The first full-length installment in the Walnut Creek series, The Patient One by Shelley Shepard Gray is a heartwarming novel of love and friendship.

Opening with the funeral of their beloved friend Andy Warner, the remaining seven friends, Marie Harman, John Byler, Katie Steurny, Logan, Harley, Elizabeth Anne and Will Kurtz, struggle to understand why Andy committed suicide. The childhood friends have grown apart since they entered their twenties but after Andy's death, they mutually decide to nurture their friendship. They also have a new understanding of how short life can be, so John decides it is time to do something about his longtime crush on Katie, who has recently moved back to Walnut Creek. But will their very differences prove too insurmountable to overcome?

Although John is Amish, he works for an Englischer and he has yet to baptized in the faith. He comes from a large and loving family who, it turns out, know him a little better than he knows himself. At first believing there is no reason why a romance between him and Katie will not work out, John is surprised when troubles arise between them.

While Katie has not Amish, she does have a strong faith. Her return to Walnut Creek is long overdue and she is happy to be close to her parents and friends. Surprised to discover that John returns her feelings, she also knows a future between them is not guaranteed. Katie is delighted when John asks her out, but their different backgrounds, insecurities and lack of communication threaten to derail their fledging romance.

John's sixteen year sister Molly is also unexpectedly in the midst of a budding romance with Danny. Paralyzed after a riding accident, Molly appreciates her family's help but she is frustrated that they do not realize she is capable of taking care of herself. Danny takes her disability in stride and Molly is matter of fact about what life in a wheelchair. Their relationship is refreshingly honest and watching Molly become more self-assured is quite gratifying.

The Patient One is a compelling novel of healing that also features a gentle undercurrent of faith. The storyline is realistic and deals with suicide and the consequences of drunk driving. John and Katie are a wonderful couple but their inability to express their concerns and expectations causes misunderstandings between them. Molly and Danny's romance is incredibly sweet and free of unnecessary conflict. Shelley Shepard Gray brings the novel to a poignant yet uplifting conclusion. An enjoyable beginning to the Walnut Creek series that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the release of The Loyal One. ( )

In this first book of the series, readers are introduced to “The Eight,” eight friends of differing backgrounds who bonded in their early teenage years. Now grown, life has interrupted their close relationships, but the suicide of Andy, one of the group, has drawn them in again. As they deal with their feelings and cope with their loss, they vow to be there for each other, as they would have been for Andy, had they only realized his despair. John, who is Amish, also must reconcile his feelings for Marie, who is English, with his Amish roots, and decide which side of the fence he belongs on. Molly, John’s younger 16-year-old sister who is confined to a wheelchair, is also trying to find her way in a developing relationship. Author Shelly Shepard Gray explores all these situations and more in this well-written tale, illustrating what can happen when the Amish and English communities coexist together. ( )

I know that since Amish fiction has become so popular, the writers are challenged with coming up with unique storylines. They may be out there, but I don't think I've read a book with a mixed group, teenage drinking, interfaith dating, and suicide all in one. I enjoyed this book as much as one could for such heavy topics. I'll be sure to look out for the next one in this series about The Eight. ( )

It starts with a death. One of the Eight, a small group of friends that grew up together and are closer than family, commits suicide and sends shockwaves throughout the Walnut Creek community, especially with his friends and family. Everyone is dismayed and saddened, all wondering what would provoke this young man to take his own life.

When something like this happens it makes you reflect on your own life and normally propels you to make necessary changes for the better. John B. and Marie have flirted with each other over the years, but with John being Amish and Marie being English they both hoped for more, but deep down knew it would take some major life changes on one of their parts to make their relationship a reality.

Not long after saying goodbye to her friend, Marie moves back home to Walnut Creek to be closer to her family and friends, and secretly hopes that her closeness to John will increase, and that they can become more than friends. John is also going through his own inner struggle that no one knows about. Being in his mid-20's, John has yet to be baptized into the Amish faith, and when questioned by his family he realizes it's time to make a huge decision that could change his entire life. Should he stay with his family and be Amish, or should he leave the only community he's known and become English?

There is a lot more to the story, but my favorite part of the novel actually had nothing to do with the love stories that were intertwined in this narrative, but a moment of raw emotion when the Eight randomly gets together and pours their hearts out about the events that have recently occurred in their lives. It is such a real moment and shows that to have a friendship like that is truly a treasure.

Though this novel has some real, heartbreaking subject matter, there are also some excellent reminders, like the fact that life is short, that you should be true to your heart, and to love the ones you're with.

A beautifully written story with exceptional characters and a story line that really gets the reader thinking, it was a great read, and gets me really excited about the next book in the Walnut Creek series, The Loyal One, that will be out this coming August. Shelley Shepard Gray is such a great writer and it seems like her novels keep getting better and better! ( )

The Patient One is a touching story about friendship, love, patience, family, and faith. Will, Elizabeth Anne, Harley, Logan, Katie, Marie, John and Andy plus Andy’s little sister, Tricia have been friends since childhood. The fact that they were from different religions does not bother them (Old Order Amish, Mennonite, English and New Order Amish) or affect their friendship. The group is devastated when Andy kills himself. They do not understand why he did not talk to one of them. The group had drifted a little as they took on adult responsibilities and jobs, but they would drop everything for one of the group (as we saw in Friends to the End). Marie has moved back to Walnut Creek, and she wants to finally explore her feelings for John Byler. Their relationship will be complicated since John was raised Amish, but he has not been baptized. Molly Byler, John’s younger sister, became paralyzed after a buggy accident when she was nine. She is now sixteen and wants to be treated as any other girl her age. Molly is thrilled when Danny Eberly wishes to spend time with her. I like that the characters are from different backgrounds. As John and Marie explore their romantic relationship, their differing views come into play. It provides interest and depth to the book. Logan and Tricia (their story began in Friends to the End) are included peripherally in the story. There are updates on their progressing relationship. We get to see how this group of friends deal with the loss of a close friend. The friends must deal with grief, guilt, anger, and confusion. None of them understand why Andy did not confide to one of them. I hope we get answers about Andy in future books. The Patient One has Shelley Shepard Gray’s signature writing style which drew me in right away. The story is well-written with pacing that suits the book. The characters are complex along with their situations. I look forward to learning more about each character as the series progresses. Patience is a recurring theme in The Patient One. Patience with people, situations and life. All things happen in His timing, not ours. My favorite line in the book was “even in the darkness of times there was always a glimmer of light”. I recommend reading Friends to the End before embarking on The Patient One. The Patient One is an insightful and emotional story that will touch your heart. ( )