Love and the Silver Lining

LOVE AND THE SILVER LINING by TAMMY L GRAY is a delightful romance novel with quite a lot of depth as the characters work through difficulties and disappointments with varying reactions. There is also a good Christian message running through the story.
Cameron and Darcy have been best friends practically from birth. Cameron is a musician who has joined their mutual friend Bryson's band., Black Carousel, which is really taking off.
I love the part that dogs play in the book and how Darcy, as she works with Charlie's dogs, allows the Lord to work in her at the same time.
It is a most enjoyable read and one I highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I have been anxiously waiting Tammy's next book and it did not disappoint!! She does such a phenomenal job of writing swoon worthy Christian romance. Showing that you can have Christ honoring relationship and still want to make out with your significant other! Hahah but seriously, she writes relatable, flawed characters that pull you in and have you rooting for them, issues and all!

I will tell you straight up that this is going to be an incredibly positive review. I loved this book. I loved it even more than the first one (this is #2 in the State of Grace series; although you might THINK you can read them as standalone, in my longstanding opinion it is a MUCH BETTER experience - remember, context is key - if you read things in order. So go ahead and read this review because I'm not going to give you any spoilers, then go get "Love and a Little White Lie" and read it first, pretty please.)

Darcy Malone has banked her future on a couple of things: she is going to be a missionary, and love is not reliable...the second conclusion reached following her parent's divorce. When the proverbial rug is yanked out from under her missionary plans at the last possible moment, she becomes paralyzed from one too many major letdowns at once.

Darcy's lifelong BEST FRIEND (yes the caps are intentional, because their BESTFRIENDNESS is a v. important part of the storyline) Cameron Lee had his own life turned upside down in book one, and he is counting on the band he joined to be his future. Cam is Darcy's go-to for basically everything - but when their mutual friend and lead singer in the band Bryson Katsaros is integral in finding Darcy a new place to live, she begins to look at him in a different light.

This book addresses grief - mourning the future you thought you were going to have; disconnecting from your faith and other things that kept you grounded - but still finding your way back; how even the deepestr of relationships can change and grow; and, not everything will be resolved by the end of the book - I appreciated the author's willingness to go there. The book is complete on its own but you will still look forward to the next one. Rich in snappy and compelling dialogue, laugh out loud moments, and dog training (you don't see too many romantic comedies that weave dog training into the story in an effective way, but this one does, and does it well)! I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I devoured this fantastic book in one day! Darcy Malone comes to a crossroads when her best-laid plans to become a missionary are dashed, and she's forced to find a new job and a place to live. An old friend and the town's resident "bad boy," Bryson Katsaros, offers for her to stay with his sister, and keeps Darcy company as she works to rehabilitate some abandoned dogs. This book was so unique, and subverted several rom-com and Christian fiction tropes in the best way. It felt very REAL, especially the parts where Darcy struggled with her faith as she wondered why sticking to the rules her whole life didn't "win" her her dream job, a concept I think a lot of Christians struggle with at times. I loved the way her and Bryson's relationship grew and how he challenged and supported her. (The only thing I didn't like was how cavalierly many of the Christian characters discussed having sex outside of marriage.) This book did not go at all the way I expected from the first book in the series, Love and a Little White Lie, but I am HAPPILY surprised. I will definitely be reading more by Tammy Gray. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book!

Ever since reading Love and a Little White Lie, I've been stalking Net Galley for when Love and the Silver Lining would release. Tammy L. Gray has quickly become a must-read author for me. The character relationships and most of all the beautiful faith elements, are what had me hooked. This was definitely a pager-turner for sure!

I love the first one and this new one didn't disappoint. I do recommend reading the first book in the series to understand the dynamic and history among the main characters.

Darcy has everything set up to leave on a mission trip when it's cancelled at the last minute. She finds herself without a place to live and without a job, and her life couldn't get any lower, or so she thinks.

Her best friend Cameron is actually happy she didn't go since he didn't want her gone for a year, and he invites her to stay with him, which is not the best option for Darcy. Instead, she stays with Bryson's sister, who has a spare bedroom.

Like I mentioned above, it's much easier to understand the dynamic between Darcy, Cameron and Bryson based on their history and relationship. At times, Darcy is clueless to what's right in front of her, and the silver lining is how things come to be in the end.

I really liked how she worked with the dogs to rehabilitate them and I even got teary eyed near the end (in regards to Louie).

I'm hoping the next story is about Cameron.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Love and the Silver Lining is book 2 in the State of Grace series by Tammy L. Gray. While this story can easily be read as a standalone, the background of Darcy and Cameron’s relationship, which is an integral part of this story, begins in book 1, Love and a Little White Lie.

I was really looking forward to reading this story. In book one, Bryson was portrayed as a moody dark character that I wasn’t sure I would like and I wasn’t sure how he would pair with Darcy. I’m happy to say that I really like this couple together. I liked how Bryson opened up to Darcy so we could know who he really is deep down, not the persona he shows everyone. I also liked how Bryson made Darcy see what was really holding her back. I can’t go into more details because of spoilers, but I feel it will make the next story very interesting.

I did feel like there needed to be a bit more levity in this story as a lot of it was tragic. It picked up at the end, but the overall feeling of the story was heavier than I usually like to read. That being said, I am looking forward to the next story, which I am hoping is Cameron’s. I really want to see how everything wraps up!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Darcy finds herself at a loss when here one year mission trip to Guatemala is abruptly cancelled, leaving her without a place to stay or a job. She falls back on her friendship with her best friend Cameron and gets involved with Bryson, Cameron's partner in his band. She falls back on her love of training dogs and Bryson has a place for her to do that and a spot to live -- rooming with his sister. This all works out well for Darcy but Cameron isn't OK with it all and Bryson is hard to read. It makes for an interesting and moving story. Well worth the read!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray is book 2 in the State of Grace series. I read the first book in the series and this one is even better. It can be read as a standalone novel, but it is even better if read after reading the first book. I love this author's ability to create realistic, broken characters who are relatable and grow throughout the book. I think readers of clean Christian romantic fiction will love this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really loved this book! During the first half, I did not really expect much, but the plot was really really amazing. The book did manage to keep me engaged, especially the second half. Darcy has a childhood best friend, Cameron (who I totally shipped with her at first). Darcy was supposed to be going for missionary work but her entire plan is cancelled last minute. She is extremely devastated because she also ends up losing her apartment. She was already upset because of her parents' divorce and because of this messed up situation she has to move in with Zoe, Bryson's sister.

I absolutely adored Darcy and Cam's friendship at first, however after sometime I started finding it quite problematic. He was practically forcing her to love him back the way he did.

I also liked the fact that even though Bryson had went through a lot during his childhood, he didn't behave like a broken man who needs a woman as a rehab. At first I didn't really like that he made Darcy choose, however, I feel like I would have done the same in his place with an extremely clingy best friend in the picture (who also is a doubt-planter).

The only thing I wasn't a big fan of was Darcy because she was being such a bitch to her mom for dating. In the first half of the book, in almost all the chapters she was crying for her mom's dating. So what? Her mom doesn't have a right to love someone or be loved by someone? Just because her dad cheated on her mom and their marriage failed, she isn't allowed to be happy and must be grieving all the time? Even though Darcy was 30, she didn't want her mom to date. This made her sound like an extremely self-centred 17 y/o. It was pretty much clear that she didn't want her mom to move on from her dad's cheating.

There's character development in all the characters (excluding Cameron), even Darcy. I absolutely loved the ending, it was so beautiful. My only issue with the book was that all these characters, they didn't really sound like 30 year olds. They felt more like in their early 20s. Though that didn't matter to me a lot later, it was definitely un-put-downable, specifically the second half. I enjoyed it overall.
My rating: 4.5/5

I will give this one five hearts. I was pulled in so quickly and just felt a part of the story. I loved the way things were written and the internal struggle of the main character. This story had everything, loss, grief, relationships, a love triangle that remained unknown by the main character. There was sooo much, but there was also faith. Even with everything going on in the story, it felt real and it felt organic. It was the story of a girl and the things she was facing and how she got through.

I felt blessed to be privy to her insights and her heart ache. Even the side characters were genuine and not flat. There was depth and growth enough for everyone. It was the journey that was so beautiful. It was the characters learning to heal from each other.

I can't find all the words to tell how much I loved this story, It just sucked me in and wouldn't go. There was such an element of trusting God and trying to figure out how to let go.

I was so happy to be able to receive an early copy from NetGalley and share this honest review.

Goodness, I enjoyed this book! This was my favorite by this author that I've read so far. I love the way she creates characters and plumbs and reveals their hidden depths! I love the spiritual journey that Darcy went through in this book and the people (and dogs) that helped her. I'm not really an animal-lover so the fact that I felt the dogs in this book were full-on characters that moved this story forward in a spiritual way is pretty significant! I thought it was sheer brilliance the way the author used Darcy's training of each dog in her spiritual journey! And I seriously couldn't love Bryson any more if I tried. The depths of love he showed were breathtaking at times. I loved Charlie, Zoe, the journey with Darcy's parents and people in their lives - everybody but Cameron who I pretty much just wanted to punch in the nose repeatedly throughout the book! :) I felt like I'm supposed to like him and that the next book in this series might even be about him so, if I'm right, this author is going to have to perform a miracle to get me to like him or feel for him at all. But I'm up for the challenge if she is - can't wait for the next book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Love and the Silver Lining" and all opinions expressed are my own. I wish I could read all the books in the series together. The first book was really good, but as time goes on you tend to forget some of it. This is the second book in the series and there will be a third. So anyway, I loved this book. You start reading and at some point you want to read quicker because the book is so good and also you want to read slower because you don't want the book to end! The characters are awesome and the story line is amazing! Tammy L. Gray is one of my go to authors.

What can you say about an author who can bring to life words on paper, and the words somehow become so much more? I had so much in common with Darcy (our h) in this book it scared me a little and gave me a serious case of deja vu. As I started reading Love and the Silver Lining, I realized that there were some things in my own self that I hadn’t dealt with that I thought I had. Specifically when it came to divorce and family.

We all know that divorce is a horrible and heartbreaking thing to go through, especially for the children involved. It doesn’t matter whether you're 3 or 83. It really sucks. It made me realize that we all need love, healing, and the Lord for every situation life throws our way. With that being said you grow up with Darcy, you cry with Darcy, you drop prejudices held with Darcy, and you love alongside her.

The romance aspect in LATSL was sweet. Darcy and Bryson (our H) made a very cute and convincing couple. I felt like their relationship touched base with a lot of things people deal with today: fear of commitment, communication, and forgiveness. Ms. Gray did a tremendous job with this. It kind of had a Pride and Prejudice feel.

Previously I hadn’t read many coming of age novels. I guess I felt like I got frustrated with the characters too easily. The risk was worth it though, (Now I suppose I have to try them out more often.) In a nutshell this novel kept me well engaged and turning pages. Very very enjoyable read and, I will definitely keep my eye out for this author in the coming months.

So much fun! This was a satisfying contemporary romance read with lots of sigh-worthy scenes without being too graphic. You have to love “bad-boy” Bryson, who ends up being way more complex than he first appears. Throw in some lovable dogs, Bryson’s devil-may-care sister, and Darcy and Cam’s complicated relationship, and now you have a story with depth and authentic characters. This story also tangles with the hard topics: forgiveness, reconciliation, confidence, and trust. Definitely give this one a try!!

Rated PG-13 for topics involving infidelity and divorce
—no language
—topics concerning divorce and infidelity (not graphic)
—some sensual scenes without overt sexual/bedroom scenes
—no gore

I received this ebook free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Love and the Silver Lining is the extremely enjoyable second book in the State of Grace series. I adored this book – even more than the first book. While they form part of a series and there are character and setting cross overs, you can read both books as standalones.

I think this was exactly the book I needed. It was light and heartwarming and so addictive. I really struggled to put it down to return to work and sleep. It was funny and heartbreaking and had so much story that made it just a delight to read.

Darcy has worked tirelessly to achieve her dream of becoming a missionary. Just as she is about to leave, it all falls apart and she is left without a job, apartment and no direction for her future. Her options are move in with her mother or with her best friend, but a sudden and unexpected offer from where she least expects it, brings her more into Bryson Katsaros’s life. Once good friends, now Darcy feels like she never understands Bryson. As she and Bryson spend more time together and start working on a project together, Darcy realises there is far more to the man Bryson has become than she ever realised.

The romantic tension between Darcy and Bryson is delightful, especially as they start to get to know each other better and really open up to each other. Each are working through their own pain and reluctance to trust. They must decide what is worth fighting for and risking if they begin a relationship.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I picked this book because I've been in the mood for romances for insomnia nights, and when I saw something about dog training, I grabbed it.

I'm also a sucker for phoenix rising out of the ashes stories, though those can go a little dark sometimes, especially for 2:30 a.m. reads. But this one? Let's just say that I was not able to read a few chapters, see exactly where it was going (which would be just fine for the next insomnia stint) turn over and to back to sleep. Nope. I read through till my own dog was poking her nose in my face to say it was way past breakfast-and-walkies time.

Darcy is an emotional mess following losing the missionary job she'd been working toward for several years. She'd given up her apartment for it, even gave up air conditioning (the story is set in Texas, which has even more serious heat than SoCal, where I live) in order to acclimate herself to Guatemala's temperatures. Behind her, still festering, is her shock and anger at her parents' divorce seven months before, after a lifetime of believing her church-going, giving, smiling parents had had the perfect marriage.

Darcy, in desperation, is ready to sleep on her lifetime best friend's floor in his apartment shared with two others guys, who are mad at him for leaving their band for a chance at a pro band. Not ideal, though Cameron insists it'll be fine. So when another of her childhood friends turns up and says his sister has a spare room, she jumps for it.

Which has all kinds of emotional fallout that she was totally unprepared for. Meanwhile, she meets five problem dogs on a farm, all of whom are going to be sent to the pound in a month by a grieving widower, until Darcy promises to rehabilitate them all and get them adoption-ready.

I really fell hard into this book. I loved Darcy's inconsistencies (she wants her dad to move back and everything to be the way it was, though she won't actually speak to his cheating self--she loves her mom and wants her happy but cannot stand to see her dating other men), her well-meant obliviousness to what everyone else has seen all along with respect to her own emotional entanglements.

I especially loved the handling of Darcy's and Cameron's thread--Cameron, who has been the faithful best friend all Darcy's life. They rely on each other, they watch out for each other. That friendship has been her safety net, and also . . . well, I'll stop there.

Generalizing, I thought Gray did a terrific job with the conversations/confrontations. I really dislike relationship stories in which the leads get the hots for each other from chapter one, but misunderstand one another over something that five minutes of adult talk would clear up, but has to be sustained until a Big Dark Moment near the end before the wedding bells. Watching Darcy discover, and confront, her obliviousnesses one by one, then deal with them, even though they were painful and messy, especially when she saw how wrong she had been, was as much a pleasure as were the loving, insightful, vivid tales of the saving of those dogs.

I mentioned spirituality in a tag: this story has a spiritual element to it--Darcy struggles with her faith--and there is no sex (though there is plenty of sizzling attraction), for those who need these elements tagged.

Wow.
Obviously I assumed there would be heartbreak and romance. However, I wasn't prepared to feel so many emotions! I enjoyed the way the author wrote a love story between the two main characters, but they each had to deal with deeper emotional challenges with their relationship with God. Plus--there are dogs and music! ;) I especially enjoyed Charlie's character and the love he showed for children not his own. It was such a special picture of our adoption through Christ. Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this new-to-me author.

Woohoo!! Solid 5 starts
Ahh! How do I explain this book.. it was just amazing sent my heart rate racing to breaking it and crushing it and fixing it 😁
I adore this book now ...I didn't think I'd enjoy it much since I hate love triangles but I'm clearly I'm dead wrong and I'm glad I'm wrong😁😁

I really felt the depth in all the characters especially Bryson and Darcy..I totally got smitten with Bryson for his character ..I almost ached for him to be chosen ..uhh such a great story..I also get Darcy's desire for true passion in a relationship ..I too feel it

I must admit that I was bad about Darcy being confused and not choosing the true love right front of her..but that's just life..we all make lil mistakes

Another best thing about this book was the faith felt so so realistic like getting silence as an answer for desperate prayers..us being unable to see with faith....I could relate it it all
The way she used training and loving dogs as a metaphor for real-life God's grace and love and choosing to not give up on Us

This was just Sooo Goodd
My heart!! I love Bryson and Darcy ...I couldn't quite get them out of me now . I'm just happy dancing and smiling

I'm highly highly recommending this everyone

It's a series but I read it as a standalone

This author is now my autobuy... she's just amazing..swoony romance... genuine faith ...Jesus love for me 😊 what more can a book loving girl ask for 😁😁
I'll take Bryson for now and keep thinking about him until my next favorite bookboyfriend comes 😉

It's been a few days I've read this book..may be a week but everytime I think about this book it just fills my heart with such good feelings

This is gem..you don't want to miss out on this one

I cannot wait to read all other books by this author @tlgraybooks

4.5 stars, rounded up

I was drawn right into this book from the beginning. The descriptions are excellent. The plotting and story line are well done and tied together well. All the big and little details are taken care of and weave together the story perfectly. I was drawn into each of the characters' lives and how they interact with one another. I didn't realize until I was a ways into this book, that it is the second book in a series, so there were a few mild spoilers, though the story does stand well on its own, but I do wish I'd read the two books in the correct order. There is an underlying theme of faith in God, but it doesn't overpower or take over the story or the romance. I loved the secondary characters and how they relate to the story as much as I loved the main characters. The dog training aspect is a fun addition and showcases either the author's personal love for animals (and dogs in particular) or the author's attention to detail and research and how to incorporate it seamlessly into her writing. I also wonder if the author will be continuing this series with more characters from the first two books, based on who's romances are still left unresolved. I love the cover of this book too! The bright colors of the sunset and the contrast with thew black/shadowing of the other images, they work together really well and are so eye-catching and pleasing to the eye as well. An absolutely enjoyable clean contemporary romance! I will definitely be reaching for this author's books again!!

After reading and loving Love and a Little White Lie last year, I couldn't wait to dive into this one. I'd really enjoyed Darcy's character, and I was excited to hear she was getting her own story. I didn't expect to end up enjoying this one quite as much as I did the first, but I ended up surprising myself and loving this one even more. It's definitely one of the best books I've read this year, and Tammy L Gray is quickly moving up my list of favorite authors.

I loved how realistic and authentic this entire story is from start to finish. Darcy starts off as an emotional mess. Her dream has been to be a missionary for as long as she can possibly remember, and when that falls apart on top of her parent's marriage failing, she can't figure out how she's supposed to go on. When she unexpectedly ends up moving in with Bryson's younger sister, she finds herself spending more and more time with Bryson in the process, and realizes he's so much more than she ever could have expected. When a chance encounter with him leads her to a temporary position helping rehome foster dogs, Darcy starts to see her future in a different light. However, her longtime friendship with her best friend Cameron is causing tension and strain on her new relationship, and she can't figure out how she can have both of these relationships in her life, without sacrificing one over the other.

Love and a Silver Lining is heartfelt, emotional, and moving, and I could barely bring myself to put it down once I started reading it. Darcy's journey is rough, but she learns the valuable lesson of truly needing to wait on God's timing, and not take matters into her own hands. I loved getting to see a much deeper side to Bryson, and how he goes out of his way to show Darcy how much she truly means to him. This book overall focuses around healing, and growing your faith, and I think the author did a beautiful job of showcasing these processes to the reader.

The only negative for me was Cameron's character. I found him kind of selfish and juvenile in the first book, but he was even worse in this one. He came across as hostile and entitled for the majority of the story, and I think his character needs a serious turn around in future books if he is ever going to redeem himself in my eyes.

Overall though, I absolutely adored this heart wrenching contemporary, and can't possibly recommend it enough.

Final Rating: 5/5.

Thanks so much to Bethany House for allowing me to advance read and review this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Bethany House) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to give a positive review.

I loved this book! I greatly enjoyed Love and a Little White Lie so I was really looking forward to this new one by Tammy Gray. We met Darcy, Cameron and Bryson in the first book so I was definitely intrigued by a love story starring the three of them. Darcy has just found out that the year long mission trip she has saved up for and longed for has been cancelled. Now she has to decide what she is supposed to do with the next year or more of her life. When life has been totally upended (between her parents' recent divorce and her failed mission trip), Darcy questions God and what He is up to. She rebels in her own ways and wonders why God hasn't come through for her when she has done everything "right." Then there's Bryson. Bad boy, all black attire, broody Bryson. But when he lets Darcy in and shows her who he really is, he melts your heart. Tammy Gray's books are gut-wrenching in their honesty and sincerity. Her characters are dealing with real life circumstances that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. She also weaves faith fluidly throughout the book. Darcy has to come to the realization that although life doesn't look anything like what she thought it would, God had been there all along helping her "see that His way is better and perfect and it's okay that it doesn't always make sense." I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read with character depth and a wonderful storyline of loss and hope.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I am so glad that Tammy Gray is back and with another great book! This is book two in the State of Grace series and the first one was so great, so go read that one! But, you don't have to read that one to read this one. It is a stand alone book, although it does reference the first book a few times. I loved this book as well. I love how the author takes real people who are flawed, like we all are. I could not put it down, it was so good. The romance between the two characters is done so well, it will leave you swooning. If I have to give this book one complaint, it is that sometimes Darcy can be a bit naive and refuse to see what is going on right in front of her. But I loved it, and cannot wait for more by this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I am a big fan of author Tammy Gray’s book Love and a Little White Lie. I was eagerly anticipating her newest story, Love and the Silver Lining, and I was not disappointed by this wonderful new book!

Our story features Darcy who seems overwhelmed with her life after finding out she will not be able to teach English overseas the next year, she has lost her apartment, and is coping with her parents divorce. She is questioning her life and her faith in God. She tells Bryson, our hero, she is mad and wishes she had not tried so hard to do the right thing. She wished she had rebelled. like she thought he had. He asks, “Are you asking me if being a rebel worked in my favor, or are you mad you could not bribe God with your good behavior?”

Darcy begins to find purpose in rescuing dogs in Bryson’s friend Charlie’s backyard. Charlie has recently lost his wife, and can not take care of them or himself. The personalities of Charlie’s dogs tend to mirror the people around Darcy which I enjoyed. I am only a minor fan of dogs, and I really enjoyed all the dog training scenes. But, if you are a lover of dogs you will be in heaven.

I found myself drawn into Darcy’s world as her questions about her life and faith resonated with me. This story tells it like it is and has no pat answers which I appreciate. I found it a little more serious than Love and a Little White Lie, but it still had funny moments and celebrated humor. The romance between Darcy and Bryson was fun to observe, and I am now definitely on team Bryson. He is a great hero who will stay in my heart.

I enjoyed this story tremendously, and found myself pondering the themes and going back and rereading parts of the book after finishing it. Darcy and Bryson’s story is one that I truly delighted in, and this is one of my favorite reads of 2021

Such an incredible story and heartrending memorable characters. The thing is that with every book Tammy L Gray writes, the individual characters and the interwoven relationships are so much more than words on a page. I feel like I truly know these people. When she describes someone’s brokenness or emptiness inside, I feel that person’s deepest emotions. I loved Bryson and Darcy so much in this story. Their romance was a hard fought one that required a lot of growth and openness and even sacrifices, but intense and true and so romantic and deeply felt. I can’t recommend this one enough. I expect and hope to hear more of Cameron and possibly Zoe in the future. So thankful for your gift, Tammy Gray, and for sharing it with all of us!

Loved this story. It winds through so many surprises and up and downs of relationship drama. A perfect summer reading book. I was so glad I had a chance to read this!

Oh my, loved this!
Well I absolutely loved Bryson.
Broody, protective, backstory and depth.......yes please.
This book definitely gave me the feels and I was rooting hard for Bryson the whole time.
This author has a great way of handling triangles. Which is such a tricky trope.
This book touches on some real feelings, especially for me who has been a Christian for awhile, sometimes we wonder...."why is this happening to me, I have tried to do all the right things ".
Darcy had some growing to do and I loved seeing how she fought it at first, then you see how she changes.
Bravo
Another winner in my opinion!
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally. All opinions are honest and completely my own.

I love stories where the characters battle their own demons and overcome them and this one did not disappoint. Tammy L Gray's characters are so relatable and her writing really pulls you in. I enjoyed the chemistry between Darcy and Bryson. It's heart warming to see the characters overcome and grow throughout the book. Overall, a great read that I would highly recommend!

I reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Bethany House) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A really really quick read and enjoyable. It’s a story of everything is against the protagonist Darcy and yet love comes knocking and friends are there to help her and of course dogs our ever faithful companions. The way pain is described in this is so metaphorical. My fave trope is bad boy who deep down has a heart of gold! Ultimately I like this writing and was impressed and would definitely pick something else up by this author

Darcy Malone worked for a year to go on a long-term mission trip to Guatemala. Days before her adventure begins, she gets a phone call from the school where she will teach for a year canceling her trip. Devasted, she doesn’t know where to turn. She must move out of her apartment and find a job. Without her best friend, Cameron, she doesn’t know what she’d do. He’s not-so-secretly happy her trip got canceled, because he doesn’t know what he’d do without her for an entire year. After all, they’ve been besties their entire lives.

Cam offers to let her move in with him and his two roommates until her new apartment opens at the end of the summer. Her recently divorced mom gives her the same invitation. Neither one appeals to her. When her childhood friend and Cameron’s bandmate, Bryson offers his sister, Zoe’s, apartment as an option, Darcy reluctantly agrees.

Bryson introduces her to Charlie, a recently widowed man with five rescue dogs on his farm that he can’t take care of. Darcy jumps at the chance to work with the dogs and prepare them for adoption—after all, she has no other options that spark her interest.

The unruly dogs become a metaphor for all the things plaguing Darcy—trust, forgiveness, purpose, and love.

What I Loved About this Book

This friends-to-lovers book has a trope twist readers will love. Darcy struggles with her relationship with her parents and the fact her childhood now seems like a lie. The proverbial Christian good girl, Darcy has done everything right yet feels as if God has abandoned her.

Fans of Emma St. Clair’s Sandover Beach series will enjoy this book.

This has to be the first Christian book I'm reading and not cringing to but find really relatable. We've all had our life mapped out for us and suddenly it goes up in smoke and we're left wondering what happened and fighting with God.
That was Darcy's story which i loved loved reading because she reminded me a lot of myself a year back. I loved how the plot moved seamless and discovering Darcy's growth throughout the pages.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for something inspiring yet light to read

I’m kinda staring at the question Goodreads is posing to me: What did you think? So much, Goodreads. So much. And yet those thoughts are kind of bouncing around like the ball in a pinball machine. First off, I’ve read a number of Tammy’s books before. In so much that the first book of this series surprised me because it was a lot lighter and humorous than the other books by her that I’d read. A romcom! This book, however…. Not a romcom. More like a marriage between her serious/deep/hurting characters from her past book with maybe a slighter lighter side. One thing you can always garauntee with a Tammy Gray book is that it’s going to be well-written, and this book is no exception.
Overall it was an enjoyable read although there were times when I seriously wanted to shake Darcy. Like, seriously. Lol. Loved Bryson though and his tortured soul and how he was willing to be so vulnerable even after he’d experienced so much hurt and rejection in his life. The dogs were great too. And Charlie.
So. Good book but doesn’t have that humorous feel of the first

I enjoyed this book so much! For a fictional story, it got me to think about some deeper things, especially the questions that Darcy asks after her family life and dreams have been shattered. This is such an excellent story!

Love and the Silver Lining is a contemporary romance written by Tammy L. Gray.

Summary: Darcy Malone’s life is over. Or at least it feels like it. The missions trip she has been scrimping and saving for is officially cancelled. She’s already quit her job, ended her lease, and put her things in storage. What in the world is she going to do now?

My Thoughts: I liked this book. The characters were well-developed, the storyline was interesting and unique, and it held my interest. Even though I am not a dog person, I really liked how the author tied what was going on in Darcy’s life to what was going on with the dogs, and how as she helped the dogs, she also learned things she could apply to her own life.

I also liked how the story developed, and the progression in Darcy’s life as she realizes she needs to make some changes and find the silver lining in the things that had happened to her.

Overall, it was a good read. It was more of a one-time read for me, but I enjoyed it.

I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

I am generally not a first-person POV reader, but Tammy L. Gray nailed this. The story had rich layers and dug into the heart of family dynamics, relationships, friendships, and broken dreams. It's hard to say too much without giving spoilers, so I'll keep my review brief-- this book will leave you with all the feels. It's sweet and heartwarming. I recommend it!

Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray is another example of her brilliant writing. She uses depth of her characters and raw emotion to beautifully show that trials and heartache are a part of life. But, also shows that love and sacrifice can be found too. We have hope in Christ. That's what I love about this book. With likeable characters and a storyline that is hard to put down, I recommend this book to all romance readers. Especially, for those who like a bit of grit and sweet kisses to get to the happily ever after. I know I do.
*I was given a copy of this book by Bethany Publishers and this is my honest opinion.

Girl, you have to CHOOSE!

Darcy and Bryson. Darcy and Cameron. One of them is your best friend, and one is your boyfriend. There aren't many men in the world that will share a girl, even platonically, with another man.

But really, Darcy, is it about a guy? Or is it about you, figuring out who YOU really are.

Join Darcy in her chaos as she tries to navigate her way through life as a twenty-something.

Darcy Malone has everything she thinks she wants only to lose it, and have God show her what it really is she needs, and in the process, she sees she wants it as well.

We first met Darcy in the first book, Love and a Little White Lie where she is introduced as Cameron Lee’s best friend. That relationship is furthered, but Bryson is also in this book, and we get to know him beyond his exterior that is often portrayed as well, not really inviting to the general public. I liked the introductions of Zoe, Bryson’s sister, and Charlie. They made Love and the Silver Lining more well-rounded.

Darcy’s struggle is real, and I really enjoyed getting to know her, seeing her victory in the end that encompasses that she makes reconciliations with her family that she is estranged from.

My gratitude to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a great read, it includes dogs, and that is what made me pick it up in the first place. The title resonates in so many ways, pulling away the layers of both humans and canines, and finding the heart.
So much human emotions, grief displayed in many ways both human and canine. A young woman willing to give everything to save the less fortunate, and give them a chance.
There is a bit of sweet romance, but will a life long friendship turn into something more permanent, or will the new feelings for another prevail?
There are answers and we are treated to the story to find them.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Love and the Silver Lining is an enjoyable read! Tammy L Gray tackles real life issues that we probably all have faced at one time or another. The characters are very relatable and I found it hard to put this book down once I started reading it!

A huge thanks to Bethany House Publishing for my e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Love and the Silver Lining is the second book in the State of Grace series. The book follows Darcy Malone whose dreams of mission work slowly die in front of her and she ends up not going on the trip of her dreams because The Guatemalan school she was to teach at has closed. She finds herself jobless and homeless and ends up taking an offer from Bryson Katsaro and stays with his sister. While there she has to confront her relationship with her parents, her best friend Cameron, a sense of purpose, forgiveness, and letting go. I loved this book so much! Highly recommend

This book was a little bit of a slow starter for me but wow, the depth of the feelings totally took over and then I was hooked.
The issues here are when life knocks you down, remembering that God has the best plan. Even when we thought we had it all figured out, His way is always better.
And keeping pain inside to protect ourselves only works for a short while. Reaching out to others and sharing and giving back fills our empty spaces.
I loved Bryson, for his heart and his ability to reach out to others despite his hurts. And Darcy is easy to identify with for she had always strived to do everything right, but still her plans were upturned and her family fell apart.
I absolutely loved the dogs. Adding them to the story added a whole new dimension. Some of their problems mirrored the characters.
And the romance in this story was wonderful.
This is a great story that I can’t get out of my mind.
Thanks you to NetGalley for allowing me to read it. The opinions are entirely my own.

This is a new-to-me author and I found well-developed characters with depth and personality. Darcy Malone’s dream of mission work in Guatemala is cancelled leaving her with no job and no place to live. Through a set of unexpected circumstances, she accepts an offer to move in with Zoe Katsaros. Darcy tries to hide her growing attraction to Zoe’s brother, Bryson, from her best friend, Cameron Lee, Bryson’s bandmate. Will Darcy realize when you try to please others, in the end everyone gets hurt? When Darcy finds an opportunity to work with rescue dogs, will she discover she also needs rescued to find love and forgiveness? I am a new fan.
I received a copy from the publisher by way of NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

I want to start by saying this is not the happy, cute, funny romantic comedy that I first thought it was. This was my first book by Tammy L. Gray. Despite it not being the light romantic comedy I thought it was, it was still a fantastic book.

This book has so much depth to the characters and the plot.In facts the depth of the characters was a large part of the plot. Love triangles are not something that I usually enjoy but Tammy wrote these relationships realistically and not in a cringeylove triangle way.

If you are looking for a contemporary romance that is a bit more grittyand serious, then this is a book I would recommend. I felt that the lessons the characters had to learn were realistic and honest. I know I will definitely be reading more from Tammy L.Gray.

Is it crazy to want to cry because a story is over? Oh my word, this story was so excellent! I literally just finished the last page wondering if I should get all of my thoughts and emotions out now or collect my thoughts. I'm just going for it.

I had an idea of what I thought Darcy's story might look like after getting to know her in book one. Boy was I wrong. I think even she didn't know who she was. This story was really about her getting to the core of who she was and the relationships that involved her. I appreciated how the author used the dogs Darcy ends up working with to give us insight into what she was going through.

I also had very strong feelings about Bryson from book one, and none of them were kind. Seriously, if you've read book one tell me I'm wrong. I will admit after reading book two in wondering if I should go back and read book one to see if I can find things I might have missed. Needless to say, I had strong feelings about Bryson at the end of this story as well.

There's so much to pack into this review. Darcy goes through a lot. A lot more than most in such a small period of time. It was incredible to watch her try to process everything and find her way in life. Cameron, her best friend, is there through the thick and thin.

Cameron is still figuring out life after the fallout from his relationship with January. He plays a big part in this entire story as well.

Of course, there's the man in all black, Bryson. This guy has walls in place no one should be able to get through. I just loved how the author drew back his layers through Darcy. Along with her, we get to know him better and deeper.

If you're looking for romance, this story will fill that desire utterly! There were so many moments where my heart was racing because the story was able to spark my romantic side. It also evoke emotions from me for the deep pain all 3 of the main characters were feeling! I was a total mush ball with my emotions all over the place, much like the characters in the story!

The bad boy meets the girl who’s always good! Tammy will have you crying over dogs (in a good way) and chewing your nails over Cam. Loved this book!

Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray

"Sometimes the answer to prayer is NO. And like it or not, we have to accept the answer."

Why I started with this quote from the book is because it is true. We have to understand that sometimes what we ask for isn't good for us and what comes our way is much better.

Tammy's storytelling is brilliant and trust me on it as I am not a fan of love triangle but this made me want to wait to see what happens and also maybe rooting for some characters. She has written such amazing conversations between characters that you will enjoy every part of it.

Talking about characters, Darcy is a total mess and by the end of the book I loved how she has shown great development. Cam is sweet, nice guy who wears his heart on sleeves. Lastly coming to Bryson, mysterious or you can say reserved in nature and has something dark about him but what matters is how he nourishes himself, I loved how the author has done justice to each of them.

Sometimes we learn and accept things the hard way and it goes for every character in this story though it still doesn't ease the pain that comes with reading through the pages. It left me teary eyed by the end of the book. The end is something which makes me unsure of my feelings in a good way. You'll know when you read.

This book is about mending family relationships before it's too late, how to deal with anger, have faith in greater being, self discovery and about how we don't want to accept or see what is right in front of us. To top everything else there are dogs in the book and lot more to learn from how Darcy treats them.

I am definitely picking up more of Tammy Gray's work. Thank you Netgalley and Baker publishing for giving me a chance to read this.

Anyone who's done all the "right" things and seen their dreams dashed will relate to Darcy, whose world is upended by her parents' sudden divorce and the cancellation of the mission trip she's painstakingly planned.

Mired in grief, anger, and depression, Darcy needs a soft place to land. Her lifetime best friend Cameron (a guy) offers his place, but instead Darcy accepts the invitation of Zoe, sister of Cameron's bandmate Bryson. Darcy is glaringly oblivious to the feelings of both Bryson and Cameron, and that leads to trouble.

Love and the Silver Lining may be Tammy Gray's best novel. The characters are relatable and multi-layered, the attraction palpable, and Darcy's job readying abandonment dogs for adoption dovetails nicely with her own healing.

Love and the Silver Lining is gritty and real, with relatable characters confronting difficult issues. Tammy L. Gray pours honest, raw emotion into her novels, which I feel is so important. I hope we continue to see more books like this in the marketplace.
Darcy's heartache over her parents' divorce and her unexpected change of career plans sends her into a spiral. I loved how training the dogs helped her recalibrate, process her anger and grief, and ultimately brought her closer to the Lord. I'm a huge fan of dogs and enjoyed the scenes featuring the trials and tribulations of helping each animal overcome their issues. Such a beautiful picture of our own struggles as humans. The tension between Bryson and Cameron and their competition over Darcy is intense! These complex relationships are well-written. I admire Gray's ability to boldly address the messiness of life through the lives of these fictional characters. This is a complicated story undergirded with a message of hope, and I kept me reading late into the night.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions stated here are my own.

The State of Grace series is such a great series with characters that are real and likable with real life issues. Darcy is having a bad year with her picture perfect parents getting a divorce and a missionary trip she has saved for years is canceled. Has God left her? Prayer is not helping. She has terminated her apartment lease. She could move home with her mom or stay at best friend Cameron's place with all his roommates. But another friend, Bryson talks his half sister into letting Darcy stay with her for a while. Cameron, Bryson and other friends from youth group are part of an up and coming band so they are thrown together all the time. Bryson's friend and mentor has his own hurts and Darcy is able to work with his dogs to get them adoptable while she works through her hurts.
This is an emotional story about a group of friends who all have issues to work through. Darcy has to overcome her disappointment in her parents and other disappointments. She is left with trust issues.
Cameron is her normal sounding board but she is drawn to dark, brooding Bryson, who has a sad past. People are not always as they seem. We are all formed by our past and sometimes our present is not how we envisioned it. But God always has a better plan. I highly recommend this story of relatable characters who come out on the other side better for their trials and tribulations.
I received a complimentary ARC from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

I love her storytelling!!! Darcy was a wonderful main character to follow and the way she dealt with her life being flipped upside down was so relatable and real. I’m grateful to read about Christian adults having difficult and mature conversations, and also having weaknesses and insecurities.
This is an excellent sequel and I highly recommend!

I loved Tammy Gray's book Love and a Little White Lie that is the first in the series State of Grace and have been looking forward to Love and the Silver Lining to read Darcy's story. Darcy is unable to go and be a missionary and is wondering what God has for her in life. She moves in with her childhood Bryson's sister and she soon sees Bryson in a new way as he reaches out to help her find a way to fill time through helping rescue dogs. A love triangle soon develops between Darcy, her lifelong best friend Cameron and Bryson.
I had a hard time liking melancholy Bryson and so I didn't enjoy the book as much as I hoped. I would have liked to see more of the characters from book 1 woven into this one. The love triangle did keep my attention as I was curious who Darcy would choose. So I don't give spoilers, I do hope that the man she didn't choose gets his own story soon!
I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

This book was such a face paced, Christian Romance that I couldn't put it down! The characters were relatable and likeable. Darcy had planned to go on a mission trip for a full year, and at the last minute that plan changed. She fell into a depressed state of mind, because she did not know what God wanted for her. Bryson, a childhood acquaintance, tries to offer help in his own way, motivated by a secret desire. However, Darcy isn't sure if she can trust him or not. Throw in her BFF, who is a guy, and who also has had a BIG crush on her for years, and the struggle is real. Can Darcy turn all of her life decisions over to God and let Him work them out? After all, God allowed her mission trip plans to fall through.... I really enjoyed this book!

Although this is a standalone, if you read book 1 in the State of Grace series, you’ll remember Darcy, Cameron, and possibly Bryson. After Darcy’s ministry plans are thwarted, she’s forced into finding a new plan for her life while navigating her parent’s recent divorce, her friendship with Cameron, and her biased perception of Bryson.

The one thing I can rely upon with this author, she doesn’t skirt around real life issues like anger, grief, irrational behavior, and unwise choices. It’s all in here and there’s some ugliness that the characters go through prior to getting to the goodness.

In all honesty, I was a little nervous when I started this one. This wasn’t the Darcy I expected after meeting her in the previous book. I’m not a fan of negativity or a “poor me” attitude and Darcy was dwelling in some serious self-pity. I also felt her reasons were overblown, since there were/are numerous opportunities for ministry outreaches. Then I remembered how my own daughter was forced home from her own mission work at the beginning of the pandemic and how her anxiety and depression were amplified. It was also the impetus to an entirely new life plan. So, forgive me for my early judgment of Darcy, since the author also managed to craft a lovely and believable character transformation from those beginning chapters.

Boy, did Gray ever deliver on the brooding hero. Bryson might just be my favorite to date from the author. He was the perfect balance of strong, sensitive, and self-aware. A man who has faced the hurts of his past and is seeking a better future. My heart broke while he attempted to be a better friend to Darcy and others, while still being viewed through a distorted lens. As Darcy began to see the true Bryson, their chemistry became lightning. And so very, very swoon-worthy.

There were also many secondary characters and circumstances that helped to carry the story forward, as well as giving Darcy some perspective. Such as, her boy-crazy roommate, grieving Charlie, her divorced parents, and the dogs. I found the dog training a smart and entertaining plot device often used as a catalyst for some great life lessons.

I’ve read quite a number of Tammy L. Gray’s books and this one is right up there with my top favorites.

There’s something so addictive about contemporary novels. The romance, relatable characters, and impacting message all create a narrative that not only grasps a reader’s attention but holds them captive until they’re out of pages to turn. Tammy L. Gray’s newest addition to the State of Grace series, Love and the Silver Lining, is all these things and more! Get ready for your heart to melt and your soul to soar with this epic tale of forgiveness, redemption, faith, love, and second chances.

“I thought packing was the first read movement toward the incredible journey God has planned. Who knew it would be the beginning, middle, and final leap off the cliff of disappointment?” ~ Tammy L. Gray

“Sometimes it takes having your perfectly planned life detonate right in front of you to discover what you really want.” ~ Tammy L. Gray

Darcy Malone’s life comes crashing down when her future of becoming a full-time missionary is brought to an abrupt end. Forced to reexamine her life and confront the problems she was hoping to run away from, Darcy falls into a pit of despair. Lost, angry, broken, and bitter, Darcy treads on a thin line of rebellion as she searches for purpose and hope. However, when she accepts the job of training a group of dogs before they’re taken to animal control, Darcy finds an unlikely oasis; but, will this task only lead to more disappointment? And, what of Bryson, the boy Darcy has known most of her life but is suddenly seeing in a new light? Is he really as dangerous as everyone claims him to be? Sometimes it takes everything falling apart for the pieces to come into place.

“I’m an all-or-nothing guy, Darcy. I can’t exist on the surface. I’m not programmed that way.” “I understand.” “Do you? Because if we take this step. If I take this step with you, everything’s going to change. There are some doors that don’t close again once they’re opened.” ~ Tammy L. Gray

“And the real question looms over me like a phantom waiting to attack. Can I love him any other way?” ~ Tammy L. Gray

Love and the Silver Lining is one of those books most of us will relate to. Having gone through our own seasons of wondering why God has closed a door we initially thought He’d opened, it’s in those times of trails and tribulations when we learn that faith is more than going through the motions of what we believe we’re supposed to do, and more about trusting that the Lord works everything out for a purpose. Even if we reject it, one way or another, God’s plan will always prevail, bringing us back to Him and the path He’s set before us!

I couldn’t put this book down! Though the shift from past and present tense was a little rocky in the beginning, the narrative had me captivated from the first page. Resonating with everything Darcy went through, I still find it hard to put into words just how much this story has affected me. Whether you’re in a season of asking God for clarity or on the hunt for a clean book that captures the emotions and choices so many of us face, Love and the Silver Lining is the perfect book for you! Disappointment and heartbreak are a part of life, but there is always hope to be found at the end of the tunnel. Keeping looking ahead, and don’t lose sight of the light that wants to lead you out of the darkness!

“Like Louie, I’ve been yelling and yelling, trying to get God to see how disappointed I am with this life He forced on me. How afraid I am to trust Him again. And He’s been patiently waiting, pushing me past boundaries, asking me to be vulnerable, testing me with new challenges, all to help me see that His way is better and perfect and it’s okay that it doesn’t always make sense.” ~ Tammy L. Gray

“Answered prayers come in many different forms, most of which we don’t recognize. This one, though, came exactly how I’d hoped.” ~ Tammy L. Gray

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!*

Positive content: 4.5⭐️
Language: 0.5⭐️
Sexual content: 1.5⭐️
Violence: 1.5⭐️
Age: 15+

This story had me guessing what Darcy was going to do with her life for most of the book. She had been planning to do many things in her life but something seemed to always get in her way. I love how she works through her problems. She tries many ways to come to some conclusions and I love the one that seems to finally work for her. I had many tears throughout this journey that we go on with Darcy, Bryson, Cameron, Zoe, Charlie and the dogs. I could not put this book down. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I really enjoyed this novel by a new to me author! I do not think that you have to read the books in this series in order, as I have not yet read the first one (I will quickly be going back and reading it though!) and still was able to fully experience this story. The book is written in first-person present tense, which I don’t read as often, but I found myself quickly settling into the narrative and connecting really easily with the main protagonist, Darcy. She encounters so many trials but she is tenacious and grows in her faith and in love in the story in such a remarkable way. I think I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster with Darcy and really liked the way the author developed her character with depth and great faith elements. The romance is clean and progresses in a believable manner. I also liked the dogs and how their personalities seem to match those around Darcy. This is a cute contemporary romance novel and I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Omgosh!!! This is the most amazing book I've ever read!!!! This is like the next Notebook!! Wait, WAY better storyline than the Notebook! This should be made into a movie!!! I'm so totally blown away!!!! The storyline kept evolving, more surprise, and more depth. I didnt ever know what was going to happen next!! I was totally emersed in this storyline. I had to stop reading the book a few times because it paralleled my own life, different story, so many times I was so emotionally invested, I had to come back to reality! Hands down the best book I've ever read EVER!!!!!
I was given a free book for my review but no money has ever been exchanged. This is solely my free love and opinion for this book.

Tammy Gray is well known for writing raw emotions in her characters and this novel is no different in that regard. This book is the 2nd in the State of Grace series. While the story-line itself can stand alone, we initially meet Darcy and Bryson in book 1 (Love and a Little White Lie) and really get some depth on Cameron in book 1. The relationship struggles from book 1 are also referenced in this book, but not to the extent that you'd feel lost without it. However, if you plan to read all books in the series, I would definitely recommend reading them in order. However, if you pick this one up without having read book 1, you should still be able to follow along. This story picks up a few months after book 1, where we meet Darcy as she is planning to spend a year abroad teaching English on a Guatemalan mission field. When her dreams fall through, she is forced to face the changes happening in her life and finds herself at rock bottom. Though she finds some purpose in working with dogs that need to find new homes and need significant training to get them there, she learns more about herself as she helps the dogs work through their own traumas and eventually recognizes God's hand in the difficulties. I appreciated the real-ness of Darcy's thoughts and emotions as well as her faith struggles.

In addition to wonderful characters with real emotions, there is definitely a romance. This one has a bit more passion than I typically like in books, but it was definitely still clean. I enjoyed the story line with the dogs and the faith thread that started subtle, but came out full force towards the end (though without being preachy). And I enjoyed how all of the character arcs begun in this book found conclusions here as well. There was a definite theme of letting go and forgiving, as well as overcoming fears. I appreciated that the characters understood the value of communication, even when it was hard. All in all, this was a good novel that hit on some deep emotions and had a clean romance. I would recommend to fans of inspirational contemporary romance and those who enjoy books that work through deep emotions.

Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

Tammy L. Gray is one of my favorite contemporary Christian fiction authors. She is a master at creating realistic, broken, engaging characters and plopping them down in compelling situations. Once there, she commences to evoke all the feelings and emotions from heartbreak to compassion and on to joy with many stops in between. Her stories are so gripping that I’m hooked from the first page and can hardly stand to put them down.

Darcy Malone and Bryson Katsaros are two of my favorite characters, and I quickly started rooting for them. I love heroes who have the grit and determination to make something of themselves despite their broken backgrounds, and Bryson fits that perfectly. The author did a fantastic job of slowly unveiling his true character from the image he portrays publicly. Darcy is an endearing heroine who, despite some severe setbacks in her life, picks herself up and sets out to change her circumstances with the help of her friends.

With lots of action, angst, emotion, and inspiration, along with some happy sighs and romance, this book is a wonderful addition to Gray’s State of Grace series. Themes of forgiving, not judging others, hope, grace, and accepting God’s plans for your life all come in to play in this story and make it one of my favorite reads this year. This book is bound for my keeper shelf alongside the first one in the series, Love and a Little White Lie.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Love and the Silver Lining is an intense story of unrecognized love spanning years. Angsty musicians and a heroine overcoming a devastating blow. Definitely left me on pins and needles for the third installment.

Title: Love and the Silver Lining
Author: Tammy L. Gray
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Love and the Silver Lining" by Tammy L. Gray

My Opinion:

"Love and the Silver Lining" was a good read that digs deep into the 'relationships, family dynamics, friendships.' The characters were shown raw emotions, and what goes on in trials will become an issue. However, this author does an excellent job of bringing forth the love of God in it all. This story will be about Darcy, Cameron, and Bryson...who one is the best friend while the other is a boyfriend. What will happen when Darcy has to choose the right one in this sweet romance? The story will also be of Darcy having to reconciliations with her family, and I don't want to leave out those unruly dogs that she cares so much about. To get these questions answered and so much more, you will have to pick up this wonderfully written story to see how we get to know not only the three main characters but Zoe, Charlie, and Michael.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley, and all opinions are my own.

I loved this book! This is a beautifully written story that hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. This is one of those books that hate to see end but you just have to know what happens next. The author brings the book to life with her words and you can feel all the emotions. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes Contemporary Christian Romance. This book deserves more than 5 stars!

Go to author for contemporary romance novels!

The first two lines of the second in the State of Grace Series are spectacular: "I'm supposed to be on an airplane, flying to Central America to teach children to speak English. Instead, I'm sitting on the couch and nursing my third pint of Rocky Road ice cream, watching a Telemundo soap opera in Spanish."

Darcy's career plans and personal life are not going at all how she expected. She's upset. She's frustrated. Her parents recently got divorced. Her career path came to an abrupt halt. Her apartment lease is quickly coming to an end. It seems nothing can go right.

Although she's irritated, I love that the warmth of her personality still come through. While Darcy yearned for mission work, she also loves dogs. A lot. To fill a void, she helps out the friend of a friend with a group of rescue dogs sorely in need of training before they are ready to be adopted.

Love and the Silver Lining is filled with what Tammy L Gray does best...an engaging story line, relate-able characters, character growth and a dash of humor. I especially loved Louis and Charlie.

"I mean, what is the point of working and straining to hear God's will when in the end I'm just as lost as if I'd never tried in the first place? Wouldn't it be easier if I just didn't care at all?"

Oh, Darcy. What a heart-breaking and soul-wrenching journey she takes after everything turns upside down and sideways in her controlled, neatly packaged world. Her naive, steady, optimistic, good girl self goes through blinding disappointments, crushing life circumstances, life-altering challenges, and an undeniable call to leave the past behind. This book, more so than any other of the author's I've read, has captured me wholly and completely with the raw intense emotions. Throbbing grief is balanced by unshakable friendship, sense of purpose is restored by training rescue dogs, and God's molding and shaping through difficulties is so evident. Though the book plays out through only Darcy's first person viewpoint, we get to know Bryson pretty well and he is the epitome of a reborn man. His sensitive, sweet, tender, compassionate nature that no one else knows allows him to fit into Darcy's 'new' world and his sacrificial love is incredible to behold. Charlie and Zoe are excellent secondary characters who add depth to Darcy and Bryson's world and I'm secretly hoping that there will be a book about Zoe.
It's another winner for Tammy L Gray. You don't want to miss this contemporary romance filled with characters who will feel like your best friends that exquisitely paints a journey of hope, grace, and forgiveness that will feel like your own.

I received a copy of the book from Bethany House and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.

Love and the Silver Lining
by Tammy L. Gray

4 stars

Oh, such a fantastic book. I had a very hard time putting this down and read it in just a couple of days! I absolutely loved the characters and the writing. I am a huge fan of Tammy L. Gray now.

Totally loved this second book in the State of Grace Series!
I was looking forward to Darcy’s story ever since Love and a Little White Lie ended! Darcy and Cameron were already dear to me. But Bryson was a huge mystery in the last book, I have to say he annoyed me a bit then, and now I’ve fallen completely in love with him!
Darcy’s life is a huge failure, or so she thinks, after she receives an unexpected blow. She has spent a whole year planning and raising funds for her mission work in Guatemala, and just before the date arrives, everything is canceled. Not only she has to forgo her long ago dream, but she’s now jobless, and her apartment is already leased, and she won’t -by any means- live with either of her divorced parents, who have recently broken her heart and perfectly cozy life, so much so that she was anxiously hoping to change of scenery for a while. Her best friend Cameron is relieved that she won’t leave, and he wants to be her rock, but he’s going through a challenging personal-professional moment too.
What she never expects is for brooding, apparently “selfish” Bryson, to ask his stepsister Zoe to let her live in her spare room while she gets another place to live. He even unintentionally leads her into a rescue plan from her wallowing in self-pity: to take care, heal and train some unruly and battered dogs from Bryson’s great mentor and friend who is grieving her passing wife and cannot undertake his wife task of making these bruised and rough dogs into adoptable and well behaved. This new mission brings some sense of purpose for Darcy and it allows her to get to know Bryson in a different more personal getting to know each other relationship. But Bryson carries a deep and difficult backstory that he needs to resolve. Can two battered -and apparently opposite- souls be just what they need to grow into their better selves and understand what purpose God has in mind for them?
I truly loved this contemporary romance! The story of two broken hearts that help each other mend and fall in love in the journey! They were deep, complex, but so relatable characters! Darcy takes very hard the blows that life has just dealt her. Her life being always so perfect, full of love, being a God loving, rule follower, she can’t understand why her life is so upended. Has God disappeared or why is He so silent? Bryson seems to be the polar opposite. The rule bender since they were young, the one who played the pirate, the one who cut connection with his family during his teen years, a true rebel with the façade of a bad boy singer. Always in black, his songs are heartfelt but not light. Will his heart ever find the light? I loved how Darcy slowly discovers the true Bryson that hides under his hard wall that’s begging to be torn down. How they get to know each other, they begin to open up to each other and learn of their struggles. It was so heart tugging at times, yet light hearted at others. I loved the writing style, and being inside Darcy’s mind and heart was so insightful and real. She’s flawed, she struggles, but her faith is there. And it will be what will ultimately will lead her to learn the goodness in the bad things of her situation. The good in the broken. The unmerited yet always extended God’s grace and mercy. And through her (and her through Bryson too), Bryson will learn about the God he eludes. In an honest and natural way. His story of redemption ached and was sweet at the same time. I loved the natural way the faith inspiring message about trust in God and forgiveness was delivered. It was meaningful, uplifting, and it inspired me to let go of things that are not important and giving God more control of my life.
Bryson’s character was so endearing in spite of his brooding ways. He had a heart of gold that shone, that begged to be discovered! Bryson relationship with Charlie was also inspiring to say the least. And I loved the taming of the dog’s part. It was challenging and enjoyable, especially the outcome. It reminded me of how we all are never lost or hopeless, but our redeemable qualities sometimes need a little bit of grooming and God is the One who can bring those qualities to light, if we let Him.
A story that I definitely recommend! Very enjoyable, relatable and oh so romantic! A journey of love, strength to move on, let go and forgiveness!
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the Publisher via NetGalley but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

This beautiful and inspiring Christian novel immediately captivated me and held me tight until I read the last word with characters you want to be your friends and a lovely story where you feel the power of love and faith. I loved the undeniable chemistry between Darcy Malone and Bryson Katsaro, lead singer in her best friend's band. The secondary characters rounded out the story and added much to my reading pleasure. If you enjoy contemporary inspirational romance, you must read "Love and the Silver Lining". I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I am running a bit late due to an overdue family visit, but I have finished this amazing story that released a week ago today!

Tammy L Gray has once again created an in depth experience that leaves you changed once you read it in her newest book, Love and the Silver Lining. While all of us are probably not going through the exact experiences that Darcy, Bryson, Zoe, Charlie, and Cameron experience in the book, the underlying themes of forgiveness, letting go of the past, and moving forward into a new future that depends on God even when things don’t go according to our plan can resonate with everyone. I know it did me.

The character development is fantastic with a gratifying pace of learning each character in depth. The plot line moves along at a wonderful pace - everything flows seamlessly.

While the main plot line wraps up nicely, there is a bit of wonder left at the end about some of the characters, so I am hoping that we get to see some more in the State of Grace Series!!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, but was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Tammy L. Grey is hitting it out of the park with the State of Grace series. Love and the Silver Lining is a fresh, sparkling contemporary with heart and depth. Engaging characters, realistic emotions, and cute dogs combine to make a winning story for this reader.

Grey’s first-person narration style is stellar. Darcy is a secondary character in the first book, and she really shines here in book two. Life has dealt her a blow, and she’s left to deal with the things that she had hoped to leave behind. Instead of beginning her career of teaching children English in Central America, she finds herself dealing with her parents’ divorce and wondering what she’s supposed to do with her life now. I thought I had her pegged in the first book, but I was mostly wrong about her. This in and of itself surprised me and reminded me that we can never know what is going on in a person’s mind and heart. Speaking of that, I was ready to roll my eyes a bit at Bryson’s character. I am so not into the bad boy singer type characters, but he was not stereotypical at all. He has a deep back story that adds a lot of dimension to his character. Grey has an amazing ability to portray the emotions of her characters that really digs into your heart.

I adored the inclusion of dogs, and Darcy’s work with them, as well as the great friendship between Bryson and Charlie. These characters came to life, and I can’t wait to read the next book. I’m not sure who the next book is about, but there are certainly a few secondary characters that I could see having journeys well worth reading.

“It was in those hard moments when God did His greatest work on my heart.”

These words are found in the author’s note, and after finishing such a lovingly crafted story, they brought tears to my eyes. I guess over the course of the last couple of years, there seem to have been more hard moments than easy. But I also know that God was near to me in those moments, and because of that, I am never lacking in hope. A story that reminds me of that is always going to be a work of art for me. I highly recommend these books for readers of romantic contemporary fiction.

A complimentary copy of this novel was provided by the publisher. A positive review was not required.

Having read the first book in the State of Grace series by Tammy L. Gray, I was looking forward to reading Love and the Silver Lining. I was not disappointed, although surprised a little. Love and a Little White Lie was a much lighter, more whimsical read than this second book. And yet Love and the Silver Lining was an enjoyable read. The author has a writing style that blends a bit of humor with spiritual truths as her characters encounter difficult situations, and brings a realistic and relatable story to her readers. The characters are engaging. I was quickly caught up in their stories. Darcy is a mess after a disappointing change of plans. Her relationships with her family and her friends are in need of an overhaul. Life just kind of sucks right now. The author did a great job creating relevant situations for Darcy's emotional and spiritual healing. I liked how the story reminded me that there is One who is there with me despite my sometimes seeming indifference to Him. And He is not idly waiting for my attention but is continuing to work in my heart and working to give me second chances. Readers who enjoy the contemporary romance genre and stories of faith will not want to miss this book.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

I loved this book! Tammy did it again. Even though this is book 2 in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. Darcy is a secondary character in book 1 and finally gets her own story.

I didn't always like Darcy, felt she was a bit self-absorbed at times but loved the broody Bryson. The author does a wonderful job at character development and making you love/dislike people.

I highly recommend both books in the series if you like contemporary romances. Tammy writes excellent books that deal with some tough subjects but with a happy ever after! I'm looking forward to reading more of her writing.

Thanks for letting me read and review this book.

Darcy Malone has been planning and saving money for some time to go to Guatemala to do mission work and teach English at a school there, but the school closed at the last minute, after Darcy had given up her job and her apartment. Darcy was offered a chance to move in with Bryson Katsaros’ sister, Zoe. Bryson was the lead singer in Darcy’s best friend Cameron’s band. Darcy volunteered to work with some unruly dogs in an attempt to find homes for them to try to keep them from being turned over to animal control by Charlie, whose now deceased wife had taken the dogs in. While Bryson always seemed like a sullen loner, he was close friends with Charlie, who was almost like family to him. Could a romance develop for Darcy? There was so much angst in this story, that you could never be sure. You really need to read it to the end to find out.

Tammy L. Gray is a very talented author, who writes good, clean stories.

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

In Love and the Silver Lining, we catch up with characters we first met in Love and a Little White Lie, but this one can be read as a stand-alone. Ms. Gray does a great job portraying difficult situations with redemption and grace, and this book is no exception.

When Darcy's long-held plans fall apart, she is thrust into a season of questioning God and having to reframe her dreams and expectations - I think we can all relate to that struggle! The friendship between Bryce, Darcy, and Cam got tense and a little frustrating at times, but it was handled well. One of my favorite parts of the story was how Bryce's friendship pushed Darcy to make some much needed changes in her life and in her relationships. His steady, faithful love for her provided a contrast to her tumultuous relationship with Cam and made him an easy hero to root for. This story full of heart, depth, and a little humor will be a hit with fans of contemporary romance!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*I RCVD an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I have read every book Tammy Gray has published, and she NEVER disappoints! This book is no exception. I liked "Love and the Silver Lining" better than "Love and a Little White Lie" (I loved them both though!)
Tammy has a way of writing the characters so that you can feel what they are going through. Multiple times while reading "Love and the Silver Lining" my chest physically hurt, because she does such a good job of pulling you in to the emotion. She keeps the emotions real, and doesn't churchify things like many Christian authors do. Her characters struggle with real temptations, and she actually lets them fail. It's refreshing. I loved Bryson's character!
Do yourself a favor and dive into this book for a couple of hours...you will be glad you did! I can't wait until book 3!

Love and the Silver Lining is a sweet friends to more romance that gives you all the feels. It is vexing yet totally swoon worthy. The story takes you through some awesome highs and a few valleys but, it is worth the ride. Main character, Darcy, feels like the rug has been pulled out from under her and her friends are there to help pick her back up (even some four-legged ones).

I absolutely love every Tammy L. Gray book I have read. This book is no different. I attribute this to her ability to bring fiction to life. From the beginning you want to root for all of the characters, especially the underdogs (no pun intended). Tammy L. Gray has a way of writing that draws you in to the story, helps you relate with the characters, and gives you a beautiful happily ever after that will make you want more.

This is the second book in the State of Grace Series by Tammy L. Gray but, can be read independently. However, we do see a main character here from the previous novel.

Note: I was given an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I don't read much Christian romance, but I have to say that this is the best example of it that I've ever read. Gray created characters that feel so real it's almost like I know them, and she puts their faith as a basic part of them without continually hitting the reader with the faith/religious elements. It's just a very important part of their lives and how they get about living, and it made for a great, uplifting part of the story.
The main characters in the story are Darcy and Bryson and they have the sweetest get to know and grow with each other story I've ever read, but what makes this memorable is that they're not the only ones with full character arcs that a reader can root for. Every character in this story is a fully-fleshed-out person with motivations, good and bad points, and an important part to play in the story.
Definitely read this one if you're looking for sweet and inspiring elements with your romance.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for the delightful read!

A great read! I had not read the first book in the series, nor realized it until I was part way through. This book read easily as a stand alone, not part of a series. Heart warming, great, read. I can not recommend this book enough.

Wow. This book.

Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray is the second book in her State of Grace series and it not only lived up to, but surpassed my expectations.

The first book in the series, Love and the Little White Lie, was an incredible story. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that a second book could be just as amazing. Well, Love and the Silver Lining is definitely that.

Darcy Malone has her immediate future ripped out from under her. Though I didn’t get as close to leaving for the mission field as she did (I was in the raising support stage), I could completely relate to her grief over her future. That connection had me rooting for Darcy as she navigated her difficult family situation, her friendships, and her budding relationship.

While Darcy is the main character in this story and the single voice we hear, it is clear from the outset that Bryson Katsaros is the male lead in this drama. I loved his character and the slowly unfolding revelation of his heart.

I’m not quite sure what else to say about this story other than that you should definitely read it. Frankly, I don’t often read a book all in one day (I have littles, so I need sleep), but I sacrificed that sleep to finish this book. I had to. It had me wrapped up in its world and I wanted to see how it all worked out. And it was so worth it!

With two amazing books to this series, I cannot wait for book three. I hope you’ll enjoy this book as much as I did.

—
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
___________________________________________________________________________
Story Notes

Tammy brings us another State of Grace story that will take you through all the emotions and leave you pondering just what happened and when you can read this book again.

Gosh, this story just ripped by emotions to shreds! I should have suspected that it would after the way Tammy wrote the first one but, no, I just dove right in without any preparation and got gutted.....again. Not that I'm complaining, because I'm definitely not, but I'm giving others the warning I should have given myself: Be prepared to feel with this story!! It begins a bit after the end of the first book and turns it focus on the recently heartbroken Darcy Malone. Darcy hasn't been heartbroken by a guy, but by the loss of her well-planned life as a missionary. Believing that this was God's plan for her, Darcy has spent the past many months fundraising and packing to become a missionary teacher in Guatemala. But in one unfortunate afternoon, her plans are destroyed by the news that the school has closed due to lack of funds. Add to this her apartment lease ends in a couple of weeks and she cannot extend it as it's already under contract with someone else. All of this is just the proverbial "cherry on top" of her disintegrating life following the devastating news of her parents divorce a few months earlier. Literally at rock bottom, Darcy must now find a way to climb out of this hole of misery and find a new purpose in life. Her best friend, Cam, offers her an air mattress at his place until she can work something out but that's less ideal that staying with her mother - her other choice for residence. A conversation with Cam's band mate and one of her former friends, Bryson, gives Darcy another choice she never expected: living with Bryson's sister, Zoe. Not sure this is the best plan but unwilling to go with the other options, Darcy agrees to test this out. So begins the first step of Darcy's journey to finding herself and her purpose again. The unexpected loss of so many plans causes Darcy to question all areas of her life, especially her faith. What good can come from God allowing her life's expectations to implode? The renewal of friendship between Darcy and Bryson brings Darcy an opportunity to jump back into working with dogs, a past favorite hobby she had set aside to plan for Guatemala. The dogs need as much love and help as she does but she's determined to find them homes before the deadline that, Charlie, the owner, insists they must be gone by. When working with the dogs also brings her closer to Bryson, Darcy will have to decide what she will do with the possibility of a deeper relationship with a guy she has misjudged for years. But Bryson keeps surprising Darcy with his quiet kindness and perceptive questions. What's really behind that wall he keeps so reinforced? Does she want to find out? And what does that mean for her friendship with Cam?
Okay, I'm stopping there with my synopsis as I don't want to spoil anything. But please, please, please, PLEASE!!! Read this marvelous book and be drawn into its incredible truths. Not only will you get incredible relationships, challenges and characters, you will get to go through all the feelings Darcy experiences with her and that makes this story entirely worth it. I connected with Darcy so well given the loss of my planned career after college and, oh, did I feel her heartbreak over the loss of everything else in her life. I love it when I find a real connection with a character, it makes the story so much better. Bryson was such an unexpectedly swoony guy and I was totally in love with his character by the halfway point of the book. And was really mad at Darcy over her choices about him too. Seriously, girl! Get it together and see what's right in front of you!! I'm going to mention Cam here but to not spoil things I'm going to keep my most honest thoughts to myself unless asked. But, dude! You are seriously the worst and I really despise you right now!! He will probably redeem himself in the next book, but for now, I'll be content to loathe him entirely until then. Such a jerk!! Rant over. So, if you want to know just what in the world I'm talking about here, go get your copy of this book ASAP. You won't regret it and I'm pretty sure you will want to reread it multiple times like I'm going to do. Good Job, Tammy! You have officially wrung out all my emotions and left me happily exhausted after reading your amazing story.

I received this temporary, complimentary E-book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in order to write a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own and were not required by anyone.

"He (the rescue dog) does the inching forward, jumping back thing two more times before he's close enough to take the peace offering. his large wet nose brushes against my knuckle, and then his tongue gently swipes the treat from my fingers. I don't make him sit, don't give him any commands at all. This isn't about obedience; it's about trust. Trusting me to provide for him, trusting me not to harm him, trusting me inside his broken heart."

Who knew that there could be such a strong correlation between rescue dogs and broken hearts? In this story, Darcy is jaded and disappointed because life is not going how she expected. She is bitter and angry, and her feelings are affecting her and those around her.

At the beginning of the book, I was concerned because some of the details that the author mentioned were not consistent with what I would consider appropriate behavior for Christian relationships, such as living together. But over time, the author explains the back story of these women, and then it made more sense. I do feel like this book has a strong Christian message of faith, but I do not think that it would take away from the enjoyment of the book if a person was not of that persuasion.

This is a love story with unexpected parts. Not only between the hero and heroine, but also connecting other relationships as well. This book made me cry and laugh and see truth. I do recommend it. Because this is the second in the series, I would suggest reading the first one before trying this book. But it could almost work as a stand alone.

I did read this book on NetGalley. I wanted to review it. All opinions are my own.

When it comes to telling stories that dig into the nitty-gritty of emotional turmoil, Gray is a master. But she does it in such a manner that even the deepest hurts are told in an uplifting, inspirational way. I don't know if she's lived through some of what she writes, and I don't need to, but her words are laced with so much truth--the good parts and the bad--that it's a thrill to engage in her stories. The happily-ever-afters are as real and as powerful as the heartbreak in these stories, which makes experiencing life alongside these characters memorable.

How true to this story, the idea that you have to live through darkness in order to appreciate the light--the silver lining surrounding even the darkest of clouds.

Love and the Silver Lining is a beautiful story of love, grace, and redemption, told through skilled writing, fantastic character-building, and a plot rooted in faith. I can't wait to read what comes next!

This is another emotional read from this author about love, life choices, and faith. Darcy, a character from the first book in the series, has had her future plans disrupted. She was going to be a missionary in a South American country, but her assignment is cancelled. Now she is angry with not only this new direction in her life, but her parents, who divorced after what seems like years of the perfect marriage. Her best friend, Cameron, is pursuing his new opportunity as a member of a local band and people keep assuming she and he will end up married one day. Unexpectedly, she forms a bond with the quiet and brooding member of the band, Bryson. Cameron, Bryson, and Darcy grew up together, but there are undercurrents which are revealed and shake up the storyline.
Darcy trains dogs and this comes into play when she meets a grieving widower, whose wife was fostering troubled dogs. She heals the dogs, while they help heal parts of her, as she grapples with her relationship with God and her feelings with long-standing people in her life. Readers who connect with Darcy and the other characters will be taken for a ride between feelings of joy, sadness, deep anger, and confusion. There are some deeply romantic scenes which will make readers really cheer for the final lovebirds. Those invested in the story will be hoping for another sequel in this series.

tw and cw: mentions of infidelity and emotional abuse

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for the e-galley. My reviews and ratings are my own.

The BEST book I've read in 2021 by a landslide. Stunning romance and storytelling! Tammy L Gray is in my top 3 favorite authors ever. The hero in this book is absolutely FANTASTIC. Ladies, get your fans ready before Bryson is one hot dude. Love, Love, LOVE this book!

Swoon worthy love story that doesn’t hold any punches. This story cuts to the core on some really tough issues. I experienced the divorce of my parents at roughly the same age as Darcy. The circumstances of my parents separation were different, but my feelings were just as complex and difficult as Darcy’s experience. I love who she falls in love with and didn’t expect that I would. There are a cast of supporting characters that also captured my heart, especially Charlie, Louie, and Zoe. This may not be a light and fluffy, quick read, but it’s worth every tear, giggle, and reflective moment.

Thanks to Bethany House for the free review copy.
*This is book 2 in this series, and I highly recommend reading the first one before this one.
I am so glad we, as readers, got Darcy's story in this book. I think exploring her and Cam's relationship was so well done, and I know after reading book one last year, that I wanted a deeper glimpse into this relationship. This is a book about so much more than friendship, though. I loved Darcy's journey through anger and rebellion. I could relate to so many of her character traits. The pacing of the problem solving was realistic, and I appreciated watching the characters wade through the situations.
Also, there are so many lovable dogs in this book. It made me want to go out and adopt one, even though I have no more room for another dog. Louie, the Great Dane, was

Love and the Silver Lining, by Tammy L. Gray, is the second book in the State of Grace series. It is a thoughtfully written novel abounding with emotional authenticity in which Ms. Gray explores meaningful themes like loss, grief, truth, and forgiveness. Page after page, her talent as a writer is truly evident as she draws the reader into a thoroughly compelling story that is both redemptive and memorable. Featuring characters that are captivating and vulnerable, this novel offers many of moments of sweet romance in a small town setting that makes this book genuinely moving and satisfying.

Love and the Silver Lining is profoundly touching and utterly unexpected. Within its pages, it reveals a story that is raw and surprising. As the characters struggle to process crushing disappointments, anger, and withering faith, they are forced to reflect on their motivations and priorities. As they begin to open their hearts to unforeseen possibilities, a path through heartache and brokenness starts to reveal itself. When they tentatively step into the realm of vulnerability, honesty, forgiveness, and trust, they renew their search for wholeness and purpose and their wounded hearts begin to heal. Their hope is nurtured by the gifts of patience, mercy, and compassion that serve to restore their faith when grace is given the freedom to thrive.

As a contemporary tale of love, hope, faith and new beginnings, Love and the Silver Lining is a genuinely special novel. It is a touching, thought-provoking book that inspires as well as entertains. With an engrossing plot, unforgettable characters, and consequential themes, this novel is certainly worthy of attention. I sincerely recommend it.

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

Sometimes I read a book and the review flows with very little effort. Other times I have no idea to write, or how to say it. With Love and the Silver Lining I’m somewhere in between. Saying I love this book, this series, these characters, and the emotions they pulled out of me somehow doesn’t say enough.

The first-person narration is spot-on, and easily pulled me into every scene. I connected with Darcy and empathized with her, although there were times I wanted to shake her a bit. Her adoration of dogs and her passion for rehabilitating them is certainly a plus as well.

Then there’s Bryson. Oh my. I love his openness and vulnerability despite his hurtful past. He’s a unique hero and I enjoyed seeing his heart.

And I loved the spiritual aspect throughout. This story reaches deep and has found a home on my keeper shelf. Brilliant writing, a fabulous plot, wonderful characters, deep emotions, and a meaningful message. What more could I ask for?

Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.

I have ALLLLLLLLLL of the feelings about this book, but it all boils down to this: Tammy L. Gray is a miracle worker and I am here to testify of it.

I read the first book of the series and avoided this one for a bit because I genuinely did not know how the author could make me like Bryson enough to read an entire book where he was the hero. But I stand before you a changed woman, with my heart firmly planted in the roughened hands of the misunderstood Bryson Katsaros. I love him. That’s all there is to say about that.

I love how the author writes her characters. No one is perfect; they’re all flawed and real and just trying to figure it out, like the rest of us. I really appreciated Darcy’s struggles and the way she wrestled with her faith in this book. I faced a similar wrestling in my early twenties when life didn’t turn out the way I expected. So coming to terms with the fact that you’ve accidentally believed you could bribe God with your goodness, or that you’ve been doing the right things because you somehow believed your goodness would be a down payment on a pain-free life . . . that’s a BIG thing to wrestle and I felt Gray handled it well through Darcy’s growth.

This is only my second Tammy L. Gray book, but I’m a fan! The writing is great. The characters are frustrating and fantastic. The romance is *chef’s kiss*. This book is all good things!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All expressed opinions belong to me.

A second in series book I could not wait to get my hands on. While it is part two of a series (and you should read the first one!), it can be fully appreciated on its own as well. I was looking forward to this one because I couldn’t wait to hear more of Darcy’s story. She is so set on pursuing missions and is a such a warm and charismatic character I just wanted to see everything work out for her. I genuinely enjoyed the bad boy, good girl angle of the story and appreciated the realness of disappointment, grief, and forgiveness. Gray does not hold back on raw characters, conversations, and questions that many are fearful to explore in Christianity. The theme of grace and forgiveness runs deep and provides a balm to any heart that has been met with disappointments in life. The insertion of the dogs was an enjoyable treat as well.

I received a complimentary copy, with thanks, from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own and freely given.

I loved this book! I don't recall ever reading anything from this author but I will certainly be on the lookout for more of her books. Love And The Silver Lining is book two in the series and I had no idea of that fact as I was reading it. I need to go back and figure out what book one is. I didn't feel like there was anything missing as I read so I am going to say that it is fine to read this as a stand alone title.

Love and the Silver Lining alternates between laughter and tears, between happiness and heartache, but isn't this true in all of our lives? Darcy Malone feels that she's being bombarded with so many changes and so many disappointments. Is it any wonder that she questions why God would allow all of these setbacks to enter her life?

I loved this book and I loved Darcy! She's fun and she's genuine, and her decision to find shelter for a group of abused dogs sealed the deal...I want to be Darcy's friend! Bryson Katsaro isn't so bad either, and he's the perfect example of looking beyond a person's outward appearance. He is caring and sincere, and watching Darcy and Bryson discover each other romantically is a sweet experience, but seeing their personal growth as Christians is a joy indeed! Sounds promising, but what about Darcy's best friend, Cameron? How does he feel about Bryson?

Author Tammy L. Gray knows how to plumb all of the human emotions, and she has written a beautiful story of hope, faith, and learning to let go. She also shares a perfect reminder that not getting what we ask for may be the biggest blessing of all! I highly recommend Love and the Silver Lining to all who enjoy contemporary Christian romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

"You said that sometimes the answer to prayer is NO. And like it or not, we have to accept that answer."

Love and a Little White Lie was the book which placed this author on my radar. This book just won me over to follow this author and make sure I read any new books which will be published.

There was broken dreams, hope for new dreams, emotions, and a romance I totally Love and Adore.
To be honest, there was a big part of this story where I almost felt like I was in Dawson's Creek. One girl, the best friend and the guy I want her to end up with. Then there was the blowing point for me - until that point, I liked the story, but then after that, I was so committed to see how it ends that I gave up 2 hours of sleep to see how it will end.

Darcy reminded me so much of not only me, but probably a lot of Christian whose well laid plans were totally thrown out of control and her questions about what really matters in life so honest and raw.

Bryson - oh man - I loved him. I loved getting to see the real him along with Darcy and was broken for him a few times along this journey. I loved how he also saw the real Darcy and in a gentle way pushed her out of her comfort zone to become the best Darcy she can be.

"That edge between daring me to step out of my comfort zone and certainty that I won't."

I enjoyed the first person POV from Darcy. It was done in a way where I still felt connected to the other characters as well.

I adored Charlie and all the rescue dogs and I would love to have my own Louis.

I'm really excited that there will be a third book, which I hope would be about Cameron - because I need a redemption story for him, I loved him in book 1, didn't like him so much here, but I know, that there is more to him and I hope we see that soon in book three (and maybe with Zoe as well).

This story had characters with messy lives, messy back stories and messy families. But it was also about trusting God with your life and to know He knows best!

"Answered prayers come in many forms, most of which we don't recognize."

Love and the Silver Lining, the second book of the State of Grace series, got me again. It’s refreshing to read about real-life struggle that Christians endure and seeing Gods work at hand through the situation. This novel does just that. I felt such a connection to the characters. That made it easy to read. It wasn’t too dark or heavy. Sometimes a lighter read is needed and this is it! I did receive a free copy of the book to read.

Character is often revealed through the trials we face. And this was true of Darcy as she dealt with huge disappointments in her life. Her year-long mission trip - canceled at the last minute. Her parents divorced unexpectedly. Her mom was dating and acting like Darcy should be her confidant now. Her dad - her hero - had fallen off his pedestal. So, she did as many do and began railing at God, wondering how He could love her and yet allow all these things to happen to her.

I especially enjoyed seeing Darcy work with the rescue dogs (my favorite was Louie, the Great Dane!) I loved reading about the personalities of the dogs. I was also fascinated by the different ways she worked with each one and how she seemed to know intuitively exactly what each one needed. Well, except Penny, but that is part of the story!

The relationship between Darcy and Cameron was quite complex. He was so sweet and understanding through her grief. And then Bryson and Darcy added a whole new level of complexity!

The author brought Darcy down a difficult path - of acting out of her assumption that behaving properly all her life didn't make a difference to whether God allowed bad things to happen - so she might as well do whatever she wanted. She showed so well what could have happened without adding anything inappropriate, despite making me a little antsy from her choices.

I was so glad that Love and the Silver Lining was told only from Darcy's point of view! This way, I was kept guessing about who she would end up with. :-)

Readers who enjoy Christian fiction that deals with real-life issues will want to read Love and the Silver Lining - only be sure to read Love and a Little White Lie first for some context!


I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

This was a beautiful story of when dreams and plans don't work out, because there is something much better and I mean so much better for you. To quote the song "when all else is sinking sand" and your world shifts underneath you, it may be the end of a dream. But hold on because most likely something else so unbelievable is going to happen.

That is how I felt with this whole story. And rather fitting as well considering the past year and a half. Darcy is hurting as her dreams of being a missionary have collapsed along with Darcy still trying to come to terms with her parent's divorce. Everything she believed in and put faith in on this earth for 29 years was turned upside down with just a few words. I understood how she felt. How much of her life was a lie? And the One she should have been turning to, the One who never changes or breaks a promise, well she stayed as far away from that relationship as she could.

Enter a surprising friendship and whirlwind romance that completely catches Darcy off guard. But she has some tough decisions to make and more changes probably in store for her to keep from losing the love of her life. Is she brave enough to do it and face the unforgiveness and anger she harbors as well?

I also enjoyed Darcy's job of helping five abused dogs regain their lives back and be adopted into forever homes with people who understood them and would finally care for them.

This is my new favorite story by author Gray. I could not sleep, eat, or do much of anything till I could finish this story that pulled me in and would not let go. More please.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

I liked this book a lot! I read it as a stand alone book having not read the first in the series and it was fine.

Darcy experiences what many young people do- wondering what God’s plan for your life is and what He is trying to show you/tell you. I love that her doubts are realistic and her feelings are easy for readers to find common ground. Overall, it’s a great story for all ages.

Love and the Silver Lining surprised me several times. At the beginning, I thought it was going to be a typical friends-to-more novel. And it was … kind of. But there was also the other man, and that added both interest and complications.

The story is written entirely in first person, which is an inspired decision. Yes, some readers don’t like first person (although I’m not one of them). The beauty of using first person in this instance meant it was impossible to guess which man Darcy was going to choose: best friend forever Cameron, or his bad boy bandmate Bryson. Yes, it’s the other man/other woman trope, which isn’t my favourite.

One of the reasons I’m not a fan is that I often end up favouring the “wrong” character—the one who doesn’t end up with the girl. As such, I was very happy with Love and the Silver Lining, because it made the right choice. Well, the choice I thought was right for Darcy.

While I liked Darcy as a character, there were times she annoyed me. I assumed she was a teacher, as she’d given up her job and her apartment to go to Central America for a year to teach English to children in an orphanage—a noble cause, no doubt. But do Central American orphanages really need teachers with little or no experience? Given her reaction to not being able to go, I did question how good a teacher she’d have been.

As it turned out, her skills were in an entirely different area. Darcy is a dog whisperer. Well, not really. But she is a dog walker with a college degree in animal something, and a true skill for seeing why a badly behaved dog is acting out, and working with the dog to correct their behaviour.

I’m more of a cat person than a dog person, but I was impressed by the way Darcy worked with the dogs. I was also impressed by the way that became a subtle underlying metaphor for healing–healing for Darcy, healing for the dog’s widowed owner, and healing for Bryson, brought the two together.

Love and the Silver Lining isn’t a suspense novel, but there were more than a few low-key nail-biting moments as Darcy worked with the dogs and worked through her own healing. In the end, the novel was everything I look forward to and expect in a Tammy L Gray novel, and even managed to convince me the “other man” trope isn’t always awful.

The faith elements in the novel are present but understated. The novel starts with Darcy experiencing a crisis of faith: if God really had wanted her to go on a year-long mission to Central America, why did it fall apart at the last minute? This is a variation on the age-old “where is God when it hurts?” question, and while it doesn’t answer the unanswerable, it does show us how God can use any situation to pull us closer to Him … if we allow it to.

Recommended for fans of contemporary Christian romance, especially dog lovers. Thanks to Bethany House and Netgalley for providing a free ebook for review.

This is my first time reading a book by this author. I found this to be a very fun book to read. The story was engaging and that had a great plot! I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray blends women’s fiction with romance in a story of disillusionment, deconstruction, and unexpected love. When Darcy Malone’s plans for mission work in Guatemala fall through, her life changes dramatically, forcing her to grapple with a new, uncomfortable reality.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of Love and the Silver Lining is the depth of Darcy’s struggles. She shares her hurt and disappointment from a first person POV that gives the reader an intimate peek into her thoughts. Because Darcy faces many difficulties in quick succession, she often feels her feelings without working through them, leaving her frustrated and stagnant. Laced into this season of her life, a budding romance simultaneously brings sweetness to her life and necessitates difficult decisions. Darcy’s forward motion and personal growth came slowly in a manner that made her journey authentic and inspirational.

Love and the Silver Lining lands as the second installment in Tammy L. Gray’s A State of Grace series, but works well as a stand-alone. Although this novel didn’t catch my attention until several chapters in when Darcy started working with the dogs, I very much enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next novel.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

What to to when it seems like your dreams and all you prayed and planned for come crashing down?
I had eagerly been waiting for this story. I remembered how hard Darcy worked for her dream in the first book and wanted to see how it's all pan out.
It was interesting meeting characters from the previous story and seeing what they way up to, wondering how Darcy's relationship with Bryson and Cam will pan out and seeing her make those tough decisions that were long overdue.
It's a wonderful story as usual from the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are solely mine

In this latest edition by Mrs. Gray, readers will embark on a journey exploring a great storyline in which readers get to know these characters at a depth many writers don’t get to. This book focuses on Darcy, who thinks that she has everything in her life figured out (at least right now). When her plans fall through, she is taken for a loop. As she struggles, the author shows readers how applicable her struggles are to our lives and how if we just trust God, He will take care of us in every way. This book was read at a time when I needed to read this story and these words. This is an encouraging, uplifting story of even when we don’t know how everything is going to work out, God does and wants the best for us. In this story, there are also secondary characters (one in which I can’t wait to read their story) that show us that you should never judge a person by what small information you do know about them. The themes of forgiveness, love, and letting go of all the things that aren’t important are prominent in this book. I highly recommend this book and know you will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

Darcy dream of going on the mission field falls apart the night before she is supposed to leave. The Guatemalan school that she was to teach at has closed. Darcy is beyond devastated and thrown through a loop because she just gave up her apartment and her job.
How does one jump back into life after such news? Darcy is struggling to find a purpose, wondering why God would allow this to happen and what His will is for her now. A life lesson for everyone is that we should listen to God regardless of if it is not what we want to hear.
Darcy is offered an opportunity to train and care for a group of dogs with the goal to find each of them a home before animal control takes them. A story filled with learning to let go, love, forgiveness and mercy.

It feels like Darcy's life is in a tailspin. Her personal and professional life is falling apart. Her friendship with Cam is her one area that holds her together. Much of the book is looking at the relationships and what has them falling apart. As things start to improve Darcy starts to look at her life with a more open view. By the end of the book her life is turning around and she is in love. I found the book interesting.

This was a lovely story! The characters were great, and I enjoyed their distinct personalities! This was a book that was hard to put down, Loved it!

This story is written in first person, present tense, which I love. Our heroine is a little blind. She’s unaware of her best friend’s crush, though readers will see it right away.

I loved this heroine’s gift for training and relating with dogs. She’s very competent. Lots of symbolism ensues with her efforts on behalf of the animals she tends.

One of the themes is how God answers prayer. Sometimes the end of our world turns into a new beginning—a place we belonged all along. For example, she thought her destiny was extreme poverty, but she ends up living in a very nice condo. (see summary above) Again, symbolic of a very generous and compassionate God who may surprise us with abundance even while we’re aiming for the bare minimum.

Our heroine’s goals are religious, but misguided. She thinks she’s doing the right thing, but hasn’t really asked God if it is. Excellent layering. Readers will relate because people are often motivated by what they think they’re supposed to do, or they’re motivated to choose the least glamorous option because others will more likely approve. But sometimes we fail to account for our God-given gifts. Readers will recognize hers.

Something else motivates her: avoidance. But she won’t have a choice in whether or not to face what she’d rather avoid.

Another area where this author excels is her ability to express male POV. We have Bryson and Cameron in this story, and yet they feel like different people. We’re never in their POVs, but we see them, we get them, nonetheless. Very well done.

An additional theme was that of trying to manipulate God into giving us the answer we want through good behavior.

With all of these insightful layers, you’d think the romance would suffer. It does not. Very well done.

The band elements, the music scenes, were so well written. It’s difficult to take readers into a concert, but this author does it very well. Readers are immersed.

By far my favorite novel this year. So enjoyable. I didn’t want it to end, but I couldn’t wait to indulge in reading another chapter whenever I got the chance.

Highly recommended!

Gosh, I love this series. I really loved the characters introduced in this second book. The story line is good and the love story aspect is a bit unexpected which I liked.