A Welcome at Our Door is an Amish fiction story about a girl that doesn't know if she should join church or not. She misses her mother who died six years ago, and she meets a neighbor's employee that has had a similar experience. It's a well written story that is clean, and good to read!

I have really enjoyed the books in this series thus far, but A Welcome at Our Door was a real struggle for me. From the beginning there is conflict and it doesn't let up until the end, which usually doesn't bother me in stories, but for some reason it was quite bothersome to me.

Cindy Riehl hasn't been herself since her mothers sudden passing seven years ago, and has felt like an outcast in her family, since it seems as if everyone is moving on in life except her. When the dairy farm next door hires an English farm hand it only takes a moment for Cindy to notice that Drew Collins is something special and vice versa. This instant spark leads to a friendship that is quickly frowned upon within the tight knit Amish community, and causes a rift between Cindy and her family. It is this strife that goes deeper and grows stronger as circumstances grow and change, and is truly heartbreaking to read.

Amy Clipston is such a great writer and does a wonderful job of getting into the minds of her characters, allowing you to truly feel what they're feeling, which could be why this was such a hard read for me. There are parts of the story that hit very close to home and stir up familiar emotions, though these are subjects I'm not used to reading in other Amish fiction books.

Though a lot of the book deals with difficult situations, there is also a beautiful message of forgiveness, love, and family that is both charming and inspiring. Though at times hard for me to read, I am thankful that I pressed on, as the end made it all worth it.

I want to start this review by stating that my knowledge of the Amish and Mennonite communities comes mostly from the fiction books I have read. In no way do I mean to condemn them for their beliefs in any of my comments in this review.
Many times throughout the reading of A Welcome at our Door my heart went out to Cindy. There were several instances when I read with tears streaming down my cheeks at the apparent heartless behavior of those in Cindy’s life. It was heartwarming for me to see attitudes change by the end of the story - which helped bring Cindy back to the faith she was raised in. I think there is a lesson in this story for all parents who have children who marry outside of their denomination or faith - love your child even if you don’t approve of their choices.
Amy Clipson did an excellent job of character development with main character Cindy Riehl. Readers will feel what Cindy is feeling throughout the story. She is a very believable and likeable character.
I appreciated author Amy Clipson’s note to the reader at the start of the book which explains some of her research. The list of Amish terms, the family tree, and the discussion questions were also all very helpful.
I would have no problem adding this title to my K-12 Christian school library although I am not sure how much use it would get by my student body.
I want to thank JustRead Publicity Tours for the complimentary copy of A Welcome at our Door.

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.

This is the final book in the series and focuses on Cindy. Cindy is still missing her mother terribly, and feels her dad and siblings have moved on with life and not missing her at all. She is in her early twenties, still living in her father and step-mother's home, and feels so lonely and alone. She has yet to join the Amish church. She just feels no pull towards it.
When Cucumber, the cow, gets out, (again) she meets their new neighbor, Drew. Cindy continues to run into Drew, and deliver baked goodies to him. She feels an attraction to Drew, but how can that be, as he in English and therefore, forbidden. Gasp!
Drew is also attracted to Cindy. This is a huge problem as Cindy's Amish community will practically shun her should she decide to marry Drew. Drew doesn't wish to tear Cindy from her family and community. He has lost his parents and then the aunt who cared for him after their death, and knows how it is to be without family.
But...can one tell the heart who to love?
For me, the behavior of Cindy and Drew became annoying. Cindy tried to have her cake and eat it, too. She knew the rules of her community, but behaved as though she thought her family should/would do otherwise. It seemed kind of redundant.
The story had a good ending, and I think if you enjoy reading Amish fiction, that you'll enjoy this one.
I was given a free ecopy of this to read by the publisher, Zondervan and Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

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!

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.

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)

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.

"God, I'm so confused, and I need your guidance. Please send me a sign so I'll know if my friendship with Drew is sinful or if you bless it. I can't deny how I feel about him, but I also can't shake this guilt that my family is trying to push on me. Please show me your will."

This is a prayer similar to many that young women have prayed over the years but this young woman is a little different. Cindy Riehl was born Amish but for the past seven years she feels like she has been floating, 'not in the Amish world, yet not in the Englisher world either.' Her mother's death robbed Cindy of her best friend and Cindy continues to feel grief and guilt over this accidental death. She also feels like she's the only family member that hasn't been able to move on. Then she meets a young English man who has also experienced loss and Cindy begins to feel that she finally has a friend, someone that she can honestly talk to. This friendship, however, comes at a price. It is frowned upon and she is warned that it could bring judgement upon her and her family. Her father insists that any involvement with Drew must end and once again Cindy experiences grief and loss; once again she feels alone and like a stranger in her own home.

Author Amy Clipston has been able show the multiple feelings that the two main characters experience. Tremendous loss, overwhelming grief, immense attraction, and being susceptible to tempation. As I read this story I was reminded that the Amish aren't immune to the emotions that all of us feel and they too struggle with doing what is right. One of the Amish characters admits that "Gossip is sinful, but it exists, even among the Amish." Cindy's decision about whether to join the church is one that many English face and her willingness to sacrifice family ties to be with the person she loves is timeless. It is evident that Clipston truly understands both the similarities and the differences between the Amish and English ways of life and she is an expert in stirring our interest with her stories!

A Welcome at Our Door is the final book in Amy Clipston's Amish Homestead series but it can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed this story and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction and Christian romance.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley and was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

This is book four, the final book in the Amish Homestead series. You will want to read the other books so you can put the pieces together, but don’t let that stop you. The series is one of author Amy Clipston’s best.

Full of faith, love, and family, this book shows us that God does move on our behalf. A lot of emotional healing happens in this story and I loved how we see that forgiving and moving ahead is possible. The characters are so well developed that they become friends. I’ll be sad to leave them behind.

Clipston’s books are always page turners and I stay up past my bedtime to read them; flashlight and all. This book is no different. Warm yet poignant, I loved it. The ending did surprise me but in the best of ways. I highly recommend A Welcome At Our Door.

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

Amy Clipston finishes up her Amish Homestead series with the fourth installment following Cindy Riehl, the youngest of the Riehl children. I missed the first two books in the series but I did read and enjoy the third. The main characters changed with each book in the series so they can successfully be read as stand-alones if you'd like. There is quite a long list of characters but the author includes a snippet into the backgrounds of the other siblings to help bring a 'newbie' up-to-speed.

I found myself feeling a whole windstorm of emotions throughout this novel. My heart went out to Cindy in her pain, and I was hopeful for happiness in her future. At the same time I was angry with how she was treated by her family. I didn't agree with her sneaking out to see Drew, but at the same point I couldn't help but feel angry for her since she was an adult and capable of her own decisions. The Amish community can be very loving and welcoming, but they can also rule their own with an iron fist. I can't imagine living with the threat of shunning. While peace was made in the end, I still feel mixed emotions as to how it concluded. This story felt incredibly real and has managed to leave me in a book fog I don't often feel when reading Amish fiction.

Amy Clipston is still a newer author to me but I've been moved by both of the books of hers that I've read. Be prepared for a whole lot of emotion, but I highly recommend her stories to Amish fiction fans.

*I received a copy of this book through JustRead. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

This is book four in the Amish Homestead series. Cindy Riehl is having a hard time. She has lost her mother 7 years ago. While all her siblings and even her father have seemed to move on Cindy hasn't. Cindy still has trouble trying to get passed her mothers death. She don't want to move on like the other want her too.

Cindy's family cow escapes and runs down the lane one day. Cindy goes after him and along the way she meets a guy named Drew. Will he be able to help her? Will things get better for Cindy? Will she be able to get passed her mothers death?

I loved this book. I was sucked right from the beginning. This book is about friendship, love, and loss. I was able to relate to Cindy because I lost my mother at a young age and still have trouble getting passed it. You need to get this book you are going to love it.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley all opinions are my own.

This has been one of my favorite books by Amy Clipston. I wasn’t sure how this story was going to pan out in the end. This made me laugh and cry. I hated to see how Cindy and Drew were treated at times by many people. It would be hard to have friends and family turn on you. I loved the many lessons throughout the story. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

A Welcome at Our Door by Amy Clipston is the final An Amish Homestead Novel. It has been seven years since her mother, who was also her best friend, passed away and Cindy Riehl is still grieving. She has watched her father plus her siblings marry and Cindy does not understand how they could move on so quickly and be happy. She also feels estranged from God and does not understand why he took her mother so soon. One day, Cucumber gets out and follows a golden retriever to the Lapp’s home. Cindy goes to retrieve their Houdini cow and meets the Lapp’s new Englisher farmhand, Drew Collins. She finds him easy to talk to and soon finds herself sharing things with him that she cannot divulge to her family. Cindy soon learns that Drew has lost his whole family and understands what she is experiencing. The pair draw closer together and develop romantic feelings for each other. Cindy no longer feels close to her community and, if their secret meetings are discovered, she will need to make a choice. What choices will Cindy make about her future? Can she find her way back to God?

A Welcome at Our Door is the fourth and final book in An Amish Homestead series. We have watched as Cindy’s father and siblings have found love, married and started families of their own. Cindy finds herself lost in her grief and not understanding God’s decisions. Cindy lives in a community where you are not supposed to question God’s will. I do recommend reading this series in order or you will be a little lost. There are a number of characters and it will help you to understand Cindy Riehl. I thought A Welcome at Our Door was well written and it progresses at a good pace which makes for an easy to read story. I was drawn into the story in the beginning and could relate to Cindy’s grief (anyone who has lost a loved can understand). You continue to miss a parent, especially one that you are close to, each day. I have enjoyed visiting the Riehl family in each book and have been wanting Cindy’s story. Amy Clipston brings her characters to life, so they seem like they are real people. They are characters that people will like and can relate to. I liked that there was some humor introduced through Cucumber, the cow with escapee tendencies. We are also introduced to the sweet golden retriever, Bruce. The importance and power of prayer is emphasized in A Welcome at Our Door. It is vital to pray about life changing decisions in our life, so we know if we are following God’s path for our life. Only God knows how our life will play out. There is always a reason for His actions as we see in A Welcome at Our Door. One of my favorite phrases from this story is “God sends us friends when we need them most”. There is some predictability to the story (of course, I have been reading Amish novels for over twenty years), but that does not take away from this touching story. A Welcome at Our Door is a story of grief, love, struggle, faith and family. You will not want to miss Cindy’s heart wrenching and heartfelt story in A Welcome at Our Door.

A Welcome at Our Door (An Amish Homestead Novel, Book 4), by Amy Clipston, is an enjoyable piece of inspirational Amish fiction. It is a story of loss, forgiveness, and new beginnings written in a style that is engaging and descriptive.
The story Ms. Clipston has crafted is moving and endearing. Threads of redemption and restoration are woven beautifully throughout this novel. The well-paced plot, well-rounded characters, and well-drawn setting blend together to create a memorable and satisfying reading experience offering just the right combination of struggle, romance, and charm.
The characters within this novel have an authentic vulnerability that makes them utterly relatable and unforgettable. They demonstrate determination, courage, and conviction as they earnestly seek to discover God’s specific plan and calling for their lives. Themes of loyalty, faith, and family resonate as the characters grow and mature by facing tough choices and overcoming personal losses, doubts, and fears. The characters struggle through real, heart-wrenching trials that test their faith exceedingly. Yet, even as the struggles escalate, the light of God’s grace and mercy shines through with hope, forgiveness, and restoration.
With warmth and heart, A Welcome at Our Door places a significant emphasis on family and the ways in which family members support, encourage, and protect one another. It is honest, tender, emotionally stirring, and ultimately uplifting. It is a well-researched and entertaining book that I eagerly recommend to anyone who appreciates a finely written Amish fiction novel.
*I received a copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. A review was not required. The review I have written contains opinions that are entirely my own.

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.

Cindy was hanging her fathers pants on the line when she noticed one of their cows -Cucumber- push open the gate. Dhr called to her brothers Jamie and Roy and than started after the cow which went to their neighbors gertrude and Evin Lapps farm to their barn While trying to get Cucumber to follow her home, Cindy heard some laughter. It was an Englisher, he walked over. After her brother Jamie got there he said he was drew Collins. Than he walked back with them to their dairy farm and he helped Jamie fix the gate. Drew had been raised by his aunt since his parents had died when he was ten. His aunt had just passed away not long ago and he got the part time job at the Lapps farm but also was going to college.Cindy had an enormous hole in her heart when he own ,other had passed. Cindy blamed herself for her mother dying. She couldn't seem to move on and no one seemed to understand her. Everyone else and moved on with their lived her father had even remarried. Cindy couldn’t find peace and didn’t have the same relationship with God. Cindy and drew have an instant connection with what they had been through and the lo9sss the had suffered. Cindy had not yet chosen to be baptised into the Amish faith even though her family keep trying to push her. Drew and Cindy start spending time together but often in secret as Drew is an Englisher and that is not acceptable for an Amish woman to become close to an englisher or anyone outside their faith. Cindy and Drew’s feeling grow until they fall in love. Cindy’s father tells drew if they marry cindy will be shunned by her family and community. Cindy has to decide if her love for Drew is more important to her than her religion, family, and community. So her family chooses to shun her.
I liked this book alot. It upset me her family chose to shun Cindy even knowing from other readings of Amish books this happens . But than they never seen that she was unhappy and struggling since her mother's death. I understood her issues. This grabbed my attention right away and held it until the end of this book. I loved the ending. I chuckled at times while reading this book at others I choked up. I loved the twist in the story. I think there should have been more conflict and indecision between Drew and Cindy about the decision for Cindy to leave everything behind and marry Drew. It should have caused more as this is what Cindy knew all her life- her family, her community, her religion, her way of life. I suggest you read this series in order for a smoother and more knowledgeable read. I liked the plot and pace of this book. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend it.

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.*

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.