Kelly Irvin has written such a heartfelt book so full of emotions.
Amish woman Abigail Bontrager has never felt she's fit in with the other Amish in her community; a terrible baker and she can't sew a straight stitch. Then she gets earth shattering news, she's been adopted into her Amish family as a baby and her parents are English.
Mad at her adoptive parents, she's confused and wants answers as to why they've never told her this information. Leaving her adoptive parents and Amish boyfriend she knows to be comfortable in life she must explore this English side of herself. Her experience in the English world is so eye opening, the clothing feels uncomfortable, and she doesn't feel covered enough, everything is faster, brighter, louder and more open. There are not the rules and restrictions she is used to, and her faith becomes severely tested especially when she starts dating an English man. How will Abaigail handle the pressures of the outside world, will she crave the less restrictions in this new fast life, or will her family and faith pull her back home? Such a beautiful story of a young woman following her heart while letting God lead the way.

Pub Date 05 Jul 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Abigail Bontrager really had the rug pulled out from under her one day when she discovered that she was adopted and that her biological parents were not Amish. This novel was a story of two worlds and of watching Abigail navigate through the Englisch world as an outsider while wondering where exactly she belonged.

I liked that the author showed what was going on with Abigail as she lived with her biological mother for awhile and experienced what life was like in a non-Amish setting. I could feel how uneasy Abigail was with some things and how other experiences were fun for her.

I also enjoyed that, at the same time, the author allowed the reader to view what was taking place in Owen’s life. Things were changing and uncertain in a lot of ways for him. Abigail exploring the Englisch world with her biological parents was just one more event that made him wonder what his life was going to look like going forward.

The romance thread was very light throughout this book and focused more on Abigail’s growth as a person. I enjoyed the way the author wrapped everything up and was happy with the way things turned out. The Warmth of Sunshine is book two in the Amish Blessings series, but can easily be read as a stand alone novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book. Abigail is 20 years old and suddenly finds out she is adopted when her birth mother shows up. She wants Abigail to come for a visit and live English and meet her birth father. This is a wonderful story and I love how it ends. I was provided a copy by Netgalley, but the opinions are mine.

The Warmth of Sunshine by Kelly Irvin explores the need everyone has to "fit in", and what happens in the heart when someone doesn't, no matter how hard they try.

Abigail Bontrager has always felt like a "square peg in a round hole". The things that Amish women are renowned for - cooking, sewing, quilting, baking - she is just barely competent at. Her food is not as tasty as it should be, her stitches are too big and uneven, and her bread doesn't rise properly. Two things she has going for her are her strong faith, and her courtship with Owen Kurtz. She is stunned to learn one day while waitressing at the local diner, that not only was she adopted, her birth mother was an Englisch girl who gave her away. Could her Englisch genes explain why she doesn't seem to fit into the Amish world she has lived in since birth?

Owen Kurtz wants nothing more than to have a farm of his own, and marry his sweetheart, Abigail. His father, however, wants him to continue working in the family construction business, making metal buildings for their Englisch customers. He dreams of a life growing sunflowers on his family's acreage. He's done the research and thinks he can make a living, despite the fact that his father had to look outside of farming to support their large family. Can he convince his father to keep the land? Is he ready for the many changes both in his family and in Abigail?

As Abigail's birth mother begins pressuring her into spending time in the Englisch world, can Abigail walk the fine line between the faith she's been baptized in and the life she "should" have had. Will learning to know her "new" family destroy her relationship with her old? Will she find a place to belong, where she "fits"?

This story had so many pitfalls for Abigail. I felt torn right along with her. She and Owen were such a good fit, but both were pulled in different directions from what their parents asked of them.

Readers who love Amish fiction, should pick up The Warmth of Sunshine. Kelly Irvin does not disappoint!

What a wonderful written book about Abigail who grows up Amish but something is missing. Then one day a lady shows up and says she is her biological mother. Abigail struggles with who she is and where she came from. Does she leave the only family she has known to go live with her English mother? She decides to go with her biological mother for a two week visit, to meet her half siblings and her biological father. Before she leaves she tells her friend Owen that she must do this before deciding on the future of their relationship. He focuses on how he will convince his father to keep the family farm while he waits for her to come back, come back to him, come back to their future. English life is different, exciting and Abigail makes a new friend who makes her question if going back is what she really wants. I received an advance copy of this book and my review is solely my opinion.

This is the second book in Ms. Irvin’s Amish Blessing series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I wholeheartedly suggest you read the first book.

This book was a lovely and wonderful way to spend the afternoon. There were some heart-clutching moments as well as tender ones. This book is all about choices. The main characters, others in her life, and how they all tangle together.

First let me say that this is the second book in a series, but it is great as a stand alone. So...don't pass this book if you haven't read the first in the series.
Abigail Bontrager is Amish. She loves everything about being Amish, but...she is clumsy. At twenty years old, she can't cook worth a flip. Can't every Amish female do these things, and do them very well? Then, there's her 'friend,' Owen. Things seem to be heading in the direction of 'forever after,' but she just wouldn't be your typical Amish wife. Will this cause problems between her and Owen?
Then, suddenly, one day her entire life changes. Everything she grew up believing now seems foggy and untrue. A woman shows up at Abigail's parents house claiming her be her birth mother. What?! Have Abigail's hard working and honest parents lied to her her entire life?
After much persuasion from her birth mother, Abigail decides she needs to go see the Englisch life she could have grown up in and meet her half siblings. Owen is kind, understanding and encouraging in her quest. He feels she would only resent him in time if he tried to hold her back.
Abigail has many experiences in the Englisch world, and doesn't return home at the time she had told her family she would. She ends up facing the possibility of a shunning. Abigail has strong values, and values her Amish upbringing. Which world will she choose? I'm not going to spoil it for you. You've just got to read this book for yourself! You won't regret it
I was given an advanced ecopy by the publisher, Zondervan through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

I really liked the storyline and thought the author did an amazing job of showing readers how we will sometimes be tested in our faith. I was taken by surprise when Abigail learns she was adopted twenty years ago. There are so many thoughts running through her mind as she tries to understand that her life is forever changed. What would you do if you suddenly found out that you were adopted? Abigail is in turmoil facing her biological mother while trying to hold her emotions in check. You can tell that she has this curiosity about this woman who says she gave birth to her. I think Abigail feels a little betrayed and lied to by her parents. It must have been hard for them to keep this secret for so long. The author lets us see Abigail struggling with what the right thing is to do. Should she go see this other family she never knew existed? How will it affect the only family she has ever known? Will it cause friction in her relationship with Owen?

Owen had this wandering spirit about him. He likes working with his father but he is restless and has this dream to farm. He can feel the soil in his hands and picture the crops as they grow. His heart is not fulfilled and he knows he must follow God’s direction. His talk with Abigail about her situation was hard but I thought he gave her wise advice. As much as he wants to tell her to stay, he has to let her go to find out where God wants her. Owen is very mature in his thinking but deep down there is pain and a yearning to have a family.

The mention of sunflowers in the story made me smile. My favorites flowers are daisies and sunflowers. When I would visit my granddad on his farm every summer I was surrounded by sunflowers. It felt like they were smiling at me as they stood tall and beautiful. I learned through the story that they are used for oil and birdseed. It doesn’t take much space to grow them and they are good for the land. I appreciate the author doing her research to give readers an idea of how to grow sunflowers and how they are profitable, Owen wants to have a sunflower crop but his dad doesn’t think it will be enough to support himself and a family.

This may seem strange to those who have read the book, but I really liked Eric who is Abigail’s biological dad. He has a good head on his shoulders and wanted to make sure Abigail knew he wanted to keep her and regrets their decision. If I was Abigail I would be feeling a little more secure knowing that I was wanted. When he tells her that they will slow down getting to know her I applauded him. As they discuss the past he says , “Or maybe we had to go through trials in order to find our way back to each other.” Well that stopped me in my tracks. Just think of all the trials you have been through. Did they lead you back to where you were meant to be?

The author showed me what it was like to believe in yourself and not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Abigail is an inspiration for all those who don’t feel like they fit in. We have to go through trials sometimes to discover where God wants us to be planted. I loved how the story takes us through second chances, patience, being content with who you are and forgiving even when it is hard.

“A faith not tested would be weak faith.”

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The review is my own opinion.

How do you find your way between two worlds without losing your faith, your own sense of identity.

Abigail Bontrager knew that she was different. She struggled with being an Amish woman where life and expectations seemed easier for her Amish friends. When an English woman came to her home and claimed to be her mother, she was at a loss. Her parents never told her. They loved her and wanted the best for her. Her boyfriend, Owen had his own insecurities however, helping Abigail make the decision to live with her English mother for a couple of weeks to discover who her parents are. Why they gave her up for adoption and why did they want her back.

There is so much in Abigail's story to grasp so I will only speak on a few things. Abigail in her visit to her mother was introduced to another way of life. She was able to appreciate who she was and the strength she had in simplicity. She was given a gift of living the faith that was meaningful. Would she be tempted to the English world or would she and Owen live the plans that they had made in for the Plain life. Owen too had to trust that Abigail's faith was real. He had to let her go so she would come back. It really comes to living the life of the what if. What if I made this decision or that. What if I married or stayed single. Abigail was able to life that and see for herself. It is easy to coast in life but I appreciated Abigail and Owen in how they lived life in purpose. Faith is living life in purpose. Not to make life easier but with a God given purpose.

A special thank you to Zondervan Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

This is a Clean Amish Romance, and this is the second book in the Amish Blessings series. I loved the characters in this book, and I really love getting to know Abigail. This whole book is about Abigail trying to figure out where she fits in. This was a great story and it was well written. The romance in this book was really in the background because this book was mainly about Abigail trying to decided if she was still Amish. I really loved the ending of this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Zondervan) or author (Kelly Irvin) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

“The Warmth of Sunshine” is the second book in the Amish Blessings series. Abigail Bontranger is living a Plain life with her family and dating Owen Kurtz. Out of the blue, she finds out that she was adopted from an English mother. Abigail doesn’t know where she belongs- with Owen and the family who raised her or the English mother who gave her up at sixteen.
I really enjoyed this book and we saw many characters from the first book. Once again, faith and family are the core components of this story. Even though this is a stand alone novel, I recommend reading the books in order. If you like Amish stories that are not your usual plot, this is for you! I want to thank the author, Zondervan, and Netgalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This book was a wonderful read! Abigail's story is full of emotions, and you can feel every one of them. It's a beautifully written story full of hope, love and family. Highly recommend this beautiful story.
I received a complimentary copy from Zondervan Fiction via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Such well written characters. I felt so bad for Abigail, who just couldn’t seem to do anything right, by Amish standards. (I could kind of relate to her. My pie crust isn’t always flaky) But she’s left wondering why she’s not so “amish.” And Owen is so sweet. He’ll do anything for her. I loved both of them.

I was surprised by the turn things took with the woman claiming to be Abigail’s mother. Heather was the exact opposite of Abigail’s maam and yet both loved her. Irvin wrote this in a very unique way and certainly held my attention; I kept reading to see what would happen. There are certainly lessons to be learned about telling the truth and keeping secrets.

If you enjoy Amish fiction with sweet romance and unexpected twists, then I highly recommend The Warmth of Sunshine.

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

Author Kelly Irvin gives us a very different Amish story, a girl with now two families, birth parents and adopted parents. One set Amish, they raised her to be be the young women she is when we meet her, and now another set that want to pull her into their lives, and we are there to see how this turmoil resolves!

Can't imagine finding out or the first time at the age of twenty that you were adopted, yes, they should have told her sooner, but that chance goes away when the birth mother shows up at their door!

All the while reading this you wonder, she has values, but will she totally embrace the life of a non-Amish woman? So many new things, and she is encouraged to try so many different and unknown devices, clothes, lifestyles!

Will the new young man turn her head and make her stay, or the life she has know and they young man there make her return? We page turn for answers!

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

The Warmth of Sunshine by Kelly Irvin is a touching Amish tale. Abigail Bontrager has her life turned upside down when she learns that she was adopted. Her birth mother, Heather shows up at the family farm wanting to get to know Abigail. Abigail is confused and no longer knows who she is. Abigail decides to visit her birth mother and siblings in Abilene to see if it can provide clarity. Abigail hopes that God will lead her down the right path. I thought The Warmth of Sunshine was well-written with developed characters. I like Kelly Irvin’s engaging writing style. I was drawn into the story and just wanted to keep reading. I cannot imagine what Abigail was feeling after discovering that she was adopted. She has always felt like she did not fit in since she struggles to accomplish the normal female tasks (cooking, baking, etc.). Abigail’s cookies could break a tooth. I thought the author did a wonderful job at portraying Abigail’s emotional and her mental state after this revelation. We also meet Owen who has been courting Abigail. He works for his father’s metal shed construction company, but Owen prefers farming. He wants to grow sunflowers as a cash crop on his father’s land, but Owen’s father is not keen on the idea. When Abigail departs for Abilene, Owen is left wondering if she will return to Haven. Owen’s father is also courting a local widow. It looks like he will be proposing soon which means a new stepmother and five new siblings. The story is told from Abigail and Owen’s point-of-view in alternating chapters. I found the pacing to be a little on the slow side as Abigail decides what to do and then visits her birth mother. There are good life lessons in the story. Everything happens for a reason. God has a plan that will unfold according to His schedule (not ours). The Warmth of Sunshine is a story about hope, love, family, friendship, and faith. It is the second book in the Amish Blessings series, but it can be read as a standalone. The Warmth of Sunshine is a poignant Amish tale with an unexpected announcement, baffling feelings, bewildering birth family, crop conundrum, displeased parents, and a gracious God.

Square Peg

Abigail Bontrager has always felt a little out of place. Having grown up Amish, she's always felt that there are things she should be better at, such as making a great pie crust. However, that does not have any affect on her faith, her love of family, or her blossoming relationship with Owen Kurtz. Owen also has a strong faith and love of family. As his relationship with Abigail continues to blossom and as he looks toward a future with her, Owen works toward beginning a business of growing sunflowers. All seems to be going in the right direction until an outsider claiming to be Abigail's birth mother completely shatters everything.

First of all, I have to say props to Ms. Irvin for how well she dealt with this sensitive topic. I can only imagine what it would be like to find out that your parents are not your biological parents. It brings in a slew of questions, a whole new family to get to know, and in this case, an entirely different culture, faith and way of life. That had to be very difficult, not just for Abigail, but also for her family and Owen. However, Ms. Irvin flawlessly handled the topic.

Abigail's walk in the English world had some happy moments, but also challenging and sad moments. While she tried new things in her new environment, she would ask herself so many questions about everything. Heather, her bio mom, and Eric, her bio dad, sometimes said things that were encouraging to her, but other times, they came across as not wanting her to continue to follow her faith. This made Abigail feel even more like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. Such a difficult walk for Abigail and for Owen as he waited for Abigail's return.

I can say so much more about this wonderful story, but the only real way to appreciate Abigail and Owen's story is to read it for yourself. Just be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster and enjoy the ride.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Abigail life is upended when she learns that she was adopted from an 'English' woman. Now her birth mother wants her to go home with her for a visit and meet her siblings. Owen, who has been courting Abigail, doesn't enjoy the work that he does with his father. Owen sees the promise of sunflowers as a crop and wants to turn to farming, but his father is not supportive. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I like how Owen supported Abigail in trying out the 'English' lifestyle. I like how he didn't give up on his dreams to be a farmer and have Abigail in his life. I felt for Abigail trying out new things at her birth mother's home while still trying to hold on to her values. She was struggling to find where she fit in. It would be hard to try to keep your feet in two different worlds. This is an interesting read and a sweet romance.

Everyone has a journey to take to find who they are. Sometimes it takes longer for some than others to figure it out and this story keeps you on the journey with Abigail.

The Warmth of Sunshine by Kelly Irvin is a beautifully written story about hope and love and what it means to be a family. Abigail has always been a bit clumsy and a little awkward. She is ready to move forward and hopes that she will be doing so with Owen, her long time friend who has become something more in recent months. When she finds a strange woman in her house, she finds out that she was adopted by her Amish parents at birth, but never told. Her birth mother, Heather, wants to get to know her. Abigail is torn. She is committed to her faith, but what if she is missing something by not knowing her birth family. As she struggles to make the right choices and see where she fits, we see a portrait of hope and innocence. It paints a picture for us of the love that we have in our families, even the ones that don't look as we would expect. Highly recommend. It may be one of my favorite of the year. Thanks to Kelly Irvin, NetGalley, and the publisher. I am blessed to be allowed to read and review these stories.

Kelly Irvin does a great job telling the story of an Amish girl who finds out she was adopted. She maintains a good pace and the feel of the Amish. Her writing is very good and she does not repeat herself and phrases like you see many writers of this genre do. It's a good book and one that I would recommend. I plan to read more of her books. There are some formatting errors that I assume will be fixed by the publisher before release. but as to Ms. Irvin, she has done a great job!