Bonnie Gray - Sweet Like Jasmine: Finding Identity in a Culture of Loneliness

In a world crying out for kindness and belonging, this is a book needed for our times. Sweet Like Jasmine is a gift, a beautiful remembrance that God treasures each of our broken hearts in His sweeping story of redemption.

Ann Voskamp,

New York Times bestselling author of The Broken Way and One Thousand Gifts

Sweet Like Jasmine feels like having a cup of tea with a kind and brave friend who reminds you of Gods love, His grace, and how His unseen hand is in all of our stories. Its beautiful and powerful, life giving and heart freeing, deeply personal and soul-touching relatable. I read it one weekend, savoring every word, and I didnt want it to end.

Holley Gerth,

Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Powerful Purpose of Introverts

Bonnie has a gift! Her stories draw you in from the start, and her raw honesty captures the heart of all who are looking for love and belonging in a culture of loneliness and isolation. This book is a healing balm of beauty from brokenness.

Rebekah Lyons,

bestselling author of Rhythms of Renewal and You Are Free

If youve struggled with feeling as if you dont fit in or arent good enough, Bonnies story of finding beauty and belonging in her brokenness will encourage your heart. I loved her poignant retelling of both the sweet and the bitter memories from her childhood, and how she can look back and see Gods goodness and faithfulness in the midst of it.

Crystal Paine,

New York Times bestselling author, podcaster, and founder of MoneySavingMom.com

Bonnie Gray is an engaging storyteller who reminds us of the grace woven through each chapter of our lives. This book is both poetic and insightful. Beautiful and honest. A worthy companion through the wilderness of learning to find our identity. Through stories, letters, cultural insights, and reflections, Sweet Like Jasmine generously provides much-needed language and permission to embrace the wholeness of who we are.

Morgan Harper Nichols,

author of All Along You Were Blooming

No one tells a story like Bonnie Gray! Join her on a journey of vulnerability, discovery, and a growing awareness of Gods redemptive power in our lives. Along the way, youll see that its right in our broken places that God shows himself strong.

Kathi Lipp,

bestselling author and speaker

This is one of those books that will stay with you long after youve turned the final page. Bonnies story is achingly beautifulnot only because its true, but because it is truly transformative. Our two life stories couldnt be more different, yet Bonnies story is also mine. And its yours. This is a story of the secrets and shame we all carry, and how God is workingalways workingto bring beauty out of every broken moment. This book is a treasure.

Jennifer Dukes Lee,

author of Growing Slow and Its All Under Control

Sweet Like Jasmine is a love story that will bring beauty and healing to tender places in the heart and deeper compassion for those who have ever felt unlovable or unworthy.

Melissa Michaels,

New York Times bestselling author of Love the Home You Have and Dwelling

A beautiful book with thought-provoking reflections, Sweet Like Jasmine is a captivating blend of powerful story and hope-filled self-discovery. I couldnt put it down!

Renee Swope,

bestselling author of A Confident Heart

Bonnie has often led the way to freedom and truth by going there first herself. Her ability to invite us as readers into her stories, and therefore into our own stories, makes this world a better, more healed place.

Annie F. Downs,

New York Times bestselling author of That Sounds Fun

Sweet

Like

Jasmine

Bonnie Gray

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

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Cover design by Faceout Studio

Cover photo Sveta_Aho / Gettyimages

Interior design by KUHN Design Group

The author is represented by Alive Literary Agency, www.aliveliterary.com

Names and minor details have been changed in the real-life stories shared in this book to protect the privacy of the individuals mentioned.

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is a federally registered trademark of the Hawkins Childrens LLC. Harvest House Publishers, Inc., is the exclusive licensee of the trademark.

Sweet Like Jasmine

Copyright 2021 by Bonnie Lee Gray

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97408

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-8342-6 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-8343-3 (eBook)

ISBN 978-0-7369-8587-1 (eAudio)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021935220

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To Jesus

my Loving Savior

who understood my loneliness

and tenderly calls me His beloved

To Eric

my beloved soulmate

because writing a new story

with you makes life beautiful

To Josh and Caleb

my beloved sons

because being your mom is a joy, seeing

Gods light shining within you

And to my kindred readers

because we are all simply walking each other home

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