A Seat by the Hearth (An Amish Homestead Novel, Book 3) by Amy Clipston

Book Description:  Priscilla Allgyer left the community in hopes of escaping the expectations of Amish life. Now, years later, she is forced to return to the place she thought she’d left behind forever—along with her six-year-old son. Though once estranged from her family, Priscilla is welcomed by her mother, but her father is cold and strict. He allows Priscilla to stay with them provided she dresses plainly, confesses her sins, and agrees to marry within the community. Once again, she feels suffocated, trapped, and alone.

As Priscilla reluctantly completes her shunning, she catches the eye of Mark Riehl, a farmer with a playboy reputation. Wary of Mark, Priscilla barely gives him the time of day—while Mark, unused to being ignored by the women of Bird-in-Hand, won’t give up the pursuit of her friendship. Priscilla desperately needs a friend in Mark, even if she doesn’t realize it—and after Priscilla’s father and the bishop catch her and Mark in a compromising situation, the two are compelled to enter an awkward, unexpected engagement.

My Thoughts:  Amy Clipston is one of my favorite authors and I've enjoyed all three of the Amish Homestead novels.

I love the ease of reading this story of Priscilla Allyger and how she so desperately wants to leave/escape from the Amish community.

She leaves the community but as life would have it...she's back.  But now she has a six-year-old son.  

Her mother greets her with open arms but her father keeps the letter of the law.  Priscilla is welcome as long as she follows all the rules, again.  Priscilla feels trapped.

Then she meets Mark Riehl.  And he is a playboy.  Priscilla gives him a wide berth but he has his sights set one her.

She tires to keep Mark at arm's length but he keeps pursuing her and she does need a friend, desperately.  

And then the unthinkable happens, she and Mark are caught in a compromising situation.  Well, compromising to her dad and the bishop and so her dad and the bishop insist on Mark and Priscilla getting married. 

So, they enter an unexpected engagement.

This is not a typical Amish story.  It's a little more about not being so Amish.  

I was enthralled with Priscilla's story.  

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: An Amish Homestead Novel (Book 3)
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (November 13, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310349087
• ISBN-13: 978-0310349082