My Review: The Trustworthy One (Walnut Creek, Book 4) by Shelley Shepard Gray

The Story (from the publisher's website):

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray returns to the charming and evocative Walnut Creek Series with an unforgettable novel following one broken young woman whose search for peace leads her back to her hometown, where she rediscovers her faith and reconnects with those she loves most.

Kendra Troyer always knew she would leave Walnut Creek the first chance she got. When she was accepted into design school, she tried her best not to look back at the four siblings she was abandoning, but ahead to Columbus, where she was determined to stay—far away from her abusive home and far away from Nate Miller, the boy she vowed to despise for the rest of her life.

Though she suffered through dark times in Columbus, Kendra found her faith in the Lord again, and years later, when she learned one of her good friends had died, she realized it was time to go home to those she left behind.

Back in Walnut Creek, Kendra has a life she never could have imagined: her own design shop, a pretty little house, and a tight-knit group of friends. After she settles down, though, unexpected visitors come knocking and dark memories begin to resurface. Complicating things even further is the ever-present Nate Miller, who now owns the hardware store two doors down and whose very presence stirs in Kendra a fierce need to turn away and hide from her past. But Nate is persistent in setting things right between them.

As Kendra tries to come to terms with the anger she holds from her childhood, will she be able to open her heart to forgiveness and find the comfort she has always longed for in Walnut Creek?

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My Thoughts:

This book definitely has the most serious tone out of the books I’ve read in the series. The author deftly handles topics of child abuse and drug addiction in ways that are sadly realistic and relevant to today. I am thankful after turning the last page, that I still feel the effects of the story—meaning there is no sunshine-and-roses happy ending, but all told, a hopeful one. I think she captures the pain of Kendra’s past well. That said, I wish this book wasn’t a romance (I’m obsessed with romance, so that’s saying something). I like that Kendra and Nate are old friends, but they have absolutely no chemistry. I think it’s because so many other important issues rightly took precedence that the romance seems a bit of an afterthought. However, The Trustworthy One is a nice addition to the series. It’ll be interesting to see the direction of the next book!

~ My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ~ 

*I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

Happy Reading!