Personally, I hate novels that incorporate children. Well, most of them. Some do it really well, and Michelle Grey just earned six stars (remember, out of five) from me for Unspoken Bonds.

Rachel is a sign language interpreter for the state of Kansas, so it isn’t unusual for her to be called to the hospital to help translate for children. One call, one child, though, changes her life forever.

When Rachel meets Lily, a six year old with no family, she immediately takes her into her home until the state can contact someone related to her. The state finds Lily’s uncle, Garrett, who wants nothing more than to hand Lily off to a boarding school.

Rachel argues with Garrett, and ultimately wins a job as Lily’s nanny and teacher. That means Rachel picks up everything and moves to Charlotte, North Carolina to live with Garrett and Lily.

While Garrett and Lily become close, Garrett and Rachel also develop an unspoken bond that neither of them are willing to admit is there. Garrett runs his own company and is in the process of dealing with someone on the inside that is ruining his company. Rachel is Lily’s teacher and is determined to help her regain hearing that she lost when she was younger.

As I said, I don’t normally enjoy books that have children that are the main part of the story. This novel though, was written so well, and with such a fantastic story line, that I could not put it down. I fell in love with Rachel, Lily, and Garrett. I have so many good things to say about this book, that I feel as if I can’t put it all into words.

This story flows so well. Every point of view change, every chapter… it all fits perfectly. There were some formatting and grammar issues, but nothing big. I picked up this book, not having read the description of it, and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I was sucked in. The idea of this story, the plot, all of it, is just amazing and fun. There’s also moments of suspense too, and at one point, or two, okay, three points, I literally gasped out loud. Yeah, I love it when authors can do that to me.

The relationship between these characters is amazing. There are some really sweet moments in there that broke my heart.

“Do you think Uncle Garrett would let me call him Daddy? And can I call you Mommy?”

Lily is just the sweetest little thing. She’s been through so much, but she still has the biggest heart out of anyone I know. Garrett and Lily, Garret and Rachel, Rachel and Lily, even all three of them together, these relationships between characters are all so different, but they’re all heartwarming. It makes me so happy to read about such love and change.

The characters by themselves are amazing too. Very dynamic and very different from each other. I loved seeing Garrett go from closed off, all business, to open and a family man. I just learned there was a first book in this series, Dangerous Ally. Guess what I’m going to read now!

Michelle Grey is also in the process of a third one, writing the story of Jack, Garrett’s best friend. Can’t wait!

Congratulations, Michelle, on a fabulous six star book. Can’t wait for more!