Sorry, I tried to like this book, but the whole thing seems forced. And what is up with the trendy names she gives the characters? It's an AMISH book, Amy, it isn't a teen romance. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and honestly, read one of her older books.

It has been too long since I’ve read an Amish novel, and after reading this one I wonder what else I have missed out on. Clipston had my interest from the first page and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. It was unique reading a book about a couple that was 14 years apart. Duane has 3 mostly grown sons, and Crystal has been taking care of her family for what seems like forever. Putting aside her hopes and dreams, life seems to be passing her by until she meets Duane. Despite their age difference they both feel drawn to each other. Regardless of their feelings others in their community think they should get to tell them who they should marry. When Crystals ex boyfriend enters the picture everything is confusing and mixed up. Are Crystal and Duane made for each other? Or are there more practical answers for both of them? I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Romance. It was nice watching Crystal and Duane get to know each other and I enjoyed their chemistry. Seeing Duanes’ family dynamic as they still grieve losing his first wife, and then seeing their dad meet someone new was interesting. The boys are each so unique and I can’t wait to see what the next story holds. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Zondervan Fiction and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I quickly felt attached to the characters in this first of a series by Amy Clipston and am already looking forward to book #2. Crystal and Duane had no intention of falling in love as they both were in the midst of healing from different forms of grieve. I loved how their friendship grew and how they faced all the adversity that others put in their path. Too often we allow others to speak into our lives as we know that they deep down have good intentions. This story reminded me that I can’t live my life based on other people’s opinions and good intentions. Both Crystal and Duane treated each other with respect and honored the others emotions. They had to seek God for direction and then make some difficult choices. I very much enjoyed this novel and will be recommending it to my family and friends.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Zondervan) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Foundation of Love is a well written Amish romance. Great plot and character dynamics. I recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

Foundation of Love was a book I simply could not set down. I don’t know exactly what it was about this novel, but I think it was a combination of factors that has definitely cemented this story as one of the best Amish fiction books I have read.

The author captured the grief that these two characters experienced so well. Duane’s grief was from the loss of his wife. He was a good father to his adult sons, ran a successful business, yet his heart was grieving.

Crystal was grieving too, yet it was a different type of grief. It was a grief that existed when she had a moment of time to sit down, looked at her life, and realized that she would probably never have a husband or children of her own. She was grieving that even though she loved her brother’s family, she thought that the possibility of marriage and children had passed her by.

The author wrote great conflict into the novel as well as great attraction. I loved the way Crystal and Duane’s romance began and I really felt for them as they kept hearing over and over again from their families and friends that they believed they were not right for each other. The conflict was especially heated with one of Duane’s sons and felt like a very realistic reaction to Duane wanting to date someone.

I could physically feel the tiredness that Crystal experienced as she juggled all of the demands of the growing family that she lived with. The fact that she loved them all was clear, yet it drained her emotionally and physically at times. I liked that even though it was easy to see that Crystal’s brother and sister-in-law truly had relied on her doing so much of the work over the years, they did not actually realize that they were doing this. It wasn’t malicious. They were just overwhelmed.

If the entire series was available right now, I believe that I would not be able to rest until I read each book. That is how much I enjoyed this story and how anxious I am to know what happens in future books. As it is, I will try to patiently wait as each book is released, but it won’t be easy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is a Clean Amish Romance, and this is the first book in An Amish Legacy series. I have to say I loved this book so much. This is a book of two people that falls in love with each other fast, but they have to overcome a lot before they can be together. I also love that Duane did not go with what his church wanted and he chose his heart. This was a lovely and cute story that I just could not read fast enough. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Zondervan) or author (Amy Clipston) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Foundation of Love is the first book in the new An Amish Legacy series/Clean Amish Romance.
A beautiful story about two people that find their feelings for each other growing into more then just a friendship.
Crystal has been the caretaker of others and at the age of 30 doesn’t feel like she will ever find love again. Her first love wanted her to make the choice of moving with him to Ohio and she couldn’t leave her family. After meeting widower Duane Bontrager, Crystal realizes the love she thought she had was not true love. Can she find true love and happiness with Duane?
Foundation of Love is a endearing, heartwarming story that you won’t be able to put down.
Always refreshing to read a wholesome, clean romance Amish story.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Foundation of Love by Amy Clipston has Crystal Glick living with her brother and sister-in-law along with their six children. Her sister-in-law is currently expecting another set of twins. Crystal spends her days taking care of the house and the children. Duane Bontrager is a widower with three grown children. All four of them miss Connie, Duane’s deceased wife. Duane struggles to manage his roofing business and the household chores. Duane is replacing the barn roof at the Glick’s when he meets Crystal. Duane and Crystal find themselves attracted to each other, but various obstacles stand in the way of their happily ever after. Foundation of Love by Amy Clipston is the first An Amish Legacy Novel. I thought Foundation of Love was well-written with realistic, developed characters. What could be more wonderful than two people falling in love? Unfortunately, family and friends do not make it easy for Duane and Crystal. Even Duane’s bishop has an issue with him falling in love with Crystal. I liked how the story (Duane and Crystal’s relationship) was not rushed. We get to follow Duane and Crystal as their relationship progresses. We get to see them meeting, falling in love, having doubts, and dealing with their concerned friends and family. There is a great cast of supporting characters. The troublesome bishop who wants what is best for the whole community, Crystal’s nieces and nephews, and Duane’s three sons. Crystal’s nieces and nephews were a busy bunch. I thought Hope was a sweetie. I do not know how Crystal handled the day-to-day work of caring for six children plus the cooking, cleaning, and laundry (I would have gone mad). Faith is important part of these characters lives. I liked how Duane and Crystal prayed about their relationship and how to deal with the obstacles in their path. Prayer can work miracles. Amy Clipston combined faith, family, friends, and love into one heartwarming Amish story. I cannot wait to read Building a Future this summer. Foundation of Love is a touching Amish tale with an ardent aunt, a big brood, a tender roofer, a bothersome ex-beau, a burdensome bishop, sensitive sons, a lasting love, and a gracious God.

Foundation of Love is the first book in a brand new series by Amy Clipston. What a brilliant beginning to what is sure to be an engrossing set of stories.
Amish Fiction has become one of my favorite genres and Amy Clipston is an author on my must read list. In Foundation of love, we meet Crystal, a young woman who has spent her entire life helping others and barely taking any time for herself, as well as Duane, who is an older widower with 3 grown boys. Crystal lives with her brother and his wife, as well as several nephews and nieces and a second set of twins on the way. Though Crystal loves her brother's family with all of her heart, she yearns for a family of her own.
Crystal and Duane meet when Duane and his sons come to fix the roofs on her brother's farm buildings. A friendship quickly blooms between the two, which grows into something more. However, will age tear them apart or will they be able to find their way through the condemnation of their families, friends and community?
With excellent characterization and vivid imagery with each scene, Foundation of Love draws the reader in, makes them part of the story by making them feel like part of the family and making them go along the roller coaster ride of feelings and emotions.
I cannot rave enough about this book and I am so excited to continue the story when the next installment releases.

Wonderful start to a new series! This is a well written book that was a joy to read. It has just the right amount of drama and romance to keep you turning the pages. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy from Zondervan Fiction and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Foundation of Love by Amy Clipston is the first in her new series, An Amish Legacy. The story follows Duane and Crystal as they try to navigate life's responsibilities and their budding feelings for each other. Crystal spends her days taking care of her brother's children and helping her pregnant sister-in-law. Duane is fourteen years older than she with three grown sons. Having lost his wife almost two years before, he is attempting to build his roofing business with his sons. When Duane and Crystal meet, they are attracted to each other, but the people around them think it is a bad idea. Crystal's family thinks Duane is too old, while his sons aren't ready for him to be in another relationship. As the community and their families put pressure on them to do something different, they must decide what is best for them and what God would have them to do. As always, I love Clipston's books. They are full of hope and promise, with faith and trust added in as well. I look forward to reading more in the series and seeing how things go with Duane's sons. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book. All opinions are my own.

3 stars
Foundation of Love
by Amy Clipston
I typically love Amish Fiction and this author in particular. This book was good while be completely predictable. It was also very, very long. It is a sweet story revolving around Crystal and Duane who meet. He is a much older widower with adult children who resent his desire to date. Crystal lives with her brother and helps him take care of his extremely large family, so she does not have time to date.
I did like some of the characters, such as Jayden and Tyler. I felt their characterizations were very real, most of the other people in the book came off as flat.
Again, this is not a bad book, just predictable and a tad boring. I do think there is an audience for this book who will thoroughly enjoy it.



I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

I don't personally think that Amy Clipston could write a bad book if she tried, and I always look forward to her new book releases. Foundation of Love is the first book in her brand new Amish Legacy series, and it's everything her readers have come to expect when they pick up one of her heartwarming stories.

I really enjoyed this one, and found it to be a breath of fresh air within the Amish fiction genre. Crystal has basically spent her entire life living for others, and she's currently living with her brother and sister in law helping them raise their six children as they prepare for the arrival of their twins. Her and Duane meet by default-when Crystal's brother Kane hires Duane and his son's to fix the roofs on various buildings on their family's farm.

The two feel an instant connection, but so many obstacles stand in their way. I'm not used to reading Amish books that feature an age gap couple, and I really found myself enjoying that element in this one. While Crystal and Duane both know their feelings are genuine, they also realize they're at very different points of their life. Duane is a widower with three grown sons, and Crystal's still hoping to meet a man she can start a family with. Not all of Duane's sons are thrilled with the idea of him dating again, and Crystal's ex boyfriend seems to keep popping up around every corner.

With everything working against them, Duane and Crystal will truly have to learn to let go and let God, and also come to terms with the fact that His way is the best way no matter how it may seem in the moment.

With a beautiful plot, a vivid setting, and a well rounded cast of secondary characters, Foundation of Love is a beautiful, heart wrenching story that will stick with every reader long after they've finished reading it.

I can't wait to continue reading this series, and I highly recommend checking this one out if you're a fan of Amish fiction.

Thanks so much to Zondervan for allowing me to advance read and review this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Zondervan) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s been sometime since I’ve read a full-length Amish novel by this author, and I have to say that I enjoyed this sweet story. I thought that Crystal was the quintessential Amish character, she’s selfless and full of grace. I didn’t find it unusual that she would put the needs of her brother and his family ahead of her own needs, that is what an unmarried woman in her situation would do. The friendship between her and Duane the roofer hired by her brother was natural and easy which I liked. I didn’t care for the reaction of his sons, some who came off as selfish. I understood they were still grieving the loss of their mother, but it seemed odd they would be so unkind and rude to Crystal.
It wasn’t like Duane met Crystal at their mother’s funeral, but I guess 18 months didn’t seem long enough for his sons to accept their father may want to someone to love. I found it interesting that Crystals family questioned the age difference between Duane and her, but I was okay with that because I knew they wanted the best for her.
There are children of all ages in the storyline, and I personally don’t know how Crystal managed running the household, cooking, cleaning, shopping, and still found time to spend time with Duane. All I can say is she had time management skills that I would love to have.
Overall, I thought this was a sweet, enjoyable and rather fast read.
I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Foundation of Love is the first book in Amy Clipston’s Amish Legacy series. This is a well written story that grabbed me right from the start. It is so well written it is easy to imagine the characters, the surrounding and what is happening. I enjoyed reading this story so much. I enjoyed the generosity Crystal showed towards her brother’s family and the loss Duane and his sons felt. I admired the character of Crystal so much. Her commitment to helping her brother’s family was so overwhelming. I felt for her as she basically raised her brother’s children and took control of his household while his wife struggled with her pregnancy. I felt for Duane as he struggled with what to do. Trying to take his son’s feeling, the needs of the community and how he felt into consideration.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley and Zondervan publishing. This is my honest review.

Oh mayn, Foundation of Love is the first book in an Amish Legacy. The book tells the story of Crystal who yearns to be married regardless of the fact that the man she loved opts to not marry her . If that isn't enough something happens that sends her to live with her brother. While there she meets a man that she believes is the love of her life but he is a widow with sons still mourning their mother. I enjoyed this love story and I wanted more of it. Amy Clipston gave us a love story we didn't know we needed.

I was given a complimentary copy by Zondervan and all opinions expressed are my own

Received from Zondervan Fiction/netgalley published date Date 01 Feb 2022.
I am so glad this is a series.
I couldn't put it down I can not wait for more.
I always love Amy's books! 📖

"Foundation of Love" by Amy Clipston
An Amish Legacy #1
Release Date: 2.1.2022

Crystal Glick, in her 30s, has moved in with her brother's family, after her father died, and her fiance, Owen, broke off the engagement. Crystal enjoys living with her brother and sister-in-law, helping with the kids, but she wants her own husband and family.

Duane Bontrager lost his wife, Connie, after 24 years of marriage. Duane and his grown sons are having difficulty getting over their loss.

Through Duane's roofing business, Crystal and Duane meet, and they have chemistry, despite the fourteen year age difference. The bishop thinks there is a better match for Duane. Owen has returned hoping to rekindle the relationship with Crystal. Will Duane and Crystal follow their hearts or listen to their community?

Although the age difference, this is a sweet story, a clean Amish romance. It was not rushed. Amy Clipston created a happily-ever-after story, ensuring that Crystal and Duane overcome every obstacle.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read for exchange for my honest review.

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #2022bookreleases #netgalley #foundationoflove #amyclipston #anamishlegacy #2022bookreleases #amishromance #amishfiction

A Charming Story

Thirty something, Crystal Glick, spent most of her life being a caregiver, first to her father and then to her nieces and nephews. Between the time she spends caring for her nieces and nephews and the hurt she suffered from a past relationship, it doesn't seem likely that Crystal will ever marry.
Widower, Duane Bontrager, does roof work along with his three young adult sons. He is focused on growing the business with his sons and is not thinking about a new relationship.
However, Crystal and Duane's situations take a turn when they meet, and they slowly from a friendship. As their friendship grows, they find that their feelings for each other are growing beyond friendship. However, situations, people and opinions seem to be getting in the way of their growing relationship. Their story gripped my heart completely and kept me turning pages to the very end. I found Crystal and Duane endearing, their story charming, and one you won't want to miss.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan through NetGalley. All opinions and comments are completely my own.

I thought Amy Clipston's Foundation of Love to be a great start to An Amish Legacy series. I thought it was a sweet read. Four stars.