Breaking New Ground by Amy Clipston

 Breaking New Ground

Book Summary

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.

My Thoughts

Breaking New Ground by Amy Clipston has Korey Bontrager returning home to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  I am glad that Korey is returning home and it seems his time away has matured him.  Korey’s attitude toward his stepmother has also changed.  He is still struggling with how he feels toward his brother, Tyler who is now married to Korey’s former girlfriend.  Korey needs to find a way to heal the rift between him and his brother.  He needs to find a way to forgive.  Savannah Zook is the only one of her girlfriend’s who does not have a boyfriend.  Her friends are determined to find Savannah a beau.  Korey is having a similar problem.  His family believes it is time for him to start dating.  Savannah and Korey can help each other by having a pretend relationship.  Breaking New Ground is a heartfelt tale.  I enjoyed getting to know Savannah and her family.  I admit that I was not a fan of Korey in the earlier books.  I was happy to see that he is not the same angry, bitter fellow who departed for Ohio.  I like the mature Korey.  He still has some things to work out, but we are all works in progress.  I can understand Korey’s struggle with forgiveness.  It can be hard to forgive someone who has wronged you especially when it is a family member.   Savannah finds herself going through an emotional time when someone from her past returns.  She must make a tough decision.  Savannah also finds herself grappling with forgiveness.  She knows that she is supposed to forgive, but Savannah anger are getting in the way.  

I like that we get to catch up with the characters from Foundation of Love and Building a Future.  There is some predictability to the story as well as repetitive details.  However, those aspects are overshadowed by great characters, the touching moments, the humor, the close friendships, and the loving family members.  I like how the author worked the title into the story.  My favorite line from Breaking New Ground is, “We’re all different.  I’m different from mei bruders, but God gives us all our own gifts.”  I am looking forward to Jayden’s story in The Heart’s Shelter.  It will be interesting to see who ends up being Jayden’s romantic partner.  I find Jayden to be a mature and insightful young man.  Breaking New Ground is a poignant tale that will tug at your heartstrings (keep the box of tissues nearby).  While Breaking New Ground can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading An Amish Legacy Novels in order.  It will allow you to get to know the characters along with their struggles and the community.  Breaking New Ground is an uplifting tale with a returning brother, matchmaking chums, finding a friend, a dissatisfied sibling, an uninvited visitor, a difficult decision, and finding forgiveness. 

Breaking New Ground is available from Amazon*. Click here to read Chapter One. The first two An Amish Legacy Novels are Foundation of Love and Building a Future.  The Heart's Shelter (book four) will be out in the winter of 2024.  Amy Clipston has Starstruck, a contemporary Christian romance, coming out November 14. You can follow Amy Clipston on Amazon and they will send you an email when she has a new book release.   Thank you for stopping by today. Here are three other books that came out today: My Heart Will Find You by Jude Deveraux, Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold, and The Seaside Library by Brenda Novak.  Tomorrow I am featuring My Heart Will Find You by Jude Deveraux.  I hope that you have an inspiring day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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