The Protective One

Shelley Shepard Gray

Jan 2020 · Simon and Schuster · Narrated by Tavia Gilbert

About this audiobook

New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray weaves a moving and unforgettable exploration of love and friendship in this “slow-burning, enjoyable romance [with] a poignant message about the importance of community, compassion, and doing what’s right rather than what’s easy” (Publishers Weekly).

The tragic and untimely death of an old friend has made Elizabeth Anne rethink not only her priorities but also her courtship with David, her longtime neighbor and suitor. Though he’s Mennonite like herself and has her parents’ approval, she feels that a spark is missing. Desperate for a change, she breaks things off—wondering if, perhaps, she’s the one who’s missing a spark.

When her family becomes upset with her decision, E.A. turns to her friends for support. One of them is Will, a man with a good heart who has always been there for her. As the two bond over their shared struggle to navigate a future that everyone else seems to have figured out, they are surprised to realize that they have feelings for each other.

But E.A.’s world takes a sudden turn when she realizes that she’s not the only one struggling—Marta, one of her sewing students, is in desperate need of protection. With the aid of Will and several other friends, E.A. begins a journey that is more difficult and rewarding than she could have ever imagined...one that ultimately enables her to find everything she’s been searching for.

“Gray deftly weaves the threads of abuse, friendship, love, and faith into a thought-provoking, emotional story” (Patricia Davids, USA TODAY bestselling author) that is sure to appeal to both new and longtime fans.

Ratings and reviews

I loved all the stories about the EIGHT! I hope there will be more! Please be more!

About the author

A practicing Lutheran, Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than one hundred novels, translated into multiple languages. In her years of researching the Amish community, she depends on her Amish friends for gossip, advice, and cinnamon rolls. She lives in Colorado with her family and writes full time.