The Pharisees Wife is a very powerful and thought-provoking story about redemption by Janette Oke. At age ninety, Oke has granted her readers with a truly remarkable and unique story of Biblical fiction as she transports us to the time when Jesus walked this world spreading the word of God.

Told by two points-of-view, Oke, with her exquisite prose, takes her readers back in time where we meet Mary (a.k.a Simona), a humble country girl, and Enos, an ambitious Pharisee in training. Throughout their journey, Oke painted vivid images, which kept me totally engaged from beginning to end. I felt every single moment of Marys love, loss, and doubts as she struggled with being the wife of a Pharisee. Enos, so concerned with prestige for himself, goes into debt to possess Mary. Oke had me in awe with her ability to get so deeply into the minds of both of these fantastic characters, making reading this book an amazing experience.

I highly recommend The Pharisees Wife, an unforgettable story, written by Janette Oke, an amazing author who has been writing some of the best historical Christian fiction books I have read for over thirty years.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.

I became a lifelong fan of Janette Oke from the moment I was gifted a copy of Love Comes Softly as a teenager in the 1980s. Having read every one of her novels since, I can honestly say that the pioneer of Christian fiction has arrived in 2025 better than ever. Mary s journey moved me. I felt her pain, her loss, her doubts. I related to her personally in her struggles as a woman of faith despite the centuries between us. It was intriguing to view Jesus through not only her life and circumstances, but also through the eyes of the Pharisees, the spiritual leaders who should have known who He was.

The ending was a bit unpredictable, but the more I think about it, the more I like it. The connection between the first century church and the church today is an important one. The story is not over. We look forward to Jesus coming back for us just as they did 2000 years ago. Time may seem long, but God the Father has a plan and is on His own schedule. It is easy to get distracted, but we must keep looking up. In the meantime, we have His Spirit, and, like Mary, we are never alone.

The Pharisee s Wife is an unexpected treat. I certainly hope that Mrs. Oke will bless us with more books; her continued wisdom and talent are a gift. Whether you are a long time fan or never heard of her before, be sure to pick up a copy. You will see the Biblical setting of Jesus life, as well as our own wait for his return, with fresh eyes.

*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It is widely accepted that Janette Oke books would be selected by readers based solely on the author*s name. After all, Oke is the origin point for many readers* passionate journey through inspirational fiction. Her days on my must read list stem from my early teen years, back when my grandmother purchased her novels via mail order and tried faithfully to keep up with my appetite for her clean and uplifting prose. In that spirit, I pounced on her latest release and savored it from cover to cover.

The Pharisee*s Wife unfolds methodically and in an unhurried pace, as the tale is told of a young girl who is given a high honor she does not want and must make what she will of it. Pulled from her family home and dumped into the home of a Pharisee in training who cares more for adulation than for her, Mary is then left to pick up the pieces and find her way forward when the unthinkable happens. This story of the early church is respectful and introspective. It is not surprising that the author*s note is as impactful as the novel itself. The urgency is not in the storyline, but in a decision each person must make at some point. And the climax of the story, well, Oke writes that (second) best, so you are just going to have to read The Pharisee*s Wife cover to cover to understand.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.