The Hope Jar is first in a new series, The Prayer Jars, by Wanda Brunstetter, a gifted storyteller who reflects the Amish faith and way of life with sensitivity and clarity. It is a beautiful novel of faith, love, and relationship. The characters come to life through their words and actions, even if some might have begun with deception.
Sara’s mom passed away after a short bout of cancer. She left a surprise for Sara that she could have never imagined. Sara never knew who her father was; her mother married when she was six, but Sara never got close to Dean. Her mother had a very different life before Sara was born, and she is stunned at the revelation that will change her life forever.
Michelle is unemployed again, and ready to pack and run. The man she is dating is abusive, and she refuses to stay in the same situation her mother lived in. The best thing that happened was going into foster care. While her heart aches that she never saw her younger brothers again, she did have one good foster family. What she wants the most is to be part of a loving family, to be loved, accepted, and belong somewhere. She is at the train station to see where she could go with the money she has left when her life changes forever.
Willis and Mary Ruth Lapp have a life of love and faith. The ache of their heart is that their daughter, Rhoda, left home more than twenty years ago without a word from her since. Mary Ruth is a woman of prayer, relying on the Lord for everything. They go to the train station when and where they believe they are to pick up Rhoda's daughter. They see a young woman with red hair the color of Rhoda’s and run to welcome her. Their lives change forever.
One thing that will bind together the hearts of at least two of the characters is the contents of jars hidden in the barn and basement of the Lapps’ home. The scripture verses and prayers contribute to the change of at least two lives in this novel – the one who wrote them, and the one who finds and meditates on them.
Of all the characters, I like Mary Ruth best because of her faith and the love she pours out on those around her. I grew to like Michelle a great deal, despite her actions, as her background resulted in her desire – and human need for – the love and acceptance of a family. This reader got to know each of the primary characters well as the novel progressed.
This heartwarming novel shows the power of love and hope that Christians can share in the lives of others as a reflection of God’s love for us. The Lapps are down-to-earth people who have had their share of pain and loss and gift others with what they received from the Lord. They don’t know anything about Sara/ Michelle yet they freely give their love as they would their family or to anyone in their Amish community. I enjoyed watching the changes in a city girl who didn’t want to be near chickens or hogs, and who didn’t know about God’s love for her. The Lapps are a sermon in action, giving the world-weary a remarkable picture of Amish life. I like how some of the circumstances were resolved by the end, but wanted to see more time devoted to Sara (maybe in the next in series) and felt as if the end came too quickly. I am looking for the next novel in the series, and highly recommend this one to those who appreciate well-written Amish fiction.
From a grateful heart: I received a copy of the e-arc from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Sara's mother dies and while going through her things finds that she has grandparents in Lancaster County, PA. She decides to write to them and plans a visit asking them to pick her up at the bus station in Philadelphia.

Michelle is in an abusive relationship and her rent is due and she is almost out of money. She decides to run away. The next morning she arrives at the station to purchase a ticket to anywhere far away from Philadelphia. She notices an Amish couple staring at her... they think she is their granddaughter Sara. Michelle goes along with the ruse and home with the Lapps. Michelle will be safe there for a while.

Michelle finds old canning jars in the barn and the basement. They have pieces of paper with writing on them placed in the jars. They have a Bible verse and a prayer on each one. Michelle wonders who put them there and why. Bible verses and the prayers are making Michelle think, " Does God really care about people, will he care about me? No one has ever cared about me."

There is much more to come in this book of deception, rejection, yearning, and love. Read the book to see how it turns out. You just might feel loved or know someone that needs your loving support.

This book begins a new three book series, Sara and Michelle are both looking for love and acceptance. I felt sorry for both young women as their stories unfolded. Michelle was in a very difficult position but her deception was cruel. I felt that the book ended abruptly and left a lot of unanswered questions. I'm hoping that the next book will continue the story and not end so quickly. I want to know more about the real Sara's relationship with her grandparents. Or will this series be mostly about Michelle?

This was a very different story of Amish life. It was sometimes hard because I related to Sara Murray in her loss of her mother, since I lost mine seven months ago. But I also understood Michelle Taylor and why she did what she did. I can't imagine how heartbreaking her life had been growing up and why she was so desperate to change it. The Lapps were the ones that mistook her for their granddaughter and Michelle went along with it to hide away with free room and board. She worked hard helping the Lapps but she also was deceptive, to them and to their real granddaughter Sarah.
Finding a blue canning jar hidden on a shelf in the barn with slips of paper containing prayers and scripture that Michelle began reading slowly seemed to work on her heart.
This was a sweet story with lessons in life for several of the characters. I enjoyed getting to know all of them. Since this was book one of The Prayer Jars, I'm sure I'll learn more as the story continues in The Forgiving Jar coming out in Feb 2019. I'm anxious to find out the identity of the author of the notes found in the jars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher but was not required to write a review.

A desperate young woman in hard times embarks on a path that she's filled with deception and lies. What she finds is unconditional love, the kind of family she's never had, and the first stirrings of faith.

This blends both Amish and contemporary fiction together, unlike many Brunstetter books which are strictly Amish. I found this story to have quickly drawn me into the lives of Michelle, Willis & Mary Ruth Lapp, Ezekiel, Brad, and the Amish community of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. I like that Wanda Brunstetter told this from multiple people and points of view, you knew how each person felt and what they thought at any given moment. I already enjoy this authors stories and love her writing voice. She writes characters you come to care about, and a community that feels like family. My heart went out to Michelle and her situation in life. I don't think she set out to hurt the Lapps but found it difficult to untangle herself from the lies she's told the longer she was with them. She began to see them as the grandparents she never had and they exemplified what love does for those you care about. Eventually those lies will be found and and the truth will be told; Michelle knows it's only a matter of time! Then there were Ezekiel and Brad, one an unbaptized Amish man and one studying to become a minister, both cared deeply about Michelle. It was fun to guess which one she might end up with. I especially loved getting a glimpse into the Amish life through this story. I've read many different fiction books, so I knew most of the Amish ways, but I did learn some new things as well. I have to agree with many other reviewers on this being one of the best books Brunstetter has written, and I've read several over the years!

The one drawback I have about this, it leaves too many open-ended questions not being answered for me at the end. I like my stories to be neatly tied up in a bow & this leaves me unsatisfied with many dangling threads. I'm positive the next Prayer Jar installment will cover these, but I would have loved to at least read an epilogue to have some closure on my questions. And we have to wait a whole year to get them! Next one is called The Forgiving Jar coming August 2019.

I would recommend this to Wanda Brunstetter fans, Amish/contemporary fiction fans, and those looking for a story to draw them in and keep them there until the last page!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing/Netgalley and was under no obligation to post a review. *

Wanda E Brunstetter has done it again!! In this new series, we return to the Amish countryside of Lancaster County with a young woman pretending to be an elderly Amish couple's long lost granddaughter that they weren't even aware of. In this guise, she finds love and caring people which is something she had never truly had before. But when the real granddaughter comes, she has to shed her masquerade and tell the truth, not just to the couple but to an Amish man who has fallen for her. Will they still accept her and forgive her deception? You must read for yourself to find out. I have been a long time fan of this author's, especially when I moved from one state to another and struggled with my faith during such a move. This book reminded me of the power of love and forgiveness. Please read this story. You won't regret it.

The Hope Jar by Wanda Brunstetter is the first of a new series.

When Michelle Taylor is mistaken at a bus station for an elderly Amish couples granddaughter, what could go wrong if she plays along for a few days. She finds out what a family's love can be.
Having been raised in foster care and then getting involved in an abusive relationship she has never known what having caring friends and family are like. Once she moves in and starts the charade of being “Sara” she gets to feel love and compassion and sees what a family loves can be.
Not only is she drawn into farm life, she also sees what a kind and caring relationship can be when both an Amish neighbor and an Englisher takes an interest in her.
While working on the farm she comes across a Mason jar with prayers and scriptures. Who wrote these was it the recently deceased daughter of the Amish couple or the grandmother, Mary Ruth? She has never been a believer in prayer but is drawn into the writings in the jar.
When she realizes the real granddaughter is coming to meet her grand parents she comes clean to her Amish suitor and flees the farm.
This is a great story with a nice flow and wonderful characters. You will be drawn into the story and will not want to put it down.
The ending sets you up for the next book in the series. I am looking forward to the next chapter in Michelle, the Lapps and Sara's story already.
I was given an ARC by Netgalley for an hones review.

This story gave a good glimpse into the Amish lifestyle. Michelle's dilemmas showed how simple kindness goes a long way toward healing someone who has seen the rougher side that life can be. As well as learning how to forgive for your own sake not the person(s) who wronged you.

This book was the first in The Prayer Jars series. I really enjoyed the story of two young women, one a women from an unhappy home and an abusive relationship and the other raised by her formerly Amish mother and a step father.

As Michelle steps into the role of Sara, somewhat unplanned, her life fills with one lie after another as she keeps the "real" Sara from contacting her grandparents. It's a pretty interesting book and I will be looking forward to the next book in the series!

I received a complimentary vopy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

This book review may contain what some people may think as a spoiler.
This book is about love, loss, finding hope and forgiveness. I didn’t like the beginning or the end. In the end, I was left with more questions than answers. It feels like their story’s not done that the book kind of end what I thought was abrupt. The middle parts so were good and you feel like you may be able to connect with some of the characters. The characters had depth but I felt like something was also missing. I did feel like the book overall had a little substance to it, it felt very juvenile. Overall the book is a simple read and suitable for all ages it’s a good clean read as well.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion

The Hope Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Michelle assumes Sarah’s identity and takes her place with her grandparents. Michelle life was very sad. Sarah’s grandparents become very attached to Michelle. A cute little story showing that everyone has hope to have a better life.

The Lapps' daughter disappeared from their home many years before, leaving nothing but a note. Now, a letter comes from a granddaughter they hadn't known they had, to tell them that she is dead, but that she left a letter for her daughter that told her about her previously unknown grandparents. This new granddaughter, Sara, also asks to come and visit, but the part of the letter that gives the date is dropped in a puddle and becomes almost illegible. On the date they think it says, her grandparents go to the bus station to pick her up and accost the only girl there who seems the right age - and happens to have hair the same colour as their daughter's. Being ambushed by an old couple who look friendly but are total strangers, Michelle, who is trying to escape from an abusive boyfriend, decides not to correct their assumption that she is their granddaughter Sara, and goes home with them. The lies she has to tell are uncomfortable from the start, but become increasingly so as she grows closer to these people who rapidly become the grandparents she never had - especially when she has to take steps to stop the real Sara from coming to visit too soon. But how can she escape the situation that she has created? Whatever she does will hurt people she loves...

Overall, I really enjoyed this book - as far as it went. One star is deducted because of the cliff-hanger ending. I hadn't realised that this is part of a series, and was disappointed that too many different threads were left dangling. One assumes that things worked out in the end, but I wanted more details rather than having to assume. I will hope for a sequel, but in the meantime, readers should be aware that it's not really an 'end' at the end.

Characters: Well drawn, felt like real people.
Storyline: Several points of view were presented along the way, but the author did a good job of weaving them together to avoid confusion and present a fully rounded story. Overall good, but too much of a cliffhanger.
Content and language: Clean, good quality writing.
Message: Some interesting themes about truth and lies, with a message to trust in God.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

I loved it because I could get in to from the beginning tell the end! loved the title to it and the characters. Really loved how the ending plays out plus there will be more looking forward to the next book . Michelle Taylor is not who her new family in Lancaster county believes her to be. The Lapps were looking for their long lost granddaughter when they met Michelle and assumed the identity of Sara Murray. Once homeless and hopeless, Michelle has come to love her new Amish friends and even considered the idea of romance among them. To find out more you'll have to get your copy.

A jar filled with notes and Scriptures can be the key to the growing faith of one of the main characters. Mistaken identity, deceit, forgiveness and love all play a big part in this heartwarming story. I enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

If you are a fan of Wanda Brunstetter then you will love this book. If you are not familiar with her this is a good book to start. I would have given The Hope Jar five stars except the dialogue sometimes wanders more toward young adult. Also some of the dialogue is repetitive.
The story centers around two main characters and a case of mistaken identity. With strong biblical references Brunstetter invokes sympathy for both girls and frustration that sometimes the simplest pads can be confusing. I thoroughly enjoyed the book but was slightly frustrated that the ending left so many storylines wide open. I understand that this will be a series of books but it would have been nice if at least one storyline had a satisfying ending.

Argh! My biggest complaint about this book is that it just _dropped_...right off the ending. The second one needs to come out now so that we know how it all plays out! It was an interesting story, full of struggles and sin and all the grimy stuff that you won't find as much of in typical Amish books. But I loved how real it all was. This is the stuff that life is made of, down in the trenches, and the characters were all dealing with some pretty serious stuff. I just _have_ to know how the four young adults work out though....

Wanda Brunstetter has a way of writing which tends to draw the reader in. Her characters are well rounded and make the reader want to laugh, cry, and give a shout out to them. This story tells the tale of mistaken identity. When Michelle becomes homeless, she is mistaken by a caring Amish couple who think she is their granddaughter they have never met. Planning to only stay long enough to figure out her next move, Michelle comes to love the Lapps. When an Amish man catches her eye, well how can she tell the truth and risk losing those she has come to love? I do think the ending was a little rushed but otherwise I loved the book and would recommend it. Finding God's love in an unexpected place, Michelle learns to have faith. I received a copy through Netgalley. I review was not required.

Mary Ruth and Willis Lapp live a simple live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Their daughter, Rhoda, however, left the community many years ago and unbeknownst to Mary Ruth and Willis, Rhoda had a baby.


Sara Murray is grieving her mother, Rhoda at home. Rhoda recently died from an illness and Sara is devastated. While going through her mother's things, she finds a note explaining to Sara that her grandparents, Mary Ruth and Willis live in Lancaster County, grandparents Sara never knew. Sara immediately wants them to know that Rhoda has passed away and hopes for the chance to go and visit to get to know the grandparents she has never met.


Mary Ruth and Willis are thrilled. They go to the bus station when they think Sara will arrive and see a young woman that Mary Ruth is convinced is their Rhoda's daughter. Unfortunately, that woman is Michelle Taylor, a woman who is down on her luck in more ways than one. Seeing the chance of having a place to stay, Michelle jumps at the chance and starts posing as Sara.


How long can this charade go on? Won't the real Sara turn up? Well, I won't get into in where I give anything away, but Michelle starts living a life full of love and laughter. This is something she has never had and she finds in difficult to give it up or come clean to the Lapps. While there, she makes new friends: Ezekiel, a young Amish man, trying to come to terms with his place in the Amish community, Brad, who is driving for the Amish but getting ready to leave for seminary school, and with Lenore, who is actually the real Sara's cousin.


The reason it is called The Hope Jar, is because Michelle finds two jars on the Lapps' property filled with thoughts, scriptures and words of the heart. She doesn't know who wrote them, but she finds comfort in them, even in the middle of her charade.


I liked this book. I am a little biased because I automatically read anything by Wanda Brunstetter. She is my favorite author of Amish fiction. I thought this book was a good story of one of the most important things we can offer one another and that is forgiveness. This is book one of a set, and it is a good thing because there were unanswered questions at the end. This book is due out August 1st, so pick it up then! I think you will enjoy this easy flowing story, but also appreciate the lessons in it.


Thank you to NetGalley for the Advance Reader's Copy. My review and opinions are my own. Will post to Amazon, CBD, Barnes and Noble and Books A Million after release.

Wanda Brunstetter has written a book that gave me a little anxiety. Yes, I'll just say it right now, The Hope Jar gave me anxiety. I had to take breaks and come back to it in a couple of hours or a few times I came back in a day. I kept on reading though because I just had to find out how it would all end. Good or bad.

I loved how I felt I was right in the midst of Michele's life. The surrounding descriptions had me right with her in the city, at the bus station, and on the Amish farm. Then her circumstances and choices made me want to advise her on what to do.

It had a good ending but yet I was hoping for a more definite one. A little too much was left up in the air.

Anxiety and all it was a great book.


I was given this book by Netgalley but was not required to give a positive review.

What is better than book 1 of a new series by Wanda Brunstetter, NOTHING! I have read almost every book she has ever written and I am never, ever disappointed. This is a great addition to my library and I look forward to new books in this series.
Thank you Barbour publishing and netgalley for the opportunity to read an arc of this book. the review is my honest opinion! #fanforlife