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Prodigals Once
One play. Four women. One Almighty God.
A surprise pregnancy and the loss of her company forces Serene Stone home. When a smear campaign against her adds to the pressure, her marriage is put to the test.
Jenna Owens is a failure as a pastor’s wife, she’s sure of it. When everyone she depends on crumbles around her, who then can she run to for assurance?
When unexpected violence threatens her husband’s life, Nova Grant tries to keep a brave face, but her faith is shaken, and she’s not sure how long it will stand.
Rachel Petersen has dreamed of marriage all her life, but caught in the midst of her fiancé, a church split, a mother who is breaking down, and the challenges everyone is going through, is it bad to enjoy planning her own wedding?
Four women in different stages of their lives come together to produce a play seeking to bring peace where it can’t be found. In the process, they come to the full realization of God’s grace in their lives as they realize: they are no longer prodigals.
They were prodigals once. Never again.
A surprise pregnancy and the loss of her company forces Serene Stone home. When a smear campaign against her adds to the pressure, her marriage is put to the test.
Jenna Owens is a failure as a pastor’s wife, she’s sure of it. When everyone she depends on crumbles around her, who then can she run to for assurance?
When unexpected violence threatens her husband’s life, Nova Grant tries to keep a brave face, but her faith is shaken, and she’s not sure how long it will stand.
Rachel Petersen has dreamed of marriage all her life, but caught in the midst of her fiancé, a church split, a mother who is breaking down, and the challenges everyone is going through, is it bad to enjoy planning her own wedding?
Four women in different stages of their lives come together to produce a play seeking to bring peace where it can’t be found. In the process, they come to the full realization of God’s grace in their lives as they realize: they are no longer prodigals.
They were prodigals once. Never again.
298 pages, ebook
Published June 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 24, 2022
Oh!!! This might be my favorite book by Joanna Alonzo! Many authors write a romance that consists of the couple getting together and implies they will live happily ever after. Not so with Joanna's books. Reading this book felt like I was visiting old friends. They all had very real struggles but in common they had the same all-powerful God that helped them through it all. Joanna has a gift for knowing how to dig deep into the heart of a person and to bring the grace of God into it. I highly recommend this and all the books in the Prodigals series!
July 17, 2022
This book is definitely lit! The stories of 4 women combined into one story, for one play, to bring about reconciliation to all broken relationships within their home church and also to others. Wahh! It was so amazing!
P.S I really loved it the most when all the circumstances they all faced in their personal lives influenced them to push through for the "Prodigal once".
P.S I really loved it the most when all the circumstances they all faced in their personal lives influenced them to push through for the "Prodigal once".
May 5, 2024
A wrap up of some of the unresolved issues of the Prodigal Ones series, this follows a group of women struggling with various issues.
Serene and Lily Red, their daughter, usually tour with Nolan, and Serene is usually behind the scenes on his interviews in case female journalists decide his friendly demeanor is an invitation to become a side chick. She discovers she is pregnant but they have endured 2 miscarriages since Lily Red's birth, and now, both or them are concerned about a 3rd miscarriage, though Nolan's view is that God will watch over both them and the unborn child. Meanwhile, Serene's talent incubator, Thrive, has literally been legally stolen out from under her, and her last art show, based on her experiences with her miscarriages, have shown unborn babies in the womb at various stages of development, promoting criticism that she was blocking a woman's right to choose. When asked about it in an interview, she explained that the art was based on her 2 miscarriages, that had solidified her personal belief that the killing of the unborn was wrong, but this only brought more criticism on her, and panned her earlier art show as well as the current one. Now, Nolan is saying he is glad that she and Lily Red won't be on the rest of his hectic tour because it will stress her much less physically and decrease the odds of a miscarriage - which sounds to her as if Nolan blames her company, art, and schedule for the death of the last 2 babies. Added to that, she has been unable to paint, suffering a creative blockage of ideas. Then the 2nd journalist to interview him one night starts accusing him of having a failure of a wife who is nothing more than a glorified housewife leeching off him, that his bit part in a movie is a botched attempt to salvage a failing career, and then she writes a hit piece on both of them, focuaing on Serene. And now Serene's little brother Jeremy is bringing home his fiance, the daughter of the couple causing a schism in the church Serene's dad pastors. Papparazzi at the entrance to the terminal start throwing questions to Nolan about the article, which at the time, neither knows about, and when Serene finds out, she doesn't tell Nolan, figuring it will die down on its own and not affect him. But it hurts her and affects her interactions with others, and it will affect Nolan's career if not addressed.
Nova has stopped writing. Caleb has asked her to read a manuscript submitted anonymously, one that shows promise as a children's book, and has suggested she needs to start writing again even if it means quitting her job at the publishing house where both work. Nova pushes back and then asks Caleb to get the twins from school. Caleb runs into a mugging in process where both Jenna and Rachel are targeted and he is losing a lot of blood plus has hit his head hard, which puts him into a coma. When will he wake up? Will he wake up? Will the seizure he has make things worse?
Jenna has set herself up for failure by trying to make herself into Mama Aida, when her talents lie in a different direction. Even her dance/prayer times leave her feeling empty. Yet she is still encouraging her husband Max that he will make a great pastor and should take on the job regardless. Now, some of the ladies who worked on a play Nova wrote called "The Prodigal" are considering writing a sequel, which Jenna will likely choreograph, but Jenna is stuck in her dancing and unsure she can deliver.
The object of the play is to emphasize that once the prodigal returns, the issues don't stop. The older brother's attitude is tearing apart the family in the play, but he is coming from a position of hurt and resentment, instead of focusing on his father's promise that the estate is fully his because his brother has already used up his share, and that his father loves them both. Designed to try and heal the schusm in the church, a lot of the response of church members to the message ends up falling on the shoulders of Mrs. Peterson, her husband Robert, and how well Rachel and Jeremy can reconcile with Rachel's parents - and a lot of that depends on Rhoda's ability to tell them the history of Connect Church from her point of view.
As they work on the play, will they be able to convey the message and heal the church when so many of the main drivers behind the play are struggling or planning life-altering changes in their futures? Will Serene have a live birth this time? Can she regain her creativity? Can Jenna sync her dance and prayer times again, and can Max find the courage to accept God's call to pastor Connect? Who wrote the mystery manuscript Caleb pushed Nova to read? Can Rhoda get over her resentments and be open with her daughter and future son-in-law about the past, or will Rachel and Jeremy end up postponing their wedding? Will the play work out and have the desired effect?
This last tie in is the last book in the Prodigal Ones series.
Serene and Lily Red, their daughter, usually tour with Nolan, and Serene is usually behind the scenes on his interviews in case female journalists decide his friendly demeanor is an invitation to become a side chick. She discovers she is pregnant but they have endured 2 miscarriages since Lily Red's birth, and now, both or them are concerned about a 3rd miscarriage, though Nolan's view is that God will watch over both them and the unborn child. Meanwhile, Serene's talent incubator, Thrive, has literally been legally stolen out from under her, and her last art show, based on her experiences with her miscarriages, have shown unborn babies in the womb at various stages of development, promoting criticism that she was blocking a woman's right to choose. When asked about it in an interview, she explained that the art was based on her 2 miscarriages, that had solidified her personal belief that the killing of the unborn was wrong, but this only brought more criticism on her, and panned her earlier art show as well as the current one. Now, Nolan is saying he is glad that she and Lily Red won't be on the rest of his hectic tour because it will stress her much less physically and decrease the odds of a miscarriage - which sounds to her as if Nolan blames her company, art, and schedule for the death of the last 2 babies. Added to that, she has been unable to paint, suffering a creative blockage of ideas. Then the 2nd journalist to interview him one night starts accusing him of having a failure of a wife who is nothing more than a glorified housewife leeching off him, that his bit part in a movie is a botched attempt to salvage a failing career, and then she writes a hit piece on both of them, focuaing on Serene. And now Serene's little brother Jeremy is bringing home his fiance, the daughter of the couple causing a schism in the church Serene's dad pastors. Papparazzi at the entrance to the terminal start throwing questions to Nolan about the article, which at the time, neither knows about, and when Serene finds out, she doesn't tell Nolan, figuring it will die down on its own and not affect him. But it hurts her and affects her interactions with others, and it will affect Nolan's career if not addressed.
Nova has stopped writing. Caleb has asked her to read a manuscript submitted anonymously, one that shows promise as a children's book, and has suggested she needs to start writing again even if it means quitting her job at the publishing house where both work. Nova pushes back and then asks Caleb to get the twins from school. Caleb runs into a mugging in process where both Jenna and Rachel are targeted and he is losing a lot of blood plus has hit his head hard, which puts him into a coma. When will he wake up? Will he wake up? Will the seizure he has make things worse?
Jenna has set herself up for failure by trying to make herself into Mama Aida, when her talents lie in a different direction. Even her dance/prayer times leave her feeling empty. Yet she is still encouraging her husband Max that he will make a great pastor and should take on the job regardless. Now, some of the ladies who worked on a play Nova wrote called "The Prodigal" are considering writing a sequel, which Jenna will likely choreograph, but Jenna is stuck in her dancing and unsure she can deliver.
The object of the play is to emphasize that once the prodigal returns, the issues don't stop. The older brother's attitude is tearing apart the family in the play, but he is coming from a position of hurt and resentment, instead of focusing on his father's promise that the estate is fully his because his brother has already used up his share, and that his father loves them both. Designed to try and heal the schusm in the church, a lot of the response of church members to the message ends up falling on the shoulders of Mrs. Peterson, her husband Robert, and how well Rachel and Jeremy can reconcile with Rachel's parents - and a lot of that depends on Rhoda's ability to tell them the history of Connect Church from her point of view.
As they work on the play, will they be able to convey the message and heal the church when so many of the main drivers behind the play are struggling or planning life-altering changes in their futures? Will Serene have a live birth this time? Can she regain her creativity? Can Jenna sync her dance and prayer times again, and can Max find the courage to accept God's call to pastor Connect? Who wrote the mystery manuscript Caleb pushed Nova to read? Can Rhoda get over her resentments and be open with her daughter and future son-in-law about the past, or will Rachel and Jeremy end up postponing their wedding? Will the play work out and have the desired effect?
This last tie in is the last book in the Prodigal Ones series.
July 13, 2022
This book kept getting better as the story went on! I wasn't a huge fan of Serene and Nolan's bit but that could just be because I didnt really fall in love with their book either - did relate to her problems with the idea of being perfect a lot though! I really like Jenna - haha I have a habit of randomly dancing too and am probably equally wacky to others - and was glad she chose not to do that job... found it sweet that Max recommended her since it was what she wanted! Liked the reunion of their family as well:) Really felt for Nova since all those feelings were fair on her part despite being a bit mean from another person's pov, i didnt really see how others would think she always had it together though... Rachel's section was probably my favourite. Nova not listening to her properly when she really needed it kinda made me realise a few times i'd unintentionally done that as well and not realised how it was important to just stop and listen w/o talking about your own experiences... I loved how she never bad-mouthed her mother though she could have easily (i would have!) and actually managed to make peace with her... Rachel and also the others' stories too were reminders of how you never know what the other person is going through... One recurring theme was that they all thought the next person was having a perfect life when their pov coming up next said very much otherwise. Nova and Caleb's decision was really unexpected but I definitely related with Nova since I'm someone who finds it hard to get used to unexpected and dramatic change! I found Hannah and Knox's section really sweet:) Jeremy... idk. His section didn't really draw me as much as Rachel's did but yeah. I loved the addition of Rhoda's story! Her pov was one we really needed! Honestly I always pitied Rhoda since everyone acts the way they do for a reason - that back story with Mama Aida just showed why! I won't say this was one of my favourite books in the series but did learn a lot plus I did like how Alonzo tied everything up neatly! Enjoyed reading the author's note at the end too<3
This was an ARC copy but all opinions are my own. Thank you Joanna for allowing me to read your book early! I'm really glad you finished this<3
This was an ARC copy but all opinions are my own. Thank you Joanna for allowing me to read your book early! I'm really glad you finished this<3
July 13, 2022
Prodigals Once
By Joanna Alonzo
This is the end book of a wonderful series with amazing characters, but it could be read as a stand alone as well. The tale brings closure to the characters stories and heals up old wounds.
A story about our wonderful God and His grace to heal our wounds. This is a poignant retelling of the parable of the Prodigal Son with a twist that will make you introspective. Which brother are you in the parable?
As someone who would fit more as the older brother, this book reminds me to check my heart and make sure I am exhibiting His grace to others. Joanna,I thank you for making us take this look inside our hearts and motivation all while reading a wonderful story.
By Joanna Alonzo
This is the end book of a wonderful series with amazing characters, but it could be read as a stand alone as well. The tale brings closure to the characters stories and heals up old wounds.
A story about our wonderful God and His grace to heal our wounds. This is a poignant retelling of the parable of the Prodigal Son with a twist that will make you introspective. Which brother are you in the parable?
As someone who would fit more as the older brother, this book reminds me to check my heart and make sure I am exhibiting His grace to others. Joanna,I thank you for making us take this look inside our hearts and motivation all while reading a wonderful story.
January 30, 2024
Prodigals Once is the conclusion to the Prodigal Ones series. Alonzo has written a book with prodigals but also with people who are broken and people who break people. It’s a beautiful story of redemption with Prodigals Once being a potent culmination of the storylines that began in Book 1 of the series, The One Who Rocked Away. The root of the breaking of people and relationships was the lack of love, the lack of grace that we strive to reflect in God, the Most High that Alonzo revealed and restored in a powerful way. Quote: "She shouldn’t focus on the things she deemed was unfair, because God’s grace had never been fair, and therein lied the beauty of His magnificent grace."
July 19, 2022
I think this was my favorite book in the series: the sequel at the end. Each of the four women have their own section, and there is definitely a full story in each. The cool thing is that they are friends, and you get to see the story continue! I never liked Mrs. P, but I am so glad she got some redemption! I feel like I understood where she's coming from.
Any of the books in this series can be read as stand-alone, or read in any order. I'm looking forward to seeing these characters again in future books!
Any of the books in this series can be read as stand-alone, or read in any order. I'm looking forward to seeing these characters again in future books!
July 28, 2022
Prodigals Once was riveting with great development of characters of four women and the struggles with their friends and families and also a church split. I totally related to their life struggles, particularly with the difficulty of relating to the ones who left the church. I too was a prodigal and appreciate the fact that in true Christianity anyone can be forgiven. I recommend reading this book but... be aware that you may not be able to put it down except to grab another kleenex.
January 30, 2024
Wonderful
This was a wonderful sequel to The Prodigal Ones series and I enjoyed catching up with the characters once again. Relationships are what this story is all about for me. Friends, family and God all play important roles in the lives of our characters, as we get to see where their stories meet and evolve. There is drama, danger, romance, tears, laughter, prayers and of course a wedding. "All things work together for good to those who love the Lord" Romans 8:28
This was a wonderful sequel to The Prodigal Ones series and I enjoyed catching up with the characters once again. Relationships are what this story is all about for me. Friends, family and God all play important roles in the lives of our characters, as we get to see where their stories meet and evolve. There is drama, danger, romance, tears, laughter, prayers and of course a wedding. "All things work together for good to those who love the Lord" Romans 8:28
August 2, 2022
A rough ending to this lovely series. Not rough writing - superbly authored. But, rough in that is is very emotional. It’s always hard to say goodbye to characters and a town you’ve grown to love, however, I always know that whatever Gussman brings next will be equally as amazing.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
August 11, 2022
Loved this book. It tied up all the couples past, present and some futures. We finally got to the meat of Mrs. P's bitterness. It was awesome to bring things back full circle. I highly recommend this book, 'Prodicals Once', especially if you read the other books of the series. I received this book from the publisher. The thoughts and comments are my own.
February 26, 2025
This second play that the group of friends wrote fully encompassed real life! You must read the entires series called The Prodigal Ones—these books are so good!
March 11, 2026
Nice short read. Would love to read more from this author.
August 23, 2024
"Prodigals Once" was the perfect conclusion to this beautiful series. It's unique in that very few books show how the couples that have already found their HEA are doing down the road (be it after they're engaged and/or married years down the road.) For that, I was both looking forward to and dreading reading this book, yet Joanna Alonzo pulled it off beautifully: it's realistic with the issues the characters are going through, yet it's full of God's grace, mercy, love, redemption, and reconciliation. And I think that was one of my favorite parts: how this all centers around one of the biggest issues and needs churches are going through: that of reconciliation. I think this is a timely book/story that will help remind the reader of the church's need for love and unity, as well as presenting both the POVs of the prodigals once and the other brothers.
As for the story per se, I loved how the author wove each of the main characters' stories to make a bigger, seamless one that tied into the other, and how the friendships helped one another through their difficult times. Seriously, I loved the update on all the couples; and if you especially felt like you'd love to know more about Rachel and Jeremy's story after reading The One Who Shot Away, then you definitely need to pick up this book.
Overall, a seriously beautiful series finale, perfect for fans of the author, this series, and/or Christian Contemporary Romance. Can't wait to check out the other stories written by this author, while also looking forward to whatever she has coming up next! ~ 5 stars
As for the story per se, I loved how the author wove each of the main characters' stories to make a bigger, seamless one that tied into the other, and how the friendships helped one another through their difficult times. Seriously, I loved the update on all the couples; and if you especially felt like you'd love to know more about Rachel and Jeremy's story after reading The One Who Shot Away, then you definitely need to pick up this book.
Overall, a seriously beautiful series finale, perfect for fans of the author, this series, and/or Christian Contemporary Romance. Can't wait to check out the other stories written by this author, while also looking forward to whatever she has coming up next! ~ 5 stars
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews