Breaking New Ground

Written by Amy Clipston

Narrated by Lauren Berst

Korey Bontrager and Savannah Zook are just pretending to date—but could their feelings turn into something more?

Korey Bontrager knows he’s been an immature dummkopp. When his widowed dad remarried, Korey was unwelcoming to his kindhearted stepmother. Then he became estranged from his older brother. But after fourteen months in Ohio, God called Korey back to Pennsylvania.

Easier said than done. Back home, Korey feels left behind by his family and friends, who want to see him happily married. Instead of looking for a new relationship, he finds himself spending time with Savannah Zook: the most outspoken maedel he’s ever met. She’s also confident and brave, having raised her younger brother from a young age. And she’s a natural beauty. But, hard as her friends try to convince her otherwise, she has no interest in dating. Her priority is looking out for her bullied brother.

So when Savannah suggests they pretend to date as a way to get her friends—and his family—off their backs, Korey readily agrees. Soon, he can’t imagine life without her. But could Savannah ever truly be part of his future?

Set in the faithful Amish community of Lancaster County, Breaking New Ground gives the most stubborn Bontrager a chance to redeem his story.

• Sweet, inspirational Amish romance
• Full-length novel (85,000 words)
• Second book in Amy Clipston’s Amish Legacy series
• Book 1: Foundation of Love
• Book 2: Building a Future
• Book 3: Breaking New Ground
• Book 4: The Heart’s Shelter (coming winter 2024)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Apr 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9780310364429

Amy Clipston

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery, Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel, Amish Heirloom, Amish Homestead, and Amish Marketplace series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including Christianbook, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and five spoiled rotten cats. Visit her online at AmyClipston.com; Facebook: @AmyClipstonBooks; Twitter: @AmyClipston; Instagram: @amy_clipston; BookBub: @AmyClipston.

Reviews for Breaking New Ground

[ladyofthelodge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When Korey Bontrager returns to his home town after a year away, he is determined to mend relationships and start over. This proves to be difficult when past conflicts get in the way of his relationship with his older brother Tyler. When Korey meets Savannah, neither of them expect to find a future together. However, God has a way of working things out once people are willing to get out of His way.For readers of the Amish Legacy series, old friends make an appearance, and redemption occurs for some characters. However, this clean sweet romance can be enjoyed by readers who are new to the series and have not read them in order. The Christian message is strong. I hope this is not the end of this series, as I am anxious to read about how things go on for the characters in these books.I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Finally, the true Korey Bontrager is being revealed! I must admit that I've mightily struggled with this character's actions in the first two books of the Amish Legacy novels. He displayed anger, resentment, and total silence toward his new stepmother, disrespected his father, and left home because of a disagreement with his brother Tyler. Is the person who's back home in Lancaster County the same bitter Korey, or has his time away given him a new perspective?Breaking New Ground has so many intriguing elements. There's a pretend romance, the middle-child syndrome, and a prodigal son longing to return home, along with the universal need for forgiveness and redemption. Yes, Korey Bontrager has finally been redeemed in my eyes but will his family and friends feel the same?Author Amy Clipston excels in heartwarming romance, happily-ever-afters, and Amish fiction. Breaking New Ground definitely fits the bill!!I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful conclusion to this series. Loved all of the books, and this one sure didn't disappoint!Korey has come home, he loves his family, but is he really sorry? This is also Savannah's story, a woman who has had so much hurt, but the light of her life is her brother Toby.In the previous books Korey was so dislikeable, but it seems a more mature young man has returned back to Pennsylvania. This Korey will warm your heart with his kindness to his stepmother and Toby.I loved the concept of dating the author gives us between Korey and Savannah, pretend. Get their friends and family off their backs! Yes, but my mind was thinking how great there are together, but of course life isn't always the way we want it to be, and a big bombshell enters their lives.This is a wonderful page turner and now I'm waiting for the next in this series by one of my favorite authors!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.