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

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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.

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 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. The first in a new series from New York Times best-selling 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. 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.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! 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 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. 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. 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. 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... 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.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!

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. 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.Featuring: Rual Ohio, Ginny and Jenny, Ex-Cons, Amish Country, Work From Home, Family Secrets, Criminal Activity, Daddy Issues, Online Dating, Assault Imagine! Your grandmother’s iron-clad will bequeaths you her home in the country. Your next-door neighbor is an ex-con. Whoa!