lacers526's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book, even more than the first in this companion series. I loved both main characters and the way their romance developed. The side characters and the dogs were also fantastic. The faith aspects were lovely. This author knows how to write real characters and real faith journeys, including the highs and the lows. There really isn’t anything about this book that I didn’t like.
The audio narration was really well done, as well.
The audio narration was really well done, as well.
kgshore22's review
4.0
THIS BOOK. I could not put it down and ended up reading it in one afternoon/evening (I stayed up way later than I’d like to admit in order to finish it)!
I loved the characters (except maybe Cam…) and really enjoyed seeing their growth throughout the book. Love and the Silver Lining quite possibly had the best character development of any book I’ve ever read. I also related a lot to the characters (especially Darcy, since I too am a future missionary teacher struggling with faith right now) and their struggles. The book has a strong faith aspect, which I appreciated too.
Now, the romance… it literally gave me butterflies and had me squealing. I actually didn’t care much for Darcy’s main romantic interest at first but once we started getting to know him more… let me tell you, I think I fell as hard and fast for him as she did!
I hope I didn’t miss anything in this book since I read the books in this series out of order but I can’t wait to read the one that came before this. 4.5 stars to Love and the Silver Lining!
(Personal note: I read this on vacation in Canada)
I loved the characters (except maybe Cam…) and really enjoyed seeing their growth throughout the book. Love and the Silver Lining quite possibly had the best character development of any book I’ve ever read. I also related a lot to the characters (especially Darcy, since I too am a future missionary teacher struggling with faith right now) and their struggles. The book has a strong faith aspect, which I appreciated too.
Now, the romance… it literally gave me butterflies and had me squealing. I actually didn’t care much for Darcy’s main romantic interest at first but once we started getting to know him more… let me tell you, I think I fell as hard and fast for him as she did!
I hope I didn’t miss anything in this book since I read the books in this series out of order but I can’t wait to read the one that came before this. 4.5 stars to Love and the Silver Lining!
(Personal note: I read this on vacation in Canada)
kbranfield's review
4.0
4.5 stars.
Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray is a multi-layered inspirational romance. This second installment in the State of Grace series can be read as a standalone.
Darcy Malone’s disappointments have been piling up and this latest blow almost levels her. Instead of heading off on her long-awaited mission, she is instead packing up her apartment and looking for a temporary place to stay. Her best friend Cameron Lee offers to let her stay with him and his former bandmates. Although far from ideal, this solution is better than moving in with her mom. Darcy is still reeling from her parents’ unexpected divorce and she would rather not live with her mother. When Bryson Kataro learns of her dilemma, he arranges for Darcy to stay with his half-sister Zoe.
At loose ends, Darcy accompanies Bryson to his friend Charlie’s place in the country. Charlie is grieving the loss of his wife and with him ready to give up on his late wife's shelter dogs, Darcy volunteers to train them for adoption. Thrown into Bryson’s company, Darcy is finally seeing beneath his hardened surface layers. She surprises herself when she seeks out his company and he provides a much needed ear as she tries to come to terms with the changes in her life. How will Darcy react when she discovers Bryson returns her attraction? And if they decide to act on it, what effect will dating Bryson have on her lifelong friendship with Cameron?
In her late twenties, Darcy has put so much effort into raising money for her mission that she is rudderless when her plans fall through. She is also still trying to come to terms with the effects of her parents’ shocking divorce. Darcy has also always had a strong faith and after this newest disappointment, she struggles with her inability to hear God speak to her. She ordinarily turns to Cameron but he is not happy she accepted Bryson’s help instead of his. When her path continues to cross with Bryson, she begins to realize there is much she does not know about him. Darcy begins to seek him out when she needs a sounding board and she suddenly begins to view him in a whole new light.
Due to events from his childhood, Bryson is guarded and does not allow very many people to get close to him. He has working hard to finally get a big break for his band. Although he and Darcy have known each other since they were children, they were never all that close. Bryson is stunned when he starts to open up to Darcy, but he still clings tightly to his secrets. He is a little frustrated that she tends to view him in a negative light. With a lot of disappointment and pain in his past, will Bryson be open to the possibility of a future with Darcy?
Love and the Silver Lining is a charming novel of self-discovery, forgiveness and love. Darcy is a bit naïve and sheltered and she does not weather adversity well. She can be annoying and amazingly clueless about what is going on around her. But Darcy is kind-hearted, compassionate and struggling to understand herself. Bryson is a bit of a bad boy but it is easy to see he is so much more than the image he portrays. He has not had an easy life and he is multi-faceted with hidden depths. A possible romance between Darcy and Bryson simmers on the back burner for much of the story. With conflict brewing and a decision looming, Tammy L. Gray brings this captivating novel to a heartfelt conclusion. Old and new readers are going to love this latest addition to the State of Grace series.
Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray is a multi-layered inspirational romance. This second installment in the State of Grace series can be read as a standalone.
Darcy Malone’s disappointments have been piling up and this latest blow almost levels her. Instead of heading off on her long-awaited mission, she is instead packing up her apartment and looking for a temporary place to stay. Her best friend Cameron Lee offers to let her stay with him and his former bandmates. Although far from ideal, this solution is better than moving in with her mom. Darcy is still reeling from her parents’ unexpected divorce and she would rather not live with her mother. When Bryson Kataro learns of her dilemma, he arranges for Darcy to stay with his half-sister Zoe.
At loose ends, Darcy accompanies Bryson to his friend Charlie’s place in the country. Charlie is grieving the loss of his wife and with him ready to give up on his late wife's shelter dogs, Darcy volunteers to train them for adoption. Thrown into Bryson’s company, Darcy is finally seeing beneath his hardened surface layers. She surprises herself when she seeks out his company and he provides a much needed ear as she tries to come to terms with the changes in her life. How will Darcy react when she discovers Bryson returns her attraction? And if they decide to act on it, what effect will dating Bryson have on her lifelong friendship with Cameron?
In her late twenties, Darcy has put so much effort into raising money for her mission that she is rudderless when her plans fall through. She is also still trying to come to terms with the effects of her parents’ shocking divorce. Darcy has also always had a strong faith and after this newest disappointment, she struggles with her inability to hear God speak to her. She ordinarily turns to Cameron but he is not happy she accepted Bryson’s help instead of his. When her path continues to cross with Bryson, she begins to realize there is much she does not know about him. Darcy begins to seek him out when she needs a sounding board and she suddenly begins to view him in a whole new light.
Due to events from his childhood, Bryson is guarded and does not allow very many people to get close to him. He has working hard to finally get a big break for his band. Although he and Darcy have known each other since they were children, they were never all that close. Bryson is stunned when he starts to open up to Darcy, but he still clings tightly to his secrets. He is a little frustrated that she tends to view him in a negative light. With a lot of disappointment and pain in his past, will Bryson be open to the possibility of a future with Darcy?
Love and the Silver Lining is a charming novel of self-discovery, forgiveness and love. Darcy is a bit naïve and sheltered and she does not weather adversity well. She can be annoying and amazingly clueless about what is going on around her. But Darcy is kind-hearted, compassionate and struggling to understand herself. Bryson is a bit of a bad boy but it is easy to see he is so much more than the image he portrays. He has not had an easy life and he is multi-faceted with hidden depths. A possible romance between Darcy and Bryson simmers on the back burner for much of the story. With conflict brewing and a decision looming, Tammy L. Gray brings this captivating novel to a heartfelt conclusion. Old and new readers are going to love this latest addition to the State of Grace series.
jillie's review
4.5
Loved!! There was so much to like about this one! Darcy and the rescue dogs, Charlie, Zoe, Bryson. Also the lessons Darcy learned about herself & her relationship with God.
That being said, the faith was definitely on the back burner & I wanted a little more of it, especially in the romance.
2/13/23
That being said, the faith was definitely on the back burner & I wanted a little more of it, especially in the romance.
2/13/23
emmasbookdiary's review
medium-paced
4.0
This one was really good! I really like Tammy L. Gray’s writing style. I really liked Darcy from book one so I really enjoyed getting her story. Bryson was the brooding, misunderstood/ bad boy character and I loved getting to know him. Their romance was really sweet. I love the trope where two people have known each other since childhood but only truly get to know each other when they are older. I love Cameron in book one so I was really glad he was a big part of this book. Although I got frustrated with him a time or two, I still really like him and I’m really looking forward to reading his story.
There was a lot to love about this book. The writing, the characters, the romance, and the faith content. Also if you’re a dog/animal lover, I think you’ll love the parts where Darcy is training dogs!
There were only a few things that I didn’t care for as much in this book. Only minor things. One of the things was when the MC made some poor choices at a bar but I did see how it was a part of her character growth and worked with the theme of the story. A few times the kissing was a little more than I like but I did appreciate that it doesn’t go beyond that though. I also wasn’t a big fan of Bryson’s sister or Darcy’s mom in the beginning but they grew on me.
Overall, it was a really good book! I’m really looking forward to reading the third book.
There was a lot to love about this book. The writing, the characters, the romance, and the faith content. Also if you’re a dog/animal lover, I think you’ll love the parts where Darcy is training dogs!
There were only a few things that I didn’t care for as much in this book. Only minor things. One of the things was when the MC made some poor choices at a bar but I did see how it was a part of her character growth and worked with the theme of the story. A few times the kissing was a little more than I like but I did appreciate that it doesn’t go beyond that though. I also wasn’t a big fan of Bryson’s sister or Darcy’s mom in the beginning but they grew on me.
Overall, it was a really good book! I’m really looking forward to reading the third book.
travelerswife4life's review
4.0
Do you like broodingly dark, handsome, and humble characters? Well then, I present to you the perfect book: Love and the Silver Lining.
This book was on my TBR list the second Tammy L. Gray announced it last year. The first book in the series was one my top five reads last year. Thankfully, this book had much of the same flow and character intonation, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
I loved the faith elements Tammy L. Gray wove in, and I thought her characters decisions were very believable. Tough choices for her characters were handled with the same strife you or I would go through when making life altering decisions. But I loved how even amid all the turmoil both characters continued to be the light to those around them.
Favorite quote: “This is your NO. And I’m sorry it happened, and I’m sorry you’re so wrecked by it, but it’s not going to change, no matter how many pints of ice cream you consume.”
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
This book was on my TBR list the second Tammy L. Gray announced it last year. The first book in the series was one my top five reads last year. Thankfully, this book had much of the same flow and character intonation, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
I loved the faith elements Tammy L. Gray wove in, and I thought her characters decisions were very believable. Tough choices for her characters were handled with the same strife you or I would go through when making life altering decisions. But I loved how even amid all the turmoil both characters continued to be the light to those around them.
Favorite quote: “This is your NO. And I’m sorry it happened, and I’m sorry you’re so wrecked by it, but it’s not going to change, no matter how many pints of ice cream you consume.”
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
eemillers15's review
3.0
I’m still trying to figure out how I feel about this book. There were definite highs and lows.
Darcy finds her life as she knows it turned upside down when a multitude of things go wrong. Her mission trip is cancelled, her parents are getting a divorce, she’s losing her apartment, and now has no job with no place to live. She receives an opportunity to help rehabilitate dogs with one of her friends and finds a new life through the turmoil.
So first-the positive:
Bryson’s character development was so good and the wholesomeness between Darcy, Charlie, and the dogs were the highlight of the book.
It was an easy read that eventually felt like a positive ride with faith.
Now for the dislikes:
SPOILERS AHEAD:
One of the biggest things I disliked about this book was, once again, the characters acted like they were 18, not 29.
Cameron is the biggest man-child when it comes to his relationship with Darcy. He’s so toxic and misogynistic when it comes to the thought of his best friend being happy. He throws her insecurities in her face and constantly belittles her feelings.
Darcy, on the other hand, doesn’t even defend herself. She’s blinded by her unhealthy friendship with Cam and can’t imagine putting love above him.
I felt like the faith part of this book was more of an afterthought, but overall, I liked how it was wrapped up and how the story came together.
Darcy finds her life as she knows it turned upside down when a multitude of things go wrong. Her mission trip is cancelled, her parents are getting a divorce, she’s losing her apartment, and now has no job with no place to live. She receives an opportunity to help rehabilitate dogs with one of her friends and finds a new life through the turmoil.
So first-the positive:
Bryson’s character development was so good and the wholesomeness between Darcy, Charlie, and the dogs were the highlight of the book.
It was an easy read that eventually felt like a positive ride with faith.
Now for the dislikes:
SPOILERS AHEAD:
One of the biggest things I disliked about this book was, once again, the characters acted like they were 18, not 29.
Cameron is the biggest man-child when it comes to his relationship with Darcy. He’s so toxic and misogynistic when it comes to the thought of his best friend being happy. He throws her insecurities in her face and constantly belittles her feelings.
Darcy, on the other hand, doesn’t even defend herself. She’s blinded by her unhealthy friendship with Cam and can’t imagine putting love above him.
I felt like the faith part of this book was more of an afterthought, but overall, I liked how it was wrapped up and how the story came together.
heyanci's review
4.0
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