An Amish Homecoming – Book Review
Hope and Wildflowers was provided a complimentary copy of An Amish Homecoming by Book Look Bloggers to review for our readers. All opinions are our own, we pinky promise! This post also contains affiliate links. Please see our Disclosure Policy for more details! Thank you!
About the Book
Four brand new Amish stories of coming home.
No Place Like Home by Amy Clipston
Estranged daughter Eva Dienner has been staying with her in-laws, the Riehls since her husband was killed in a fire, but now she wants her son to meet his maternal grandparents. Upon her return, Eva finds that the man her parents always intended for her is living in their daadi haus and running the dairy farm for them for free, despite her suspicions of him taking advantage of her family. Eva knows she should put the past behind her, but is she ready to move into the future?
When Love Returns by Beth Wiseman
Hurricane Harvey forces Sarah Zook to return to the home she fled six years ago when she couldn’t face her stern parents’ reaction to her unplanned pregnancy. Upon her return, Abram King can think of nothing but the pain she caused him—until he meets Sarah’s daughter and realizes that he never really stopped loving Sarah. Sarah and Abram must find a way to face the truth of their past so they can rekindle their first love.
The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray
After the death of her Englisch husband, Irene Keim seeks a fresh start by staying with her new friends Mary Ruth and Henry Wengerd in exchange for helping them around the house. But when Mary Ruth and Henry’s son Marcus comes around, he isn’t pleased with the woman they’ve taken in and is determined to push her out. Misunderstandings abound, but both Irene and Marcus learn that people aren’t always what they seem.
What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller
Independent and headstrong, Carolyn is determined to forge ahead with the opening of her bakery, a lifelong dream, in the Birch Creek home she left ten years ago. But she’s in over her head and needs help with the cleaning, shopping, and deliveries. Carpenter Atlee Shetler is visiting Birch Creek to escape the memories of his late wife. He takes a job renovating the new bakery and finds the project—and its owner—to be much more than he bargained for. Both Carolyn and Atlee must face the pains of the past if they want to have the bright future God has planned for them.
My Review
No Place Like Home by Amy Clipston
Eva Dienner has been a widow for more than four years. Her husband, a volunteer firefighter, died on duty leaving behind her and their son Simeon Jr. Eva left her parents and farm to move to Ronks, Lancaster County six years ago to live with her in-laws. Eva left her home after an argument. Eva decides it is time to visit western Pennsylvania so her son can meet his other grandparents. How will her parents react? What has changed on the farm? I have to admit it took me a while to understand Eva, I was a little bothered about her attitude with everyone but as the story continues you start to understand more about Eva. Though her character didn’t exactly grow on me, the family’s love and grace did.
When Love Returns by Beth Wiseman
I have read stories from Beth Wiseman before and as usual, I was so impressed with this story. The details in her writings make you feel like you are right in the room.
Hurricane Harvey forces Sarah Zook to return to the home she fled six years ago when she couldn’t face her stern parents’ reaction to her unplanned pregnancy. Upon her return, Abram King can think of nothing but the pain she caused him—until he meets Sarah’s daughter and realizes that he never really stopped loving Sarah. There is a twist to this story that leads to a wonderful ending but first Sarah must face a nightmare she has dealt with for a long time. This has a wonderful ending and is a very sweet story of forgiveness and letting go of the past. This story has a great lesson which is we all make mistakes and if we beat ourselves and hold onto them we will never grow from them. And if someone else has hurt us, it’s up to forgive we are responsible for the pain we put on ourselves. I enjoyed the quote from Sarah’s dad, on page 138:
“A person cannot cause another person’s burdens. Baggage is the responsibility of the one carrying it, and only they are able to get rid of that weight. God’s will is in everything we do, and we can’t know His plans for us.” – When Love Returns by Beth Wisemen pg. 138
The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray
After the tragic death of her English husband West, Irene Keim seeks a fresh start by staying with her new friends Mary Ruth and Henry Wengerd in exchange for cooking and cleaning their home. What started as a nice evening playing Clue, Mary and Henry’s son Marcus is not pleased with her living at his parent’s home. Irene is an admirable lady, she pushed herself through many obstacles from childhood to the death of her husband. She built up walls around her and didn’t want to be a burden to anyone. Will those walls ever come down? Will she ever be able to find happiness in between working at the diner and bookstore? Will Marcus ever understand Irene and her reason for staying with his parents? This story has a great lesson of understanding and trust.
What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller
Twelve years ago Atlee Shetler’s wife passed away. He loves her so much but agrees to go on a much-needed vacation to Birch Creek and stay with his friend Thomas. After searching for someone to find directions to Thomas’s home, he sees a business sign where he abruptly meets Carolyn Yoder. You will delight in the determination of Carolyn as she pushes forward with the odds against her to pursue her dream. This short story is a story of hope and perseverance when faced with trials. We never know what tomorrow will hold and whatever challenges come we must strive to keep pressing forward. The story stresses the importance of friendship to encourage others when they need you the most.
Overall, I enjoyed these stories. Each story was a bit predictable but the twists in each one were not. Each one has a great lesson that focuses on forgiveness, love, and perseverance in the direst of circumstances. There is always hope!
Order Your Copy of An Amish Homecoming
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An Amish Homecoming By A. Clipston, B. Wiseman, S.S. Gray & K. Fuller / Zondervan |
