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.

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! 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. 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!I loved the pacing of this story — the ebb and flow of the scenes and actions of the various characters had just the right mix. There is a great group of characters. Rich. But never a problem to keep who is who straight. 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.

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 like mysteries. I like plots that hint of a genealogy angle and this one did. Grandma had secrets. Oh boy! Did she have secrets! Ch. 8) - I can see exactly where this is going. This story has a much darker tone than any of her other books. 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. I have said it before and I’ll say it again – Shelley Shepard Gray could write a phone book and I wouldn’t be able to put it down! I love the variety of genres she writes in while still under the romance umbrella, as well as the way her characters & plots always manage to surprise me in some way – even with as many books as I’ve read by her. I went into Edgewater Road not exactly sure what to expect. Is it a mystery? Suspense? Small town romance? Edgy? Sweet? The answer to all of those questions is ‘a little bit, yes’. And it’s a whole lot of good writing, too!

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. Lincoln is a Christian (converted in prison) and he runs a business rehabilitating ex-cons, but his life style and some of the things he allows to go on in his home don't always reflect that. He's definitely a work in progress (aren't we all?) and I can understand that portrayal but Edgewater Road reads more like a milder secular novel than an edgier Christian novel, if that makes any sense. 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. Lincoln is a gruff, macho, over protective, bossy hero! And oddly appealing despite that. I found parts of his story disturbing -- and parts of his personality irritating but the man does have a heart of gold and good intentions. You just have to look past the hardened exterior to see it. There were times his over bearing got to be too much. Continually calling Jennifer "Babe" in a proprietary way from the first time they meet and staking his claim in front of his crew of men without planning on acting on it. A kind of "hands off, she's mine but I'm not good enough for her but no one else can have her either," which raised a bit of a creep factor for me.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? 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. 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. Genre: Romance > Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Christian Romance; Christian Fiction, Mystery, Suspense 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.

Ch. 25) - This is different from any other book I've read by her. It's also not a cozy just a family secrets plot. 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. 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.Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations. 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. Featuring: Rual Ohio, Ginny and Jenny, Ex-Cons, Amish Country, Work From Home, Family Secrets, Criminal Activity, Daddy Issues, Online Dating, Assault