This was an amazing Amish book about hope and trust. I loved reading and it left me with a bright outlook on my own life.

Mary Yoder will follow God's path, regardless if it means she will use crutches for the rest of her life. She was in a buggy accident as a child, and she has not fully healed. She lives in the Dawdi Haus connected to her parents' farmhouse, and she feels content living there while making baskets and raising roosters. She is satisfied with her life.

Reuben King is a Mennonite doctor. who thinks he can improve Mary's mobility through surgery.

Mary will follow God's will, and maybe Mary has found her soulmate.

In the latest book in the Heart of the Amish series, readers meet Mary Yoder, a disabled woman who lives with the effects of a childhood buggy accident and makes life in the Dawdi Haus attached to her parents’ home manageable and rewarding. Living a happy life with her family, weaving baskets, raising roosters, and making trout lures has made Mary’s 29 years of life happy and rewarding, but the arrival of a new doctor, Mennonite Reuben King, has thrown her for a loop. Suggesting a new surgery which could increase her mobility and reduce her daily pain while also introducing a potential romance in her life is not necessarily what Mary was expecting, especially since she is tired of surgery. However, there might be a way for everything to go Mary’s way after all. A charming novel with a good heart and a fiery, capable, and independent protagonist, Mary is a fascinating and strong female lead, while Reuben has a good heart and a commitment to being a good doctor for the community. With so many obstacles in the path, Blackburne brings the many struggles of these two characters and their community to life in vibrant detail in this enjoyable, light hearted novel.

I had pretty much given up on reading Amish fiction because of the often found repetitive dialogue and slow moving plots. I had never read Ann Blackburne and I’m glad I gave her book a chance. I enjoyed the engaging characters and the inspirational storyline of seeking and growing faith even when life is full of pain and adversity.
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read for my honest review.

A wonderful book about challenges life has presented, the positive attitude and prayer to overcome them.
Mary Yoder was injured as a child in a buggy accident, which left her unable to walk unassisted and in pain. In the authors previous book, giving kittens turns into blessings. Gifted a calico kitten from her friend, it's named Hope, is perfect for this story. Mary meets new Dr. Ruben King, who thinks he could help her by performing another surgery. Trust is just one of the many challenges in this book journey. An enjoyable read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this reveiw are completely my own.

Mary’s Calico Hope is a wonderful second novel from this author and you’re going to love this trip to the Amish! I loved the first book in this series and was looking forward to reading this one as well. It read just as well! The characters are amazing! They really suck you in and won’t let you go.

It was fun to get to see Mary again. We met her in Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise. That’s another fun book and you should read it! You don’t have to read this series in order to enjoy this book. It’s the fifth book in the series.

I’m a huge fan of cats and calico’s are my favorite! So of course I loved Hope.

Mary has a hard life. An accident that took her mobility, and more. But she’s content. She makes the most of her life and does as God wills. So will He will for her to have another surgery? And will He will for romance to come her way?

I loved this book and can’t wait for the one coming on Lizzie.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

This is my first title by both the author and from the series and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

This was a very sweet romance that seemed impossible and unlikely and I'm pleased that things worked out in the end. I liked that the protagonist; Mary, relied on God throughout the story whether it was in relation to her growing feelings towards the Mennonite doctor or even when it came to her circumstance. Even when she had her own desires, at the end of the day she placed them in God's hands and letting it go, always hopeful yet telling Him , "If this is Your will".

Such a sweet story! It keeps you guess all the way to the end how, or if, things will work out for Mary and Reuben. They both are determined to follow God's will, not matter what that may be. If you enjoy a sweet Amish romance, you are sure to enjoy Mary's Calico Hope. Be sure to grab your own copy.

I liked this story. I liked how Mary learned to face her fears and seek for a better quality of life for herself. I also liked how the romance in this story seemed impossible but that God made a way for them to be together. I also liked how the author showed the different kinds of people in a community and how we should treat them. I also liked learning a bit more about the Amish culture. I also liked the sweet kitty in the story. I liked how Mary and Reuben were able to find ways to be friends even when their romance seemed impossible. I also liked that they had a good support system from other community members.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

I loved this wonderful Amish romance. I enjoyed all of the romance and the problems that this brought to Mary and Reuben. I loved that there were twists and turns in this relationship. I thought it was fun to have the cat in the story. I loved all of Mary and her family. I loved the emotions that made me cry. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

There is a lot to this book that gave me hope, realized how we sometimes judge others by their looks and being able to enjoy finding joy. Mary has had a hard time since the accident that took her father’s life. The relationship Mary has with her mother is very sweet. Even though Mary is grown her mother still worries about her. One of the bright spots in Mary’s life is her adorable cat named Hope.

Reuben doesn’t quite expect the questions he gets from Mary’s mother when he knocks on their door. He is looking for a neighbor of theirs and was hoping to get directions. Before he knows it, he is drinking lemonade and getting aquatinted with the two women. I did laugh at Mary’s mother who is not shy about asking questions of a stranger. Maybe she is trying to play matchmaker. Poor Mary is embarrassed by the questions her mother asks the doctor.

As a doctor Reuben notices that Mary has difficulty getting around due to the accident. He wants to help her but she has misgivings about it. She has seen many doctors, gone through a lot of surgeries but still feels blessed. Her attitude is a great example for others to witness. Reuben’s compassion as a doctor is illustrated beautifully by his desire to help Mary.

One of the most impressive things about Reuben was how hard he worked to become a doctor. Being Amish prevented his family being able to support him. He made the decision to leave the Amish and follow his dreams. He worked hard and was awarded a full scholarship to Penn State. I loved following his journey to become a doctor. This really impressed Mary and I think she understood how much he wanted to help others as a doctor.

One of Mary’s best qualities is her courage. After enduring many surgeries, feeling unworthy and bullied she is now becoming more aware of how she does make a contribution to others. She has been harsh to Reuben but fear of another surgery has caused her to be a little unsure of her value to others.

The story is an example of never giving up. Two people who want to be together are faithful to their beliefs yet they desire to be married. Mary faces a difficult surgery once again and I see the hope she is filled with. I loved following these two characters and shared their journey with hope. As I finished the story I was impressed with great writing and the deep faith this story

“God always knows what we should do.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Mary’s Calico Hope by author Anne Blackburne is Book 5 in The Heart of the Amish Series. The Contemporary Amish series is written by multiple authors. Each book may be read as a standalone or together in the series.

This is the story of Mary Yoder. She is unmarried, twenty-nine, and has mobility issues due to a childhood accident. Rueben King is the new doctor in town. He is Mennonite. When he meets Mary sparks begin to fly.

The author has done a great job creating believable characters. Mary has a cheery attitude despite her situation. She lives alone with her calico kitten and has found a way to be independent and live alone. The doctor being Mennonite allowed for comparison between them and the Amish. I enjoyed this storyline and learned a lot while reading this captivating tale.

The Christian messages tucked inside this interesting story are wonderful. The life lessons are as well. If you are an animal or cat person, the escapades of Hope, Mary’s cat, will make you smile. There is so much to like in this novel.

I highly recommend this book to all lovers of Amish fiction. Expect some twists and turns to keep you on your toes. This book receives a 5 out of 5 star rating from this reader. A copy was provided but these are my honest words.

Anne Blackburne is still a fairly new to me author as this is only the second book, I've read of hers. This is a sweet clean Amish romance. Mary Yoder was injured in a buggy accident as a child and her father passed away in this accident. Despite having many surgeries, she still has limited mobility. Recovery from the surgeries takes a long time and despite the surgeries she still has a lot of pain. She helps out on her family's farm by raising specialty chickens and weaving baskets. Longing to be like the other women in her community and marry and have children she dares not to think about it too long, surely no one will want her as she is. As she and a Mennonite doctor in her community who's taken over the retiring doctor's office spend time together, she dares to dream of a future as a woman in love. Dare she dream of better mobility when the doctor suggests a new surgical method that may improve her legs? Mary really has a lot of pros and cons to weigh and so many decisions to make. With the help of her mother and the community she'll do what she feels is best for her. This was a sweet and emotional book where Mary's character just comes alive under the encouragement of the new doctor as we find he is interested in her for herself and not as a patient. An upbeat and uplifting story.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Mary’s Calico Hope is the fifth book in The Heart of the Amish series. This is a series of stand alone Amish stories written by different authors. As a young girl, Mary was severely injured in an accident that took her father. Despite being in chronic pain, she finds contentment living in the Dawdi House, weaving baskets and making fishing lures. When Mennonite doctor, Reuben, comes to the area, he gives her hope of reduction in pain with another surgery.

I found this to be a very enjoyable story to read. I admire the strength and outstanding faith Mary has. I really enjoyed her character as she finds a way to be independent with her disability. I enjoyed the encouragement she received from her mother. I enjoyed reading of the growing friendship between Mary and Reuben and how they responded to obstacles they faced. This story is a great reminder that God is in control and He will make a way for what He feels is right.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

Mary’s Calico Hope is a well written Amish romance. I throughly enjoyed the plot and the likeable characters. I recommend this sweet book. My thanks to the publisher for my advance book. This is my unbiased review.

Mary has a fulfilling life in spite of the buggy accident that crippled her at the tender age of four. She has several “irons in the fire” to help support herself as she lives in the Dawdi Haus connected to her family home. Her constant companion is a little calico kitten named Hope. When she meets Reuben King, a Mennonite doctor, he informs her of a surgery that could possibly help her being able to get around better and help with her physical pain. She is torn and worries about the risks. Reuben and Mary grow close but a serious relationship between the two of them is impossible. She’s baptized Amish and he’s a Mennonite doctor. They both rely on God’s plan even though their situation seems unattainable.
I loved the characters and the small community. Mary’s strength and positive outlook for the most part impressed me. Seeing how they grew closer to God was also a positive for me. A very heartwarming, lovely story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.

I adore kittens. And Mary has one called Hope. This is so appropriate because Mary needs hope. She has been crippled since she was a young child. She has given up hope for a better future.

Dr. Rueben King couldn't help noticing Mary. And it wasn't because of her handicap.

Mary deserves all the happiness. She gives so much to others in her community. Mary has the opportunity to live her life with less pain and fulfilling her dream of having a family of her own.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
What a delightful read! Anne Blackburne weaved a sweet story of love and hope. Mary Yoder uses crutches ever since she was in a terrible accident as a child. Reuben King comes to town as the new doctor. The sparks start flying but can an Amish woman and a doctor find a way to make it work?
If you are looking for a delightful faith filled story, this book is for you! Many thanks to the author, Barbour Fiction and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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This book was a stand alone in “The Heart of the Amish” series and that’s why I wanted to read it. These books are whimsical, have wonderful characters, and are a breath of fresh air, especially in the summertime when reading books with a deep message but fun characters and plotlines are extra special. I enjoyed getting to know Mary, her family (especially her mom) and Reuben. They each had their own challenges to face but this book was great at continuing to point them back to growing their faith and trusting God. I loved the Amish/Mennonite element as well. Wonderful storyline, great biblical truths woven in, and wonderful characters who became my friends.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review

This is the fifth book in The heart of the amish series. I've enjoyed this book. Mary was injured as a child in a buggy accident and has to use crutches to walk. She happily lives in the Dawdi House beside her parents. She stays busy with her work and is happy with her life, she would like to marry one day but doesn't know if that would ever happen. She meets the new doctor in town and they hit it off and become friends. Mary wishes it could be more, but he is Mennonite and she has been baptized into the amish church, but Mary knows if it's God's will it can happen. I'm glad to be given this book by Netgalley to read I wasn't required to leave a review.. It was a good book and I enjoyed it.,