What do you think?
Rate this book
Stonehill #1
The Road Leads Back
Sometimes the only place left to go is home.
Kara Martinson always thought her high school crush was out of her league, but they did share one night she's never been able to forget. Nearly three decades after being disowned by her parents and forced to raise her son on her own, Kara's made it--her art is being toasted at a gallery opening. Even better, she and her son are finally on stable ground. Until Mr. One-Night Stand himself crashes her party.
Harry Canton always knew Kara would make it as an artist. Almost thirty years after high school, he still considers her the one that got away. But the surprise reunion doesn't quite go to plan when Harry discovers he left her with more than just memories when he went away to college. Desperate to connect with the family he never knew existed, Harry convinces his son to move cross country for a fresh start with his father--and pleads with Kara to come home, too.
Kara hasn't stepped foot in their hometown since the day she was sent away. But her son desperately wants the father he never had and denying him that may cost her everything. Can love heal old heartaches so Harry and Kara can have a second chance at the future they were robbed of so long ago? Or will the pain of the past be too much to face?
Kara Martinson always thought her high school crush was out of her league, but they did share one night she's never been able to forget. Nearly three decades after being disowned by her parents and forced to raise her son on her own, Kara's made it--her art is being toasted at a gallery opening. Even better, she and her son are finally on stable ground. Until Mr. One-Night Stand himself crashes her party.
Harry Canton always knew Kara would make it as an artist. Almost thirty years after high school, he still considers her the one that got away. But the surprise reunion doesn't quite go to plan when Harry discovers he left her with more than just memories when he went away to college. Desperate to connect with the family he never knew existed, Harry convinces his son to move cross country for a fresh start with his father--and pleads with Kara to come home, too.
Kara hasn't stepped foot in their hometown since the day she was sent away. But her son desperately wants the father he never had and denying him that may cost her everything. Can love heal old heartaches so Harry and Kara can have a second chance at the future they were robbed of so long ago? Or will the pain of the past be too much to face?
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2015
2424 people are currently reading
2285 people want to read
About the author
Marci Bolden
35 books1,294 followersAs a teen, Marci Bolden skipped over young adult books and jumped right into reading women's fiction and romance novels.
Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of willpower, Marci would embrace healthy living but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local grocery store, she’ll put that ambition on hold and appease her guilt by reading self-help books and promising to join a gym “soon.”
Marci also writes as Marci Wilson.
Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of willpower, Marci would embrace healthy living but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local grocery store, she’ll put that ambition on hold and appease her guilt by reading self-help books and promising to join a gym “soon.”
Marci also writes as Marci Wilson.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
December 29, 2021
EXCERPT: She stared at him as realization started to weave its way through her oncoming buzz. He hadn't responded to her letters because he hadn't received her letters. And if he hadn't received the letters, he hadn't sent her money. And if he hadn't sent her money, he hadn't known that she needed it. Sighing, she let some of her decades old anger slip. Her head spun, either from the alcohol or the blurry dots she was trying to mentally connect. Leaning into the bar, she exhaled slowly. 'They never told you, did they?'
'Who? Told me what? What are you talking about?'
Kara couldn't speak. Her words wouldn't form.
Someone wrapped an arm around Kara's shoulder, startling her and making her gasp quietly. She turned and blinked several times at the man who had just slid next to her.
'Sorry to interrupt,' he said, 'but I need to get home.' Leaning in, he kissed her head. 'Congratulations on the opening, Mom. It was great.'
'Ummm . . .' She swallowed, desperate to find her voice. 'Thank you, sweetheart.' She flicked her gaze at the man sitting next to her. The longer Harry looked at her son, the wider Harry's eyes became.
Phil cast a disapproving glance at Harry, the way he always did when assessing a man who might distract her from her responsibilities, and then focused on her again. 'Don't forget that Jess is expecting you to make pancakes in the morning. You promised.'
'I haven't forgotten.' Kara returned her attention to Harry. His jaw was slack and his cheeks had grown pale.
Phil nodded at Harry, as if he were satisfied that he'd made his point that his mother didn't need to stay out all night, and walked away. Harry watched him leave while Kara waved down the bartender and pointed at her glass. The tattooed kid hesitated, likely debating the ethics of giving her another shot. She pointed again, cocking a brow for emphasis, and he finally filled her glass.
'Kara ... ' Harry's voice was breathless, like he'd been kicked in the gut. 'Was ... was that my ... son?'
No. His mother definitely hadn't given him the letters Kara had written. She lifted her shot, toasting him. 'Congratulations, Harry. It's a boy.'
ABOUT 'THE ROAD LEADS HOME': Kara Martinson and Harry Canton weren’t exactly high school sweethearts, but they did share one night neither will ever forget. Twenty-seven years later, Harry surprises Kara at an art gallery opening and discovers he left her with more than just memories when he went away to college. Desperate to connect with the family he never knew existed, Harry convinces his son to move to Stonehill—and pleads with Kara to come, too.
Kara hasn’t stepped foot in their hometown since the day she was sent away to a home for unwed mothers. Now Harry’s back in her life and as they put together the pieces of his parents’ betrayal, old heartaches start to feel anew. She wants to be near her family, but returning to Iowa means facing some things…and some people…she isn’t quite ready to.
Can Harry convince her to forgive those who betrayed her so they can embrace the future they were robbed of so long ago? Or will the pain of the past be too much for Kara to overcome?
MY THOUGHTS: The Road Leads Back by Marci Bolden is the first ever romance book I have given 5 stars. I picked it up, started reading and by the end of the first chapter I was absolutely smitten. This is not just a romance - it is so much more - family dynamics, second chances, love, and living with disability.
I have read and loved Marci Bolden's books previously, but The Road Leads Back has blown everything else she has ever written way out of the water. The story is one we have all heard before, but Bolden's writing takes it to a new level. Her characters are very real as are their reactions to situations and their emotions. I felt Kara's and Harry's pain. I admired Kara's resourcefulness. I fell in love with Jess, who has Down's syndrome. I understood Phil's resentment at his childhood, but wanted to tell him to wake up to what a wonderful mother he has. And I wanted to strangle both Kara's and Harry's parents.
Speaking of parents, every parent tempted to meddle in their child's life needs to read this. No, we don't always know what is best for them. What we want for our children is not necessarily what they want or need.
I loved this unique, believable and unpredictable book to the point where I ignored all my other reads to focus on this. Marci Bolden, you hit the ball out of the park. And now I can't wait to read the next in this series!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheRoadLeadsBack #NetGalley
I: #marciboldenauthor #pinksandpress
T: @BoldenMarci #PinkSandPress
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #romance #sliceoflife #womensfiction
THE AUTHOR: As a teen, Marci Bolden skipped over young adult books and jumped right into reading women's fiction and romance novels.
Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband, two teenaged kiddos, and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of will power, Marci would embrace healthy living but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local grocery store, she’ll put that ambition on hold and appease her guilt by reading self-help books and promising to join a gym “soon.”
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Pink Sand Press via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Road Leads Home by Marci Bolden for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'Who? Told me what? What are you talking about?'
Kara couldn't speak. Her words wouldn't form.
Someone wrapped an arm around Kara's shoulder, startling her and making her gasp quietly. She turned and blinked several times at the man who had just slid next to her.
'Sorry to interrupt,' he said, 'but I need to get home.' Leaning in, he kissed her head. 'Congratulations on the opening, Mom. It was great.'
'Ummm . . .' She swallowed, desperate to find her voice. 'Thank you, sweetheart.' She flicked her gaze at the man sitting next to her. The longer Harry looked at her son, the wider Harry's eyes became.
Phil cast a disapproving glance at Harry, the way he always did when assessing a man who might distract her from her responsibilities, and then focused on her again. 'Don't forget that Jess is expecting you to make pancakes in the morning. You promised.'
'I haven't forgotten.' Kara returned her attention to Harry. His jaw was slack and his cheeks had grown pale.
Phil nodded at Harry, as if he were satisfied that he'd made his point that his mother didn't need to stay out all night, and walked away. Harry watched him leave while Kara waved down the bartender and pointed at her glass. The tattooed kid hesitated, likely debating the ethics of giving her another shot. She pointed again, cocking a brow for emphasis, and he finally filled her glass.
'Kara ... ' Harry's voice was breathless, like he'd been kicked in the gut. 'Was ... was that my ... son?'
No. His mother definitely hadn't given him the letters Kara had written. She lifted her shot, toasting him. 'Congratulations, Harry. It's a boy.'
ABOUT 'THE ROAD LEADS HOME': Kara Martinson and Harry Canton weren’t exactly high school sweethearts, but they did share one night neither will ever forget. Twenty-seven years later, Harry surprises Kara at an art gallery opening and discovers he left her with more than just memories when he went away to college. Desperate to connect with the family he never knew existed, Harry convinces his son to move to Stonehill—and pleads with Kara to come, too.
Kara hasn’t stepped foot in their hometown since the day she was sent away to a home for unwed mothers. Now Harry’s back in her life and as they put together the pieces of his parents’ betrayal, old heartaches start to feel anew. She wants to be near her family, but returning to Iowa means facing some things…and some people…she isn’t quite ready to.
Can Harry convince her to forgive those who betrayed her so they can embrace the future they were robbed of so long ago? Or will the pain of the past be too much for Kara to overcome?
MY THOUGHTS: The Road Leads Back by Marci Bolden is the first ever romance book I have given 5 stars. I picked it up, started reading and by the end of the first chapter I was absolutely smitten. This is not just a romance - it is so much more - family dynamics, second chances, love, and living with disability.
I have read and loved Marci Bolden's books previously, but The Road Leads Back has blown everything else she has ever written way out of the water. The story is one we have all heard before, but Bolden's writing takes it to a new level. Her characters are very real as are their reactions to situations and their emotions. I felt Kara's and Harry's pain. I admired Kara's resourcefulness. I fell in love with Jess, who has Down's syndrome. I understood Phil's resentment at his childhood, but wanted to tell him to wake up to what a wonderful mother he has. And I wanted to strangle both Kara's and Harry's parents.
Speaking of parents, every parent tempted to meddle in their child's life needs to read this. No, we don't always know what is best for them. What we want for our children is not necessarily what they want or need.
I loved this unique, believable and unpredictable book to the point where I ignored all my other reads to focus on this. Marci Bolden, you hit the ball out of the park. And now I can't wait to read the next in this series!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheRoadLeadsBack #NetGalley
I: #marciboldenauthor #pinksandpress
T: @BoldenMarci #PinkSandPress
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #romance #sliceoflife #womensfiction
THE AUTHOR: As a teen, Marci Bolden skipped over young adult books and jumped right into reading women's fiction and romance novels.
Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband, two teenaged kiddos, and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of will power, Marci would embrace healthy living but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local grocery store, she’ll put that ambition on hold and appease her guilt by reading self-help books and promising to join a gym “soon.”
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Pink Sand Press via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Road Leads Home by Marci Bolden for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
June 4, 2019
I just wasn't feelin' the lurve on this one. The respective parents of both the h and H never are fully accountable for their actions and tho there was a lot of anger, it was mostly 'magicked' away after some venting and angry utterances.
That isn't a resolution in my book, but I could have lived with that, cause utter adoring forgiveness seems to be a thing nowadays.
Where I really, really did not relate to this one was with the hero. He has some sensitivity. But as soon as he sees the h again and she relates her lifestyle for the last 27 years, he is all over how her moving about was "running away".
I call mushroom fertilizer on that statement.
Just because someone spends their early and middle adult years traveling around and living in various areas doesn't mean that they are running away. The h was an artist without a steady job and managed to have a pretty successful stint of bartering for life's necessities while also pursuing her art career.
She managed to raise her son and get him to college, so obviously she wasn't horrible at providing and only really settled in one spot to help her ungrateful snot of son raise his special needs daughter.
Then along comes this smug, sanctimonious prig of a hero who demands that the h stop 'running' and move back to a bigoted small town that was never going to be a place she would chose to live permanently and he proceeds to bully and brow beat her until she drinks the kool aid and admits that her whole life approach was wrong.
The relatives all claim that she just needs to put up with the continual mushroom fertilizer that they hand out and I just have to ask, Why? Why does the unremitting, continual message throughout this book have to be that the heroine is wrong for her anger and wrong to just walk away?
Walking away from people who just will NOT acknowledge your point of view or that you have VALID wounds from the behavior they have subjected you to is healthy- it isn't running.
It is acknowledging that you have no control over other's behavior, but you don't have to tolerate it either and to prevent a major family fight eruption, that non tolerance is better occurring 2000 miles away.
NO ONE claims that continually beating your head against a brick wall is healthy - so why is there so much emphasis in this story about the h just 'getting over', 'moving on' and accepting abuse because she doesn't conform to what this particular group expects?
The hero claims he wants the heroine to be happy, but only if it is the 'right' kind of happiness that he and her snot son dictate - which means leaving her gadabout life style and tying herself to a small minded town and accepting intolerable actions from relatives because SHE has to try harder.
Screw that, this heroine was independent and did her thing, I admired her for it - I also admired the fact that she did not take a cast iron skillet and brain the extended relations.
But she was CONTINUALLY punished for not abiding by what the patriarchal, dictatorial men and the egotist, narcissistic women around her wanted her to be.
Even at the end the hero, (and believe me, I used that word very loosely,) patronizingly told her she can do something that really has a lot of meaning for her only a few times a year, the rest of the time she is to be his handmaiden in some backwater town filled with sewer dwelling scum gulping relatives, cause that is the only way he can conceive for her to be 'happy'.
She is so desperate for some acceptance, she agrees and that is our supposed HEA.
This book was an utter fail, because instead of two adults who learn to celebrate their differences, we get yet another heroine who is forced to drink the lime away to dissolve any backbone she might have.
Instead of the supposed hero growing up and getting some perspective that not everyone needs to live in the same stifled way, or that maybe the family you choose is better than the one you're born into and then him finding the courage to live a little, he let his envy for the heroine's ability to take her destiny into her own hands become huge boulders.
Boulders he uses to crush her spirit and independence and relegate her to just another compliant housewife and handmaiden stuck in the mire with the rest of the worthless relations in her life and he despicably uses her love for her son and her granddaughter to do it.
That isn't love, that is manipulation and cowardice from a weak milksop of a man who never deserved a relationship with anything other than a jelly blobule.
I honestly never bought that the h was all that into rebuilding bridges, except that she did love her son and granddaughter and was willing to bite her tongue a lot in the name of keeping the peace. But the oversell on the heroine's 'running away' was not convincing and her relationship with the hero even less so.
The heroine got it right at the beginning when she claimed that had she and the hero married when they were younger, he would have been unhappy with her worldview and she would have resented his chaining her down and it would have all ended in an acrimonious divorce. I did not see a much different outcome for this couple in the present either.
Ultimately, the book isn't badly written and the emotions are well done, but the fact that these two end up together in that town irked me to no end and I am just so sorry I ever read this.
That isn't a resolution in my book, but I could have lived with that, cause utter adoring forgiveness seems to be a thing nowadays.
Where I really, really did not relate to this one was with the hero. He has some sensitivity. But as soon as he sees the h again and she relates her lifestyle for the last 27 years, he is all over how her moving about was "running away".
I call mushroom fertilizer on that statement.
Just because someone spends their early and middle adult years traveling around and living in various areas doesn't mean that they are running away. The h was an artist without a steady job and managed to have a pretty successful stint of bartering for life's necessities while also pursuing her art career.
She managed to raise her son and get him to college, so obviously she wasn't horrible at providing and only really settled in one spot to help her ungrateful snot of son raise his special needs daughter.
Then along comes this smug, sanctimonious prig of a hero who demands that the h stop 'running' and move back to a bigoted small town that was never going to be a place she would chose to live permanently and he proceeds to bully and brow beat her until she drinks the kool aid and admits that her whole life approach was wrong.
The relatives all claim that she just needs to put up with the continual mushroom fertilizer that they hand out and I just have to ask, Why? Why does the unremitting, continual message throughout this book have to be that the heroine is wrong for her anger and wrong to just walk away?
Walking away from people who just will NOT acknowledge your point of view or that you have VALID wounds from the behavior they have subjected you to is healthy- it isn't running.
It is acknowledging that you have no control over other's behavior, but you don't have to tolerate it either and to prevent a major family fight eruption, that non tolerance is better occurring 2000 miles away.
NO ONE claims that continually beating your head against a brick wall is healthy - so why is there so much emphasis in this story about the h just 'getting over', 'moving on' and accepting abuse because she doesn't conform to what this particular group expects?
The hero claims he wants the heroine to be happy, but only if it is the 'right' kind of happiness that he and her snot son dictate - which means leaving her gadabout life style and tying herself to a small minded town and accepting intolerable actions from relatives because SHE has to try harder.
Screw that, this heroine was independent and did her thing, I admired her for it - I also admired the fact that she did not take a cast iron skillet and brain the extended relations.
But she was CONTINUALLY punished for not abiding by what the patriarchal, dictatorial men and the egotist, narcissistic women around her wanted her to be.
Even at the end the hero, (and believe me, I used that word very loosely,) patronizingly told her she can do something that really has a lot of meaning for her only a few times a year, the rest of the time she is to be his handmaiden in some backwater town filled with sewer dwelling scum gulping relatives, cause that is the only way he can conceive for her to be 'happy'.
She is so desperate for some acceptance, she agrees and that is our supposed HEA.
This book was an utter fail, because instead of two adults who learn to celebrate their differences, we get yet another heroine who is forced to drink the lime away to dissolve any backbone she might have.
Instead of the supposed hero growing up and getting some perspective that not everyone needs to live in the same stifled way, or that maybe the family you choose is better than the one you're born into and then him finding the courage to live a little, he let his envy for the heroine's ability to take her destiny into her own hands become huge boulders.
Boulders he uses to crush her spirit and independence and relegate her to just another compliant housewife and handmaiden stuck in the mire with the rest of the worthless relations in her life and he despicably uses her love for her son and her granddaughter to do it.
That isn't love, that is manipulation and cowardice from a weak milksop of a man who never deserved a relationship with anything other than a jelly blobule.
I honestly never bought that the h was all that into rebuilding bridges, except that she did love her son and granddaughter and was willing to bite her tongue a lot in the name of keeping the peace. But the oversell on the heroine's 'running away' was not convincing and her relationship with the hero even less so.
The heroine got it right at the beginning when she claimed that had she and the hero married when they were younger, he would have been unhappy with her worldview and she would have resented his chaining her down and it would have all ended in an acrimonious divorce. I did not see a much different outcome for this couple in the present either.
Ultimately, the book isn't badly written and the emotions are well done, but the fact that these two end up together in that town irked me to no end and I am just so sorry I ever read this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2019
*****I got this FREE today on Amazon US. I definitely recommend. I read the sample and never stopped*****
I just can't NOT give this book 5 stars because it is a second chance romance that is handled in the absolute best way possible. I am amazed!!! The MCs were adults (around 45 years old) who handled things in a mature way that felt true to the characters and true to how I would feel if I were in the same situation. There are also really great secondary characters (their adult son and his adorable Downs syndrome daughter)
I really avoid second chance romance because it has all the things that I hate most:
1. Too long separation
2. MCs move on to other partners while proclaiming they loved each other the whole time.
3. Unsatisfying and stupid reason for the separation in the first place.
This book did all of these things the right way and left me more than satisfied. This is not your typical New Adult angstfest. This story was full of emotion and pathos. I won't go into much of the story except to explain how this book shattered all my notions of what a second chance romance can be. I'll tag any spoilers.
1. Too long separation
These MCs were separated for 27 years. That is a really, really long time. But there is a very good explanation for all of that.
2. MCs move on to other partners while proclaiming they loved each other the whole time
Kara and Harry knew each other from High School but didn't ever really talk much. What they did do was crush on each other hard. Kara was the artist that didn't really fit in and Harry was a nerd. On the night of graduation, they both finally had the nerve to approach each other and the both lost their virginity that night. Harry snuck out during the night and left for college. By the time Kara knew she was pregnant, he was long gone and she had no way to get ahold of him. Harry eventually graduates from college and marries the "right" girl for him that his mother would approve of. They had a bad marriage and divorced. Kara has flings here and there but never anything serious. I had no problem with either of them moving on, because they were never even a thing to begin with. I never felt like they betrayed the other or that they were cheating on their true love. They do say that they thought about each other often during those years apart, but I never had to listen to them spout that bologna about how the other was always "the one" or any other crap.
3. Unsatisfying and stupid reason for the separation in the first place
This part just broke my heart. There is plenty of blame to go around but these MCs were kept apart mostly by the evil interference of the H's mother. She never goes back home because of what she perceives as rejection by her parents, Harry and his family. She's been so hurt that she can't face ever going back. I found no fault with the h and her reasoning and did not blame her at all for staying away.
When Kara and Harry find out how they have been deceived, it was heartbreaking. I teared up several times reading this. And I kept waiting for the big "I forgive you" scene where everyone holds hands and sings Kumbaya. Kara is still so angry about what happened to her and she does need to face her past and come to terms with it. But there are no easy answers in this book and the characters spend quite a bit of time talking about their feelings, their anger, their resentments. And they still fight and get mad again later. Harry is so furious at his mother that she stole his son and family away from him. They took the time they needed to come to terms with the past and all the "should have beens". It takes months and months for them to finally get to a healthy place.
I do want to recommend this book. I really liked the writing style and I felt safe with the author, like she was going to take care of these characters and not have easy answers. They got their HEA but they worked through it in a mature and realistic way.
This book was safe for me.
I just can't NOT give this book 5 stars because it is a second chance romance that is handled in the absolute best way possible. I am amazed!!! The MCs were adults (around 45 years old) who handled things in a mature way that felt true to the characters and true to how I would feel if I were in the same situation. There are also really great secondary characters (their adult son and his adorable Downs syndrome daughter)
I really avoid second chance romance because it has all the things that I hate most:
1. Too long separation
2. MCs move on to other partners while proclaiming they loved each other the whole time.
3. Unsatisfying and stupid reason for the separation in the first place.
This book did all of these things the right way and left me more than satisfied. This is not your typical New Adult angstfest. This story was full of emotion and pathos. I won't go into much of the story except to explain how this book shattered all my notions of what a second chance romance can be. I'll tag any spoilers.
1. Too long separation
These MCs were separated for 27 years. That is a really, really long time. But there is a very good explanation for all of that.
2. MCs move on to other partners while proclaiming they loved each other the whole time
Kara and Harry knew each other from High School but didn't ever really talk much. What they did do was crush on each other hard. Kara was the artist that didn't really fit in and Harry was a nerd. On the night of graduation, they both finally had the nerve to approach each other and the both lost their virginity that night. Harry snuck out during the night and left for college. By the time Kara knew she was pregnant, he was long gone and she had no way to get ahold of him. Harry eventually graduates from college and marries the "right" girl for him that his mother would approve of. They had a bad marriage and divorced. Kara has flings here and there but never anything serious. I had no problem with either of them moving on, because they were never even a thing to begin with. I never felt like they betrayed the other or that they were cheating on their true love. They do say that they thought about each other often during those years apart, but I never had to listen to them spout that bologna about how the other was always "the one" or any other crap.
3. Unsatisfying and stupid reason for the separation in the first place
This part just broke my heart. There is plenty of blame to go around but these MCs were kept apart mostly by the evil interference of the H's mother. She never goes back home because of what she perceives as rejection by her parents, Harry and his family. She's been so hurt that she can't face ever going back. I found no fault with the h and her reasoning and did not blame her at all for staying away.
When Kara and Harry find out how they have been deceived, it was heartbreaking. I teared up several times reading this. And I kept waiting for the big "I forgive you" scene where everyone holds hands and sings Kumbaya. Kara is still so angry about what happened to her and she does need to face her past and come to terms with it. But there are no easy answers in this book and the characters spend quite a bit of time talking about their feelings, their anger, their resentments. And they still fight and get mad again later. Harry is so furious at his mother that she stole his son and family away from him. They took the time they needed to come to terms with the past and all the "should have beens". It takes months and months for them to finally get to a healthy place.
I do want to recommend this book. I really liked the writing style and I felt safe with the author, like she was going to take care of these characters and not have easy answers. They got their HEA but they worked through it in a mature and realistic way.
This book was safe for me.
Want to read
May 23, 2019🎁 FREE on iBooks today (5/23/2019)! 🎁
October 14, 2023
Kara and Harry had spent one night together which resulted in Kara being left pregnant and alone. Her family rejects her and she leaves town and gives birth to her son Phil with the help of Harry's mother who promises that she will tell Harry.
Twenty seven years later Kara and Harry meet again at an art exhibition. They talk and Kara realises that Harry knew nothing about their son and that he is now also a Grandfather.
Harry convinces his son to move to Stonehill - and pleads with Kara to come too, but Kara has not returned to her hometown since the day she was sent away to a home for unwed mothers.
Can Harry convince her to forget those who betrayed her so that they can embrace the future that they were robbed off so long ago.
A beautifully written book about the second chance of love and how deeply past hurts can affect the rest of your life, especially when they are in the hands of those we trust the most.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Twenty seven years later Kara and Harry meet again at an art exhibition. They talk and Kara realises that Harry knew nothing about their son and that he is now also a Grandfather.
Harry convinces his son to move to Stonehill - and pleads with Kara to come too, but Kara has not returned to her hometown since the day she was sent away to a home for unwed mothers.
Can Harry convince her to forget those who betrayed her so that they can embrace the future that they were robbed off so long ago.
A beautifully written book about the second chance of love and how deeply past hurts can affect the rest of your life, especially when they are in the hands of those we trust the most.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2015
Family relationships are tricky and complicated. Anger and Resentment can fester for years causing deep rifts and hurt feelings, easily setting the tone for a lifetime of regret and disillusionment. Sometimes, reconciliation may be offered, but even that can be a jumping off point for more hateful conversations and even greater disenchantment.
I loved being pulled into Kara’s and Harry’s life as they faced old problems and struggled to make a new family dynamic. Harry and Kara desired a healthier and happier future in spite of the past betrayals and anger that held them in a choke hold so difficult to escape. This family saga is mesmerizing in the way twisted relationships are examined and how well-meaning attempts to shape those closest to us can often misfire. Kara’s unconventional lifestyle and free-spirit refused to be “normalized”. I found some of the outcomes surprising, off-beat, and sometimes funny. I did think it odd that there was no family conflict or school issues revolving around seven-year-old Jess. I think Elaine and Kay, especially might find it difficult to accept her condition. Though with Kara as the lioness protector of little Jess, perhaps neither woman wanted to fight that particular battle.
I thought this book was outstanding in the way it sheds light on complex and difficult family actions, reactions and raw emotions.
This book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
I loved being pulled into Kara’s and Harry’s life as they faced old problems and struggled to make a new family dynamic. Harry and Kara desired a healthier and happier future in spite of the past betrayals and anger that held them in a choke hold so difficult to escape. This family saga is mesmerizing in the way twisted relationships are examined and how well-meaning attempts to shape those closest to us can often misfire. Kara’s unconventional lifestyle and free-spirit refused to be “normalized”. I found some of the outcomes surprising, off-beat, and sometimes funny. I did think it odd that there was no family conflict or school issues revolving around seven-year-old Jess. I think Elaine and Kay, especially might find it difficult to accept her condition. Though with Kara as the lioness protector of little Jess, perhaps neither woman wanted to fight that particular battle.
I thought this book was outstanding in the way it sheds light on complex and difficult family actions, reactions and raw emotions.
This book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
July 29, 2019
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
This is one of those books that, based on my own personal life experiences, I probably should have avoided rather than chosen to review. The story starts out with our heroine Kara at an art show, where she runs into the man who took her virginity 27 years ago. He is also the same man who left her that night, and never came back for her or the son they created. The rest of the book is their story and how they managed to put the pieces back together after betrayal.
Having been the daughter of an absentee dad, I felt like this was a bit unrealistic. You're going to show up in my life after 27 years and I'm just gonna hug you and call you dad like nothing ever happened? Nope. You abandon me on the night you took my virginity and never once tried to look back and not only do I forgive you but marry you in a matter of months? Nope. I'm all for a happily ever after, but this was a bit too sickly sweet, even for my tastes.
It was a quick, easy read, and I can see it being popular with some of the older ladies in our library that don't like a whole lot of smut in their romance. I, however, won't be reading the rest of the series.
This is one of those books that, based on my own personal life experiences, I probably should have avoided rather than chosen to review. The story starts out with our heroine Kara at an art show, where she runs into the man who took her virginity 27 years ago. He is also the same man who left her that night, and never came back for her or the son they created. The rest of the book is their story and how they managed to put the pieces back together after betrayal.
Having been the daughter of an absentee dad, I felt like this was a bit unrealistic. You're going to show up in my life after 27 years and I'm just gonna hug you and call you dad like nothing ever happened? Nope. You abandon me on the night you took my virginity and never once tried to look back and not only do I forgive you but marry you in a matter of months? Nope. I'm all for a happily ever after, but this was a bit too sickly sweet, even for my tastes.
It was a quick, easy read, and I can see it being popular with some of the older ladies in our library that don't like a whole lot of smut in their romance. I, however, won't be reading the rest of the series.
December 7, 2015
The Road Leads Back by Marci Boudreaux
This is the story of Kara and her adult son Phil, who is (also) a young father. Phil's Father Harry was never part of his life. Actually Harry did not know he had a son for 27 years. Kara is reunited with Harry and they try to form a family relationship.
Beautifully written, the situations they all go through are real. Not everything goes smooth for them. They are faced with many challenges, for Kara and Phil, it is getting to know Harry. For Harry it is accepting the fact he is a Father & Grandfather. Add an adorable grand-daughter and my heart melted.
The Road Leads Back is a heart-felt story of unconditional love, family bonding, relieving the past and (trying) to create a good future. I highly recommend to those who love a great read.
This is the story of Kara and her adult son Phil, who is (also) a young father. Phil's Father Harry was never part of his life. Actually Harry did not know he had a son for 27 years. Kara is reunited with Harry and they try to form a family relationship.
Beautifully written, the situations they all go through are real. Not everything goes smooth for them. They are faced with many challenges, for Kara and Phil, it is getting to know Harry. For Harry it is accepting the fact he is a Father & Grandfather. Add an adorable grand-daughter and my heart melted.
The Road Leads Back is a heart-felt story of unconditional love, family bonding, relieving the past and (trying) to create a good future. I highly recommend to those who love a great read.
June 5, 2023
DNF 61%
It sounded interesting but as you can see i DNF it. I lasted over halfway, hoping it would catch me. But honestly? Kara bugged me, sometimes she felt robotic? like her reactions, it lacked emotions and it just annoyed the heck out of me.
I got this eARC from Netgalley
It sounded interesting but as you can see i DNF it. I lasted over halfway, hoping it would catch me. But honestly? Kara bugged me, sometimes she felt robotic? like her reactions, it lacked emotions and it just annoyed the heck out of me.
I got this eARC from Netgalley
June 24, 2024
2.5 stars
The heroine, Kara, was a whole wimp. When she finally got married to the hero in a whirlwind reunion, she suggested a divorce twice because she suddenly felt unsure and thought she'd "disappoint" him.
The couple was separated for 27 years due to the hero's awful parents (the whole intercepting letters thing, etc etc). When they reunite, they fall back in love quickly and things were sweet. I appreciated the family time spent with Phil, their son, and his daughter, Jessica. However, what annoyed me was Kara's stubbornness when it came to dealing with her parents. I understood her struggle with accepting that parents really wanted her back despite having kicked her out in a fit of rage when she was a pregnant teen. However, I wish she had spent more time introspecting after having met her parents again and listening to their side of the story. She'd think she's ready to rise above past hurts, but was actually not. In the process of this flip-flopping, she hurt those around her and came across as emotionally immature to me. She's a whole grandmother and successful artist. If only she spent more time reflecting on her feelings and thoughts before speaking.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the first two-thirds, the ending was absolutely ridiculous. The story decided to do a random left turn and ended up in the middle of nowhere. Not sure if I was supposed to care about the random characters that popped up at the end, when there was no mention of them earlier on in the book. Disappointed, because I thought I had found a new author I could get into. Now I'm not sure if I trust the author to deliver an emotionally satisfying story.
It also did not help that there was a pet peeve of mine (feels like an annoying tick I can't get rid of). The heroine was oddly antagonistic towards the church. I'm pretty sure any parent with any other religion (or not) would take issue with their teen coming home pregnant. I doubt their mishandling of that scenario could be entirely laid at the feet of the church lol.
The heroine, Kara, was a whole wimp. When she finally got married to the hero in a whirlwind reunion, she suggested a divorce twice because she suddenly felt unsure and thought she'd "disappoint" him.
The couple was separated for 27 years due to the hero's awful parents (the whole intercepting letters thing, etc etc). When they reunite, they fall back in love quickly and things were sweet. I appreciated the family time spent with Phil, their son, and his daughter, Jessica. However, what annoyed me was Kara's stubbornness when it came to dealing with her parents. I understood her struggle with accepting that parents really wanted her back despite having kicked her out in a fit of rage when she was a pregnant teen. However, I wish she had spent more time introspecting after having met her parents again and listening to their side of the story. She'd think she's ready to rise above past hurts, but was actually not. In the process of this flip-flopping, she hurt those around her and came across as emotionally immature to me. She's a whole grandmother and successful artist. If only she spent more time reflecting on her feelings and thoughts before speaking.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the first two-thirds, the ending was absolutely ridiculous. The story decided to do a random left turn and ended up in the middle of nowhere. Not sure if I was supposed to care about the random characters that popped up at the end, when there was no mention of them earlier on in the book. Disappointed, because I thought I had found a new author I could get into. Now I'm not sure if I trust the author to deliver an emotionally satisfying story.
It also did not help that there was a pet peeve of mine (feels like an annoying tick I can't get rid of). The heroine was oddly antagonistic towards the church. I'm pretty sure any parent with any other religion (or not) would take issue with their teen coming home pregnant. I doubt their mishandling of that scenario could be entirely laid at the feet of the church lol.
March 22, 2019
I thought the representation of family in this book was a real eye opener. Some families might work this way, but I thought it was really harsh. Although I am certain some people have been in that situation. I think the relationship between Kara and Harry progressed rather quickly and they made some decisions that should have waited until the whole situation had time to cool down and start to heal. I didn't like how Kara had to leave to heal, but I am glad Harry went after her.
The feelings in this book are a lot of back and forth, like life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from PinkSandsPress
through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.s
The feelings in this book are a lot of back and forth, like life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from PinkSandsPress
through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.s
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2016
When one high school act of desire leads to the unexpected birth of Phil, Kara leans to the people she can and is rejected and heartbroken. Twenty-seven years later, Kara meets the father of her child, Harry, to find out he has been deceived as well. Can they bring back the family they should have all those years ago? Will Kara and Harry ever be able to forgive their parents' rejection and deception?
This heartfelt and sweet novel is written through both Harry's and Kara's perspective. The reader follows the turmoil they both experience, as well as, the love and healing both characters try to find. Their relationship is something pure and something that they have desired for so long that, as a reader, I was obviously rooting for them! One of my characters is Jessica (Phil's daughter). Her innocence and kindness was just so endearing that I wanted to get to know her!
I did feel, at times, that the conversations that were presented in the novel were a bit repetitive. I understand that when someone is pain sometimes conversations will need to be repeated due to the healing process, but it was a little much for me. Also, I found Phil's character (27 years old) immature towards the beginning of the book. His resentment towards his mother was too much. He never went without while growing up, but he put the blame on her when his father wasn't around and the amount of moving around they did. It is understandable for some resentment, potentially, but it was somewhat annoying and bothersome to keep hearing him complain about the same thing.
The other aspect I noticed were that there were some awkward sentences throughout this book. Sometimes words would be inserted where they shouldn't be. Other times, there were missing letters in words that made me read the sentence twice make ensure understanding. This could have been the Kindle version I received, but it made reading a little frustrating, at times.
I would recommend this heartwarming novel to those who enjoy stories about healing, finding oneself, and romance.
I received a free copy of this book from the JGBS Review Library in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own and no compensation was received.
This heartfelt and sweet novel is written through both Harry's and Kara's perspective. The reader follows the turmoil they both experience, as well as, the love and healing both characters try to find. Their relationship is something pure and something that they have desired for so long that, as a reader, I was obviously rooting for them! One of my characters is Jessica (Phil's daughter). Her innocence and kindness was just so endearing that I wanted to get to know her!
I did feel, at times, that the conversations that were presented in the novel were a bit repetitive. I understand that when someone is pain sometimes conversations will need to be repeated due to the healing process, but it was a little much for me. Also, I found Phil's character (27 years old) immature towards the beginning of the book. His resentment towards his mother was too much. He never went without while growing up, but he put the blame on her when his father wasn't around and the amount of moving around they did. It is understandable for some resentment, potentially, but it was somewhat annoying and bothersome to keep hearing him complain about the same thing.
The other aspect I noticed were that there were some awkward sentences throughout this book. Sometimes words would be inserted where they shouldn't be. Other times, there were missing letters in words that made me read the sentence twice make ensure understanding. This could have been the Kindle version I received, but it made reading a little frustrating, at times.
I would recommend this heartwarming novel to those who enjoy stories about healing, finding oneself, and romance.
I received a free copy of this book from the JGBS Review Library in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own and no compensation was received.
July 30, 2016
Wow, this one gets a little intense at times. It's full of family relations gone bad, regrets. and trying to rebuild relationships. Kara's perspective is the one that is most dwelt on, but you do get insights into the reasoning of other major players.
Kara ended up pregnant the night she lost her virginity at a graduation party. When she told her parents, they kicked her out of the house and told her never to return. She sat for hours on the front porch, giving them time to cool off and change their minds. They never did. Not knowing where else to turn, Kara goes to Harry's house to let him know. Harry's mother is the only one she finds at home. Elaine, Harry's mother, convinces that Kara that it would be better if she goes to a home for unwed mothers and let Harry finish his college education so that he can support her and the baby. Kara, after being assured that Elaine will take care of everything and let Harry know, decides that what Elaine says makes a lot of sense. Trusting Elaine, Kara heads to Oregon to have her baby and wait for Harry to come get them. Only he never comes. Obviously, Harry doesn't want her and their son. It isn't until 27 years later that Kara learns of Elaine's betrayal.
While this is a quick read, it deals with the effects of decisions made in haste to be regretted later. Lives are changed forever based on one little decision. The consequences are far reaching.
Kara ended up pregnant the night she lost her virginity at a graduation party. When she told her parents, they kicked her out of the house and told her never to return. She sat for hours on the front porch, giving them time to cool off and change their minds. They never did. Not knowing where else to turn, Kara goes to Harry's house to let him know. Harry's mother is the only one she finds at home. Elaine, Harry's mother, convinces that Kara that it would be better if she goes to a home for unwed mothers and let Harry finish his college education so that he can support her and the baby. Kara, after being assured that Elaine will take care of everything and let Harry know, decides that what Elaine says makes a lot of sense. Trusting Elaine, Kara heads to Oregon to have her baby and wait for Harry to come get them. Only he never comes. Obviously, Harry doesn't want her and their son. It isn't until 27 years later that Kara learns of Elaine's betrayal.
While this is a quick read, it deals with the effects of decisions made in haste to be regretted later. Lives are changed forever based on one little decision. The consequences are far reaching.
April 10, 2019
This was my first book by this author but definitely not the last! Kara and Harry had a one-night stand and when Harry left for college Kara was left with more than just memories. When she went to Harry's mom she was turned away and ended up across the country and now almost 3o years later Harry has discovered he is a father of a grown son. Kara is an accomplished artist and has raised their son, Phil, who is also a father of a 7-year-old daughter, and when Harry shows up and wants to get to know his son and get re-acquainted with "the one who got away" he convinces Phil to move and wants Kara to "come home." This is a beautifully written story full of healing and heart. Don't miss this one!
**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**
**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**
August 12, 2019
• Provided by NetGalley •
I love angsty reads and all but this one just didn’t cut it out for me. I mean maybe I was expecting too much? I think it’s me more than the author.
The book was VERY VERY well-written and the author has somebody magical skills but I just couldn’t get over the fact that no villain of this book was held accountable and punished for their crimes.
A solid 3 star just because I loved how this author writes!!!
I love angsty reads and all but this one just didn’t cut it out for me. I mean maybe I was expecting too much? I think it’s me more than the author.
The book was VERY VERY well-written and the author has somebody magical skills but I just couldn’t get over the fact that no villain of this book was held accountable and punished for their crimes.
A solid 3 star just because I loved how this author writes!!!
September 11, 2019
I really liked this book. This is a second chance trope that's a little different. There weren't just a few years that had passed since Kara and Harry had been involved--there were a lot.
I loved that it started out with Kara running into the father of her son and telling him, "I've been looking for you for twenty-seven years." There was a large volume of water under the bridge when they meet again. There's a son and a granddaughter.
This is a story that is heavy on forgiveness and just how much the human soul can take. It's about righting wrongs that were done and trying to move on. But mostly it's about love and contentment. It's being able to tell a family member that you may not "get them", but you love them anyway and you will be there for them when you need them. There's definitely a lesson to be learned here.
It seems that some reviewers didn't like the way Kara dealt with things and gave fewer stars because of it. We don't always handle things the best way. That's just life. We don't always handle things in the most grown up way. I think in the end, the plot readjusted and righted itself. A lovely story.
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
I loved that it started out with Kara running into the father of her son and telling him, "I've been looking for you for twenty-seven years." There was a large volume of water under the bridge when they meet again. There's a son and a granddaughter.
This is a story that is heavy on forgiveness and just how much the human soul can take. It's about righting wrongs that were done and trying to move on. But mostly it's about love and contentment. It's being able to tell a family member that you may not "get them", but you love them anyway and you will be there for them when you need them. There's definitely a lesson to be learned here.
It seems that some reviewers didn't like the way Kara dealt with things and gave fewer stars because of it. We don't always handle things the best way. That's just life. We don't always handle things in the most grown up way. I think in the end, the plot readjusted and righted itself. A lovely story.
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
October 21, 2019
A beautiful and emotional story of a young man and woman whose one-night stand changed their lives forever. Harrison Canton left for college after his one night with Kara Martinson. When she found out that she was pregnant, she wrote to Harry, but never heard from him. Her parents threw her out and she raised her son, Phil, on her own. Years later, Harry noticed Kara’s name at an art showing and was just in time to see her with her son only to find out that Phil was his son. Kara was always a free spirit while Harry was settled in the life he chose, but now he had a twenty-six-year old son and deeply regretted the loss of all those years. The story takes the reader through the regrets, the sorrow, the love lost, and the secrets that kept the two separated. I look forward to reading the rest of this series. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
April 20, 2019
So much emotion. I held my breath, cried, cheered and gasp. It had so many feels. It was interesting and pulled you in made you part of the story. Things weren't perfect, their was misunderstandings, hurt, bridges crossed,mended and rebroken. The storyline was great. The characters and side characters made this book so wonderful to read. I recommend it to all it is worth the read. I received it from booksprout and this is my voluntary review.
November 9, 2019
Book 1 of a Series I'm Going to Read-for sure!
I'm old enough to remember when unwed mother's-to-be were not allowed to stay in school and often sent to "homes" until the baby was born and given away for adoption. Kara was banished from her home by her parents; the father -to-be had left for college, so she turned to his parents for help. I laughed and I cried as I read their story. Wonderful characters, even the judgmental ones, complicated relationships, guilt, and forgiveness, resulting in a happy (as happy as possible) ending to the book.
I'm old enough to remember when unwed mother's-to-be were not allowed to stay in school and often sent to "homes" until the baby was born and given away for adoption. Kara was banished from her home by her parents; the father -to-be had left for college, so she turned to his parents for help. I laughed and I cried as I read their story. Wonderful characters, even the judgmental ones, complicated relationships, guilt, and forgiveness, resulting in a happy (as happy as possible) ending to the book.
June 25, 2021
Book was okay. Just felt like it was the female lead forcing male lead to change just like she expected him to change her but he never forced her to change.
February 7, 2016
The Road Leads Back, Stonehill Romance Book One, Marci Boudreaux
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction
Well, there’s a slew of five star reviews for this story so I really expected to enjoy it, and I did but....in a kind of underwhelmed way. It’s one of those that seemed perfect for me, but in practice just didn’t really work. Its a good book, a great book for many, many readers, just not a great one for me.
Kara, oh how I felt for her, pregnant, abandoned by her own parents, and cruelly deceived by Harry’s parents. They gave her some money, sent her away to a mum and baby unit on the other side of the country, promising to pass on letters to Harry and that soon as he’d graduated he’d send for her, but in reality told him nothing. She’s struggled, living by bartering her art, clothes making, gardening, anything to keep them fed, clothed and a roof over their head. Its 27 years on now and baby Phil is grown and a dad himself.
I was pregnant at 17 – mum’s reaction “Oh no! What will the neighbours think!!” and rush upstairs to bed. The following days were constant guilt trips and trying to persuade me to get rid of or hide the baby somehow. So I understand a little of how Kara felt, but my boyfriend was with me all the way, and we’ve now been married 40 years. Poor Kara though – what happened to her happens even now, and it scarred her in ways she doesn’t even see. I really liked her strength and determination but Phil’s grown now, Harry knew nothing and yet she still holds very tightly to a grudge. She can’t get past being abandoned, and the years have simply strengthened that. There were times when she annoyed me the way she was to Phil and Harry. Then Phil, he too holds a grudge, he hated the communes, always moving, living in other people’s homes. He wanted his own room in his own house, and to have a stable home and even now that he relies on Kara to help him with his daughter Jessie he still never seems to miss an opportunity to push her about his upbringing. When she’s going through Harry’s cupboards, junking his food and giving lectures about what he should or shouldn’t be buying and eating, she was just short of being a bully in a way. I am careful over what we eat, try to go for unprocessed food, animal welfare meat and eggs and yet her stance bordered on dictatorial. It reminded me of a day out at a local animal sanctuary where every pen seemed to have a “meat is murder” sticker, or posters of horrific images of how some animals in the food industry are treated. When we ate out picnic ham ( British!)sandwiches I felt a little frisson of satisfaction, even though I agreed with many of the messages. No one wants it rammed down their throats. The coffee, hot chocolate and Ice-cream were all awful, even the kids wouldn’t eat it. I’ve had good milk substitutes but that was just foul. Cheap and nasty stuff. If you want to persuade people harassing them, and then charging a fortune for sub standard produce isn’t the way to go. Kara’s stance just brought back those memories. She’s just plain rude about what is essentially another persons choice, trying to force her choice on them. She doesn’t want it done to her, why can’t she give some respect to their feelings too?
Harry, he’s perfect. Though he was a jerk to leave Kara they way he did, and I never really understood why he went from two years of plucking up courage to approach her for a date, to that one night and then leaving. Maybe it was covered in the story but I couldn’t work it out and it was a big missing link for me. Why didn’t he try to track her down later, just to see where she is, given he was so entranced by her, and is still in love with her? That bit just didn’t add up for me.
There’s lots of going back and analysing the past, looking at it from different perspectives, and Harry is a wonderful voice of reason between Kara and Phil. I adored him. I got a little tired of Kara and Phil constantly hashing out the past, it can’t be changed so I didn’t see why they kept on, and on , and on...Jessie was an adorable child, so open and friendly, and I wanted to wrap her up. Sadly she’s going to learn far too soon how cruel people can be to anyone not the “norm”. Everyone loves babies with issues, move on ten years and they’re not so keen, when they grow into adults there’s far too many people who’d like to see them kept out of sight :-(
So overall a read that touches so many issues, a look back at the past and learning how to accept it, to live with it, to see how it wasn’t all good or bad, and to learning how to move forward. I adored Harry and Jessie, got annoyed too often at Phil in the beginning but by the end I admired him, but Kara, while I felt for her I was also angry at her many, many times. The parents? Less said the better IMO. Parents are there to support kids in an ideal world, sadly there’s far too many that don’t.
Stars: Three. A good book, but for me not a great one.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers for honest review
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction
Well, there’s a slew of five star reviews for this story so I really expected to enjoy it, and I did but....in a kind of underwhelmed way. It’s one of those that seemed perfect for me, but in practice just didn’t really work. Its a good book, a great book for many, many readers, just not a great one for me.
Kara, oh how I felt for her, pregnant, abandoned by her own parents, and cruelly deceived by Harry’s parents. They gave her some money, sent her away to a mum and baby unit on the other side of the country, promising to pass on letters to Harry and that soon as he’d graduated he’d send for her, but in reality told him nothing. She’s struggled, living by bartering her art, clothes making, gardening, anything to keep them fed, clothed and a roof over their head. Its 27 years on now and baby Phil is grown and a dad himself.
I was pregnant at 17 – mum’s reaction “Oh no! What will the neighbours think!!” and rush upstairs to bed. The following days were constant guilt trips and trying to persuade me to get rid of or hide the baby somehow. So I understand a little of how Kara felt, but my boyfriend was with me all the way, and we’ve now been married 40 years. Poor Kara though – what happened to her happens even now, and it scarred her in ways she doesn’t even see. I really liked her strength and determination but Phil’s grown now, Harry knew nothing and yet she still holds very tightly to a grudge. She can’t get past being abandoned, and the years have simply strengthened that. There were times when she annoyed me the way she was to Phil and Harry. Then Phil, he too holds a grudge, he hated the communes, always moving, living in other people’s homes. He wanted his own room in his own house, and to have a stable home and even now that he relies on Kara to help him with his daughter Jessie he still never seems to miss an opportunity to push her about his upbringing. When she’s going through Harry’s cupboards, junking his food and giving lectures about what he should or shouldn’t be buying and eating, she was just short of being a bully in a way. I am careful over what we eat, try to go for unprocessed food, animal welfare meat and eggs and yet her stance bordered on dictatorial. It reminded me of a day out at a local animal sanctuary where every pen seemed to have a “meat is murder” sticker, or posters of horrific images of how some animals in the food industry are treated. When we ate out picnic ham ( British!)sandwiches I felt a little frisson of satisfaction, even though I agreed with many of the messages. No one wants it rammed down their throats. The coffee, hot chocolate and Ice-cream were all awful, even the kids wouldn’t eat it. I’ve had good milk substitutes but that was just foul. Cheap and nasty stuff. If you want to persuade people harassing them, and then charging a fortune for sub standard produce isn’t the way to go. Kara’s stance just brought back those memories. She’s just plain rude about what is essentially another persons choice, trying to force her choice on them. She doesn’t want it done to her, why can’t she give some respect to their feelings too?
Harry, he’s perfect. Though he was a jerk to leave Kara they way he did, and I never really understood why he went from two years of plucking up courage to approach her for a date, to that one night and then leaving. Maybe it was covered in the story but I couldn’t work it out and it was a big missing link for me. Why didn’t he try to track her down later, just to see where she is, given he was so entranced by her, and is still in love with her? That bit just didn’t add up for me.
There’s lots of going back and analysing the past, looking at it from different perspectives, and Harry is a wonderful voice of reason between Kara and Phil. I adored him. I got a little tired of Kara and Phil constantly hashing out the past, it can’t be changed so I didn’t see why they kept on, and on , and on...Jessie was an adorable child, so open and friendly, and I wanted to wrap her up. Sadly she’s going to learn far too soon how cruel people can be to anyone not the “norm”. Everyone loves babies with issues, move on ten years and they’re not so keen, when they grow into adults there’s far too many people who’d like to see them kept out of sight :-(
So overall a read that touches so many issues, a look back at the past and learning how to accept it, to live with it, to see how it wasn’t all good or bad, and to learning how to move forward. I adored Harry and Jessie, got annoyed too often at Phil in the beginning but by the end I admired him, but Kara, while I felt for her I was also angry at her many, many times. The parents? Less said the better IMO. Parents are there to support kids in an ideal world, sadly there’s far too many that don’t.
Stars: Three. A good book, but for me not a great one.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers for honest review
June 3, 2025
4.5+
This Summary/Review was copied from other sources and is used only as a reminder of what the book was about for my personal interest. Any Personal Notations are for my recollection only.
***
I thought this book was amazing! The MCs were adults (around 45 years old) who handled things in a mature way that felt true to the characters and true to how I would feel if I were in the same situation. There are also really great secondary characters (their adult son and his adorable Downs syndrome daughter)
Last chapter
This Summary/Review was copied from other sources and is used only as a reminder of what the book was about for my personal interest. Any Personal Notations are for my recollection only.
***
I thought this book was amazing! The MCs were adults (around 45 years old) who handled things in a mature way that felt true to the characters and true to how I would feel if I were in the same situation. There are also really great secondary characters (their adult son and his adorable Downs syndrome daughter)
Last chapter
September 15, 2019
“This book is definitely entering in my favorite list. I simply could not no love it! The story was so full of emotions. The plot made me cry, laugh and took my breath away. I stopped reading until I reached the end.
Both, Kara and Harry suffered through out the story. They also struggled with some misunderstandings and hurtful past memories.
The storyline was simply perfect. The characters were magnificent and special. A wonderful second chance romance that you must read.”
Both, Kara and Harry suffered through out the story. They also struggled with some misunderstandings and hurtful past memories.
The storyline was simply perfect. The characters were magnificent and special. A wonderful second chance romance that you must read.”
February 14, 2020
I have read the first 3 books in this series. Loved the story of people finding each other after living years in the wilderness of emotions caused by other people through their conniving and deceit. The humour and sarcasm is so real. The joining of lives after leading so many years apart and living in totally different worlds. Marci's writing is in the real world, not make believe.
November 27, 2020
The Road Leads Back
This is a great read!! Will catch your attention from page one and will want to keep turning the pages!!!
A good story line and such a clean romantic book as well!!!
This author proves a really good book can be written about love, sex and marriage wo all the vulgar language!!
Thank you Marci Bolden?!! Pls keep writing good clean books!?!!
This is a great read!! Will catch your attention from page one and will want to keep turning the pages!!!
A good story line and such a clean romantic book as well!!!
This author proves a really good book can be written about love, sex and marriage wo all the vulgar language!!
Thank you Marci Bolden?!! Pls keep writing good clean books!?!!
November 15, 2020
More like 3.75
I was thrilled the author jumped right into the present at the beginning and let the natural give and take between characters tell us the behind the scenes story. Kara and Harry were both dealt due devastating blows by their respective families, although Kara got the double dose and the fact that they meet again in their mid forties is fabulous.
I was thrilled the author jumped right into the present at the beginning and let the natural give and take between characters tell us the behind the scenes story. Kara and Harry were both dealt due devastating blows by their respective families, although Kara got the double dose and the fact that they meet again in their mid forties is fabulous.
November 4, 2020
Great book
Couldn't bout it down. Was left owanting more. Can't wait to see what happens next in the stonehiil series
Couldn't bout it down. Was left owanting more. Can't wait to see what happens next in the stonehiil series
April 24, 2021
This is the second book by this author for me and I am truly enjoying the storytelling. While this book dealt with a topic that romance readers will be familiar with, it has a unique way of doing so in my opinion. The writing is more women’s fiction style than that of today’s romance. It deals with reality, hardships, forgiveness, hope and love. It tells a story, and I find that with both books that I’ve read by this author, once I dive in, I cannot turn back. I have to see how it ends!
This is a great change of pace if you’re looking for a reset on reading pleasure these days.
This is a great change of pace if you’re looking for a reset on reading pleasure these days.
March 7, 2021
Great book!!
What a wonderful start to what is going to be a very emotional series! I loved the characters, the storyline grabbed me from the very beginning.
What a wonderful start to what is going to be a very emotional series! I loved the characters, the storyline grabbed me from the very beginning.
January 16, 2021
Forgiveness
For me, this book was all about how important it is to forgive a nd be forgiven. Not only is forgiveness essential, but you have to let go and move on. Kara and Harry have both been hurt over and over by people who supposedly loved them. Together they learn to forgive, let go, and move on.
For me, this book was all about how important it is to forgive a nd be forgiven. Not only is forgiveness essential, but you have to let go and move on. Kara and Harry have both been hurt over and over by people who supposedly loved them. Together they learn to forgive, let go, and move on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews