The Traveling Prayer Shawl – Jennifer Lynn Cary

The Traveling Prayer Shawl is a beautiful novel, with split timelines as well as different characters. Cami, one of the main characters and my favourite, is a young woman with an interesting job in advertising. But too many things are coming to her at once.

Jennifer Lynn Cary, the author, has done a wonderful job combining different characters, timelines and hobbies in one story. The Traveling Prayer Shawl brings cousins Cami and Morgan together. They seem opposites, never got along as children, vying for their Gram’s attention. Now that the grandmother has died and Cami has been given her special project, will it stop Cami from making the right decision?

Cami’s grandmother left her with a task she must complete or all the inheritance goes to charity. Plus her boss handed her the ad campaign that will win her the coveted vice presidency opening. Both tasks have the same time frame. Cami needs to overcome her fears and grief to start the project, then realises her job overlaps with it all.

The Traveling Prayer Shawl deals so well with grief, trauma and faith, that I had to keep reading. Cami’s story is heartbreaking, and Morgan’s story is so sad and full of fear. Morgan isn’t the easiest person to get along with and I loved how Jennifer brought that out. It shows the background and reasons why somebody might be harder to love, but also that grace can overcome many things.

The Traveling Prayer Shawl talks a lot about crocheting and especially about making a prayer shawl. I loved the idea, and I’m so glad I learned about this. I can’t crochet or knit, but I love the idea of making something, whilst praying for whoever will receive the shawl. Such a beautiful and thoughtful gift.

The switching between people and times is not a problem at all, as it’s so well done. It was sometimes hard to wait for the next part of a person’s story, but as I didn’t take too long to read The Traveling Prayer Shawl, this wasn’t a problem. I enjoyed the grandmother’s story a lot, as it showed the love and care behind the project.

The ending was lovely, although I guessed as soon as Cami met Jeff… he was a very special person, and I love how he showed his principles throughout the book, even when it was hard. His care and support was so warm and genuine, I loved seeing faith in action.

I received a review copy via Celebrate Lit but was under no pressure or obligation to write a favourable review. As it’s a Celebrate Lit Tour, there is a giveaway for you! (US only!)