A Welcome at Our Door

Amish Homestead #4

by Amy Clipston

After a devastating loss, Cindy Riehl is still searching for peace. Will she find it in the community she calls home—or will love send her down a new path?

Over the last few years, Cindy Riehl—the youngest of the Riehl children—has watched her siblings find love and happiness in Lancaster County. But as her family has settled down and grown, Cindy has continued to grieve her mother, whose death left an enormous hole in her heart. Since that haunting day, Cindy has struggled to find peace and wonders if the community is the place for her—and if her faith in God will ever feel the same as it once did.

When a handsome and kind Englisher named Drew crosses Cindy’s path one surprising day, the two of them become fast and easy friends. Drew dreams of starting a family after some losses of his own, and before long, he and Cindy discover that their feelings for each other are romantic. As they spend more time together—often in secret—Cindy is drawn further and further away from the Amish community and the family she loves. In time, she is faced with a difficult choice that threatens to upend her world.

Will Cindy find contentment and love, and will she ever find restored comfort in God and her beloved community? In this final installment of the Amish Homestead series, we return to the charming town of Bird-in-Hand for a story of healing, family, and God’s perfect provision.

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

318 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2019

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

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Welcome at Our Door

Amy Clipston


A WELCOME AT OUR DOOR is the fourth and final book In the Amish Homestead series. We finally get Cindy Riehl's story! To be honest, I fell in love with the cover the minute I saw it. I knew I would read it anyway, because It is set in Lancaster County, but the cover really pulled me in. I loved everything about this beautiful story and I'm excited to read more by Amy Clipston. I've read many of her books but not all of them. She has a way of grabbing her readers and she never lets us go. Cindy has been having a very hard time dealing with life since her mother passed away tragically. She fell down the basement stairs and Cindy has been having survivors guilt ever since. She feels like she doesn't fit in in her family anymore, she's feeling lost and can't understand how everyone else in her family has moved on and she just can't.


A WELCOME AT OUR DOOR is filled with twists and turns as well as faith, family, love, hope, and had me staying up way too late one night to finish! I had to know where Amy Clipston was taking us and what would happen to Cindy and if she would ever find peace. Poor Cindy will pull at your heart strings and never let them go. When the family cow, Cucumber, gets loose, Cindy's life heads in a new direction. This is how she meets an Englischer named Drew. She becomes friends with him rather quickly and they share a connection that neither of them can deny. Her father is very much against this friendship because he feels Cindy is getting too close to Drew and might be falling in love with him. She continues to see him secretly and both know what they are doing is wrong. There is so much heart in Amy's writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart, very happy. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I've known them for a long time.


Make yourself a yummy hot drink, get your favorite blanket and get on the couch. A WELCOME AT OUR DOOR is an awesome way to spend the afternoon or evening. Once you start, you won't be able to put it down and will find yourself cheering for Cindy and her family. I really wanted to reach in to this story and give Cindy a hug over and over again. She is so torn between staying in her faith and joining the church or leaving it all behind and joining Drew in the Englisch world. Amy Clipston will pull you in from the very first page and never let you go! I'm sad that the Amish Homestead series is finished but Amy wrapped it up perfectly and I'm excited to read her next series!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustRead Publicity Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Amish Homestead series and it ties up this story nicely. Cindy Riehl is still dealing with the death of her mother and her guilt that she could have prevented the accident. She is not necessarily angry with God, but she is not sure whether she wants to become part of the Amish church. As the rest of the family moves forward, she is still trying to figure out where she belongs. When she meets Englischer, Drew, she is immediately drawn to him. He is handsome, but also has a great sense of humour and she is very comfortable with him. Her family welcomes him into their home as he working and living on their neighbour's property. What they were not expecting was that Cindy would spend so much time with him and consider a life with him, outside the Amish Church.

The Riehl family is strong in its faith and are getting somewhat impatient that Cindy has still not joined the church. They want her to get baptized, find a nice Amish man and settle down. She has other plans. I understand having a strong faith and community, but part of being a Christian is to love your neighbour and the way they treat Cindy and Drew is frustrating. I love the main characters. Both Drew and Cindy have suffered loss in their lives which is one of the things that pulls them together. They are confused about some things, but so sure about others. My heart broke for these two young people who are trying to find their way in the world. There were some members of the Amish Community that were trying to help them and I was so glad they were there to support this young couple. I have enjoyed this series and was very pleased with this conclusion. It had my emotions all over, encouraged faith and trust and shows that family is important and must be nurtured. Amy Clipston is becoming a go to author for me when I read Amish Fiction. If you enjoy Christian Fiction, specifically Amish Fiction, pick up this series and spend some time with the Riehl family. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet story of friendship, healing, and discovering one's path. Cindy has contrasting emotions about her life- she acts as though she is content, but is stuck in her grief and feels like no one can understand. Even though she is sweet and helpful, she also comes across as a bit immature and self-centered. Her quick friendship with Drew fills the void in her life, and they are very sweet together. The narrative is repetitious and the entire plot focuses on the dilemma of their relationship- they are forbidden to be friends because it would prevent Cindy from staying Amish... even though she still had not committed to baptism. The family members are two-dimensional and I wished there had been more depth explored, their feelings shown rather than told. The last part of the book was more interesting and I was curious to see how the author would choose to wrap everything up. I felt like it was overly simple and even though I enjoyed the happy ending, there were issues that I thought were not addressed.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed in this review are my own)

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The youngest of the Reihl children, Cindy has watched her siblings find love and start families and her father remarry. She carries the guilt of blaming herself for the tragedy of her mother's death.
She has felt like an outsider in her family and community and hasn't acclimated herself to the running around time or joining the Amish church. She feels like no one understand her and her feelings of loss. Who would ever imagine a cow named Cucumber getting loose would be a good thing. Going to retrieve the cow this is how she meets her neighbor Drew. She feels a connection with Englisher Drew that she doesn't feel in the Amish community, not even from her immediate family. He has the common denominator of devastating losses in his family as well and they have an immediate connection. Try as they both may to fight it because she is Amish and he is an Englisher they find a strong romantic connection to each other. Amy Clipston writes very realistic books and I could really see this story happening. As Cindy spends more and more time with Drew, often sneaking around to do so since her family doesn't approve she draws farther away from her family in the comfort and understanding she finds in Drew's company. Will she make the ultimate choice to leave her family and the teachings of the Amish way behind? I must say this book kept me reading late into the night to finish it even though I had to get up early the next day. So many emotions you'll feel in this book and outcomes you may not expect. This is my absolute favorite Amy Clipston book I've read. This book shows wonderful things will happen all within God's perfect timing.
Expected publication: May 7th 2019 by Zondervan
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Cecily Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another incredible book from Amy, who really has a way with dealing with the problems in the Amish community with her stories rather than sugarcoating the culture as some stories do. Cindy, the youngest in her family and still grieving her mother's death, feels lost and doesn't quite fit in the community, since she hasn't chosen to be baptized yet. She and an Englisher man, Drew, who helps on a neighbor's farm, fall in love, and her family chooses to shun her rather than maintain a relationship with her, basically choosing the Amish rules over their sister/daughter. I was really upset when they did this, but my experience as a reader of Amish fiction led me to expect it. I didn't expect the ending, though, and was very happy with how the author handled the situation. I am definitely looking forward to more series from her!

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you imagine giving up all of your family, your way of life and community, because you fell in love? This is about to be the decision the youngest member of the Riehl family. Now I have read and enjoyed the previous three books, but you can read this one alone, enough information is provided. Now that being said, you will want to read the previous they are that good!
There has to be a reason that God placed Drew in Cindy’s path, but with the cultural differences can a relationship survive, or will Cindy have to make the ultimate sacrifice. Answers are here and some are really going to surprise you.
I for one am sorry that this is the end of this series, I would love to continue with this family.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Molly Jaber (Audiobooks And Sweet Tea) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure if I am ready to say goodbye to these characters just yet. I have fallen in love with them all, as I do with all of Clipston’s characters, but these ones….these ones have a special place in my heart. The Riehl family has become more than just characters to me, and visiting them again with Cindy and Drew’s story, really was like coming home after too long away. Seeing Cindy and Drew together was so fun, but I my heart ached for them and their difficult situation.

From start to finish, Clipston weaves hope, love, heartache, understanding and beautiful messages from God together to create a heart warming story. Grab a copy of this 4 star read now, and find your welcome at the Riehl’s door just like I did. They’ll welcome you with open arms and take you on a beautiful ride through Amish country. I can’t wait to see what Clipston has in store for us in her next books!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*

[Sunnie]

This was the fourth and final books of the Amish Homestead Series. I recognized the characters from previous books as they moved on with their lives after the death of their mother. However, Cindy Riehl was not able to move on even though life moved ahead without her. Feeling misunderstood by other family members, she meets Drew and is immediately taken by him. But there is a big problem, he is not Amish. What to do, follow her heart or the advice of family, friends and religious beliefs?

A difficult time lies ahead as opposition tells her to forget him and find a nice Amish boy in their community.

I really enjoyed this book and found it a sweet and tender book. Feelings were strong and that made decisions all the more difficult.

I recommend this book. It's a good read!

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

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in this series by Amy!! I was sad for Cindy through most of the book but glad she found a happy ending :)

I hope this series continues cause i'd love to see Cindy and Drew's story continue and evolve!!

[Noella Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome end to this lovely series! It makes you rethink everything. Had me guessing till the end.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Welcome at Our Door is book four from Amy Cliptson's series, Amish Homestead series. I think this is my favorite of the series. I enjoyed this story and am giving it five stars.

[Rachel DeVaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read anything by this author in several years and although I haven't read anything from this "Amish Homestead", I didn't have a hard time jumping into the story and the characters.

The author included a listing of English and Amish/German words so readers could figure out the translations which was very helpful.

I enjoyed the story although it was stressful because I could feel the agony, heartache and frustration of Cindy trying to figure out her life's purpose and path. It makes me sad that the Amish community isn't more accepting of their children's choices if they decide not to stay Amish (although I can see why-its still heartbreaking). I liked reading and seeing Cindy's and Drew's friendship blossom and how they helped each other thru their grief. I read the story in one night because I wanted to see what Cindy would decide about her friendship and becoming Amish and her relationship with her family.

I really enjoyed this realistic, Amish Christian fiction book! I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

[Rose | Adventurous Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh boy. I have very mixed feelings about this book. Let me explain.
I am one of Clipston's biggest fans (if I do say so myself). I have not read one of her books that I did not like until this one. I often recommend her novels to others (the Roadside Assistance trilogy is phenomenal.) One huge compliment I have about this book is that I was drawn into the story despite what I did not like.
A Welcome at Our Door was a bit different. I still love Clipston's writing. I felt like the romance between Drew and Cindy could have been in a YA romance novel. :( The novel was a bit cheesy and I felt the Romeo and Juliet vibes. (that was alright, I guess)
Even though this was not my favorite book, I will still be reading more works written by Amy Clipston in the future.

Rating: 3 Stars
Content: 4 Stars
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This was not my favorite Amy Clipston book. For one, I didn’t like all the secret meetings and lying to everyone that Cindy and Drew did. I’m not a big fan of books with a lack of honesty between the characters. Also, I didn’t like the ending. After all they went through for Cindy to NOT join the church and marry an Englischer, all of a sudden 4 months after their wedding she decides she wants to go back to being Amish and wants him to go with her??? That seemed to come out of nowhere and his agreeing to become Amish seemed quite far-fetched.

[Kailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this just might be my new favorite Amy Clipston book! This book tackled a hard topic and ended beautifully. She knows how to pull at my heartstrings! I absolutely loved it! There were a few parts that almost had me in tears. I know that this is one book that I will have to read again and again! I’m eagerly awaiting new books from Amy Clipston!




I was given a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author, but was not required to write a review. The thoughts and comments are my own.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written book that holds your attention from the first page till last. This book is full of emotions, you will laugh, cry and cheer. This book has a twist to it that I've never read before, it was very interesting. Thank you Zondervan via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion of this book. I highly recommend this book.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm having fun doing a major catch up on Amy Clipston novels while trying to keep current with her multiple new releases this year so I don't get behind again. Oh, the bibliophile anxiety when must-reads books overwhelm my TBR pile! But the plus side is I have lots of happy reading hours ahead for me!

I love the way this author brings depth and heart to her characters and their struggles. I was so invested in Cindy's story that I had a lump in my throat for most of the read. She's been adrift in her grief over the death of her mother for much too long and she feels like no one in her family or close knit community understands.

And then Englischer Drew moves in next door and her world is turned upside down all over again. Because Drew gets her and their undeniable connection feels like a lifeline. It isn't long before friendship heats up into something much deeper and that presents a whole new set of challenges.

Honestly, heart in throat the whole read through. Talk about doomed romance! I could not figure out how the author was going to work out a happily ever after. Thankfully she does, but there are so many twists and turns and gut-wrenching decisions to be made along the way! This story consumed me and left me emotionally shell-shocked by the end. Which makes me a very happy reader. :-)

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH ONE OF A VARIETY OF SOURCES. 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!

Every time I pick up one of this author's works, I know I'm in for a read that will have me thinking about my faith as well as being entertainment. This book was no exception to that!

I absolutely loved the conflict in this story! I felt that Cindy had legitimate reasons for wrestling with her feelings, and was honestly uncertain as to how she'd ultimately decide where she belonged! I loved how steadfast Drew was! I thought he was a wonderful counterpoint to Cindy, and I loved watching their relationship grow, despite their plans for it not to! My one complaint in this story was the deception that the two of them engaged in. At times, I felt that it wasn't as realistic as it could have been. Other than that, I really enjoyed this couple!

This story felt mostly realistic from start to finish and was such a joy for me to read!

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Clipston's latest novel, A Welcome at Our Door is a heartfelt tale. I fell in love with this story multiple times as the pages flew by. Characters who have suffered heavy loses made my heart break. But their meeting and friendships soon bloomed into a beautiful journey. I felt hope regrow within the young Amish woman, Cindy. The themes, family, healing, and faith were a perfect touch. Just enough of each to make this book enjoyable. Then, there were the tough choices that had to be made. A relationship that was frowned upon is left to Cindy to figure out where it will lead her. Will it lead her back to her faith and family, or further apart from them and God? The emotions of loss, trouble, and love hooked me. I couldn't stop reading this book. Amy Clipston is a talented writer. Overall, I recommend this beautiful Amish tale to all. 

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy closes her latest series with the story of Cindy Riehl. Cindy is the youngest of the Riehl children and has been struggling with joining the Amish church. This struggle has been highlighted in previous books in the series so it was nice to finally discover what would happen in Cindy's life.

I enjoyed this story and found it to be a quick read. Knowing a lot of the characters in this book from reading the series it was like meeting up with old friends and finding out what was going on in their lives. Amy has the gift as a writer of making readers forget they are reading about fictional characters instead of living, breathing people. In addition to catching up with the human characters in the book, we are also introduced to a cow named Cucumber and a dog named Bruce who brought a bit of fun to a story that had its fair share of sadness.

Although I loved the story I would have liked to see a bit more conflict and struggle between Cindy and Drew as they decided what path their lives should take as far as being Amish or not. It seemed as if they were just a bit too agreeable when it came to the big decisions of their lives and were a bit too willing to just go along with what the other one wanted. I would have liked to have seen a bit more as far as the decision making for what would be a tremendous life change for either of them based on the decision they ended up making.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read and one that will be going on my keeper shelf. Fans of the genre are sure to enjoy this story from one of the best authors of Amish fiction. This book could be read and enjoyed as a standalone and would be an awesome way to introduce someone to Amy's books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cindy Riehl continue to struggle with her mother’s death and blaming herself made her feel like she didn’t belong in her Amish community. A young Englisher working on their neighbors’ Amish farm was so kind to her the first time she meet Drew. His kindness and mannerism gave way to Cindy feeling connected to him. Cindy knew it was prohibited but sneaking around to see Drew made her feel loved. The twists and turns with their relationship and the Amish farmer Drew worked for might just be enough for both of them to find new beginnings along with God’s loved and forgiveness for their past feelings and losses.

I was not required to write a review for this book since I borrowed it from our library. I have simply expressed my own thoughts.

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy Clipston has written a stunner of a conclusion to a great family series. There is so much emotion jumping from the pages that you would have to be heartless not to feel the pain Cindy experiences in her decisions when it comes to Drew.

You do not have to read the series in her order but I would suggest you do. You will appreciate Cindy's story more.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Zondervan Fiction, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

[Annie Winterburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It didn't follow the normal Amish relationship stereotypes other than at the end the Englisher became Amish, but the journey in between was much different than most which made it a breath of fresh air. I've only recently discovered Amy clips ton and have enjoyed a few already and while I do know the books are fiction, I like to believe that there is quite a bit of truth about the Amish in them as well.. I love learning about their ways. Great book for sure. Definitely recommend. #AwelcomeAtOurDoor #NetGalley

[Heather 123 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting and unique Amish story. It's not too often that we read a story in which a young woman is unsure about her Amish faith and begins dating someone outside the community. I enjoyed reading about her struggle and the reasons why she struggled.

My only complaint is I wish we would have seen more into the future. I would have loved to read out they adapted to their new life and what challenges that brought. It seemed a little too easy once the decision was made.

** ARC received from Netgalley **

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
A Welcome at Our Door
By Amy Clipston
I loved this final addition in the Amish Homestead series. I really enjoyed the thought-provoking characters of Drew and Cindy. I was drawn into their lives and the challenges they faced together. Amy Clipston has an incredible way with words and an immense ability to craft believable yet flawed characters that are easy to relate too.
The reason I have rated this book a four instead of a five is the ending was entirely too predictable and parts of the story were a tad long-winded. However, this book will appeal to a great many readers especially those who enjoy a sweet Amish book. I highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own. #AWelcomeAtOurDoor #NetGalley

[Sherry Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely conclusion to Amy Clipston’s Amish Homestead series. I have read them all and enjoyed this one the best. We have been with the family through all of these books, and now we find Cindy Reihl’s story.

As Cindy develops a relationship, which becomes more than just a neighborly relationship with an English neighbor, Drew. We learn of the many hardships that can occur when a relationship outside of the Amish faith happens. Many losses can occur, but also the love of family, community and each other brings many issues to the story.

This was a wonderful book of allowing us to see the Amish deal with those hard life situations, just as the English.

I highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Lisa Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindy is busy hanging laundry when the family cow makes a run for the neighbors. She chases after it and comes upon the new farm hand Drew who is a Englisher. He helps her get the cow home with his sweet dog. Drew comes to dinner after and invite for helping with the cow. They both find themselves attracted to each other. Cindy knows she cannot be with someone who not Amish. Drew does not understand all the hurt Cindy has and why she hasn't joined the church. They start sneaking and seeing each other. When her family finds out her father insist she not see Drew and bans him from seeing Cindy. Cindy and Drew realize how much they truly love each other and decide to get married regardless of what her family thinks. None of them will talk to her or have anything to do with her. Right before Christmas she finds she is with child. Drew and Cindy are excited about their growing family. When tragedy strikes and they lose their baby. Drew calls on her family to help comfort her. When he sees how the community helps each other he makes a decision to become a part of the church and he and Cindy join together.. I was given this book as a ARC from Net galley for my honest review.

[Patti Whitson Stephenson She Lives to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is Amy Clipston’s best book yet. She’s written a compelling Amish story that sets up an almost impossible situation between Cindy and Drew and their desire to get married. Cindy has grown up in an Amish family, but does not feel drawn to join the church. Drew is an Englisher who is a Christian, but has been told by Cindy’s dad that if he marries Cindy, she will be shut out of their family circle for marrying outside their faith. Cindy finds herself caught between two worlds and not knowing where she truly belongs.

This is an emotional story. The author has done a good job of conveying how both sides feel love and concern for Cindy’s decisions, and that gives this book a true-life feel to it. It’s also interesting to watch Cindy, Drew, and her family members grow spiritually as they face this conflict. I got quite involved in this story and kept reading to find out how everything would come together. The ending was not what I originally thought would happen, but it was a very satisfying one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling in love with a person outside of their faith could cause much trouble for the main characters. From the beginning, their friendship turns to love and the possibility of a future together is considered although it brings concerns. This story is filled with love, faith and family. I enjoyed this one. I received a complimentary copy. No review was required.

[Dali Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Worth the Read

One of the many things I like about this author is that she has a somewhat different style of writing Amish fiction. One of the things she includes in her stories is a viewpoint that this culture, as with all groups, is not 100% perfect. Although this is a work of fiction, including this gives the story a sense of realism. 

The reality in A Welcome at Our Door has to do with the the Riehl family’s convictions. The family members are loving and caring. They are also friendly and hospitable to their neighbor, Drew Collins, an Englisher. Or rather, they are friendly and hospitable towards him until something occurs that goes against their convictions.

Although the Riehls are a loving and caring family, Cindy, the youngest of the Riehl children, just doesn’t feel like she fits in. Since her mother’s passing, she feels like no one understands her. That all changes when she meets Drew. And that’s also when the Riehls’ friendship and hospitality toward Drew changes, all in the name of their convictions.

The story takes you through the friendship, a budding romance, hurts, hard choices, and finally, forgiveness. It had me laughing in some parts, crying in others, frustrated in many, and left me with a feeling of peace seeing that no matter what the situation, God’s love and forgiveness make all of the difference. Add to that a surprise twist that I didn’t see coming and you have a lovely story that is well worth the read.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.