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Chokecherry Drive
For the last twenty years, Macy Whitaker did everything she could to avoid Minnesota. Due to her mother’s ultimate betrayal, Macy felt she had no choice but to leave everything and everyone behind, including the love of her life, Jason McNally. She worked hard to create a new life for herself. So when she received a chilling phone call, telling her to come home to visit her dying father, Macy knew she could no longer hide from her past. Suddenly she’s back in Minnesota, on Chokecherry farm, a place that has haunted her for almost twenty years. Macy can no longer ignore what happened when Jason shows up at the funeral. Through Macy and Jason’s discoveries, comes both healing and pain, leaving Macy wondering what’s best for her future.
- GenresContemporaryFiction
256 pages, Paperback
Published January 29, 2019
82 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 17, 2019
The emotions!!!
Chokecherry Drive by Layla Reed
WHO IS THIS AUTHOR?!?!?!? I have never heard of Layla Reed before picking up this book. But now I can't stop thinking about her. This book was just amazing. I don't think I have read a book that has taken me on such emotional highs and lows as the roller coaster ride contained within these pages. It was fabulous and amazing and something that I expect from the Hallmark channel, but I got it with Chokecherry Drive.
This is a book about Macy. Her childhood is rather interesting in that her mom runs things with an iron fist and everyone knows it. One summer Macy's dad hires on help for the farm, a young man named Jason. Macy's mom, Elaine, hates him from the beginning for no reason. So, of course, Macy & Jason start to date. This starts us on a journey where Elaine does the most unforgivable thing. Macy leaves home and vows never to return. She then spends the next 20 years building a life for herself. Then she gets the call about her dad's health declining. Macy decides it's time to return to Chokecherry. She plans to return home and try to heal from everything that happened back then. In some ways she finds healing, and yet it feels like her life is exploding around her at the same time. Macy is able to figure things out and realizes her life has brought her full circle. Things haven't turned out at all how she expected - not as a teen, and not as an adult either - but Macy picks up the pieces and moves forward.
This story was heart wrenching to read. I was drawn to Macy from the beginning. Her insecurities and at the same time comfort in her own skin are something I can relate to. It's easy to show the world - "Look, this is who I am" while at the same time not feeling like you're enough. I think many teenage girls go through it. I felt like I was experiencing first love all over again as Macy and Jason fell in love. I shared in their joys, frustrations, and heartache. I cried for all they lost....many times.
The emotions in this book are real, heartfelt, and raw. Just like in real life, we don't always get what we want. Yet, life goes on and we have to as well. I feel for Macy as she does it, not once, but twice in her fairly young life. I was cheering her on right until the bitter end. Macy is a survivor. She is such a strong woman and it's expressed through the story as she overcomes obstacles and forges her way in the world. This is a coming of age tale with one Heck of a twist! This is one book I am super happy that I took a chance on. If you like heart felt, tissue clutching books - then you want to grab this one up!
Chokecherry Drive by Layla Reed
WHO IS THIS AUTHOR?!?!?!? I have never heard of Layla Reed before picking up this book. But now I can't stop thinking about her. This book was just amazing. I don't think I have read a book that has taken me on such emotional highs and lows as the roller coaster ride contained within these pages. It was fabulous and amazing and something that I expect from the Hallmark channel, but I got it with Chokecherry Drive.
This is a book about Macy. Her childhood is rather interesting in that her mom runs things with an iron fist and everyone knows it. One summer Macy's dad hires on help for the farm, a young man named Jason. Macy's mom, Elaine, hates him from the beginning for no reason. So, of course, Macy & Jason start to date. This starts us on a journey where Elaine does the most unforgivable thing. Macy leaves home and vows never to return. She then spends the next 20 years building a life for herself. Then she gets the call about her dad's health declining. Macy decides it's time to return to Chokecherry. She plans to return home and try to heal from everything that happened back then. In some ways she finds healing, and yet it feels like her life is exploding around her at the same time. Macy is able to figure things out and realizes her life has brought her full circle. Things haven't turned out at all how she expected - not as a teen, and not as an adult either - but Macy picks up the pieces and moves forward.
This story was heart wrenching to read. I was drawn to Macy from the beginning. Her insecurities and at the same time comfort in her own skin are something I can relate to. It's easy to show the world - "Look, this is who I am" while at the same time not feeling like you're enough. I think many teenage girls go through it. I felt like I was experiencing first love all over again as Macy and Jason fell in love. I shared in their joys, frustrations, and heartache. I cried for all they lost....many times.
The emotions in this book are real, heartfelt, and raw. Just like in real life, we don't always get what we want. Yet, life goes on and we have to as well. I feel for Macy as she does it, not once, but twice in her fairly young life. I was cheering her on right until the bitter end. Macy is a survivor. She is such a strong woman and it's expressed through the story as she overcomes obstacles and forges her way in the world. This is a coming of age tale with one Heck of a twist! This is one book I am super happy that I took a chance on. If you like heart felt, tissue clutching books - then you want to grab this one up!
December 11, 2025
I originally picked this up a few weeks ago and only read the first two chapters before I got distracted with another book. I picked this up yesterday and finished it. It was excellent.
I started out hating most of the characters. They are selfish, self-centered, mean, awful, vile people; but as the book goes on and you begin to understand what motivates them, the main two become tolerable. I even ended up liking them by the end. Make sure you have tissues for the back half of the book, each new chapter brought on new tears. I couldn't put it down.
This was my third Layla Reed book, and it is by far my favorite.
I started out hating most of the characters. They are selfish, self-centered, mean, awful, vile people; but as the book goes on and you begin to understand what motivates them, the main two become tolerable. I even ended up liking them by the end. Make sure you have tissues for the back half of the book, each new chapter brought on new tears. I couldn't put it down.
This was my third Layla Reed book, and it is by far my favorite.
June 30, 2019
I read this in one sitting!! Was hard to put down! Great debut book from a small town, self publishing author! Layla Reed is sure to become a well known author if all her books are like this.
Will be starting The Picture immediately. Macy finds the love of her life the summer before her senior year of high school, working on her family dairy farm, hides their relationship and pregnancy, just to have it all ripped away from her. Then 20 years in the future she is forced to return to her hometown and face all that she ran from. The ending was very unexpected, and, can I say a bit cliche, and not how I would have wanted it to end, but I understand why.
Will be starting The Picture immediately. Macy finds the love of her life the summer before her senior year of high school, working on her family dairy farm, hides their relationship and pregnancy, just to have it all ripped away from her. Then 20 years in the future she is forced to return to her hometown and face all that she ran from. The ending was very unexpected, and, can I say a bit cliche, and not how I would have wanted it to end, but I understand why.
February 5, 2019
OMG! Couldn't put it down!
This was an incredible story to read. I had it read to me on my Alexa and it was amazing to hear it read aloud. The chapters were well done with the different POVs and the story line kept me balling the whole time, all the way to the end! Layla did an excellent job in pulling you into each and every character. The story line was intriguing and kept your interest the entire read. I have a lot of respect for Macy and all she had to endure throughout the story. Such an incredible love story! I will be looking for more! Highly recommended.
This was an incredible story to read. I had it read to me on my Alexa and it was amazing to hear it read aloud. The chapters were well done with the different POVs and the story line kept me balling the whole time, all the way to the end! Layla did an excellent job in pulling you into each and every character. The story line was intriguing and kept your interest the entire read. I have a lot of respect for Macy and all she had to endure throughout the story. Such an incredible love story! I will be looking for more! Highly recommended.
March 10, 2019
Loved this book. True love is what it is all about. I could relate to all the characters.It was a tie when unwed girls were sent away until they had their babies and it saved face for all involved.
I highly recommend this book. It gives a view of what It was like to be an unwed pregnant girl in the nineties. It proves that true ov e never ends.
I highly recommend this book. It gives a view of what It was like to be an unwed pregnant girl in the nineties. It proves that true ov e never ends.
March 24, 2019
This was such a page turner, that I read it in one sitting. Macy's story goes from present with Seth, to past with Jason. You find yourself bonding with all three of them. Then bam! You're hit with the struggle she went through in her past, that she still battles every day, and the new struggles in Macy's present. This story was so realistic, and showed the strength that Macy truly had.
May 10, 2019
The book
I read this book because it takes place in a area that I know. I was hoping for a really good story I was disappointed. The way the adoption was handled seem out of date, maybe the laws are very different in North Dakota in 1993 than in 1977 in Minnesota when I placed my daughter but I don't think North Dakota laws were still in what the "dark ages"
I read this book because it takes place in a area that I know. I was hoping for a really good story I was disappointed. The way the adoption was handled seem out of date, maybe the laws are very different in North Dakota in 1993 than in 1977 in Minnesota when I placed my daughter but I don't think North Dakota laws were still in what the "dark ages"
April 21, 2019
Ripped at the seams
This is a very heart wrenching read. It will grip all of your emotions as you read. A story of undying love, devotion, and losses. True love ripped apart by interference.
This is a very heart wrenching read. It will grip all of your emotions as you read. A story of undying love, devotion, and losses. True love ripped apart by interference.
July 18, 2023
A life of a family and hidden treasures in that life
I loved this story and even though it had lots of pain within it , it shows how we can't see around the corner and know what's to come. Life has plenty of ups and downs.
I loved this story and even though it had lots of pain within it , it shows how we can't see around the corner and know what's to come. Life has plenty of ups and downs.
July 2, 2024
oh my heart ❤️ !!
This is the most beautiful, heartwarming, loving,yet devastating story I have read in a very long while !!! I cried right along with Macy and Jason…. I only wish it hadn’t ended …
This is the most beautiful, heartwarming, loving,yet devastating story I have read in a very long while !!! I cried right along with Macy and Jason…. I only wish it hadn’t ended …
October 9, 2025
Interesting Revelations
Makes one wonder how many mothers commandeer their children's lives to suit their own purpose. And the book also reveals how far a "church" will go to make money. Full of emotion, this book was an exhausting venture.
Makes one wonder how many mothers commandeer their children's lives to suit their own purpose. And the book also reveals how far a "church" will go to make money. Full of emotion, this book was an exhausting venture.
February 22, 2019
Loved this book!!
March 17, 2019
Cliché. I can't believe I didn't DNF this one. It has an interesting story line, but the ending was ridiculous. Lots of eye rolls over here. Good thing it was a free Amazon book...
May 3, 2019
Coming from a small town I can relate to this love story. I wasn't a fan of the ending. I'm always looking for the happily ever after.
January 4, 2020
That ending wasn’t necessary and it wasn’t nice. Ruined the whole book.
February 25, 2020
A very good read. I couldn’t put it down. I love how you get little bits from the past and present plot. It is very easy to follow and I got very connected with the characters. It is a must read!
June 2, 2020
Simple
Very predictable and light. Simple reading. Development of character could have been better. Reminded me of a novel for teenagers.
Very predictable and light. Simple reading. Development of character could have been better. Reminded me of a novel for teenagers.
October 30, 2023
Couldn't put it down
I couldn't put it down I needed to know what happens. I was so filled with different emotions with all the different characters.
I couldn't put it down I needed to know what happens. I was so filled with different emotions with all the different characters.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews