The search for a sister. Decades of guilt. Who to trust?Jenna is desperate to find her younger sister, who was taken from her when she was seven years old. She believed Caitlyn, who was adopted by a wealthy family, was doing fine, only to discover her sibling vanished under eerie circumstances. Unfortunately, Jenna’s attracted the attention of the last man to see her sister alive.Grant has … alive.
Grant has returned to town to take over his ailing father’s law practice. When his socialite parents try to interfere in his relationship with Jenna, a woman they consider lower class, he puts his foot down. He intends to marry the adorable baker, and no one will change his mind—not even Jenna.
Jenna and Grant’s lives are upended when a stranger brings upheaval, and their trust in each other is severely tested by this shocking surprise.
The ELKRIDGE SERIES—sensual, contemporary romance novels about wounded women and the men who heal them. If you love heartfelt characters, deep topics with powerful emotional stakes, and happy endings, then you’ll love Lyz Kelley’s moving tales of strength, love, and survival.
In ORPHANED, the fourth full-length novel in the series, you learn more about town characters, and unearth more clues to who murdered Sheriff Sam.
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This book pulled at my heartstrings from the first page to the last. Jenna moved to Elkridge to try and find her little sister. First, they were separated after losing their parents when Caitlyn was adopted and then Caitlyn goes missing. Caitlyn’s step-brother becomes enamored with Jenna and cannot stay away from her much to his parents dismay. Grant is tired of stepping to his parent’s tune and wants to live his own life including being with Jenna. Jenna must learn to find within herself the ability to not only love people, but to also trust them and herself. Grant must learn to fight for what he wants for himself and teach Jenna that his feelings for her are true and everlasting. Theirs is a love that is tested by fire, read to see if that fire makes them stronger or destroys them.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Readers, grab a large mixing bowl. Add Jenna, a baker, with so much love to give, but with a backstory of loss and deep-seeded trust issues. Mix in Grant, a man who looks “more delicious than one of her chocolate cream pies,” who falls for Jenna the moment he sees her and vows to protect her no matter what. Then carefully stir in the wonderful support staff, both friendly and adversaeal. Blend together with mysterious intrigue that may just hint at the mystery throughout this series. Finally, frost with a cute, little tyke, Kyle, who is sure to melt the chocolate chips in your heart!!!
In Orphaned, book 4, Ms. Kelley continues to write in a style I truly love and I can’t wait to read the next book. From sweet to savory, and from heartbreaking to inspiring, this book is all about love and trust. If this book doesn’t tug at your heart, nothing will. The entire series is a recipe for success. I heartily recommend it. Kudos, Lyz Kelley!
Have you ever started reading a book and thought that this was going to be a really good read? Well that’s what I felt with this book and I was not disappointed. I love Lyz Kelley’s writing. You feel so connected to her characters. Her plotlines are believable and unique.
Jenna is sweet and giving and full of love, but she is unable to fully trust anyone. Grant is every woman’s dream and always trying to make things right for the people he loves. Jenna must learn that love without trust just won’t work. This is such a fabulous story.
Kyle, her nephew, is precious, In fact, the whole town is an inviting little community.
This is just a great read.
Get the Kleenex ready this is an emotional read and I loved every tear I shed. Jenna and Grant were perfect for each other. I loved how Grant instantly had a connection with Jenna but she cautiously grew to love him. The story had many twists and turns and it kept me on the edge of my seat anxious to find out more. This is very well written and the story line is amazing. Lyz Kelley creates characters that are real and believable. Orphaned pulls at your heart strings and leaves you falling in love with the characters. I especially loved little Kyle. His story is so sad and heartbreaking. I absolutely loved this story and I definitely recommend this 5-star book.
Favorite Quotes:
Personally, Jenna considered Rachelle to be rather thin—physically and mentally.
People connected Rachelle’s name with his like they were two Lego pieces. The whole town assumed they snapped together, but history proved they didn’t even belong in the same plastic tub.
Hon, if you were any more careful about allowing people in your life, you’d have all your clothes made of bubble wrap.
My Review:
I struggled with the storyline while reading this one as angst and constant conflict aren’t a palatable blend of tea for me, and unfortunately the main character of Jenna was also my least favorite personality type as given her harsh childhood she had become a prickly pessimist who was painfully stubborn, self-sabotaging, aloof, non-communicative, and tedious. Life is just too short to deal with difficult people. I adored the yummy and perfect BBF of Grant. The storyline was full of heart-squeezes and mystery with a surprise I didn’t see coming – I had guessed the correct family tree but the wrong baby daddy. I did enjoy the welcome hits of humor and intrigue along the way as a welcome respite from the angst.