Joyful by Shelley Shepard Gray

Don't miss Shelley Shepard Gray's newest book in the Return to Sugarcreek series, Joyful. USA Today raved: "A sweet, straightforward story about how love can be tested by family, faith, and personal insecurity. Enjoyable and heartwarming."

Click the banner for a chance to win books 1-3 in Shelley's Return to Sugarcreek series! 
Winner announced on Shelley's blog on 9/30.

About the Book

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

Randall Beiler is doing his best to put his family and the farm's needs first, even forsaking love. But though he tries, Randall knows he needs help caring for his younger siblings and keeping the house together.

When his brother offers pretty Elizabeth Nolt a job taking care of the house and cooking for the family, Randall is furious – and guilty about the way he once broke Elizabeth's heart. But when he learns that Elizabeth and her grandmother are struggling to make ends meet, he knows the offer, no matter how painful, is the right thing for everyone.

Elizabeth wants to refuse – to stay far away from the man who hurt her – but she needs the money. Though she vows to protect her heart, spending time in the Beiler household makes Elizabeth realize that, while she's older and wiser, her love for Randall still burns strong.

Randall, too, seems to want something more. But does he want Elizabeth because he truly loves her – or because he needs a housekeeper? If Randall sincerely wants something more, he must find a way to show Elizabeth – or risk losing his chance at love forever.

The third novel in Return to Sugarcreek, Shelley Shepard Gray’s Joyful is an enjoyable, heartfelt read. Though I have not yet read the previous two books in the series (Hopeful and Thankful), I immediately connected with the characters and invested in their story without feel like I missed too much by not knowing the complete histories of the town. As Joyful follows the stories of three couples (but primarily Randall Beiler and Elizabeth Nolt), Gray tells a story of second chances and finding joy, love and contentment. It’s a sweet, encouraging story as each couple experiences important, understandable growth, and I continually hoped each couple would make the most of their second chance. I think fans of Return to Sugarcreek will enjoy this novel even more than I did, so I recommend it. I look forward to reading more from Shelley Shepard Gray in the future.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Joyful and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here.

About the Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Learn more about Shelley at her website.