Loving Isaac

by Heather Kaufman

Pastor Matthew Schofield loves his books, his writing, and his small Oklahoma congregation. His life is studious and predictable, just the way he likes it. And then he meets Hana Howard and her son, Isaac, who are anything but quiet, anything but predictable, and his world is forever changed. Hana Howard is a single mother of a son with autism, living out of her sister's basement. She's running from a painful past that she never imagined would be a part of her story, and she's looking to the future with not much hope. And then she meets Matthew Schofield, a quiet, thoughtful man who forms a surprising bond with her son, Isaac, and she's challenged to view God and His promises in a whole new light. Thoughtful and eloquent, Loving Isaac is the story of a pastor who was set in his ways and happy about it, a mother who was saddened by her life circumstances, and a little boy who helped them learn that God's will is sometimes surprising and always delightful.

Genres: Christian, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Adult

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2018

About the author

Heather Kaufman lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children. She holds a BA from McKendree University and an MA from the University of Missouri—St. Louis. When not reading or writing, she can be found drinking copious amounts of coffee and exploring new parks with her family.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

2022 review:

This was a lot easier to read the second time. The first time I read it, I spent a lot of time pondering it. And worrying about the characters. This time, I could just remind myself I already knew (and liked) how it ends, which let me enjoy it in a very different way.

It was also cool to reread because I could spend some time enjoying how Kaufman wove everything together. The main character, Hana, makes some hasty judgements throughout, and it was neat to be able to recognize when she was making a mistake and try to learn from that myself.

One of my favorite things about this book is how familiar it all feels. I grew up Lutheran, first in the LCMS, now in the WELS, and it's just so cozy to read about people worshiping in the same manner as I do, having Sunday school, liturgical services, hosting Vacation Bible School, and just... having the same kind of church life as I do. This takes place in Oklahoma, and I've never lived farther west than Iowa, but it still felt homelike.

2018 review:

This was not an easy book to read, for me. I stopped after almost every chapter just to absorb what had happened and adjust my emotions before reading the next one. When I finished the penultimate chapter, I put the book down and told Cowboy, "If the last chapter isn't awesome, I'm going to throw this book in the recycling bin because it has shredded my heart like a used Kleenex."

Happily, the very last chapter is very wonderful, so this will be living on my shelf next to Kaufman's first novel, The Story People, rather than being consigned to the recycling bin. Whew.

Heather Kaufman has an amazing way with words, weaving them into a world that feels very real, in good ways and bad. I saw a lot of myself in characters in this book, which was both reassuring and a good wake-up call to avoid some behavior I've lapsed into. Behavior like always talking to the people I already know at church. Just because I'm shy doesn't mean I can't be kind and welcome new people. Time to work on that.

[Ruth Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant and sensitive, this book tackles the subject of a single mother with an autistic child and a painful past. I appreciated Heather’s gentle approach to the topic and the real-life responses to Isaac from church and family members, as well as Hana’s own struggles to see the good intentions of others. The book is an apt reminder to all of us that everyone is struggling with something, and we can’t compare our own struggles to theirs. Hana, the main character, struggled with a bit of self-righteousness that others couldn’t *really* understand since they didn’t have an autistic child, but her heart was softened and opened to see the grace of God at work in her own life and those around her. The romance in the book was sweet, although I felt like the last chapter was a tad rushed but drawn-out at the same time. Two years were summed up in a few pages, which I felt was a little too long a time to cram into that short a narrative, but the ending was sweet and satisfying nonetheless. Definitely a book I’d recommend!

[LibraryLaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sensitive and faith-filled romance between a single mother of a son with autism and a Lutheran pastor made this an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. Way-above-average Christian fiction.

Thanks to Edelweiss and Concordia House for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Heidi Goehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a gem, holding a unique understanding of special needs children, grace for mothers, the complicated nature of family dynamics, and the mess and hope of the local church. It took me a while to love the characters, but by the end I was cheering for each of them, even the hardest ones to understand. This book reminded that we are all different and necessary for one another, that people, even when they push away need us, and that sometimes love takes its own kind of time.

[Michael Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captures ones attention right away and continues with unexpected twists and turns all the way to the end!

[Kendall Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A generally good story. There are parts that are oddly written, e.g. the personification of Hana's emotions in one scene toward the end was quite odd and out of place. I have some severe concerns that the pastor in this story demonstrates severe lapses in professional practice. I presume the author is not aware how egregious and unethical some of the things he does are. However, I'm surprised CPH didn't fix this in the editing process.

Other than that, this book presents a fine story. I felt the issue of autism was handled well and this made the story unique and interesting in several ways.

[Jennifer Huppert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather Kaufman does a marvelous job of what it’s like to have a child on the autism spectrum. Being a mother myself who has a child on the spectrum, I could identify a lot with Hana and the joys and struggles that come along with it. This book is filled with love, community, understanding and second chances.

[Heather]

This was a very sweet story!

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

2023 Review: reread this to lead a book club discussion at our church. Such a perfect book to discuss, and I’m looking forward to others’ insights. Loved this book just as much as the first time I read it. Knowing the main plot points and ending already, I was able to appreciate Kaufman’s writing even more and how she skillfully wove this story together. So, so good.

2020 Review: This was such a tender and poignant look at some difficult subjects. I absolutely loved the story of Hana and Isaac, their family and friends, and the community that came to love and accept them. Kaufman's writing is well-rounded, realistic, and sincere: good character development, a plot that hit all the right emotions and story arcs, and an outstanding message of the goodness of God's grace and mercy in Christ. Whether you have been personally impacted by autism or not, this is a novel every Christian can relate to on multiple levels.

[Nichole Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows the journey of a single mother raising an autistic child while grappling with the emotional and physical abuse she endured from her ex-husband. It offered powerful insight into the daily struggles and deep love of a parent caring for a child with special needs.

Although I’m not a mother of a child on the spectrum, this story opened my eyes to the unique challenges such mothers face. What resonated deeply with me was the unwavering love she had for her child—something all mothers can relate to. That love, no matter the circumstances, runs deep.

The book was a reminder that everyone is facing some kind of struggle, and we should never judge or compare. Watching the main character wrestle with her past and slowly find the courage to open her heart again—to love and to receive love—was both powerful and moving. She always put her son’s needs before her own, and as a mother, I understood the guilt that can come with doing something for yourself.

This was a sensitive, faith-filled read that I found both enjoyable and thought-provoking. I don’t often reach for Christian fiction, but this was exactly what my heart needed.

[Sharla Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, heart-warming story of a mother who loves her child even when others don't understand him. The book guides you through her journey back to faith and God's Word. Along the way, Kaufman's story puts the reader in the shoes of a parent dealing with a special needs child. The story was engaging and hope-filled!

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal in many ways. As a church worker, I get to work with people with disabilities on a weekly basis. Building awareness and helping my friends to be included in the life of the church is always an uphill battle. “Loving Isaac” is a great book for the Church because it helps bring awareness not only to the struggle of a child with disabilities fitting in, but the struggles of a parent whose life is not always easy.

This book isn’t just about loving Isaac though. Rooted in a deeper love, this book is about God’s love for us. Whether or not you can relate to the story of Isaac and Hana, you will definitely relate to the sacrificial love of Christ in the character’s lives.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about loving with out borders. It's about a single mom and her autistic child and many of the difficulties that can give birth to. One of the story lines that I really appreciated was how the author addressed that in our suffering we sometimes start out defensive when someone wants to help. We can find ourselves judging other's motives and knowledge instead of applying patience (which can be sorely lacking in the hard times) and humbly accepting what someone has to offer without it having to be deemed as worthy under the bright light of our suffering. God's call to love without borders applies to both sides of the coin which, for me, can be hard to remember.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and a moving picture of grace to oneself after difficulties.

[Sarah Baughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an intense book from the start; with gripping storytelling and beautiful descriptions, I was thoroughly swept into the story and felt all that Kaufman worked to convey.

[Ranee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while to crack open the book after I borrowed it but I'm glad I finally did. The letters to her son tested my patience in a good way - I wanted to hear her whole story about what happened before she came to Hope but waiting for the author, and Hana, to tell her story at her own pace felt right. Same with the pastor. The ending was a little too patient for me - 2 years?? I related how people can cross paths in your life for a short time but come to make a big difference in yourself and how you see things. I like that Hana was able to open up her heart for friendship from a variety of people and learn to trust herself and her son with them.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Besides being fairly predictable, this book was excellent. I loved the characters, especially loved that a character with autism was integrated so well into the story, especially from the mom's point of view. I don't think I've ever read a novel that had this kind of character and relationship without the book being solely about that. Marital discord, spousal abuse, guilt, forgiveness... An enjoyable, pleasant read that had actual "real life" in it - refreshing!

[Violet Kurtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t want to put it down

Immediately I have as into this story. I liked the people-at least most of them. It felt real and I found myself asking if I judged others too quickly or took time to listen like I should. It was a good story that I couldn’t wait to see what happened next and hated to see it end. It’s probably more a book for women but men would “get it” too. It’s a book that made me feel good when I’d read it. I’ll look for other titles by this author.

[Katy Gifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

How blessed we are when we learn that we are not alone. Yet, it can be hard to build relationships in new places. It is quite a dance and Heather Kaufman leads us on a path of heart ache and “joy leaking out my eyes” moments as Hana and Isaac find family in a way they didn’t know was possible.

[Wendy Plant · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an enjoyable read. I like that it explored life with autism. ( a good intro for people who don’t know what raising a neurodivergent child might be like, but know that every person on the spectrum is different). The very end might be triggering for some.

[Nelcelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I’m not really sure how to write this review. There was so much that spoke to my heart.

This book is a true reminder that at our most difficult moments God is listening. He is waiting for us to let go, give it to Him, and trust Him with it all!

5⭐️

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how we didn't find out the whole story of Hana's pain and why she left with her son Isaac till close to the end. It gives the reader a chance to figure it out themselves. Love plays a big role between mother and son. The rest of the characters in book are pretty well developed too.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually would give this a 4.5 rating

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written and heart stirring story! I loved how real Hana’s struggles felt and the how she found her way back to God. I’ll be investing in a copy for my keeper shelf!

[Buddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious Story

The sweet message of God's provision, love, and care blessed my heart. I read it again! A special needs child, a caring, sensitive mother and God's care

[Lydia Wehrspann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautifully written book! I loved it soo much!

[Beth Foreman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this story because I know families who have raised autistic children, and I longed for a better understanding of their struggles, their joys, and their stories. I learned so much from Heather's gentle but very real glimpse into Hana's story, the joys and stresses, the broken marriage, the search for answers, security, a future. I learned how well-meaning but completely misguided outsiders (at her church, no less) often judge, criticize, and misunderstand. I'm afraid I saw myself in there at times. There is suspense, laughter, pain, love, and a lot of grace between the covers of this book. What Hana ultimately discovers is what we all seek, no matter our circumstances -- not a simple happily-ever-after ending but a beautiful real life filled with hope and God's ever-present mercy and love.