The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston is fourth in her Amish Heirloom series but is definitely a book that can be read alone. Hope chests are usually full of items for the future but Mattie's held secrets from the past. Her three daughters have found the hidden items from Mattie's past and now it's time to tell that story. And it is a wonderfully poignant story, a story of grief upon grief and a story of a love that would not give up. A story of anguish and anxiety and a story of a man whose faith in God gave him the strength and love to give Mattie time to heal. A story of Mattie's confusion and a story of friends and family struggling to get through the fog of her grief. Would her shattered heart, her shredded soul ever heal? Can a picnic basket bring about that healing and reconciliation? Could there be a new beginning, a brand new start at the home and family that is all Leroy ever wanted? The richness of the characters and their emotions resonate with reality and vulnerability. With grippingly honest prose, the author tells a heartwrenching tale that tugs at one's heartstrings as one enters into the brokenness of Mattie's grief and into the healing of her life through the love of a man and the love of a God who is there in the midst of the pain.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own.

Y’all this is such a beautiful story of love and grace and forgiveness. Keep some tissues and yummy comfort food close at hand because you’ll need copious amounts of both before it’s over.

In this final installment in the Amish Heirloom series, Amy Clipston goes back to the beginning – and brings full circle the heirlooms from the first three books. (It is not necessary to have read the first three to enjoy this one, but you’ll appreciate it on a different level if you’ve been following the Fisher family from the start)

Mattie goes through more in a few short months than any woman – or man for that matter – should have to endure. There were moments on these pages where I ugly-cried with her, for her. Moments where I honestly wanted to look away because her pain was so palpable. But at the same time, I found myself riveted. Because through the sea of tears and heartache stands a love so patient, so full of grace, such a picture of Jesus, that I could not stop reading. Leroy’s steadfastness, even in the face of Mattie’s unimaginable grief, is absolutely exquisite.

Bottom Line: The Beloved Hope Chest is heartwrenching in its grief and heartwarming in its love. For fans of the series, everything from previous books will fall into place so beautifully. For those meeting the Fisher family for the first time, you will fall in love – and immediately want to catch up on the books you missed after you’ve finished this one. It’s a testament to patient love as well as the importance of prayer and perseverance. Most of all, it is a story of hope where none seems to exist, a story that entertains while touching the deepest places of a reader’s heart, and the perfect ending to a beloved series!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I have had the [privilege to read all of the books in this series. However, in each book a little mystery and questions remained. I love how this last book pulls all of the parts together. It is a book of finding love and forgiveness. It is finding one's path in the crazy world God has given us.

Mattie has a past with secrets that could either pull her family together or destroy the love they feel for one another. She is afraid to dredge up the long help memories and secrets. With each of her daughters, Mattie was able to relate and help them through their problems. Will they support her the same? Will they understand why she held onto this mystery for so long?

Each of the books could be read alone but for a really great weekend, take the time to read them in order. I received a copy though Netgalley. I wrote the review because I enjoyed the book.

I really enjoyed The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston. The characters were well-rounded and thrown into a difficult situation. You could feel Mattie’s grief at the passing of her newborn. And as time went on, you could see her starting to love again like the petals of a flower opening to bloom. And, Leroy was so patient and loving and kept his eyes focused on the prize and not the short-term.

I just love Amy Clipston's books, and this is one of my favorites. I had not read any of the other 3 books in this series before reading this book, but I couldn't tell. Although I did not have the background and stories of the other books, this one was easy to jump right in to. It read well as a stand-alone book.

I loved the story as Mattie took us on a trip down memory lane, highlighting and explaining items her daughters had found in her hope chest. The story of how she married their father, the circumstances surrounding the marriage, and the struggle to keep it together in the early days. I enjoyed reading this story of hope, redemption and unconditional love.

Amy Clipston has a way of bringing you immediately into her stories, and with “The Beloved Hope Chest”, this happened again. This story is very emotional and romantic at the same time. The love, grief, and happiness she has written about makes you feel as you are one of the Fisher’s family members enveloped in all the tragedy, heartache, and love. Amy’s writing is always above stellar, and her knowledge of the Amish is spot on. I was glad that this story wrapped by Mattie and Leroy’s love story and how it came to be. You can tell Amy puts her heart and soul into her characters. I wonder how many tears she sheds writing her novels. As many as I shed reading them? I just wanted to reach through the pages and comfort Mattie and Leroy – that is how real Amy’s writing feels.

This story was a perfect ending to her Amish Heirloom series. All of the beloved characters blended in this novel to form the Fisher family we’ve come to love.

This story can be read as a stand alone novel, but I do not recommend that. I would start with the first book in this series, “The Forgotten Recipe”, then read “The Courtship Basket”, and then read “The Cherished Quilt”. And then finish up this great series with Amy’s “The Beloved Hope Chest”. Definitely one of Amy’s best series she has written. And I love the beautiful covers – so colorful, and they definitely catch your eye on a book shelf.

This is the conclusion of a well-written four part series called An Amish Heirloom. I even like the name of the series as it really speaks for the events in the books.

Mattie's daughters want to hear about their mother's past and the secrets she has kept in her heart.

It was a hard time for Mattie as she experiences personal trials almost beyond what she can bear or handle alone. I think this book, especially, teaches of trusting in God to help us handle and overcome those hard trials in life that alone we can not accomplish.

The book is a part of a set that you will want to read in order to gain the best understanding and enjoyment. I loved these books and am so pleased that I was able to read them. They are very well done and will touch your heart.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Join Mattie, the mom of the three Fisher sisters from The Forgotten Recipe, The Courtship Basket and The Cherished Quilt as she tells her story of losing a husband and son.

You will not have a dry eye while reading this book. Amy Clipston has outdone herself with this series and especially the last book. I took my time reading, The Beloved Hope Chest, as I knew it would be my last first time visit with the Fishers. Yes, I plan on re-reading this series again as it was that good.

Faith abounds in the love story of Leroy and Mattie Fisher. Christian Faith, faith in each other and faith in true love. Through this book we learn we have to trust that God knows our path before we do as he is the one who set us for it. As the wall hanging in the book states: "Happiness is like a butterfly. Don't go chasing it." God will make sure everything happens in the time it is to happen. Some of the happiest times are after the worst times.

You can read any of the four books as stand alones but I recommend reading in order so you can get the build up and excitement for The Beloved Hope Chest. Grab some tissues and plenty of free time. You will fight yourself to put this wonderful book down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zondervan for providing an ARC for my own, honest opinion.

Disclaimer: I received this eBook from the publisher, Zondervan, for free to read and review through the blogger review program at Net Galley. I was not required to give a favorable review only an honest review, nor was I compensated for my review. All thoughts and comments in this review are my own.

About the Book:

Mattie Fisher decides to tell her daughters about the secrets she has been keeping from them all these years, but with each article she takes from her hope chest she wonders if she is ready to deal with the pain of opening those old wounds and if her daughters will think less of her. Her hope is that she can show her children that out of painful memories and sorrow one can find love and redemption.


My Thoughts:
Amy Clipston is one of my favorite Amish writers. I have read all four of these books and really hate for the series to end.

Mattie Fisher’s story will steal your heart. As she tells her daughters her memories you will find yourself reaching for the tissues, so keep them handy. This book is filled with heartache, sorrow, pain, yet it will show that love and forgiveness will triumph in victory. You will not want to put this book down until you have read the last page…so clear your afternoon. If you are a fan of Amish stories this series is one you will not want to miss.

This is book four and the final book in the Amish Heirloom Series, and from the first to the last page it does not disappoint. I really could not put this one down, and even though you know the ending from the beginning it was still compelling.
Warning you need to have the tissues handy, so much heartache and loss, and yet there is love abounding in this close knit Amish Community. This is the Fisher daughter’s mom’s story, and what a hidden story she has, how it had never come out before is surprising, but the results are the same, and there are three young woman who hear it that are the proof.
One cannot comprehend how grief is handled from one person to another, we are all different, and have to come to terms with it as well as we can. You might not think Mattie handles it very well, but we would never know unless we walk in her shoes, and no one would choose to do so.
What a kind man Leroy is and he sure wore his heart on his sleeve, and it was there years before Mattie even realized. We know the ending here, and thank goodness, but the path sure wasn’t an easy one. I know I am going to miss this family, and wish there were more to come, but this does wrap up beautifully.
I received this book from the Author, and was not required to give a positive review.

A beautifully written conclusion to this series! Mattie's story is truly heartbreaking but shows that through prayer and support of other things work out. This will be a very relatable story for many. Highly recommend.

This is the fourth and final installement in the Amish Heirloom series. This is the story of the Fisher sister's parents and of their oldest sibling whom their parents never spoke of.
Before you read this story get ready by having a mug of hot tea and a box of tissues at the ready.
After one of the siblings finds a blue onsie in her mother's hope chest she starts asking questions because she only has sisters. Their mother sits the girls down and tells her story even though it's so hard for her to do. Their mother had been married before she was married to the girl's father and they had never known. Mattie, the mother, had been married to another man and was expecting his baby. Life was wonderful and she and her husband were looking forward to life with their new baby. A decision to run a last minute errand leaves her husband dead when he jumps in front of a fighting couple to protect the woman. Her husband is hailed a hero but Mattie only wants her husband back and the father for her unborn baby. Her friend since childhood steps in and asks her to marry him after the funeral. Now Leroy has loved Mattie since childhood but Mattie has always only seen it as friendship. He is looking forward to raising Mattie's baby as his own and being married to Mattie.
After a tragedy leaves them both devastated she just falls into a deep depression and feels unable to be a wife to Leroy. He gives her all the time she needs but she still doesn't come around and finally moves out of her husband's home. Miracles do happen though as God shines his light showing us his infinite wisdom. It's all in his timing not ours!
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to seeing what Amy Clipston comes out with next because it's sure to be a winner!
Pub Date 09 May 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

Amy Clipston said we would learn a lot in The Beloved Hope Chest and she wasn’t joking! In a tender and engaging way we hear from Mattie about her relationship with Leroy.

I loved the setting of this book and the way the story comes together. There is an intimate setting as pieces from the other books in this series are brought up. I was captivated by the storyline. I felt the emotions as Mattie shared about her marriage to Leroy and their past.

Amy never ceases to amaze me as she continually draws me into her stories and makes me feel like I’m there with the characters. In this book, I felt like I was standing in the room observing the conversation that was happening, which is exactly where I wanted to be.

The setting was very intimate and that made this story memorable for me. I’m sad to see this series end, but Amy did a great job tying up the loose ends in a very captivating and unique way.

The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston is the fourth book in An Amish Heirloom Novel series. Mattie Fisher’s daughters have slowly uncovered clues to her secret as they delved into her hope chest. Mattie gathers Veronica, Rachel, and Emily and starts sharing the story that has she kept hidden for twenty-eight years. It takes her back to February of 1989 to a life she had before she met their father, Leroy. It is an emotional tale that brings back many memories and reminds her of a sad period in her life. Pull up a chair to Mattie Fisher’s table and listen to her story in The Beloved Hope Chest.

The Beloved Hope Chest is a well-written novel that ties all the threads together from the previous three books. Readers find out how the items the daughters found in the hope chest fit into Mattie’s journey. The novel had a good pace, great characters, and a picturesque setting. I sat down to read The Beloved Hope Chest and was quickly drawn into the story. I did not stop reading until I finished the book (I was up quite late that night). I give The Beloved Hope Chest 5 out of 5 stars. Important issues addressed in The Beloved Hope Chest are love, faith, trusting God, forgiveness, power of prayer, and the importance of communication between couples. The Beloved Hope Chest is not a stand-alone novel. You need to read The Forgotten Recipe, The Courtship Basket, and The Cherished Quilt prior to The Beloved Hope Chest. It is the only way you will understand what is happening in this final book in An Amish Heirloom Novel series. While reading The Beloved Hope Chest, your emotions will be on a roller coaster. I found some parts of the story to be heartbreaking. The ending is touching. I provided only a brief summary of the book so I would not reveal any spoilers. I hope others will enjoy The Beloved Hope Chest as much as I did.

The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston is a heartfelt Amish novel. It is the fourth book in the Amish Heirloom series but can be read as a stand-alone. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel which tugged at my emotions.
The Beloved Hope Chest is a study of grief. A grief that is raw. A grief that sinks into the soul and consumes. "No one gives us instructions on how to handle grief." Everyone has to work through their own grief, in their own way and in their own time. "She was drowning in grief." Grief may threaten to capsize. There seems no way out.
The novel shows that though we may feel alone, we are not alone. We may not feel Him but God walks alongside us in our grief and will never leave us to face it alone.
Grief throws up questions. "Why, God, why?" For some questions, there are no answers, we simply have to put our hand into the hand of God and trust Him.
Guilt may be the bedfellow of grief. We feel guilty for the things we did or the things we failed to do. Guilt is destructive. It will pull us down. Death is a part of life but we are not meant to live with guilt tying us to the past, of which we can do nothing about. We will sink if we wallow too long in guilt.
Fear may also accompany guilt. "Don't live in fear because of what happened." We cannot alter the past. We need to have faith and trust in the One who loves us. If we feed our faith, we will starve our fear.
The novel is about love. Love is at its core and radiates out. There is the love of God, the love of family, the love that will not let go.
The story is not without hope. Hope blossoms when we put our faith in God, consign our fears to the past and look back on warm memories.
The Beloved Hope Chest was a powerful novel. It tore my emotions to pieces but it left me with hope. Hope for the future and hope in a God who will never forsake us.
A beautiful and emotional read that I can highly recommend.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

The Beloved Hope Chest is a beautifully written story of grief and learning to love again. I love this author's books.

This is the final installment of Amy Clipston’s Amish Heirloom Series. This has been a wonderful series, but this last book is my all-time favorite book by the author.

Throughout the series, items have been found in the family hope chest, then the book revolved around one of the Fisher daughters. This final book surrounds Mattie, their mother. The items from the hope chest are a blue onesie and swatch of hair. Mattie decides it is time to tell her daughters about these items.

The daughters are shocked when they hear Mattie’s story. Mattie is hesitant to share the story, not knowing how the daughters will react, both to her and their father.

This book is a wonderful story of grief, love, forgiveness, and redemption.

Be sure you have tissues handy! When I was reading it, my husband asked if I was catching a cold, I was sniffing so much! I couldn’t stop crying, because some of the incidents in the book, I could personally relate to.

I highly recommend this book! I received a copy of it through Netgalley. I was not obligated to give a positive review.

Always enjoy reading Amy Clipson's novels...A wonderful, and warm story.

I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley!

This book is a beautiful culmination to a story that has been hinted at over the course of the first three books in the series. The story is about Leroy and Mattie -- the parents of the main female characters in the other three books. Throughout the story, we get a deeper understanding of Leroy and Mattie and the Fisher family. The community becomes more three-dimensional as we learn about struggles that carried over through time, and how each character's actions reflected truthfully on their history. We even see that in Tillie's story, which is more of a sidebar in this novel. Although The Beloved Hope Chest is part of a series, you don't have to have read the others to understand what is happening. In fact, it might be interesting to start with this one, and view the three other stories with this historical knowledge.

The characters are believable and likable, and it is easy to feel their pain. Although there was a lot of "pursuing" and "pushing away" in this book, it didn't feel redundant or unrealistic.

This was a quick and enjoyable read, and I finished it in one day. Moreover, it was a satisfying ending to the series. Highly recommended!

What a beautiful ending to an emotional series. This one really tugged at my heart and I believe it is the authors best book to date. She wrote with such compassion as the characters experienced pain, disappointment grief and loss of trust. When the hope chest is opened we are swept back to a time when Mattie was on top of the world. She slowly began to tell her story that had long been a secret . As the items from her hope chest are revealed her children begin to hear about their mom's past. Is Mattie ready to relive the past? Is the pain still fresh as she begins to share her memories?

Mattie was a woman in love . She had found the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. But in one instant everything changes for Mattie. She begins to realize her husband has been gone along time. He went to the bank but that was hours ago. A knock on her door will send her into despair and grief. How will she deal with the sudden death of her husband ? I loved how the author showed readers that Amish are just as vulnerable as anyone else when we go to public places. Mattie is told that her husband died a hero but that doesn't make her pain any easier. What will she do now that she is alone and pregnant?

I have to say that Leroy was my favorite character. He is a very good , honest and caring man. He has known Maddie since they were kids. Leroy has always loved Maddie but stepped aside when her heart fell for another. He hates to see her in pain and decides to step in and marry her. He wants to do everything he can to help Mattie and the baby she is carrying. Will they be able to handle anymore tragedies? Will Mattie turn to Leroy for support? What a wonderful man Leroy is. He reminded me of my husband so much. We had a lot of problems through out early married life. My husband continued to stand by me and pray for me even when I hurt him emotionally. He showed me what unconditional love was and helped me find my way back to God.

This story is about forgiving, trusting God and letting go of the past. I loved how the author used a basket from one of the earlier books in the series. It will play a pivotal role in Mattie and Leroy's relationship. Throughout the book we see how hard it is for Mattie to let anyone in as she griefs . Do we push people away when we are hurting? Do we forget that God is there waiting to comfort us? One of the things I loved the most about this book was how Leroy would not give up. He knew that God had chosen Mattie to be his wife and he held on to that promise. I encourage you to grab some tissues as you read this emotional story of grief and unconditional love.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Netgalley. The review is my own opinion.