A Wells Landing Christmas by Amy Lillard is the eighth book in A Wells Landing Romance series. Ivy Weaver lives in Wells Landing, Oklahoma where she has a reputation for wearing jeans, driving a car and kissing at least three boys (shocking). Ivy has been taking care of her grandfather, Yonnie since her mother married and moved out of state two years prior. She has yet to join the church because she does not feel worthy and she would need to confess her sin before the congregation. Ivy has her hands full taking care of Yonnie who has begun to lose his memory and act oddly. Zeb Brenneman broke her heart when he left and moved to Pinecraft. The last thing she expects is to see him back in Wells Landing. Ivy is rushing home after a call from her neighbor about Yonnie when she spots Zeb walking towards his family home. Zeb knows that leaving Ivy was a mistake and he wants to make amends. Zeb wants to prove to Ivy that he is trustworthy and earn her forgiveness along with her love. After Yonnie becomes hurt one day, Ivy visits the local nursing home, Whispering Pines. She meets Ethan Dallas who talks to her about God’s love, forgiveness and grace. Ivy begins to feel that there is hope for herself, her life and her relationship with Zeb. Can Ivy and Zeb find their way back to each other? Is there a chance for a Christmas miracle in Wells Landing?

A Wells Landing Christmas is nicely written story about forgiveness, love, hope, and grace. Ivy needs to forgive herself, but she has not been able to do it. She has a secret that keeps her from allowing people to get close. She feels left out of her community and is overwhelmed with caring for her grandfather. It is serendipitous that she visits Whispering Pines and finds someone who can understand her struggle. It is sweet how Ivy takes care of Yonnie. She is patient and understanding with him. She does not want to leave him alone, but Ivy must earn a living to pay their bills. You can feel Ivy’s emotions come through the pages (heartache, sadness, tension, loneliness, love). Her biggest struggle is unable to forgive herself for a sin. Zeb knows he made a mistake leaving and wants to atone plus earn his way back into Ivy’s heart. The path to love is bumpy, but it is rewarding. We all feel unworthy and need to remember that God will forgive us for our sins. All we must do is ask. I find it amusing that the Amish in Wells Landing cannot drive cars, but they are allowed to drive their tractors all over town. It seems a dangerous and loud mode of transportation with limited seating (how can it be safe). We get to see how gossip can harm a person’s reputation (no matter who started it). Gossip is not the truth, but people treat it as such. There are good life lessons in A Wells Landing Christmas. I like how the author handled the subjects of illness in elderly and their care. I wish the author had eliminated the repetition. Personally, I find it annoying when the same details are repeated throughout a book. A Wells Landing Christmas can be read as a standalone. A Wells Landing Christmas is a sweet, heartwarming Christmas story that will touch your heart. ( )

I have never been disappointed in a book by Amy Lillard and again I loved this book. Ivy and Zeb must learn many lessons before they may think about being together. I love to find out how every Amish group is a little different from another. I received a copy of this book from The author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )

We are back in Wells Landing and with some of the characters that we have come to love, and yes there are wonderful updates, but this is Ivy’s and Zeb’s story.
Can you go back to a relationship? Some of these individuals don’t really think so, and one of these characters has purposely wrecked their reputation, but why? Well, as we learn the facts here, and want to hug each of these individuals, and shove them together, but it doesn’t look like they will make it.
Enter a new hunk of a man, a man with a heart for God and his fellowman, but he is English, but will our girl forsake her beliefs and leave?
This story has so much going for it, you are going to love Ivy’s grandfather, and we hope he doesn’t end up killing himself, or letting a woman grab him.
Wow! Just a quick taste of what you are going to experience once you turn the covers of this book, and now I want more!

I received this book through Zebra Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )

This story is an emotional roller coaster filled with joy, tears, forgiveness and hope. I love how the author makes the characters so real. I felt like I was sitting with Ivy as she takes care of her grandfather who is ill. Christmastime is suppose to be joyful but Ivy doesn't really feel a part of the celebration. Wells Landing is filled with festive parties and family togetherness. My heart went out to Ivy as she sensed herself not part of the joyous celebrations going on.

We all make mistakes, but for Ivy her mistake caused her to become an outsider. It angered me that Zeb had deserted her and left her to face the community alone. The question now is why has Zeb come back after being away for so long? Will he try to find a way to get close to Ivy again?

I loved the part where Ivy realizes she needs to forgive God and herself. That can be so hard when you feel alone and miserable. Ivy has suffered for so long for her sin and I was on pins and needles waiting to see what she would do. When a crisis happens, Ivy has no choice but to ask Zeb for help. It was so nice to read how willing he was to help Ivy even though he knew she hadn't forgiven him for the past . With Zeb helping maybe Ivy can see that he has changed and wants to start over.

One of my favorite parts of the story was the friendship between Ethan and Ivy. She visits him at the nursing home and their connection is heartwarming. Ethan is a wise man and shares his faith with Ivy. I loved his examples that showed Ivy that people in the bible sinned and were forgiven. Ivy likes visiting Ethan and knows he is very ill. This part in the story was very touching and it reminded me of going to the nursing home to see my mother. I always felt so sad for the people who never had visitors. I'm so glad Ivy took time to befriend Ethan. He will instill in her much wisdom and comfort as the days go by.

What a wonderful story the author has written about forgiveness and trust. I loved how she talks about how important family is and how hard it can be to care for an elderly family member. Ivy and Zeb have much to work through. Christmas will be a new beginning for some in Wells Landing and for others a reminder that love conquers all.

" What a person wanted and what they ended up with were sometimes miles apart."

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion. ( )