What would happen if you found out someone has been impersonating you?
Sara Murray had never met her mother’s parents and was surprised to learn after her death that they were Amish living in Pennsylvania. When she is finally able to make the trip to meet them, she is shocked to learn someone else has been living with them and pretending to be Sara. Sara can’t understand how quickly her … quickly her grandparents are willing to forgive the imposter.
Secrets and deceit seem to follow Sara, and she is so tired of it. Though soon she meets Brad Fuller who is visiting her grandparents for during Christmas. She likes him a lot, but even he seems to pull away from her, not being totally honest.
Struggling, Sara finds an old canning jar hidden in the barn that is full of encouraging prayers. Can Sara find a way to forgive the past and move on to building new relationships?
This is Book 2 in the brand-new series, The Prayer Jars, from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter.
Book 1 — The Hope Jar (August 2018)
Book 3 — The Healing Jar (August 2019)
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loved it
The Forgiving Jar
(Prayer Jars, book 2)
by Wanda Brunstetter
The Forgiving Jar is a delightful book to read; with a wonderful story filled with hope, compassion, love, the value of family and an unwavering faith which encouraged others. A story that has many emotional moments that will make the readers cry; but readers will enjoy watching the overflowing of emotions, the slow path of acknowledgments, and the hard choice of forgiveness, keeping the readers intrigued and turning the pages. While this is the second book in the series it can be read as a stand-alone; but it is beneficial to read each book in this amazing series.
Characters that are well-developed, working very well in the story, and readers can relate with each of the characters lives. Characters that communicate their real thoughts, good or evil; deal with the consequences of their choices, changing and growing, as they sort out their problems with the help of the prayer jars.
Ms. Brunstetter gives her readers a beautiful well written story with scenes that lure her readers in, and capture everyone’s heart. Ms. Brunstetter references her first book in this magnificent emotional and rememberable series. The jars are very significant in each of Ms. Brunstetters stories, jar of Bible verses hidden in a different place with just what is needed in each.
I love reading Ms. Brunstetter’s books, filled with up-lifting scriptures. Once Again Ms. Brunstetter has written an excellent book, The Forgiving Jar. I recommend and look forward to the next in the series, even purchased a copy to share with friends. I was under no obligation to post a review or to give a 5-star rating.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary pre-published copy of The Forgiving Jar from Barbour Publishing; thank you. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Loved it!
Great book
Sara’s story is truly sad. The secret she learned from her mother’s Bible changes her life forever. When Sara goes to Lancaster County she never wants to leave. Watching Sara and Michelle begin to become friends will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. The characters in this book are all very special people who you will love reading about.
The Forgiving Jar is a good clean Christian Read. It is about the Amish and the non Amish. Two different women that have had problems in life and find it very hard to trust and forgive. Through the love shown to both of them from an elderly Amish couple helps them to heal and forgive themselves and others. It helps if you have read book one in this series as it lays a foundation for this one…….I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
“Life’s situations can become an opportunity for transformation.”
3.5 stars
This line holds true for both Michelle and Sara as they face one another after Michelle’s deception. The main theme of this story is about forgiveness and the oftentimes painful path to both giving & receiving it. Not only do negative actions result in someone’s hurt, but it can create resentment and bitterness as we see in Sara’s heart. She already feels cheated when her mom never told her of her loving Amish grandparents, but when she finally meets them; she comes face to face with the woman who impersonated her. To add insult to injury, her grandparents have forgiven Michelle and asked her to live with them. Sara has a hard time dealing with the situation and facing herself will be the most challenging thing she has ever had to do! Will prayers and thoughts written on pieces of paper in an old jar she finds bring peace and healing?
I wondered how Sara would react when meeting Michelle and this book tells her side of the story. I couldn’t blame her for her negative attitude and was looking forward to seeing her find what her heart needed. “The Forgiving Jar” was an emotional journey for Sara & Michelle as they worked toward forming a peaceful friendship. There were also threads of romance as we see Ezekiel and Michelle’s relationship deepen and grow. I enjoyed catching up with Mary Ruth and Willis, the grandparents who play an important role in both young women’s lives. Their prayers never ceased for either one and their unconditional love was certainly a balm to wounded hearts. I really enjoyed the second installment to “The Prayer Jars” and it boosted my belief that true forgiveness with the Lord’s help can heal any rift and bring peace to the believers’ heart! I look forward to “The Healing Jar” coming August 2019 about Sara’s cousin Lenore.
I have to agree with other reviewers here, the only drawback was the oftentimes immature attitude and snarkiness in Sara. While I understand there’s a real hurt there, I just felt it was overplayed to the point of being annoying. However, it doesn’t deter me from wanting to read book three to finish out this series though!
*I received a copy from Barbour Publishing through Netgalley and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
Sara found that her mother was amish, when she died.
How could her mother lived without say her anything about her legacy?
“If everyone were honest, the world would be a better place”, Sara muttered.
Sara become anger and eager to know her Granpa and Granma, it’s difficult forgive.
as always, Wanda Brunstetter wrote a wonderful and heartful story, that it make me cry, hope, wonder, breath taking and feel at home.
sure I’ll miss Sara and all the characters they keep me company true the story!
Wanda writes the most entertaining and inspirational books. Highly recommend.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. It is the second book in the series. I did not read the first book and was able to follow along. I do, however, wish that I had read them in order. It is what I recommend for best enjoyment. Each book, so far, tells, as the main story, one young girls story. The first book is Michelle’s story with, I’m thinking, Sara’s story coming in. This book is Sara’s story. The next book is Lenore’s. This is very interesting to me as Michelle and Sara were raised English while Lenore was raised Amish. Each young woman is hurting when they find The Prayer Jar, (this story made me want to make a similar type jar). I enjoyed the book very much but felt that the author did not stay true to Sara at the end. Michelle does something that affects Sara’s relationship. When Sara found out, there was no real feel reaction. I took a star away for it because I felt cheated. I don’t want to go completely into things and ruin it for anyone. I’ll let you draw your own opinion. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book and am planning to read both book one and three. There are some other things in the background that have been introduced. I’m hoping the next book picks up the threads. I recommend the book for relaxing, clean romance, reading.
Thank to everyone involved in the giveaway. The opinions expressed are my feelings from reading the book. The review was voluntary and written because I like to review books and other purchases I make.
This book is a sequel to The Hope Jar, and is another fantastic novel by the master of Amish fiction, Wanda Brunstetter! Although it wouldn’t be essential to have read the 1st book before reading this book, it certainly will help with understanding the depth of the relationships amongst the characters, and will really give you the whole scope of the entire story. What I love most about this book is how it blends the Amish and the ‘Englisch’ world in a relatable, realistic, and heart-warming modern-day setting. The theme of forgiveness is consistent throughout the book, and the page-turning events make it a quick read! By the end of the book, I had both laughed out loud and shed a few tears. Unlike some books that are 100% predictable, I wasn’t sure which way the resolution was going to go until the very end. It’s an awesome read, and the story will touch your heart long after the final page has been turned. This book is a great read, and would make a wonderful gift for any book lover on your list (along with The Hope Jar, too!) Note: This book was provided to me by Barbour Publishing. I was not required to leave a positive (or any) review. Opinions and ideas expressed in this review are my own.
Wanda Brunstetter has written another excellent book. This is the 2nd book in the series, The Hope Jar is the 1st, also an excellent book. Wanda Brunstetter’s books are wholesome, clean and always well written. This book is about forgiveness and Sara Murray needs to learn to forgive. When she finds a canning jar filled with Bible verses, she slowly learns about forgiving. I give The Forgiving Jar 5 out of 5 stars. It’s a great read for fans of Amish fiction. I highly recommend this book.
Great book 🙂
This book really is about all aspects of the idea of forgiveness. The characters are very believable in their struggles to forgive and in their thoughts and actions.
I loved the idea of the forgiving jar, and I am starting a tradition in my house with it.
I would highly recommend adding this book to your TBR pile 🙂
I volunteered to read this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest feed back. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
I love Amish books. Wanda E. Brunstetter’s book, The Forgiving Jar, tells a very lovely story that includes Amish and English together. She just knows how to reach out to the reader and make you feel good while reading her books. She didn’t disappoint me with this book.
Michelle Taylor has come back to the Lapps farm to apologize for pretending to be their granddaughter. They have forgiven her and have asked her to live with them until she finds a job and a place to live. They have put her in the room that Sarah Murray’s mother had growing up. She has a hard time understanding how the Lapp’s can just forgive her.
Sarah Murray has come to the farm for Thanksgiving to get to know the grandparents she never knew she had. She has lost her job and is hoping she can stay with her grandparents until she can find a job and place to live near them.
When Sarah arrives at the farm she finds Michele already there. She is not at all happy that she there, especially when she finds out she’s living there and staying in her mother’s room. Sarah reasons that the room she be for her.
Both the young women think that the Lapps are treating the other more special than them. They both keep trying to something better or bigger than the other to get the grandparents to like them better.
Sarah takes some clean canning jars down to the basement. That’s when she finds a jar stuck on the back of a shelf full of scraps of paper with writing on them. She opens the jar and pulls one out to read it. She wonders who put them there. Was it her grandmother? Was it her mother? Michelle finds her in the basement holding the jar. She tells Sarah about the one she found in the barn. The women seem get along better once they each find out the other found a jar.
Sarah has also been trying to find her birth father She asks everyone she can in the community if they know anything about it, but no one does. She resents and has anger to ward her mother for not telling her anything about her Amish life and grandparents.
The Forgiving Jar by Wanda Brunstetter
I have been excited about this series ever since I first heard about it! I was completely pulled into the first story, and hated to know I had to wait months to read the next. This second book, The Forgiving Jar, was just as enjoyable to me as the first book! The story continues of Sara who has no clue of her Amish heritage until after her mother dies. She sets out to meet her Amish grandparents only to find that another young woman, Michelle, has been impersonating her as a way to protect herself from a bad relationship.
In this story, Sara and Michelle both find themselves living in Sarah’s grandparent’s home. Sara finds it so hard to forgive her mother for never telling her about her Amish grandparents and heritage, forgive Michelle for what she has done, and also to not be mad at her grandparents for so easily forgiving Michelle for her deceit. This story of lies, deceit, hope, grace, and second chances is full of twists and turns that had me turning page after page to the very end. I am anxiously awaiting the 3rd book in this series, which is set to release in August.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Barbour Publishing, but was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of this book.
The Forgiving Jar is the second book in The Pray Jars series by Wanda Brunstetter. This book seamlessly takes off from where the previous book left off, bringing us back to the stories of Michelle and Sarah, both looking for understanding and forgiveness. The two girls have a difficult time at first getting along and go through some personal issues, making decisions and changes that will change their lives. Eventually the girls find that they aren’t in competition and have more in common than they originally believed. All the while, Sarah’s grandparents are supportive and encouraging for both young women, providing a solid base of love and family that both girls need. Michelle makes a change of live style and finds a lasting love. Sarah comes to find the Lord and finds love for herself. I love how the story winds, bringing the reader through ups and downs, and the positive ending makes the reader eager for the third book in the series. Wanda’s characters are so real and relatable, and the positive notes and scriptures in the canning jars are encouraging not only to the book’s characters, but also to the reader. This story also expresses well that second chances and the Lord are available to all, if only we will reach out and receive them. Another beautiful story of faith, forgiveness, love, and friendship. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion of the book.
Another excellent book by Wanda Brunstetter. The story that started with The Hope Jar continues on the Lapp’s Amish farm in Strasburg, PA.
This has been such a wonderful book to read. The author gives us a story of two women both looking for forgiveness and acceptance. Throughout the story the author references what happened in the first book which helps readers who haven’t read the first in this emotional series.
I loved that we got to know more about Sarah in this story. After finding out someone has impersonated you, become almost a member of the family and gotten close to your grandparents, it is hard for Sarah to forgive Michelle. Sarah has other issues as well, like not knowing her grandparents even existed thanks to her mother. She still has the question of who her father is and hopes to get some answers soon.
I loved reading how Sarah and Michelle interacted with each other. It was hard for them to live in the same house and Sarah does not trust Michelle at all. Michelle had a very hard life and we find out a bit more about her past which helps readers relate to her. We all make mistakes but being forgiven is a choice which Sarah is still having a hard time doing.. When Sarah discovers a jar in the basement one day, she realizes that it is filled with scriptures. The scriptures she read were exactly what she needed that very day. She is an angry young woman who isn’t even sure if God is real sometimes.
I enjoyed watching Sarah slowly try to forgive Michelle but it will take lots of work and prayer. The jar is very significant and I would love to have one myself. That jar is filled with hope, forgiveness and love. Will Sarah allow God back into her life? Can she forgive Michelle for hurting her? I absolutely adored Sarah’s grandparents. They are such a giving couple and full of love and compassion. They open their home with open arms and you can’t help but feel the presence of God there. It would be nice to sit and visit with them and enjoy a meal as you are surrounded by love. Their steadfast faith encouraged others around them.
As Sarah finds herself at a crossroad one day, her emotions overflow and it was a beautiful well written scene in the story. It is never easy to swallow your pride but Sarah will find that she isn’t alone as she struggles with her past. The story has many ups and downs which keeps readers intrigued. There are some emotional moments that made me cry. I highly recommend this story of forgiveness, love and the importance of family. I look forward to the next in the series.
The Forgiving Jar: The Prayer Jars Book 2
By: Wanda Brunstetter
Powerful, emotional read
I’ve read this book as a stand alone not realizing it may be best to read Book 1, The Hope Jar first. The story was seamlessly woven together by Brunstetter that I didn’t realize there was another book. You get a story that is eloquently written and the characters feel real. Brunstetter shows us with Sarah and Michelle’s story that God’s unconditional love for us, He’ll always be with us, no matter the struggle we face. Because each struggle makes us stronger, emotionally, physically and even in faith. I related to all of the characters in such a way that it is always good to be reminded that family is not only blood. Family are those who support you, those who love you unconditionally like God does. There are many key points to a relationship told throughout their story. Forgiveness is the top of those points within Sarah and Michelle’s story. They both struggle with several facets of their lives. When an Amish couple takes them under their wing and into their home, both girls blossom in their own way and learn the value of forgiveness through many trials. Seeing them grow helped me grow as well. I love how mystery was woven in by the prayer jars. While that remains a mystery, I am now anxious to read book 1 and look forward to the release of book 3. I highly recommend this book. It’s one that is powerful, emotional and well written.