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The Broken Road #2
The Forgotten Road
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
The second novel in the bestselling trilogy from Richard Paul Evans about a man on an inspirational pilgrimage across Route 66 to find his way back to himself.
Chicago celebrity and successful pitchman Charles James is supposed to be dead. Everyone believes he was killed in a fiery plane crash. But thanks to a remarkable twist of fate, he’s very much alive and ready for a second chance at life—and love. Narrowly escaping death has brought Charles some clarity: the money, the fame, the fast cars—none of it was making him happy. The last time he was happy— truly happy—was when he was married to his ex-wife Monica, before their connection was destroyed by his ambition and greed.
Charles decides to embark on an epic quest: He will walk the entire length of Route 66, from Chicago to California, where he hopes to convince Monica to give him another shot. Along the way, Charles is immersed in the deep and rich history of one of America’s most iconic highways. But the greater journey he finds is the one he takes in his heart as he meets people along the road who will change his perspective on the world. But will his transformation be enough to earn redemption?
The second novel in the bestselling trilogy from Richard Paul Evans about a man on an inspirational pilgrimage across Route 66 to find his way back to himself.
Chicago celebrity and successful pitchman Charles James is supposed to be dead. Everyone believes he was killed in a fiery plane crash. But thanks to a remarkable twist of fate, he’s very much alive and ready for a second chance at life—and love. Narrowly escaping death has brought Charles some clarity: the money, the fame, the fast cars—none of it was making him happy. The last time he was happy— truly happy—was when he was married to his ex-wife Monica, before their connection was destroyed by his ambition and greed.
Charles decides to embark on an epic quest: He will walk the entire length of Route 66, from Chicago to California, where he hopes to convince Monica to give him another shot. Along the way, Charles is immersed in the deep and rich history of one of America’s most iconic highways. But the greater journey he finds is the one he takes in his heart as he meets people along the road who will change his perspective on the world. But will his transformation be enough to earn redemption?
259 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2018
785 people are currently reading
2239 people want to read
About the author
Richard Paul Evans
231 books6,572 followersWhen Richard Paul Evans wrote the #1 best-seller, The Christmas Box, he never intended on becoming an internationally known author. His quiet story of parental love and the true meaning of Christmas made history when it became simultaneously the #1 hardcover and paperback book in the nation. Since then, more than eight million copies of The Christmas Box have been printed. He has since written eleven consecutive New York Times bestsellers. He is one the few authors in history to have hit both the fiction and non-fiction bestseller lists. He has won several awards for his books including the 1998 American Mothers Book Award, two first place Storytelling World Awards, and the 2005 Romantic Times Best Women Novel of the Year Award. His books have been translated into more than 22 languages and several have been international best sellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 884 reviews
May 6, 2018
I really enjoyed the first book so I was looking forward to this one. But the majority of the book is like a Route 66 tour guide. It seemed completely irrelevant and page filling waste of all the small towns, random tourist traps, and a complete description of every meal he ate along the way. Finally towards the very end of the book there was a small glimpse of what I enjoyed in the first book. I'm not sure the reasoning on everything being a trilogy these days, but I'm hoping the third book is better than this!!
May 10, 2018
The Forgotten Road is the second installment in Richard Paul Evans' trilogy titled Broken Road. This continuation follows fictional character: Charles James as he finds purpose while using his presumed death to navigate a new life. It follows him as he starts his journey on foot from Chicago to California via Route 66. My personal reading experience had me viewing this book as Undercover Boss meets a Route 66 travel guide manual. Charles' character is very descriptive about his journey on Route 66: Landmarks are noted, its history is explored, and interesting tidbits are shared. At the same time, Charles is meeting tons of side characters along the way, hearing about their lives, goals, and struggles, working along side them, giving financial gifts or making a mental note of how he would like to help them with his money and resources once he has ended his journey.
Overall, an unexpected but entertaining continuation of Charles' story, a story which I very much look forward to continuing.
My favorite quote:
"To understand the world we live in, we must first understand that we are not seven billion people occupying one world—rather, we are seven billion worlds occupying one planet."
May 16, 2018
Another beautiful book by RPE! I enjoyed learning some of the history of Route 66, as well. Highly recommend!
February 19, 2021
It started with The Broken Road and keeps getting better.
December 1, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
This story line wasn’t as good as the 1st book The Broken Road but still enjoyable.
Onto the 3rd story The Road Home.
This story line wasn’t as good as the 1st book The Broken Road but still enjoyable.
Onto the 3rd story The Road Home.
July 24, 2019
Forrest Gump walks Route 66
"That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road...I ran clear to the ocean." -Forrest
As i was reading this i couldn't help but think about Forrest Gump.
"I had run for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours."
" I'm pretty tired... I think I'll go home now."
Not much of a story but the telling of it was good. 3 stars. That's all i have to say about that.
"That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road...I ran clear to the ocean." -Forrest
As i was reading this i couldn't help but think about Forrest Gump.
"I had run for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours."
" I'm pretty tired... I think I'll go home now."
Not much of a story but the telling of it was good. 3 stars. That's all i have to say about that.
May 4, 2018
second book of the series by Richard Paul Evans. I got the book because I was looking forward to the how things ended up with Jesse James and his wife. Little did I know over half of the book was his journey on Route 66. Not much of his personal journey. It wasn't until nearing the end of the book that some of the old characters come into play. At this point I'm really annoyed; I don't know if I will pick up the last book in the series when it comes out. Also, 46 chapters come on..
May 24, 2018
Charles James had celebrity, wealth and success, but all his money couldn't buy happiness. When freak circumstances keep him from boarding a plane that crashed, and Charles is believed to be dead, he is given a second chance. Recognizing his greatest mistake was not appreciating his ex-wife, he decides to walk Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica and ask for her forgiveness.
His journey is filled with tidbits about Route 66 and it's storied history. It's the people he encounters though that are the heart of the story, as in this Psychiatrist who offers this insight: "But if I can give you some advice, for your own sake, keep an open mind. There's a difference between not believing in the existence of a higher power and denying the existence of a higher power because you've blamed it for something that's happened to you."
As Charles walks and reflects on his past, and future, he discovers the man he wants to be. The insights he finds are lessons we can apply to our own lives.
Another inspiring book by Richard Paul Evans. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
His journey is filled with tidbits about Route 66 and it's storied history. It's the people he encounters though that are the heart of the story, as in this Psychiatrist who offers this insight: "But if I can give you some advice, for your own sake, keep an open mind. There's a difference between not believing in the existence of a higher power and denying the existence of a higher power because you've blamed it for something that's happened to you."
As Charles walks and reflects on his past, and future, he discovers the man he wants to be. The insights he finds are lessons we can apply to our own lives.
Another inspiring book by Richard Paul Evans. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 30, 2018
The farther I read into this book, the more the plot reminded me of Evans' previous trilogy, The Walk. Lots of the same themes and incidences, just on a different road. I will finish the trilogy despite this. I like Evans' style and messages. Just a little disappointed in the similarities.
May 19, 2018
I was looking forward to this book which is the second in a trilogy about a man who is given a second chance at life due to the fact that a plane he was supposed to be on crashed. Everyone believes he is dead. He decides to walk to where his ex wife lives via Route 66. Most of the book is about his walk and the sights around the famous road. I was more interested in how he was going to do good things for people along the way. Granted at the last one third of the book he does do,a few good acts of kindness, but was not enough to give the book a better rating. Hopefully the last book in the trilogy will be much better.
January 26, 2021
When Charles hits rock bottom and now has freedom because everyone thinks he's dead he decides to walk Route 66, all of it!! That is 2500 miles. He starts just to see if he can do it but it soon becomes a whole lot more. He has a goal that keeps him walking. Along the way he meets people that would need help from him. He becomes friends with them and each new person is special in one way or another. This book is totally about his journey. The ups and downs, meeting people who you grown and fall in love with. While reading this I would love to make a goal likes Charles, my bucket list. I know I could never walk all of Route 66 but do something like Charles that is life changing. This book was fabulous like the 1st. It is such a great series, just because if you are down and out you can, like Charles, you can change your life for the better. I highly recommend this series. Its a life changer, which we all need to read!!
December 15, 2019
The Forgotten Road continues the story of Charles James.
Charles is essentially given a second chance at life when a plane he was supposed to be on crashes and everyone thinks he is dead.
He takes the opportunity, after realizing the impact he made on the world was insignificant, to better himself and to help others. He wants to reconcile with his ex-wife. He realized he was never happy after he became rich and famous and wants to return to the true happiness he had before his life took a dramatic turn.
This book talked about Charles’s walk along Route 66. His 2500 mile journey to clear his mind. He’s starting over and he is walking along Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA where his ex-wife is.
The book was a relatively light, easy read... I read it in a day, but not much happened. It talked mostly about the sites and landmarks Charles saw and experienced along Route 66. While interesting, it read more like a detailed guide for a trip you may be planning if you decide to drive across the country on Route 66. Now, it wasn’t as dull as a guide book, but it didn’t read like a normal story. I found it quite interesting, the details vivid and allowing me to picture these iconic sites, but I wanted more of a story.
Overall, it was a super quick read, and I need to get the final book of this series to finish Charles’s story.
TW: Brief mentions of physical abuse (from character’s childhood).
Charles is essentially given a second chance at life when a plane he was supposed to be on crashes and everyone thinks he is dead.
He takes the opportunity, after realizing the impact he made on the world was insignificant, to better himself and to help others. He wants to reconcile with his ex-wife. He realized he was never happy after he became rich and famous and wants to return to the true happiness he had before his life took a dramatic turn.
This book talked about Charles’s walk along Route 66. His 2500 mile journey to clear his mind. He’s starting over and he is walking along Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA where his ex-wife is.
The book was a relatively light, easy read... I read it in a day, but not much happened. It talked mostly about the sites and landmarks Charles saw and experienced along Route 66. While interesting, it read more like a detailed guide for a trip you may be planning if you decide to drive across the country on Route 66. Now, it wasn’t as dull as a guide book, but it didn’t read like a normal story. I found it quite interesting, the details vivid and allowing me to picture these iconic sites, but I wanted more of a story.
Overall, it was a super quick read, and I need to get the final book of this series to finish Charles’s story.
TW: Brief mentions of physical abuse (from character’s childhood).
May 6, 2018
Using the backdrop of historic Route 66, Richard Paul Evans makes you think about the road to your own legacy. Imagine showing up at your own funeral and being surprised to find the number of attendees in the single digits. That's what nationally known motivational speaker Charles James finds after "surviving" a plane crash in his hometown of Chicago. As he makes plans to show up at his own funeral and surprise everyone with the good news that he had not actually boarded the fateful plane, he is shocked to find that the only people in attendance were his personal assistant and a close friend that he had recently betrayed. As a result, he decides to embark, by foot, on a journey of self-discovery in hopes of taking advantage of a second chance to build a more purposeful life.
This is the 2nd book in the "Broken Road" series, and although it stands alone, don't miss the first book, which is equally compelling.
This is the 2nd book in the "Broken Road" series, and although it stands alone, don't miss the first book, which is equally compelling.
April 14, 2019
Unfortunately I didn't read the first book but I did enjoy this one anyway. Charles James is supposed to be dead but in reality he isn't. He missed his flight by a few minutes and the plane he was supposed to be on crash. He misses his ex-wife and decides to travel Route 66 to be with her. On foot. He sets off from Chicago to L.A. and meets many friendly people along the way. He also meets with a bicycle gang who robs him of all his money and cell phone. Without options he joins a group of migrant workers to get a bit of cash. Through his experiences he learns a deeper value of what life is all about.
January 19, 2026
Pretty good second installment in this series.
July 16, 2018
The connections Charles James makes in this second installment and the epiphanies he experiences are 5-star worthy. Unfortunately 50% of the book is a travel guide on Route 66. Not that the details about the route are not interesting -- there were just too many town names one after the other sprinkled with museum/gas station/restaurant visits and descriptions of what he was eating. That part was worth 2 stars. Hence the 3-star rating. Based on the ending of Part 2, Part 3 looks more promising. Additionally, Charles's detour to raise $$ for his trip give much food for thought and sheds light on a hidden segment of our culture.
April 19, 2019
This book cannot decide if it wants to be a travel narrative of route 66 or the fictional story of Charles James Gonzalez. Much of the space is taken up with the sights, amusements and flavors of Route 66, and Charles story squeezes in around the edges. The nice thing about this is that at the beginning of the book Charles is still not a kind or good person so the reader needs something else to care about until the road, the walk and the people he meets along the way can slowly start to change him.
May 24, 2018
Disappointing. I expect much more from this very good author. No meaningful advance of the story. Seems like it was generated to fulfill a book commitment.
July 15, 2018
Love this storyline!
July 1, 2025
Book 2
Charles James continues his life changing adventure. Everyone thinks he is dead. He thought about letting people know the Great Charles James was actually alive. That he didn't dead in the plane crash. He sure there will be a big crowd at his funeral. His assistant arranged for a big crowd. But when he arrives he finds maybe 8 people there and only he knew only a couple. One he never expected. It an eye opener for him. No one was really grieving him. He decided to quietly leave.
He then goes back to his original ideal . He going to walk the route 66 from Chicago to California. Where he hopes to reunite with his ex wife . But as he travels he mets many people who's own life challenges make him think. With no intention he is working through his own personal issues.
Can't wait to get the last book in this series
Charles James continues his life changing adventure. Everyone thinks he is dead. He thought about letting people know the Great Charles James was actually alive. That he didn't dead in the plane crash. He sure there will be a big crowd at his funeral. His assistant arranged for a big crowd. But when he arrives he finds maybe 8 people there and only he knew only a couple. One he never expected. It an eye opener for him. No one was really grieving him. He decided to quietly leave.
He then goes back to his original ideal . He going to walk the route 66 from Chicago to California. Where he hopes to reunite with his ex wife . But as he travels he mets many people who's own life challenges make him think. With no intention he is working through his own personal issues.
Can't wait to get the last book in this series
October 9, 2025
Charles James is still walking Route 66 from the first novel in this trilogy. The beginning and the end were the interesting bits. However, we do get to meet a couple of characters along the way. Is it a human interest bit? Yes. However it doesn't really relate to Charles himself. I might have only listened with one ear during the middle.
The end sets up nicely for the third and final instalment.
The end sets up nicely for the third and final instalment.
May 12, 2022
I didn't think I would finish the book but it was easy reading and short paragraphs, and basically a short story.
Charles James had celebrity, wealth and success, but all his money couldn't buy happiness and after a fatal air plane crash of which he was suppose to be on crashes. The subject decides to avoid being one of the unfortunate and presumed dead, enbarks on a walking journey of old Route 66 from Chicago to California to make amends with his divorced wife. Along the way he meets a variety of people and adventures--some good, some not so good.
Besides a suprise ending the book developed into a "cant put down" and leaves the reader with the thoughts of being a happy ending--or a not so happy ending but warranted a 4 star ending from a almost "not finished book" leaving the reader with "food for thought.
Charles James had celebrity, wealth and success, but all his money couldn't buy happiness and after a fatal air plane crash of which he was suppose to be on crashes. The subject decides to avoid being one of the unfortunate and presumed dead, enbarks on a walking journey of old Route 66 from Chicago to California to make amends with his divorced wife. Along the way he meets a variety of people and adventures--some good, some not so good.
Besides a suprise ending the book developed into a "cant put down" and leaves the reader with the thoughts of being a happy ending--or a not so happy ending but warranted a 4 star ending from a almost "not finished book" leaving the reader with "food for thought.
May 7, 2018
I totally couldn't wait for this book to come out. I even pre-ordered it which I very seldom do. At the beginning of the book there was enough about Book 1 that my memory was refreshed and I wasn't lost as I got into Book 2. At the beginning, when Charles was deciding what to do since he was "dead" from the plane crash that he missed getting onto, I kept thinking you need to tell someone. What about your money and the people that worked for you. He went to his own memorial and was surprised at the amount of people that showed up. But the memorial is what decided him to walk the Route 66 all the way to California. I enjoyed hearing about Charles's adventure's, the places he passed on the road. He worked as a migrant worker for awhile, which changed a great deal about the way he was thinking about people and life. As I got to the end of the book, I could tell it wouldn't end with book 2. I was so eager to see how he meets up with his ex-wife and little boy. Well, I guess I will just anticipate the next book on the Forgotten Rd.
May 13, 2019
This one seemed to go off track for me a bit but then got back to the deeper story. Enjoyable enough to want to pick up the third in the series.
January 7, 2021
I picked this up in a whim, not realizing it was the middle book of a trilogy. It referred back to events from the first one enough that I don’t think I’m really missing anything by having not read it first. I laughed, almost cried, and enjoyed some interesting conversation with my husband regarding this character and events in the story (he doesn’t like to read, but this really did inspire interesting conversation). There were several chapters that dragged on, like a Route 66 history tour, that he walked and walked some more, but it got better again toward the end. Not a fan of books in a series, but dang it, now I want to see how it ends!
September 21, 2019
In this story, a man who was at the pinnacle of his success narrowly escapes death when the plane he just missed crashes and burns on takeoff. Everyone believes he was on it, so he decides to remain 'dead' and starts a pilgrimage along the old Route 66 from Chicago to California. He has amazing insights during his journey that make him examine his past life and question everything he thought he knew about himself. This is a quick read and a wonderful story about the quirks of fate and the new opportunities to get to know the real 'self' in ways never before imagined.
August 3, 2018
I read the second book first, this is the order i received them when I reserved them. They probably should be read in order to get some of the back story, but not necessarily. I'm half way through the first book which tells you how James got to where he was in the 2nd book. All in all an interesting and captivating story. Sometimes I feel like I'm there with him and other times like I'm observing.
October 6, 2024
Mocne 2,5⭐️😭
Moja przeprawa przez ponad połowę tej części jest jak droga bohatera przez Route 66.
Kurde szkoda, bo 1 część mi się podobała, jednak sięgnę po ostatnią.
Moja przeprawa przez ponad połowę tej części jest jak droga bohatera przez Route 66.
Kurde szkoda, bo 1 część mi się podobała, jednak sięgnę po ostatnią.
August 27, 2018
A beautiful story of a man who is presumed dead and how he finds peace
And himself as he walks Route 66 from Chicago to California. It is an
inspirational tale of himself and several he meets along his journey. This
Is the second book In this trilogy. I would highly recommend this read.
And himself as he walks Route 66 from Chicago to California. It is an
inspirational tale of himself and several he meets along his journey. This
Is the second book In this trilogy. I would highly recommend this read.
December 28, 2020
I enjoyed this second book in the series but not for the reasons I thought I would. I learned a lot about Route 66 and some interesting facts that I didn't know, such as the inspiration for the Disney/Pixar movie Cars cam from traveling Route 66. Reading this book made me wish I could take off on a road trip!
While there was some reflection on life by the main character, I was hoping for a lot more on his journey, so in that respect, the book fell a little short for me.
While there was some reflection on life by the main character, I was hoping for a lot more on his journey, so in that respect, the book fell a little short for me.
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