Amy Clipston

Narrated by Lauren Berst

In the final installment of Amy Clipston’s bestselling Amish Marketplace series, a young widow struggling to raise her son dreams of one more chance at love.

Since her husband died seven years ago, Leanna Wengerd has done her best—caring for her son, Chester, and running her Jam and Jelly Nook at the Amish market. Though she enjoys seeing her cousins and customers at the marketplace, she wishes she could find more time for her rebellious teenage boy.

When Chester gets into trouble for trespassing, he winds up at the police station with his friend Maggie, who was riding with him to a youth group gathering. Leanna comes to the police station to fetch Chester and happens to meet Emory, Maggie’s father. Emory is also a widower, raising Maggie alone—and both he and Leanna have similar burdens and problems.

Over time Emory and Leanna become closer friends, discovering how much they have in common. As single parents, they struggle with the limits of what they can provide for their children and feel somewhat responsible for what happened to their respective spouses. The two eventually realize they have feelings for each other—but when they try to date, their children resist. Will God pave a way for them to build a family together, or will hurdles block the path to a second chance at happiness?

• Sweet, inspirational Amish romance
• Full-length novel (85,000 words)
• The final book in Amy Clipston’s Amish Marketplace series
  • Book 1: The Bake Shop
  • Book 2: The Farm Stand  
  • Book 3: The Coffee Corner
  • Book 4: The Jam and Jelly Nook

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: May 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9780310356554

Amy Clipston

Amy Clipston is an award-winning bestselling author and has been writing for as long as she can remember. She's sold more than one million books, and her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan University and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. Amy works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC, and lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats. Visit her online at AmyClipston.com; Facebook: @AmyClipstonBooks; Twitter: @AmyClipston; Instagram: @amy_clipston; BookBub: @AmyClipston.

Reviews for The Jam and Jelly Nook

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[scoutmomskf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This story was the perfect ending for this fantastic series. I love Leanna and Emory. These two were the perfect couple to end this wonderful Amish series based around a farmers market. I really enjoyed that Leanna and Emory were a little older and they were both widowed with children. Both of the main characters needed to find that they could fall in love again and their children would be able to understand what was happening. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Jam and Jelly Nook by Amy Clipston is the 4th (and final) An Amish Marketplace Novel. It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading this charming series in order. It will allow you to get to know the characters and follow their progress. We get Leanna Wenger’s story in this tale. I have been looking forward to getting to know Leanna better. Leanna is a widow of seven years with a teenage son named Chester. Chester went from sweet boy to surly teenager who is smoking and carrying a cell phone. Leanna worries about Chester and wonders she can do to help him. Emory Speicher is a widower of six years raising his teenage daughter, Maggie. Maggie is a sweet girl who prefers to remain at home. She does not spend time with other people her own age and she lacks joy. When Emory and Leanna end up at the police station to pick up their kids, they discover they have things in common which leads to a friendship. Of course, friendship could lead to something more if the circumstances are right. I thought The Jam and Jelly Nook was well-written with friendly, relatable characters. We get a chance to catch up with Bethany, Christiana, and Salina. I have enjoyed getting to know these four ladies and I was sorry to see this delightful series end. I love the setting of the Bird-in-Hand Marketplace. I liked watching the friendship develop between Leanna and Emory. Patience is the key to their having more (waiting is key when you have faith). Faith is at the forefront in this book. It is nicely woven into the story. The Jam and Jelly Nook was a good book to read and one that I was sorry to see end (because that meant the series was over). I will miss these lovely characters. My favorite phrase from The Jam and Jelly Nook is, “With God all things are possible.” The Jam and Jelly Nook is a great escape novel. The Jam and Jelly Nook is an enticing Amish tale with jewel-toned jellies, quality quilts, darling dolls, beguiling birdhouses, a problematic lad, a jam-packed marketplace, a dutiful daughter, and a snoopy sister-in-law.

[ladyofthelodge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"The Jam and Jelly Nook" completes the series of four books that tell the stories of marketplace vendors. In this final installment, Joanna and Emory meet in an unlikely setting. They bond when discussing concerns with their teen children and their difficulties as single parents. Joanna runs the Jam and Jelly Nook at the Amish Marketplace and she agrees to help with Emory's withdrawn daughter Maggie. Emory works in a family business building sheds, and agrees to employ Joanna's son Chester. Joanna and Emory draw ever closer to one another, yet fear to share their true feelings out of respect for their children's struggles. When family situations and romantic missteps threaten their relationship, both Joanna and Emory must decide what to do about their true feelings for each other.This character-driven novel, demonstrates the difficult choices parents must sometimes make on behalf of their children. The story also shows how families can influence the decisions of the family members, sometimes to their detriment. The novel is a clean read, with no overt sexual situations and no strong language. The Christian message is clear but not preachy. Readers of the previous novels in the series will enjoy reuniting with old friends, although the book can be read as a stand-alone.I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley. in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a visit with old friends, those that I have come to know and love from previous books, and as they move on with their lives we are updated! This is cousin Leanna's story, and her journey along with her son Chester, a young man that is sewing his wild oats, and unsure of where he should plant his feet. Chester is the catalyst to a meeting with widower Emory, and a change in both of their lives.We are there as Leanna embraces and helps Emory's daughter Maggie, and we watch as Emory begins a new relationship.This is the fourth and final book in this series, and I will miss the updates, but loved the epilogue, what a great ending!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.

[huberk-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

THE JAM AND JELLY NOOK by Amy ClipsonWhen you get that call in the middle of the night when your child isn't where he or she is supposed to be. Leanna Wengerd, a widow finds out that her son Chester is in police custody and he requests that she come to the police station to pick him up. Leanna meets Emory Speicher a widower with his teenage daughter Maggie who along with Chester have gotten themselves into a little trouble and are in police custody.Both of the families are Amish, both teenagers are in their Rumspringa (or running around time) before they decide to commit to the church and their religion.Leanna and Emory begin a friendship based on their shared experiences raising teenagers without the assistance of a spouse.Emory wants to be friends with Chester and maybe become a sort of mentor for the boy. Emory is realizing that his daughter Maggie might need a womanly figure in her life since he can't seem to get Maggie out of the house, she wants to stay home with her dad and take care of him.The book is very good, unputdownable for me, it is a standalone in a series of four. Highly recommend.Many thanks for the complimentary copy from #netgalley and #zondervan of #thejamandjellynook I was under no obligation to post a review.