LOVE AND THE SILVER LINING by TAMMY L GRAY is a delightful romance novel with quite a lot of depth as the characters work through difficulties and disappointments with varying reactions. There is also a good Christian message running through the story.
Cameron and Darcy have been best friends practically from birth. Cameron is a musician who has joined their mutual friend Bryson's band., Black Carousel, which is really taking off.
I love the part that dogs play in the book and how Darcy, as she works with Charlie's dogs, allows the Lord to work in her at the same time.
It is a most enjoyable read and one I highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I have been anxiously waiting Tammy's next book and it did not disappoint!! She does such a phenomenal job of writing swoon worthy Christian romance. Showing that you can have Christ honoring relationship and still want to make out with your significant other! Hahah but seriously, she writes relatable, flawed characters that pull you in and have you rooting for them, issues and all!

I will tell you straight up that this is going to be an incredibly positive review. I loved this book. I loved it even more than the first one (this is #2 in the State of Grace series; although you might THINK you can read them as standalone, in my longstanding opinion it is a MUCH BETTER experience - remember, context is key - if you read things in order. So go ahead and read this review because I'm not going to give you any spoilers, then go get "Love and a Little White Lie" and read it first, pretty please.)

Darcy Malone has banked her future on a couple of things: she is going to be a missionary, and love is not reliable...the second conclusion reached following her parent's divorce. When the proverbial rug is yanked out from under her missionary plans at the last possible moment, she becomes paralyzed from one too many major letdowns at once.

Darcy's lifelong BEST FRIEND (yes the caps are intentional, because their BESTFRIENDNESS is a v. important part of the storyline) Cameron Lee had his own life turned upside down in book one, and he is counting on the band he joined to be his future. Cam is Darcy's go-to for basically everything - but when their mutual friend and lead singer in the band Bryson Katsaros is integral in finding Darcy a new place to live, she begins to look at him in a different light.

This book addresses grief - mourning the future you thought you were going to have; disconnecting from your faith and other things that kept you grounded - but still finding your way back; how even the deepestr of relationships can change and grow; and, not everything will be resolved by the end of the book - I appreciated the author's willingness to go there. The book is complete on its own but you will still look forward to the next one. Rich in snappy and compelling dialogue, laugh out loud moments, and dog training (you don't see too many romantic comedies that weave dog training into the story in an effective way, but this one does, and does it well)! I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I devoured this fantastic book in one day! Darcy Malone comes to a crossroads when her best-laid plans to become a missionary are dashed, and she's forced to find a new job and a place to live. An old friend and the town's resident "bad boy," Bryson Katsaros, offers for her to stay with his sister, and keeps Darcy company as she works to rehabilitate some abandoned dogs. This book was so unique, and subverted several rom-com and Christian fiction tropes in the best way. It felt very REAL, especially the parts where Darcy struggled with her faith as she wondered why sticking to the rules her whole life didn't "win" her her dream job, a concept I think a lot of Christians struggle with at times. I loved the way her and Bryson's relationship grew and how he challenged and supported her. (The only thing I didn't like was how cavalierly many of the Christian characters discussed having sex outside of marriage.) This book did not go at all the way I expected from the first book in the series, Love and a Little White Lie, but I am HAPPILY surprised. I will definitely be reading more by Tammy Gray. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book!

Ever since reading Love and a Little White Lie, I've been stalking Net Galley for when Love and the Silver Lining would release. Tammy L. Gray has quickly become a must-read author for me. The character relationships and most of all the beautiful faith elements, are what had me hooked. This was definitely a pager-turner for sure!

I love the first one and this new one didn't disappoint. I do recommend reading the first book in the series to understand the dynamic and history among the main characters.

Darcy has everything set up to leave on a mission trip when it's cancelled at the last minute. She finds herself without a place to live and without a job, and her life couldn't get any lower, or so she thinks.

Her best friend Cameron is actually happy she didn't go since he didn't want her gone for a year, and he invites her to stay with him, which is not the best option for Darcy. Instead, she stays with Bryson's sister, who has a spare bedroom.

Like I mentioned above, it's much easier to understand the dynamic between Darcy, Cameron and Bryson based on their history and relationship. At times, Darcy is clueless to what's right in front of her, and the silver lining is how things come to be in the end.

I really liked how she worked with the dogs to rehabilitate them and I even got teary eyed near the end (in regards to Louie).

I'm hoping the next story is about Cameron.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Love and the Silver Lining is book 2 in the State of Grace series by Tammy L. Gray. While this story can easily be read as a standalone, the background of Darcy and Cameron’s relationship, which is an integral part of this story, begins in book 1, Love and a Little White Lie.

I was really looking forward to reading this story. In book one, Bryson was portrayed as a moody dark character that I wasn’t sure I would like and I wasn’t sure how he would pair with Darcy. I’m happy to say that I really like this couple together. I liked how Bryson opened up to Darcy so we could know who he really is deep down, not the persona he shows everyone. I also liked how Bryson made Darcy see what was really holding her back. I can’t go into more details because of spoilers, but I feel it will make the next story very interesting.

I did feel like there needed to be a bit more levity in this story as a lot of it was tragic. It picked up at the end, but the overall feeling of the story was heavier than I usually like to read. That being said, I am looking forward to the next story, which I am hoping is Cameron’s. I really want to see how everything wraps up!

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

Darcy finds herself at a loss when here one year mission trip to Guatemala is abruptly cancelled, leaving her without a place to stay or a job. She falls back on her friendship with her best friend Cameron and gets involved with Bryson, Cameron's partner in his band. She falls back on her love of training dogs and Bryson has a place for her to do that and a spot to live -- rooming with his sister. This all works out well for Darcy but Cameron isn't OK with it all and Bryson is hard to read. It makes for an interesting and moving story. Well worth the read!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray is book 2 in the State of Grace series. I read the first book in the series and this one is even better. It can be read as a standalone novel, but it is even better if read after reading the first book. I love this author's ability to create realistic, broken characters who are relatable and grow throughout the book. I think readers of clean Christian romantic fiction will love this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I will give this one five hearts. I was pulled in so quickly and just felt a part of the story. I loved the way things were written and the internal struggle of the main character. This story had everything, loss, grief, relationships, a love triangle that remained unknown by the main character. There was sooo much, but there was also faith. Even with everything going on in the story, it felt real and it felt organic. It was the story of a girl and the things she was facing and how she got through.

I felt blessed to be privy to her insights and her heart ache. Even the side characters were genuine and not flat. There was depth and growth enough for everyone. It was the journey that was so beautiful. It was the characters learning to heal from each other.

I can't find all the words to tell how much I loved this story, It just sucked me in and wouldn't go. There was such an element of trusting God and trying to figure out how to let go.

I was so happy to be able to receive an early copy from NetGalley and share this honest review.

Goodness, I enjoyed this book! This was my favorite by this author that I've read so far. I love the way she creates characters and plumbs and reveals their hidden depths! I love the spiritual journey that Darcy went through in this book and the people (and dogs) that helped her. I'm not really an animal-lover so the fact that I felt the dogs in this book were full-on characters that moved this story forward in a spiritual way is pretty significant! I thought it was sheer brilliance the way the author used Darcy's training of each dog in her spiritual journey! And I seriously couldn't love Bryson any more if I tried. The depths of love he showed were breathtaking at times. I loved Charlie, Zoe, the journey with Darcy's parents and people in their lives - everybody but Cameron who I pretty much just wanted to punch in the nose repeatedly throughout the book! :) I felt like I'm supposed to like him and that the next book in this series might even be about him so, if I'm right, this author is going to have to perform a miracle to get me to like him or feel for him at all. But I'm up for the challenge if she is - can't wait for the next book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Love and the Silver Lining" and all opinions expressed are my own. I wish I could read all the books in the series together. The first book was really good, but as time goes on you tend to forget some of it. This is the second book in the series and there will be a third. So anyway, I loved this book. You start reading and at some point you want to read quicker because the book is so good and also you want to read slower because you don't want the book to end! The characters are awesome and the story line is amazing! Tammy L. Gray is one of my go to authors.

What can you say about an author who can bring to life words on paper, and the words somehow become so much more? I had so much in common with Darcy (our h) in this book it scared me a little and gave me a serious case of deja vu. As I started reading Love and the Silver Lining, I realized that there were some things in my own self that I hadn’t dealt with that I thought I had. Specifically when it came to divorce and family.

We all know that divorce is a horrible and heartbreaking thing to go through, especially for the children involved. It doesn’t matter whether you're 3 or 83. It really sucks. It made me realize that we all need love, healing, and the Lord for every situation life throws our way. With that being said you grow up with Darcy, you cry with Darcy, you drop prejudices held with Darcy, and you love alongside her.

The romance aspect in LATSL was sweet. Darcy and Bryson (our H) made a very cute and convincing couple. I felt like their relationship touched base with a lot of things people deal with today: fear of commitment, communication, and forgiveness. Ms. Gray did a tremendous job with this. It kind of had a Pride and Prejudice feel.

Previously I hadn’t read many coming of age novels. I guess I felt like I got frustrated with the characters too easily. The risk was worth it though, (Now I suppose I have to try them out more often.) In a nutshell this novel kept me well engaged and turning pages. Very very enjoyable read and, I will definitely keep my eye out for this author in the coming months.

So much fun! This was a satisfying contemporary romance read with lots of sigh-worthy scenes without being too graphic. You have to love “bad-boy” Bryson, who ends up being way more complex than he first appears. Throw in some lovable dogs, Bryson’s devil-may-care sister, and Darcy and Cam’s complicated relationship, and now you have a story with depth and authentic characters. This story also tangles with the hard topics: forgiveness, reconciliation, confidence, and trust. Definitely give this one a try!!

Rated PG-13 for topics involving infidelity and divorce
—no language
—topics concerning divorce and infidelity (not graphic)
—some sensual scenes without overt sexual/bedroom scenes
—no gore

I received this ebook free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Love and the Silver Lining is the extremely enjoyable second book in the State of Grace series. I adored this book – even more than the first book. While they form part of a series and there are character and setting cross overs, you can read both books as standalones.

I think this was exactly the book I needed. It was light and heartwarming and so addictive. I really struggled to put it down to return to work and sleep. It was funny and heartbreaking and had so much story that made it just a delight to read.

Darcy has worked tirelessly to achieve her dream of becoming a missionary. Just as she is about to leave, it all falls apart and she is left without a job, apartment and no direction for her future. Her options are move in with her mother or with her best friend, but a sudden and unexpected offer from where she least expects it, brings her more into Bryson Katsaros’s life. Once good friends, now Darcy feels like she never understands Bryson. As she and Bryson spend more time together and start working on a project together, Darcy realises there is far more to the man Bryson has become than she ever realised.

The romantic tension between Darcy and Bryson is delightful, especially as they start to get to know each other better and really open up to each other. Each are working through their own pain and reluctance to trust. They must decide what is worth fighting for and risking if they begin a relationship.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I picked this book because I've been in the mood for romances for insomnia nights, and when I saw something about dog training, I grabbed it.

I'm also a sucker for phoenix rising out of the ashes stories, though those can go a little dark sometimes, especially for 2:30 a.m. reads. But this one? Let's just say that I was not able to read a few chapters, see exactly where it was going (which would be just fine for the next insomnia stint) turn over and to back to sleep. Nope. I read through till my own dog was poking her nose in my face to say it was way past breakfast-and-walkies time.

Darcy is an emotional mess following losing the missionary job she'd been working toward for several years. She'd given up her apartment for it, even gave up air conditioning (the story is set in Texas, which has even more serious heat than SoCal, where I live) in order to acclimate herself to Guatemala's temperatures. Behind her, still festering, is her shock and anger at her parents' divorce seven months before, after a lifetime of believing her church-going, giving, smiling parents had had the perfect marriage.

Darcy, in desperation, is ready to sleep on her lifetime best friend's floor in his apartment shared with two others guys, who are mad at him for leaving their band for a chance at a pro band. Not ideal, though Cameron insists it'll be fine. So when another of her childhood friends turns up and says his sister has a spare room, she jumps for it.

Which has all kinds of emotional fallout that she was totally unprepared for. Meanwhile, she meets five problem dogs on a farm, all of whom are going to be sent to the pound in a month by a grieving widower, until Darcy promises to rehabilitate them all and get them adoption-ready.

I really fell hard into this book. I loved Darcy's inconsistencies (she wants her dad to move back and everything to be the way it was, though she won't actually speak to his cheating self--she loves her mom and wants her happy but cannot stand to see her dating other men), her well-meant obliviousness to what everyone else has seen all along with respect to her own emotional entanglements.

I especially loved the handling of Darcy's and Cameron's thread--Cameron, who has been the faithful best friend all Darcy's life. They rely on each other, they watch out for each other. That friendship has been her safety net, and also . . . well, I'll stop there.

Generalizing, I thought Gray did a terrific job with the conversations/confrontations. I really dislike relationship stories in which the leads get the hots for each other from chapter one, but misunderstand one another over something that five minutes of adult talk would clear up, but has to be sustained until a Big Dark Moment near the end before the wedding bells. Watching Darcy discover, and confront, her obliviousnesses one by one, then deal with them, even though they were painful and messy, especially when she saw how wrong she had been, was as much a pleasure as were the loving, insightful, vivid tales of the saving of those dogs.

I mentioned spirituality in a tag: this story has a spiritual element to it--Darcy struggles with her faith--and there is no sex (though there is plenty of sizzling attraction), for those who need these elements tagged.

Wow.
Obviously I assumed there would be heartbreak and romance. However, I wasn't prepared to feel so many emotions! I enjoyed the way the author wrote a love story between the two main characters, but they each had to deal with deeper emotional challenges with their relationship with God. Plus--there are dogs and music! ;) I especially enjoyed Charlie's character and the love he showed for children not his own. It was such a special picture of our adoption through Christ. Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this new-to-me author.

Woohoo!! Solid 5 starts
Ahh! How do I explain this book.. it was just amazing sent my heart rate racing to breaking it and crushing it and fixing it 😁
I adore this book now ...I didn't think I'd enjoy it much since I hate love triangles but I'm clearly I'm dead wrong and I'm glad I'm wrong😁😁

I really felt the depth in all the characters especially Bryson and Darcy..I totally got smitten with Bryson for his character ..I almost ached for him to be chosen ..uhh such a great story..I also get Darcy's desire for true passion in a relationship ..I too feel it

I must admit that I was bad about Darcy being confused and not choosing the true love right front of her..but that's just life..we all make lil mistakes

Another best thing about this book was the faith felt so so realistic like getting silence as an answer for desperate prayers..us being unable to see with faith....I could relate it it all
The way she used training and loving dogs as a metaphor for real-life God's grace and love and choosing to not give up on Us

This was just Sooo Goodd
My heart!! I love Bryson and Darcy ...I couldn't quite get them out of me now . I'm just happy dancing and smiling

I'm highly highly recommending this everyone

It's a series but I read it as a standalone

This author is now my autobuy... she's just amazing..swoony romance... genuine faith ...Jesus love for me 😊 what more can a book loving girl ask for 😁😁
I'll take Bryson for now and keep thinking about him until my next favorite bookboyfriend comes 😉

It's been a few days I've read this book..may be a week but everytime I think about this book it just fills my heart with such good feelings

This is gem..you don't want to miss out on this one

I cannot wait to read all other books by this author @tlgraybooks

4.5 stars, rounded up

I was drawn right into this book from the beginning. The descriptions are excellent. The plotting and story line are well done and tied together well. All the big and little details are taken care of and weave together the story perfectly. I was drawn into each of the characters' lives and how they interact with one another. I didn't realize until I was a ways into this book, that it is the second book in a series, so there were a few mild spoilers, though the story does stand well on its own, but I do wish I'd read the two books in the correct order. There is an underlying theme of faith in God, but it doesn't overpower or take over the story or the romance. I loved the secondary characters and how they relate to the story as much as I loved the main characters. The dog training aspect is a fun addition and showcases either the author's personal love for animals (and dogs in particular) or the author's attention to detail and research and how to incorporate it seamlessly into her writing. I also wonder if the author will be continuing this series with more characters from the first two books, based on who's romances are still left unresolved. I love the cover of this book too! The bright colors of the sunset and the contrast with thew black/shadowing of the other images, they work together really well and are so eye-catching and pleasing to the eye as well. An absolutely enjoyable clean contemporary romance! I will definitely be reaching for this author's books again!!

After reading and loving Love and a Little White Lie last year, I couldn't wait to dive into this one. I'd really enjoyed Darcy's character, and I was excited to hear she was getting her own story. I didn't expect to end up enjoying this one quite as much as I did the first, but I ended up surprising myself and loving this one even more. It's definitely one of the best books I've read this year, and Tammy L Gray is quickly moving up my list of favorite authors.

I loved how realistic and authentic this entire story is from start to finish. Darcy starts off as an emotional mess. Her dream has been to be a missionary for as long as she can possibly remember, and when that falls apart on top of her parent's marriage failing, she can't figure out how she's supposed to go on. When she unexpectedly ends up moving in with Bryson's younger sister, she finds herself spending more and more time with Bryson in the process, and realizes he's so much more than she ever could have expected. When a chance encounter with him leads her to a temporary position helping rehome foster dogs, Darcy starts to see her future in a different light. However, her longtime friendship with her best friend Cameron is causing tension and strain on her new relationship, and she can't figure out how she can have both of these relationships in her life, without sacrificing one over the other.

Love and a Silver Lining is heartfelt, emotional, and moving, and I could barely bring myself to put it down once I started reading it. Darcy's journey is rough, but she learns the valuable lesson of truly needing to wait on God's timing, and not take matters into her own hands. I loved getting to see a much deeper side to Bryson, and how he goes out of his way to show Darcy how much she truly means to him. This book overall focuses around healing, and growing your faith, and I think the author did a beautiful job of showcasing these processes to the reader.

The only negative for me was Cameron's character. I found him kind of selfish and juvenile in the first book, but he was even worse in this one. He came across as hostile and entitled for the majority of the story, and I think his character needs a serious turn around in future books if he is ever going to redeem himself in my eyes.

Overall though, I absolutely adored this heart wrenching contemporary, and can't possibly recommend it enough.

Final Rating: 5/5.

Thanks so much to Bethany House for allowing me to advance read and review this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Bethany House) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to give a positive review.

I loved this book! I greatly enjoyed Love and a Little White Lie so I was really looking forward to this new one by Tammy Gray. We met Darcy, Cameron and Bryson in the first book so I was definitely intrigued by a love story starring the three of them. Darcy has just found out that the year long mission trip she has saved up for and longed for has been cancelled. Now she has to decide what she is supposed to do with the next year or more of her life. When life has been totally upended (between her parents' recent divorce and her failed mission trip), Darcy questions God and what He is up to. She rebels in her own ways and wonders why God hasn't come through for her when she has done everything "right." Then there's Bryson. Bad boy, all black attire, broody Bryson. But when he lets Darcy in and shows her who he really is, he melts your heart. Tammy Gray's books are gut-wrenching in their honesty and sincerity. Her characters are dealing with real life circumstances that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. She also weaves faith fluidly throughout the book. Darcy has to come to the realization that although life doesn't look anything like what she thought it would, God had been there all along helping her "see that His way is better and perfect and it's okay that it doesn't always make sense." I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read with character depth and a wonderful storyline of loss and hope.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I am so glad that Tammy Gray is back and with another great book! This is book two in the State of Grace series and the first one was so great, so go read that one! But, you don't have to read that one to read this one. It is a stand alone book, although it does reference the first book a few times. I loved this book as well. I love how the author takes real people who are flawed, like we all are. I could not put it down, it was so good. The romance between the two characters is done so well, it will leave you swooning. If I have to give this book one complaint, it is that sometimes Darcy can be a bit naive and refuse to see what is going on right in front of her. But I loved it, and cannot wait for more by this author.

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

I am a big fan of author Tammy Gray’s book Love and a Little White Lie. I was eagerly anticipating her newest story, Love and the Silver Lining, and I was not disappointed by this wonderful new book!

Our story features Darcy who seems overwhelmed with her life after finding out she will not be able to teach English overseas the next year, she has lost her apartment, and is coping with her parents divorce. She is questioning her life and her faith in God. She tells Bryson, our hero, she is mad and wishes she had not tried so hard to do the right thing. She wished she had rebelled. like she thought he had. He asks, “Are you asking me if being a rebel worked in my favor, or are you mad you could not bribe God with your good behavior?”

Darcy begins to find purpose in rescuing dogs in Bryson’s friend Charlie’s backyard. Charlie has recently lost his wife, and can not take care of them or himself. The personalities of Charlie’s dogs tend to mirror the people around Darcy which I enjoyed. I am only a minor fan of dogs, and I really enjoyed all the dog training scenes. But, if you are a lover of dogs you will be in heaven.

I found myself drawn into Darcy’s world as her questions about her life and faith resonated with me. This story tells it like it is and has no pat answers which I appreciate. I found it a little more serious than Love and a Little White Lie, but it still had funny moments and celebrated humor. The romance between Darcy and Bryson was fun to observe, and I am now definitely on team Bryson. He is a great hero who will stay in my heart.

I enjoyed this story tremendously, and found myself pondering the themes and going back and rereading parts of the book after finishing it. Darcy and Bryson’s story is one that I truly delighted in, and this is one of my favorite reads of 2021

Such an incredible story and heartrending memorable characters. The thing is that with every book Tammy L Gray writes, the individual characters and the interwoven relationships are so much more than words on a page. I feel like I truly know these people. When she describes someone’s brokenness or emptiness inside, I feel that person’s deepest emotions. I loved Bryson and Darcy so much in this story. Their romance was a hard fought one that required a lot of growth and openness and even sacrifices, but intense and true and so romantic and deeply felt. I can’t recommend this one enough. I expect and hope to hear more of Cameron and possibly Zoe in the future. So thankful for your gift, Tammy Gray, and for sharing it with all of us!

Loved this story. It winds through so many surprises and up and downs of relationship drama. A perfect summer reading book. I was so glad I had a chance to read this!

Oh my, loved this!
Well I absolutely loved Bryson.
Broody, protective, backstory and depth.......yes please.
This book definitely gave me the feels and I was rooting hard for Bryson the whole time.
This author has a great way of handling triangles. Which is such a tricky trope.
This book touches on some real feelings, especially for me who has been a Christian for awhile, sometimes we wonder...."why is this happening to me, I have tried to do all the right things ".
Darcy had some growing to do and I loved seeing how she fought it at first, then you see how she changes.
Bravo
Another winner in my opinion!
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally. All opinions are honest and completely my own.

I love stories where the characters battle their own demons and overcome them and this one did not disappoint. Tammy L Gray's characters are so relatable and her writing really pulls you in. I enjoyed the chemistry between Darcy and Bryson. It's heart warming to see the characters overcome and grow throughout the book. Overall, a great read that I would highly recommend!

I reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Bethany House) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A really really quick read and enjoyable. It’s a story of everything is against the protagonist Darcy and yet love comes knocking and friends are there to help her and of course dogs our ever faithful companions. The way pain is described in this is so metaphorical. My fave trope is bad boy who deep down has a heart of gold! Ultimately I like this writing and was impressed and would definitely pick something else up by this author

Darcy Malone worked for a year to go on a long-term mission trip to Guatemala. Days before her adventure begins, she gets a phone call from the school where she will teach for a year canceling her trip. Devasted, she doesn’t know where to turn. She must move out of her apartment and find a job. Without her best friend, Cameron, she doesn’t know what she’d do. He’s not-so-secretly happy her trip got canceled, because he doesn’t know what he’d do without her for an entire year. After all, they’ve been besties their entire lives.

Cam offers to let her move in with him and his two roommates until her new apartment opens at the end of the summer. Her recently divorced mom gives her the same invitation. Neither one appeals to her. When her childhood friend and Cameron’s bandmate, Bryson offers his sister, Zoe’s, apartment as an option, Darcy reluctantly agrees.

Bryson introduces her to Charlie, a recently widowed man with five rescue dogs on his farm that he can’t take care of. Darcy jumps at the chance to work with the dogs and prepare them for adoption—after all, she has no other options that spark her interest.

The unruly dogs become a metaphor for all the things plaguing Darcy—trust, forgiveness, purpose, and love.

What I Loved About this Book

This friends-to-lovers book has a trope twist readers will love. Darcy struggles with her relationship with her parents and the fact her childhood now seems like a lie. The proverbial Christian good girl, Darcy has done everything right yet feels as if God has abandoned her.

Fans of Emma St. Clair’s Sandover Beach series will enjoy this book.

This has to be the first Christian book I'm reading and not cringing to but find really relatable. We've all had our life mapped out for us and suddenly it goes up in smoke and we're left wondering what happened and fighting with God.
That was Darcy's story which i loved loved reading because she reminded me a lot of myself a year back. I loved how the plot moved seamless and discovering Darcy's growth throughout the pages.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for something inspiring yet light to read

I’m kinda staring at the question Goodreads is posing to me: What did you think? So much, Goodreads. So much. And yet those thoughts are kind of bouncing around like the ball in a pinball machine. First off, I’ve read a number of Tammy’s books before. In so much that the first book of this series surprised me because it was a lot lighter and humorous than the other books by her that I’d read. A romcom! This book, however…. Not a romcom. More like a marriage between her serious/deep/hurting characters from her past book with maybe a slighter lighter side. One thing you can always garauntee with a Tammy Gray book is that it’s going to be well-written, and this book is no exception.
Overall it was an enjoyable read although there were times when I seriously wanted to shake Darcy. Like, seriously. Lol. Loved Bryson though and his tortured soul and how he was willing to be so vulnerable even after he’d experienced so much hurt and rejection in his life. The dogs were great too. And Charlie.
So. Good book but doesn’t have that humorous feel of the first

I enjoyed this book so much! For a fictional story, it got me to think about some deeper things, especially the questions that Darcy asks after her family life and dreams have been shattered. This is such an excellent story!

Love and the Silver Lining is a contemporary romance written by Tammy L. Gray.

Summary: Darcy Malone’s life is over. Or at least it feels like it. The missions trip she has been scrimping and saving for is officially cancelled. She’s already quit her job, ended her lease, and put her things in storage. What in the world is she going to do now?

My Thoughts: I liked this book. The characters were well-developed, the storyline was interesting and unique, and it held my interest. Even though I am not a dog person, I really liked how the author tied what was going on in Darcy’s life to what was going on with the dogs, and how as she helped the dogs, she also learned things she could apply to her own life.

I also liked how the story developed, and the progression in Darcy’s life as she realizes she needs to make some changes and find the silver lining in the things that had happened to her.

Overall, it was a good read. It was more of a one-time read for me, but I enjoyed it.

I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

I am generally not a first-person POV reader, but Tammy L. Gray nailed this. The story had rich layers and dug into the heart of family dynamics, relationships, friendships, and broken dreams. It's hard to say too much without giving spoilers, so I'll keep my review brief-- this book will leave you with all the feels. It's sweet and heartwarming. I recommend it!

Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray is another example of her brilliant writing. She uses depth of her characters and raw emotion to beautifully show that trials and heartache are a part of life. But, also shows that love and sacrifice can be found too. We have hope in Christ. That's what I love about this book. With likeable characters and a storyline that is hard to put down, I recommend this book to all romance readers. Especially, for those who like a bit of grit and sweet kisses to get to the happily ever after. I know I do.
*I was given a copy of this book by Bethany Publishers and this is my honest opinion.

Darcy Malone has everything she thinks she wants only to lose it, and have God show her what it really is she needs, and in the process, she sees she wants it as well.

We first met Darcy in the first book, Love and a Little White Lie where she is introduced as Cameron Lee’s best friend. That relationship is furthered, but Bryson is also in this book, and we get to know him beyond his exterior that is often portrayed as well, not really inviting to the general public. I liked the introductions of Zoe, Bryson’s sister, and Charlie. They made Love and the Silver Lining more well-rounded.

Darcy’s struggle is real, and I really enjoyed getting to know her, seeing her victory in the end that encompasses that she makes reconciliations with her family that she is estranged from.

My gratitude to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a great read, it includes dogs, and that is what made me pick it up in the first place. The title resonates in so many ways, pulling away the layers of both humans and canines, and finding the heart.
So much human emotions, grief displayed in many ways both human and canine. A young woman willing to give everything to save the less fortunate, and give them a chance.
There is a bit of sweet romance, but will a life long friendship turn into something more permanent, or will the new feelings for another prevail?
There are answers and we are treated to the story to find them.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Love and the Silver Lining is an enjoyable read! Tammy L Gray tackles real life issues that we probably all have faced at one time or another. The characters are very relatable and I found it hard to put this book down once I started reading it!

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

This book was a little bit of a slow starter for me but wow, the depth of the feelings totally took over and then I was hooked.
The issues here are when life knocks you down, remembering that God has the best plan. Even when we thought we had it all figured out, His way is always better.
And keeping pain inside to protect ourselves only works for a short while. Reaching out to others and sharing and giving back fills our empty spaces.
I loved Bryson, for his heart and his ability to reach out to others despite his hurts. And Darcy is easy to identify with for she had always strived to do everything right, but still her plans were upturned and her family fell apart.
I absolutely loved the dogs. Adding them to the story added a whole new dimension. Some of their problems mirrored the characters.
And the romance in this story was wonderful.
This is a great story that I can’t get out of my mind.
Thanks you to NetGalley for allowing me to read it. The opinions are entirely my own.

This is a new-to-me author and I found well-developed characters with depth and personality. Darcy Malone’s dream of mission work in Guatemala is cancelled leaving her with no job and no place to live. Through a set of unexpected circumstances, she accepts an offer to move in with Zoe Katsaros. Darcy tries to hide her growing attraction to Zoe’s brother, Bryson, from her best friend, Cameron Lee, Bryson’s bandmate. Will Darcy realize when you try to please others, in the end everyone gets hurt? When Darcy finds an opportunity to work with rescue dogs, will she discover she also needs rescued to find love and forgiveness? I am a new fan.
I received a copy from the publisher by way of NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

I want to start by saying this is not the happy, cute, funny romantic comedy that I first thought it was. This was my first book by Tammy L. Gray. Despite it not being the light romantic comedy I thought it was, it was still a fantastic book.

This book has so much depth to the characters and the plot.In facts the depth of the characters was a large part of the plot. Love triangles are not something that I usually enjoy but Tammy wrote these relationships realistically and not in a cringeylove triangle way.

If you are looking for a contemporary romance that is a bit more grittyand serious, then this is a book I would recommend. I felt that the lessons the characters had to learn were realistic and honest. I know I will definitely be reading more from Tammy L.Gray.

Is it crazy to want to cry because a story is over? Oh my word, this story was so excellent! I literally just finished the last page wondering if I should get all of my thoughts and emotions out now or collect my thoughts. I'm just going for it.

I had an idea of what I thought Darcy's story might look like after getting to know her in book one. Boy was I wrong. I think even she didn't know who she was. This story was really about her getting to the core of who she was and the relationships that involved her. I appreciated how the author used the dogs Darcy ends up working with to give us insight into what she was going through.

I also had very strong feelings about Bryson from book one, and none of them were kind. Seriously, if you've read book one tell me I'm wrong. I will admit after reading book two in wondering if I should go back and read book one to see if I can find things I might have missed. Needless to say, I had strong feelings about Bryson at the end of this story as well.

There's so much to pack into this review. Darcy goes through a lot. A lot more than most in such a small period of time. It was incredible to watch her try to process everything and find her way in life. Cameron, her best friend, is there through the thick and thin.

Cameron is still figuring out life after the fallout from his relationship with January. He plays a big part in this entire story as well.

Of course, there's the man in all black, Bryson. This guy has walls in place no one should be able to get through. I just loved how the author drew back his layers through Darcy. Along with her, we get to know him better and deeper.

If you're looking for romance, this story will fill that desire utterly! There were so many moments where my heart was racing because the story was able to spark my romantic side. It also evoke emotions from me for the deep pain all 3 of the main characters were feeling! I was a total mush ball with my emotions all over the place, much like the characters in the story!

The bad boy meets the girl who’s always good! Tammy will have you crying over dogs (in a good way) and chewing your nails over Cam. Loved this book!

Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L. Gray

"Sometimes the answer to prayer is NO. And like it or not, we have to accept the answer."

Why I started with this quote from the book is because it is true. We have to understand that sometimes what we ask for isn't good for us and what comes our way is much better.

Tammy's storytelling is brilliant and trust me on it as I am not a fan of love triangle but this made me want to wait to see what happens and also maybe rooting for some characters. She has written such amazing conversations between characters that you will enjoy every part of it.

Talking about characters, Darcy is a total mess and by the end of the book I loved how she has shown great development. Cam is sweet, nice guy who wears his heart on sleeves. Lastly coming to Bryson, mysterious or you can say reserved in nature and has something dark about him but what matters is how he nourishes himself, I loved how the author has done justice to each of them.

Sometimes we learn and accept things the hard way and it goes for every character in this story though it still doesn't ease the pain that comes with reading through the pages. It left me teary eyed by the end of the book. The end is something which makes me unsure of my feelings in a good way. You'll know when you read.

This book is about mending family relationships before it's too late, how to deal with anger, have faith in greater being, self discovery and about how we don't want to accept or see what is right in front of us. To top everything else there are dogs in the book and lot more to learn from how Darcy treats them.

I am definitely picking up more of Tammy Gray's work. Thank you Netgalley and Baker publishing for giving me a chance to read this.

Anyone who's done all the "right" things and seen their dreams dashed will relate to Darcy, whose world is upended by her parents' sudden divorce and the cancellation of the mission trip she's painstakingly planned.

Mired in grief, anger, and depression, Darcy needs a soft place to land. Her lifetime best friend Cameron (a guy) offers his place, but instead Darcy accepts the invitation of Zoe, sister of Cameron's bandmate Bryson. Darcy is glaringly oblivious to the feelings of both Bryson and Cameron, and that leads to trouble.

Love and the Silver Lining may be Tammy Gray's best novel. The characters are relatable and multi-layered, the attraction palpable, and Darcy's job readying abandonment dogs for adoption dovetails nicely with her own healing.

Love and the Silver Lining is gritty and real, with relatable characters confronting difficult issues. Tammy L. Gray pours honest, raw emotion into her novels, which I feel is so important. I hope we continue to see more books like this in the marketplace.
Darcy's heartache over her parents' divorce and her unexpected change of career plans sends her into a spiral. I loved how training the dogs helped her recalibrate, process her anger and grief, and ultimately brought her closer to the Lord. I'm a huge fan of dogs and enjoyed the scenes featuring the trials and tribulations of helping each animal overcome their issues. Such a beautiful picture of our own struggles as humans. The tension between Bryson and Cameron and their competition over Darcy is intense! These complex relationships are well-written. I admire Gray's ability to boldly address the messiness of life through the lives of these fictional characters. This is a complicated story undergirded with a message of hope, and I kept me reading late into the night.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions stated here are my own.

The State of Grace series is such a great series with characters that are real and likable with real life issues. Darcy is having a bad year with her picture perfect parents getting a divorce and a missionary trip she has saved for years is canceled. Has God left her? Prayer is not helping. She has terminated her apartment lease. She could move home with her mom or stay at best friend Cameron's place with all his roommates. But another friend, Bryson talks his half sister into letting Darcy stay with her for a while. Cameron, Bryson and other friends from youth group are part of an up and coming band so they are thrown together all the time. Bryson's friend and mentor has his own hurts and Darcy is able to work with his dogs to get them adoptable while she works through her hurts.
This is an emotional story about a group of friends who all have issues to work through. Darcy has to overcome her disappointment in her parents and other disappointments. She is left with trust issues.
Cameron is her normal sounding board but she is drawn to dark, brooding Bryson, who has a sad past. People are not always as they seem. We are all formed by our past and sometimes our present is not how we envisioned it. But God always has a better plan. I highly recommend this story of relatable characters who come out on the other side better for their trials and tribulations.
I received a complimentary ARC from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

I love her storytelling!!! Darcy was a wonderful main character to follow and the way she dealt with her life being flipped upside down was so relatable and real. I’m grateful to read about Christian adults having difficult and mature conversations, and also having weaknesses and insecurities.
This is an excellent sequel and I highly recommend!

I loved Tammy Gray's book Love and a Little White Lie that is the first in the series State of Grace and have been looking forward to Love and the Silver Lining to read Darcy's story. Darcy is unable to go and be a missionary and is wondering what God has for her in life. She moves in with her childhood Bryson's sister and she soon sees Bryson in a new way as he reaches out to help her find a way to fill time through helping rescue dogs. A love triangle soon develops between Darcy, her lifelong best friend Cameron and Bryson.
I had a hard time liking melancholy Bryson and so I didn't enjoy the book as much as I hoped. I would have liked to see more of the characters from book 1 woven into this one. The love triangle did keep my attention as I was curious who Darcy would choose. So I don't give spoilers, I do hope that the man she didn't choose gets his own story soon!
I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.