I think that Ms. Clipston has written another bestseller! A Place at Our Table, takes the reader into the lives of first responders. I have a huge amount of respect and appreciation for all of them and after reading this book, even more so.
The author crafted wonderful characters and an emotional storyline. Two of my favorites are Jamie and Nathan. At times, Nathan seemed more mature and grounded than his older sister, Kayla. She was over protective of Nathan which seemed natural after the loss the Dienner family had suffered.
There were a couple of times that I cried while reading this book which is okay, because it shows the emotional connection I had to the characters. There is just so much to love about this book and I cannot wait to read the next one in the series.
A must read for fans of Amish and Christian fiction.
I received a copy from Netgalley and have given my honest opinion.

Young Amish woman, Kayla Dienner has already lost one family member to tragedy, she doesn't want anything to happen to her younger brother,Nathan , who is all about becoming a firefighter after he meets part time firefighter, Jamie Riehl.

Kayla meets Amish firefighter, Jamie Riehl when he responds to a fire on the Dienner's property. Jamie was acquainted with the elder Dienner brother who perished in a fire the year before and when the younger Dienner, Nathan, shows an interest, he is glad to help in any way he can. Meeting Kayla also sparks an interest which Jamie has never had before, but knowing that Kayla is so against having Nathan go into firefighting, makes Jamie pause.

Jamie and Kayla begin a friendship and a courtship of sorts but both have reservations which can make or break their relationship. It seems to Kayla, that she cares more for whatever the two have together since Jamie misses dates with her. When a heartbreaking tragedy strikes Jamie's family, he feels the weight of the world on his shoulders doubt that he can ever be what Kayla needs.

Can two people who obviously care so much for each other overcome the obstacles blocking their paths? Can both Kayla and Jamie set aside their sadness and look to a future with one another? All these questions and more are answered in Amy Clipston's A PLACE AT OUR TABLE.

Having only started reading Amish romance novels the past year or so, I have quickly fallen in love with Amy Clipston's stories subject matters and the people she so eloquently describes. This story in particular hits home for me because I have a son who is a volunteer firefighter who wants to make a career of it in the FDNY. Kayla's feelings for her brother Nathan mimic this reader's and add to the appeal. I enjoyed learning about the Dienner family and the Riehl family and I hope to reading more about them in the future.

I really like character driven stories. I like it when they seam to come to life and jump off the page and become real to me. I felt like Jamie was a pretty well rounded character. I liked him and he seemed honorable and hard working but clueless and likable. Kayla on the other hand didn't feel as fleshed out to me. She was the overprotective older sister who had already lost one brother but that was about it. She didn't have anything that really helped me know her. She seemed to whine a bit too much about her past failed relationship but that was about it. I felt like this book was a little too heavy on the "define the relationship" and less on the actual development of the relationship between Jamie and Kayla. I had a hard time really hoping the relationship misunderstandings would be resolved because I didn't feel as connected to these two characters or especially them as a couple. I think this is a fine story but not something that I plan to revisit or even pass along to a friend.

Such a good action backed book! This book presented a new side of Amish life that i hadn’t read about before. Volunteer firefighters! So interesting. Loved how developed the characters were. They were real. They didn’t just magically get what they wanted. They struggled and fought and fought back and things were difficult but turned beautiful! The love story is great. The family relationships part of the story was great. I loved the character Eva. She was so level headed and a constant throughout the story. I really liked her. The book is action packed. Full of fire/accident rescue. Themes of love, redemption, forgiveness, faithfulness, compassion, and honor run through the entire book. The author has a great way of drawing you in and making you fall in love with the characters and their stories. Loved this book. Can’t wait to see if there’s another in the series.
I received a digital copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

An emotional read that will have you going for the tissues.

Kayla Dienner is still healing from losing her older brother, Simeon, to a house fire when a barn fire at her home puts her little brother's life in danger. James Riehl, an Amish volunteer firefighter, responds to the fire and one look into Kayla's eyes lights a fire inside of him. Will he flame that fire or will a personal tragedy extinguish it before it has a chance to burn?

Amy Clipston writes so beautifully that the love between her characters jumps off the page into your heart. I'll be the first to admit I can become attached to characters quickly but no other Amish characters have touched my soul as Kayla and James. I did not think that my heart could take any more and Clipston would throw another heart twinging moment at me. I heavily suggest in a box of tissues and several hours of quiet time when you read A Place at our Table. You will not want to put the book down as the story will keep grabbing at you even when you are not reading.

I hope there are more books involving the Riehls and Dienners as it would be a shame to not visit them again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zondervan for an advance copy in exchange for a review based on my own thoughts and in my own words.

Awww, what a lovely story this was! The main themes in this story are grief, love, sacrifice, forgiveness and bravery. The main characters Jamie and Kayla were wonderful. Their romance was incredibly sweet! I like that Ms. Clipston was able to show the dramatic side of their relationship. I also like that both characters had their flaws and not only one was wrong. The secondary characters were wonderful as well. I also like that Jamie, an Amish man, was a volunteer firefighter, something new in Amish fiction. Ms. Clipston did a great job with expressing grief by the characters. My heart went out to them! The spiritual thread was woven nicely as both characters learned to trust God with their relationship and everything else. I recommend this!

A Place At Our Table ( Amish Homestead #1 )
By: Amy Clipston
A Place at our Table is book one in Amish Homestead series. This is a very heartwarming story and I found myself saying No several times. Clipston drew me in right at the start and I was hooked. Love the story and the characters were well developed and lifelike. This story is about two Amish families and their loss and how they cope. Jamie and Kayla are the two main character. Jamie works on the family farm and also at the local fire department. Kayla has loss love and trying to protect her heart. These two are trying to find their way, but having struggles. I had tears in my eyes most of the times while reading A Place At Our Table.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley , but was not told that I had to give a positive review.

It was almost as if I were watching this story unfold in slow motion, and found myself yelling “No”, and knew exactly what was going to happen, and having no way to prevent it.
Heartache prevails here, and enough grief to cover everyone, and yet you feel God’s presence and love covering these souls.
Can a seasoned griever help one with new grief, or will they end up helping each other, and that is the hope.
This story shows personal grief, but because we are with the emergency responders, we meet a lot of tragic situations head on. Will working and living in this situation be the catalyst to bring two hurting people together, or the ultimate reason they go their separate ways.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.

So here's the deal. Kayla's brother, Simeon, was killed in a fire as a firefighter. For that reason alone, she doesn't like firefighters. When her family's barn catches fire, Jamie Riehl is one of the firefighters who responds to the call. Kayla is attracted to him, and he to her, but her mental block against his profession stands in the way. Jamie and his friends who are all part of the crew that put out the blaze show up the next week to put up a new barn for Kayla's father.

Circumstances, events, happenings all conspire to keep these two star-crossed lovers apart. Kayla hates him for what he does, but then she loves him for how he stands in to help her family. When his life falls apart, he hides from Kayla and anyone else in his life. He hates himself, he can't love Kayla. Their story switches back and forth so quickly I got reader's whiplash just trying to keep up with whether they are together or not.

Most of the time, I really enjoy the writings of Amy Clipston, but this one didn't really tickle my fancy as much as her other writings did. I still say it's a solid four stars. A Place at Our Table does tackle grief in all its emanations.

My thanks to Zondervan for allowing me to read and review this book.

reviewed for Romantic Times Book Reviews

A Place At Our Table ⭐️⭐️⭐️by Amy Clipston

As a story about Amish life and its people in Lancaster, Pennsylvania I thought this book was pretty good.

I found the simple life very appealing and endearing. This was clearly a Christian novel and a nice read. I found the author a bit too redundant in her narrative. The hardships place when a loved one is lost is quite deep and unsettling to all effected. This book addresses this situation. This also could apply to all not necessarily the Christian or Amish community.

I liked the book but I found it hard to keep my attention.

I love all of Amy Clipsons books but this one I downgraded just a little. Kinda drug a little for me. It seemed like the ending was just a little too rushed maybe? But I did enjoy the journey of Jamie and Kayla as they dwelt with their grief of losing family members and finding love. See a more extensive review on my upcoming blog at carolynreads.com
I received a preview copy of this book from NetGalley and thanks to the publisher Zondervan for letting me read it. This did not affect my opinion of the book the thoughts are my own

A PLACE AT OUR TABLE. by Amy Clipston. Zondervan Publishers Amish Homestead series. Book 1
Jamie was called out with a barn on fire. Rescuing children, and animals in this Amish community. Kayla is angry now, that Nathan wants to begin training as a firefighter. He was a hero, until he encouraged Nathan, she didn't want to lose anyone, again. Her eyes lingered on James, how strong he was, in control. Jamie apologizes, yet, the hostility that Kayla has. Then the guys told him, of her brother dying as a firefighter. When Jamie reacts without thinking at a fire, Kayla realizes , the deep love she has for him. Will Jamie except her, and will Kayla be okay with Nathan going in as a volunteer. This was an emotional look at a family that had suffered a lose, yet, letting Nathan following what he wants to do. It wasn't following his brothers footstep, but the need within him. Readers will feel the emotion of the characters in this story, and the healing that came about. A new series, and looking for more by her. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

A Place at Our Table is Amy Clipston's latest novel scheduled for release this coming November. It is the first book in her new Amish Homestead series. This book is set in the quaint village of Bird in Hand, PA surrounded by acres of fertile farmland owned by many Amish and Mennonite families.

Kayla Dienner and Jamie Riehl are the two main protagonists who meet through a barn fire on the Dienner farm. Kayla's family is still grieving the loss of their son/brother/husband Simeon who died in a fire while serving as a volunteer fireman earlier in the year. Jamie immediately becomes interested in Kayla even though Kayla has shown displeasure with Jamie as he encourages Kayla's younger brother Nathan to start training to be a fire fighter. As Jamie and Kayla's families interact, a bond forms between them. Tragedy strikes the Riehl household and Jamie relies heavily on Kayla. What should be a budding romance becomes a series of missteps on Jamie's part. Kayla is hurt and frustrated as Jamie flounders. Are these two truly meant for one another. Can both families heal from their losses and pick up and move forward with their lives? Pick up Amy's book on release day and find out!

Amy Clipston has a gift when writing her books. She has the ability to pull the reader into the story and make them feel as though they personally know each character. I loved the warm bond that she created between these two families and her depiction of the Amish comunity in general. I always eagerly anticipate a new novel from Amy and this one is well worth the wait. Come November 14, 2017, get to your favorite bookstore or pre-order online, you don't want to miss this one!

I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Volunteer fireman Jamie Riehl feels that it's his duty to help protect the Amish community by serving on the fire force. With the untimely death of his mother, though, his duty to protect begins to overtake his life. His widowed father offers sage advice about the fleetingness of life and how we should grab hold of opportunities. Amish waitress Kayla works at her parents' restaurant and has sworn off relationships after being burned in the past. Could these two belong together or will circumstances push them apart?

A Place At Our Table is the first book in Amy Clipston’s new series An Amish Homestead. The story line and characters are captivating and the reader can easily relate to Kayla and Jamie.
In this heartwarming story, the reader befriends two Amish families and their own road through grief. The Dienner family is trying to recover after losing a son, brother, and husband after an accident while he is working as a volunteer fireman. The Reihl family has their own struggles after a tragic accident leaves a hole in the family circle. Jamie can’t get over the grief and blame of “what if” and it doesn’t help that Cindy, his youngest sister, also blames him.
Jamie meets Kayla on a call for a barn fire and although the two have words as first, a spark is ignited. As Jamie struggles with balancing his grief, being a volunteer firefighter, responsibilities at the family farm, and this new relationship with Kayla, he quickly learns he cannot do it all and something is about to break. Kayla is still struggling with the loss of her brother and not happy about Jamie’s volunteer profession. She has a hard time putting the past behind her and opening up to Jamie and accepting him as the man that he is flaws and all.
Clipston did an excellent job portraying the emotions of her characters. As I read the novel, I found myself feeling empathy for both families during their grief process. The emotions took hold and grabbed me where I just couldn’t put it down until I knew what the outcome was.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from netgalley in return for my honest opinion of the book.

I always enjoy reading about the Amish. It was hard for both of these families to deal with their grief but together they made it through. Jamie had to learn to not deal with his feelings by working too hard. Kayla had to learn to trust again. I really liked the interaction between the families.

Absolutely feel in love with this book! A very interesting and fun read. Love Amy's books. Would recommend to someone wanting something different to read.

This is the start of a new series for Clipston, and it looks at the challenges faced by First Responders, in their personal and professional lives. The characters are well crafted and easy to like. Clipston has a way with words that pulls the reader in and makes them a part of the story. The bond between the two families, and the Amish community in general, is heartwarming.

A Place at Our Table is a pretty good read by Amy Clipston and is the first installment of the An Amish Homestead series. I absolutely loved the characters and found them to be delightful. The author really knew how to write true to life emotions and struggles that the characters were going through.
I found A Place at Our Table to be a fabulous beginning to a series and look forward to reading the others that will be part of it in the future.
Great Amish read. I would recommend it and give 4 stars.