Today for Fiction Friday I’m sharing my book recommendation for Toni Shiloh’s new contemporary Christian romance, The Nature of Love, releasing on February 4, 2025.
Here’s the Book Description:
A doctor feeling fractured
Dr. Erykah Kennedy, a renowned orthopedic surgeon, finds herself at a crossroads in life. At forty-one, she’s achieved remarkable success in her career, yet when it comes to her love life, she feels hopeless. But when she meets Christian Gamble, a passionate wildlife conservationist, an unexpected bond forms between them despite their contrasting worlds.
A wildlife enthusiast ready for more
Chris has yet to find someone to share his adventures with, but as his friendship with Erykah starts to blossom, he begins falling for her in every way. When tragedy strikes and Erykah suddenly becomes guardian to her nieces, Chris helps her pick up the pieces.
Two hearts destined by nature
With their lives turned upside down, finding their way to a lasting love while putting their faith in God may be the biggest challenge they’ve ever faced.
The Nature of Love is a clean, African American contemporary romance with themes of friends to lovers and the healing power of love. This heartfelt happily-ever-after tale is the series finale of Shiloh’s beloved Love in the Spotlight novels.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading The Nature of Love, the third book in Toni Shiloh’s Love in the Spotlight series set in Colorado. Erykah is an accomplished orthopedic surgeon who is married to her career. She raised her younger sister because their parents were incapable and bailed on them. Erykah is an independent woman who has spent years prioritising her work at the expense of her personal life. Her best friend is her younger sister who married and moved to Kentucky. Erykah loves her five-year-old niece, Cheyenne, and her baby niece, Ashlyn.
Chris is a YouTube star and wildlife conservationist who lives in an eco friendly log cabin home. He feels like the fifth wheel in his friend group, but he can’t forget the excruciating emotional pain from being jilted at the altar. He’s happy his two close friends, Lamont and Tuck, have found their future wives and are busy making wedding preparations. Chris has a generous heart, but he’s wary of relationships.
Chris and Erykah’s meet cute is adorable, and they become friends who ignore the underlying attraction that could lead to something more. Erykah’s life is turned upside down when she suddenly becomes the caretaker of her young nieces. Grief is a theme that’s explored in the story. I empathised with the characters and shed a few tears while reading about their difficult circumstances.
Chris is Erykah’s friend and her rock who lives his faith and plays a role in Erykah’s journey to faith. I loved how Erykah’s salvation story sets the stage for Erykah and Chris to become more than friends. It was fun reuniting with Lamont and Nevaeh plus Tuck and Piper from earlier books in the series. The strong friendship between the men, and the group messaging where they support and pray for each other, is an important part of the story.
I recommend The Nature of Love to contemporary romance readers who like friends-to-more romances that deal with hard issues, including grief and the daily challenges of caring for young children, and have a strong faith element in the story.
Many thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Learn more about Toni Shiloh and her books at her website.
