When tragedy strikes a family in Lancaster County, can two young Amish people find the hope that lies on the other side? “This story of profound loss and deep friendship will leave readers with the certain knowledge that hope exists and love grows through faith in our God of second chances.” –Kelly Irvin, author of the Every Amish Season series Laura Riehl is no stranger to heartache. Less than … 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.
This sweet read is the second book in Amy Clipston’s Amish Homestead series, but it can also be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
“Readers . . . will appreciate the author’s realistic portrayal of coming to terms with loss in order to continue living with hope and happiness.” –RT Book Reviews, four stars
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Room on the Porch Swing by Amy Clipston is An Amish Homestead Novel. Laura Riehl lives in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania where her best friend, Savilla Lambert has passed away. It has been less than a year since Laura’s mother died and now her best friend passes after a quick illness. Allen Lambert and Savilla were married such a short time and now he is a widower with a baby girl to raise. The following summer, Irma Mae falls in Allen’s kitchen and her injuries require surgery. Irma Mae, Savilla’s mother, has been Mollie’s caretaker and now Allen must find someone to watch her while he is working. Laura offers to care for Mollie until Irma Mae recovers. Allen and Laura soon discover that they can talk truthfully (open and honestly) to each other. They find their chats on the porch swing helpful and comforting. Rudy, Laura’s beau, is not happy with the time she is spending at Allen’s home and he becomes resentful. As time passes, Laura becomes comfortable with caring for Mollie and her feelings for Allen begin to change. But she has been dating Rudy for four years and is not sure she should give up on their relationship. The time is approaching when Laura will need to make a choice.
Room on the Porch Swing takes us back to Bird-in-Hand and the Riehl family. It was nice to catch up with Jamie and Kayla from A Place at Our Table along with Mark (Laura’s twin) and Cindy (the youngest Riehl). While Room on the Porch Swing is part of a series, it can be read alone (but why would you want to miss out on A Place at Our Table). Change is in the air and Laura is not ready for it. Room on the Porch Swing is an emotional book as Laura and Allen deal with their grief. Every person handles grief in a different way as we see in this novel. Their romance is sweet and progresses slowly. It is not something Laura or Allen are looking for or expect. I thought Room on the Porch Swing was well-written and engaging. My attention was captured from the very beginning and it was held throughout. Laura and Allen are great characters. I thought they were well-developed and perfect for this story. While Rudy was needed for the story, I had many unkind thoughts regarding him. I did not like how he was using Laura and then grew resentful of the time she spent at the Lambert home caring for Mollie (Rudy would go a week without contacting Laura). I like how the faith elements are woven into the story (especially the importance of prayer). We need to remember that things happen in God’s timing, not ours. There is a reason for the events that happen in our lives (tragedy, heartbreak). We must be open to change and be prepared (open/accepting) for what will happen next. Room on the Porch Swing contains hope, grief, joy, heartbreak, faith, and more. It is a heartwarming novel that will have you laughing, crying, and sighing (a happy one at the end). Sit down for a spell in a comfy chair and spend some time with Room on the Porch Swing.
I became enamored with all of Bird in Hand’s inhabitants and read almost all of the series.
I thought it was a very good book. I love amish story. Send some more free books.
As always Amy Clipston tells a fantastic story. Allen and Laura have each suffered a devastating loss and help each other learn to cope with this loss. I love how the author has these two characters learn how to get through this loss. I laughed and cried through this book. I always look forward to reading these Amish stories. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I absolutely loved this book! Amy Clipston sure knows how to write Amish romance. If you enjoy a good Amish book, please pick this one up!
Easy enjoyable read
I love how the author took the time and developed each character; especially the main characters. It is truly a love story you’ll enjoy reading. I really enjoyed it!
I really great book to read, hard to put the book down. Look forward to reading more books from Amy Clipston
I received a copy of this book from the Fiction Guild, I was not paid or required to give a favorable review. This was the second in the series and brought together characters from the first book and a few new. This story shows that the feeling the loss of a spouse is so hard on a singe parent and the help of friends, family and community can pull you through. Allan lost his wife Savilla to complications of the flu and was left raising their little girl Mollie alone. His mother in law was helping until she fell an hurt herself. Savilla best friend Laura comes to help take care of her and to do things around the home to help. But her boyfriend Rudy who hasn’t been very attentive in the 4 years they have been together doesn’t quite understand. Laura understands loss after her mom died not long before her best friends. I so enjoyed this story and look forward to reading the the 3rd book.
I cherished every word as I read this book. The author is such an eloquent writer and brings the characters to life with her words. I loved the significance of the porch swing in the story. My grandfather had a porch swing and every summer I couldn’t wait to visit him. We would sit for hours just talking and the wisdom he shared with me I will never forget.
When certain characters would sit on the porch swing, I knew it was going to be a time of memories and unconditional love. It was a place for people to sit and share their worries and be comforted. I loved Laura right away and admired her compassion to help out when her best friend passes away. It was difficult for Laura to adjust to not having her friend around, but she was blessed to be able to help take care of the baby that was missing her mother. Laura is still grieving the loss of her own mother and the loss of her best friend is a bit much for her.
Allen is a very humble man and tries his best to take care of Mollie and still run his business. The arrangement he makes with Laura to be his nanny seems like a great idea. Laura has a lot to deal with and I wondered if she took on too much too soon. Her devotion to Mollie is special and maybe being around Mollie helped her to deal with losing her best friend. I have to say I was quite surprised that Laura stayed overnight at Allen’s house. Is this something that the bishop would be alright with? It was sure to cause problems with her boyfriend and I loved the way Laura prayed and asked for guidance.
The story is wonderful and really made me think how important it is to be happy in a relationship. Rumors and gossip can cause misunderstandings and draw people apart. The author does a great job of exploring a relationship between Allen and Laura. Is Allen ready to love again? Will Laura decide if her boyfriend is right for her? Don’t miss this beautiful story of letting go and listening to God .
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.
Book two in “Am Amish Homestead” series revisits some old friends from book one and tells Laura’s story. It is a story of loss of loved ones and loss of relationship and finding a new normal in the chaos of life. Baby Mollie is such an endearing character that grabs your heart and leaves you in tears. I found it to be somewhat predictable but was still an interesting read and enjoyable. I look forward to book three and spending more time with the Riehl family. I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Guild. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
This is part of a series but you can read it as a stand alone. Book two., Laura loses her mother and a few months she loses her best friend. Then an accident happens and she volunteers to help her best friend’s husband by being a nanny for Savilla’s baby. She can’t understand how her boyfriend can be jealous of her helping his friend with the baby. Especiallyh since she grew up with Savilla and losing her was like losing a sister.
Any had tears in my eyes in the first chapter. This book will touch your heart, your emotions and question how to go on with our lives in the loss of a loved one. How to overcome guilt even when God doesn’t hold you accountable. Whether this book was an Amish book or not it would still touch your heart and emotions. I’ve read a lot of Amy’s books and she has never disappointed me. I bought this book through a local bookstore. I have all of Amy’s books on pre-order. Neither the author nor publisher asked me to review this book and all opinions are my own.
A touching story of support and finding yourself and possibly a new relationship along the way. Such a relatable story with great values and message behind the story.
What a sweet and special addition to the Amish Homestead series. Room on the Porch Swing is book two in the series, but can easily be read as a stand alone novel.
I absolutely loved these two main characters. Allen had such a love for his daughter, Mollie, and his late wife, Savilla. And he was just a great guy, capable of enormous caring. Laura was a precious soul, whose love for her late best friend carried over into compassion and true friendship for Allen and Mollie. I loved watching these two friends fall for each other. It was natural and very well-written.
I have enjoyed both books in this series so much, and anxiously await book three.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Room On The Porch Swing Is an emotional, strong, successful, powerful and the love of the LORD story. You have Laura helping Allan take care of his daughter since he is the new widower and he is now taking care of his hurt mother in law. Laura has a boyfriend who hasn’t stepped up to the plate and asked her to marry him you have the big question why hasn’t she shared with him that she is helping Allan? Does he want to ask her that question? Does she want him to? What is happening between her and Allen? What is GOD’s plan for them? You have got to see the twist in this book – – – I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com – I look forward to seeing you there.
Sweet story. Laura’s best friend, Savilla very unexpectedly died leaving behind her new husband and two month old baby girl, Mollie. Laura is still grieving the loss of her mother. Savilla’s husband, Allen, has help from his mother-in-law taking care of Mollie and the house while he works in his shop building and repairing buggies.
When his mother-in-law falls and breaks bones, Laura offers to take her place helping Allen and Mollie out. Eventually, Laura is spending nights there as Mollie is awake most of the nights crying. She does this so Allen can sleep at night and be able to do his job during the day. I found this hard to believe in the story as we are supposed to avoid all appearances of evil and the Amish are highly religious.
Laura has been dating Rudy for four years with no mention of marriage from him. He is immature and self-centered, as Laura begins to see for herself. Rudy was once a very good friend of Allen’s, but now he glowers at Allen and is jealous of Laura’s relationship with him and his daughter.
Laura finds herself becoming very attached to both Allen and Mollie. She loves the little girl and Mollie adores ‘Lala.’
While predictable that Laura and Allen would fall for one another, it is a sweet story. I, personally, didn’t care for the references of ‘following your heart.’ Our ‘heart is deceitful above all else and desperately wicked.’ (Jeremiah 17:9) Thus, the four star rating.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Amy Clipston has wowed me again with this amazing novel! This second book in the Amish Homestead Series is one you don’t want to miss! I enjoyed the first book so much I couldn’t wait to get a hold of this second book, and let me just say, I was hooked from the very first page!
This book, just like the first book, deals with some really big, hard life issues such as loss of a loved one, grief, letting go of blame, forgiveness, and second chances. These characters with their situations and difficulties just pulled at my heart stings.
While this book is the second book in the Amish Homestead series, it can be read as a stand-a-lone novel, but I would highly recommend you reading the first novel because it was so good and to catch up on a few things that happened in the Reihl family.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Netgalley, but was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of this book.