The Loyal One

Written by Shelley Shepard Gray

Narrated by Tavia Gilbert

The New York Times bestselling author of the Walnut Creek series crafts a moving and evocative novel of secrets, friendship, and second chances—perfect for fans of Kathleen Fuller and Beth Wiseman.

When Katie Steury hires her old friend Harley Lambright to remodel her rundown house into a charming bed and breakfast, she does so with trepidation. Though they are longtime friends, they’ve always had a rocky relationship. They may not always get along, but she needs someone to trust with her secrets, and Harley is nothing if not trustworthy and loyal.

Katie has always reminded Harley of a bright hummingbird—she is small and flighty, moves a mile a minute, and she possesses a very sharp beak. He’s hesitant to accept the job because of his history with Katie. But when he realizes that she’s been hiding her mother’s hoarding, he agrees to help her because it’s clear she needs someone on her side.

Both soon discover that clearing the debris in one old house also means they have to do some clean-up in their lives, forcing them to reevaluate their past and their future. This somewhat painful process reveals that Katie isn’t the only one with secrets. As the house gets a second chance, so, too, does their relationship. Now all they have to do is open their hearts—and hope and pray that their new bond will also stand the test of time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Aug 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781508296027

Shelley Shepard Gray

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.  Find Shelley on her website: ShelleyShepardGray.com; on Facebook: ShelleyShepardGray; Twitter: @ShelleySGray.

Reviews for The Loyal One

[kevin shumway · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was written with a wonderful storyline causing the reader to ponder on its meaning. It was good!

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars.

The Loyal One by Shelley Shepard Gray is a heartfelt and uplifting Amish romance. This second installment in the Walnut Creek series can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the other books in the series.

With her dream of turning her family home into a bed and breakfast within reach, Katie Steury  turns to friend and home remodeler Harley Lambright for help.  Their longstanding friendship is a bit troubled but she hopes she can smooth over the problems she caused for him a few years earlier. Katie is not a malicious person but she often speaks without thinking through the consequences of sharing her thoughts.   She is truly regretful for any pain her comments might have caused, but will Harley be receptive to her attempt to move on from her past mistakes?

Katie is a caring young woman whose penchant for speaking her mind is well known by her friends and family. But oddly enough, she has been hiding a secret about her family that she would rather not become public knowledge.  With their uneasy truce barely in place, Katie is hurt and dismayed when she believes Harley has betrayed her.   Will Katie give Harley the benefit of the doubt and allow him to explain his side?

Harley is the oldest of his siblings and he feels immense pressure to live up to his stern father's expectations. He is self-contained and tries to keep his emotions in check at all times. Harley often finds himself at a loss for words when dealing with Katie since he would rather not make things worse between them.   As he spends more time in her company, Harley is surprised when he realizes his feelings for her have deepened beyond friendship. Is there any chance he and Katie will find a way to make a romance between them work in light of their sometimes fraught history?

Harley's younger brother Kyle is also facing a difficult decision about what to about his feelings for Gabby who is not Amish. He is very concerned about how his parents will react when he tells them about her. Is there any chance a relationship between them will work out considering the differences between them?

With a lovely undercurrent of faith, The Loyal One is a beautiful novel of friendship, family and love. Katie and Harley are appealing characters who both undergo considerable growth as their friendship evolves into a touching romance.  They both also learn that communication is vital as misunderstandings threaten to derail their burgeoning relationship.  Katie and Harley continue to rely on their close-knit circle of friends to provide them with thoughtful insight to the issues they are dealing with.  Old and new fans of Shelley Shepard Gray's Walnut Creek series are sure to love this engaging and thought-provoking novel of healing and love.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Katie has decided to renovate her family home into a bed-and-breakfast. She hires an old friend, Harley, despite their own rocky past for the remodel. But Katie’s home is an embarrassment to her, and her family secret is about to be disclosed. Harley tries to tell her that her friends are there to help, not judge her, but she is hard to convince. Some things just take time, to understand, to deal with, to make decisions, to let go. This book continues the story of the eight friends that began in the first book, “The Patient One,” but focuses mostly on the relationship between Katie and Harley. The careful plot and engaging characters make this a must-read for those who enjoy Amish fiction.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Loyal One is the second installment in The Walnut Creek Series. It can be read alone if you have not read Friends to the End (prequel to series) and The Patient One. However, I recommend reading this heartwarming Amish series in order. Shelley Shepard Gray has a lovely writing style. With her words, she captures my attention and holds it. The book has an ease to it that allows for an enjoyable reading experience. The story has such wonderful, realistic characters. I like how this group of close knit friends are there for each other during the good times and the bad. They provide encouragement and emotional support. The Loyal One features Katie Steury and Harley Lambright as they mend their friendship and then explore taking their relationship to the next level. We also get to get know Kyle Lambright, Harley’s brother, as he explores a relationship with Englisher, Gabby Ferrara. Kyle was a hoot. He provided levity and humor. It was sweet watching him mature as the story progressed. Since Kyle’s story was not completed, I hope it continues in the next book. I want to know what happens with Kyle and Gabby. I enjoy how Katie and Harley’s relationship progressed a leisurely pace as they got to know each other. Relationships take time and require hard work. They are built on trust, love, loyalty and respect as we see in The Loyal One. Every relationship is different, but they are all worthwhile. Loyalty is the recurring theme in The Loyal One along with prayer, trust, forgiveness and relying on God. We also get to catch up with John B., Marie, Tricia, Logan, Elizabeth Anne (E.A.), Kendra, and Will. The group has grown closer since Andy’s death. We also see how hoarding affects everyone in a family. It colors their past, their memories and family relationships. The story that began in the prologue continues before each chapter and I found it to be amusing. I thought The Loyal One was an inspiring story. The Loyal One is an endearing novel with cluttered rooms, a missing sister, budding romances, transformations, nosy siblings, and loyal friends.