A perfect ending to a beautifully written series that touches on topics that will make you take stock of your life.

Without giving anything away, you know by the end of the novella that the Eight will be ok. Each book and novella is written as standalone reads but I heavily suggest you start with Friends to the End and read in order. You will get so much more out of the books. I have needed tissues with every story but that is good for me as it means that it was a memorable read for me.

Beth's story touches on the thoughts I had in the early dating stages of my husband. If something tragic happens early on, how do you grieve? Sometimes you know from the beginning that you have found your person. I wanted to reach into the novella and comfort Beth with lots of hugs.

A quick read for an afternoon but one that stays with you long after.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Gallery Books, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

I received an ARC copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I normally read psychological thrillers but sometimes it is nice to read a sweet Amish book. I have read all of them in the series about the 8 friends and this was enjoyable but too short. I finished in a few hours. But it was sweet.

A group of friends meet in a cabin before Christmas. Remembering their friend that died, and meeting a girl lost in the woods. Not really an Amish story, but kept my interest. Would recommend,

This was a super addition to Shelly Gray's Walnut Creek series! You don't really have to read them in order but the relationships between the characters may make more sense if you do.

You're actually getting two stories being told simultaneously! The main story is the friends on a mini vacation before the upcoming Christmas holiday and a smaller hilarious tale of a Christmas past told in short paragraphs at the top of each chapter. I loved it and was totally enthralled with both stories!

Nothing seems to be going as planned on their vacation in the woods, the cabin is crummy and not at all what was expected and then an uninvited visitor. This story while short brought so much to the table as it reminds us that things may not always go as we have planned but that's okay because sometimes The Lord puts us where we "need to be" and at "the time we need to be there!"

A warm and cozy tale about friendship, loss, and healing.

The eight are back in this wonderful story of love and understanding!

On a vacation, the eight meet a most interesting girl, who stumbles into their vacation and reflection time with one another. Some of the eight are more willing than others at first to welcome this stranger into their fold but the rest come around. The eight have gotten together to remember their leader and his life along with his friendship and the love they all share. Little do they realize that God is sending someone their way for help in a subject that is close to ALL their hearts and minds. The eight have went through many obstacles and The Lord continues to bless and add to their lives after Andy leaves them unexpectedly.

Full of love, acceptance, and God leading the way! This book is full of surprises and moments of pure joy and love, as well as, some moments of serious help and intervention. A must read!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher for my honest opinion.

A sweet Christmas Novella and we are back with the eight. Although, this is a short read, this story packs a lot into it, and it filled with love and compassion, who wouldn't want to be friends with group.
At the top of each chapter there is a small blip of a side story, but then we are gifted by this author of a read that resonates of the true meaning of Christmas, and when the last page is turned, I wanted more!
Can't wait for future stories of this wonderful group!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Gallery Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

This is a well written book that is full of emotions. Once you start reading it, you can't stop. A beautiful story of Christmas hope, faith and love. Thank you Gallery Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Promises of Tomorrow (Walnut Creek #4.5)
by Shelley Shepard Gray
A Novella that wets the whistle. This short story is a stepping stone move introducing another character to the Eight. On a weekend retreat before Christmas and the busy season to come the Eight arrange a weekend up in the mountains. They are interrupted by an uninvited visitor, that shows them the remarkable emotional healing the group has gone through in the last two years since the death of Andy. This young lady is in the throws of understanding morning, and loss. Its a great snippet of the story, and shows the development of the Eight not only in their personal changes, but in understanding how the loss of Andy has changed them.

I have read several of Shelley Shepard Gray's books and I have loved all of them. This one did not disappoint except for the fact it seemed really short. I loved the storyline & the Christian theme. It was an interesting theme & I really hadn't read one like it before.

Beth is a college aged girl who has just recently lost the love of her life from the flu. She goes off on a "retreat" to get away from everything. While there, she gets lost in the woods trying to find her cabin. The Eight are a group of friends who have also recently lost a friend, Andy, to suicide. They decide to also get away on a retreat to a cabin in the woods to reflect and come together as a group again. Both sets find that their cabins are less than desirable and feel like they've made a mistake coming until Beth gets lost & ends up at the cabin door of the Eight. Through the time they spend together, they learn more about who they are and how to deal with grief. I loved the Christian theme in this book and the promise that tomorrow always comes and better days are ahead!

Thank you to Gallery Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of the book.

This novella is part of the Walnut Creek series. It can be read as a stand-alone story, but will provide spoilers for the earlier books in the series.

This is a nice Christmas story about coping with death, loss, and grief. The main characters are engaging and likeable, and there is a simple but effective Christian message. Having lost my mother this year, this really resonated with me. I have never read the Walnut Creek series before, but I will definitely do so now.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

A close-knit group of young married couples (the Eight) still dealing with the death of one of their friends (two years previous) work through their feelings at a pre-Christmas getaway. Their rental cabin doesn’t quite meet expectations but they make the best of it. The arrival of a young woman during a snowstorm adds a layer of tension but could also be an unexpected blessing. Tragedy, faith, and the miracle of Christmas all combine in a novella that fans of the Walnut Creek series are sure to enjoy.