A Secret Between Them: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance

by Donna Gartshore

She’ll help him heal… But is love enough to make him stay? Unexpectedly injured, photojournalist John Bishop finds himself stuck in a town full of painful memories—with physical therapist Grace Severight his only way out. Following her treatment should be simple. But soon John’s falling again—this time for the single foster mom and her four-year-old charge. Now love might heal his past…but will a secret Grace is keeping destroy their chance at a future?From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Genres: Christian Fiction

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2024

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not finish this book, this book had people with so much trauma and not getting help for it.

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Secret Between Them is the first book I have read by Donna Gartshore.

A Secret Between Them is a quick and enjoyable read. It tugged on my heartstrings, especially the scenes with Grace's foster son. Foster care has always been near and dear to my heart, and overall, I think the story captured that part of the storyline pretty realistically.

The secrets Grace and John are keeping from each other have the potential to sabotage their relationship before it gets started. While they communicate well about most things, neither one is ready to talk about that. However, when things come to a head, will their friendship survive?

A Secret Between Them is a story of abandonment, love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Thank you to Just Reads Publicity and the author for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Karen Baney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donna Gartshore weaves a sweet, slow burn, slice of life romance.

I enjoyed the way Gartshore sets up the story with a situation that requires John to stay in his old hometown that he had been so eager to leave. Those circumstances introduce him to the sweet Grace and her foster son Tony.

Though I typically prefer a quicker spark and awareness of romantic feelings, I still found the story engaging.

Fans of Christian, sweet, clean romance will enjoy this story.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet story dealt with some hard issues, including fostering a child who had a lot of emotional trauma and was hesitant to open up and trust. It also looked at the ongoing emotional pain that John dealt with on a daily basis after growing up with an alcoholic father and being abandoned by his mother. He had a lot to overcome in this story and he grew quite a bit throughout the book emotionally and spiritually.

Grace had her own difficult situation in her background. She was scared to open up about it to most people, including John, and it weighed on her. She was also doing the best she could to be a good foster mom to Toby, while also essentially being a single parent.

I enjoyed seeing Grace and John grow closer together and also seeing the way Toby related to John so well. This was a good story with difficult topics handled well.

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

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novel that speaks largely of love and tenderness. Forgiveness and acceptance are paramount, to which the author has added romantic love between Grace, a physical therapist, and John, a photographer/writer. There is also special care and motherly affection for Toby, a foster child. Definitely a story worth perusing.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the beginning it’s clear that John has a chip on his shoulder. He’s only in town because of a promise to a friend and he is doing everything he can to get out of Living Skies until he injures his ankle and has to add physical therapy to his short stay.

It's clear that Grace cares a great deal about her physical therapy patients and her foster son, Toby. Besides her job, taking care of him, and trying to get him to open up, is her only priority, and I found that so admirable. I too have always thought about being a foster parent and it is such a tough job that can also be the most rewarding, so I enjoyed watching Grace’s journey to reach young Toby.

I adored the photography aspect of this sweet story the most as I am an amateur photographer. Right now, I am currently working on documenting my old family photos and it has been fascinating. There is something so powerful about capturing a moment in time that I think we all take for granted, so seeing photography through fresh, young eyes was refreshing. The bond between John and Toby was the sweetest, and honestly one of my favorite parts of this novel. I love when I see characters that are struggling yet are able to make a positive impact in someone else’s life.

A Secret Between Them is a shorter story with flawed characters that have real very real struggles that I’m sure many can identify with. It touches your heart with good writing and authenticity and it’s one I loved having the opportunity to read.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.

[Courtney Ranger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donna Gartshore's A Secret Between Them is a sweet, quick read (I read it in an hour) about learning to forgive and help others work through their trials.

First of all, I love that the protagonist, Grace, is a physical therapist and how the author shows the importance of her profession! I work with lots of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, and they have such important jobs and bless so many people!!!

It was fascinating seeing how John's internal conflict is revealed over the course of the book and watching him work through it and learn to forgive. It is so cute seeing how Grace helps him learn that he needs to forgive and can rely on other people.

My other favorite character was Grace's foster son. I love seeing how he bonds with John and how he comes out of his shell throughout the book. Also, little kids are just the cutest thing for a couple to bond over, so I am all for it!

I also loved how the author used John's photography as a means of communicating the theme of finding beauty and goodness in life. It is so important that we remember to look for the blessings that God has gifted us, especially during hard times.

Overall, I thought this book was a cute read. If you enjoy books with cute contemporary romance, single parents, and themes of forgiveness, this would be the perfect book for you!

I received an ARC of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoy books under the LOVE Inspired brand as they are easy to read and usually a quick read. A Secret Between Them by Donna Gartshore is the latest book in the LOVE Inspired brand that I have read. I have read a couple other titles by Donna Gartshore and I enjoy her writing.

I was captivated by this story from the very first chapter. John Bishop and Grace Severight are the main characters of the book. John is receiving Physical Therapy from Grace, back in his hometown. He is determined to get better so that he can leave again, as his Hometown has some bad memories for him. I LOVE that Grace is a Foster mom to a sweet 4yr old. The more time they spend together, the more they are both falling in love with each other. Grace is afraid to let John know that she had a past addiction as she doesn't want John to end the relationship. The care and LOVE that they both have for the Foster Child is AMAZING and sweet. The book is one about Forgiveness, LOVE and Acceptance. The book has a strong faith based message! I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Romance books! FANTASTIC BOOK!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic story of forgiveness, love, faith, family and community. Donna writes a beautiful story of photojournalist John Bishop who has vowed to never settle in his hometown, preferring the transient lifestyle he has cultivated after a childhood destroyed by his alcoholic father and his mother who left him. Physical therapist Grace Severight has beaten her own addiction and turned her life around, now a foster mother she finds herself falling for John but knows sharing her secret will drive him away. I loved how this story developed and how John and Grace navigate together and apart their own lives and the way they eventually come together with understanding and forgiveness. A truly emotional story guaranteed to leave you satisfied and happy, unable to put it down until the end.

[Ruth Schmeckpeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Secret Between Them is a sweet, heartfelt story about love, healing, and the courage it takes to trust again.

Grace Severight is a devoted physical therapist raising a four-year-old foster child while quietly carrying a secret of her own. When John Bishop comes to town, his painful past intersects with Grace’s hidden struggle in unexpected ways. As their relationship deepens, both must decide whether love—and faith—are enough to face the truths they’ve kept buried.

Donna Gartshore delivers a gentle romance with emotional depth, tender characters, and a hopeful message of redemption. A satisfying read for fans of clean, faith-forward love stories centered on grace, second chances, and family.

[Holly Bleggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I liked how this story showed how past mistakes don’t need to define a person and that people can change with time and with God’s help. I liked how this story showed that the people were imperfect and needed help to let go of things but I liked seeing them let go and change for the better. I liked how Grace and John helped Toby to find a way to understand his world when things weren’t going the best for him. I liked how through Grace and John spending time together, they found someone who understood them and made them want to be better. I liked how they fell in love through opening up to each other and spending time together.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

[Dali Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming

An unexpected injury leads to Grace Severight and John Bishop spending time together, especially when they share a common goal for a special little boy. However, a secret they each carry attempts to keep them at arms' length from each other. As they work through their pasts, the tables turn, and their faith opens their hearts to new possibilities. 

Grace and John's story is touching, heartwarming, and inspirational, and one that should not be missed.

[DeniseMarie Seckinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay Hallmark like movie. Boy meets girl, doesn't want to start anything. Not planning on sticking around. Says a pray and things happen as if prayer was answered. Decides to stick around. Gets upset about something she tells him and decides to leave. Girl likes boy, is a Physical Therapist, and is fostering a child. She doesn't want to get involved....etc....

[Miranda Summerset · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 STARS! This is so good! It deals with traumatic childhoods, addiction, & foster care, & its so real and relatable. You really like these characters and root for them. I loved how it all turned out & highly recommend this.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Good story, Shows what God can Do in difficult situations.

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dealt with everything in a gentle and kind way and made me care even more for the characters.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read

[Amy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

A predictable, enjoyable, and feel good read.

[Ella]

DNF