Leah Wickey was left at the altar. Well, not exactly. Amish marriages are not performed before an altar, BUT her intended left the community -- in the middle of the night -- without even hinting he was doing so. The last few months had been hard. Her "Daed" (father) moved the family, leaving the people she had always known to move to Kentucky. Daed is confident that his deer farm will do better there and be less expensive to maintain.

Leah felt that every decision she had made in the last two months was a poor one. The plus of the new community was that no one knew her flaws... yet.

At 15, Joe Shelter made a poor decision, and it cost him the use of his legs. Not long after, his life was forever changed with the loss of family. Confinement to a wheelchair has limitations, but he is the owner of his own business, Shelter Outdoors & Archery. His workshop is 'wheelchair capable'. Outfitted so that he could cut, assemble, and varnish without spasming.

All goes well until ... one of the Wickey's prize deer is killed ... by an arrow. And Leah is almost ... And Joe makes archery equipment ...

"Hunting for a Husband" is the ninth in the series, The Heart of the Amish. I have read & reviewed several in this series. (The most recent was "Lizzie's Little Mouse".) I liked #9 and do recommend it. It was a four-star read for me. Perhaps it was the unexpected, if not downright strange, deer farm. The story was also a bit overlong. While I "liked" Leah & Joe, neither of them pulled me into the story, where I had a hard time closing my Kindle.

I received a complimentary DRC of “Hunting for a Husband” via NetGalley from the publisher, Barbour Publishing | Barbour Fiction. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Rating: 4 stars
Series: The Heart of the Amish, book 9
Cover: Fits the story
Pages: 256
Publish Date: 1 July 2025
#HuntingforaHusband #NetGalley #MindySteele #netgalleyreviewer

"There are big bucks in - big bucks." Leah Wickey has several reasons for feeling down. Her 2 sisters recently married, the Wickey family moving to Kentucky to start up their deer farm & her intended leaving the Amish faith. Joe Shetler is beginning his new life in a wheelchair after a tragic accident. The Wickey family soon find themselves at the mercy of poachers & vandals, with Leah caught in the middle. Joe feels he is not protecting her the way he should be because of his handicap. In spite of the vandalism & trials of faith, Leah & Joes friendship becomes something more as they begin to navigate the trials together. This was a very endearing story with characters you can relate to. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review.

Circumstance that you have come to accept can be changed if you take a chance. Both characters are each dealing with their own trials and must step outside their comfort zones to achieve something bigger. Having faith and good relationships lend to this amazing story line.
I was given an ARC copy of the book and I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

Leah Wicky heart was broken when the young man that was courting her for three years left their Amish community for an 'English' life. Her family has moved to Kentucky to have a larger deer farm. Leah is struggling to fit into the new community. Even though Joe Shetler is confined to a wheelchair, he runs a successful archery and outdoor business. When Leah and Joe are both caught in a rainstorm, they help each other out. This is start of a wonderful friendship and maybe more. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I like that Leah sees Joe for who he is and isn't concerned about his disability. I also like that Joe appreciates the goodness in Leah. This is a sweet Amish romance.

Hunting for a Husband by Mindy Steele is the ninth book in The Heart of the Amish series. This was another delightful read to me, and it is the story of Leah and Joe. Joe had a diving accident while growing up, and he's been in a wheelchair for ten years. Because of this, he thinks no female would ever want him for a husband. Leah has been burned before when her boyfriend left her for the Englisch world. Will they learn to trust each other, and will Joe take a chance on getting surgeries that could restore the use of his legs?

This book is set to release on July 1. If you're an Amish fiction fan, you won't want to miss this one!

Thanks to #NetGalley for an e-pub of this book.

All opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

#HuntingforaHusband #NetGalley

Very enjoyable story. I absolutely loved that their was a character that was very much different to many Amish stories. This story sat differently to many others because of the MMC being in a wheelchair. I loved this because it dealt with the heartache of once being an able bodied teen to a man that struggled with ongoing pain and also an emotional wound of believing he was unlovable in his chair. My favourite moment was
"“Because no matter what you have been told, hope is always there. Sometimes doctors get it wrong.This Dr. Gorman cannot know what Gott does."
Being a nurse I see this time and time again, it is a fabulous reminder of who really is control of everything, who created us and who has a plan for us.
Loved it

I loved this sweet story set in Kentucky. Leah Wickey is considered an old maid in her early twenties. The Amish way of life is distinctly different from the general population. Plenty of romance and a little mystery with great story lines will keep you reading. I was given a complimentary copy of this book and the opinions are my own.

Starting over in a new Amish community after her twin sister is wed leaves Leah feeling alone and uncertain of her own future. A disabled young man with a kind heart, who just happens to be her new neighbor, may bring the answer to Leah's search for God's will for her life.

This is a lovely story with many touching moments and a tender romance between two people who seem to share the sense of feeling left behind. It was infused with Amish wisdom and faith as the two main characters look for guidance and help in moments of need. I enjoyed the blooming of a sweet romance from friends to something more as they encourage each other. A bit of peril and a mystery added some tension and kept the plot moving at a faster pace. The Amish people are always impressive with their strong sense of community and faith, work ethic, respect and kindness to others.

Recommend to readers who enjoy clean inspirational romances.

The Heart of the Amish books have become some of my favorites and this one is no different. I love Leah and Joe's story. It's full of stubbornness, hopefulness, and pure love. Neither of these two thought they would ever marry, though it was in their heart of hearts that they wished to do so, badly.

This is a perfect example of God giving us what we need opposed to what we want. Oftentimes, it's always better. Sometimes we have to go through heartache in order to understand and be ready for true love.

This story is just lovely. It has so many ups and downs and even when it's staring them both in the face, they still fight it. I love that everything turned out the way it was supposed to be and the way God intended it to be.

This book (and the series) is heartwarming and makes you believe in humanity and in love again. I love these books so much!!

Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Mindy Steele for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are my own and are completely honest.

Thanks to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the advance copy!

I'd say more along the lines of 3.5 if I could give half stars. Spoilers for the plot ahoy in this review though!

I enjoyed reading Leah and Joe's love story, it was sweet and I loved how they communicated so well with one another; for once there were no misunderstandings and things driving them apart. I've never seen an Amish Romance where the main character is in a wheelchair before, so I was very intrigued by the concept. I remember thinking partway through (As awful as this sounds) gosh I hope he doesn't all of sudden gain the ability to walk again, because I wanted to see how life would play out for someone with a mobility issue. Not that I'm not happy for him, but I was a bit disappointed there was an all of a sudden POOF magic surgery he can walk again.

Hunting for a Husband is the next book in the Heart if the Amish series by Mindy Steele. Each one can be read as a standalone though characters carry over to some extent. In this book, the Wickey family has moved to Kentucky from Pennsylvania and are settling in with their larger deer farm. Two of their daughters are married and Leah is looking for a husband. It seems everyone wants to help her find the right man which can be overwhelming to her. When God puts the right man in her path, will she recognize him or turn away by what many may see as his shortcomings? The Story points out that all of us have strengths and weaknesses we may not always recognize. Some may see as a strength what others believe is weakness. Leah is a strong woman with family support that will see her through trying times. I like her brother, Caleb, who is so willing to reach out and help others achieve what they may have only dreamed of. A beautiful story of strength, hope and love.

Characters old and new come together in a story filled with love, second chances, and a bit of mystery. You can always count on a Mindy Steele book being a sweet, engaging read.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved reading the inspirational and engaging story. When Leah's boyfriend of three years leaves the Amish Community, her twin sister leaves, and her and her family move to raise deer, Leah doesn't think she'll ever meet the one God has for her, but when a thunderstorm hits, she meets a wonderful man in a wheelchair, Joe. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story by the fabulous author, Mindy Steele.

A sweet Amish romance filled with hope, acceptance, and faith.

Moving with her family from Lancaster to Kentucky, Leah is hoping her past does not follow her. Praying her dreams will come true.

Having been injured as a young teen and confined to a wheelchair, Joe has accepted his dream of a frau and kinner may never come true.

Can the friendship Leah and Joe form become even more?

Releases July 1st. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mindy Steele has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her take on Amish life has introduced me to some of the quirkiest characters, and instead of the staid, sober Amish characters that often show up, her characters know how to laugh, most often at themselves.

Leah Wickey moves with her family to Kentucky. In her mid-twenties, she's practically an old maid by Amish standards. It's not that she never dates, it's that something always happens to get in the way. She was so late to her last date (because of her job helping Dok Stella) that he ended up stranding her at the auction house and taking another girl home.

Joe Shetler took a leap at 15 that changed his life and consigned him to a wheelchair. Now 25, he has watched nearly all of his friends fall in love and marry, but what woman would want a man who can't walk beside her through life? Resigned to a life alone, his new friendship with the new girl in the district is a bit of a surprise. Is that interest he sees in her eyes? He knows he's interested in her, but why in the world would she choose him? When poachers set their sights on Leah's father's prize bucks, can Joe's knowledge of hunting protect Leah from harm?

Readers who love Amish romance with a strong dose of mystery will enjoy Hunting for a Husband. While it is book 9 in the Heart of the Amish series, it can be read as a stand-alone story. I highly recommend Hunting for a Husband!

Hunting for a Husband is a delightful Amish romance packed with humor, heart, and just the right touch of mischief.

When Emma Hochstetler decides to take charge of her future, her determination sets off a journey filled with awkward moments, sweet surprises, and unexpected second chances.

Mindy Steele crafts a feel-good story with endearing characters and a warm, engaging tone. The themes of faith, love, and trusting God’s perfect timing shine through without feeling heavy-handed.

A light and uplifting read that fans of Amish fiction and clean romance will truly enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved how this Amish romance was more than your typical romance novel. It had a bit of mystery as well as hardship entwined within the romance setting. A fun read!!

If you're a fan of Amish fiction then you're going to enjoy Mindy Steele's newest book, Hunting for a Husband! This story begins when Leah Wicky has to uproot her life in Pennsylvania Amish country to move with her family to a much smaller community in Kentucky. Though her heart is bruised from a recently failed relationship, Leah relies on God to help her make friends and find a purpose in her new community. One of the first friends Leah's makes is Joe Shetler, a local business owner who was injured, years ago, because of a silly teenage prank. Joe, who now spends life in a wheelchair, has accepted his disability, almost to the point of limiting himself to the possibility of living life to the fullest. As Leah and Joe discover, sometimes God works in mysterious ways and life doesn't always go as planned.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I was provided a free copy by Net Galley in exchange for my honest review. Hunting for a Husband releases July 1, 2025.

Hunting for a Husband is a charming Amish romance filled with humor, heart, and unexpected twists. When Emma Hochstetler takes matters into her own hands to find a husband, her boldness leads to a delightful and sometimes awkward journey of self-discovery and second chances.

With endearing characters and a light, engaging tone, Steele delivers a feel-good story about faith, love, and trusting God’s timing.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Hunting for a Husband is a tender sweet Amish romance by Mindy Steele. The story is set in Kentucky and it’s about two young Amish adults who become smitten with one another. The two main characters are Leah Wickey and Joseph Shetler. Leah’s Amish family has just moved to Kentucky because her Father was looking for more land so he could start a deer farm. Leah is just getting over a three year relationship with a man that she thought loved her but in reality he was just stringing her along. In her mid twenties she’s ready to get married and start a family. Joseph is a disabled Amish man in a wheel chair. He’s fortunate enough to own his own business but has been overlooked by all the available Amish ladies in the community. He feels he isn’t good enough because of his disability. He would love to marry and have a family but that seems out of his reach. Then an almost accident brings the two together as friends. And so their story begins. Grab a cup of coffee and get comfortable because this is a book that you won’t want to put down anytime soon.
This book totally drew me in almost from the beginning. I loved all the characters. There is an element of mystery in this story that kept me turning the pages. There’s some edge of seat moments also. This book has it all. Romance, mystery and suspense. The ending was beautiful and bought closure to the story.
I highly recommend Hunting for a husband to readers of Amish romance, Christian Fiction and Women’s Fiction. It’s part of The Heart of the Amish series but can be read as a standalone. It is scheduled for release on 7/1/25.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thought and opinions expressed here in this review are solely my own.
#HuntingforaHusband #NetGalley