Edgewater Road: 1 (The Rumors in Ross County, 1)

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A reclusive woman inherits her grandmother’s home- and her secrets. Moving into the house and meeting the startling neighbors is more than upsetting and it might be the catalyst Jen needs to let down her walls and let life in. While Jennifer gets to know Lincoln and his friends, she also begins to unravel her grandmother’s story, putting together the pieces from scraps of memories and things she finds in her new home. She soon discovers that Ginny Smiley harbored some dark secrets on Edgewater Road - and that those secrets include both Lincoln and her own absent father. Is learning the truth worth the heartache it could bring? But not to worry, because the way the author has blended the mystery of Ginny's secrets with Jennifer and Lincoln's relationship is just one of the many elements that makes Edgewater Road an absolutely awesome read. There are also some wonderful secondary characters which gave the story an even greater depth and made it all the more enjoyable. Also woven throughout the story were elements of judging others, overcoming your past, second chances and new beginnings, as well as a light message of faith. Some moments had me holding my breath, some had me reflecting, and yet others had me smiling and laughing. The author flawlessly combined all of these elements together into a beautiful and amazing story that left an impression on me long after I had finished reading it. Edgewater Road is just that good. Featuring: Rual Ohio, Ginny and Jenny, Ex-Cons, Amish Country, Work From Home, Family Secrets, Criminal Activity, Daddy Issues, Online Dating, Assault Edgewater Road had my interest early as I met the key players and the situation. Then it started to lag. It was odd, but paths that were interesting as they developed never led anywhere. There is a chance that this is because they will come up later in the series so I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt that plot develop will progress.

Woman also can't even call her neighbor by the name everyone calls him and what he wants to be called. Jennifer is the classic introvert who works at home and only sees people virtually in the occasional office meeting. Can't we all relate to that after COVID?! So she's pretty overwhelmed by the guys next door while Lincoln both infuriates and fascinates her. She's unusually naive and struggles with finding confidence in herself. There's some great character growth as she gradually comes to grips with her family's past and Lincoln's connection to them. While Jennifer gets to know Lincoln and his friends, she also begins to unravel her grandmother's story, putting together the pieces from scraps of memories and things she finds in her new home. She soon discovers that Ginny Smiley harbored some dark secrets on Edgewater Road -- and that those secrets include both Lincoln and her own absent father. Is learning the truth worth the heartache it could bring? While Jennifer gets to know Lincoln and his friends, she also begins to unravel her grandmother’s story, putting together the pieces from scraps of memories and things she finds in her new home. She soon discovers that Ginny Smiley harbored some dark secrets on Edgewater Road—and that those secrets include both Lincoln and her own absent father. Is learning the truth worth the heartache it could bring? I knew I wanted to read this book because I like how Shelley Shepard Gray writes. I’ve read several of her Amish-centric books. Two Amish characters are in the book — one who has gone ‘Englishe’ and one young man who needs a job to help his ‘daad’ buy a horse.Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that, while this is definitely a clean read, there are a couple of mild curse words and mature topics in this story. There is also a scene of physical violence against a woman for those who may be triggered by such imagery. Reading this book has shown me just how versatile this author truly is. I've enjoyed her Amish books and contemporary romances, but Edgewater Road proves that Shelley Shepard Grays knows her way around suspense and mystery. Jennifer Smiley and John "Lincoln" Bennett are the two main characters, but there are several other intriguing characters in this story that's set in Ross County, Ohio. Jennifer's deceased grandmother Ginny is a key player, and I couldn't read fast enough to learn more about this complicated woman who had such a major effect on Lincoln. Jennifer thought that she knew her grandmother but moving into her farmhouse proves just how wrong she was. Her search for answers leads Jennifer to discover some secrets that may have been better left uncovered, exposes her to danger, and introduces her to a man unlike any she's ever known! He's an ex-con who will protect her at all costs! Definitely not your usual Shelley Shepard Gray sweet romance! In fact, I wouldn't recognize Edgewater Road as her writing if I had gone in blind. This book has a very different style and not just in content but the pacing and word choice as well. It's brilliantly done, but very edgy if you're used to her former storytelling style. There's a darker ambiance that hangs over the story and the characters are a whole lot of rough around the edges! Think raw and gritty with touches of sardonic humour. This review is all over the place and I honestly don't think I can give it a star rating. It did hold my attention, kept me listening (the narrator was fabulous!) but I was discombobulated enough by some of the content to be uncertain as to whether I'd be rating a secular novel or a Christian one. Genre: Romance > Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Christian Romance; Christian Fiction, Mystery, Suspense

And a bit of romance is thrown into this mystery story making it even better. Once I started reading it, I found excuses to read some more. And more.Might have been a good short story if there had been more details about the so-called mystery and how her boyfriend got so much money; if her grandmother was wealthy, where did all the money go, and several other things that were just left hanging . Way too many loose strings. Too many subplots introduced in a way that smells like a way to introduce characters for future books, but should have been edited out this book. Then you might have a salvageable short story. Too many grammatical mistakes in narration. John Lincoln Bennett, her next-door neighbor, was more than just a friend to Jennifer’s grandmother. And yes, he has secrets of his own and knows more about other people. Oh — btw, he’s a hunk. Then there is Jennifer’s father who was basically a sperm donor. He was never a father. Boo hiss! So, first off, I've read several other books by this author and they've all been great! This one, however, is a bit of a different story...

Edgewater Road shows how circumstances can affect both our past and present, but they don't have to define our future. Many of Jennifer's neighbors are former inmates, and Gray offers a poignant picture of Lincoln's desire to help them change their lives. This is an absorbing story with intriguing characters, many surprises along the way, and the poignant reminder that love and compassion are two qualities that we all need to cultivate! There's also a sweet, but powerful, chemistry between Jennifer and Lincoln waiting to be explored! I recommend Edgewater Road to all who enjoy contemporary romantic suspense, and I'm looking forward to the next books in The Rumors in Ross County series. Jennifer spent much of the book trying to learn more about the grandmother that she thought she had known. It turned out that her grandmother, Ginny, was much more complicated and secretive than she could have imagined. There were some things Jennifer wished she could forget and trouble that seemed to crop up at the worst times. When Jennifer Smiley inherits an old farmhouse from Ginny, her grandmother, she is excited for the chance at a new beginning. Her first item on her agenda is to get her grandmother's house cleaned out. As she begins the task, Jennifer makes some discoveries that cause her to question the few memories she has of her grandmother, and also has her questioning who her grandmother really was. She is so annoying and stupidly gullible she actually says that everyone on the dating app has to promise to tell the truth, so, of course, they are always telling the truth. Women Sleuths ) was laughable, as a woman who inherits her grandmother's house is just trying to find out who her grandmother was by going through her stuff and the "Mystery" never gets solved.All in all, I actually really enjoyed it but, due to the things mentioned above, I won't be reading it again, nor would I recommend it. In a change from her usual Amish writing, Shelley Shepard Gray pens a contemporary novel with a touch of suspense and a pinch of romance that is utterly unique. Jennifer Smiley has moved to Ross County Ohio to claim her deceased grandmother's home and acreage after her grandmother's death. She has always been close to her grandmother; but is Jennifer in for a huge surprise as she cleans the house out after she moves in? And is another surprise waiting for her next door when she discovers it is a huge ranch that is a recovery stop for released felons run by John Lincoln Bennett who himself is a recovered felon and who was close friends with her grandmother?