The Forbidden Caller

Author: Shelley Shepard Gray
Genre: Amish Romance
Series: The Amish Widows Club #2
Pages: 304
Release Date: September 15, 2026
Publisher: Revell

She finds belonging in the Amish Widows Club--but will she dare to love across an impossible divide?

Twenty-four was too young to become a widow, but Jenna Graber is learning that grief doesn't follow anyone's timeline. Nearly two years after losing her husband, Jimmy, in a workplace accident, she's still struggling to make ends meet while raising her five-year-old daughter. When Jenna is invited to join the Amish Widows Club, blooming friendships stir hope in her heart. And thank goodness for Nelson Harper, the Englisher who runs the mill where Jimmy worked. His steady friendship and generous help have been a lifeline.

Nelson knows he's treading on dangerous ground having fallen for Jenna and her precious daughter--their worlds couldn't feel further apart. Religious differences and Jenna's grief make the divide almost impossible to cross, and Nelson carries a burden that could destroy the trust between them. As long-buried secrets surface, Jenna must face hard truths about the past--and decide what her heart can accept for the future.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

Y’all, this book was so very good that I wanted to take my time and savor it. I love Gray’s books so much, that once I finished it I knew I’d have to wait a while for the next one.

Jenna is grieving the loss of her husband, which I cannot imagine how some women do it. I dread that day. She’s an amazing woman who’s journey of grief,  joy and forgiveness I felt down to my very soul. I admired her especially where her daughter Katie is concerned. 

I simply couldn’t put this book down. I snickered, and yes, in some places I wanted to cry. I finished this book very early this morning. I had to see what happened next. I found myself rooting for Jenna the whole way through.  

Love will find a way if it is meant to be. That’s why I loved this story a lot. 

I’m giving this delightful story 5 stars for a job well done and for keeping me turning the pages. 

I received this book from Revell Publishing through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley for my honest opinion. 

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Reviewer: Elizabeth Eckmeyer

Shelley Shephard Gray does it again with another excellent book in the series, The Amish Widows Club! She is such a phenomenal writer. Her books keep you coming back page after page of entertainment! 

Jenna Graber lost her husband in a work accident. After a year of grieving she gets an invitation to the unsecret women’s widows club. Her connection to other women help her to work through her grief as she is raising her daughter. 

Nelson Harper is a multi generational owner of a carpentry shop. After one of his employees dies of an accident, he spends his time befriending his widow. As he spends ,more time with her and her daughter, his feelings change from guilt to love but the problem is she is Amish and he is not. 

Franny works for the family business. She is divorced and happily single. One day a client changes her life: Hank. He awakens feeling she has left behind. As a friendship develops, Franny wonders what could become of this unlikely friendship.

Of course, this story was a sweet page turner! There was a lot of suspense with the characters. You were always questioning what was going to happen. There was also phenomenal characters of the community! I highly recommend this story. 

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.

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