In the Fullness of Time by Terry Roberts is a richly told and deeply moving novel that blends historical depth with unforgettable storytelling. From the first page, Roberts immerses you in a vivid world, bringing both the setting and the characters to life with authenticity and grace.

The story is layered with emotional resonance, exploring themes of love, loss, resilience, and the quiet strength found in everyday lives. The prose is both lyrical and approachable, making the reading experience as beautiful as it is engaging.

This is the kind of novel that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page—thought-provoking, heartfelt, and timeless. If you enjoy historical fiction with depth and humanity, In the Fullness of Time is an absolute must-read.

As a NetGalley reader, I find that one of the by bi-products of the privilege to read an advance copy (or listen to an advanced audiobook) is finding hidden gems that this reader may not necessarily run into in my ordinary book seeking travels. This book in particular was a hidden gem and an absolute delight to have the honor of listening to. One mark of a good book is when you start to feel like they are "found" family and you look forward to the next chapter of their lives. I am a reader of all different genres so this particular book is one I likely would have considered for the literary fiction category that it is set in. However, what I would have missed if I were someone who reads romance is how this story weaves an absolutely beautiful romance of two people in their mid-life and how that relationship unfolded to create this lasting impression for this reader.

Clinton Salter is the sheriff who never wanted to be sheriff. A World War II veteran and widower, he is elected due to the political machinations of his brother. When he first takes office, he hopes only to deal with the drunk and disorderly and stolen tractors, but matters quickly accelerate into arson, grave robbing, and murder, and he begins to suspect his own brother’s motives. He finds solace in the friendship of Catherine Metcalf, a lonely high school principal whose husband has been in a coma and dying for years.

This describes the meat of the novel but what plays out in the story is an unfolding of deeper layers between the couple and also at it's core the integrity that rules Clinton's life. The author gives us the full depth and breath of his main character in such a way that I really wanted to know this man in real life. Not because he was perfect but because he was a solid, strength from within genuine type of person. The way he handled so many tragedies in his life was at the core of this book and it made me hope for good men to exist in this world today. I cannot wait to read more from Terry Roberts. I live in Eastern NC but have been to the mountains that this story is set in and I could picture what the author wrote about even if the setting was 60 years ago. The audiobook was narrated perfectly and I highly recommend it for your source to read this outstanding book.

I received an advanced audio copy of "In the Fullness of Time" from Netgalley. Thank you Netgalley and Terry Roberts. This is my honest review.

When Clinton arrives as the new sheriff in Madison County, North Carolina, he is a War Veteran, a widow, and parent. He has been elected as sheriff with the help of his brother. Clinton is hoping for some small crime and time on his land. A quiet life.

What he finds is an area full of corruption, politics, and murder. As he tries to solve the murders, find his place, and reconnect with his estranged son, he also falls in love with the local (married) principal.

This is a touching story of finding your place later in life when your children are grown, your spouse is gone and you try to find where you belong again. Terry Roberts does a wonderful job of drawing you with details and a way with words that makes you feel hopeful again for yourself and the characters.

This is the first book I have encountered by the author, but will certainly not be the last.

I listened to the audiobook, which was masterfully narrated, and was immediately drawn into the time and place the story was set. The evocative story elicited a full range of emotions, with me laughing out loud in places and brought tears to the eyes in others. The story felt so real, and brought to mind the complexity of relationships, and the potential for surprising second chances at any stage of life.

I loved the nature elements portrayed, and the nuanced relationships between the (mostly lovable) characters.

About halfway through the audiobook, I looked up Terry Roberts' previous books and added a couple to my reading list.

Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridgeAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for my honest review.

I believe this is the first I’ve read from this author, and I’m really hoping that this is the beginning of a series!

That being said, this revolves around Clint, a WWII veteran, who is kind of thrown into being sheriff of a small town in North Carolina in the 1960’s…. by his brother, Will.
He figures if nothing else, he’ll be able to straighten a few things out while he’s elected. He doesn’t really expect that too much is going on in his small town. He would be very wrong on this count…

And, Clint just happens to be a wonderful guy. (He actually reminded me a lot of my Dad… ❤️)
In addition to being sheriff he also runs a farm. And, has dogs!🐕 🐶
He’s also a widow…

When he randomly meets Kat, a school principal, they immediately form a friendship!
(Her husband has been hospitalized for years…)

I will say that this one had a lot of surprises in it… at least for me! Some ups, some downs, some things that just left my mouth hanging open! 😮😮

All in all… just left me with a feeling like a warm ((hug))… all around! So yes, all the feels for me!!! 😊❤️

5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!!

#InTheFullnessOfTime by @TerryRoberts. Narrated beautifully by @RobertFass.

*** THIS ONE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET!!! *** PLEASE LOOK FOR IT ON 8/5/25!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HighBridgeAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

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Clinton Salter is elected as sheriff of his rural county in the North Carolina mountains. He isn't sure the role is meant for him- his brother pressured him to run. But he immediately goes about setting things to rights. Firing corrupt deputies. And investigating fires that were previously ignored. As he goes on, he develops a relationship with the local school principal. But it is all very complicated.


I often get annoyed when things are tagged as romance when they really aren't a romance. This is the first time I've come across the opposite. This was marketed in the "literary fiction" and "mystery and thrillers" genres. While there are those elements, I feel like romance is one of the main components.

While this is set in the mid-1960s, it doesn't feel historical. At all. If not for a few mentions of things (and the lack of computers and cell phones), you'd never know this wasn't a contemporary novel.

That said, I did enjoy this. It is not a dark and twisty thriller- it is light and an easy read. I will say the main mystery (the fires) was kind of obvious. But I enjoyed watching Clinton growing into his role.

I do with there was more of a resolution with Matthew (his son).

Robert Fass narrates the audiobook.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

<b>Timeless Southern Storytelling</b>

In a landscape where morally gray characters are becoming more popular it is refreshing to meet a guy like Clint. He is a salt of the earth man who knows his precise measure. He is unapologetic about who he is and who he isn't.

🐑🐏🐎🐎

It's the mid 1960's in the North Carolina mountains and Clint Salter is content to live on his vast acreage, farming the land and raising his sheep. He's a widower and former WWII solider. His dogs, horses, and the occasional visit from his daughter are enough to sustain him. His political savvy brother Will does everything in his power to get Clint elected sheriff. Clint endeavors to serve his county to the best of his abilities. He takes on the job without expecting much in the way of trouble. However, his career begins with a bang 💥from grave robbing and barn burning to murder. At times he wonders if he's the right man for this job. He receives comfort from his budding relationship with Catherine Metcalf. Their relationship could cost her job as the local principal because although her husband has been slowly wasting away in a coma for years with no hope of recovery, she is still married. The clandestine meetings begin to become the brightest spots in both of their lives. When Clint sees the boot prints left by the barn burner on his own property things take a turn. He feels targeted and the danger could be lurking in the darkness most any night.

I listened to the audiobook, and it was engaging. Robert Fass voiced a variety of characters with a unique style that fit the material. The writing felt natural while the layers of the story unfolded at a perfect pace. The many facets of Clint's character kept me glued to the novel.

We need more men like Clint Salter in novels. Not only does he bring honor and integrity to the table he brings his amazing cornbread too.

Thank you to Highbridge Audio for providing an ALC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.