"The Beloved Hope Chest" by Amy Clipston

About this book:

  “In the final installment of the Amish Heirloom series, the Fisher sisters learn the mystery behind their parents’ marriage—and about the sibling who has never been spoken of.
  Mattie Fisher’s three daughters know that she’s been keeping a secret from them. With each item pulled from the beloved family hope chest, they’ve discovered a new clue about their mother’s past.
  But there’s a reason Mattie has been keeping her history hidden, and she’s not sure she’s ready to reopen old wounds. Will dredging up the past change the way her children view her? Or her marriage to their father? And can she handle the pain of revisiting the memories that preceded the last few happy decades?
  Mattie’s story is one of grief and learning to love again. But like the best things preserved in a hope chest, it's a story of love and redemption born out of heartache—and it's past time to share it.”


Series: Book #4 in the “Amish Heirloom” series. Review of Book #1 Here! #2 Here! & #3 Here!

Spiritual Content- Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, read, talked & thought about; Prayers & asking God why something happened; Thanking God; Church going; Talks about God, His will & having faith; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mattie thinks God is punishing her when *Spoiler* the baby is stillborn *End of Spoiler*; Many mentions of God & His will; Many mentions of prayers, praying & silent prayers over food; Mentions of reading Scriptures & a devotional; Mentions of church services, church going, hymns, ministers & sermons; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; A few mentions of having faith; A couple mentions of youth groups.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘stupid’; A bit of eye rolling & sarcasm; Passing out, Pain & Sobbing (sadness); A nightmare about someone’s death (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of an abusive husband aiming a gun & someone else being killed (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a woman acting like she’s going to be hit & hollered at by her husband (but he never actually does); Mentions of pain & blood; Mentions of violence; Mentions of envy; A few mentions of lies, lying & liars; A couple mentions of a dog that was hit & killed; A couple mentions of a hunting trip; A couple mentions of divorces; A couple mentions of childhood bullies.  

Sexual Content- a hand kiss, five cheek kisses, four forehead/head kisses, four barely-above-not-detailed kisses, two semi-detailed kisses, and a detailed kiss; Wanting to be kissed & kiss someone (up to semi-detailed); Remembering kisses (up to semi-detailed); Touches & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing, Staring, & Smelling; Remembering touches, embraces & noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of marital intimacy, sharing a bed & a wedding night (very lightly hinted at, not specific; there is one part where they go to a bedroom & the door is shut (no details or mentions of what happens)); Mentions of kisses, touches/touching, smelling, & noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of Leroy’s father who left his wife & sons and went to another state with a woman; Mentions of dating, girlfriends & boyfriends; A few mentions of other married couples kissing; A few mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of flirting; Love, falling in love, being married, & the emotions;

             *Note: Labor, Pain & *Spoiler* the baby is stillborn and the after feelings *End of Spoiler* (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of miscarriages; Mentions of changing clothes in front of a spouse & the husband’s boxers (nothing sexual, just uncomfortable); A few mentions of hormones.

-Mattie Fisher, age 56/57 {24/25}

-Leroy Fisher, age 57/58 {26}
                                  P.O.V. switches between them

                                          {Set mostly in 1989}
                                                        320 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

{Add ½ star for older girls who have read the previous books in the series}

Have I mentioned that I’m not a pretty crier? I try not to be jealous of those who are pretty criers, but honestly.

Why in the world am I mentioned about (not) being a pretty crier? Y’all. This book. Oh, my goodness. I try not to get emotionally attached to any characters, but it’s so hard when they’re so well written like Mattie & Leroy in this novel. I really enjoyed the previous books in this series and seeing all the hints of the girls’ parents’ story. Actually reading it, however, I was sniffling and just wanted to hug everyone while inwardly bawling for them! (What can I say? I’m a hugger and an emotional wreck.) I definitely recommend reading this series in order, because I got pretty giddy (through my tears, mind you) seeing the raspberry pie recipe, the courtship basket, and the quilt. Talk about tying everything up with a bow!

Aww, well, Miss Amy Clipston did it again with another great series—I’m so sad it’s over, but I’m so looking forward to meeting & getting to know her new characters!

See y’all on Wednesday with a new review!

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*I received this book for free from the author for this honest review.