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The Road Unveiled

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Two wounded hearts. Long, winding roads. And second chances neither saw coming.
Lauren Baumgartner pedals toward Yellowstone National Park, anticipating a grand celebration when she reaches the Atlantic Ocean. But when her wedding plans collapse, old wounds resurface—and a haunting secret still holds her heart hostage.
Traveling alone with bear spray and a one-woman tent, she shares the highway with motorcyclists bound for a massive rally, including gang members who eye her as theirs for the taking.
Doug Zimmer, another lone cyclist, is grappling with loss and wondering if anyone will be alongside him when he figures out what’s next. He isn’t the only one drawn to Lauren’s vitality and spirit.
But Lauren may already be in too deep. What she faces on the Golden Prairie Indian Reservation tests her courage—and her faith—more than anything she encountered as a missionary in Uganda.
A woman with a secret and a man healing from loss pedal the rugged roads of the American West on a quest for love and purpose that leads to unexpected horizons.

Fiction that matters.

TIM BISHOP is an award-winning author who has marveled from his bicycle seat at many of the landscapes Lauren and Doug explore. As an online coach, his passion for helping others navigate life’s challenges bleeds onto the page, inspiring readers to embrace their own journeys of growth and discovery.

388 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2025

5 people are currently reading
2819 people want to read

About the author

Tim Bishop

7 books290 followers
After a thirty-year career in business, Tim Bishop left his corporate treasurer position, married his dream girl, and embarked with her to parts unknown—on bicycles. Ten thousand miles later, the first-time newlyweds have written four books about their cycling adventures. Their devotional Wheels of Wisdom won four first-place book awards. Publishers Weekly dubbed it “a road map for life.”

Tim volunteers as a coach for a ministry that reaches people who are dealing with challenging life issues. In addition to writing inspirational content, he has also penned the business book Hedging Demystified. A graduate of the University of Maine, a CPA, and a three-time Maine chess champion, Tim and his wife, Debbie, live in Middle Tennessee. Connect with him at TimBishopWrites.com.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Amanda (BookLoverAmanda).
719 reviews1,046 followers
dnf
December 31, 2025
This is a Christian Contemporary Romance that was sent to me by the author for an honest review. There are things I liked but some of the subject matter just ultimately caused me to be uncomfortable and therefore I had to put it down. The writing itself is good and engaging, but the content made me uncomfortable. See below. No explicit language or sexual content but just situations as explained below that bothered me.

It's certainly a journey of healing and second chances. We have a 42 year old cyclist, Lauren, who is always moving forward. Her heart is broken after ending things with her fiancé, as her fiancé of a long time is not sure what he wants. She goes on a bike trip to Yellowstone, cycling with Doug, a 60 year old friend of hers, after the loss of his wife, they go together on a trip. They shared miles and conversations, adding emotional depth to the story.

They go their separate ways for a bit and Lauren meets Lars, a young, attractive man, who she ends up traveling with.

What caused me to set this book aside around 60%:
- While Doug was my favorite traveling companion in terms of character....genuine, steady, kind, and protective, I struggled with the romantic direction hinted at between him and Lauren. The age difference stood out to me, as Doug is around sixty while Lauren is in her early forties, making him old enough to be her father. Although their connection made sense on an emotional and friendship level, the romantic undertones and insinuations were difficult for me to fully embrace. I would rather see the friendship develop. I did skip to the end and I like what he did with the ending, but unfortunately, I lost interest with the suggestions of a romance between them constantly and the reminders that he was "old enough to be her father."
- The other issue is she just broke up with her fiancé and after just meeting Lars, they have some close proximity sexual situations (kisses, romantic closeness) that she has to stop. She is a believer and strong in her faith and prayer life. Lars is dealing with same-sex attraction and is not a believer, yet she still seemed interested in him for a while? She sees him with another man, holding his hands, and while the faith aspect handled that discussion with him well and she was trying to point him to Jesus, I did not like their possibility of a romance together with all the issues he was going through.

In other words: I commend the author for not shying away from such a complex and sensitive reality. What made this particularly challenging to read was that Lauren still showed a level of interest in him despite knowing both his internal struggles and his uncertainty in his faith and issues, especially as a committed believer herself. That tension created moments of discomfort for me as a reader, but not because the topic was handled poorly in any way. It was just uncomfortable for me, personally.

Outside of those convictions I had, it was good to see the Indian Reservation details and travel bits to Yellowstone, high stakes regarding the bear situations and her prayers...I just wasn't comfortable continuing due to the above reasons.

Thank you to the author for taking a chance and sending me his book to review. These are my honest thoughts.
Profile Image for Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe).
611 reviews53 followers
January 16, 2026
*This review contains spoilers*

This book was unexpected and there are still parts of it that I am still not sure how I felt about them. That being said, I actually really did enjoy the story.

This story follows Lauren, a woman in her early 40s, who has recently broken up with her fiance. She goes on this bike trip that was supposed to be her bachelorette party, and meets up with Doug, a biking friend of hers, who is 60. On this trip she meets yet another man named Lars. This is where the story lost me a little. There are 3 men vying for this woman's attention, one who she was engaged to and now has broken up with, a man who is old enough to be her Dad, and a pretty boy who we find out is seeing a man behind her back. Lauren is a strong Christian who wants to be married before her biological clock runs out so she can have children. She goes back and forth about all 3 of these guys throughout the whole story and for a little bit there I didn't want any of them to win her heart!

The thing with Lars was strange because I am glad that the author didn't shy away from a character struggling with same sex attraction, but she literally sees him holding a man's hand and then still keeps thinking that maybe her and Lars are still maybe gonna happen? If that was me that saw that there is no way I'd still want to date this man. 😅 So, that just felt off to me! However, the whole situation brought up some very good conversations in the story and how to deal with these problems in a biblical way.

The whole thing with Doug was off putting until I realized he was trying to fill a void with Lauren that he felt after losing his wife. That is a real thing when it comes to grief and it felt very realistic.

I loved the writing style. It was very engaging and it felt like I was there!

I have to say that I really loved the ending and it turned out exactly how it should have in my opinion. The only thing that I had some complaints over was that Lauren goes through a lot of trauma in this story and sometimes I wondered if it even phased her at all? I felt like she needed to freak out a little bit more about everything happening. 😅

Overall, I really enjoyed the story and I really appreciate the author giving me a copy to read for an honest review. These are my honest thoughts!

Also, the dedication in this book is one of the sweetest things I've ever read!

*This story contains attempted SA, kidnapping, talks of suicide, drugs, and alcohol use*
Profile Image for Jannette.
37 reviews6 followers
November 2, 2025
The Road Unveiled is a fascinating story of self-discovery for Lauren Baumgartner (a forty-something-year-old cyclist always heading toward her next destination). She also discovers things about those who accompany her along the journey. And about a particular man who has been in her life, but not as a traveling companion.

What I love most about Lauren is the trust and determination she clings to. Even more so, when she encounters uncertainty and dangers of all kinds. It's also encouraging to see God's provision of protection, food, shelter, and support (from various people) on the road. Doug, though much older, is my favorite companion of hers. He's genuine, reliable, encouraging, and safe. As for Lars—the younger man she befriends, who is also kind and helpful—it was difficult and uncomfortable to read about because of his current life and background. I felt the same pertaining to other situations within the plot, but they were a bit more manageable to get through. Still, I commend the author for portraying the unfortunate realities of said characters and situations that many face in the world we live in.

Aside from the sensitive topics I didn't expect, readers will find reflections of light, hope, and fulfillment among the pages of this fast-paced, inspiring, cycling adventure.💖🕊️🚴🏻‍♀️💖

*I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this book from the author, but I also purchased a personal copy to support the author. I was not required to write a review, and all opinions expressed are my own.*
Profile Image for Reader Views.
4,803 reviews340 followers
January 7, 2026
The Road Unveiled, book two of the Bicycle Adventure series by Tim Bishop, offers readers glimpses into a journey few will be able to achieve on their own, along with some action, drama, and romance.

Lauren Baumgartner begins her cross-country bicycle trek in Portland, Oregon. She’s so excited about this trip that she’s planned for ages, and especially happy that her fiancé, Jeffrey Maddox, flew in from Virginia to surprise her the day before her trip. Her plan is to take a few months for this bicycle trek, then firm up their wedding plans so Lauren and Jeffrey can begin their future together. But, you know what they say about the best-laid plans… Before she fully realizes what she’s doing, she’s taking her engagement ring off and handing it back to the man she thought was the love of her life.

So, Lauren begins her trip with a heavy heart. Her travel companion, Doug Zimmer, is also dealing with a broken heart after the loss of his wife. Doug set out on a solo trip to hopefully heal his heart and allow him time to develop new plans. He’s agreed to team up with Lauren for a while, in large part because he worries about a woman cyclist traveling alone.

Their trip will include amazing scenery, breathtaking natural beauty, and wild animals they’ve never encountered before (including some they hope never to encounter again). They’ll have moments of immense joy, but they’ll also endure perilous road conditions and discover that not everyone you meet on the road is as nice as you.

I was not fortunate enough to read the first book in this series, so I came into The Road Unveiled a bit blind. In fact, I didn’t even realize at first that this book was continuing a story and characters from a previous book. This made for some confusing moments on my part until I was able to do some research. I felt at loose ends for the first several chapters as people were mentioned and then appeared to drop off the radar. It was also a little difficult to make a strong connection with Lauren and Doug at first because their characters were established (I’m assuming) in the previous book.

Having said that, though, I found Doug to be a very likable character; morally strong, honest, kind, and generous, and comfortable in the role of protector for the younger and often stubborn Lauren. Lauren seemed likable with a huge heart for others, but she was also prone to reactionary decisions. She refused to listen to the advice of others when she talked about biking through Yellowstone, for instance. She also meets another man, Lars, on the road at one point when she’s traveling alone, and decides to travel with him for several days. To me, this seemed like a risky decision, and in some ways it turned out to be.

The pace of The Road Unveiled could be considered a “biker’s pace.” This is not a fast-paced thriller, but neither is it a pedantic walk in the park. Along their journey, Lauren and Doug will have many conversations about topics that affect not only them, but many of us as well. So, there is wisdom to be gleaned from these pages and the characters within, many of whom are Christians and may quote scripture to provide further insight.

In many ways, this is a heartwarming “Hallmark” kind of story, yet the characters will face tough situations and will discuss important life events. Lauren feels drawn to more than just her ex-fiancé in this story, and will need to make some decisions. The same could be said of several of the characters as well. In fact, some choices faced here will be literally life or death decisions.

An interesting theme that ran throughout the novel was the nearly persistent sound of motorcycles, as the annual bike rally at Sturgis was just about to get underway, so bikers were headed in the same direction as Lauren and Doug. It seemed wherever our characters were, they were discovering another group of bikers on their way to the rally. They sometimes had direct interaction with them and sometimes successfully avoided them, but the sound of motorcycles (either close or from a distance) seemed almost like an audible backdrop to every scene and was frequently a source of stress for the cyclists. I wondered if perhaps this was a symbol of the pervasiveness of sin in our modern lives, reminding us that our choices always have consequences.

The Road Unveiled by Tim Bishop continues the Bicycle Adventure series, a character-driven novel with a cast of strong and very human personalities. It is a story of love, loss, loyalty, and the strength and hope of the Christian life. Readers who appreciate Christian fiction, long-range cycling tales, and the great outdoors (particularly the American West) will find much to enjoy here. It is recommended that readers begin with book one, The Persistent Road.
Profile Image for Deana Dick.
3,086 reviews135 followers
January 12, 2026
A beautiful journey that takes readers across country to discover God’s plan. I loved the scenery we get to experience as Lauren and Doug travel on bicycles. I couldn’t imagine having the stamina to bicycle for hours. The roads are unforgiving at times with steep hills, unrelenting traffic and unpredictable weather.

Lauren is driven to complete a promise she made. She had no idea that in the midst of her adventure she would encounter a deeper relationship with God. She knows that she must find peace within herself but I could tell at times she was unsure if she heard from God. Lauren can be too trusting at times, which finds her in a few questionable circumstances. I like that Lauren reads her Bible daily and finds comfort.

Doug is so opposite of Lauren but they both have a similar reason for their journey. The author allows us to feel how deep Doug’s lonliness is. He wants to find happiness again. When he and Lauren start their adventure we witness a bond of friendship develop. Doug starts to look at Lauren as more than just friends but holds his feelings close to his heart. It must have been a very hard decision for him to decide not to continue his journey with Lauren as their destinations change.

A deeply moving story that brings change, trust and danger as readers follow the main characters. I kept feeling like I was right beside them as they take on the adventure of a lifetime. Will they find the answers they are seeking? Can God restore what the enemy has tried to take from them? Grab a copy and find these answers as you travel to a place where new beginnings await.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
330 reviews2 followers
October 24, 2025
Lauren and Doug meet up on a cross country bicycle adventure. They spend time traveling together which provides safety and companionship for both. The trials of the trip and the scenery descriptions lent depth to the story which I enjoyed. The relationship that Lauren and Doug share is sweet, but also sad at times.
There was also hints of romance between the two of them, as well as Lars and Lauren, and the mentions of Lauren's broken engagement to Jeffrey. This story kept me guessing as to which man would eventually win Lauren's broken heart to the very end. I'm not sure I would have made the same choice as Lauren, to be honest.
For me, the saddest part of the story was when they ride through the Golden Prairie Indian Reservation. While living in southeastern Montana near an Indian reservation as well as living in western Nebraska hearing stories of the nearby Indian reservations I can testify as to how accurate the living conditions and the experiences of the Native Americans that Lauren and Doug come in contact with really are.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The opinions and comments are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Caroline|Page~Turners.
577 reviews15 followers
November 4, 2025
Lauren Baumgartner, an avid cyclist that embarks on a solo journey to Yellowstone National Park, her thoughts drifting through her mind as she rides along the open road.

Traveling alone, she faces the inherent risks of the road, from wildlife and motorcyclists to gang members. As she approaches the Golden Prairie Indian Reservation, her faith is tested. Doug Zimmerman, another lone cyclist, grapples with his own thoughts of loss and the uncertainties of his future. As they become traveling companions, Lauren and Doug make a great team.

“The Road Unveiled” by Tim Bishop is an emotionally charged narrative that explores the complexities of dealing with past struggles and forging a future. I was very encouraged by the message that God always provides our every need and He never leaves us. I was utterly captivated by this story.

The author’s vivid descriptions of the miles of road and the breathtaking experience of sleeping under the night sky left a lasting impression on me. From cover to cover, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s an inspiring tale that will undoubtedly stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend this remarkable read.
Profile Image for Joan.
4,366 reviews127 followers
January 14, 2026
This is a novel for bicycle enthusiasts. It does a good job of portraying the joys and trials of taking a long distance ride. Bishop gives lots of setting descriptions, both scenic vistas and traveling through old towns established during a gold rush in Montana. He also explores some serious topics in this novel, like same sex attraction, the plight of Native Americans living on reservations, abortion, and motor cycle gang violence, for example.

This novel is also a romance as Lauren struggles with the affection of three men. The resolution of that dilemma was not what I had expected. There is a very clear gospel message included, with the exploration of forgiveness prominent.

This is the second novel in a series and, while it reads relatively well on its own, the first should be read to fully appreciate this one. There is not enough background information at the beginning to explain everything, such as allusions to tragedies in the past. \

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Profile Image for Barbara Tucker.
Author 1 book18 followers
October 24, 2025
The Road Unveiled is a follow up to The Persistent Road. As in his previous novel, Tim Bishop takes the reader through a remarkable journey along with his characters, Doug and Lauren. Both Doug and Lauren are searching for God’s will to be unveiled in their lives. During their journey, they draw closer to God while facing significant trials and decisions. Tim’s use of imagery describing the beauty of God’s creation plus his use of suspense makes this cycling adventure come alive for the reader. I enjoyed the story but not necessarily Lauren’s character development. She just seemed too desperate to have a man in her life. Even though this bothered me as a reader, I still felt the book earned 5 stars.

I did receive an advanced readers copy but my opinions are entirely my own.
2 reviews
October 31, 2025
I really enjoyed The Road Unveiled. This is Tim Bishop’s second installment, highlighting characters Lauren and Doug, introduced in his first novel, The Persistent Road. The Road Unveiled takes us on another unforgettable long-distance bicycling adventure. I was drawn in by Tim’s ability to make me feel like I was on the trip. His descriptive writing skills helped me visualize the beautiful areas the bikers explored. The story moves quickly as the main characters face a variety of dangerous experiences, some made worse by their own poor decision-making. I also enjoyed the romance that weaved its way through the book and kept me guessing the outcome until near the end. This is a page-turner and a very well-written novel - definitely one of the best works of Christian fiction I have ever read!

I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Profile Image for Gail Hollingsworth.
1,005 reviews51 followers
January 9, 2026
This is the third book by Tim Bishop that I have read and I’ve enjoyed them all. Having been on a cross country bike ride himself, he writes from personal experience which makes the stories all the more real. Lauren has the goal to ride through Yellowstone National Park, not thinking through the dangerous animals. She had rode a while with Doug, an older man, but he did not want to ride through Yellowstone. They parted ways but eventually she met a man, Lars, who was also traveling through Yellowstone. Her former fiancé Jeffrey was also in the picture but he was a lawyer not a bike rider. Each man had a place in Lauren’s life but I was surprised at the ending. This trip was full of adventure, danger and close calls. It also brought out the plight of the American Indian and the reservations they live on. It gave me pause for thought. A great story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.
Profile Image for Heather Pickett.
385 reviews27 followers
October 13, 2025
I very much enjoyed The Road Unveiled by author Tim Bishop. You don’t need to be a cyclist to enjoy this book. I found myself living vicariously through Doug and Lauren with the beautifully written descriptions of their surroundings as they traveled. I also felt myself identifying with each of them. These are people that know the Lord, but NEED the Lord. They are kind, they pray, they help others, but among those great characteristics are others. These are also people who grieve, who feel frustration, fear, and selfishness. These characters are human, and are relatable as they face their physical journey across the states, as well as their spiritual journey. While this is a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading the first book, The Persistent Road, to get to know Doug more.
My thanks for the complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Julie.
350 reviews12 followers
October 4, 2025
It was almost impossible to put down. One beautiful young woman with three romantic possibilities, as she cycles across country. My favorite aspect of the book was getting to ‘see’ the National Parks and beauty of places I’ve never been, through the author’s descriptions. The perils you could encounter were made very real, and I think that’s what made it so difficult to put down.
Profile Image for CFBC Library.
18 reviews1 follower
November 25, 2025
My review of the first book in the series (The Persistent Road) championed the chief female character, Lauren: “[She] is the highlight of the story. Lauren’s personality and enthusiasm helped keep the tale interesting.” Did that ever change in this sequel—by 180 degrees.

In the original, Doug had the main role. In book two, Doug is second fiddle as Lauren takes the preeminence and, because we now get deep into her thoughts, my presumed angel becomes a loser, at least in my opinion.

Lauren is supposed to have taken numerous years of her young life serving as an altruistic missionary at an orphanage in Uganda. Yet the Lauren in this story is disappointingly self-centered. She takes a dangerous course away from Doug to trek on her own despite repeated warnings from so many not to. She has no sensible reason for the risk. A real chance of physical and/or mental harm to see nice scenery?

Throughout her perilous escapade, she pines over her wayward fiancé Jeffrey, wonders about “sweet” Doug, and then lusts after a stud named Lars whom she meets on the road. Her fleshly imaginings toward Lars are only intensified by foolishly placing herself in inappropriate circumstances with him.

Amidst all of this, regardless of some “caring” comments about people she meets or platitudes in prayer, she demonstrates only a concern for herself and her love life, and certainly no particular care for the possibility of her also-ran beaus’ fractured emotions. To be honest, I was so disturbed by her relationship with Lars that I nearly tossed the book in the trash.

I finally decided to at least skim the remainder to find some redemption in her story, although I never found it. There are some dramatic happenings later in the book but they only amplified my determination to never ride a bike across America. The gospel is presented, however it is a small element surrounded by a sickening tale of three poor saps fixated on the same self-seeking woman.

I’d like to say I was just in a bad mood the day I read this book, but I read it off and on over two weeks. This “love” story lacks real love. The author is talented, though obviously I failed to find in the heart of Lauren a Christ-centered believer.

—reviewed by BH
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
208 reviews14 followers
October 14, 2025
Travelling long distance by bike is something I have never done or will ever do. Being able to live vicariously through the characters in this book has been very enjoyable.
This book picks up where The Persistent Road left off. Although it is readable on its own, I am glad I took the time to read them in order. It was wonderful to be back with Doug, Lauren, and other beloved characters again. There will definitely be one or two that every reader can relate to. I learned a lot about bicycling and the delights and dangers of living on the road, which is causing me to look out more for people on bikes in my path. Sometimes when I could not quite visualize the scenery, I looked online for pictures. While it is the closest I will get to some of those places, it is inspiring to get a glimpse of our country’s natural beauty. Be prepared for many faith elements as characters naturally turn to thoughts of the Creator in the midst of His amazing creation. This book was definitely more focused on the scenery but there was still plenty of action to go around, especially in the second half.
I deducted a star because Lauren was much less believable in this story compared to book 1. No woman, no matter their level of faith and trust in God, would have such blatant disregard for her own safety. She also bounced back too quickly from extremely traumatic situations. It made me glad things did not end up the way I thought they might. Doug is a great character that still has potential for much growth. I would love to read his continuing story.
Overall I have greatly enjoyed this series and would love to read more novels from this author. I definitely recommend reading both books in order.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Mayda.
3,863 reviews65 followers
December 1, 2025
Lauren Baumgartner is pedaling her way towards Yellowstone National Park. She meets Doug Zimmer, another lone cyclist, and they decide to travel together at least for a while, especially for safety reasons. Doug doesn’t want to go to Yellowstone, not being a fan of free-roaming bears, but Lauren wants to experience the beauty of the park. So they part ways, at least temporarily. This is the beginning of their adventures, which does indeed include an encounter with a bear, vandalized bikes, close calls in heavy traffic, and a life-threatening event on the Golden Prairie Indian Reservation. This novel covers several social problems as well as personal ones. Lauren feels that her fiancé is having second thoughts about getting married, and she breaks off their engagement. Doug is still mourning the death of his wife and wondering about the rest of his life. Lauren meets another man on her trip who catches her interest, especially when he seems to need some spiritual guidance in his life. Through these characters various social issues are explored, including sexuality, abortion, treatment of Native Americans, alcoholism, drug abuse, and gangs. All these issues are seen through the filter of Christian beliefs and morals which are prevalent throughout the story. It’s a well-written tale, with interesting characters placed is an intriguing setting. This book may not send you on a bicycling trip across America, but it may lead you to contemplate what you can do to help others.
Profile Image for Pamela Barrett.
Author 27 books38 followers
November 26, 2025
The Road Unveiled is book 2. I didn’t know about the first book, but it didn’t matter because it can be read as a stand-alone. Book 1 gives the back story about Doug, one of the main characters. This part of the story is about Lauren who is cycling towards Yellowstone, a place she has always wanted to see and one that people say can be dangerous for cyclists. She started cycling alone but now travels occasionally with Doug who she has met on this journey. Lauren is brave because she was a missionary in Uganda and has faith that God will take care of her, but this trip will stretch her faith and bring to the surface long hidden fears. Doug is also grappling with emotions from his past compounded by his concern for Lauren’s safety. The author Tim Bishop is a cyclist, so he brings alive the journey and the places they travel through. He also addresses how faith is applied to many current day heartaches through each character and the choices they make. At the very start I thought it was going to be too preachy and judgmental, which concerned me because I like to share Christian fiction with my “on the fence” friends. I’m glad I didn’t stop reading because this story is about compassion and not being so quick to judge what other people are going through.
738 reviews11 followers
November 8, 2025
“The Road Unveiled” is a Masterpiece of Christian fiction. Through the continuing journeys of Doug and Lauren we see pieces of ourselves, and God who patiently helps us through our struggles. The road isn’t always straight or easy but there’s hope in the destination.

Doug is seeking direction after the death of his wife, and the open road might be the place to find out what his purpose is at this juncture of life. Lauren is challenging herself to a cross country ride before she gets married while contemplating the future.

For safety the two team up for safety but separate as Lauren heads one direction and Doug another. They meet obstacles along the way and end up together further in the journey. In their travels they meet interesting people; a motorcycle gang, a young man contemplating suicide, a man seeking his true identity, a Native American community.

Through each interaction they learn more about themselves, their faith, and their purpose in life, giving me things to contemplate in my own faith journey.

This is an excellent book I will return to. I highly recommend it.
63 reviews
December 7, 2025
I enjoyed this book for two main reasons: the descriptions of the countryside and the Christian faith of the characters. I could relate to the descriptions of Yellowstone, Wyoming, and South Dakota because my family and I took a road trip (driving, not biking) through many of the areas described. I admired the main female character praying for the various people she encountered, even the creepy ones. I appreciated the compassionate and Biblical way she talked to a man struggling with homosexuality. She did not water down the Biblical position, but she did not speak in a judgmental or condemning way. The ending was kind of odd and surprising to me, but I can't say why or it would be a spoiler. I didn't read the first book "The Persistent Road" before reading this one, so I felt a little lost about some context and background, but it didn't significantly interfere with understanding and enjoying this book. Content considerations: Lauren experiences many instances of men leering and ogling her and making suggestive comments; also an attempted gang rape.
Profile Image for Paula Shreckhise.
1,534 reviews142 followers
December 29, 2025
This book is a raw and honest look at a bicycle road trip by Lauren, a forty-two year old woman who served in a foreign orphanage for years, and Doug, a retired widower. They are both Christians and encourage each other along the way as bike buddies. The book is also an inside look at the struggles that Lauren has with her fiancé Jeffery and what each really wants out of their relationship.
The trip was full of beautiful scenery but also dangers from the elements, the wildlife and some scary biker dudes.
Trigger Warning- the scenes at the Golden Prairie Indian Reservation are traumatic. But Laura and Doug meet some wonderful people there and at other stops along the way.
The characters and situations were realistic, although Lauren made some unwise choices, and the outcome was anything but predictable.
I enjoyed this road trip story and the lessons that the characters learned about their faith and their lives.
*I won a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Library Thing. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
1,290 reviews
January 10, 2026
The Road Unveiled is the second book in the Bicycle Adventure series by Tim Bishop. This story foll0ws after the first in the series, so it is best to read them in order. This is a well written story that follows Lauren and Doug as they cycle across the United States. This story contains relationship drama, danger, and suspense that kept me reading to see what would happen next. I enjoyed how realistic this story is with the situations that can occur on such an adventure. It also shows how people can form a quick friendship when working together and how they come to care for each other. I appreciate the Christian aspect of this story. It shows how God brings people together at the right time. I enjoyed the suspense of Lauren riding in the Yellowstone National Park, the close encounters they had while navigating narrow roads and the dangers of riding through certain areas.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Cover Lover Book Review.
1,478 reviews86 followers
January 18, 2026
The Road Unveiled follows Lauren on a cross-country cycling trip as she navigates her feelings between three potential love interests. I enjoyed the first book in this series and was eager for this continuation.

I struggled a bit with this one. Lauren didn’t resonate with me in the same way she did in book 1. Though I hoped she’d make good choices, appreciated her concern and prayers for those around her, and loved the spiritual undertones and expressions of faith, I was actually more drawn to the national park descriptions and stunning landscapes than by her character.

With that being said, I still found this story enjoyable overall—just not as much as the previous one. The narrative isn’t afraid to address tough issues and ultimately reassures readers that God is always present and unfailing.

#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Ken.
5 reviews2 followers
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January 16, 2026
Once again, Tim Bishop has used his years of experience trekking our nation's roadways to provide us a glimpse into a two-wheeled adventure that most of us will never see.
The Road Unveiled, like his excellent first novel, The Persistent Road, thrusts readers into this unpredictable and unsafe world, competing with tractor-trailers and other unkind drivers for space along an already narrow strip of asphalt. Tim’s story offers us a vicarious snapshot of a life most of us cannot imagine, let alone desire.
Tim’s characters are genuine and believable. The level of strength and self-confidence exhibited by Lauren Baumgartner is impressive, and I believe a rare commodity. Most of us who ride our own bikes through our calm and familiar neighborhoods cannot imagine making such a bold and exciting trip into the unknown. I’ll leave that to Tim and Lauren.
Profile Image for Christian Shelves.
284 reviews41 followers
October 20, 2025
This book is the continuation of The Persistent Road, a bicycling travelogue across the United States for Doug Zimmer and Lauren Baumgartner. In it, we encounter all sorts of danger, including those of the wild and those from people who may wish to do harm to travellers. It's a harrowing adventure amongst moments of solitude where the main characters have time to think about what's most important in life while battling the elements face-to-face. Along the way, we meet an assortment of characters, ranging from those divinely appointed to bring aid to those with nefarious purposes. If anything, the fortitude to travel on a bicycle through difficult terrains requires much prayer and resiliency.

The Road Unveiled is not afraid to tackle topics that Christians may shy away from as reality collides with theological beliefs in the starkest of ways on the open road. It doesn't refrain from offering truth when circumstances are dire, and it's a gritty look at how people can live. If you're looking for a book that offers tough choices, danger, and the realization that we cannot live life on our own, Doug and Lauren's story is memorable and will leave you thinking about those we might not observe when we pass by others in vehicles.

Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...

Many thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jeanette Durkin.
1,593 reviews49 followers
December 29, 2025
This was an interesting book about friendship, trust and faith. It follows the journey of Lauren as she bicycles toward Yellowstone National Park. She meets many people along the way; some are nice and others are dangerous. Throughout the many trials that she faces, her faith in God prevails. She even talks to others about her faith. There are definitely some triggers in this book: kidnapping, almost suicide, almost rape and bicycle accidents. For me, the book gave me a lot of hope. Circumstances come up, life gets hard but God never fails.

I won a complimentary copy of this book from LibraryThing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
94 reviews2 followers
November 7, 2025
Lauren is on her way, by bicycle, to the Atlantic Ocean all by herself. She has met up with Doug who is traveling alone as well. They decide to bike together as they head towards the east coast.
Lauren's wedding plans have fallen apart and she has a dark secret that haunts her every mile. Doug is healing from loss and searching for a God who no longer seems to be there. Will Lauren be able to out run her past? Will Doug be able to find God? Only time will tell. Grab a copy today and find out if everything is resolved in this book, or will there be a book three to deal with these issues.
Profile Image for Melissa Henderson.
Author 8 books189 followers
October 3, 2025
Exploring the country on a bicycle leads to new relationships, experiences, and self awareness. In this intriguing book, author Tim Bishop takes the reader along with the bike riders as they journey through different emotions and revelations. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.
16.7k reviews155 followers
November 11, 2025
She is cycling across America after learning her wedding is canceled. She is surrounded by motorcyclists and they want her but she steers clear. She is about to meet him and he is trying to overcome his loss. See if they get together
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a wonderful read
Profile Image for Sarafina.
596 reviews
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January 5, 2026
DNF a few chapters in** I struggled to find the story in this story. There were some confusing plot points considering this is a "Christian" novel. I liked the setting, and the writing is well-done, I just didn't like the story line and some of the tropes with same sex attraction, age-gap and being unequally yoked.
Profile Image for Ruth.
442 reviews6 followers
December 18, 2025
I did not like this book as well as the one that precedes it. I did not like Lauren very much. Perhaps if there had been hints about what she reveals at the end it would have helped. I also didn't care for the final biking segment. I received an ARC and am leaving a review voluntarily.
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