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The Gentle Shepherd
Her greatest fear is not being chased, but being seen.
Ella thought that if she rescued her sheep and escaped to the Greener Pastures, she could save herself as well. With the guidance of the mysterious shepherd Jesse Benadam, this seems possible—as long as she can keep her wounds hidden from him. But the farther they travel, the clearer it becomes that secrecy will cost her the refuge she seeks.
As storms rage, wild beasts attack, injuries throb, and sickness steals her strength, Ella’s fears hunt her like wolves. Her burdens only grow heavier. Jesse’s presence never wavers, but Ella cannot bring herself to trust him until she begins to suspect that the key to reaching the Greener Pastures may lie with him.
The problem? She will have to tell him the truth about herself and their mission—risking his rejection. Deep down, Ella knows this is her greatest desire, but it is also her greatest fear.
In her debut allegorical fantasy novel, Ella Rose Becker crafts a story of wandering, wounded hearts, and a shepherd whose presence causes us to examine our own ability to trust His grace.
Paperback and hardback releasing 03.02.26
Ella thought that if she rescued her sheep and escaped to the Greener Pastures, she could save herself as well. With the guidance of the mysterious shepherd Jesse Benadam, this seems possible—as long as she can keep her wounds hidden from him. But the farther they travel, the clearer it becomes that secrecy will cost her the refuge she seeks.
As storms rage, wild beasts attack, injuries throb, and sickness steals her strength, Ella’s fears hunt her like wolves. Her burdens only grow heavier. Jesse’s presence never wavers, but Ella cannot bring herself to trust him until she begins to suspect that the key to reaching the Greener Pastures may lie with him.
The problem? She will have to tell him the truth about herself and their mission—risking his rejection. Deep down, Ella knows this is her greatest desire, but it is also her greatest fear.
In her debut allegorical fantasy novel, Ella Rose Becker crafts a story of wandering, wounded hearts, and a shepherd whose presence causes us to examine our own ability to trust His grace.
Paperback and hardback releasing 03.02.26
178 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 7, 2026
Author Ella Rose Becker has written a story that is both heartwarming and heart-stirring to read. From page one I was gripped. I fell in love with the writing, the setting, the journey, and the characters. Mostly, I found myself resonating with Ella and her personal struggles and doubts. She is such an authentic character. This is what really carried the story for me. I am not normally a lover of fantasy, I like things to be realistic, but there could be nothing more realistic than the love story told between these pages. Ella Rose Becker gives us a beautiful glimpse of Christ and is authentic love through the characters Jesse and Ella. Shepherding is the sweetest and most intentional way sheep (and people) are guarded and protected and held despite distrust. This story wonderfully portrays that message. It was truly encouraging to me in my personal walk with Christ and I’m excited to continue to share this story with others now too!
March 4, 2026
The Gentle Shepherd is a good book for readers who appreciate beautiful allegorical writing. The absolutely gorgeous cover does a really good job capturing the feel of the writing itself. Ella’s journey with Jesse is compelling and the development of their relationship is realistic and well-paced.
The book is clearly a love letter from the author to God and her love for God shines through the main character’s journey. It’s a compelling and beautiful story. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates very descriptive and beautiful writing and allegorical fantasy books.
The book is clearly a love letter from the author to God and her love for God shines through the main character’s journey. It’s a compelling and beautiful story. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates very descriptive and beautiful writing and allegorical fantasy books.
March 8, 2026
Ella Rose Becker has crafted a deeply beautiful story, filled with graceful prose, a compelling plot, and realistic characters. A golden theme running through The Gentle Shepherd is Becker’s mastery of storytelling—she uses simple and clear language to accurately tell of deep and glorious truths. Her brilliant descriptions and vivid similes and metaphors are like gems that grace the pages of this story. Not only is her writing style a beautiful aspect of this story, but the story itself is compelling and moving, full of deep brokenness and hurt which is wondrously overcome by redemption and grace. And her characters are incredibly well-written—Ella Lamb is a fearful, broken girl who longs for rest and yet is unwilling to let herself be known and loved in a very real and human way, and Jesse Benadam is tender, gracious, deeply loves Ella, and knows her as her gentle shepherd. Resounding with the truths of the gospel in clear, fresh, and beautiful ways, The Gentle Shepherd is a story that sings of brokenness and redemption with truth, goodness, and much beauty.
Ella Rose Becker has woven a story that is laden with ancient truths put forward in fresh and vivid ways. The Gentle Shepherd was such a joy to read, and I look forward to sharing it with readers of all ages!
Ella Rose Becker has woven a story that is laden with ancient truths put forward in fresh and vivid ways. The Gentle Shepherd was such a joy to read, and I look forward to sharing it with readers of all ages!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was blown away by how deeply beautiful this book is. It's messy, as the main character deals with real and heavy abuse, scars, fear, and shame. But over the course of her journey, the mess is redeemed into something with purpose. The story brims over with hope, healing, and meaning: a story that stands on its own as an engaging adventure, but is also an intimate love letter of sorts to the greatest Shepherd. In that sense, I found it more encouraging for my spiritual journey than any nonfiction book has been in a while.
And the writing! Becker's precise, lyrical style faintly echoes classic authors like L. M. Montgomery and paints each emotion vividly as well as each character and scene. The prose, combined with the powerful plot, makes this such a promising debut. I will be looking for more high-quality novels flooded with truth and beauty from this author.
I would describe this book as fitting at the intersection of fantasy, allegory, and literary. It should appeal to readers of any genre who appreciate slowly building action, richly relatable characters, and powerful redemption stories spun out of the raw and ugly.
And the writing! Becker's precise, lyrical style faintly echoes classic authors like L. M. Montgomery and paints each emotion vividly as well as each character and scene. The prose, combined with the powerful plot, makes this such a promising debut. I will be looking for more high-quality novels flooded with truth and beauty from this author.
I would describe this book as fitting at the intersection of fantasy, allegory, and literary. It should appeal to readers of any genre who appreciate slowly building action, richly relatable characters, and powerful redemption stories spun out of the raw and ugly.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rich with vivid scenery and transcendent truths, The Gentle Shepherd tells the deeply relatable story of a young shepherdess who encounters an inexplicably kind shepherd while running from her family. Though at first she recoils from his warm company, he claims he can take her to the one place she’s always longed to go: the Greener Pastures.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. Not only is Ella Lamb an accessible yet complex protagonist, but her redemption story captivated me from start to finish, leaving me with sustained joy at its close. Jesse Benadam represents the true Gentle Shepherd—Jesus—in a way that touched my heart and encouraged my faith. He shines on every page.
Author Ella Rose Becker guides the reader to the green pastures of Christ’s gentle character, providing a glimpse of the peace and restoration that are possible in communion with him. I cannot recommend her book enough, and I can’t wait to see how she grows as a writer in the future!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. Not only is Ella Lamb an accessible yet complex protagonist, but her redemption story captivated me from start to finish, leaving me with sustained joy at its close. Jesse Benadam represents the true Gentle Shepherd—Jesus—in a way that touched my heart and encouraged my faith. He shines on every page.
Author Ella Rose Becker guides the reader to the green pastures of Christ’s gentle character, providing a glimpse of the peace and restoration that are possible in communion with him. I cannot recommend her book enough, and I can’t wait to see how she grows as a writer in the future!
March 4, 2026
Ella Rose Becker's novel is a beautifully well-written allegory of the power of faith in everyday life. No matter the turbulent situations we may be in, our Savior truly meets us where we are. Through the main character's doubts and struggles, the reader sees Christ's love cut through her faults, guiding her to the Greener Pastures. Alongside Ella, we realize all along how deeply God loves us and the lengths He will go to so we might realize that.
May 15, 2026
Ella Rose Becker's debut novel was a treat to digest. Her characters were sweet and elegantly written and I loved being swept up in the love that flowed through the novel. An excellent job, Ella Rose, and a gift to read.
March 11, 2026
Ella Rose Becker really knows how to write beautiful stories! The Gentle Shepherd is a novel that provides a compelling account of Ella Lamb’s journey to the Greener Pastures and her budding relationship with Jesse Benadam as she learns to trust Him. There is a depth to the characters and the way they are written that intrigued me to no end. This story also made me super reflective of my own walk with the Lord and gave me a profound glimpse into the beauty of healing. Anyone looking for a read that will give them a striking story of hope in the midst of hurt will find their perfect fulfillment here. I really loved this book, and I can’t wait to read more of what stories Becker has planned for the future!
March 7, 2026
What a stunning debut book from Ella Rose! By chapter 3 I was already thinking about how many more copies I needed to buy and who I wanted to read this masterpiece. Our heroine Ella suffers so much, yet we know she will encounter the Gentle Shepherd as the title proclaims. From the very beginning you are rooting for her, yearning, that she gets the gentleness she deserves. I was struck repeatedly that the Gentle Shepherd seeks and saves the lost in this story, and how beautiful that we have a Savior who does this too. I am filled with gratitude that just like Ella and her flock, I too am one of God’s sheep. If you’ve never experienced a draw to Christ and a desire to be a part of the flock, I think you will encounter it in these pages. His salvation is for everyone. Ella, her sheep, you, and me. Whatever wolves you are running from, He wants to carry you to the Greener Pasture. If you do know Jesus, you may be like me and think you know the story that is about to unfold, but you will still be surprised by the outflow of grace within this story. I was gasping page after page. What a truly beautiful book, and what an incredible first release from Ella Rose. I highly recommend you read it and meet the shepherd. He wants you to come to the greener pasture too.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“This was what she wanted, wasn’t it? Maybe not all of her but in her heart of hearts, she had wanted him to find her. To see that he would fight for her.” - Ella Rose Becker, The Gentle Shepherd
Ella Rose Becker’s debut novel is a beautiful testament to the Lord’s faithfulness in her life, and she invites readers to walk that journey with her through Ella Lamb. Ella is a shepherdess, which means she is the least of these in her world. Ella dreams of escaping her horrible family and taking her sheep to the safety of the Greener Pastures, but she cannot do it alone. Along the way, she meets Jesse, who not only protects her heart, but pursues it with a gentleness and compassion Ella has never experienced before.
Ella Rose writes with luscious prose so you see the hemming mountains, the budding grass, and the fluff of Ella’s flock. Ella walks the journey so many of us face: the deep longing to be known, but the fear of what being known truly means. “The way he saw her was not invading, but rescuing. It was all love. It had always been love.” The Gentle Shepherd is the perfect book for teen girls to process all these intimate and important emotions.
Thank you, Ella Rose, for shepherding your readers on Ella’s journey to her true Gentle Shepherd.
Ella Rose Becker’s debut novel is a beautiful testament to the Lord’s faithfulness in her life, and she invites readers to walk that journey with her through Ella Lamb. Ella is a shepherdess, which means she is the least of these in her world. Ella dreams of escaping her horrible family and taking her sheep to the safety of the Greener Pastures, but she cannot do it alone. Along the way, she meets Jesse, who not only protects her heart, but pursues it with a gentleness and compassion Ella has never experienced before.
Ella Rose writes with luscious prose so you see the hemming mountains, the budding grass, and the fluff of Ella’s flock. Ella walks the journey so many of us face: the deep longing to be known, but the fear of what being known truly means. “The way he saw her was not invading, but rescuing. It was all love. It had always been love.” The Gentle Shepherd is the perfect book for teen girls to process all these intimate and important emotions.
Thank you, Ella Rose, for shepherding your readers on Ella’s journey to her true Gentle Shepherd.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews