Matters of the Heart

This book was so sweet! I could not put this book down. The main character’s were perfect for each other and the story was very interesting.

Kelly Irvin has written a truly special, heartwarming and thought provoking story about love, faith and healing. It was not by any means an easy read but it was special. Declan and Bethel’s journey would not be an easy one but it was theirs. I found myself cheering them both on and couldn’t read fast enough to get to their happy ending. And no one deserves a happy ending more than these two. I’m giving 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧 the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

Matters of the Heart addresses the higher rate of genetic abnormalities in Amish babies. It is filled with emotion as a young woman struggles with whether or not she should court a young man knowing she most likely is a carrier of a gene that could cause a birth defect. The book is thoughtfully done. The characters are well developed and relatable. I finished the book with tears in my eyes.

What happens when two different personalities get together as friends only? A lovely, sweet storyline with two characters who have obstacles they must learn to deal with. As they draw upon each other for strength, patience and understanding, a closeness begins to form that they both try and deny. Such a compassionate story with real life issues. Kelly Irvin is an awesome writer and I always get excited when I see a new book of hers getting released. I highly recommend this book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All words are my own.

As always I enjoyed this novel from this author that I finished just now.
Loved every minute of it.
I learned quite a few things that I haven't heard of. How interesting and sad at the same time.
I really enjoyed Bethel and Declan's banter and getting to know them better.
They are really and truly two very special people even though I found myself shaking my head at them several times! But, I guess there wouldn't be a story there if it weren't for some of the repetitiveness. Although I did get aggravated at times with it.
I still found myself however; cheering them on because I knew that they were a perfect match for each other.
They just had to discover that for themselves. Yes, their journey was hard but they were awesome enough people to handle it.
I feel that God doesn't put more on your shoulders than you can handle at a time.
Their story will have you in tears at times and rejoicing with them in others.
This is what I enjoy about Amish novels. It's why it's my favorite genre.
I am still giving this story 5 amazing stars for a well written story.
I highly recommend it!
My thanks to Netgalley and Zondervan for a wonderful read! I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The cover of this book caught my eye the first time I seen it. Now that I’ve read the story I feel that it was very realistic and meaningful. It tugged at my heartstrings. The story reminded me of the old saying “When it rains it pours.” This book focuses on two Amish families who went through some very hard times bought on by health issues and physical handicaps caused by family genes. But when things get tough the Amish stick together and help one another.
In spite of hard times a new romance becomes part of the story and there are a few matchmakers who want to get the young couple together. The main focus is the Miller and the King family. They are facing some serious and heartbreaking challenges. There are sad times and happy times. This book was definitely a page turner. The ending was beautiful. The main point of the book is that God wanted the characters to “ Rest in Him”.
I recommend this book to readers of Amish romance fiction and fans of Author Kelly Irvin. Though this book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. Matters of the Heart is scheduled to be released on 7/16/24.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#MattersoftheHeart #NetGalley

Kelly Irvin tackles the subject of families dealing with serious disabilities head-on in her Amish novel, Matters of the Heart. We are introduced to Bethel King, the eldest daughter in a family dealing with multiple children who have been afflicted with the genetically transmitted LMGD – a terrible, crippling muscle-wasting disease. Bethel’s younger brothers are afflicted and her sister is showing symptoms. She spends much of her time helping her parents deal with her wheelchair-bound brothers and also works at a plant nursery to earn money to help with medical expenses. Declan Miller a delightfully funny young man whose dream is to be an auctioneer for his family has had a crush on her since they were in grade school.

Although Bethel is attracted to Declan she feels she shouldn’t marry because of the possibility of passing on the gene for LMGD and because she feels she will have to take care of her brothers and sister, and will have no time for family. When Declan, himself comes down with a potentially serious illness, things become even more difficult for the couple.

Kelly navigates her story deftly through the incredibly serious obstacles and illustrates how important faith and reliance on God can be during difficult circumstances. She doesn’t shy away from looking at suffering and how the Amish deal with it. It is a sweet and compelling story.

I received an advance reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion,

This is an amazing book! I absolutely love Amish fiction! I like how the writer deals with difficult issues by reminding the reader to rest in God! It's so encouraging and inspiring!

I enjoyed getting to know Bethel and Declan! Their sweet romance is truly heartwarming! I liked how some of the characters used humor to stave off anxiety and worry. Bart is a favorite! His wisdom and willingness to listen show that he's God's instrument!

This book can seem a little heavy because it deals with illness, but illness is a fact of life. The author's openness to her own struggles is very relatable. I will definitely be reading more of her books!

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Zondervan via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Matters of the Heart is a sweet story where Bethel and Declan learn to deal with and lean on each other through hard times bought on by health issues and physical handicaps caused by family genes. As they grow close, feelings begin to form that they both try to deny.

This is such a compassionate story with real life issues and shows how the Amish community sticks together and helps each other out in hard times.

Kelly Irvin is an awesome writer who does a great job writing about the hard things. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan for allowing me to review this ARC!

Book 2 of the Amish Calling series, I do recommend reading book 1, The Heart’s Bidding. It’s really good and is about the same community.


Bethel is sure she’s meant to stay single and help take care of her siblings that are dealing with muscular dystrophy. She also feels guilty that she’s healthy. Declan is dealing with his own health issues. Can they work things out and become more than friends? Can they come to terms with the fact that life happens to everyone?


I appreciate that Irvin wasn’t afraid to talk about the challenges the Amish face. She didn’t beat around the bush, but gave explanations and hope.


A sweet story told with compassion. A clean romance where none was expected. I highly recommend Matters of the Heart.


I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

This is a sweet romance that deals with long-time friendship between Bethel and Declan. The book deals with love, faith and compassion.

They have both been attracted to each other since their school days. Now as single adults, they still have that attraction, however, life seems to keep them apart.

Bethel feels she must always remain with her family to help care for her two brothers who have a rare form of muscular dystrophy, as well as a sister showing symptoms. Declan, becomes seriously ill and feels he can no longer offer a normal life to Bethel or any woman. Is there any way they can grow together and create a life in spite of these devastating illnesses in their lives?

I highly recommend this book. You will not want to put it down until you live through these emotions with the characters and see how the book ends.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan and Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A different type of Amish story, but there is so much truth in it. The Amish do celebrate life, a gift from God, and each individual is cherished, no matter their disability.

This is a story of love, both family and romantic. Friendship that builds to a relationship, and questioning whether the inherited disabilities are to big a price. A story of living ones faith, as we all should do, but this is a read that highlights the obstacles that are thrown at young couples, but the author does a wonderful job of weaving this page tuner together!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.

Matters of the Heart by Kelly Irvin is book two in the Amish Calling series. If you haven’t read her first book in the series, The Hearts Bidding you really must.

Matters of the heart is truly a wonderful example of putting your faith in God an truly believing he will carry you through whatever journey you have to make.

You would think that Bethel King and Declan Miller would just naturally be drawn together since each had siblings with genetic abnormalities that are sometimes prevalent in Amish communities, but there is a hesitation from Declan to let Bethel know his feelings.

Every character in this book is unique, and you are drawn to them each in a special way as you watch them develop throughout the story. They are so well introduced that many times you forget you are reading a story, and these people are only real in your imagination.

The plot of the story is so interesting that you cannot wait to turn the next page. You will not be ready for the story to end. The story never lags, and you never lose interest in what you’re reading.
Kelly has such a unique way of educating us to new disease found in the Amish community that we may be totally unaware exist. That is why Kelly Irvin is truly a compassionate and unique author.

I highly recommend this 5-star book. Release day is July 16, 2024. I was given and ARC by the publisher, Zondervan, but was not required to give a positive review.

I read a lot of books. I enjoy audio, physical, and e-books. As long as I can absorb it, I’m down for it. Let me just say: every year for the past two years, my favorite book has been a Kelly Irvin book. And here she did it again! Matters of the Heart is simply excellent. I love how she weaves truth and hope into her characters lives. I love that at the end of her books, I’m reminded of a God who loves us, who has a plan for us, and who promises goodness to His children. Declan and Bethel have a special story about taking chances on love and the future, even when it doesn’t look like you expected it to. Do yourself a favor: go and read it. Read all of her books. You won’t be disappointed!

This is a really good book. It centers around a topic that isn't often discussed in Amish books. Genetic disabilities in children and adults in The Amish community. Declan and Bethel have known each other since childhood. Bethel has 3 siblings that have a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Bethel is concerned that any children she may have will be afflicted with this disease. Declan is an auctioneer. A profession that he has wanted to do with his father and brothers since he was a child. Declan's voice becomes hoarse. Testing shows that he has cancer on his vocal cords. Will cancer rob him of his career or will he be healed? Bethel and Declan have many fears regarding the health concerns of Bethel's family and Declan's health. Can they trust in God for their future? Are they a good match? Can they have faith that God wants them to be married and start a family? Read this book to see what the outcome is. I highly recommend this book. It's very interesting. I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

Beautiful

There is so much I want to say about this story that I don't even know where to begin. I guess I should start with the fact that author Kelly Irvin has clearly done plenty of research and accompanied it with her insight. There is so much depth to her characters, making them so true to life. Her writing makes your heart completely go out to the characters and feel what they're feeling and dealing with.

Although Bethel and Declan have known each other since they were children, they've been more like acquaintances than anything else. I loved how their relationship began changing. I thought I knew where it was going. But, oh boy, was I mistaken when a complete curve ball came out of nowhere and things took off in another direction.

This amazing story is absolutely beautiful! There are difficult moments where faith waivers and worry rears its ugly head. But there are also moments where faith shines through even stronger than before. It is a mixture of joy, sadness, faith, hope, and love. This combination results in a beautiful and impactful story that will deeply touch your heart, especially when you are reminded to "rest in Gott."

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own.

This is books is very well written as I have coke to expect from this author.
I absolutely adored Declan and Bethel, they have obstacles to overcome and they overcome them with
Faith and dignity.
A must read for fans of Amish and Christian fiction readers.

I enjoyed reading this series with the Miller family of Amish auctioneers. It's been interesting to learn about this type of career for the Amish. The Millers are a sweet family with a great sense of humor too.
I want to thank the author, Zondervan and NetGalley for my advanced reader's copy of this very special book. This is my reaction to, and opinion of, the book.
Declan Miller loves to host an auction. It is his dream job as he follows in his grandfather and father's footsteps with his brothers. He thoroughly enjoys joking around. Now something may threaten his dream and maybe his very life. It's no joke.
Bethel King is a very serious young woman. Her family deals with the challenges of an incurable illness, a rare form of muscular dystrophy. She helps as a caregiver to her siblings who have been disabled from the disease. She also works at a local nursery to help her parents with finances.
These characters and secondary characters feel like real people. They have strengths and weaknesses. As they get life altering diagnoses and slowly start to consider what it all means, they react in different ways. Some struggle with their faith and the Amish way of being told to believe that everything is God's will.
This story touches my heart in many ways. Kelly Irvin writes with knowledge of how a person and family feels when dealing with the challenges and heartache of a serious medical condition. This means so much to me as I have had a lot of these questions and feelings living with two diseases that can only be managed but not cured. One of my dearest friends had the diagnosis of a rare form of muscular dystrophy while in nursing school when we were teens. A book like this is wonderful. I can understand the questions that a lot of us ask when our lives are changed drastically. I believe that it takes a person on this journey to understand and convey the feelings to others.
In a place where we give a book a 1 to 5 rating, I want to give this book a 10. This is a lovely romance which is surrounded by a story that is reflective of real life. If you are challenged with medical problems, have a friend dealing with chronic disease this is a story I would recommend. You are not alone in the thoughts, questions and maybe even anger. We are all human. If you want a little insight into what others live with, this story represents.
Thank you, Kelly.

Auctioneer Declan Miller loves his job and loves entertaining friends and family with his jokes. He has had a crush on Bethel for years. Bethel works hard taking care of her siblings who have limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD). Bethel is uncertain about courtship, especially with a jokester, because she is concern that she might be a carrier for the LGMD gene. Delan's lingering sore throat is keeping him from auctioneering and might change his whole future. Both Declan and Bethel question God about their struggles, but cope through prayer and faith. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I love when stories, especially romances, show the real-life struggles that some individuals and families have. I admire how dedicated Bethel is in taking care of her siblings and supporting her family. I love seeing how 'special' children are thought of and cared for as 'Gifts from God' in the Amish community. Declan's Down syndrome sister Sadie adds a lot to his family and to this story.

Matters of the Heart, the second book in the Amish Calling Novels by Kelly Irvin will not disappoint. I loved catching back up with my friends from Lee’s Gulch, Virginia and I love how the author gives me a cast of characters in the beginning of the book so I can reference it while I’m reading to keep everyone straight. I love how we’re back with Miller family, a professional auctioneer family who I already have grown to love. I love that we get to catch up with Sadie and Jonah while being introduced to other families as well. The topics in this book were hard to read sometimes as they were tragic, but they were written in the most beautiful way. I not only learned about various diseases that I didn’t know about but also grew my compassion because I realized the daily struggles people deal with – not just the people living with the diseases but those who love them and care for them. This was a great book and a series I would highly recommend.

I received this book from the publisher but was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book was truly emotional and I
could not put it down. “Matters of the Heart” is Kelly Irvin’s newest book. Bethel and Declan love each other, but they have huge obstacles in their way. Bethel has two and now three siblings with muscular dystrophy and Declan receives a cancer diagnosis. They work together to overcome their challenges and leave on God to guide them. This book also talks about The Founder Affect, which is seen in many Amish families. It’s when the gene pool isn’t mixed so many recessive genes are present in younger generations. Kelly Irvin wrote about this topic in an extremely sensitive way. It did make me go down my own rabbit hole of research.
Many thanks to the author, Zondervan Fiction and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Matters of the Heart by Kelly Irvin, book two in the Amish Calling series, is a faith filled story, sweet, heartwarming story about trusting G-d and allowing G-d to show you what is best for you all. A story that drew me, not letting go until the last page. It is a story filled with emotion as a young woman struggles with whether or not she should court a young man knowing she most likely is a carrier of a gene that could cause a birth defect. This series is unique in that its main theme is genetic disabilities as a result of the Amish closely intermarrying.

Declan Miller is an auctioneer and the community jokester. Bethel King is a caregiver for her siblings who suffer from a rare form of muscular dystrophy. She would love nothing more than to fall in love and become a wife and mother, but she can’t see ever leaving her parents to handle her siblings on their own. With a good chance that she carries the gene and could pass it on to her children, Bethel has tried to convince herself marriage and family just aren't in the cards for her. When Declan receives a devastating diagnosis, his world is turned upside down, and he looks to Bethel for understanding, compassion, and a realistic outlook. As they share their dreams and fears, and grow together in faith, a bond begins to develop between them.

Ms. Irvin wrote a wonderful, heartfelt, sweet, and moving story that focused on how the Amish value children with different abilities. . It was a book about patience, letting go of fear, trusting in God and learning how to rest in his peace. I loved Declan and his cheesy personality. He went through a lot and always seemed to try his best to hold on to his joy. Bethel had the best heart, and I loved the conversations she had between herself and G-d about her struggles and the fairness of it all.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #Zondervan

This the second book in the Amish Calling Series. The story addresses Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, a known prevalent genetic disorder among the Amish in Northern Indiana. Bethel King's family has it's challenges but none aren't surrmountable. Having siblings with MD and another who is showing signs of the affliction, she worries about her own future of having the gene. Declan Miller, an autioneer in his families business has a plan for his future, marrying Bethel if she'll have him and starting his own business.. He and Bethel have known each other since school and was always pretty sweet on her. He develops a setback with his plans when he is diagnosed with his own illness. Declan and Bethel both address issues that many face in our own lives. This book makes it real, a journey both won't forget.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Declan Miller lives in a family that has an auctioneer business. He is happiest when he has that mike in his hand and is rambling off a spiel selling goods. He has dreams that he hasn't shared with his father. Dreams of breaking away from his dad and brothers and starting his own auctioneer business. Then, all of a sudden, he is ill. He's losing his voice. It must be a cold, right? But, tests reveal cancer. Surgery follows and treatments. Physical therapy. There's no promise he will regain his voice to the point of being able to auctioneer again. He knows he is to have faith and not question God, but is this God's will for him?
Then, there's the matter of Bethel King who he has cared for since they were kids, but he's never revealed that to her. Surely, she wouldn't be interested in a man who may not live to be a ripe old age. A man who may lose his voice.
Bethel has her own concerns about her future. A genetic disease that runs in the Amish as they tend to marry within their own community has struck two of her younger siblings. They are now in wheelchairs and will always be dependent on others for their care. Bethel loves them dearly and is happy to care for them, but does she carry these genes? Will she pass this on to children she may bear? How could she ask any man to bear this burden with her, yet she longs for a husband and kinner. Her younger sister, Claire, is now showing signs of the disease. So heartbreaking. Bethel has had feelings for Declan for a long time, as well. Will they be able to overcome their fears and place them in God's hands?
I was given an advanced ecopy by the publisher, Zondervan through Netgalley. I was not obligated to leave a positive review.