Sara has now taken her rightful place in her grandparents' lives - but when she returns after an absence, this time to stay, she is horrified to find the imposter Michelle back in the house! What's more, she has apparently been forgiven by Sara's grandparents whom she had wronged, and is in a deepening relationship with Ezekiel. In fact, she may even be about to go Amish! Sara hasn't always had an easy life and holds considerable resentment about various things already - but now her grandparents apparently expect her to forgive the liar and deceiver, and to live in the same house with her. When Brad returns for his holidays, the two connect, but he is studying to be a minister, whereas she isn't a Christian and struggles with forgiveness. Will the prayer jar she finds hold the words she needs to be able to make things right in her life?

Overall, I enjoyed seeing more of the story of these prayer jars and the lives they touched - it was a good follow-on from the first book. However, I did have a few quibbles. I realise that the different points of view are essential to the way the story is told, but I did find myself a bit confused at times with the constant swapping among about five people. Also, the writing itself felt a bit stiff and occasionally preachy - don't get me wrong, I liked the message about forgiveness, but sometimes it felt a bit forced. I will probably try to read the subsequent book(s) in the series, but I did feel a bit disappointed about the writing compared to my memory of the first book in the series. Readers who haven't read the first book of the series, note that it would be helpful to have read it before reading this one, though you could probably pick up enough of the story to get by if necessary.

Characters: I enjoyed them and thought they felt realistic, though with four (or six) main characters none of them got as much 'screen time' as I might have liked.
Storyline: Generally well managed, though the constant switching between points of view got a bit confusing at times.
Content and language: Clean, no issues noted.
Message: A useful message about forgiveness etc.
Rating: 3.5 stars

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.

The Forgiving Jar, book two in Wanda E Brunstetter's Prayer Jar series is an inspiring story about forgiveness even when all seems hopeless. Faith and a searching heart can overcome even the worst feelings within an unforgiving heart. Had anyone ever assumed my identity I am sure it would take an act of God to help me get over those feelings of hurt, frustration and sense of being violated. Sara was wounded and justly so. As the story went along, however, I felt she was overtaken by her betrayal and wondered if she could get over it.



Her grandparents loved her and were thrilled to finally have her in their home. They also came to love Michelle, the imposter, who through an honest case of mistaken identity, became Sara in their eyes and hearts. Michelle, for her part, in The Hope Jar, had never known the love they showered on her and as time went on, didn't want to let go of her life as Sara.



Michelle has atoned for her past and tries very hart to be forgiven by Sara, as she has by her new community. If not for a jar filled with scripture, she may not have found the new, peaceful life she lives now.



I enjoyed reading The Forgiving Jar by Wanda E Brunstetter, a book filled with complex characters and moments of self reflection. She knows human nature and the power of prayer. If there is a third book in this series, I will definitely read it! This book is for anyone who likes an intriguing cast of characters along with some food for spiritual thought that, although not preachy, hits the mark. I enjoyed both books in this series, please read my review of The Hope Jar as well. I recommend this book with 5 stars!

I love this series. Sara found that she had relatives she didn't know after her mother passed. Why did her mother not tell her that she was Amish. When she is finally able to make the trip to meet them, she is surprised to find that someone has been impersonating her. She is even more surprised at how quickly her Grandparents forgive this con-woman. When more heartache befalls Sara, she has a hard time finding any comfort. An old canning jar full of scriptures and prayers becomes her one bright spot. Will she find her way back to God?
I love how the characters in this story transform their personalities. How they come to find Jesus. It is very inspirational. I look forward to the next in the series. I received a copy through Netgalley. I review was not required.

This is the second book in the "Prayer Jars" series and I believe the final book. It is a great follow up. We continue where we left off in book one with Michelle returning to the Lapps.
I like the believability of the storyline, if Sarah had forgiven Michelle too soon it just would not be realistic. I like seeing the growth of both girls as they interacted with each other and lived in the same house.
This book was Sarah's story but I liked that Michelle was well featured prominently as well so that we can journey with both girls. The theme of forgiveness ran all through this book and not just for Michelle and Sarah but a few of the characters. I loved seeing how this was achieved on differing level.
The writing was engaging, and the characters delightful. A great read.

Lessons for us all

I really like this author, and this series is one of her best. As the title suggests, this book is about forgiveness, and how you yourself suffer so much when you don't forgive. The lessons are mixed into a sweet story. I would suggest reading the first book in the series before this one. Not just for lovers of Christian or Amish fiction, this book has something for all of us.

I don’t read a lot of Amish fiction, but I do enjoy the simplicity and conduct the faith portrays. Because of the plain and less modernized way of life, Amish stories seem to be a little more laid back and simplistic than other fiction stories I read. With that said, it’s understandable that the story felt a slower paced.

The Forgiving Jar is the second book in The Prayer Jars series, by Wanda Brunstetter. Each story sets well as a standalone, yet offers background, charm, and fullness to the overall theme.

Sara and Michelle are similar in many ways, but their maturity levels and faith make them unique. I struggled connecting with Sara at first, but her personal growth throughout the story pulled on me.

I love the premise of the prayer jars, providing the central heart of the story. While this story isn’t a fast-paced adventure, it’s packed with faith, and inspiration. If you enjoy feel-good tales, I think you’ll like this series.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Opening Line (Chapter One): Glancing in the rearview mirror as she slowed for a stop sign, Sara Murray smiled when she noticed a horse and buggy coming up behind her car.
I received a review copy of this book from Barbour Publishing (and NetGalley) and was under no obligation to post a review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Wow! What an incredible story! This is book #2 in the series & every bit as good as book #1. Follow the stories of Michelle & Sara as they learn the consequences of lies and the sweet joy of forgiveness. Enjoy watching them fall in love, learn about the Amish faith, and develop friendships. You will laugh and cry throughout this book. Another fantastic book by Wanda E Brunstetter!

As the second book in the Prayer Jar series, Wanda Brunstetter has penned another great, enjoyable Amish read in The Forgiving Jar. The real Sara, not the imposter Michelle who had pretended to be Sara in the previous book in this series, discovers a jar full of notes about forgiveness in the basement of her grandparent’s house. “We should always make allowance for other people’s faults”, for example, is one of the many lessons Sara learns on her road to end her bitterness toward Michelle. They both learned the value of letting go of resentments which only eat one up, and they could only do that after realizing the need of asking the Lord for forgiveness. Without giving away any spoilers, there are a couple of blossoming romances as well as the road to a return of faith for both Sara and Michelle. Add into that the precious grandparents, the lovable dogs, and numerous other unforgettable characters and it’s a book you’ll savor even after the last page.

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

The Forgiving Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter
(The Prayer Jars)
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 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 Sara Murray's story.
This is Willis and Mary Ruth Lapp's story.
This is Michelle Taylor’s story.
This is Ezekiel King’s story.
This is Brad Fuller’s story.
A letter Sara found after Mama’s death had revealed her grandparents’ names and stated that they lived in Strasburg. her grandparents are Amish.
Glancing in her rearview mirror as she slowed for a stop sign, Sara Murray smiled when she noticed a horse and buggy coming up behind her car.She rolled down her window to listen to the steady rhythm of the hooves engaging the pavement. Sara breathed in the crisp, fresh air.
It was a beautiful clear night, but even as the stars twinkled above, they shone in stark contrast to the mood inside Ezekiel King’s truck. As they approached the home of Willis and Mary Ruth Lapp, Michelle Taylor’s apprehension grew.I don’t know if I can forgive myself, let alone expect them to.”Another shock had awaited Sara: a young woman had been living with the Lapps for several months, pretending to be her.
From the things Brad said in his letter, he sounded nice. He’d mentioned being settled in at a seminary. As Sara recalled, he’d also included a Bible verse with the letter.Brad mentioned his studies, and stated that he would pray for me. Was he going to school to be a preacher?
Ezekiel who is from an Amish family.Michelle’s blue-green eyes lit up. “What did he have to say? He’s still joining us for Thanksgiving, I hope.” “Ezekiel’s still coming, but he wanted you to know that he may only be here for dessert.”“Ezekiel said in his message that his family wanted him to join them for their Thanksgiving meal.”
I highly recommend reading.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review."
The Forgiving Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Wanda E. Brunstetter.
1. The Lopsided Christmas Cake
2. The Farmers' Market Mishap
The Hawaiian Quilt with Jean Brunstetter
The Hawaiian Discovery with Jean Brunstetter
Amish Millionaire with Jean Brunstetter
1. The English Son
2. The Stubborn Father
3. The Betrayed Fiancee
4. The Missing Will
5. The Divided Family
6. The Selfless ACT
The Amish Millionaire Boxed Set
The Hope Jar (The Prayer Jars Book 1)
by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Amish Cooking Class - The Seekers
Amish Cooking Class - The Blessing
by Wanda E. Brunstetter
by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Amish Cooking Class - The Celebration
Prayer Jars series!
The Hope Jar (The Prayer Jars Book 1)
The Forgiving Jar
The Healing Jar
The Brides of the Big Valley

THE FORGIVING JAR by Wanda E. Brunstetter is #2 in The Prayer Jars series and is a continuation of THE HOPE JAR #1 in the series. Although THE FORGIVING JAR can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading THE HOPE JAR first.

This sweet, heartwarming novel set in a small community in Pennsylvania, will tug at your heartstrings. Two troubled young ladies with trust and other issues are shown love and forgiveness by an elderly Amish couple. I enjoyed learning about the Amish way of life, and watching Michelle and Sara grow and mature. I even shed a tear or two.
This book of anger, hurt, love, suspense, faith, forgiveness and second chances should appeal to those who enjoy reading Amish fiction, Christian fiction, and sweet romance novels.

My thanks to Barbour Publishing, Inc., Shiloh Run Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book, which enables me to write my unbiased thoughts and opinions in this review.

Posted January 31, 2019 Goodreads, iBooks, Savvy Reader
Posted February 1, 2019 NetGalley

In book two of The Prayer Jar series, we focus on Sara. Sara is the real granddaughter of Willis and Mary Ruth and the young lady Michelle had been impersonating. Sara is struggling with her faith and with forgiving those she feels has betrayed her throughout her life, including her deceased mom. As she continues to live with her grandparents she finds jealousy rearing its ugly head. Especially when Michelle seems to be getting her life together and the community is forgiving for her sins. Christmas arrives with a friend of her grandparents and Michelle and Sara finds herself liking him as more than a friend. Can Sara find forgiveness in her heart and learn to let jealousy go? Will the prayer jar she finds in her grandparents basement become her saving grace?

I am still reeling from this book. I have not had an Amish book hit me in the feels as this one did in a bit. I still get teary-eyed thinking about it. In book one I was very angry with Michelle impersonating Sara and felt like Sara had a right to be upset and very angry but as book two opened I came to understand Michelle more and realized sometimes when you are at rock bottom you find yourself doing things you never would dream of doing. As for Sara, I could not imagine a parent dying and finding out I had a family I never knew about. I admire Sara for her bravery in contacting and going to live with her grandparents I do not admire her jealousy against Michelle or her feelings against her stepfather. She definitely had a lot of growing up to do in book two. By the end, you will love both Michelle and Sara as if they were a part of your family.

As always with a Wanda Brunstetter book, you will find yourself laughing one moment and in tears the next. I suggest you read book one, The Hope Jar, first. I am eagerly anticipating the third book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing/Shiloh Run Press through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Second in The Prayer Jars series, Wanda Brunstetter welcomes the reader back to Strasburg, Pennsylvania and the home and farm of Mary Ruth and Willis Lapp. I appreciate this powerful novel much more than The Hope Jar. The Lapps are folks I think many of us would like to have as grandparents!

After the death of Rhoda, her mother, Sara Murray found a letter in Mom’s Bible that changed her life. The letter explained how her mother had been raised Amish. When Rhoda learned she was pregnant, she left her loving parents, never returning. Sara does not know who her father is, only her stepfather, Dean. Sara has since visited and spent time with the Lapps after a young woman, Michelle, deceived them, letting them think she was their granddaughter. She left when she knew the real Sara was arriving, and her Amish friend Ezekiel brought her back to apologize to them. They forgave her and invited her to stay with them again until she gets back on her feet. She is determined to get a job and earn money to pay back the cash she borrowed from their stash when she left.

Sara returns to stay at her grandparents’ home as her job has ended, and she hopes to find one near their home so she can get to know them. She finds Michelle in the barn, stunned and angry that she is there again. Certain Michelle is going to try to get something from them, Sara wants her far away from her grandparents. She refuses to forgive the deception Michelle acted out. When the Lapps arrive at home, they find their beloved granddaughter Sara talking about leaving, and unable to understand how they could forgive Michelle.

Sara is a bitter young woman who feels people have lied to her all their lives. She is unforgiving, even of her late mother, for keeping her away from her grandparents and her birth father. She won’t even try to get along with Michelle. When in the basement of the house one day, she finds a jar full of scripture verses and quotes that someone has saved. Curious, she reads a couple, and returns more than once to see what she will find in it. Sara doesn’t believe in God, however, certain that if God exists, He would care about her, listen to her prayers, even answer them. It takes more than one crisis and a deception of her own, before she is willing to listen hear what Michelle might have to share with her and begin to understand forgiveness.

Sara is the primary focus of The Forgiving Jar, even though we do see the continuous changes in Michelle’s life. Both young women are described well, as are the Lapps. Sara was easy to have empathy for when realizing that I have struggled with some of the same emotions. Mary Ruth and Willis, being faithful people of prayer, continue to bring the situation before the Lord. It will be like meeting a new person if the writer of scriptures and quotes in the prayer jars is revealed!

Forgiving others is a focus for several people in this novel. I have had to look at my own “history” of forgiving others, and how often I think the slate is clean until remembering a person or event. This delightful yet serious novel is a lesson in many ways. There are twists in the plot, some sweet and some not as sweet, that truly make the story what it is. I highly recommend this to fans of the author and of well-written Amish Christian fiction.

From a grateful heart: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

*thank you to Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*


In the previous book, The Hope Jar, Sara has just learned about her Amish grandparents. In this one, she’s finally able to go visit and meet them only to discover that there’s another girl, Michelle, living as her! And, to make matters worse, the imposter Michelle has come clean about her deceit AND THE GRANDPARENTS FORGAVE HER. Starting in, Sara is a already upset that someone else has met her grandparents and received all the attention and love *she* should have had; but as we go in, her heart softens. She meets Brad, another person coming to visit her grandparents (popular people).

The relationship between Brad and Sara was a bit questionable at first, but the more I read on, the more I realized they’d be great together.

Though one could read this book alone, I’d recommend reading the previous book THE HOPE JAR just so one can be certain to get a full picture of everything that’s happened.

We are back in Lancaster County with all of the people from the first book. Sara and Michelle are both with Sara’s grandparents, plus we see Ezekiel and his family and Brad and his family along with Sara’s stepfather Dean and her brother Kenny. As the title states, this story focuses on forgiveness. Good lessons and an enjoyable read with old friends. I really wasn’t happy with Sara to start, but if she bothers you, give it time, things will improve.
A complimentary copy was provided by Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. No review was required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Forgiving Jar is book two in the Prayer Jar series. Book one, The Hope Jar, is good to read first to fully know what has happened but this one could still be read as a stand-alone.
The main theme of course is forgiveness. Two of the main characters, Michelle and Sarah, both have issues from their pasts that need addressing. It eats at both of them, especially Sarah. She is hard-nosed against Michelle and holds tons of resentment towards her. It makes Sarah a very unpleasant person to be around. Both young women are trying to co-exist in the Lapp household while Sarah makes it difficult for Michelle. Michelle spent four months living with the Lapps pretending to be Sarah, their granddaughter whom they had never met. Michelle took steps to finally ask forgiveness and turn her life around but Sarah was unrelenting although her grandparents accepted Michelle’s acknowledgment. They are both trying to find their way and what is meant for them to do.
The jars the two girls had found were filled with slips of paper that had scripture and wise words written on them. This gave them encouragement and food for thought.
It took me a while to warm up to Sarah. Michelle was quicker to confront her past and make things right. All the characters were written as people I’d like to spend time with, very realistic.
It also involves two young men so yes there is some romance included. The enjoyment I found was in reading and discovering how the relationships between all the characters progressed. I’m looking forward to August when book three is released, The Healing Jar.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

I really enjoyed this follow up story and to see what was going on with Michelle and Ezekiel. I was not a huge fan of Sarah she seemed very immature for most of the story. Both girls face different trials and both are strong and broken souls looking for healing. I really like how Michelle was finding herself even more in this book. I really Brad came off a little judgey as well. In the end of the book I really enjoyed the over all story and the amount of forgiveness that the girls had to work through and how each one worked through what they faced through different ways and how God was a big part of that. I loved the idea of a prayer jar, it's a wonderful idea. This book is a good clean read as well as the characters seem very relatable.

The Forgiving Jar by much-loved author Wanda Brunstetter is the second book in her new series, The Prayer Jars. Readers will follow the characters from the first book in the series, The Hope Jar. The author has given enough of the back story of the characters that one could read The Forgiving Jar as a stand-alone without getting lost and having a lot of questions. I loved the characters --strong, resilient, and realistic with depth to their emotions, strengths, and foibles that readers will connect well with. Mary Ruth and Willis Lapp, trusting and compassionate. Michelle is filled with self doubt and feelings of unworthiness. Sara is flat out suspicious, angry and pretty much unforgiving towards Michelle who had 'wormed her way' into Sara's grandparents' hearts. Will the canning jars with notes of wisdom like "Broken people are made whole by God's love." be the key to a change of heart for each of the young women? Can they recognize that what's done is done and can't be changed or would each of their pasts continue to haunt them? The Forgiving Jar is a beautifully captivating story of forgiveness, family, finding faith, and lots of romance too. You won't want to miss this sweet Amish romance. I can't wait for the next book in the series, The Healing Jar.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series, so I was excited to read this one, and I found it to be just as enjoyable.
The story continues to follow Michelle and Sara, who’s now returned to stay with her grandparents. Therefore, it would be quite helpful to read the books in order. Characters are realistic, though Sara does come across as a bit annoying at times with her tendency to hold on to her jealousy and anger. I enjoyed watching each girl go through struggles and insecurities on their way to becoming who God designed them to be. There is a bit of romance along the way. While there were a couple twists, some parts were a bit predictable. However, it was a sweet, relatively quick read overall. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

On another note, I’m looking forward to trying the two included recipes (Sara’s Pumpkin Bread and Mary Ruth’s Turkey Vegetable Soup.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

This new book by Wanda Brunstetter is one of her best to date.. Wanda has the wonderful ability to tell a complex story in a simple, straightforward way. As indicated by the title, the theme of this book is forgiveness. Sara is struggling to forgive Michelle for deceiving her grandparents about Michelle’s true identity; Michelle is struggling to forgive her parents of the abusive treatment she received from them. Sara finds an antique jar filled with scriptures and prayers hidden away on a shelf in the basement. Most of the prayers seem to be about forgiving others. As Sara reads the prayers and scriptures, God begins to draw her to Himself. This is a touching story and one that presents forgiveness in a Biblical way.

It’s interesting to see the transformation of both Sara and Michelle’s characters in this book. It’s easy to like Michelle. At first it was much harder for me to like Sara, but I was glad that I kept reading to see Sara’s realization of her need for a Savior.

This is the second in a series about the hidden prayer jars. It would be helpful to have read “The Hope Jar” to get the backstory about both Sara and Michelle, but this book can still be enjoyed on its own. We still don’t know the identity of the author of the hidden prayer jars, but I’M hoping that will be answered in the third book of the series, “The Healing Jar”.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Forgivness is one of the hardest things to do in life and this story is ripe with it. As a continuation of the series the events flowed seamlessly into this book. It was like the first book never stopped. I hope there will be another.