Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors: The Memory Jar

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I’ve read several Christian romance novels in the past, but for whatever reason had not really delved into the Amish fiction genre.  Thanks to being sent a copy of Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors: The Memory Jar to review, I’ve now gotten my feet wet enough to know that I’ll most likely be hooked.

 

About The Memory Jar

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?

Tricia Goyer has written 17 novels, including a three-book Amish series, and under contract for three more Amish novels and One Year of Amish Peace as well as written eight nonfiction books. Tricia and her husband, John, live in Little Rock, Arkansas where John works for FamilyLife. They have four children.

 

My Thoughts on The Memory Jar

I really enjoyed this story.  Having the main characters be from the Amish faith just added a new dimension to a sweet love story as I often reference the glossary at the front of the book for any unfamiliar terminology.  And, the writing was just as wonderful as I’ve come to expect from stories crafted by Tricia Goyer.

Aside from the regular aspects of a Christian romance, this novel wove in the presence of memory jars.  These glass jars contained different objects that might seem unrelated to an outside observer, yet made perfect sense to their owner.  Sarah had collected each item to help remind her of an event that she wanted to remember.  Many of them were related to her best friend, Patty, who was called back to heaven in a tragic accident.  While the memory jar is a sweet way to keep those treasured times in a visual manner, it becomes a way of holding onto the past and not being open to follow God’s call.

Thankfully, God has a way of sending people into our lives that can help to bust through the walls we build for ‘protection.’  In this story, it is the bachelor Jathan who is on an extended visit to West Kootenai from the town of Berlin, Ohio.  Beyond their love of God and Amish faith, they both have a passion for baking which helps to draw them together.  However, there are still obstacles to overcome and a few twists and turns like anyone might experience in life.

I’m really looking forward to reading and reviewing The Promise Box this month.  Be on the lookout for that review as I am sure the title is equally compelling of a read.