When I requested this book from Netgalley I didn’t realize it was part of a series. So of course I had to go read the first book The Heart’s Bidding before reading Matters of the Heart. The Amish way of life has always interested me and this book kept my interest. I loved living through the challenges that
Declan and Bethel were faced with and seeing were they would lead. Can’t wait to read more of these families in another book.
Thank you Netgalley and Zondervan for a wonderful read!

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!

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.

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,

It was so good to be back with these characters. Bethel and Declan felt like family by the end of the story and the reader wants to cheer them on through their highs and lows. The kids in these books are so sweet and you can feel the joy that radiates from them.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

This story is about Bethel, her family has been through alot her two brothers has a hereditary disease and her younger sister. Bethel works hard to help her mom with all the extra work, she always has told herself she will be there for her family and marriage isn't for her. Declan Miller has always been a jokester and liked Bethel since they were in school. But he gets a diagnosis of his own causing him to wonder how he could ever have a relationship. Bethel and Declan have to learn to trust God for their lives and decide if they could have a life together.. I was given this book by Netgalley and wasn't required to leave a review.
#Netgalley #KellyIrvin #Amishfiction

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

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.

“Gott is gracious. He is merciful. He is omnipotent. Most of all, He is always gut. I will cling to that notion, come what may.”
“Rest in Me.”
I love books that take me back to Amish country, one of my absolute favorite places. This series is unique in that its main theme is genetic disabilities as a result of the Amish closely intermarrying. I knew that certain diseases are prevalent among the Amish, but few fiction books mention it, preferring the romanticized version of this simple lifestyle. But I appreciated the author addressing it head on in a very respectful way. A simple life does not mean an easy one, but the characters in this book view all life as a blessing and rely on God to meet their needs. It is an attitude we should all aspire to.
I deducted a star because the dialogue throughout was quite choppy. A character would ask a question or make a statement, a page or two of background or thoughts would follow, then another character would reply. By then I had forgotten what the reply was in reference to and would have to flip back to refresh my memory. There were also times I was not sure which character was speaking. It all made the dialogue difficult to follow most times.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and read through it in a couple of days. For a refreshingly honest trip to Amish country, I recommend it. You do not have to read book one first, but it is helpful to get the background before reading book 2. I look forward to more in this series.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from NetGalley and Zondervan Fiction. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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.

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.

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!

Declan and Bethel's story. Liked this sweet romance overall, but there is a sad undertone throughout. With Bethel's family suffering from hereditary diseases, and Declan having cancer, there is a lot of struggling to keep faith and love going. Still though, worth the read and one I found hard to put down. Would highly recommend this one.

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.