I'm so excited to be back on the Homestead with another amazing hit from the incredibly talented hands of Amish author, Amy Clipston. She is one of my top authors when it comes to writing Amish novels and she has once again managed to completely capture my heart and my soul with these beautifully created characters and this page turning plot line.

Instantly, I'm drawn to Allen. Bless him, from the start, I had tears in my eyes and I wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him God's in control and all will work out. He was wonderfully chiseled, wonderfully life-like and I fell in love with him instantly. Laura's character was wonderful, as well, and I was so happy she was there in a tragic time! She really made the story pop. And sweet Mollie......oh sweet Mollie. A little character that was a perfect addition (not that I think that because of our names, though spelled differently, being the same!). These characters, while suffering from tragic events, were characters that became a part of me, wholly, like family.

I highly recommend this 5 star addition to the Amish Homestead series. You'll be instantly captivated, turning page after page, long into the night. This book is emotional, yet full of God's grace, God's timing and characters that you'll want to invite to your own porch swing and sip tea and visit with until the sun sets on the horizon. Ms. Clipston, you've done it again and I can't sign praises high enough for another hit! Bring on the next!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*

About this book:

“When tragedy strikes, can two young Amish people find the hope that lies on the other side?
Laura Riehl is no stranger to heartache. Less than a year after her mother’s death, Laura finds herself burying another loved one: her best friend, Savilla, who has died after a brief and sudden illness. Laura feels heartbroken and alone, but her pain is nothing compared to that of Allen, the husband Savilla has left behind. He now faces a life so different from the one he imagined—plus a baby to care for on his own.
When Laura offers to help Allen with baby Mollie, he jumps at the opportunity until a permanent solution can be found. She’d do anything to lend a hand to Allen and to honor her best friend’s memory. Rudy, Laura’s boyfriend, is initially supportive of her plan, but the more time Laura spends with Allen, the more jealous and frustrated Rudy seems to become.
As Laura and Allen face hardships together, their friendship takes a surprising yet comforting turn—and she discovers an attraction she’s never felt with Rudy. Would falling for Allen betray the people she cares about most, or would denying those feelings betray her heart? This latest installment in the Amish Homestead series returns us to Lancaster County, home of the beloved Riehls, where a family’s strength—and advice from a new friend—may help Laura find God’s direction.”


Series: Book #2 in the “Amish Homestead” series. Review of Book #1 Here!


Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are mention, quoted, & read; Prayers; Church going; Talks about God; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of God & His will; Mentions of prayers, praying, thanking God, & blessings over food; Mentions of church, church going, services, sermons, hymns, ministers, & youth gatherings; Mentions of Bibles; Mentions of singing Christian children’s song; Mentions of being blessed & blessings; Mentions of sins & being sinful; A couple mentions of Christian novels;A mention of praising God; A mention of a Christian man.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘shut up’ and two ‘stupid’s; A bit of sarcasm & eye rolling; A sudden death & seeing another throw up (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a sudden death, illnesses, & throwing up (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of an accident & death; Mentions of pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of lies/fibs & lying; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of nightmares; A couple mentions of car accidents & injuries.


Sexual Content- a cheek kiss, a head kiss, a not-detailed kiss, a boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss, and a semi-detailed kiss; Touches, Embraces, & Shivers (boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Remembering touches (boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Staring; Many mentions of dating, dates, boyfriends, girlfriends, break-ups, & jealousy; Mentions of reputations; A few mentions of cheating/affairs; A few mentions of touches; A couple mentions of a possible out-of-wedlock pregnancy; A couple mentions of kisses & kissing (not-detailed); A couple mentions of flirting; A couple mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of crushes; A mention of a wedding night; Love, falling in love, trying to not be in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A couple mentions of unmentionables.

-Laura Riehl, age 22
-Allen Lambert
P.O.V. switches between them
321 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
While this wasn’t my favorite Amy Clipston Amish book, it was a light four-star read that I enjoyed. Some readers might not like the back-and-forth of Laura and Allen’s emotions, but I thought that they were realistic. I think I would share nearly the same reactions as they did if I was in their shoes. Like other connected series, it was nice to see the couple from the first book and get hints about the third book. :)


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2018/07/room-on-porch-swing-by-amy-clipston.html


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Zondervan) for this honest review.

Won a copy of this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. I have not read this genre or this author before nor have I read the first book in this series. It was a heartwarming Amish romance, really nice characters and good story. I probably would not go back and read the first novel as this genre is so new to me but I can see that a lot of other readers really enjoyed the book.

What an amazing book by Amy!! It started out sad but evolved at the right pace!! I'm glad Laura found the happy ending that she was looking for!!

I'll definitely be reading more books by Amy in the future!!