Sycamore Circle is the second book in the Rumors in Ross County series. Shelley Shepard Gary is an author who is talented in writing multiple genres.
I enjoyed reading Bo and Joy's story. They both do community service.
She's helping people better themselves as she's serving as a literacy teacher. Bo is a counselor for transitioning ex-cons. He's big, brawny has tattoos and is an ex-con she's soft, sweet and kind to everyone. You wouldn't think there would be that connection there but there is. Both are learning to trust again and recovering from things in their past. Joy has an ex-husband, a daughter and a secret she's been keeping from Bo. Someone is stalking her and sending harassing messages to her. The story moves at a steady pace and escalates as we approach the end. This is not one of the author's Amish books but there are Amish characters and the culture added to the book which I enjoyed. A light faith message, we see no one can do it all but through him all things are possible. Positive and uplifting. I look forward to many more books by this author.

Pub Date 07 Feb 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Sycamore Circle is a safe little neighborhood... or is it?

The second book in Shelley Shepard Gray's The Rumors in Ross County series is fast-paced, dangerous, and unlike any other book you'll read. It's filled with quite an assortment of characters—from mentors to criminals, moms to Amish boys, and everything in between, this book has them all!

The plot will keep you turning pages until you have it puzzled out. But then you'll still keep turning fast to see how it all plays out!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sycamore Circle

by Shelley Shepard Gray

Madisonville is a prison in the novel Sycamore Circle. Lincoln was formerly incarcerated there, as were the men who work under him in the organization called T-DOT (Tomorrow Depends on Today). The group tries to rehabilitate former inmates, giving them practical skills by restoring houses and flipping them. They also learn self-discipline and how to survive in the outside world. Lincoln has earned the respect of law enforcement, probation officers, and prison officials. The program is voluntary, but the men who sign up agree to certain rules and will be kicked out of the program if they don’t abide by them.

Bo is Lincoln’s friend and his right hand man at T-DOT. He spent three years incarcerated as a felon, but has turned his life around. He is attracted to Joy, a literary tutor he met in a coffee shop, but he realizes that she is a special lady and he doesn’t know how to approach her. Joy has been divorced for 4 years from Tony, a man who constantly put her down. He had an affair and wanted to move on. Despite being a terrible and stingy ex-husband, he is a good father to their 16 year old daughter Chloe.

Joy and Bo are moving extremely slowly into a friendship when Joy starts receiving calls, texts, and letters from a stalker. Bo realizes how serious this could be and turns on his protection mode.

This story is well-written with likable characters, understandable relationship hesitations, and a lot of suspects for who the stalker might be. There is a subplot of an abused teenage boy who is trying to decide on a commitment to the Amish way. I was fortunate to read this on a day I could devote a lot of time to it as I wanted to keep reading until the end to find out who the stalker really is and what the future holds for Joy, Bo, and Chloe.

Trust is one of the themes of this series. It is a problem the former inmates and the people they come in contact with both have. Can someone who has done hard time in prison be trusted again? Even family members can have difficulty trusting their love ones, questioning if the changes are real. If they can’t be integrated into society again and find meaningful, financially sufficient employment, how can they survive without breaking the law again? Although this theme is not stated directly, it is the undercurrent of the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Christian, Mystery and Thriller, Romance

Notes: 1. #2 in the Rumors in Ross County series, but could be a standalone.
2. I found that the stalker element leaned this mystery slightly into the thriller category.

Publication: February 7, 2023—Blackstone Publishing

Memorable Lines:

…he realized that he was going to need to be real patient if he wanted a chance with Joy—and that he was going to have to bring his A game too. She was not the kind of woman to accept a date on the fly or put up with him being anything but respectful and kind. I had been noted.

But he wasn’t worried about the Lord being upset with him. He’d started talking to God on his own years ago. Though it wasn’t something that he was comfortable sharing, he was pretty sure the Lord was still going to have his back whether he was Amish or not.

She treated him to a fake smile too. The kind women gave to security guards and annoying salespeople. Like she was glad for his place in her world, but she didn’t want them to connect on a regular basis.

I Loved this book - it is the perfect follow-up to Edgewater Road! If you love love, second chances, a little intrigue then you will love this story about Joy Howard and her daughter Chloe and Samuel "Bo" Beauman. Shelley Shepard Gray is one of my go to author's and so far she has not left me disappointed. I usually read Amish Fiction stories but Ms. Gray pulls me out of my comfort zone and it works every time. I do not think it is necessary to read Edgewater Road first but it will clarify some of the characters and their background.

Sycamore Circle by Shelley Shepard Gray is book 2 in the Rumors in Ross County Series. This was the first book that I’ve read in this series and I did not have any trouble picking up this book and reading it as a standalone novel. This is one of the best books I’ve read recently. I loved so many things about it. The unconventional love story, the stalker— so much would make it a great read. But there is so much of God’s redemption in this book. This truly makes it special. Now I need to go read the first one! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Sycamore Circle is Shelley Shepard Gray's latest novel and it is a good one! It takes us back to Ross County where we see Lincoln and Jennifer and all of their people. This time, it focuses on Bo, who is one of Lincoln's right hand men. When Bo meets Joy in a coffee shop, he is sure she won't want anything to do with an ex-con. But, surprisingly, they discover that they have a connection. When Joy starts receiving threatening notes and messages, Bo goes into protective mode to help her, drawing them even closer. But, when the notes escalate, can he help her in time?
A great book and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend, and you don't even need to read the first one in the series, although I would say that you should want to!
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read.

It seems like forever since we first met Lincoln and his group of ex-cons. This is Bo's story. He meets Joy at a coffee shop where she is tutoring someone in reading. Just hearing her voice draws him in. Their relationship is so sweet because of both of their insecurities, his with his past and hers with being divorced. Someone has targeted Joy and Bo wants nothing more than to help her find out who is after her and to protect her.

Just like in Edgewater Road, the guys are there for each other. If one of them needs something all they have to do is ask. Bo's friends are there for him when he really needs them. This is a romance story but it's also a story of forgiveness, overcoming your past, friendships that can't be broken, brotherhood, mystery, suspense, and a story of faith. I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

SYCAMORE CIRCLE, The Rumors in Ross County Series, Book 2
Shelley Shepard Gray, Author
https://bit.ly/3GmCmZx
Romance/Mystery/Thriller

With Joy’s busy life, she has very little time for boyfriends; when Bo walks into her life, it is love at first sight - for him. Then she starts having issues with a stalker, and he is right there to help her out.

This was a very good book and not as “Christian” as I thought it might be. There is little to no talk of Christianity besides an off the cuff mention of praying. I found it to be a nice clean romance. Plus a very good mystery. I myself didn’t guess the stalker until it was revealed. I would definitely give this a 5 out of 5 stars.

This is the second book in the Rumors in Ross County series, and I was hooked from the get-go. I listened to the audio version of the story and loved the narrator did perfectly in her reading.
Divorce can sometimes be messy, especially when children are involved. When we meet the main character, Joy Howard, she is newly divorced and co-parenting to raise a teenager. Life is already hectic before she gets mysterious texts and phone calls from unknown numbers, escalating into an unsafe situation. The mystery of trying to figure out who the mystery stalker is thrilling. I did not guess the outcome of this story and am excited for the next in the series to be written and released.
I am a paranoid, red-flag-seeing type of reader. Every red flag or hint had me telling my husband my theories. Of course, none were correct. I am generally a quick reader, but this book was the fastest I’ve ever read. I could not stop listening to the audiobook. I had it playing non-stop because I HAD to know what would happen next.

This is book 2 in the Ross County series by Shelley Shepard Gray. Joy Shepard is the divorced mother of a 16 year old daughter. She teaches adults to read. Her heart goes out to them and she is very patient. She uses a coffee shop and the library to meet and teach. Bo is an ex-con who works with other ex-cons as they re-enter life after prison. He sees Joy at a coffee shop and cannot forget her as he finds himself drawn to her. He must find out who she is and more about her. Thus begins a most interesting book about the ex con, Joy, her daughter and her ex husband. We also have a young Amish man who is in the process of leaving the Amish faith. Then all is not as it seems with one of Joy’s male students. Hold on to your seats for this suspense filled drama…..I was given a digital copy from the publisher and I am happy to leave my review.

Bo is a stand-up guy who made mistakes in his past and is now spending his life helping others who find themselves in a similar situation - working with other ex-cons to transition from prison to regular life. It’s not easy but his no-nonsense attitude and occasional tough love helps.

Bo was one of my favorites from book 1 - his steady presence and Southern boy charm makes him a heart-stealer. Having him do something as fanciful as falling for someone at first sight is a hoot, but Joy proves to be a good choice as she is just as giving and big-hearted as he is. She volunteers her time teaching adults to read and is ready to look to the heart of people, not just what you see on the surface.

My biggest complaint with this book is that I would have loved for Joy and Bo to spend more time together. I found them delightful as a couple and would have enjoyed seeing their relationship develop and deepen. But that’s the romance reader in me - maybe this one would fall more towards women’s fiction as the author does a good job of letting us into the characters' lives and thoughts.

The Rumors in Ross County series so far has given us two slow burn, clean stories about ex-cons and the women who stole their hearts. There’s a little suspense and tension at the end to keep us on our toes but at its heart Sycamore Circle is all about Bo & Joy falling in love.

Sycamore Circle was a book that was hard to set down! It is book two in the Rumors in Ross County series, but can easily be picked up and enjoyed on its own, without having read book one, Edgewater Road. Since I had read book one, I already knew Bo and some of the other men who helped ex-cons adjust to life after prison. They were also ex-cons themselves, including Bo. It was very clear that Bo had changed his life years earlier and that he was a good and honorable man. He had a worldly roughness about him, yet also a caring and protective side. He went above and beyond to help his friends, family, and those he cared about.

I really liked the way the relationship developed between Bo and Joy. They were both such nice characters and it was fun to see such a kind and caring many fall for Joy after she had spent the last four years knowing that her husband had cheated on her and left her for another woman. Now a kind, handsome, younger man was showing interest in her and treating her daughter with respect and thoughtfulness, as well. It was sweet.

There was a thread of suspense in the story relating to texts and letters that Joy was receiving from what appeared to be a potential stalker. The author did a great job of keeping me guessing at who it could be. There was also a nice side story involving a romance that grew gently between Joy’s teenage daughter, Chloe, and an Amish boy, Finn.

I am really enjoying this series and look forward to reading more books from it in the future.

(4.5 stars)

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

In Book one of this series, titled Edgewater Road, readers meet Jennifer and Lincoln, and learn how they met and fell in love. The sequel introduces readers to Joy Howard and Bo Beauman, how they meet and get to know each other. Joy is a tutor; she specializes in teaching people to read. There is something about Joy that catches Bo’s attention. He asks her out and she says yes, Then the fun begins.

Bo has been out of jail for a long time and likes helping Lincoln with the guys in the program. It helps him keep the main thing the main thing in his life. Bo and Joy struggle with their past, and which way to take in their continued healing. They’ve been stuck. How does one truly live life?

While they are trying to figure out what moving on looks like, Joy starts getting these strange notes. She doesn’t share them with anyone until they become threatening, and scary. I loved the mystery and how the author shines the light to so many suspects. It could be anyone. This is an intriguing mystery, with a surprise twist at the end.

With a busy life as a single mother, Joy Howard has her plate full. With an active teenager, working as a literacy tutor and painter to survive, romance is not even something she has time for. As they say, people come into your life for a reason. Love can come when you’re not looking.

One thing that Bo Beauman wasn’t in the market for was a girlfriend. However, when a breath of fresh air caught his attention and shined brighter than the son, he caught a glimpse of the possibility of letting someone into his complicated life. On the road to changing his life, being a counselor to fellow ex-cons and working to create a stable life, he is looking to go forward rather than backwards. Taking a chance, they both hit it off and despite their obvious differences, gives him a purpose and hope to look forward to.

As their interests grow, Joys starts to get random texts and phone calls from unknown callers. Uncertain who to trust, she struggles to cope with the situation and finds herself cautiously leaning towards Bo. As things escalate and the truth is uncovered, the boundaries of their potential relationship get pushed to define the possibilities that seemed like a limited future.

Sycamore Circle is the anticipated follow up to the initial book in The Rumors in Ross County series. Honestly, this is a tough one for me. I’m new to the series and wonder if reading the preceding book would have influenced my thoughts. This book not only introduced me to the author but this sequel comes anticipated from the first book. My issue isn’t with the plot of the book. As I was reading the book, I was waiting for that moment that just demanded an emotional investment. It just wasn’t there for me. I felt neutral but interested to see where it would take me. I loved the characters in the book and their storylines but I wish there had been more.

Bo and Joy were complicated and frustrating. Two different people that were destined to be together, I wish their relationship could’ve been more definitive and fleshed out. I wanted to fall in love with the redeemed man who deserved to prove he could love and be loved. The love/hate relationship with certain members of his family and when he had that call and request from his brother, I was so invested to see how that would play out because what they thought played a huge role in how he felt about himself. We saw how that was affected by his interest with Joy. If he would’ve gotten that moment alone with his brother, and got the acceptance that he was a changed man, that confidence would’ve transformed his insecurity of his self worth.

The transition of their situation is where I was stuck. I loved the two broken people coming together. I just wish there was a more cohesive emotional continuity to them. Yes, they had issues and trust problems that built and led them where they had to go but what were they? I get where some things can be inferred but their conflicted status between friends, wanting to date, and acquaintances is what disconnected me from wanting to love them. This perspective would've made this page turning for me.

The suspense element of the book was well played. I would’ve never expected that plot twist and that brought some excitement for me. I will say that part of the book to the end piqued my interest more with resolution with the epilogue.

Despite my thoughts, I’m going to go back and read book one and anticipate book three if there shall be to see if I feel differently. From reading how other readers felt about this book, they overwhelmingly loved it so I will definitely keep an open mind. If you are a fan of this series, I encourage you to check it out to see what it’s about because it has a good plot and for continuity with the series.

Gray is a master at creating appealing rough around the edges characters. Bo’s compassion and toughness are a compelling combo. It’s interesting seeing him work with the various men. He has a very unique side job a couple times a year. It would have made for a great scene when Joy found out about it but it didn’t happen. It felt a little pointless since nothing came of it. Maybe that’s for a future book?

This book deals with some hard things like transitioning from jail back into society, stalkers, illiteracy, harsh expectations and more. While this is not a Christian book, the issues are dealt with in a graceful, wise manner.

I enjoyed this book but I felt like a few things (at least three) were hinted at that were never resolved. So it felt a little unfinished for me.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is the second book in Shelly Shepherd Gray new series .Rumors of Ross County. This is a contemporary Romance mystery. This book is about Bo and Joy. Bo is an ex-con who works for Lincoln.Bo is a good man who made a mistake. He meets Joy at a coffee shop. He hears her sweet voice and sees her kindness and once to get to know her. Joy is a single mom raising a teenage girl and teaches people how to read. This is a beautiful story of making a mistake and trying to go on with life. I really enjoyed the characters and also the storyline. Shelly Shepherd Gray is an Amish book writer who also writes Beautiful contemporary romances and Mysteries. After reading the first book I could not wait to start reading the second book. For me this book shows you that even though you can make a mistake in life God gives us another chance to improve our life to help others.

Shelley Shepard Gray always writes characters that feel very real and honest. She doesn't write about billionaires or super soldiers - she writes about single mom's and men who are trying to change their lives. And this book is no exception. It will definitely resonate with you and give you a lot of things to think about.

Bo is an ex-con who truly has changed course since his time in prison. He was never a bad person or a career criminal. He's a good man who ended up in a bad situation. Since he's been out of prison he's been working to help others find a new path in life after they've served their time. Meeting Joy is something of a revelation to him. He truly feels unlovable - so to find someone he's interested in and wants to connect with on a deeper level is pretty amazing. Joy is a very sweet person - who truly is one of those angel people out there. She's a single mom who is really struggling - but trying to do the best for her daughter and still make a difference in her community. Meeting Bo challenges her to open her heart and mind - to find love and comfort after a tough divorce.

I loved the storyline for the book and the characters - but there was just something missing for me. I think the connection between Bo and Joy was undeniable - but I wanted to see more time between them on the pages. We spend a lot of time watching the characters do other things - with other parts of their lives - but not enough together. There were also a fair few unresolved threads to the story - like Bo's modeling and relationship with his family and Joy's family too. But overall - I enjoyed this a lot and I hope Shelley Shepard Gray writes a few more books in this world!

If you are reading this book - and want a song to go with it - I'd recommend Wreckage by Nate Smith. It captures the vibe of this book so perfectly. This book does have some Christian themes - but as Christian romance goes it is not very heavy on that side. So as someone who doesn't usually read that genre - it still works for me.

I received this book as an ARC via NetGallley, but these opinions are all my own.

Bo starts to fall for Joy when he overhears her soothing voice at the coffee shop. Jo is as sweet as her voice. Bo has made mistakes in the past and paid for them. Now he is a sweet and caring man. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This book contains a mystery, suspense, a sweet romance, family dynamics, wonderful characters, and a great story. Even though this book can be enjoyed as a standalone, I love this series and highly recommend it. Both of these characters get a terrific chance at a new life and a new love. I love this heartwarming book.

4.5 stars

I have one word for you when it comes to Shelley Shepard Gray’s newest Rumors of Ross County book – Bo. This ex-con turned mentor grabbed my interest in Edgewater Road and he grabbed my heart in Sycamore Circle. Part Southern gentleman, part rough-around-the-edges former bad boy, he is completely swoonworthy. That accent (which Gray describes perfectly) … be still my heart. And there’s something about a guy like Bo saying endearments with that drawl that makes you all melty inside.

Joy is equally lovable, just in different ways lol. She’s got a kind heart (and a voice to match – which is what drew Bo to her in the first place) and believes the best about people, despite the struggles she’s faced with her ex-husband. I appreciated her passion for teaching adults to read, and I loved watching her with her teenage daughter Chloe, too. Bo’s gentle but persistent pursuit of Joy is especially sweet, and his kisses raise the heat quite nicely.

Along with the brewing romance between Bo & Joy, there are a few other subplots that add layers to the story and infuse a bit of suspense that keeps you on your readerly toes. One of those is a precious friendship-maybe-more for Joy’s daughter Chloe and an Amish young man which also serves as a sweet nod to Gray’s prolific Amish novels. I really loved reading about these two and would love to spend time with them in future books. I also thought the suspense thread of Joy receiving threatening messages was very well written and kept me guessing as to who was behind them. (I was wrong lol)

Bottom Line: Once again, Shelley Shepard Gray has created a heartwarming page-turner of a romance. Vividly drawn characters with compelling backstories and intriguing layers keep you firmly invested in the outcome, and you’ll be cheering for Bo & Joy to find a happily-ever-after despite the obstacles in their way. A dash of suspense infuses the plot with more than just the romantic kind of tension and sometimes makes it difficult to breathe for reasons beyond Bo’s swoonilicious kisses. Readers will be on guard as much as Joy, and you’ll find your heart in your throat as the suspense thread crescendos to a dramatic finish. Sycamore Circle is a must-read for fans of bad-boy-good-girl romance, Shelley Shepard Gray’s books, or just a good story with engaging characters.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Sycamore Circle is a very well written romance. Ms. Gray has written another winner. I always know when I pick up a book by this author that I am going to enjoy my read. I highly recommend this book.