This collection, written by a group of all-star Amish authors, revolves around the theme of “coming home again”. Every story shows the author’s individual writing style, but all the stories work together very well in the collection. The characters in these stories all face obstacles and mistakes in their lives, but there’s a reoccurring theme of love, forgiveness, and faith in each one. Even though these are shorter stories, the writers did a great job with the pace of each story and the storylines do not seemed rushed. If you’ve not read books by each of these authors, this would be a good collection to read to find your new favorite Amish author.

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

An Amish Homecoming is a collection of Amish novellas by four of the top Amish fiction authors. The stories are additions to series that each author is writing and it was nice to be able to capture the life of some side characters, but the book can be read alone without the knowledge of the respective series.

No Place Like Home by Amy Clipston leads us to join Eva as she takes her son back to her childhood home to meet his grandparents for the first time. I really enjoyed this novella and meeting Eva’s family and taking a peek at her past. It was nice meeting Ian and Eva’s parents and following along and Eva came to terms with the fact that she could have a life after the tragic loss of her husband.

When Love Returns by Beth Wiseman takes us on the journey of Sarah Zook as she returns home with her daughter after Hurricane Harvey has demolished her life. The story is a sweet romance between Sarah and Abram as they have to come to terms with her running off and the daughter he didn’t know he had. I really enjoyed this novella about unconditional love and forgiveness.
The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray brings us to Hart County where we follow Irene Keim and her new landlords Mary Ruth and Henry Wengerd. I liked that Irene finally felt like she had found a home and people that accepted her until the Wengerd’s son Marcus returned. It was great seeing Marcus and Irene’s relationship grow when he learnt that you can’t judge someone until you really know them.

What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller takes us to Bitch Creek where Carolyn Yoder has finally returned home and decided to open a bakery. She is determined to make it own her own and does not want to accept assistance even from her brother or his family. Atlee Shetler finally is able to leave his home after the loss of his wife and goes to Birth Creek to visit his old friend. He befriends Carolyn and she starts letting her guard down and accepting his help. At the same time, he is learning to love again despite the guilt and grief her has carried so long for his wife. This was a sweet story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley.com and all opinions are my own.

I loved this collection of novellas, written by some of my favorite authors. Relaxing to read, there still were life events that each had to work through.

Each story contains the theme of returning home. Forgiveness and trust are a central theme in the set of stories. Very heartwarming with well-developed characters, if you enjoy Amish fiction you’ll love An Amish Homecoming

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

An Amish Homecoming – Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Shelley Shepard Gray, Kathleen Fuller

This is a delightful novella of 4 books written by four of my favorite Amish genre authors.

Each novella shows us how each leading character comes home to their place of upbringing. We see their fear in facing what they left and how they will be accepted as they come back, forgiveness by loved ones, and experiences of new life and love.

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

An Amish Homecoming is four novellas by different authors in one book. They are sweet romances that will warm your heart.

An Amish Homecoming

A wonderful collection of 4 heartwarming stories by some of my favorite Amish authors! Set in 4 different Amish communities, these stories all centered around struggles, hurt, forgiveness, and going home. This is a book you don't want to miss! I truly enjoyed them all!
I was provided a copy of this book my the author and Netgalley, but was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest option of this book.

You can come home again, and how wonderful it is. I loved reading this it was hard to put down, the writing is sooo, soo good. I don’t want to give away the story or spoil it for others, so I’ll just say I think things worked out and came together as they should have

A wonderful written book by four different authors about the journey of trials in ones life, forgiveness and coming home. You could read each of these books as a stand alone very easy. Even though the books all have a common theme, returning home after a difficult time, the characters have a unique story of their own. Imagine how hard it would be to be away from your family, yearning to be with them and not knowing if your family would except you back and allow forgiveness and forgiving each other. I personally thought all four stories were great reads. I felt heartache and hope as each story unfolded. You will enjoy the journey of this book. Thank you for letting me enjoy and give my review.

An Amish Homecoming is a novella that consist of four stories by four different authors. I enjoyed reading all four of these novellas. All were very well written, definitely page turners. I wasn't able to stop reading. I needed to know what was going to happen. They were all just that good.

I recommend this collection of novella's to others. You are going to love it. You also get four stories for the price of one, you can't beat that.

What better way to spend a time lost in book than in a book by not just one of my top Amish authors, but by FOUR of them? There really isn’t a better way if you ask me. When I received this book to review, I was sick. I didn’t want to read much of anything. But I dove into it with highest of hopes to be able to finish it. I read not just Ms. Clipston’s novella, but all of them and fell in love with these stories of hope, faith, understanding and acceptance. Each story, written by equally talented authors, is unique and filled with characters that will stay with you long after. While I loved all the novellas in this story, I will focus on Clipston’s and Fuller’s.

Amy Clipston’s NO PLACE LIKE HOME is beautifully and tenderly written. Her unique writing style shines through and the messages from God are woven throughout. The characters are chiseled beautifully and I could feel myself walking along side them, as Eva returned home and came face to face with a man she once knew, and know is unsure of. Her story of letting go and moving on, is truly a tender one and one that will have me coming back to this story again and again.

Kathleen Fuller’s WHAT LOVE BUILT is another beautiful, moving story. Carolyn quickly stole my heart and when Atlee is introduced, bless! These two sweet souls truly had me pulling for them! I cold feel their heartaches, their love for the Lord, all of it, as if the story was written just for me. I loved the messages of acceptance, of faith, of trust, all woven together to spin a story I won’t soon forget!

These stories together create a 5 star worthy novella collection that will be on my keeper shelf for many years to come. The Amish simplicity and the hope and love within, will forever pull me back. Each author did a wonderful job in their stories and I am looking forward to another collection like this from these talented ladies! Well done, and I highly recommend this book to all!

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

Four wonderful stories on forgiveness and love.

No Place Like Home by Amy Clipston
Can Eva forgive her parents for their actions and feelings years ago for the benefit of her four year old son?
A perfect story on forgiveness: forgiving yourself and others that have wronged you.

When Love Returns by Beth Wiseman
Sarah and her daughter must return to home she fled six years ago and face those she left behind. Upon her returned, Abram has realized he never stopped loving her. Will Hurricane Harvey mend the destruction of Sarah and Abram's lives?
This story had me in tears from almost the beginning to the end. The raw emotions and heartache of the characters came through beautifully.

The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray
Can Irene overcome her past and let people into her heart?
A story to remind us to get to know others before judging them.

What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller
Upon retuning to Birch Creek after being away 18 years, Carolyn is determined to realize her dream of opening an Amish Bakery. Will Carolyn relinquish control and let Atlee and others help her with her dream?
I found this story as a great reminder to forgive others who have hurt me in the past and to also let others help me when I need it. You are not showing weakness in needing help, you are letting others follow Jesus' example.

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

I loved this book so much. Even my Dutch friend who their English isn't so well, start reading it and loved it.
It's so cool how the 4 writers make one book. I love it.

All four novellas in An Amish Homecoming were well written, and each story flowed so well that I didn't want to put the book down. I enjoy reading these novellas especially when characters are brought back from other books the authors have written. It's fun to learn more about them and see where life takes them. Each novella had moments of grief, sadness, love, and happiness enveloped together to make wonderful stories. Each one makes you want to be with your family and just hug them.

No Place Like Home by Amy Clipston

The question that bears asking is: is it instalove if they have known each other for years? I mean they were separated for the last six but still. . .is it instalove or rekindled love? Instalove annoys the carrots out of me but rekindled love. . .that I can get behind. I read the first book in the Amish Homestead series but then had to set it aside as I dealt with my own grief of losing someone as close as a sister to a house fire. Truth be told, I'm still collecting the books but I'm just not ready to read them yet. This vignette into Eva's life and the rest of the Dienner clan was refreshing without the heaviness I imagine when I think of her widowhood. Home with her family after six long years, home to regrets and heartache and whoa wait doesn't Ian look mighty fine. My oh shiny take on her homecoming. There's a lot of hurt feelings to work through, a lot of regrets and anger and also guilt. Guilt at the possibility of finding a new life, a new love, even four years after losing her husband. Mamm, Daed, even Ian have their own set or regrets. There was a LOT to wade through in all their lives and Amy Clipston did so in this small novella that flowed perfectly, didn't feel rushed, and was exactly perfect just as it was. I gotta say though I didn't see that spunk in Eva coming!

When Love Returns by Beth Wiseman

Beth Wiseman has yet to disappoint me. From novel to novella she knows how to weave a story that draws you into its complexity, and it's grit. She doesn't shy away from the hard topics and I adore that about her. However, she fell into the trap that turned me off of novellas for many years and still makes me hesitant to pick up one to this day. Trying to do too much. A good novella is a snapshot in time. Just that. In this book, which I still loved mind you, Wiseman tried to tell the whole story. It was super well told but. . . Honestly, I could totally do without the epilogue. I don't need 'the rest of the story' so to speak but would have loved to see those pages used to deepen the snapshot. Less rush, more emotion, more depth. Just my two pennies.

The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray

I'm currently right in the middle of reading Shelley Shepard Gray's series The Amish of Hart County. So this novella fit right in. It was interesting to spend time between novels with this community, see a few familiar names, and hope I didn't spoiler myself for the next couple of books I'm about to start reading. On a different note of the same page however is the realization that so many Amish families in this community are dysfunctional and abusive in one way or another. Not something that you expect from a faith that we tend to idolize or at least romanticize. Irene is from another such family, and I've already met two others. And oh the judgey mcjudgersons in this community! Gray doesn't shy away from hard topics and she wins again with this novella. A snapshot in time that told all the story it needed to without losing something in the lack of pages. I am left with the massive burning question however in how Marcus changed his tune so very quickly? I mean the lecture from Mom and Dad aside and his decision to pray but I need meat on this one thing!

What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller

I was so happy to go back to Birch Creek, and see Cevilla, again. I've grown to love this little community. And *hint hint* Cevilla needs her own book, just saying. Carolyn is a corker that's for sure. She's the epitome of every person I've ever met that's been met with criticism at every turn and missed out on opportunities to be encouraged and even praised. Sometimes one bad deed or misplaced word can trigger a lifetime of resentment and rebellion. Carolyn embodies this so completely. It's not that she didn't come from a loving family, she did. One bad bishop, with his own agenda, took what could have been a full life full of contentment and grace and turned it into bitterness and self-doubt. How many bishops have we all met that left a dark spot on our story? How many times have we found ourselves in Carolyn, desperate to prove the naysayers wrong, even when they aren't in our lives any longer? How often have we prayed for an Atlee? Not necessarily someone to love but someone to help us smooth over the rough edges. And how often have we tried to push our Atlees away? Even when they were everything we needed and wanted. God bless the Atlees in our lives, without them it would be easy to become bitter and angry. Without them we would constantly find ourselves at odds even with ourselves in addition to those around us and even God. I loved this story for the depth that I got from these people. I wish it was more, I felt like there was a whole backstory there I didn't get a solid grasp on. But I left it thankful for the Atlees in my life.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

No Place Like Home:
Eve stared at the letter from her mother. Grief poured unexpectedly from her eyes. She missed her parents. -SIx years ago she left her childhood home to marry Simeon who lived a five hour bus ride away. Then Simeon died while on duty as a volunteer fireman and left Eve and their unborn son Simeon Jr or Jr. Jr was now almost four and Eve had never went home. When Jr learned he had another set of grandparents he wanted to go meet them. Eve then wrote her mother a letter and two weeks later they were on a bus to go to Kayla’s childhood home and her parents. At the bus stations she saw a familiar face- Ian. He said he came to get her as her father had a doctor’s appointment and her mother went to make sure all the right questions were asked The doctor's appointment had been made a month before and it was very hard to reschedule so her parents went and Ian showed up for Eve and Jr. He offered to see them to her parents home. Eve thought if her argument with her mother before she left to marry Simeon. As eve was an only child her mother felt she should stay with them and Simeon come to live there and help her father with the family dairy farm. Even said no that Simeon was needed to help his parents with their family restaurant ad he was was also a part of the volunteer fire department there and they should start a life there. Then Kayla had left as she could take no more from her mother. Kayla saw her mother embrace Jr but wasn’t sure how her mother or father felt about her. Then Eve wondered why Ian was still single at thirty and had helped her parents with the farm for so long.
When Love Returns:
Sarah and her five year old daughter Miriam were returning home to Sarah’s parents as she was broke and they had nowhere else to go. Hurricane Harvey had taken all their possessions except for the two backpacks Sarah and Miriam carried as they walked the last half mile to her parents home. Sarah hadn't seen her parents or Abram in six years. Sarah ahd ran away when she was seventeen and two months pregnant. But her mother still had wired Sarah money when she had contacted her about what had happened and found out she had a grandchild. Sarah could have stayed with friends but something deep inside her beckoned her to go home and face the people she had left behind and that she did wrong by especially Abram who she had been very in love with and engaged to. Sarah was her parents only child. Her mom Barbara was still bitter and angry and she didn’t know if that would ever go away, John- Sarah’s father- told his wife everything would be okay if she allowed it to be. Sarah remembered how her father rarely got upset. John was a kind and gentle soul. Sarah hated what she had put him through.Barbara was the problem back then and apparently not much had changed. Sarah had said she would get a jib and save money to start over again. Miriam was everything Sarah lived for. Sarah wasn’t ready to talk to Abram when he showed up but her father didn’t give her a choice. Abram was the only man Sarah had ever loved. Abram wasn’t sure he could ever forgive Sarah and he told Sarah eh wanted to know his daughter that he had found out about a week ago. Then Sarah told Abram iriam wasn’t his daughter although truly she didn’t know for sure. Sarah had a nightmare and Miriam said it happened often.
The Courage Of Love:
Irene couldn’t remember when she had laughed so much. All that mattered was she was at Mary Ruth and Henry’s home. Less than a year ago Irene was involved in a terrible situation with her best friend Alice. The father of one of Alice’s preschool students had threatened to shoot Alice and Irene while they had stood on a frozen pond. But then Irene’s Hero who was an Englisher had ran on the ice to save them. He saved them but lost his own life in the process. Irene didn’t think she’d ever get over the picture of him falling through the ice, she still woke up at least once a night gasping from the horror. After she recovered from the traumatic experience, Irene took a leave of absence from her waitressing job and went on a mon th Pioneer Trails bus tour out West. Mary Ruth and Henry were two of the many seniors on the bus. When they returned home the couple asked Irene to move in with them in exchange for her help around their big farmhouse. Just ten days ago she moved in happy But what she found out is they were actually helping her. As memories of the hurt and neglect that had filled her life threatened to overtake her. Irene knew her parents were dead and couldn’t hurt her anymore. Then Mary Ruth and Henry’s son Marcus came to the house to see his parents and let them know he was back as he had been gone for two weeks that he had been gone. He questioned Irer about knowing West. Henry told his son to let it go there was nothing to discuss. Then Henry said Marcus was letting his past taint the present. Marcus replied this had nothing to do with Beth. then he apologized. But the evening had already been ruined for Irene. Then Irene remembered what West had once said: Nobody’s past could remain a secret forever. It always came back to call. Marcus secretly looked at Irene, she was pretty and had the features he always favored in a woman. Maybe because he farmed all day he wanted a woman who was more delicate. She would be someone he could care for, who would soothe his mind and body with her sweet softness. Maybe even heal him. But Marcus knew such fantasies were for fools. A man needed a real partner not someone to coddle. Looks aren't what was important. He learned that from beth. She’d been lovely but the loveliness had covered a deceitful character. What really mattered was a good heart. Qualities like honesty and compassion . Marcus had heard rumors about Floyds pond and he feared Irene wasn’t as sweet as his parents thought her to be. The newspaper had reported that Irene’s friend who had died was the leader of some kind of illegal gang from the big city. She was probably still wild even if she was on the straight and narrow. She wasn’t the type that should be living with his parents who had always been too trusting of others. After Marcus got home to his farm he thought about how he was sure things would always be great between him and Beth. The he found out Beth was cheating on him. He realized he had never dealt with Beth’s betrayal Irene’s life had not been easy. She was born to parents who were dissatisfied with their lives and angry at the world. They’de taken most of their frustration out on Irene in private. After her father died. Irene avoided her mother as much as she could. Alice was Irene’s best friend and could always brighten her day with just a smile. Marcus kept coming in the diner. Irene had moved out the day after Marcus came home. Marcus said he wanted to be friends, get to know her better. Marcus even asked Irene to go to the Harvest Festival with him. After Marcus left Irene realized she was feeling attraction and hope. Marcus realized Irene mattered to him.
What Love Built:
Atlee knelt in front of his wife's grave he said he was going away for a little while but would be back. May had been dead eleven years. Atlee mourned her death every day. He never intended to leave Fredericktown but his English friend Derek and an invitation from Jesse who went by Thomas now. Atlee was leaving his beloved wife to visit Birch Creek. He would only be gone a few days A small part of him wanted to go. Leaving May was hard but taking a breather from from the suffocating community his district had become wasn’t a bad idea. The bishop of Atlee’s community wasn’t doing a very good job. Atlee had almost left his community more than once. Work had been slow and Atlee didn’t have any jobs for awhile. So Atlee decided to go visit Thomas. For the first time since she returned to Birch Creek Carolyn wondered if she’s made a mistake. She glanced around her bakery or what was suppose to be a bakery. The dream that had kept her going while she spent years working in Indiana. She had saved as much as she could. Carolyn had planned on staying in Nappanee and open her business there. But her brother Freemont had convinced Caro;yn to come back home. Then she had a real dream and woke up in the middle of the night feeling an urgency to return to her hometown. She had told her family she would have the business up and running in two months. If she couldn’t open the bakery on time it wasn’t from lack of trying. Just because a thunderstorm ahd blown some tiles off the roof, one of her large gas ovens broke after one use, and the yeast she had bought from a supposedly respectable company had failed didn’t mean she was giving up her dream or the deadline. Then her nieces Ivy and Karen stopped to see if she needed help. But Carolyn said she was fine. When Atlee stopped to ask for directions he knocked Carolyn over and the flour she had been carrying went all over her. Atlee offered to pay for the flour and she said she probably would have spilled it on the walk home anyway. Atlee found he had been in a deep rut for so long. The next day Atlee shows up at the bakery to offer his help to Carolyn . Thomas farmed during the day and had plenty of help. Atlee rehung her door at it was a little off. Carolyn apologized and said she wasn’t used to letting people help her. Then Carolyn hired Atlee to help her fix up the bakery. Atlee was taken by Carolyn’s smile and the warm feeling stirring. He hadn’t felt anything like this since he first met May. Carolyn couldn’t stop focusing on how attractive Atlee was. Atlee was very confused. Inside him was warring over his attraction to Carolyn and his devotion to May’s memory.
I loved all four stories and didn’t really have a favorite, I loved them all.I usually love Amish stories but these were some of my favorites. I loved the different plots and the pace of all the stories. I loved how faith- as usual with Amish stories- played a part in these stories. I choked up at different times while reading these stories. I loved all the endings of these stories. I happily found nothing to criticize in these books. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of these stories and I highly recommend.

No Place Like Home by Amy Clipston, When Love Returns by Beth Wiseman, The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray, What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller. All 4 stories in this book reflect on seeing things differently than we thought and the joy of coming home again.

An Amish Homecoming is a collection of four novellas by some of my favorite authors. All are well written with plots of a similar thread. I recommend this book to all readers especially fans of the Amish genre. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital arc this is my unbiased review.

An Amish Homecoming is a book that contains four novellas. Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Shelley Shepard Grey, and Kathleen Fuller each write a tale of people who return home after being away. Each of the four main characters left their communities but must return under hard circumstances. Will we be able to answer the question: Can you return and all be the same? Through prayer, faith, forgiveness and love, the characters must find their way. I love how uplifting the stories were. Each author has a unique writing style that makes the reader want to turn the pages. I received a copy through Netgalley. I review was not required.

Four novellas by well-known Amish authors compiled in this book give readers a taste of Amish life. Each story is about someone going back home after several years living elsewhere. All are very meaningful stories that will touch the reader's heart. Readers that are familiar with these authors may recognize some of the characters. Highly recommended!

An Amish Homecoming is a collection of 4 novellas by Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Shelley Shepard Gray.
The novellas have a common thread of going home. There is love, misunderstandings, forgiveness, and tackle some of the problems of today that both the English and Amish deal with. All four have wonderful characters and settings that take you to Amish country. It is an easy read for an afternoon escape.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.