Shifting Gears

by Sarah Kohnle

A cross-country bicycle trip is the last thing on Meg Albertson's mind as she struggles to get through the first Christmas after her husband's death. But Robert, her husband, attempts to control her even from the grave. On DVD, he dictates a plan to liberate his ashes and reunite Meg and her estranged son Josh. If they do accept the extraordinary challenge, can Meg and Josh survive a summer of togetherness without killing each other?

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 2014

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written book makes me feel something about the character--when reading Shifting Gears, I had immediate sympathy for the main character, Meg and an immediate desire to ground the teenage son! This is a touching story about Meg, recently widowed and Josh, her teenage son as they struggle to come to grips with their new reality. Meg has given up a lot of control in her marriage and it seems that her husband is still controlling her from the grave as he tells her and Josh via DVD after his death that they are to take a cross-country bike ride together. Right away you realize that Meg is not only out of touch with her own spiritual and emotional needs, but her body as well. Josh is angry and there is a lot of misplaced blame on his mother. It is interesting to watch the transformation in Meg as she strengthens her body and her spirit in training for the ride. As Josh and Meg travel on their bikes across the west, they come to a better understanding of each other--the ending has a bit of a surprise to it that tells you how far both son and mother have come.

[Wanita Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shifting Gears by Sarah Kohnle took me on a journey beginning when Robert leaves a video challenge for his wife and son with the hope that accepting that challenge will help them to heal individually and as a family. The mother and son bicycle trip from Oregon to Missouri to take Robert's ashes to the baseball stadium in St. Louis is described in vivid detail. I was with them every mile of the way and it was a fabulous ride!