The Stories We Carry

Author: Robin W. Pearson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 352
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

A small-town bookstore owner finds herself at odds with a newcomer bent on disrupting her quiet life in this Southern women’s fiction novel by award-winning author Robin W. Pearson.

Glory Pryor has carved out a life for herself in Gilmore, North Carolina, cultivating a community around her bookstore, By the Book. While her business is a success, she carries the weight of stories of her own she’s never told anyone. She holds out hope that one day her estranged brother will turn up on her doorstep so she can finally learn where he’s been all these years. Glory’s husband Eli thinks she has her arms wrapped too tightly around the could-have-beens, and that it’s time for them to let go of the store as they head into their retirement years. Glory has different opinions on that—she’s not ready to give up the dream she’s built just yet. Then Adelle Simonette shows up with her young son, Bennett, and Glory’s carefully controlled life begins to crumble.

Newly widowed Adelle Simonette is a single mother trying to find her footing and navigate parenting her young son. Lost in her grief, one thing she’s certain of is that she needs to confront Glory Pryor and everybody who knows her because the woman’s been living a lie. Adelle thinks it’s high time Glory made things right. But Adelle’s finding it hard to tell the truth . . . and there will be no going back once she does.

In the wake of deeply personal grief and loss, two women reckon with a lifetime of silence and secrets to find a path forward toward healing, hope, and restoration.

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Reviewer: Elizabeth Eckmeyer

I have never read anything from this author previously. The title stuck out to me as a story not to be missed. My assessment was accurate. The beginning of any good story focuses on the particulars of the current situation. Then, the story came into action. 

Glory, a bookstore owner, is married to the love of her life—Eli. Although they have known each other since elementary school, love came later for the couple. Glory has put her entire life into the store, while Eli gave up his business to start a life with Glory. Glory has secrets well hidden. 

Adelle comes to town with her growing son, Bennett. With secrets of her own, she starts to create relationships with the people in town, including Glory. She came to town with a purpose in mind, but as she gets to know the people of “By The Book,” her mission becomes more challenging. 

This story is about how secrets and grief hurt our hearts. I loved this book. I feel like everyone has a past, and only God can change our future. This is a serious read with numerous twists. You will fall in love with the characters. Definitely a must-read! 

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

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