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

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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. 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. 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.

The first in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray, Edgewater Road invites us into a world of family mysteries, small-town secrets, and perhaps a little romance along the way. Woman also can't even call her neighbor by the name everyone calls him and what he wants to be called. The first in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray, Edgewater Road invites us into a world of family mysteries, and small-town secrets. Two secondary characters have captured my interest -- Bo and Seth -- and I'm hoping they both get their own stories in the Rumors in Ross County series. Both seem much more grounded than Lincoln so I'm thinking (hoping) their stories won't be as unsettling as I found this one. I'm intrigued enough to give the second book a try, now that I know what to expect. 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?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. 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. Edgewater Road is a first in series by a new to me author. I spotted this one and impulsively decided to give it a try after reading the blurb. It had a suspenseful vibe and made me curious and the promise of romance between a sheltered woman and an ex-con who turned his life around already had me rooting for them. 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. Featuring: Rual Ohio, Ginny and Jenny, Ex-Cons, Amish Country, Work From Home, Family Secrets, Criminal Activity, Daddy Issues, Online Dating, Assault

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. Edgewater Road was such a unique story! Jennifer struggled with her place in the world, content to be alone for her medical transcription job, yet also feeling as if she might be missing out on life in the isolation that it brought. I enjoyed watching as Jennifer’s new set of neighbors continually went out of their way to be helpful and protective of her. It was interesting and understandable to see her struggle with the reality that Lincoln and the men who worked with him were ex-cons. The plot: Very different but very good! It was actually nice to read something that was so different because it felt brand new instead of a rewrite of the typical old "Hallmark" plot. Also, the two worlds colliding and the hearts mending was so sweetly written without being cheesy, preachy, or cliche. 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.

As the weeks pass and she and Lincoln become closer, Jennifer learns there is a lot to uncover in Ross County—wonderful friendships, darling towns … and more than one secret that might be better left buried. So, while this story often left me scratching my head or frustrated there were equally moments that had me wholly engaged and loving what I was getting. Lincoln is a Christian and his faith is what helped him change while in prison, but I wouldn’t call this an inspirational romance. I also hesitate to call it a romantic suspense since there isn’t much suspense though it does have that tone at times. So, I’m going with sweet contemporary romance with suspenseful overtones to guide how it will fit other readers. 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?