The Forgiving Jar

by Wanda E. Brunstetter is a new book released soon by Barbour Press. We are back in the existences of Michelle, Sara and the wonderful elderly couple  in the person of Mary Ruth and Willis Lapp.

The couple if you remember the first book I previously treated and reviewed lost their daughter, and they learned this thanks to a letter sent by Sara, the daughter of their daughter, disappeared too many years ago without to let them know anymore what happened to her.
Sara after all has a good existence, but curiosity is great and the desire of trying to understand a world like the one of Amish so distant by her reality is immense. Her mother never told her that in a past phase of her existence she was an Amish.

The Lapps are at the same time extremely sad and excited. Sad because they lost their beloved daughter, but happy for the possibility of discovering this new important member of their family. They tell her that they would have met her with pleasure.

But my favorite character is the one of Michelle. Michelle lived in a disgraceful family, her boyfriend was horrible, she was homeless, no job, desperate she didn't know where to go, and when she meets this nice elderly couple asking her if she was their niece Sara, Michelle answers: yes.
Without exhitation.

For this girl, surrounded just by internal and external confusion, where there was just chaos, disorder, violence, the Lapps meant not the Paradise: more.
Good food, a family where love and friendship were visible, someone in grade of appreciating people, Michelle felt she loved immensely to staying there.

This new book focuses on the arrival of Michelle, again in the Lapps' house, this time with her name and last name Taylor for the Thanksgiving and the one of Sara. Yes, in the previous book the story was, after all, discovered.

The Lapps understood that desperation was high and the possibility of a good nest for Michelle where resting mind and body adding some good hard work and prayers was a good conclusion.
They understood her desperation. Sara at first, in this book doesn't. She thinks that maybe she is again there for opportunism; she doesn't love her grand-parents but who knows why she is there.

While Michelle is genuinily not just in love for the Lapps, her adoptive Amish family but also for that life, that she will choice of not lose anymore.

Ezekiel is the boyfriend of Michelle, while Brad in the first book attracted by Michelle/Sara maybe will start to flirt with Sara...

The jars are not so central in the story after all, because these girls will experience a lot; also the departure of a beloved domestic animal, the joy of meeting someone never seen in their existence, new jobs, friendships and meetings. A marriage and other stories will follow but what it is for sure, these jars and the Lapps will help these girls in their new path and their new existence.

A memorable story this one. Altruistic people are in grade to better the world.

I know you'll love this book. It can't be different. Wanda is in grade to speak directly to the heart of people with simplicity, accuracy and great tenderness and understanding.

I thank NetGalley and Barbour for this ebook.

Anna Maria Polidori

The Forgiving Jar is a very well written book.  I enjoyed the plot and as always this author’s writing.  I look forward to reading the next book in this series.  I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

This is the second book in The Prayer Jars series by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Sara, who has decided to move to be close to her grandparents, learns that her grandparents have asked Michelle, the girl we met in the first book who had impersonated Sara, to move in with them.  Sara is very upset, suspecting that Michelle has an ulterior motive that her grandparents are not aware.  She can’t imagine how her grandparents could forgive Michelle for her deceitfulness and lies.

Finding an old jar in the barn filled with scriptures that all seem to be geared to forgiveness, Sara ponders these in her heart and learns that forgiveness is a necessary step she must take in order to move on with her life.

I enjoyed the twists and turns in this book and highly recommend it to those who enjoy reading Amish genre.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"The Forgiving Jar  " by  Wanda  Brunstetter  is an    Amish fiction book. It is the second book in the Prayer Jars  'found out that  her  grandparents are Amish  and   live in PennsylvaniaAfter Sara Murray's  Mother died  she  found out her  grandparents   are Amish and live in Pennsylvania.  Her Mother  left a note about her grandparents   in her Bible.   Sara  went to  visit her  grandparents and    realized how thankful  she was to have  their   relationship.   When  she  got to her grandparents place she found  out   Michelle  Taylor  was  impersonating  her  for  several months.    Sara had trouble  forgiving Michelle for   impersonating  her.   Michelle  also  lives with her  grandparents.   Her grandparents have forgiven  Michelle for  impersonating   their granddaughter.   Michelle  has a boyfriend  Ezekiel who is   from an Amish family.    He   asked her to decide if  she  wants to become Amish.   She  would have to take the church classes  and agree to live an Amish lifestyle. The Amish lifestyle is  very different from the English  lifestyle she  has been living.   Michelle had to struggle  to decide if the Amish lifestyle   is the  correct   one for her.  Sara  ended  up getting a job at the local florist.   She  enjoyed  working  at the florist  .   She   meets Brad Fuller  while living at  her grandparents.  Brad is   studying to become a  minister.   Sara  has to decide if  she  wants to  accept the Christian lifestyle as her own.   She  has  many  struggles with forgiving  some issues in her past.   She also has to   learn how to accept Michelle  even though she deeply hurt her  by  impersonating her.    Michelle ends up working at a local restaurant as a waitress. Michelle has a real turn around in her life and heart  when  she learns that  forgiveness  needs to be part of her  life  and she needs to forgive those that have hurt her in her past. Michelle  and  Sara  both have found a jar in the garage  that   ends up having meaning for them  both.  There  are  Bible verses in the jar and  also quotes.   The messages in the  jar made them think   about how  they  applied  the verses or  quotes  to their lives.   Will Sara  decide  to  accept the Christian life and all it  means for her day to day life?   Will Michelle   decide to  be Amish?   The  book  teaches  the importance of forgiveness for each of the characters.  It  also   tells the reader to think about their  life and who they need to forgive.  It is a very  meaningful and personal book..  The  characters  are real, personable and  desire  to live a life of integrity.     What  will become of Sara's  relationship with Brad?   What will be come of Ezekiel's  relationship with  Michelle?    Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for  allowing me to read and review  this wonderful book.

This is the first Armish / christian book I have read and i found it delightful. 
Although this was the second in a series I didn't I couldn't catch up with the plot. I will however read the next book! 
There is alot that can be taken from this book and alot of lovely verses and references. 
A real lesson in love and forgiveness. 
Well written and very enjoyable. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As the title suggests, THE FORGIVING JAR by WANDA E BRUNSTETTER, is about forgiveness, letting go of the past and generally what is required of someone who desires to serve the Lord.
The story takes place in Amish country, and I like the description of how the Amish live a simple life, largely according to the Scriptures.
I was given a free copy of the book from NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I have read most of Wanda Brunstetter's books. I enjoyed The Prayer Jar, the first book in this series. Although each of these books can be read as a stand alone book, I think you will benefit from reading The Prayer Jar first. We are introduced to the same characters and we learn more about them in The Forgiving Jar, the second book. The grandparents, Willis and Mary Ruth King are just darling people. Both Michelle and Sara have had a difficult past, both are not sure about their future. The girls learn and mature from handling the friction between each other. Forgiveness is the main theme of this story, but there is so much more.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. My opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Forgiving Jar is the second book in the series.  It is as good as the first and the focus is on forgiveness as the title implies.  I love almost everything Wanda Brunstetter writes and I am looking forward to the third nook in the series.  Thanks netgalley for gifting me with an arc of this nook, the opinion is my own .

Review:
I read The Hope Jar (first book in The Prayer Jars series), and I enjoyed it! So when I saw The Forgiving Jar on NetGalley, I knew I wanted to get it. And while it didn't exactly meet my expectations, I still think it has some good themes of forgiveness (of course hehe), love, and redemption. 

What I Liked:
- Like I said, there are some great themes! I think the author did a good job in weaving them in.
- I liked the setting! I've always liked reading Amish stories, and the book definitely showcased the Amish lifestyle.

What I Didn't Like:
- The main characters seem really pouty and spoiled at times, which really irritated me.
- Most of the side characters, claiming to be Christian, were really unforgiving and annoying, and I found it unrealistic that they suddenly decided to forgive Michelle after one random thing she did. And the two characters who were forgiving towards Michelle forgave her a little too easily. I certainly think a good amount of balance could have been employed in this story.

Overall:
Definitely not my favorite by Mrs. Brunstetter. I do think I would've liked the book a little better if not for the annoying characters. :/ 1.5 stars.

*FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a free ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.*

One of my fave Amish authors.  The author's easy-reading style is great.  I have read the majority of her books.  I also read the previous book in this series.  I love how the characters continue as does their story.  I love the conflicts and the way things turned out.

The story was good, engaging and my favorite genre.  Will continue reading books by this author.  I recommend this book.

I received an ebook from NetGalley for my review.  All thoughts are my own.

As soon as I got approved to read The Forgiving Jar on NetGalley, I literally gobbled it up. I was so eager to find out what happened to the main protagonists Michelle Taylor and Sarah Murray since, the first book in The Prayer Jar series, The Hope Jar.  The Forgiving Jar focuses more on Sarah Murray dealing with the secrets and deceit that seems to follow her throughout her life. Similar to The Hope Jar, It is well written and provides insight into the Amish life. I think that this book would have easily been compressed into the earlier book. as the story is rather predictable. Nonetheless, I would recommend The Forgiving Jar as an uplifting read

A good story overall, and as the name implies it focuses on forgiveness. Sara comes back to her grandparent's house, to find the Imposter living there again. The one who had previously pretended to be her was now a fixture in the house. Not understanding how her grandparents could forgive her, she struggles to come to terms with it. Getting close to Brad, a student at a college nearby for ministers, the push of forgiveness and a lot of quotes from the Bible are all throughout this book. Overall I did enjoy it, but didn't really feel the romantic sparks. Would recommend.

I really enjoyed this book. Reading the way Michelle and Sara's life change as God becomes more important in their lives. How forgiveness once it is giving is a healing balm. The friendship they develop over the story is so sweet and the love they find along the way is a bonus. This is a very good read and a hard to put down book. I can't wait to see the next book in the series.

I love this series!! This is book two and it is just as good if not better than book one. I really enjoyed this book. I love how Wanda E. Brunstetter writes her series, she never leaves you with a cliffhanger. This book has all the emotions that deal with everyday life and the people in the book become your friends. Now I will wait for the next book. If you are looking for a very written book, here it is!  I highly recommend this book. Thank you Barbour Publishing  Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion of this book.

Book 2 in the series. I enjoyed it very much. Can not wait to read the third book coming next fall. This continues with Sara Murray the Lapps real granddaughter and her impostor Michelle. Sara cannot believe that her grandparents forgave Michelle and let her stay with them. This book shows the jealous between the girls. Michelle wants to become Amish and Sara does not.  When Sara accidentally runs over Michelle's dog things start to chance. A beautiful story of forgiveness.

The Forgiving Jar was an enjoyable read, best read after the first book, The Hope Jar. As a stand alone book I still enjoyed the story. The main character, Sara had to learn about how to forgive others. It is a wonderful story, full of faith, and a good clean story line. Loved it!

After reading book 1, The Hope Jar, I was waiting on the answers enclosed in book 2, The Forgiving Jar. Some answers I thought were coming, I was kind of expecting them. Others were a complete surprise. It was little harder to get into book 2, The Forgiving Jar than book 1, The Hope Jar. But I was thankful that I read it all & had my questions answered. A sweet tale of finding forgiveness, & giving it to those least deserving. Wanda once again writes a tale full of redemption & grace, set amongst the backdrop of the Plain lifestyle. For no matter what our outward appearance God cares about our hearts. Wanda did a good job showing the forgiveness no only that He offers, but that believers should show to others.

THE FORGIVING JAR. Wanda Brunsetter # 2
Michelle going to the Lapps, to admit what she had done, pretending to be someone she wasn’t. Eziekel is taking her, and with wisdom to comfort her that it will be okay, you have nothing to worry about. He had come to Harrisburg to get her, and wouldn’t let her leave.
Sara with the death of her Mother, finding she had been raised Amish. Grandparents had welcomed her to come. While commitments delayed it, till later to find another woman living as her. She still was living with them until she could find a job. This was upsetting to Sara, how.could they forgive, and welcome her to stay on. She was even given the bedroom that use to be her Sara’s mother’s. There would be a lot of changes for both of these woman, learning forgiveness and wanting God’s will in their lives. Very surprising ending as we now await the third in this series. Given ARC by Net Galley and Barbour for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

The second book in this series, we continue to follow Michelle's story as she overhauls her life and decides to take control of her future.  We also get to know Sara and learn her story (and I'm guessing the third book is going to prominently feature her story).  Ezekial plays a large role in helping Michelle to work through her personal struggles and insecurities, and a beautiful love story develops.  There are some surprises here - things that I was even unaware could happen - that add to the suspense of the story.  Overall, another great installment, and I look forward to the third!