CHRISTMAS IN SUGARCREEK  was my first book by Shelley Shepard Gray but it will not be my last. This is the romantic love story  of Judith Graber, the obedient daughter and Ben Knox the town bad boy.   Ben left town two years ago and has come back to Sugarcreek to sell his parents home and then move on. At least that is what he is telling himself! Then he runs into Judith.  He has always admired Judith and all that she has. Her family, her beauty, her faith. He has always felt he isn't good enough to even be in her company.  Then one day, while he is back in town, Judith's father asks him to work In his store until Christmas. Now this is where things get interesting between him and Judith.  He has always cared for Judith, but won't admit it for fear of opening up his heart and being hurt.   They both fight their feelings for each other but, they can't ignore them either.

You will also meet Judith's younger brother, Caleb.  He is sweet on Rebecca, but is torn with the signals she is sending him.  She has a secret she doesn't want  Caleb to know.  While Rebecca has strong feelings for Caleb she is embarrassed by how bad things are in her home since her father was laid off.  Caleb refuses to let go and with persistence, finds out what is really going on with Rebecca.

The third couple  in CHRISTMAS IN SUGARCREEK are Robert and Lilly. Lilly was an Englisher and Robert, Amish.  He leaves the Amish faith to be with Lilly and they join the Mennonites. They are both making sacrifices and are learning how to act in their new lives but, Lilly is struggling.  She   tries to be the good and practical wife to Robert but winds up burning almost every meal and feels,she is not enough for what Robert  needs and deserves.  She is worried that Robert will regret leaving his Amish faith to be with her.

CHRISTMAS IN SUGARCREEK is the fourth book in Shelley Shepard Gray's  Seasons in Sugarcreek series.  You do not need to read the first three books to enjoy this one. I think once you read this one, you, like me, will want to read them all.   I found myself totally wrapped up in all the characters lives and couldn't wait to see how it all ended for them.  CHRISTMAS IN SUGARCREEK will pull at your heart strings and will keep you turning the pages. 

Book Summary

Judith Graber has always been the obedient daughter. Over the years, she's taken care of her younger siblings, helped around the house, and worked in her family's store. But now Judith feels overworked, overlooked, and underappreciated, especially as the holiday season approaches.

Everything changes when her father hires Ben Knox.

Ben Knox is the "bad boy" of Sugarcreek. Two years ago he left town under a cloud of shame. Rumors circulated that his rumspringa had been filled with more than the usual harmless explorations.

Sparks fly between Ben and Judith. But the last thing Judith wants to be is one more girl who falls under Ben's spell—while Ben wants Judith to realize there's more to him than his reputation. Could this Christmas season bring love and a new life for the unlikeliest pair in Sugarcreek?