The Pharisee's Wife

By: Janette Oke

Narrated by: Lisa Negrón

From the beloved author of Love Comes Softly comes an inspiring work of historical fiction about a young Jewish woman, plucked from obscurity and thrust on a perilous journey, only to witness the world’s most life-changing story.

Like most young women in ancient Israel, Mary has little control over her own destiny. When Enos, a rising Pharisee, sees her one day in the market―the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes on―and determines to make her his wife, Mary’s fate is quickly sealed. His exorbitant bride price is the only hope her parents have of escaping abject poverty, but surely the fact that such a devout and esteemed man has chosen a girl of her station must be a sign of blessing.

When Mary enters training to become the proper Pharisee’s wife, it is as though she has been abandoned in a foreign land, where one misstep could cost her greatly. That feeling only deepens when she discovers Enos is all she feared he might be, treating her merely as a prize he has won―and worse. Then rumors of a miracle-working, traveling Prophet change everything, and Mary and Enos are swept up in events that will challenge all they hold dear and forever alter both their futures.

• Full-length standalone biblical fiction from the bestselling author whose novels have sold more than 30 million copies
• For fans of historical fiction by Tessa Afshar, Mesu Andrews, and Connilyn Cossette
• Includes discussion questions for book groups

©2025 Janette Oke (P)2025 Tyndale Fiction

Sad I paid money for this

The narrator was monotonous and the voices didn't match the text description.

The story was bland at best, with very little character development fleshed out. This is the worst experience I've had with this author and it was incredibly disappointing. If I hadn't paid real money for this, I wouldn't have bothered to finish it.

There were also a couple loose ends. Why didn't she go back for the clothes she hid? What was the point of telling us she hid them if she didn't use them? Why, when she went back home, were her mom and brother in a very small house when her bride price had been high enough for them to live well for many long years and after she left, they'd moved into a big house with servants?

How did she know about salvation in Jesus before He died and rose again to the point she was concerned about her father's unbelief at the time of his death?

So many things don't make sense, THEN the book ends with her saying she didn't know anything about Pharisees and their learning or living situations, so the entire basis wasn't clearly researched or well founded. When other historical fiction has been done by the same author, the expectation is there for that to be done across the board.

how G-D oder mary life,

Mary's husband died he can get everything by deceitfulness,at the end he saw he could not. too thank you for the teaching in this audiobook how Jesus order our step .we'll written. love ❤️ how sprit leads the writer too we'll written finish,Just as Jesus brings to completion so the writer of this book has brought this story to a wonderful completion.thank you ❤️ G-D bless All who had a part in this audiobook of 👍🎯😍🎯

biblical story

Janette Oke is such an amazing author, I will read anything she writes. outstanding book for these times we're living now.

Beautiful Fiction with lots of reality

The story of Mary is truly sad but reflects the reality lived by the women of the ancient Jewish culture. Crude and fill with hope about the initial believers of Jesus. I highly recommend this book

I kept waiting for it to get interesting.

This book could have been half the length. It dragged on and on. I had to increase my listening speed to 1.3 to get through it.