One of the main focuses of this book is on the “special” children of the Amish community. Bethel has a couple siblings with a type of muscular dystrophy. She helps her parents take care of her siblings to the detriment of her own life and future. When Declan comes into her life and challenges her thoughts on her future, they have much to consider.

Declan has his own issues that make him wonder if he should pursue a woman. I enjoyed Declan’s humor. I felt he was a good foil to Bethel’s seriousness and I liked seeing her come to appreciate his humor and outlook on life. This book also has a strong message on trusting God and his will in times of suffering knowing He will help you. I appreciated that.

I listened to the audiobook and it was very easy to follow. It had a good reader with a nice voice. I’d recommend it.

Thank you to Zondervan for providing me with a free audio copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I koved this narrators voice. It was so soothing but at the same time she felt so invested in the book. It was a very emotional book, with strong characters. I could feel what they went through. I understood their decisions. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

4 Stars ✨

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for granting me an audio ARC in return for my honest review.

“ In order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬-‭10‬

Audio Version 🎧
Narrator 5/5

Declan Miller is an auctioneer and the community jokester. Bethel is a caregiver for her siblings who have special needs. They suffer from 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. Declan has a secret health issue of his own, but that doesn’t stop him from pursuing and trying to change Bethels mind on courtship. Can they both overcome their fears enough to make it work?

Matters of the Heart definitely lived up to its name. This book made me so emotional, it was a hard read -but also so good. It was a book about patience, letting go of fear, and trusting in God. Also, 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 with herself and God about her struggles and the fairness of it all. The faith content was beautifully crafted and I really enjoyed it. I closed this book with admiration and a thankful heart. It made me think and to be grateful for all the things (good and bad) that God allows me to go through. Each trial is just another notch in the belt of becoming stronger, the more we learn to lean on him and not ourselves. He truly is stronger in our weakness. Would recommend!!