I received a free eARC from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is my own honest opinion about the book.

Book Review: Where Loyalty Lies
Release Date: July 15th, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - really liked it
🌶️🌶️ Behind closed doors

(These opinions are mine, if you don't agree, talk about that on your page)

Highlights:
Strength - Her willingness to leave her husband because she knew it wasn’t right for her.
Peace - The way the main characters fall in love slowly, after building their relationship on a strong foundation.
Shocking - I was near tears during the climax of the book.

*Spoilers Ahead*

What I loved:
This entire book felt like a cozy read for a rainy day.
The way the characters don’t immediately KNOW they’re in love, but ease into it, building on a friendship first.

What I did not love:
Her family. Her sister especially.
I feel like it could have been a little bit faster paced and the timeline of the whole book was a little hard to keep track of with all the “a couple of weeks later” going on.

Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok will be posted later today (6/26/25) @freya.victoria.narrates

This book was so good it was emotional
Relatable easy Page Turner get your box of tissues ready because you’re going to need it. I would love to recommend this book to so many people that are looking for this genre.

oh this book was hitting different. and what an emotional gutter punch at times but emotional lifting at others.
love is shown in all its glory here and Elle has exquisite writing skills that make this story come alive.as a reader i was invested and i was connected to the characters so much that i really cared about what was happening for them and then what would happen to them even past the ending of the book.
Emerson has me rooting for her from the very beginning. the situation she is stuck in filled me with so much pain for her. from her marriage to her other family this woman deserved so much more. when she found the bravery to leave it all behind i was her number one cheerleader. and who is there, ohhhhhhhhh who is there but our Sam( yes he is "our" Sam now because hes just lovely). he is there for Emerson and will do anything to be there for her. i felt lucky to read about these two. i felt lucky to have such beautiful writing of such a wonderful love. i felt lucky that i got to love this book.
i love how Elle gave us a story of love and people with no apologies for who they were. it was true, it was immersive, it was beautiful.
i loved this book and cant quite get over just how much i implore anyone to read it. you wont regret a second of it. the only bad thing about it is the loss you feel when its over.

Where Loyalty Lies is a story that completely captured my heart. It beautifully explores the journey of self-discovery, healing, and the kind of love that grows through authenticity and vulnerability. Watching Sam and Emerson's relationship evolve felt so real, it wasn't rushed or overly perfect, but honest, emotional, and full of those quiet moments that stay with you. Their growth, both individually and together, was written with such depth and care.

There were scenes that truly gutted me! The emotional tension had me holding my breath, heart pounding, and covered in goosebumps. I didn't expect to feel so much, but this story got under my skin in the most powerful way.

And let's talk about the setting! Elle Christopher's vivid descriptions made the atmosphere come alive. The small town vibes, the oasis, the warmth of the sun... I felt like I was standing right there with the characters, soaking it all in. It was completely immersive, and honestly, I never wanted to leave. Take me to the oasis, please!

Grateful to have had the chance to read this incredible story! Where Loyalty Lies follows Emerson, our FMC, as she escapes a years long loveless marriage and a lifetime of not feeling like she can measure up to those who should love her regardless…. We get to follow along as Emerson finds herself and her new freedom - she never guessed that she might find something else… or someone else. But when the right person appears even at the wrong time - you can’t pass that up. Emerson is such a strong character and I loved getting to watch her discover that for herself. The little lakeside town of Tunbridge and Emerald Lake itself were so dreamy and picturesque - I wish I could visit myself! This was such an emotional and beautiful story of self discovery, healing, and so much more.

Elle Christopher’s Where Loyalty Lies is an earnest look at a woman coming into her own with the help of a welcoming community. The characters are likable and well developed and the message of the plot is sincere and hopeful. The book could use some editing to streamline the story, but overall this is a pleasant read.

I loved the premise of ‘Where Loyalty Lies’ by Elle Christopher, and the execution delivered.

It’s raw, deep, and incredibly moving.

Here’s a glimpse of the author’s words,

‘What Love Really Is

You never asked me
to be less
so you could feel like more.

You never tried
to fix the broken parts—
just held them
like they were whole.’

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this heartfelt novel.