The Memory Jar by Tricia Goyer

This is a fascinating story about how one person can influence someone's life.  Even though Sarah Shelter lives in West Kootenai, Montana, where a lot of Amish bachelors come to hunt for months out of the year, she hasn't fallen in love.  Ever since her best friend Patty died a couple years ago, she's held people at arm's length, the same way she's kept her memories in a jar instead of close to her heart.  That all changes when she meets Jathan Schrock.  Will he really understand who she is and can he trust her in return?

I liked how the story revealed memories she had of Patty and the wisdom she gained from knowing her.  This one person had a profound impact on who she became and it's amazing to think how important one person can be to someone else.  The romance was sweet and I liked the struggle between fighting for your dreams or fulfilling other people's plans for you, especially a parent's.  I was a little frustrated with Jathan, but I could understand where he was coming from.  This is the first book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and it's worth the read!

I received this book free from Zondervan in exchange for an honest review.

Zondervan