The Prodigal Pastor

A Small Town Valentine's Day Romance, Book 3

By: Janice Cole Hopkins

Narrated by: Jared Walters

Length: 4 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Brooke Bennett had the best news ever. After years of trying, she and David were going to have a baby. She knew her husband would be just as thrilled as she was and she prepared him a special celebratory supper, dressed up, and waited for him. However, he never came home. Later that night, she clutched a note she found on her pillow into a crumpled mess not believing what he’d written. David was leaving her and the megachurch where he’d been the senior pastor. They'd hit some snags in their marriage, but something like this had never crossed her mind. David had always been the love of her life. What would she do now? The church wouldn’t allow her to remain in the parsonage for long.

Three months later, David looked at the irate woman he’d left Brooke for and couldn’t believe his stupidity, couldn’t believe his sinfulness. He’d deserted his wife, his church, and his god for the selfish music director who had once stroked his ego. Valerie had already spent all his money from the bank accounts he’d cleaned out. Now what was he going to do?

©2023 Janice Cole Hopkins (P)2023 Janice Cole Hopkins

Excellent Story & Narration

Temptation comes to a young pastor, leaving a wife, and carrying his unknown child. When the money was gone, along with his ego that had gotten him in this mess. Emotional and gripping story, now humble could he regain what he had lost.
Forgiveness and for acception by those he had hurt and left.
The narration added to the feeling the people had and was well done.
Given audio for my voluntary review

Can She Ever Trust Him Again?

This audio book really captured my attention and kept me listening. It was a fairly quick read for me, as I usually speed up the narration on audio books a bit. I thought the narrator did a great job on doing different accents and inflections as he read the story.

It was definitely a difficult topic that was covered, a pastor who left his wife and committed adultery, and his subsequent repenting and asking for forgiveness. When the book began, I did not think I personally would be able to forgive or trust someone who did this to me and I wondered how I would feel as I listened to the story and worked through things with the female main character. However, the author did a really good job of showing true change in this man’s life.

I appreciated the way things were handled in this story and the fact the characters talked things through and did not make quick decisions over such important and life changing events. Although most marriages that fall apart due to infidelity may not be mended successfully, I thought the author presented the topic in a plausible and interesting way.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Forgiveness is key

Brooke and David have a wonderful story of forgiveness. Although they both made some mistakes they realized how important it was to forgive each other with the Lord's help.

Fantastic Read

I was enthralled from the beginning. This was so realistic and played out fantastically. Would love to read about them further!

Beautiful Story

This storyline is one that you don't really want to read about, but life happens and unfortunately pastors and their families are not exempt. The author makes this a beautiful story about love and forgiveness and moving on with our lives.

The narrative was well done.

A Story of Forgiveness

What a beautiful story of love and forgiveness. It is not glossed over with easy, simple answers, but is an illustration of how difficult it can be for people, as humans, to be forgiving. I cannot imagine how hard some things would be to forgive. This book tells how God is the one who must enable us to be obedient to Him in this area. This book had me in tears at times. It is so realistic in story and characters. It gives the picture of both sides of forgiveness and love, What a good read!

The narrator does such a good job! The characters come to life and at times I forgot they were fictional.

I requested this audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Sweet

A super sweet story of redemption and grace. Highly recommend this. Good recording and loved the story!

What a wonderful story!

I loved this story! it was light hearted and just a good story! I'm so glad things turned out the way they did. Near the end had me a little worried, and I'm not going to say more about that, but I'm so glad it worked out the way it did!

it surprised me

I really enjoyed this story and listened to it in two days! a great story of redemption.

a second chance story

I really enjoyed listening to this story. David let his success go to his head. He left his wife and realized what a foolish decision he made. This is a prodigal son story. Jared Walters did a great job bringing the story alive.