I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Amish Sweethearts by Amy Clipston Published by HarperChristian + ORM on January 9, 2018
Genres: Fiction / Amish & Mennonite, Fiction / Romance / Clean & Wholesome
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
Source: NetGalley
Amazon|Barnes&Noble|Goodreads
Love is in the air in these four sweet romances!
Love and Buggy Rides (previously published in An Amish Harvest)
Janie Lantz is a cashier at Lancaster Souvenirs and Buggy Rides, where Jonathan Stoltfuz is a buggy driver. A frightening accident brings Janie and Jonathan together in a blossoming friendship, yet daunting obstacles stand between them and something deeper. Can love kindle into flames that burn away fear and regret—and lead them to a life together?
A Home for Lindsay
From Amy Clipston's beloved Kauffman Amish Bakery series comes Lindsay Bedford's story. Lindsay is happily looking forward to the day she becomes Matthew Glick's wife and is excited for the plans he has for the house he will build her. So, when Matthew suddenly calls off the wedding, she is blindsided. She knows there is more to the story than what he is telling her, but will he open up and let her in on his own heartbreak?
Where the Heart Is
Tobias Smucker is back home, and it's no secret he and his father are still not on the best of terms. But what is surprising is that his little sister's best friend, Mariella, has been harboring her own secret feelings for Tobias. With her help, he begins to unravel a family mystery and learns that everyone has their own hidden depths, including his father.
Love Birds (previously published in An Amish Market)
While Ellie Lapp and her mother are still mourning the loss of her brother, Seth, Ellie starts working at one of the gift shops in town. Seth's friend Lloyd is talented at carving wooden birds, but his father disapproves and expects him to take over the family farm someday. Ellie sees the beauty in Lloyd's creations and insists Lloyd sell the birds in the gift shop where she works. As Ellie and Lloyd spend more time together, they begin to develop feelings for one another, but she accidentally betrays his trust. Will she lose any hope of a future with him?
My first Amish book of the year! Amish fiction used to be a common genre for me, though I don’t quite know why, as they are predominantly romance. But honestly, it’s more about the authors than the subject matter. Many of my favorite authors (though not all) write a lot of Amish fiction. Amy Clipston is one of those. As this is a novella collection, I think I’m going to review each novella instead of one overall review. This time, that just feels right. Just an FYI overall rating is based on the average of the individual rating for each story. Some I loved, some left me flat, but overall I did enjoy the collection.
Love and Buggy Rides. Legit, all the reasons that romance is not my genre . . . hello istalove. And all the reasons I struggle with novellas . . . I always want more. But a well-done novella can be satisfying even if I am left wanting, and Amy Clipston does that part very well for me. Just a glimpse without having to resolve everything. Jonathon and Janie gave me the beginning. The beginning of what might become a future. Yes, they fell in love quickly. Yes, it felt a little too neat. But also yes to being a great teaser to the writing of Amy, but also the life these two could have, you know, if they ever come back for a full-length, to a glimpse into their lives. What do you do when you know the right thing to do is the thing your father prohibits you to do? What do you do when you choose to do the right thing anyway, and now you are forbidden to even be friends with the man you are falling for? Especially after you have been told you cannot date him for all the reasons parents convince themselves of in a quest to protect their child? And what do you do when potential tragedy meets you in a parking lot and that forbidden man is there to protect you? In a nutshell, that’s Janie and Jonathan’s story. Told way better, but oh so worth the read! 4*
A Home for Lindsay. Matthew is an absolute cad. I said what I said, and I’ll stand by it. When you love someone, and you have already pledged a future with them, how do you suddenly forget how to communicate? Honestly, Lindsay, if he won’t communicate, makes assumptions about what’s best for you (instead of letting you decide for yourself), and then unilaterally makes those decisions to cut you out, why do you even want him? I’m enrolling him in Relationship Communications 101 immediately, but for the gravy that man kept me infuriated. And then he literally shuts the proverbial door in everyone’s face that tries to help him. Lindsay, you deserve better! And while he came to his senses at the midnight hour, you still deserve better, and I hope to goodness he gives you better in the future. 2*
Where the Heart Is. Tobias is a lot to unpack, and I have to keep reminding myself this is a novella and not a full-length book. Honestly, I think he deserves a full telling of his experiences with as much depth and grit as possible. How do you cover all he went through with sneaking away from home to get help? I mean, he also ran from the tumultuous relationship with his dad, but really, his drinking. What was his life really like while he was gone? How much did he really struggle when he returned? We get a glimpse into those experiences with his return, but it just felt shallow, but again I have to remember novella, not novel. What I missed in grit and depth, though, was balanced by a great story about redemption, forgiveness, and finding love in all the mess. 5*
Love Birds. Oh, Ellie and Lloyd, I have such mixed emotions about your story. I think I may need to create an Amish version of Romantic Communication 101 just for the two of you. Too much inner dialogue, not enough communication, and a hint of trauma bond. Ellie’s had the feels for her brother’s best friend since she was young. But it’s his passing that truly brings them together. She feels immature in the way she attempts not only to help her family but also to bring her together with Lloyd. And he, he feels like a hothead. While the story was entertaining, it lacked something for me. A hint of depth, a lot of communication, and a bit too easy big bow on the resolution. 3*
About 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 six spoiled rotten cats. You can find Amy at AmyClipston.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmyClipstonBooks, on Instagram at @amy_clipston, and on Tiktok at @amyclipstonofficial.
Wanna share your thoughts? Leave a comment!