A Heart Set Free

From the Heart Amish #1

by Amy Clipston

Escape to Amish country in an inspiring story of faith, forgiveness, and hope where buried family secrets, unexpected danger, and a second-chance love awaits.

When Renee Mast inherits her grandmother's farm in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, she sees a chance to learn about the family her father left behind. Years ago, he cut all ties with his mother and their Amish roots. Now, with both of them gone, Renee feels God calling her home to uncover the truth. She expected to face unanswered questions, but not the growing danger threatening to drive her away. It seems someone in town wants to keep the past buried.

Jerome Graber has spent years carrying the guilt of a tragic buggy accident. He buries his pain by managing Martha Mast's farm to atone for his mistakes. The daily routine of caring for crops and animals makes him feel safe―until Renee arrives, putting everything at risk. If she sells the farm, he could lose both his livelihood and the surprising connection growing between them.

As threats against Renee escalate, she and Jerome must rely on their faith―and their hearts―to find the courage to embrace the future God has intended for them all along.

Why Readers Will Love This


Explore Amish Culture – Immerse yourself in the wholesome, faith-centered life of the Amish community’s traditions.Deeply Authentic – Amy Clipston, with her close Amish connections, brings realistic and heartfelt storytelling to life. Heartwarming & Inspiring – An uplifting romance that reminds us we are stronger together and no dream is impossible with God.
A Heart Set Free is a must-read for anyone who loves faith-filled stories true to Amish life and culture, characters fighting for redemption, and seeing the unfolding of a love destined by God.

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Romance, Amish Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

Hi! I'm a bestselling author of heartwarming romance and happily ever after.

Contemporary Romance (Non-Amish)
The Heart of Splendid Lake (2021)
The View from Coral Cove (2022)
On the Way to Christmas (Anthology) (2022)
Something Old, Something New (2023)
Starstruck (2023)
Finding You (2024)
With This Ring (2025)
Second Chance at Sunshine Inn (7/2025)
The Lighthouse at the Cove (12/2025)

Stand Alone Amish Fiction
Caring for the Amish Family (4/2025)

Guideposts Amish Suspense
A Heart Set Free (9/2025)


An Amish Legacy
1. Foundation of Love (2022)
2. Building a Future (2022)
3. Breaking New Ground (2023)
4. The Hearts of Shelter (2023)

An Amish Marketplace
1. The Bake Shop (2019)
2. The Farm Stand (2020)
3. The Coffee Corner (2020)
4. The Jam and Jelly Nook (2021)

An Amish Homestead
1. A Place at our Table (2017)
2. Room on the Porch Swing (2018)
3. Seat by the Hearth (2018)
4. A Welcome at Our Door (2019)

An Amish Heirloom
1. The Forgotten Recipe (2015)
2. The Courtship Basket (2016)
3. The Cherished Quilt (2017)
4. The Beloved Hope Chest (2017)

Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel
1. A Hopeful Heart (2013)
2. A Mother’s Secret (2014)
3. A Dream of Home (2015)
4. A Simple Prayer (2015)

Kauffman Amish Bakery
1. A Gift of Grace (2009)
2. A Promise of Hope (2010)
3. A Place of Peace (2011)
4. A Life of Joy (2012)
5. A Season of Love (2012)

Amish Anthologies
• An Amish Kitchen (2012) – Spoonful of Love (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Cradle (2015) – A Son for Always (This story complements A Mother’s Secret)
• An Amish Market (2016) – Love Birds (This story complements The Forgotten Recipe)
• An Amish Harvest (2016) – Love & Buggy Rides (This complements The Courtship Basket)
• An Amish Home (2017) – Home Sweet Home (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Summer (2017) – Summer Storms (Stand-alone story)
• Amish Sweethearts (2018) –Complements The Kauffman Amish Bakery Series and also has a sequel to my story in An Amish Summer
• An Amish Heirloom (2018) – Complements A Place at our Table
• An Amish Homecoming (2018) – Complements A Place at our Table
• Seasons of an Amish Garden (2019) – Complements The Christmas Cat, novella included in An Amish Christmas Love
• An Amish Reunion (2019) – Complements Room on the Porch Swing
• An Amish Christmas Bakery (2019) – Cookies and Cheer (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Singing (2021) (Collection of four stories by Amy Clipston)
• An Amish Christmas Wedding (2020) –Evergreen Love (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Barn Raising (2021)
• An Amish Schoolroom (2021)
• An Amish Quilting Bee (2021)

Young Adult
1. Roadside Assistance (2011)
2. Reckless Heart (2012) (Kauffman Amish Bakery young adult book)
3. Destination Unknown (2014)
4. Miles from Nowhere (2015)

Non-Fiction
A Gift of Love (2014)

Seasonal
• A Plain and Simple Christmas (2010) Naomi’s Gift (2011)
• Kauffman Amish Christmas Collection (2012)
• An Amish Christmas Gift (2015) includes Naomi’s Gift
• An Amish Christmas Love (2017) –The Christmas Cat
• An Amish Christmas Bakery (2019)
• An Amish Christmas Wedding (2020)
• On the Way to Christmas (2022)

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Guideposts via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A sweet, heartwarming love story set in the Amish community, “A Heart Set Free”, by Amy Clipston, features a tortured hero who lost hope and a heroine trying to unveil secrets in her family past.
I loved how the three childhood friends reconnect so easily when they meet again – the hero, Jerome, the heroine, Renee, and Jerome’s twin, the unforgettable Jeannie.
Riddled by guilt because of a tragic accident, Jerome sees himself as broken and unworthy of love. But he’s attracted by Renee’s kindness and simplicity and gradually falls for her.
He was an intriguing character in the beginning, with all that brooding.
I liked Renee’s positive personality. I enjoyed watching her seek answers for her family’s past.
Having read before Jeannie’s story (“A Heart to Cherish”), I really enjoyed watching her character in this book; she’s an energetic, bold young woman.
I found there was some naivety while handling the threats/arsoning.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this book about an Amish girl who inherited a farm from her grandmother. Her parents moved away when she was young and they had nothing else to do with her grandmother. Renee decides to go to the farm and find out what exactly had happened years and years ago. Renee‘s father has died and her mother refuses to talk about what happened. When Renee gets to farm, she reconnects with a set of twins who she was friends with years ago. Jerome and Jeannie live close by and they all become friends again. Jerome has a dark past and is very sad. Renee tries to help him, but it’s very hard.

[Anna Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simba readily gives this book a four paw rating!!

Fans of Amish fiction do not want to miss this Amish romance/mystery by Amy Clipston. Take a journey into Bird in Hand, Pennsylvania and join Renee Mast and Jerome Graber on their journey to love. Will these re-united childhood playmates find their way back to each other admitst a decades long family mystery? Throw in some harassment (Someone does not Renee happy at her late grandmother's farm that she has inherited) and readers will not want to put this book down! Clipston writes with such heartwarming depth, and truly explored the complicated issues of family secrets and forgiveness. I hope everyone enjoys reading this book. I am so thankful for my Kindle and Kindle unlimited to enjoy such cozy, heartwarming fiction. Happy Reading!!

Check out my full blog post at https://simbasbookreview.com/

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this book (which released last year) was Amy Clipston’s first Amish romantic suspense. It’s very mild overall and there was nothing intense or scary at all. The main character Renee gets some threatening messages, etc, but everything was fairly tame. There’s a slight mystery aspect with regards to the father’s family as well which was interesting and made me wonder just what happened back then. The romance was very sweet and I really liked Jerome as a character. He was a good man wrestling with some guilt. Overall this was a solid start to a new Amish series by my favorite Amish author. (I also really loved her author’s note at the end!)

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I loved this book. It was so fun and interesting to read and kept me hooked till the end. I enjoyed following along with Renee Mast as she searched for answers to why her dad moved them away when she was a young girl. As always, Amy Clipston did a wonderful job writing this book.

[Debbie Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and Forgiveness

Renee has inherited her grandmother's farm. Before she decides what to do with the farm and her life, she goes to Pennsylvania to learn about her family. She meets Jerome, the young man that has been taking care of the farm. He has a broken heart and so many emotions to sort through. Renee discovered the truth about her father and needs to work through her own family problems.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heart Set Free by Amy Clipston (2025)
From the Heart Amish #1
305-page Kindle Ebook

Genre: Christian Romance > Amish Fiction, Inspirational Suspense, Clean Romance

Movie Rating Equivalent: PG-13

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💖🏡🪻✝️

A Beautiful Story for Readers Who Think They Hate Romance!

The sweet taste of freedom! A Heart Set Free is such a beautiful story. While it is classified as a romance, that element remains pretty much on the back burner for the duration of the novel. The true focus is on twenty-five-year-old Renee, the daughter of domineering parents, who decides to return to the Pennsylvania town she left twenty years ago after receiving an inheritance from her estranged grandmother.

​Because family secrets and deep friendships are the primary tropes, it operates as a definitive slow-burn romance. You know exactly who she is going to end up with just by reading the casting list at the front of the book (which I loved!), but both characters are so reluctant that the primary plot stays firmly anchored in digging up the past.

​Although the overarching romance is somewhat predictable, the mystery was definitely not easy to guess. I figured out the initial family secret and made an assumption about it that ended up being only half right. I didn’t see the secondary mystery coming at all. The execution was fantastic, and I absolutely loved this story. I already have Book 2 and cannot wait to dive in to see what happens next!

​Recommend to others: Absolutely! Especially if you are someone who thinks they hate romance, you might want to try this story out. Because the romance subtly plays out in the background rather than taking the forefront, you can truly appreciate the meat of the story without it centering entirely around a typical boy-meets-girl narrative, even with the familiar tropes.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Guideposts via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

From the Heart Amish
1. A Heart Set Free (2025)
2. A Heart to Cherish (2026)

Featuring: QR Code for Free Book, Glossary - Pennsylvania German to English, Cast of Characters, Note to Reader, April, Holmes County, Ohio; Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; Inheritance, Family Secrets, Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania; Estranged Homecoming, Childhood Friends Reunited After 20 Years, Grumpy/Sunshine, Obedience, Farm, May, Drama, June, Gulit, Shame, Letter from Author, Acknowledgments, Discussion Questions, A Note From the Editors

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heart Set Free by Amy Clipston

From the Heart Amish (2 book series)

Guideposts
Escape to Amish country in an inspiring story of faith, forgiveness, and hope where buried family secrets, unexpected danger, inspiring story of faith, forgiveness, and hope awaits.

When Renee Mast inherits her grandmother's farm in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, she sees a chance to learn about the family her father left behind. Years ago, he cut all ties with his mother and their Amish roots. Now, with both of them gone, Renee feels God calling her home to uncover the truth. She expected to face unanswered questions, but not the growing danger threatening to drive her away. It seems someone in town wants to keep the past buried.

Jerome Graber has spent years carrying the guilt of a tragic buggy accident. He buries his pain by managing Martha Mast's farm to atone for his mistakes. The daily routine of caring for crops and animals makes him feel safe―until Renee arrives, putting everything at risk. If she sells the farm, he could lose both his livelihood and the surprising connection growing between them.

As threats against Renee escalate, she and Jerome must rely on their faith―and their hearts―to find the courage to embrace the future God has intended for them all along.

Why Readers Will Love This Book:

Explore Amish Culture – Immerse yourself in the wholesome, faith-centered life of the Amish community’s traditions.
Deeply Authentic – Amy Clipston, with her close Amish connections, brings realistic and heartfelt storytelling to life.
Heartwarming & Inspiring – An uplifting romance that reminds us we are stronger together and no dream is impossible with God.

A Heart Set Free is a must-read for anyone who loves faith-filled stories true to Amish life and culture, characters fighting for redemption, and seeing the unfolding of a love destined by God.
Renee Mast, living in an Amish community in Ohio with her mother and step-father.
She wants to find out why her father left town with his family.
Jerome Graber, his twin sister Jeannie and their parents.
Renee Mast inherits a farm from her grandmother Martha Mast in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania.
It's a story with faith, love, family and mystery.
I recommend this book.
A Heart Set Free by Amy Clipston
is a 5 -star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Amy Clipston.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.

[Viktoriya Bratnichenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars!

Title : A Heart Set Free
Author : by Amy Clipston ❤️

This was such a beautiful story about faith, forgiveness, family, and learning to let go of the things that have been weighing on your heart.

Renee inherits her grandmother’s farm and returns to Pennsylvania searching for answers about her family’s past. What she finds is more than she expected—buried family secrets, old friendships, danger, and a connection with Jerome, a man who is carrying his own pain and guilt from a tragedy in his past.

One of the things that really stood out to me was Jerome’s struggle to forgive himself. He had spent so much time holding onto guilt that he couldn’t see past his mistakes. That part felt especially relatable because I think so many of us have things we replay in our minds—things we wish we could have done differently or moments we wish we could change. Sometimes we are much harder on ourselves than God ever asks us to be.

As a mom of five, I know how easy it can be to carry so much in your heart while trying to take care of everyone else. This story reminded me that we aren’t meant to carry everything forever. Sometimes we have to give our hurt, our questions, and even our regrets to God and trust Him with what comes next. ❤️

I also loved how Renee followed that feeling that God was leading her back to her family’s roots, even when she didn’t have all the answers. Her journey reminded me that God can lead us through situations we don’t fully understand and use them to bring healing in ways we never expected.

The mystery kept me turning the pages, but for me, the heart of this story was the message of forgiveness and second chances. Watching Renee and Jerome face their pasts while learning to trust God made this more than just a sweet romance.

Amy Clipston did such a wonderful job blending Amish life, faith, mystery, and romance into a story that felt warm and heartfelt. I especially loved the reminder that sometimes setting your heart free means finally letting go of the guilt and hurt you’ve been carrying.

❤️ A beautiful story about faith, forgiveness, healing, and trusting God with the future.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was adorable and well written! I had a great time reading it and am so glad that GuidePosts sent it to me to read and review.

Renee finds out that she is to inherit her grandmother's house and farm in PA (Bird-in-Hand). She is a little sad to hear of her grandmother's passing, since she hadn't seen her since she was about five years old. Her mom tells her to just sell it and to stay in OH, but she wants to see what it is like there. She starts to think about the friends she had there as well.

When she arrives in Bird-in-Hand, she finds Jerome has been living in a smaller house on the land and has been farming it. Jerome was one of the friends that she had as a child and he remembers her. He has a twin sister as well (who is so fiesty and fun in this story).

Renee begins to realize there was some reason why her father didn't want to return home and that there was a rift between his mother and him. She wants to know the reason but her mother won't tell her. She sets out to find answers with the help of her friends.

All of the characters in this book were so interesting and enjoyable. Jerome has a past and was in some sort of accident that has caused him to have a bit of a limp and Renee wants to know that story as well, when he is ready to share it with her. Renee is really loving, forgiving, and caring throughout the story, and I appreciated her.

I did tear up at the end of the story. It was cozy and heartwarming as well.

content: stalking, vandalizing, arson, deceit, mentions of people having babies out of wedlock

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Heart Set Free by Amy Clipston is a heartfelt blend of faith, romance, and suspense that draws you in from the very first page. Centered on emotional healing, family secrets, and the slowly deepening connection between Renee Mast and Jerome Graber, the story offers characters who are easy to relate to and impossible not to root for. Clipston’s engaging writing and thoughtful research bring the Bird-in-Hand community vividly to life, immersing readers in the rhythms of farm life and cherished Amish traditions. Renee and Jerome both carry deep wounds, and their relationship unfolds naturally as they share their vulnerabilities and learn to trust again. Their journey is shaped by faith, forgiveness, redemption, and the hope of second chances. The romance is clean and uplifting, with no graphic content, while the thread of suspense adds just the right amount of tension. For Clipston’s first venture into suspense, she does an impressive job. Although this is the second book in the From the Heart Amish series, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. Warm, inspiring, and full of heart, this is a story that leaves you smiling long after the final page.

[Susie Sellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renee Mast, living in an ultra-conservative Amish community in Ohio with her mother and step-father, inherits her grandmother's farm in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. Renee is curious why her father moved her mother and herself from Bird-in-Hand to Ohio twenty years prior to this novel and wants to travel to Pennsylvania to see if she can learn why and make arrangements for her grandmother's farm. Her father had forbidden her mother from telling her why. When Renee arrives in Pennsylvania, she stays in her grandmother's, now her, house and finds that her childhood friend Jerome is working the farm for her grandmother. She quickly renews her friendship with Jerome and his twin sister Jeannie and their parents. A series of scare tactics and vandalism are designed to send Renee back home, but Renee and Jerome eventually discover who is responsible and resolve the situation with the farm. I love the theme of forgiveness examined in the novel and how forgiveness can set the heart free to love again. The ending is very satisfying.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Amish romance and mystery

Renee Mast inherits her grandmother's farm in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania and heads there from her folk's place in Ohio to decide what to do with the property. She hasn't been there since she was a young girl because of conflicts her father had with her grandmother. And she wants to find out what those conflicts were about - her mother isn't talking.

When she gets to the farm it's being taken care of by Jerome Graber, a young man with his own turmoils from the past. As Renee settles in on the farm she and Jerome get to know and like each other but each have roadblocks in the way to taking it further. Oh, and did I mention that Renee and Jerome are Amish and this is an Amish based book?

Partway through the book someone starts to harass Renee and seems to be wanting her to leave her farm and leave Pennsylvania. A mystery in the making...

I really liked this story, the characters, the Amish setting and there were some good lessons to be learned too.

I received this Digital Review Copy from Guideposts through NetGalley. Thank you.

[C Allen · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

A Heart Set Free by Amy Clipston is not one of new ones, but it was new to me.

It is a wonderfully written story with realistic characters and events.

After inheriting her grandmother’s house, Renee Mast returned to her home community and became reacquainted with childhood friends, Jerome and Jeannie Graber. On this trip, Renee hoped to handle her inheritance and find out why her father moved them away from and cut themself off from friends and family. This led to an adventure in finding out who wanted her to give up this inheritance and why? Truly a great story about faith, forgiveness, healing, and trusting God with the future.

Thank you to Guideposts and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to give a positive.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick enjoyable read.
A 25 year old Amish women inherits her Grandmother's farm in Bird-In-Hand Pennsylvania. A women she barely remembers, leaving with her parents and moving to Ohio.
This young women would like answers, why did they leave, and why no contact?
Answers come, but the journey is soon filled with danger? Why?
Renee Mast and Jerome Graber meet, he has been taking care of her Grandmother's property, but he is a hurting individual. Can these to help one another?
I loved the epilogue, and wished we could stay longer here. Another great cozy read by Amy Cliptson!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Guideposts, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Vicki F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets - why did Renee's father move his family and cut off all contact with his family?

Danger - who is willing to do anything to make Renee move back to her parents' home in Ohio when Renee inherits her grandmother's home in Pennsylvania?

Romance - can Renee help Jerome live again and love again following his tragedy?

Forgiveness - can forgiveness occur for Renee after the secret is revealed and after her life is in danger?

Join Amy Clipston in A Heart Set Free for a moving romantic novel about forgiveness.

Released Oct 7, 2025. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Debbie Earls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerome is trapped in the past after his fiancé passes away in a tragic accident which he blames on himself. When Renee comes into his life, will she be able to melt his hard heart and truly set his heart free? This is a sweet story with wonderful characters. It's a story about faith, love, family, community and second chances. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #aheartsetfree #guideposts

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can freedom come from discovering the answer to family secrets? Can freedom come from a new friendship?

Join Jerome and Renee as they seek healing and renewal in this story.

My favorite character was Jerome's twin sister, Jeannie. She was so talkative and filled with so much sunshine. Jeannie was the complete opposite of her twin, Jerome.

There were two underlying mysteries in the story that kept the readers attention.

I was given a copy of the book. The opinions are my own.

[Debbie Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading the inspirational and exciting story. When Renee inherits her grandmother's farm, she wants to find out why her father left town with his family. Meanwhile, someone is targeting Renee and wants her to leave town, and Jerome tries to protect Renee and his twin sister. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written full of suspense, and a must read riveting story.

[Michelle Rhoden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book about an Amish girl who inherits a farm from her grandmother that kept my interest from page one. So many hidden family secrets are yet to be uncovered, but her faith must remain strong during this time. I highly recommend this book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the author. All words are my own

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heart Set Free by Amy Clipston. Get ready for a wonderful second chance Christian mystery romance. I enjoyed it so much. A troubled heart and a father’s secret leads to a mystery when Renee inherits her Grandmother’s house which brings her back to her hometown of Pennsylvania.

[Dali Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery and Romance

A Heart Set Free is a combination of mystery and romance, combined with second chances, forgiveness, and family. These elements made Renee and Jerome's story a beautiful must-read.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a tender, moving and inspirational story with a bit of mystery and sweet romance. I loved the characters and their development as the story unfolded. Amy Clipston is one of my favorite Amish Fiction authors and this one doesn't disappoint!

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in a way that it could be enjoyed as a standalone. Part of an interconnected series with characters that overlap. Reading in order highly recommended.
Christian romance
Childhood friends
Family secrets
Differences between Amish communities
Forgiveness
Kisses only

[Kylie Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

.

I Absolutely loved this book !! I truly enjoyed it from the beginning till the end. Definitely recommend this book !!!

[Sandy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Had me from the first chapter. A great mystery too. What more could you ask.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

cool!

[Richard Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Amish Read

This was a very enjoyable and uplifting story of how God can use people to mend hearts. It also has an element of suspense for added enjoyment.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. The mystery, which I won't reveal the spoilers, had a turn I didn't suspect. Of course, there is a happy ending. Trust in Gott in all things.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book is well-written. I love most of the characters and plot. It's not for the faint of heart. Highly recommended.