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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
A Place at Our Table by Amy Clipston is the first An Amish Homestead Novel. Kayla Dienner lives in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania with her family. They are awakened in the middle of the night when lightning strikes their barn setting it on fire. James Riehl is one of the volunteer firefighters who responds and he is smitten with Kayla. Kayla, though, does not appreciate James encouraging her younger brother, Nathan in signing up for volunteer firefighting training. The Dienner family lost their oldest son, Simeon while he was serving as a volunteer. Kayla is attracted to James, but she is not sure she is willing to risk her heart again. After several chance encounters, James starts to court Kayla. Then a tragic accident happens upsetting James and his plans for his future. Kayla becomes frustrated and pushes James away. Is there a chance for these two to have their happily-ever-after?
A Place at Our Table is well-written and has a good pace. I thought the characters were well-constructed and realistic. I was immediately drawn into the story and it held my attention until the very last page. There is heartache, love, grief, anger, forgiveness, grace, fear, guilt and regret in A Place at Our Table. I also appreciated the messages regarding God’s will, power of prayer, and His has plans for each of us. It is lovely to see how an Amish community comes together to help their neighbors. It is a shame there is not more of this in our world. I enjoyed the Amish volunteer firefighter angle. This is my first Amish novel with this theme (very unique). A Place at Our Table is a heartwarming as well as heartbreaking story. I look forward to reading the next An Amish Homestead Novel (Room on the Porch Swing) when it comes out in the spring.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this novel. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
A Place at Our Table is well-written and has a good pace. I thought the characters were well-constructed and realistic. I was immediately drawn into the story and it held my attention until the very last page. There is heartache, love, grief, anger, forgiveness, grace, fear, guilt and regret in A Place at Our Table. I also appreciated the messages regarding God’s will, power of prayer, and His has plans for each of us. It is lovely to see how an Amish community comes together to help their neighbors. It is a shame there is not more of this in our world. I enjoyed the Amish volunteer firefighter angle. This is my first Amish novel with this theme (very unique). A Place at Our Table is a heartwarming as well as heartbreaking story. I look forward to reading the next An Amish Homestead Novel (Room on the Porch Swing) when it comes out in the spring.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this novel. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
diamondc's review
5.0
Book #1 in The Amish Homestead series was a good read. I tried to understand what Jamie was going through. But, for some reason I kept yelling at him in my head doing this book. I know he was mourning and tried to have good intentions for Kayla. But his heart was in the wrong place. Jamie couldn't focus on what should have been important when starting a new relationship. I was hopeful that the two would figure out how to make things work when they both had experienced lost in their family. The setting, plot and characters were all great. Learning about the Amish volunteering for a fire department was so uplifting and nerve wrecking at the same time. Looking for to reading book #2.
brandy_moubray's review
2.0
story was ok but I feel like I have read so much Amish fiction that i feel like I have read every plot line they could every come up with. maybe it's time for an Amish break but I do have another in my library bag.
tucker68511's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Medical content
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
xakyr's review against another edition
3.0
FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
Having started out with the author's entire Kauffman Amish Bakery series, I have to say, this was not my favorite read by this author! It took me a while to read it, and I felt that I was really forcing myself to do so.
Part of my problem with this story was that I hated the on again/off again nature of the relationship between Jamie and Kayla. I hated how Kayla couldn't make up her mind if she would accept Jamie's volunteer firefighting or not. I also hated Jamie's almost "selfish" nature, when it came to balancing Kayla into his life.
Speaking of the volunteer firefighting, it seemed very out of place for an Amish community to center around firefighting! It seemed so atypical for the Amish, that it was difficult to actually believe in the concept!
Although I really struggled with the story, I am still looking forward to the next book in the series!
Having started out with the author's entire Kauffman Amish Bakery series, I have to say, this was not my favorite read by this author! It took me a while to read it, and I felt that I was really forcing myself to do so.
Part of my problem with this story was that I hated the on again/off again nature of the relationship between Jamie and Kayla. I hated how Kayla couldn't make up her mind if she would accept Jamie's volunteer firefighting or not. I also hated Jamie's almost "selfish" nature, when it came to balancing Kayla into his life.
Speaking of the volunteer firefighting, it seemed very out of place for an Amish community to center around firefighting! It seemed so atypical for the Amish, that it was difficult to actually believe in the concept!
Although I really struggled with the story, I am still looking forward to the next book in the series!
kgormley's review
2.0
This was another of those books where I can't figure out if the narrator was the problem, or the writing. The dialogue seems so "child-like", stilted and unnatural at times. I just find it hard to believe that Amish people talk that differently than the rest of us.
The epilogue was useless ... it simply rehashed the last bit of the book. I'm assuming the characters end up married, I think it would have been more useful and enjoyable for the author to use the epilogue to jump ahead to their wedding day or something.
The epilogue was useless ... it simply rehashed the last bit of the book. I'm assuming the characters end up married, I think it would have been more useful and enjoyable for the author to use the epilogue to jump ahead to their wedding day or something.
nataliesboooks's review
4.0
Awwwwwwwwwww!!!
This was so sweet!!! For some reason (I think because of the cover and the release date) I thought this book was set in the autumn around thanksgiving but it's actually set in the summer. Oh well.
My confusion about the setting aside, this was a really sweet book. It was very sad in parts, and I really felt for the characters and what they were going through. It was also very heartwarming.
I have enjoyed pretty much every book I've read by this author and I was very excited to start her new series. It's always fun to get to know the characters and how their lives intersect. I really hope Eva and Nathan get their own books later in the series.
This was so sweet!!! For some reason (I think because of the cover and the release date) I thought this book was set in the autumn around thanksgiving but it's actually set in the summer. Oh well.
My confusion about the setting aside, this was a really sweet book. It was very sad in parts, and I really felt for the characters and what they were going through. It was also very heartwarming.
I have enjoyed pretty much every book I've read by this author and I was very excited to start her new series. It's always fun to get to know the characters and how their lives intersect. I really hope Eva and Nathan get their own books later in the series.
kristi518's review
4.0
There are some authors that you just know you are going to enjoy their books. For me, Amy Clipston tops the list. I'm always excited to read her latest story and be introduced to characters who I will soon think of as friends. This book was everything I expected.
Even though there is a heart-stopping moment at the beginning of the story, I thought the book had a bit of a slow start. Perhaps I was just too anxious to find out what was going to happen next because I kept thinking "c'mon, let's go". Soon enough though the story takes off and I was reading and turning pages as fast as I could. After those initial moments I thought the book had a great pace and the storytelling, as always, is excellent.
I liked both of the main characters in this book. Kayla may come across a bit on the tough side but she's really just shielding her heart from more pain. She has recently suffered heartache in two different forms and James, a.k.a. Jamie, represents both forms of heartache to Kayla. I can understand that while she found him attractive she wanted to protect her heart. To me it only seemed the natural thing to do even though at times it may have made her seem a bit harsh or selfish. Jamie is driven by his work and at times he lets it get in the way of living. He has his reasons for being the way he is and I was just as able to understand where he was coming from as I was Kayla. Once again Amy Clipston has created characters who are completely realistic and authentic. Not only will Kayla and Jamie find a spot in your heart but so will the other characters in the book.
As always after reading an Amy Clipston book I am left wanting more. I want more Kayla and James and I want more of the rest of these characters and their lives. I love that Amy can write a story that leaves you satisfied yet wanting more, more, more. This book is a wonderful start to what can only be an awesome series. This book is definitely recommended for fans of a good read.
I received a free copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.
Even though there is a heart-stopping moment at the beginning of the story, I thought the book had a bit of a slow start. Perhaps I was just too anxious to find out what was going to happen next because I kept thinking "c'mon, let's go". Soon enough though the story takes off and I was reading and turning pages as fast as I could. After those initial moments I thought the book had a great pace and the storytelling, as always, is excellent.
I liked both of the main characters in this book. Kayla may come across a bit on the tough side but she's really just shielding her heart from more pain. She has recently suffered heartache in two different forms and James, a.k.a. Jamie, represents both forms of heartache to Kayla. I can understand that while she found him attractive she wanted to protect her heart. To me it only seemed the natural thing to do even though at times it may have made her seem a bit harsh or selfish. Jamie is driven by his work and at times he lets it get in the way of living. He has his reasons for being the way he is and I was just as able to understand where he was coming from as I was Kayla. Once again Amy Clipston has created characters who are completely realistic and authentic. Not only will Kayla and Jamie find a spot in your heart but so will the other characters in the book.
As always after reading an Amy Clipston book I am left wanting more. I want more Kayla and James and I want more of the rest of these characters and their lives. I love that Amy can write a story that leaves you satisfied yet wanting more, more, more. This book is a wonderful start to what can only be an awesome series. This book is definitely recommended for fans of a good read.
I received a free copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.
audiobooks_sweettea's review
5.0
Another good read from the talented hands of Mrs. Clipston. I was super excited when I read the blurb for this book. Being married to a firefighter, I'm always partial to books that include a firefighter or anything to do with rescuing. So, when I saw that this was not only another awesome Amish novel, but that it was about an Amish firefighter, I was instantly pulled to it. And, I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It was a good combination.
Meeting Jamie and Kayla was like meeting up with long ago friends. Their characters were instantly a part of me and I loved watching their story unfold. Dealing with pain and tragedy, these two hearts beat as one from their first meeting. Watching them grow in their feelings for each other was a refreshing start to a new series.
Like Kayla, when the sirens go, my heart skips a beat. I hold my breath until my husband is home safe and sound. The way Mrs. Clipston blends everyday life of firefighting with the plain, simple living of the Amish is a treat for sure!
This is definitely a 4 star, highly recommended read if you want something different. It's detailed and rich, and the characters don't stay characters for long. Each page turn brings you closer to the hearts of Kayla and Jamie, and I am excited to see what Mrs. Clipston has in store for us with book 2! Fantastic job!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Meeting Jamie and Kayla was like meeting up with long ago friends. Their characters were instantly a part of me and I loved watching their story unfold. Dealing with pain and tragedy, these two hearts beat as one from their first meeting. Watching them grow in their feelings for each other was a refreshing start to a new series.
Like Kayla, when the sirens go, my heart skips a beat. I hold my breath until my husband is home safe and sound. The way Mrs. Clipston blends everyday life of firefighting with the plain, simple living of the Amish is a treat for sure!
This is definitely a 4 star, highly recommended read if you want something different. It's detailed and rich, and the characters don't stay characters for long. Each page turn brings you closer to the hearts of Kayla and Jamie, and I am excited to see what Mrs. Clipston has in store for us with book 2! Fantastic job!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
booksforchristiangirls's review
4.0
About this book:
“Kayla Dienner has suffered her fair share of heartache, which is why she vows to protect her heart at all costs . . . until she meets Jamie Riehl.
Along with his volunteer work at the local fire department, running his Amish farm keeps Jamie Riehl busy. He barely has time to eat at the family table, never mind find someone to date. But when he meets Kayla Dienner, he is smitten.
Kayla tries hard to deny her attraction to Jamie. After all, she’s spent the last year discouraging her younger brother, Nathan, from becoming a firefighter. The death of their older brother in a fire a year ago is fresh in her mind—she can’t bear the idea of putting her heart on the line every time the sirens blare.
Then tragedy strikes, and Jamie wants to extinguish any flame between him and Kayla. Can Kayla set aside her own fears to save the love she was determined to deny?
The first book in the Amish Homestead series, A Place at Our Table invites us to a quiet community in Lancaster County where love burns brightly no matter the cost.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Amish Homestead” series.
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, & talked about; Prayers; Church going; Talks about God, His will, & having faith; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of God & His will; Mentions of thanking & praising God; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches, church going, ministers, services, sermons, hymnals/hymns, & youth groups/gatherings; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of faiths; A few mentions of a devotional & reading it; A few mentions of sinning.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, an ‘idiot’, and two ‘stupid’s; Some eye rolling & sarcasm; Fires, smoke, injuries, & pain (semi-detailed); Seeing a dead body of a loved one (barely-above-not-detailed); Many, many mentions of fires, car accidents, accidents, injuries, blood/bleeding, pain, the possibility of harm/dying, & deaths (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of hatred; Mentions of nightmares; A couple mentions of throwing up.
Sexual Content- a palm kiss, a cheek kiss, an almost kiss, and three semi-detailed kisses; Remembering a (cheek) kiss (semi-detailed); Wanting to kiss someone (once); Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Smelling, Warmth, & Butterflies (up to semi-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Staring (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of dates, dating, asking someone out, couples, boyfriends, girlfriends, breakups, exes, & heartbreak; Mentions of flirting; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of kisses & kissing; A couple mentions of married couples kissing (not-detailed); Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of butting into someone’s business; A mention of being the butt of people’s jokes.
-Kayla Dienner
-James “Jamie” Riehl, age 25
P.O.V. switches between them
327 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
It’s the start to a brand new Amy Clipston series!
And what a good start to a new series it was! :)
After being shocked with the tragedy the back cover mentions, I was a bit on the edge of my seat…wanting everything to go well from there on out. I truly could see both sides of Kayla & Jamie’s reactions, but I definitely was more on Kayla’s side the majority of the time. I really did love how much importance was placed on family.
It did feel a little bit more romance-y than Amy Clipston’s previous books with all the feelings and those ending kisses, but it’s still a very clean novel whose sequel I’m looking forward to reading!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2017/12/a-place-at-our-table-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.
“Kayla Dienner has suffered her fair share of heartache, which is why she vows to protect her heart at all costs . . . until she meets Jamie Riehl.
Along with his volunteer work at the local fire department, running his Amish farm keeps Jamie Riehl busy. He barely has time to eat at the family table, never mind find someone to date. But when he meets Kayla Dienner, he is smitten.
Kayla tries hard to deny her attraction to Jamie. After all, she’s spent the last year discouraging her younger brother, Nathan, from becoming a firefighter. The death of their older brother in a fire a year ago is fresh in her mind—she can’t bear the idea of putting her heart on the line every time the sirens blare.
Then tragedy strikes, and Jamie wants to extinguish any flame between him and Kayla. Can Kayla set aside her own fears to save the love she was determined to deny?
The first book in the Amish Homestead series, A Place at Our Table invites us to a quiet community in Lancaster County where love burns brightly no matter the cost.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Amish Homestead” series.
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, & talked about; Prayers; Church going; Talks about God, His will, & having faith; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of God & His will; Mentions of thanking & praising God; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches, church going, ministers, services, sermons, hymnals/hymns, & youth groups/gatherings; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of faiths; A few mentions of a devotional & reading it; A few mentions of sinning.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, an ‘idiot’, and two ‘stupid’s; Some eye rolling & sarcasm; Fires, smoke, injuries, & pain (semi-detailed); Seeing a dead body of a loved one (barely-above-not-detailed); Many, many mentions of fires, car accidents, accidents, injuries, blood/bleeding, pain, the possibility of harm/dying, & deaths (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of hatred; Mentions of nightmares; A couple mentions of throwing up.
Sexual Content- a palm kiss, a cheek kiss, an almost kiss, and three semi-detailed kisses; Remembering a (cheek) kiss (semi-detailed); Wanting to kiss someone (once); Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Smelling, Warmth, & Butterflies (up to semi-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Staring (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of dates, dating, asking someone out, couples, boyfriends, girlfriends, breakups, exes, & heartbreak; Mentions of flirting; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of kisses & kissing; A couple mentions of married couples kissing (not-detailed); Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of butting into someone’s business; A mention of being the butt of people’s jokes.
-Kayla Dienner
-James “Jamie” Riehl, age 25
P.O.V. switches between them
327 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
It’s the start to a brand new Amy Clipston series!
And what a good start to a new series it was! :)
After being shocked with the tragedy the back cover mentions, I was a bit on the edge of my seat…wanting everything to go well from there on out. I truly could see both sides of Kayla & Jamie’s reactions, but I definitely was more on Kayla’s side the majority of the time. I really did love how much importance was placed on family.
It did feel a little bit more romance-y than Amy Clipston’s previous books with all the feelings and those ending kisses, but it’s still a very clean novel whose sequel I’m looking forward to reading!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2017/12/a-place-at-our-table-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.