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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
A Seat by the Hearth by Amy Clipston returns us to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Priscilla Allgyer is returning to her parent’s home after eight years with her six year old son, Ethan. Her mother, Edna welcomes her, but her father, Yonnie is just as cold, critical and disapproving as ever. Priscilla is thankful that he is kind to her son and that is what is most important to her. Yonnie will allow her to stay if she follows certain rules. He insists that Priscilla and Ethan wear Amish dress, visit the Bishop right away confess her sins and to get right with the church since she is currently shunned, and then he wants her to find an acceptable husband. Mark Riehl is now working for Yonnie helping him train horses and he is known for charming the local females. Priscilla is the first woman to not fall for his charm and is leery of trusting any man after her experience with Ethan’s father. As time passes, they are slowly becoming friends. One day Priscilla is upset, and she is talking to Mark in the barn. Yonnie and the Bishop walk in and misconstrue the situation. Priscilla must make a choice that not only affects her, but Mark, Ethan and their families. Can Priscilla learn to trust Mark and build a future with him?
A Seat by the Hearth is a lovely story. I thought it was well-written with steady pacing. There are good characters and a beautiful setting. Priscilla is reluctant to return home to her father’s dictatorial rule, but she has no other options. Yonnie has been indifferent, stern and judgmental of Priscilla her whole life. She wishes her family was more like the warm and welcoming Riehl’s. Mark is a charmer and he knows it. He has yet to feel the need to settle down. Mark is baffled by Priscilla’s indifference. He sees how Yonnie treats Priscilla and he wants to be her friend. I like how the relationship between Mark and Priscilla progresses slowly. They are attracted to each other in the beginning, but they take the time to get to know one other. In Priscilla’s case, she has issues to overcome before she can begin again with someone new. I appreciated that we get to see how actions speak louder than words. Amy Clipston created delightful characters for this story and the main characters complement each other. We also learn how upbringing can affect a person (we learn from our parents). The series issue of abuse is handled carefully and responsibly. Some of the Christian elements present in A Seat by the Heart are prayer, forgiveness, forgiveness and trusting in God. While A Seat by the Hearth is the third book in An Amish Homestead series, it can be read alone. Personally, I have enjoyed the journey with the Riehl family in each new book, and I am glad that I read them in order. I started A Seat by the Hearth and finished it within three hours. Amy Clipston has an appealing writing style. It is like Amy is sitting in a chair by the fire and telling us a story. A Seat by the Hearth is an engaging and emotional novel with heartwarming characters.
A Seat by the Hearth is a lovely story. I thought it was well-written with steady pacing. There are good characters and a beautiful setting. Priscilla is reluctant to return home to her father’s dictatorial rule, but she has no other options. Yonnie has been indifferent, stern and judgmental of Priscilla her whole life. She wishes her family was more like the warm and welcoming Riehl’s. Mark is a charmer and he knows it. He has yet to feel the need to settle down. Mark is baffled by Priscilla’s indifference. He sees how Yonnie treats Priscilla and he wants to be her friend. I like how the relationship between Mark and Priscilla progresses slowly. They are attracted to each other in the beginning, but they take the time to get to know one other. In Priscilla’s case, she has issues to overcome before she can begin again with someone new. I appreciated that we get to see how actions speak louder than words. Amy Clipston created delightful characters for this story and the main characters complement each other. We also learn how upbringing can affect a person (we learn from our parents). The series issue of abuse is handled carefully and responsibly. Some of the Christian elements present in A Seat by the Heart are prayer, forgiveness, forgiveness and trusting in God. While A Seat by the Hearth is the third book in An Amish Homestead series, it can be read alone. Personally, I have enjoyed the journey with the Riehl family in each new book, and I am glad that I read them in order. I started A Seat by the Hearth and finished it within three hours. Amy Clipston has an appealing writing style. It is like Amy is sitting in a chair by the fire and telling us a story. A Seat by the Hearth is an engaging and emotional novel with heartwarming characters.
farmfreshlisa's review against another edition
4.0
i love that the author once again gives the characters' baggage that so many can relate to. How many Amish stories include abusive relationships and healing from that trauma? I always say that Amy Clipston doesn't write your normal stereotypical story.
booklvr10's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Seat by the Hearth. Amy Clipston's stories keep getting better and better.
Priscilla comes back home with her son, Ethan, only to endure her father's verbal abuse. Soon, she finds herself in an "arranged" married with an old friend, Mark, due to her father's belief that Ethan needs a manly figure in his life. Priscilla and Mark endure some ups and downs throughout the story, but soon realize that they may truly want to give married life a shot and repair the relationship between Priscilla and her father.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Priscilla comes back home with her son, Ethan, only to endure her father's verbal abuse. Soon, she finds herself in an "arranged" married with an old friend, Mark, due to her father's belief that Ethan needs a manly figure in his life. Priscilla and Mark endure some ups and downs throughout the story, but soon realize that they may truly want to give married life a shot and repair the relationship between Priscilla and her father.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
aadkins07's review against another edition
5.0
Probably one of the most relatable stories I’ve read, couldn’t put this one down at all.
xakyr's review against another edition
3.0
I normally enjoy Ms. Clipston's novels, but this one fell a little short for me. Priscilla's reasons for leaving the Amish community in the first place weren't well explained, and it seemed like everyone treated her like a scapegoat. Mark's playboy ways didn't sit well with me, as I didn't think it would be realistic in an Amish community. I did like how he seemed to be the only one to care about Priscella, though! Thankfully, this was a quick read, but not one of my favorites by this author.
nataliesboooks's review against another edition
4.0
Such a sweet story! I loved that Priscilla and Mark were both able to grow and change as the story progressed. I really felt bad for all that Priscilla endured, and I didn’t like
Mark at all at first (I thought he was kind of a playboy) but as his character evolved, I liked him more. I don’t think the Amish Homestead series will end up being my favorite of Amy Clipston’s, but it’s still really cute and I’m looking forward to seeing how it will conclude with Mark’s sister Cindy’s story.
Mark at all at first (I thought he was kind of a playboy) but as his character evolved, I liked him more. I don’t think the Amish Homestead series will end up being my favorite of Amy Clipston’s, but it’s still really cute and I’m looking forward to seeing how it will conclude with Mark’s sister Cindy’s story.
kristi518's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED this story!!!!!!!! I think the author has written her best work ever with a compelling story and characters it is impossible to dislike (ok, with the exception of a couple). I found this book heartbreaking and heartstopping at the same time. This book is just magnificent!!!!!!
I instantly fell in love with Priscilla and Mark. Priscilla has been emotionally and physically abused by her ex-boyfriend and son Ethan's father, Trent. It was easy to feel her emotions as she returns to her childhood home where she encounters Mark, her childhood best friend's brother. Mark is known to be a bit of a flirt but instead of me being turned off by this I found him to be friendly and charming. The way he cares about Priscilla without even knowing it just made my heart skip beats at times. Now some readers may not like the slow pace of the relationship between these characters, but I liked it. I liked the way Priscilla slowly let her guard down and how Mark's actions towards her spoke so much louder than any words. The author did a wonderful job in creating these characters and their personalities. They are a perfect match for each other and it is revealed page after wonderful page.
In addition to the abuse Priscilla received at the hands of her ex, there is also a very strained relationship with her father. There is a bit of a plot twist that I wasn't expecting in regards to this aspect of the story. I thought I knew how this story was going to progress and then *BAM* there it was and I was left rereading sentences to make sure I had correctly read them the first time. Once again Amy Clipston is proving that she is a top-notch author and can keep the reader's interest from beginning to end.
The pace of the story was perfect though at times I became a little impatient for these two characters to hopefully find their happily ever after. I chalk this up to the author's ability to create characters I loved and cared about so much. The descriptions made me feel as if I were there with the characters and experiencing everything along with them.
If I could only recommend one Amish fiction book to someone this would be the one. Everything about the book is perfect and showcases why Amy is one of (if not the) best writers of Amish fiction. This is the third book in the series but I feel like it would be ok to read as a standalone. You will have missed out on the backstory of some of the other characters but you won't feel lost. You can always go back and read the first two books later but this is one you definitely won't want to miss out on. This book is definitely going on my keeper shelf.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to write a review and all opinions are mine.
I instantly fell in love with Priscilla and Mark. Priscilla has been emotionally and physically abused by her ex-boyfriend and son Ethan's father, Trent. It was easy to feel her emotions as she returns to her childhood home where she encounters Mark, her childhood best friend's brother. Mark is known to be a bit of a flirt but instead of me being turned off by this I found him to be friendly and charming. The way he cares about Priscilla without even knowing it just made my heart skip beats at times. Now some readers may not like the slow pace of the relationship between these characters, but I liked it. I liked the way Priscilla slowly let her guard down and how Mark's actions towards her spoke so much louder than any words. The author did a wonderful job in creating these characters and their personalities. They are a perfect match for each other and it is revealed page after wonderful page.
In addition to the abuse Priscilla received at the hands of her ex, there is also a very strained relationship with her father. There is a bit of a plot twist that I wasn't expecting in regards to this aspect of the story. I thought I knew how this story was going to progress and then *BAM* there it was and I was left rereading sentences to make sure I had correctly read them the first time. Once again Amy Clipston is proving that she is a top-notch author and can keep the reader's interest from beginning to end.
The pace of the story was perfect though at times I became a little impatient for these two characters to hopefully find their happily ever after. I chalk this up to the author's ability to create characters I loved and cared about so much. The descriptions made me feel as if I were there with the characters and experiencing everything along with them.
If I could only recommend one Amish fiction book to someone this would be the one. Everything about the book is perfect and showcases why Amy is one of (if not the) best writers of Amish fiction. This is the third book in the series but I feel like it would be ok to read as a standalone. You will have missed out on the backstory of some of the other characters but you won't feel lost. You can always go back and read the first two books later but this is one you definitely won't want to miss out on. This book is definitely going on my keeper shelf.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to write a review and all opinions are mine.
audiobooks_sweettea's review against another edition
5.0
Another hit! I can't sing the praises high enough. Mrs. Clipston has brought us Mark's story. I've been waiting patiently (or, those that TRULY know me, know it's not all that patient!) to see what Amy Clipston had in store for Mark and Priscilla. Let me tell you this: she truly had a wonderful story for them. They were absolutely perfect in every way for this moving, heartfelt, gripping addition to the Amish Homestead series.
Mark and Priscilla had to endure an "arranged" marriage but they didn't let that stop them from making the best of it, and learning about one another. Their pasts catch up to them, they learn a lot about what it means to wholly accept oneself, and they learn that there will always be a seat by the hearth for each other to continue their journey in life as not just friends, but as an actual couple.
This book is filled with ups, downs, hope and understanding. Amy Clipston's trademark messages of acceptance and love are woven perfectly through out this incredible journey. God is definitely working on Mark and Priscilla within these pages and I won't soon forget them! They are on my keeper shelf to stay. Mark's play boy ways, and Priscilla's uneasiness are over come by the true love of friendship. Definitely a 5 star worthy novel in this reader's honest opinion! I can't wait for another beautifully chiseled novel from this talented author!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Mark and Priscilla had to endure an "arranged" marriage but they didn't let that stop them from making the best of it, and learning about one another. Their pasts catch up to them, they learn a lot about what it means to wholly accept oneself, and they learn that there will always be a seat by the hearth for each other to continue their journey in life as not just friends, but as an actual couple.
This book is filled with ups, downs, hope and understanding. Amy Clipston's trademark messages of acceptance and love are woven perfectly through out this incredible journey. God is definitely working on Mark and Priscilla within these pages and I won't soon forget them! They are on my keeper shelf to stay. Mark's play boy ways, and Priscilla's uneasiness are over come by the true love of friendship. Definitely a 5 star worthy novel in this reader's honest opinion! I can't wait for another beautifully chiseled novel from this talented author!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
booksforchristiangirls's review against another edition
1.0
About this book:
“Priscilla Allgyer knows she cannot leave the past behind. But can love lead her toward the promise of healing?
Priscilla Allgyer left the community to escape the expectations of Amish life. Now, years later, she is forced to return—along with her six-year-old son—to the place she thought she’d left behind forever. Though once estranged from her family, Priscilla is welcomed by her mother, but her father is cold and strict. He allows Priscilla to stay with them provided she dresses plainly, confesses her sins, and agrees to marry within the community. Once again, she feels suffocated, trapped, and alone.
As Priscilla reluctantly completes her shunning, she catches the eye of Mark Riehl, a farmer with a playboy reputation. Wary of Mark, Priscilla barely gives him the time of day—while Mark, unused to being ignored by the women of Bird-in-Hand, won’t give up the pursuit of her friendship. Priscilla desperately needs a friend in Mark, even if she doesn’t realize it—and after Priscilla’s father and the bishop catch her and Mark in a compromising situation, their relationship becomes more complicated than ever.
As affection quietly grows between them, Priscilla struggles to open her heart and reveal the painful secrets of her past. As Mark works to earn her good faith, can they both learn the hard lessons of love and trust? And can two friends discover a happiness that only God himself could have designed?”
Series: Book #3 in the “Amish Homestead” series. Review of Book #1 Here and #2 Here!
Spiritual Content- Prayers; Church going; Talks about God; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying, answered prayers, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches, church going, bishops/ministers, hymns, sermons, youth groups, & Sunday school classes; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; Mentions of sins, sinning, & sinners; A few mentions of Christians; A couple mentions of miracles.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two ‘stupid’s; Some eye rolling; Pain & Injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Hints of & mentions of an abusive (physically and verbally) home (Priscilla thinks if she had tried harder, it would have been better, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of alcohol, drinking, an angry drunk, & being injured by him (Priscilla’s son’s father, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a car accident, drunk driving, pain, & injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of deaths from prior books; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of lies; A couple mentions of divorce;
*Note: A couple mentions of car brands.
Sexual Content- three almost boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kisses, a forehead kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a semi-detailed kiss, and two detailed kisses; Wanting to kiss/to be kissed (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Nearness, Smelling, & Warmth (up to semi-detailed); Blushes; Noticing; two ‘harlot’s; Priscilla had a son out of wedlock & many mentions of the fact (including that he seduced her, and she lived with him, no details); *Spoiler* Priscilla and Mark are forced to get married after being found alone in a barn talking closely; After getting married they both long to be intimate with each other and have a child together (no details); There is one end of chapter part that is hinted about them having intimacy *End of Spoiler* ; Mentions of being intimate behavior & touching/physical contact; Mentions of kissing, kisses, & an almost kiss; Mentions of a playboy reputation, flirting, dating, & girlfriends; Mentions of reputations; A few mentions of fulfilling wifely duties & in name only marriage; A few mentions of a rumor of why a couple is getting married quickly (pregnancy, which she’s not); A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of touches & kisses; A couple mentions of cute boys; A mention of not taking advantage of a woman; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A couple mentions of miscarriages; A mention of sitting on a rear end.
-Priscilla Allgyer, age 24 (?)
-Mark Riehl, age 26
P.O.V. switches between them
331 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- One Star
My personal Rating- One Star
{Could be triggering to some readers for mentions of an abusive home & also being a marriage of convenience plot.}
Well. I truly have enjoyed many of Miss Amy’s other books, but this one was not my cup of tea at all. I really don’t like marriage of convenience or abusive stories because of the content. Priscilla and Mark both seemed really young (almost like high-school aged) in their thoughts and actions as well, so that also took away from the book to me. The detailed kisses are enough to get any book a low rating on here, even though I am very sad to give this author that rating. Just the longings of intimacy mentions were too much to me, but I do have a slight problem with Mark telling his older brother about the lack of intimacy with Priscilla after they were married and then Priscilla with her two friends. Not my favorite by this author to say that least. :(
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2018/11/a-seat-by-hearth-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.
“Priscilla Allgyer knows she cannot leave the past behind. But can love lead her toward the promise of healing?
Priscilla Allgyer left the community to escape the expectations of Amish life. Now, years later, she is forced to return—along with her six-year-old son—to the place she thought she’d left behind forever. Though once estranged from her family, Priscilla is welcomed by her mother, but her father is cold and strict. He allows Priscilla to stay with them provided she dresses plainly, confesses her sins, and agrees to marry within the community. Once again, she feels suffocated, trapped, and alone.
As Priscilla reluctantly completes her shunning, she catches the eye of Mark Riehl, a farmer with a playboy reputation. Wary of Mark, Priscilla barely gives him the time of day—while Mark, unused to being ignored by the women of Bird-in-Hand, won’t give up the pursuit of her friendship. Priscilla desperately needs a friend in Mark, even if she doesn’t realize it—and after Priscilla’s father and the bishop catch her and Mark in a compromising situation, their relationship becomes more complicated than ever.
As affection quietly grows between them, Priscilla struggles to open her heart and reveal the painful secrets of her past. As Mark works to earn her good faith, can they both learn the hard lessons of love and trust? And can two friends discover a happiness that only God himself could have designed?”
Series: Book #3 in the “Amish Homestead” series. Review of Book #1 Here and #2 Here!
Spiritual Content- Prayers; Church going; Talks about God; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying, answered prayers, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches, church going, bishops/ministers, hymns, sermons, youth groups, & Sunday school classes; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; Mentions of sins, sinning, & sinners; A few mentions of Christians; A couple mentions of miracles.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two ‘stupid’s; Some eye rolling; Pain & Injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Hints of & mentions of an abusive (physically and verbally) home (Priscilla thinks if she had tried harder, it would have been better, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of alcohol, drinking, an angry drunk, & being injured by him (Priscilla’s son’s father, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a car accident, drunk driving, pain, & injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of deaths from prior books; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of lies; A couple mentions of divorce;
*Note: A couple mentions of car brands.
Sexual Content- three almost boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kisses, a forehead kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a semi-detailed kiss, and two detailed kisses; Wanting to kiss/to be kissed (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Nearness, Smelling, & Warmth (up to semi-detailed); Blushes; Noticing; two ‘harlot’s; Priscilla had a son out of wedlock & many mentions of the fact (including that he seduced her, and she lived with him, no details); *Spoiler*
*Note: A couple mentions of miscarriages; A mention of sitting on a rear end.
-Priscilla Allgyer, age 24 (?)
-Mark Riehl, age 26
P.O.V. switches between them
331 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- One Star
My personal Rating- One Star
{Could be triggering to some readers for mentions of an abusive home & also being a marriage of convenience plot.}
Well. I truly have enjoyed many of Miss Amy’s other books, but this one was not my cup of tea at all. I really don’t like marriage of convenience or abusive stories because of the content. Priscilla and Mark both seemed really young (almost like high-school aged) in their thoughts and actions as well, so that also took away from the book to me. The detailed kisses are enough to get any book a low rating on here, even though I am very sad to give this author that rating. Just the longings of intimacy mentions were too much to me, but I do have a slight problem with Mark telling his older brother about the lack of intimacy with Priscilla after they were married and then Priscilla with her two friends. Not my favorite by this author to say that least. :(
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2018/11/a-seat-by-hearth-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.
c41's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful love story. This is only my second book of Amy Clipton's and I consider it the best of the two. She writes sweet romance that ia actual love steeped in religious beliefs. While this seems like it would come across as preachy and fanatical, her stories are lightly rendered.
This books held many complicated relationships and the emotions that come with them. Clipton understands that relationships are not black and white but have miraids of grey. She shows forgiveness and love in ways that mimic real life. Perhaps because this story touches closely on my own life, I am biased but usually I find people cannot do justice to the intricacies of the situations and the dimensions of the people involved. Clipton manages all of that beautifully.
No character is strictly good or bad or blind or trusting or naive. Each has their flaws and their virtues. Their stories of redemption and growth are all at once realistic and inspiring.
This is easily one of my favorite books I have read recently, and I am not generous with my reviews.
This books held many complicated relationships and the emotions that come with them. Clipton understands that relationships are not black and white but have miraids of grey. She shows forgiveness and love in ways that mimic real life. Perhaps because this story touches closely on my own life, I am biased but usually I find people cannot do justice to the intricacies of the situations and the dimensions of the people involved. Clipton manages all of that beautifully.
No character is strictly good or bad or blind or trusting or naive. Each has their flaws and their virtues. Their stories of redemption and growth are all at once realistic and inspiring.
This is easily one of my favorite books I have read recently, and I am not generous with my reviews.
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