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FREE EXTENDED PREVIEW
A Brand-New Series from New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter.
What happens when making an elderly Amish couple very happy means going along with a lie that gets bigger by the day?

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 she assumed the identity of Sara Murray. Once homeless and hopeless, Michelle has come to love her new Amish friends and even considers the idea of romance among them.

Finding an old blue jar in the barn that is filled with slips of paper containing thoughts, quotes, and prayers by an unknown author becomes a boost to Michelle’s budding faith— but also convicting. How can she tell the truth without hurting the ones she has truly come to love?

48 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2019

1113 people are currently reading
353 people want to read

About the author

Wanda E. Brunstetter

215 books2,325 followers
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.

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5 stars
382 (49%)
4 stars
189 (24%)
3 stars
122 (15%)
2 stars
52 (6%)
1 star
28 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Joleen.
2,660 reviews1,228 followers
September 30, 2018
The preview was a good way to know the whole book is not one I’d read. Not fond of people assuming other's identities, and all the lying to sweet people to keep up the pretense.
Written in a simple middle school style. The violence, however, from one character's drunken boyfriend may not be an acceptable scene.
7 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2019
I

I have always enjoyed reading about Amish life, ever since visiting Lancaster County as a young girl. This book is entertaining and the characters are well-developed. I'm looking forward to reading more of Wanda E. Brunstetter's books. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys fiction that also introduces the reader to the Amish Culture. I particularly enjoy books that are moral and free of any profane words. On all levels, this deserves a five star rating I love the story line. The only thing I would be able to say that I wish was different is that I would like the story to conclude in this book. I realize that the intent is for the reader to read all of the books in this series to get the complete story. From former experience, I had read a story that was part of a series and was never able to find the next book. Fortunately, with the advent of e-books and such, it's much easier to locate books of interest. Happy reading!
Profile Image for Lucy Nix.
25 reviews
October 10, 2018
Second Chance?

Thought provoking story line. Michelle the imposter Sara was in a abusive life and due to circumstances and choices she found a way out and took the leap into a different life. This is the beginning of the story with more to follow in increments (more books). What I've read I truly enjoyed but now it's wait for several months to get more of the story, so I am left hanging wanting to find out what's to come. The characters are lifelike and the story draws you in leaving you wanting more.
Profile Image for Tina Watson.
313 reviews
June 17, 2019
Could you go along with a lie if it means making an elderly Amish couple happy?

Michelle Taylor lives in Philadelphia and is needing a way out. At the train station, the Lapps are looking for their long-lost granddaughter when they meet Michelle; assuming she's Sara Murray.

In the Lapps barn, Michelle finds an old blue jar full of slips of paper with thoughts, verses, and prayers by an author unknown. The slips of paper give Michelle hope.

Will Michelle be able to come forward with the truth to those she's come to love without hurting them?

Wanda wrote about one's struggle with life. How it's best to tell the truth from the beginning.
I loved this story and I can't wait for the next book in the series "The Forgiving Jar" to be released.

I received a free copy via NetGalley with only an honest review by me in exchange. This is my review in my own words.
Profile Image for Tricia Mcwilliams.
72 reviews7 followers
January 26, 2019
I haven't read this author before and was looking forward to reading what I thought was a whole book. I have no problem paying to read a book but if it's a new to me author I prefer to check out their book at lower prices.

I see that it says "Free Preview" but as I often get free whole books from Amazon and it shows to to be 320 pages in length I thought it was a complete book.

I liked what I read but it wasn't enough for me to know if I'd continue liking it or if I'd recommend the book or not.
1 review
March 25, 2019
The Hope Jar....Without the jar

Was an entertaining read when I couldn’t sleep during the night. There wasn’t a mention of a hope jar. Was surprised when the Amish couple talked about an English man instead of an Englisher. Englisher is what I’ve heard Amish say. Going on to read the forgiving jar....felt like the hope jar stopped at a crucial point, but I have to know how this turns out.
45 reviews
November 12, 2018
The Hope Jar

I really enjoyed this book. It is a clean read that is well written. I couldn't put it down . This book has a good theme, and was easily read. Ms. Brunstetter. is one of my favorite authors, because her. style of writing is believable , factual, and clean, and interesting.
Profile Image for Missy.
429 reviews
July 26, 2018
For a preview it's good.

I've reviewed books like this in the past, where you think you're getting a whole book, only to get to the end and find if you want more then you have to buy another book. Total cliff-hanger. I did enjoy the writing, just wish it were complete.
Profile Image for Trudy J. Shattls.
33 reviews
October 14, 2018
The Hope Jar is a short story that is read in a minute. It is basic reading and in order to know how the story continues, you must buy it for over $15.00 on Amazon. To me, it's not worth the money. I felt like I was reading a young reader book.
65 reviews
December 28, 2018
Great

Very interesting, but left without a finish in my opinion. Maybe book 2 will finish the story of her birth parents & her
Amish heritage. I feel like the relatives she is living with now
Will figure out she has more to tell about herself than she
Had told them!!
1 review
January 9, 2019
Wonderful book characters are almost real . Time

TImely situation in today's world.. IT teaches models along with the characters . I am partial to Amish books.I really think both books should be together.
4 reviews
January 20, 2019
The hope jar

I enjoy Amish books. They take me back to how my youth was. Much more to how my li'fe was. There was 10 in my family, no computers or phones. We enjoyed going to school. I think the author really makes you feel that all this is possible.
97 reviews2 followers
February 12, 2019
Another great story by Wanda. This second book in her new series was just as good as the first book. You want to keep reading and you feel like the characters and feel what they are experiencing. Can’t wait for book three!
Profile Image for Paula  Simpson.
10 reviews
February 18, 2019
Good book for tweens through adults

I've read Brunstetter novels before and really enjoyed them. Learning about a safer lifestyle in a very troubled world and the way these people live what they believe is refreshing. I recommend them to everyone.
Profile Image for  Ms Britt.
42 reviews
August 29, 2019
Great Book

I really this book thus far. It is simple to read and have you waiting with anticipation on what will happen next. The plot of the story is an Amish setting of hope. I recommend this book as a lay back read. I could not put it down. Now to book number two.
318 reviews
July 9, 2018
Good segment

This was a good segment to a start of a new story . A young woman loses her mother. Then another woman impersonates her. What will happen next?
1 review
July 11, 2018
Love this book!

Such an amazing story!! Love the twist and how everything comes together for 2 different young women and their family's
315 reviews
July 12, 2018
Good Read

I really enjoyed reading this book I cannot wait to read book 2 in this series I cannot wait until the real Sara appears.
Profile Image for Diana Crane.
11 reviews
July 21, 2018
The Hope Jar

Was a well written interesting small story, but to bad enticement to get the whole story. Now onto the prayer jars.
2 reviews
September 29, 2018
Heart warming and touching

I love that the author made the story so real and believable. The book was heart warming and touching. I didn't want to put it down.
150 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2019
The lie

The story didn't start the way I thought it would. But the more I read the better the story got . I hope you like he book too.
Profile Image for Dawn.
2 reviews50 followers
February 9, 2019
I absolutely loved the preview of this book! It has a great story line and I cant wait to read the entire book.
33 reviews
March 8, 2019
Good, easy read

This is a clean, Amish, Christian book that is easy to read. I like to sometimes read for pure enjoyment and escape. This book fulfilled those requirements.
4 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2019
Wonderful

A story of life, love, trust , and moving forward. Truly a good read! Thoroughly enjoyed spending time reading this story.
Profile Image for Alicia Alvarado.
12 reviews
June 6, 2019
The Hope Jar

I was wondering what would happen next. To me the ending leaves me wondering what will happen next to find that r ends an I would have to buy the next segment!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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