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The Broken Road #3
The Road Home
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Richard Paul Evans, the dramatic conclusion in the riveting Broken Road trilogy--a powerful redemption story about finding happiness on a pilgrimage across iconic Route 66.
Chicago celebrity and pitchman Charles James is supposed to be dead. Everyone believes he was killed in a fiery plane crash, a flight he narrowly missed. But thanks to that remarkable twist of fate, he's very much alive and ready for a second chance at life and love. Escaping death has brought Charles some clarity: the money, the fame, the expensive cars; none of it brought him true joy or peace. The last time he was truly happy was when he was married to his ex-wife Monica, before their relationship was destroyed by his ambition and greed, which involved bilking people out of thousands of dollars through pyramid schemes.
In the exciting and provocative series that began with The Broken Road and The Forgotten Road, Charles is still on his pilgrimage across the iconic Route 66 in The Road Home. He intends to finish his trek from Amarillo to Santa Monica, despite learning that his ex-wife is now engaged. With the initial reason for his trip in jeopardy, he still has lessons to learn along the way before he discovers--and arrives at--his true destination.
Chicago celebrity and pitchman Charles James is supposed to be dead. Everyone believes he was killed in a fiery plane crash, a flight he narrowly missed. But thanks to that remarkable twist of fate, he's very much alive and ready for a second chance at life and love. Escaping death has brought Charles some clarity: the money, the fame, the expensive cars; none of it brought him true joy or peace. The last time he was truly happy was when he was married to his ex-wife Monica, before their relationship was destroyed by his ambition and greed, which involved bilking people out of thousands of dollars through pyramid schemes.
In the exciting and provocative series that began with The Broken Road and The Forgotten Road, Charles is still on his pilgrimage across the iconic Route 66 in The Road Home. He intends to finish his trek from Amarillo to Santa Monica, despite learning that his ex-wife is now engaged. With the initial reason for his trip in jeopardy, he still has lessons to learn along the way before he discovers--and arrives at--his true destination.
363 pages, Library Binding
First published May 7, 2019
691 people are currently reading
1946 people want to read
About the author
Richard Paul Evans
227 books6,520 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 761 reviews
May 12, 2019
The Road Home is the third and final installment in Richard Paul Evans' trilogy: Broken Road. Fictional main character, Charles James completes his pilgrimage of self-reflection across Route 66 to find a greater definition of happiness. With a strong spiritual component, life lessons we can all benefit from, and a setting that could easily find a spot on a Travel Channel documentary, the Broken Road Trilogy is sure to satisfy Evans' many loyal fans.
My favorite quote:
"Did you find what you wanted?
No, but maybe that's what I needed.
That's the best explanation of life I've ever heard."
My favorite quote:
"Did you find what you wanted?
No, but maybe that's what I needed.
That's the best explanation of life I've ever heard."
August 14, 2019
Another awesome novel from the author of the Walk Series. This being the third and final book of the Broken Road Series, I continue to take these journeys with enjoyment and great satisfaction.
I highly recommend this trilogy as well as this well acclaimed author. I myself, look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I highly recommend this trilogy as well as this well acclaimed author. I myself, look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
May 16, 2019
What a great conclusion to the trilogy. I love all three books in the Broken Road Series. I loved the giving heart and the stories and lessons. Evans just can't write a bad book. This is a must read series. I highly recommend it.
June 7, 2019
This is the final book in the Broken Road Trilogy by Richard Paul Evans. The main character is Charles James, a successful Chicago businessman, who is reported dead after a plane crash. Given the circumstances, Charles opts to leave his life behind and walk along Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA in hopes of reconciling with his ex-wife.
In this novel, Charles resumes his walk in Texas, then continues walking through New Mexico and Arizona before arriving at his destination in California. As with the previous two books, there is a great deal of detail about the sleepy little towns that he walks through. I was more interested in some of the descriptions of the setting in this book, because I have never been to the southwest. Still, it was way too much repetitive detail to really keep me engaged.
Charles has several encounters with people along the way, which are memorable and helped the story progress. I especially liked reading about his encounter with the man in the cowboy hat who ran a homeless shelter. I also found his encounter with the married couple in the campground thought-provoking.
As the story wraps up in CA, Charles has reevaluated his life and makes changes in how he spends his money. He also works on reconciling fractured relationships. The book is about second chances, reconciliation and redemption.
May of the reviews of this book are glowing. I think I am an outlier. The writing seemed uneven to me. There were loose ends, and the injection of a character from book 2 with no background explanation. I never did warm up to Charles, despite the changes he made in his life.
I usually like novels by Richard Paul Evans, but this one just did not measure up to some of his previous novels. I rate the book 2 stars.
In this novel, Charles resumes his walk in Texas, then continues walking through New Mexico and Arizona before arriving at his destination in California. As with the previous two books, there is a great deal of detail about the sleepy little towns that he walks through. I was more interested in some of the descriptions of the setting in this book, because I have never been to the southwest. Still, it was way too much repetitive detail to really keep me engaged.
Charles has several encounters with people along the way, which are memorable and helped the story progress. I especially liked reading about his encounter with the man in the cowboy hat who ran a homeless shelter. I also found his encounter with the married couple in the campground thought-provoking.
As the story wraps up in CA, Charles has reevaluated his life and makes changes in how he spends his money. He also works on reconciling fractured relationships. The book is about second chances, reconciliation and redemption.
May of the reviews of this book are glowing. I think I am an outlier. The writing seemed uneven to me. There were loose ends, and the injection of a character from book 2 with no background explanation. I never did warm up to Charles, despite the changes he made in his life.
I usually like novels by Richard Paul Evans, but this one just did not measure up to some of his previous novels. I rate the book 2 stars.
February 19, 2021
There's a crucial continuity element that's absent in this serial which was both distracting AND detracting
Either Jose (Joe Gonzales) predeceased Charles as stated in book 2 or the author decided the reader wouldn't notice Jose had somehow been resurrected in book 3.
It's rather astonishing that such a major blunder wasn't caught by the editors.
January 26, 2021
Now that Charles completed his journey he goes to where he needed to go, which doesn't work out for him. Sometimes you can't get from what you want out of life. So Charles is at a loss to what to do. Does he come out of hiding? What can he do for others, like so many have done on his journey. One thing for certain his life has changed, for the better? He has a choice can he be a better person than what he was before the walk. Slowly he comes out to people but before he completely comes out he has things to do, and with courage he does them. The mission he goes on is beautiful. It is awarding to see how much life can change if you want it to change. But how about his goal? Can he still receive it even after there is no change to have it? I love this series. I picked it up for light reading on Sunday and never realized how much how my life can change for the better like Charles. It is a choice that everyone can make. You don't have to walk 2500 miles to make the choice, it is within you. I highly recommend this series. It is amazing. Or like Charles, it is life changing!!
June 11, 2019
For me an excellent book always leads to Google. I want to know if the events described actually happened--the passages feel that real to me. I wasn't able to ascertain if this series by Richard Paul Evans is real. The best I could find was "loosely based on real events." In this last book of the series, the narrative frame at the beginning and the end certainly make it feel real.
And then I realized it doesn't matter if it "really happened." The lessons learned are the same. This book is filled with overcoming and life choices and our ability to turn and go in a new direction. I especially enjoyed the section with Cowboy and the homeless shelter--people being the hands and feet of God.
An uplifting read.
And then I realized it doesn't matter if it "really happened." The lessons learned are the same. This book is filled with overcoming and life choices and our ability to turn and go in a new direction. I especially enjoyed the section with Cowboy and the homeless shelter--people being the hands and feet of God.
An uplifting read.
August 10, 2019
This book is the fitting conclusion of a trilogy. It is the final story of an individual’s personal and professional struggle. A most necessary introspective journey, of his final redemption, confirmation of faith, finding peace in his soul and deep love in the heart. Making wrong things right, and giving back to those in need, which he is able to do in impactful ways, now that he has seen and experienced situations he would not have even bothered with before. This is Charles James.
I really liked the descriptions of Route 66 (or what was once the thriving, historical Route 66 in its entirety, with its unusual landmarks and museums, gas stations and old timey roadside diners and oddities). Some still remain, others are abandoned or gone. It was a road that was very well travelled, until US Interstate 40 subsequently replaced a large segment of Route 66 and the roadway was decommissioned. The highway, which became one of the most famous roads in the United States, originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California, covering a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km). I felt like I was walking beside Charles, stopping with him along the way, visiting museums, restaurants, meeting the locals.
I certainly don’t want to give away any of the story, especially since it’s the finale. There are a lot of life lessons to be learned from reading this trilogy and following Charles from his first challenging and unhappy episode to the end. He definitely is now a changed man and lives to tell his story for others to benefit.
I really liked the descriptions of Route 66 (or what was once the thriving, historical Route 66 in its entirety, with its unusual landmarks and museums, gas stations and old timey roadside diners and oddities). Some still remain, others are abandoned or gone. It was a road that was very well travelled, until US Interstate 40 subsequently replaced a large segment of Route 66 and the roadway was decommissioned. The highway, which became one of the most famous roads in the United States, originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California, covering a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km). I felt like I was walking beside Charles, stopping with him along the way, visiting museums, restaurants, meeting the locals.
I certainly don’t want to give away any of the story, especially since it’s the finale. There are a lot of life lessons to be learned from reading this trilogy and following Charles from his first challenging and unhappy episode to the end. He definitely is now a changed man and lives to tell his story for others to benefit.
May 16, 2019
Seemed like some of the writing was lazy, like he was tired of the journey and just wanted to finish.
Does he get paid by the chapter? This book has 53 chapters, some only two pages in length.
Sandia Mountains are east of Albuquerque, not west.
If Amanda booked him at a Hyatt Regency why did he go to a Marriott instead?
I guess that’s the reason for the disclaimer at the end.
Does he get paid by the chapter? This book has 53 chapters, some only two pages in length.
Sandia Mountains are east of Albuquerque, not west.
If Amanda booked him at a Hyatt Regency why did he go to a Marriott instead?
I guess that’s the reason for the disclaimer at the end.
December 18, 2019
I found the ending to be a little predictable. I am not sure that is fair to say. I have read quite a few of his books. I am not saying I don't want an upbeat resolution. I did enjoy the process and journey Charles went on. I found it comparable to The Walk. I did find The Walk a more satisfying read though. I am not sure if it is quality or timeline. I read The Walk first. So yes, this three book series was good. I enjoyed it. It was well written. I think the characters are very familiar to all the audience. I think RPE writes so that everyone can access the feelings of the characters and the struggles they are faced with. I would recommend it.
August 13, 2019
I remain underwhelmed by this latest series from Richard Paul Evans. Despite the fact that both of the leading men went for walks across country, "The Walk" series was so much better. I was so much more invested in Alan Christoffersen than in Charles James. It was interesting to read all of the facts about Route 66 along the way, but so often it just felt like a travelogue on that iconic highway. All of the I slept here and ate this stuff was like a family sharing too many photos from their latest vacation. There were some passages that really spoke to my heart, but I just didn't feel a connection to the characters with this one. Looking forward to seeing what RPE writes next, though. I would love to see another entry in the Mistletoe Inn series!
May 10, 2019
The book has a lot of history about Route 66 and the people he meets along the way. I kept thinking about the first Walk series, which the anticipation was so high. I just couldn't wait to see what was happening next. This book and the series didn't have that for me. I kept thinking it was like Route 66, in its glory days, all the action, fun and excitement but now there isn't much there and the excitement isn't there.
Charles James as he was walking along Route 66, starting learning about himself and when he met a homeless man, and then stayed at the homeless shelter, that was like a light bulb went off for him. He asked himself as he was leaving to continue his walk, why God didn't do something? Then he said, He just did. It was like this was his defining moment when what he set out to do, came to a realization and he became a changed man. The transformation in him was amazing, and it was nice to be a part of his journey. His goal was to walk the route 66 to California to his ex-wife and his son and try to get her back. When he got there, it wasn't what I was expecting, so there were surprises along the way, some insight and when asked why he did it, he said to decide if he wanted to live or not. Maybe this is why the book didn't have the excitement because having the choice of continuing letting everyone think your dead or coming forward is a pretty solemn place. So for me, the author wrote this book as it had to be written and I am glad the story was told. Like Charles's journey, reading the book was like his journey. I didn't realize until finishing the book and thinking back on it, all that had gone into the book. I can see the parallel between his journey and route 66 and why Richard Paul Evans chose for James to walk this route. It may not of have had the excitement but it sure had the depth and feeling of what route 66 had and has now. Well done.
Charles James as he was walking along Route 66, starting learning about himself and when he met a homeless man, and then stayed at the homeless shelter, that was like a light bulb went off for him. He asked himself as he was leaving to continue his walk, why God didn't do something? Then he said, He just did. It was like this was his defining moment when what he set out to do, came to a realization and he became a changed man. The transformation in him was amazing, and it was nice to be a part of his journey. His goal was to walk the route 66 to California to his ex-wife and his son and try to get her back. When he got there, it wasn't what I was expecting, so there were surprises along the way, some insight and when asked why he did it, he said to decide if he wanted to live or not. Maybe this is why the book didn't have the excitement because having the choice of continuing letting everyone think your dead or coming forward is a pretty solemn place. So for me, the author wrote this book as it had to be written and I am glad the story was told. Like Charles's journey, reading the book was like his journey. I didn't realize until finishing the book and thinking back on it, all that had gone into the book. I can see the parallel between his journey and route 66 and why Richard Paul Evans chose for James to walk this route. It may not of have had the excitement but it sure had the depth and feeling of what route 66 had and has now. Well done.
May 28, 2019
Spoiler alert- Didn’t really get into until the end. I found it boring hearing what he ate and where he slept day after day. Good ending but just too good of an ending. I found it unrealistic that is ex-wife who was engaged is just now available.
December 14, 2023
Absolutely love this story the 3rd in the series.
June 25, 2019
This is the final installment of the series, and I liked this book a lot better than the second, mainly because he finally got to the point. Book 2 was more of a wandering travelogue and it got tiresome in places. I like some of the lessons learned by Charles James, who literally walked a 2,000 mile long road from Chicago to Los Angeles (Route 66). Along the way he learned a lot about himself and made some conclusions about how to live his life in the future. Of course, having millions of dollars to do it with didn't hurt, but still. I kind of teared up at the end, so it must have been worthwhile. It's kind of symbolic of the roads we travel in life. What are we doing? Are we centered on our own wants and needs and greed for more? More power? More money? More stuff? or do we find more meaning in creating lasting relationships with people we love and who love us? What truly brings happiness? Points worth pondering.
July 9, 2019
*This book didn’t capture my interest as much as the other two. The first 150 pages felt like a travel log - this is where I was, this is what I ate, this is where I slept. Definitely needed something more in those pages. As the story progresses, you get re introduced to characters from the previous books. And it may just be me, but the ending was a little too perfect. Not my favorite Richard Paul Evans book.
June 16, 2019
It was a bit like a travel guide but he eventually came back to the characters at the end and it had a satisfying conclusion. I've been a bit disappointed in "the walk" series and this "broken road" series because they start well with good characters but turn into a book about where the character eats and sleeps for the night.
May 18, 2019
This is a wonderful trilogy. I'm a little sad it's over, but at the same time deeply satisfied with this journey. Redemption 🙏💙
July 15, 2019
The final installment of the Broken Road series finds Charles James walking the last leg of his journey along Route 66. Charles feels great anticipation and intrepidation about seeing his wife at the end of his walk. His greatest regret is loosing her due to his vanity and greed, as expressed in this quote: "There is so much I would do differently. I read somewhere that too often what we want most in life is just the chance to do what we should have done to begin with."
The people he has encountered along the way have had a major impact on his view of himself and the world. He comes to understand that it is never too late to seek redemption, forgiveness and faith. Charles comes to realize "We all have a road to walk. The foolish walk blindly. The intelligent navigate it. The good repair it as they go."
An inspiring conclusion to a wonderful series.
4.5 stars.
The people he has encountered along the way have had a major impact on his view of himself and the world. He comes to understand that it is never too late to seek redemption, forgiveness and faith. Charles comes to realize "We all have a road to walk. The foolish walk blindly. The intelligent navigate it. The good repair it as they go."
An inspiring conclusion to a wonderful series.
4.5 stars.
May 11, 2019
This is the 3rd book in a 3 book series. I wonderful tale of a man’s search for meaning. Which of course was an excellent read itself! What surprised me most was that the series caught the interest of my 10 year old boy. He read the series, twice. It’s sort of an induced riches to rags to riches story with lots of humor, kindness, passion, questioning of a higher power, romance and personal consternation. The books are short and very well written. All of them reminded me of The Shack” with their undertones of the struggles with life and reflections of past decisions and pains. It’s a heart warming story and a definite page turner. More than anything else I am glad my 10 year old found interest in this series. There are many solid life lessons throughout the books.
May 30, 2019
This book was a very good closure to this trilogy. The main character Charles James had made a lot of mistakes in life. He owned up to what hurt he had caused people and redeemed himself by helping others.
June 11, 2019
A little too simple and easily rectified for my tastes. Like she'd just take him back and dump her fiance... not sure that's realistic. Plus doing a walk like that with an unlimited budget isn't exactly roughing it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2019
Sorry to see this series end...thoroughly enjoyed it!
May 18, 2019
too similar to his last series (the walk)
some moving episodes
wrapped up too neat and tidy... felt disneyfied...
some moving episodes
wrapped up too neat and tidy... felt disneyfied...
November 7, 2023
The Road Home by Richard Paul Evans
Broken Road #3
321-page Hardback story ends on page 317
Genre: Inspirational, Christian Fiction, Psychological Fiction
Featuring: Bibliography, Deckled Edges, Epigraphs, Diary, Dates, Great Journey Trope, Redemption Trope, Route 66, Dreams, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Survivor's Guilt, Violence, OCD, Travel, Jesse James, Shelters, Famous Historical Figures, Santa Monica, California; Family
Rating as a movie: PG-13/PG-15 for violence and adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton, "Take It Easy" by Eagles
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½🏡
My thoughts: 📖 Page 113 of 317/321 Ch. 18 - This has kinda hit a lull since Ch. 9 and now I need a change of scenery to continue.
This was good but not as good as the previous two books, it was a bit slower in the first half and I was almost mad because of the climax; I didn't fully recover from my disappointment, although it was temporary.
Recommend to others: Yes! This series was good, and predictable in a comforting way.
Broken Road
1. The Broken Road (2017)
2. The Forgotten Road (2018)
3. The Road Home (2019)
Broken Road #3
321-page Hardback story ends on page 317
Genre: Inspirational, Christian Fiction, Psychological Fiction
Featuring: Bibliography, Deckled Edges, Epigraphs, Diary, Dates, Great Journey Trope, Redemption Trope, Route 66, Dreams, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Survivor's Guilt, Violence, OCD, Travel, Jesse James, Shelters, Famous Historical Figures, Santa Monica, California; Family
Rating as a movie: PG-13/PG-15 for violence and adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton, "Take It Easy" by Eagles
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½🏡
My thoughts: 📖 Page 113 of 317/321 Ch. 18 - This has kinda hit a lull since Ch. 9 and now I need a change of scenery to continue.
This was good but not as good as the previous two books, it was a bit slower in the first half and I was almost mad because of the climax; I didn't fully recover from my disappointment, although it was temporary.
Recommend to others: Yes! This series was good, and predictable in a comforting way.
Broken Road
1. The Broken Road (2017)
2. The Forgotten Road (2018)
3. The Road Home (2019)
September 26, 2025
You have to love a book that goes full circle. I enjoyed reading all three of this series.
October 13, 2025
The trilogy of Charles James wraps up with this edition. We see him on the final leg of walking Route 66. His goal and ending was to stop at his ex-wife/current wife's house and show her he is a changed man.
We meet more people along his route. A story of second chances and redemption. Charles then went back and found the key people that helped him along the way to pay it forward to them. A satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.
Self-narrated by the author.
We meet more people along his route. A story of second chances and redemption. Charles then went back and found the key people that helped him along the way to pay it forward to them. A satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.
Self-narrated by the author.
June 30, 2019
One of my favorite authors delivers again. This is the end of his trilogy about a man who gets a second chance at life and he really does. I love the short chapters and I did get through this pretty quickly. A great series for anyone looking for a good, clean read with some inspiration piled on top.
September 24, 2019
I'm really glad I read this trilogy. The Road Home is the final book in the Broken Road trilogy. I loved reading about the cities and sites along Route 66 - some of them I've visited. I really like this author and will read more of his books.
June 14, 2024
Picked this up from a closeout table at a bookstore without realizing that it was the third book in a trilogy. Decided to read it anyway and found it wasn't necessary to have read the previous two, although probably advisable. It covers a man's decision to walk the entirety of the old Route 66 from Chicago to LA. That was the main reason I picked it up having driven much of it a number of years ago. It's really about how the journey impacts the man who has chosen to do this due to unhappiness in his life. Well written and easy to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 761 reviews