With All Her Heart by Kelly Irvin is a heartwarming story about love, acceptance, and faith. We get to learn about the disabilities that affect the Amish because of their limited gene pool. I felt for Bonnie who was struggling with her declining health. She did not want to give up her independence by switching from a rollator to a wheelchair. Bonnie has always wanted a husband and a family, but she did not see how it was feasible. Plus, Bonnie did not wish to be a burden to a husband. I liked the friendship that formed between Bonnie and Elijah. A friendship is a good basis for a romantic relationship. Bonnie and Elijah were good for each other. Both Bonnie and Elijah must face their fears and deal with their pride (there are different forms of pride). Like Bonnie, I have trouble asking for help. There is also a romance between Bonnie’s mother and a new widower. Bonnie’s mother is resistant at first. She does not appreciate her brother’s matchmaking. I especially enjoyed this storyline because the characters are closer to my age. I like how faith was woven into the story. With All Her Heart is the third book (and final) book in the Amish Calling series. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the series in order. With All Her Heart is a touching tale with handcrafted toys, a special shop, a helpful rollator, social anxiety disorder dilemma, merry matchmakers, a crafty grandpa, and happy hearts.

With All Her Heart is book 3 in Kelly Irvin's Amish Calling series and it was so good that I had tears in my eyes when I finished it! Because of Bonnie's disability she feels like a relationship with Elijah wouldn't be in his best interest. He also struggles with extreme shyness and is scared to do the calling at his family's auction business. They both grow so much, and it was a joy to read their story! I also really enjoyed Bonnie's mom romance with a widower and how that all played out. Slowpoke is also a great dog and one everyone would love to have. This is truly one of my all-time favorites by Kelly Irvin!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 28 January 2025

With All Her Heart by by Kelly Irvin
Book 3 of 3: Amish Calling
Bonnie is successful in her crafts shop but fears no man will see past her disability to her strong and loving heart. Elijah dreams of leaving the family business to focus on his carvings. Can they find a new path together?
Elijah Miller is a quiet and painfully shy man with a talent for carving the handmade toys and furniture that tourists in the Amish shops love. The large, boisterous Miller family is anything but shy. With a thriving auction business, they want him to do what he hates most: taking the stage and calling the auctions. He loves his family and wants to support them, but will they allow room for Elijah to follow his own dream?
Bonnie Yoder began the Homespun Handicrafts with her friends, Sophia and Carol. Each has a physical disability to overcome but together they prove that wheelchairs and rollators will not stop them from building a business and a craft community. Bonnie, with her chestnut curls and pretty face, yearns for a husband and family of her own but fears her spinal condition will keep any Amish man from choosing a life with her. Can a man like Elijah see past her walker to the woman behind it?
With the support of his beloved dog, Slowpoke, Elijah finds the courage to bring in samples of his handcrafted toys for Bonnie to consider for display in the shop. Through her advice, Elijah begins to see a possible new life doing what he loves best. Bonnie, in reconnecting with this old school friend, fears that the hope for a relationship that she feels may be another disappointment.
Can Elijah and Bonnie help each other find the lives they want and the love they desire?
This is Bonnie Yoder and Elijah Miller's story.
“Hannah, can you handle the cash register while I talk with Elijah?”
Elijah Miller’s stricken expression sent a flaming arrow straight to Bonnie Yoder’s heart. She angled her rollator between him and the door to keep him from making a run for it. “That box looks heavy.”
Taking advantage of an aisle made extra wide to accommodate wheelchairs, Bonnie passed Elijah and took the lead past displays of leather goods, jewelry, birdhouses, candles, soaps, ceramics, pottery, paintings, scarves, totes, baskets, and handmade greeting cards, all created by area artisans. Then bookshelves filled with books written by Plain authors and even some Amish romance novels written by English authors followed. Bonnie and her co-owners did their best to give local and regional artisans, specifically ones with disabilities, a place to sell their wares.
Humming “Amazing Grace,” Elijah Miller stuck a box filled with wooden toys into the back of his buggy next to a rocking horse, a doll’s cradle, a tiny table with four matching chairs, and a child- size wooden push lawn mower toy. The humming and that particular hymn took his mind off what was coming. He brushed his hands together. “That’ll do it.”
I recommend this book
With All Her Heart by Kelly Irvin is a 5 star book.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are entirely my own.
More books by Kelly Irvin.
The Heart's Bidding (Amish Calling Book 1)
Book 1 of 3: Amish Calling by Kelly Irvin
Matters of the Heart (Amish Calling Book 2)
by Kelly Irvin
With All Her Heart by Kelly Irvin
Book 3 of 3: Amish Calling

I remain unclear about why I love amish romance, but I really really do. So cute, so easy to read, so mindless but in a really lovely way.

I have loved this whole series by Kelly Irvin about the special needs in the Amish community due to the Founder's effect. I read the author's note upfront about how she didn't necessarily agree with the actions in the book, but she strived to write the Amish perspective faithfully. I can see why she thought that the note was necessary, but she wrote Bonnie so beautifully, no reader could blame Elijah for falling for her. Having children knowing they could pass on genetic mutations, that's more difficult, but I think that is one of those areas where grace is needed for people's whose perspective differs from yours. Regardless, this story reads beautifully- it's so tenderly and compassionately written and just reaffirming and hopeful.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you#NetGalley and Zondervan Fiction for the Arc.

Kelly Irvin does it again! This is the third in the Amish Calling series and once again takes on one of the toughest of topics, disabilities. As a mother to several children with various special needs, this book was a powerful story of challenge and triumph. The romance woven between every day life with SMA and extreme shyness was sweet and raw. This was a sweet and lovely read that had me looking forward to each evenings reading time and left me so encouraged at the end.

Kelly Irvin’s third book in the Amish Calling series is a heartwarming tale of love and acceptance. The series begins with an insightful Author’s Note that delves into the concept of the “founder effect,” a phenomenon experienced by some Plain families due to a limited gene pool. Despite this, these families firmly believe that every child, regardless of disability, is cherished and considered special.

The story follows Bonnie Yoder, a co-owner of a successful gift shop with two other disabled Amish women. While Bonnie has managed her disability well and achieved success in her business, she has never imagined marriage or children in her future.

Elijah Miller, on the other hand, comes from a family of auctioneers but struggles with shyness, making it unlikely that he will follow in his father’s footsteps. Instead, he finds solace and passion in creating wooden toys from carvings. He has been working in a workshop behind his family’s home and dreams of turning his hobby into a business and eventually having his own family.

Elijah and Bonnie strike a deal for him to sell his wooden carvings at her gift shop. As they spend time together, they realize that there’s a deeper connection between them despite the challenges they face. Elijah’s shyness just might hold him back. And Bonnie struggles with the idea of being a good Plain wife and mother due to her disability. In fact, she finds it impossible to imagine.

While it is clear that there is a strong connection between Elijah and Bonnie, the couple struggle to find a way that will bring them both happiness. This book is a story of love and acceptance that celebrates the happiness of even less-than-perfect protagonists. The author’s sensitivity in portraying these characters’ struggles and their eventual happy endings is truly commendable.

While the main focus of the story is on Elijah and Bonnie’s love story, there’s also a delightful secondary love story that adds to the overall charm of the narrative. Additionally, I must mention the profound love and care shown by the Plain community towards disabled individuals and children in their midst. It’s a testament to the values and beliefs that reinforces their society’s ways.

Many thanks to Zondervan Fiction and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this third book in the Amish calling series. It deals sensitively with the disabilities experienced by many Amish families "because of a limited gene pool, resulting in what geneticists call the founder effect." It also highlights their amazing resourcefulness and abilities to embrace life and each other fully even while struggling with some realities of daily life. As Toby reminds Elijah, "Everybody has disabilities. Some show. Some don't. I think Gott allows them so we don't get too uppity for our own gut...In our weakness Gott is strong" (location 1755).

I loved Elijah and his heart for Bonnie. It was amazing seeing him overcome some of his insecurities and finding courage. I also really liked Theo and the way he got Jocelyn's heart going with his winks and comments.

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

As always, I enjoy Kelly Irvin’s books and this one did not disappoint. Such a well written, clean novel, it reminded me that even though people have disabilities, they should never let their challenges dictate how they live life-they need to meet them head on and try to overcome them. This book is part of a series so you might want to read the other books first to become familiar with previous characters.

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

Kelly Irvin has given us a unique and special novel with her third book in An Amish Calling series, WITH ALL HER Heart. Ms. Irvin chooses the most distinctive topics to write a story about. I learn so much each time I have the pleasure of reading one of her books.

Bonnie Yoder has SMA, yet she owns Homespun Handicrafts with her friends, Sophia and Carol. Each girl has their own handicap, nevertheless, try to live a normal lifestyle.

Elijah Miller Loves making handmade toys for children, but is called on to help with the family’s auction business. Elijah hates the idea of being an auctioneer.

All the characters in this story are so realistic you feel like you think of them as friends.

There is so much going on in this Fastpace novel that you can’t wait until you can read more.

We are able to watch Elijah and Bonnie struggle to achieve the desires of their hearts.

I was allowed to read an ARC from Zondervan Fiction | Zondervan through NetGalley, but was not required to give a positive review.

You will Thoroughly enjoy this five star book. Order your copy today.

Elijah Miller wants to sell his handmade wooden products at Homespun Handicrafts in Lee's Gulch. He is so shy it will be hard to ask the owners to take his items. He loves working with his hands and it would be life-changing to make this work. He feels physically ill at the thought of being a caller at his family's auction business. He just isn't like Troy and Declan.
Bonnie Yoder is a co-owner at the store. She remembers that the Miller brother was shy in school. She has had to make her way in the business world with her two dear friends who are also differently abled. Spinal muscular atrophy causes her to use a rollator to get around in the store and elsewhere. She can be a bit prickly when someone assumes she needs help. She believes that no man would court her and that she will be single for her life.
I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I deeply appreciate it and the series from Kelly Irvin. This is my unsolicited opinion. It's an excellent book. I understand the feelings of both main characters and Bonnie's mother, Jocelyn. The author deals with the very real concerns and feelings of people with introverted characteristics and those who have chronic medical conditions. This is a touching story. It goes so well with the previous stories involving the Miller brothers. For readers who have enjoyed the previous books you will recognize Sadie and other series characters. This is a definite five star read for me. I recommend it to readers who like a more realistic Amish story.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley to honestly read and review.
I did not realize this book was a part of series. I would suggest reading the books prior but it did not cause a problem with my reading. I like how the author chose to focus on people with disabilities in the Amish Community and show how the Amish Community is affected by disabilities. It was an issue I had never really considered when reading Amish fiction.
I enjoyed this story and the look at how the main character dealt with her disability. While I didn't love everything about this story I did enjoy it for the most part. The main character was a little annoying at times but not to the point that it affected my reading. The love interest was so sweet and endearing. My heart went out to him as he faced his own difficulties. It was a nice sweet read.

This is the third book of the Amish Calling series. It can be read as a standalone but for the full enjoyment, it is recommended to read the other two titles in the series. This reader has not read the previous titles, however thoroughly enjoyed With All Her Heart. Ms. Irvin writes the characters Elijah and Bonnie in such a way that readers will find themselves rooting for them as individuals as well as for their relationship.

With All Her Heart is a refreshing change. The main characters have special needs, but those needs do not slow them down. This is an interesting and different kind of read. It moves along quickly and keeps the reader engaged, waiting to see if Elijah and Bonnie get together. It is highly recommended for readers who like cozy romances.

I received an ARC ebook from NetGalley and the publisher, Zondervan, in exchange for an honest review.

Readers who like Amish fiction will enjoy this third book in the Amish Calling series. This story portrays several Amish people with varying disabilities. Bonnie, one of the owners of the craft store disability ways heavily on her as she wonders about her future . Elijah weighs his options as his family needs him in their auctioneer business but his shyness holds him back. Sweet story but heavy.

This is an interesting book by Kelly Irvin. This book explores the genetic disabilities, called the Founder effect, that can affect the Amish community. The book centers around Bonnie and Elijah. Bonnie is afflicted by several disabilities that affects her legs and hands making it difficult to walk and grip onto things. She and 2 of her friends that also have various disabilities run a craft/consignment store. Elijah comes from a family of auctioneers started by his grandfather. His dad expects him to follow in their footsteps along with his brothers. Elijah is a talented woodworker and doesn't want to be in front of people calling auctions. He is in love with Bonnie and she loves him, too, but because of her disabilities, keeps him at arm's length. Will they be able to overcome their various challenges and eventually marry? Read this book to find out. I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review. #netgalley #zondervanfiction

This is the third book in this series, all equally as good, this can be read alone, there are recurring characters.
This is Elijah Miller's story, a bashful young man that would rather make wooden toys than get in front of a crowd and auctioneer.
This is also a young Amish woman, Bonnie Yoder, that was born with a disability. She has persevered despite her disabilities. She now owns a shop with two other women with physical limitations, they take goods on consignment.
Sparks fly between these two, but can they ever really forge a relationship, especially when things seem to be worsening health wise. Will Elijah be able to overcome his fears? Answers come, and we are updated on past characters we came to care about!
I'm am hoping for more in this series!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan Fiction, and was not required to give a positive review.

I love how the author Kelly Irvin shows us people have different challenges in life. Some are seen and some unseen. Even though Bonnie suffers from the genetic disease SMA, she is a co-owner of Homespun Handicrafts with two friends that also suffer from disabilities. Bonnie would love to marry and have children but knows that her disease will progress and her mobility decrease. She doesn't want to burden anyone. Elijah is a shy, introverted and handsome man from a family of auctioneers. He is also talented woodcarver and furniture maker who wants to sell his goods in Bonnie's store. Elijah's family wants him in their auction business, but he struggles to speak to people outside his family. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This is a sweet romance. I love this book and the series.

With All Her Heart by Kelly Irvin is filled with messages of hope, courage, endurance, faith, optimism, and love. An uplifting story for those facing life's challenges. Characters that leave you feeling humbled and hopeful.

Releases Jan. 28th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4 Stars

This is the first book that I have read by this author, and was pretty good.

                    ...............
Negative Content

A unknown version of the Bible is used.

The word infernal is thought once.

A person swore they'd’ never go through something again.

A person said that they'd seen too much to pussyfoot around.

A mention of a man talking about his very sick brother, saying “He’s so narrisch. He’s been throwing up and complaining of a stomachache for two days. He insisted it was food poisoning.” And that calling his brother stupid (narrisch) was Toby’s way of saying he was worried.

A mention that a woman kissed a cat's nose.

When a man asks his brother brother if he had any regrets, his brother answered “Do I miss the microphone and my smooth-as-a-bopli’s-behind vocals? I do.” (bopli's = babys)

A mention that a woman thought she’d work seven days a week if Mom would let her.

A man tells his brother “I guess I still have some pointers on how to get rid of the jitters.” (for calling auctions). His brother asks “It doesn’t involve imagining them with no clothes on, does it?” One of the instructor’s suggestions— offered in jest. “No way..." (Not a necessary comment.)

A woman says “My mamm and dat are still yakking with yours.”

A son thinks that parents weren’t supposed to meddle in their children’s pursuit of a husband or wife. That his rumspringa hadn’t produced a wife was his own business.

A woman says to her friend, “I see the wheels turning. What are you thinking about, friend?” to which she replied “Nothing worth saying.” and thinks, nothing that wouldn’t get her sent to Hades for all eternity.

A mention that a "Miranda Lambert’s man-who-done-her-wrong lyrics blaring from overhead speakers".

A man asks a woman if she would like to go fishing with him on Sunday, and that it was their "day off from church". They do go fishing that Sunday.

Some mentions of the Amish thinking they couldn't know for sure if people went to heaven.
A mention that the thought that someone that somebody loved who had passed might be lonely too was almost too much to bear.
A widow asked a widower if he visited his late wife's grave, and he said “I did when I lived in Berlin. After I came to Virginia, I realized I didn’t have to physically visit her grave to feel close to her. She’s in a cooling breeze, a bird’s song, in the rain, and even the thunderstorms.”

A mother is trying to encourage her daughter to get married, and says “Gott didn’t mean for people to be alone. That’s why He created Eve from Adam’s rib. He knew it wasn’t gut for man to be alone. He needed a helpmate—” and her daughter interrupted her" saying “Mamm, seriously, you’re quoting Genesis to me?” the daughter snorted, thinking it wasn’t the Scripture itself. It was as familiar as the Lord’s Prayer. As the Ten Commandments.

A woman fell, and thinks maybe if she could reach a tree, she could use a branch to pull herself up far enough to get her legs under her.
She straightened. She eyed the selection along the road. They were old trees that towered far above her. Not a single low -hanging bough. Come on, Gott. (Not sure if it was irreverent or not.)

A engaged couple kiss, and when they finally broke apart, the woman clasped the fiancée's face in her hands and asked, “...did you lure me out here to the van so we could kiss and make out like youngies?” Her fiancée replied “Since we never got to do this as youngies, I thought it was about time.”

                  .................
Trigger Warnings

A mention that a daughter asks her mother why she was up so early, and she answered “I’m going fishing.” Her mom flashed her a “top that”smile. The daughter thinks that her mother managed to sound as if that wasn’t the most astonishing utterance since telling her daughter about the birds and the bees after she witnessed two horses doing their business in a nearby meadow in broad daylight in front of God and everybody.

                   ..............
Other

A mention that a woman was nursing her baby in front of others. Nursing is a perfectly natural thing, but it's awkward and unwise to do it in front of other people.

A widow thinks that in the end women had to submit to the men in their lives, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t speak her peace first. Good thing, or she might blow an artery trying to contain it. (Wives are to submit to their own husband, but not to just any man in her life.)
Later, it mentions her trying to apologize, saying “About what I said earlier—”“Don’t worry about it. You were right.” The words seemed to come easily to him. “I’m always sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong. You said so yourself the first time we met.”“I didn’t have to be so nasty about it. Sometimes I forget my place.”“I imagine it’s hard to adjust to having a bruder run your life after your mann did it for so long.”“Bart would say I should submit. It’s a woman’s lot to submit. Gott loves an obedient believer. Gott forgive me for being so full of hochmut.”

A mention of a woman thinking that they were supposed to accept the circumstances of their lives, come what may, but nobody really explained how to do that.

Some mentions that plain women did not step out in public with another man other then family.
A man tell another man and woman “The diner is a popular place. Just about everyone from the Gmay comes here at least once a week.” and she thinks, was that an admonition? The man continues “Families do, anyway,”... “The youngies know how to court in private.” and the woman thinks, definitely an admonition. It mentions guilt slow-danced in her head.

A mention of a woman saying to her mother and thinking that she'd be home alone where nobody would see her, so she could wear her hair in a ponytail and tie a scarf around her head and be done with it.

A mention of the Amish belief that a woman has to have her head covered to pray, no matter where.

A mention of a mom telling a single woman, “Wait. I know it’s hard for you to see my family growing.” It mentioned her roundabout way of referring to being with child paid lip service to the Plain tradition of keeping such rites of passage private.
.....................

This book was a interesting read, and was a nice change of genre. It had some things that could have been better, or left out all together, but over all it was pretty good.

I received a complimentary e-book from Zondervan Fiction to review through Netgalley.
I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts above are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

Amish fiction is one of my favorite genres and I just loved this book. I loved the wholesome story and the characters that were realistic, had their faults, but were dedicated to their community, family, and faith.

Kelly Irvin did a fantastic job.

Highly recommend.