Every year, 30--40 young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive 'resident' status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides. Sarah Shelter has lived in West Kootenai for the last ten years and wonders if she will ever fall in love. Since the tragic death of her best friend, she carries her memories in a jar along with the small items connected to them. For just as long, she's also been carrying around her emotions instead of allowing them to penetrate deep into her heart. Now she's met a kind and gentle man who may be able to break down the wall. But can Sarah risk her heart to finally achieve her dreams?
Goodreads Summary
This story begins with a sad accident. At first, I thought the friendship between Sarah Shelter and Patty was too sweet; Sarah is trying to remember the color of Patty’s eyes. But then – as I read further, their friendship becomes encouraging, fun, insightful, and loyal. Reading the flashbacks of their experiences together since Sarah was ten - really made the two friends especially likeable for me. I like to read about the Amish, but I also like that Sarah and Patty express unconventional hopes and talents that make them seem more than they are…more than the Amish community would expect them to be. I loved that Sarah’s way to a man’s heart is through his stomach with her delicious baking. Baking is so popular now; who doesn’t love a great cupcake? Jathan’s letters home helped me to understand his character better.
The idea of keeping a memory jar is so appealing. Today, we have hundreds of pictures saved, hundreds of emails, texts, songs, etc… Having a memory jar with a physical object that invokes a memory would be so much more special. The night that Sarah and Jathan spend together is chastely romantic. I love Patty’s advice that the one thing that doesn’t belong in our memory jars is regret.
Four Stars
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This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
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