Foundation of Love

Written by Amy Clipston

Narrated by Lauren Berst

Get swept away in the first installment of Amy Clipston’s Amish Legacy series.

 They were “only friends” . . . but they wanted so much more.

Crystal Glick is grateful to live with her brother’s family since her father died and her fiancé, Owen, broke their engagement. Crystal loves her bruderskinner and cheerfully helps her sister-in-law through a difficult pregnancy with babies number seven and eight, but she yearns for a husband and children of her own.

Duane Bontrager is mourning the recent death of his wife, Connie, after twenty-four years of marriage. He and his grown sons have a thriving roofing business but can’t get used to life without her. As the young men prepare to launch out on their own, Duane can’t imagine life alone—nor with anyone but Connie.

When a roofing job at the Glicks introduces Duane and Crystal, they’re attracted in spite of their fourteen-year age difference. But their bishop thinks Duane is better suited for the sweet widow Tricia, and Duane’s sons object to his interest in any woman. Crystal’s family fears losing her indispensable help. If she must go, they’d rather she be reunited with Owen in spite of his betrayal.

They’re the only two who believe they’re a match made in heaven, can Duane and Crystal overcome the obstacles to love?

“Amy Clipston has once again penned a sweet romance that will have her readers rooting for a heroine who deserves her own happily-ever-after.” —Kelly Irvin, bestselling author

• Sweet, inspirational Amish romance
• Full-length novel (85,000 words)
• First book in Amy Clipston’s Amish Legacy series

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Feb 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9780310364320

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 Foundation of Love

[kevin shumway · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book had a very moving storyline! It was excellent!

[Diamond Jones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you enjoyed The Amish Homestead series by Amy Clipston then you will love her new novel Foundation of Love. Crystal & Duane will touch your heart right from the start. Every time a read a series it’s always one character that cause me to wish the story didn’t end. Crystal will make you feel that way. Her struggles and dedication will draw you in. I can’t wait for book 2 in this new series. #anamishlegacy

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Crystal, a single woman in her mid-30’s, lives with her brother, his wife, and their 6 kids, with numbers 7 and 8 due in just a few weeks. Much of the childcare and household chores have fallen to Crystal, who does them cheerfully and with love. This pregnancy is hard for Leona, and she must stay off her feet as much as possible. Into this busy household comes Duane, late 40’s, a widower who does roofing with his three adult sons. From the beginning, there is a spark between Crystal and Duane, as he goes about re-roofing the house and barns and she does chores. Though attracted to each other, there are many problems to overcome: the age difference, family objections, church objections, past relationships, and so forth. These two people must listen to what God is telling them to do, but it is so hard to know what exactly that is. Amy Clipston, in her usual wonderful story-telling way, has given her readers a delightful and engrossing story. I could hardly put this book down, even to go to church! Readers will be similarly riveted, wanting to see which path the protagonists will take. Well written with great characters, this novel is highly recommended. I warn you, though, just reading about Crystal and all the work she did will make you tired as well!

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Foundation of Love is a wonderful story about a friendship that develops between Duane Bontrager and Crystal Glick, and I was rooting for them to find a deeper bond. Duane is just about perfect! He remains devoted to his recently deceased wife, he is trying to be a calming, supportive father for his three grown sons, and he is a hardworking and respected member of his Amish community. Is it any wonder that he might be considered a prime catch?Crystal is also special, and she's endured tremendous hurts. Her parents are dead, her fiancé walked away, and she's being taken advantage of! I had a time hard with Crystal's brother and sister-in-law, because they seem completely oblivious to the demands that they place on her. Poor Crystal! She loves her nieces and nephews and she's thankful to have a roof over her head but taking care of this family of ten leaves her no time for herself. If she did find a suitor, how would she find the time to court? She hungers to hold her own baby, but what hope is there for a single woman in her thirties?This is a touching portrayal of how we allow others to cloud our vision and alter our perspective. Everyone believes that two people, fourteen years apart in age, can never find happiness together, and Duane's sons can't imagine another woman taking their mother's place. Clipston proves that the heart knows best and we readers are gifted with a heartwarming story of two people who find romance when they least expect it. We're reminded that love can come at any age, and we should never, ever turn down a chance for happiness. Hope, faith, and trust are woven into Duane and Crystal's sweet romance and I'm truly looking forward to the next Amish Legacy novel!I received a copy of this book from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

[ladyofthelodge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Foundation of Love" highlights the lives of two characters seeking love and friendship, but stymied by interfering friends and family. Duane lost his wife to cancer, and now is left to raise three young adult sons, while tending to his roofing business and farm. Crystal lives with her brother and cares for his growing family, yet yearns for a love and family of her own. When Duane and Crystal begin to care for each other and plan a life together, family and community members continue to try to match them with others and find reasons to keep them apart. This book impressed me with its attention to a theme seldom seen in novels about Amish people: love later in life. Duane and Crystal are no starry-eyed youngsters; instead, they are mature adults who seek a fulfilled life together. The story is realistic and shows how friends and family can disrupt relationships for reasons of their own. In this case, Duane is pushed to take a widow for his wife in order to help the community, while his sons believe he should not remarry out of respect for his deceased wife.. Crystal's brother and sister-in-law selfishly expect Crystal to continue caring for their large family as a maid of all work, without consideration for her future happiness. It was frustrating to see them continually thwarted and kept apart, and.I quietly cheered when Duane and Crystal finally stood up for themselves. Themes of child bearing, male dominance, and grief also appear in this novel.This is a clean novel, without adult intimacy scenes, graphic violence, or strong language. The faith component is an integral part of this story. Readers who enjoy novels about Amish people, with a bit of a twist to the usual themes, will find this to be a thoughtful and intriguing choice. I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I always love Amy Clipston books and this is no exception. I really love that this book is about an older father who loses his wife and finds love again. Both Crystal and Duane have known loss in their lives and they click the first time they meet. I am looking forward to the next books in the series to see how Duane, Crystal and his sons handle being together. The romance is sweet and this is an emotional book. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[eccl-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this read, and the pages flew, I couldn't put it down. The characters are wonderful, even those my mind questioned as using someone else, and the author gives us a young woman who feels life has passed her by. Crystal Glick has made her home with her brother and his large family of six children [soon to be eight], and with her SIL on bed rest this lady sure has her hands full, but she accepts and fills her life with grace and love.Enter a man who has grown sons and is hurting from the loss of his wife, Duane Bontranger, enjoys his family, and has been blessed in his work of fixing and repairing roofs, and having his three sons in the business.Can a May/December romance work for these two? Well, there are some good twists and turns here, and a chance for romance with others. Solutions appear, and they are not what you expected!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.