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A Thousand Miles to Graceland
The journey of a thousand miles begins with sequins and a beehive wig in this sharply funny and achingly tender debut novel about mothers, daughters, and the surprising power of Elvis.
Grace Johnson can’t escape the feeling that her life is on autopilot—until her husband announces he’s done with their marriage. Grace has a choice: wallow in humiliation . . . or reluctantly grant her outlandish mother’s seventieth birthday wish with a road trip Graceland. Buckle up, Elvis. We’re on our way.
Now the two are hightailing it from El Paso to Memphis, leaving a trail of sequins, false eyelashes, and difficult memories in their wake. Between spontaneous roadside stops to psychics, wig mishaps, and familiar passive-aggressive zingers, Grace is starting to better understand her Elvis-obsessed mama and their own fragile connection. She may even have another shot at love. Apparently the King really does work in mysterious ways. But after all these years, will it ever be possible for Grace and her mom to heal the hurts of the past?
Grace Johnson can’t escape the feeling that her life is on autopilot—until her husband announces he’s done with their marriage. Grace has a choice: wallow in humiliation . . . or reluctantly grant her outlandish mother’s seventieth birthday wish with a road trip Graceland. Buckle up, Elvis. We’re on our way.
Now the two are hightailing it from El Paso to Memphis, leaving a trail of sequins, false eyelashes, and difficult memories in their wake. Between spontaneous roadside stops to psychics, wig mishaps, and familiar passive-aggressive zingers, Grace is starting to better understand her Elvis-obsessed mama and their own fragile connection. She may even have another shot at love. Apparently the King really does work in mysterious ways. But after all these years, will it ever be possible for Grace and her mom to heal the hurts of the past?
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2023
108 people are currently reading
10252 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 414 reviews
March 28, 2023
Well, that was fun! I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway so my thanks to them and to Forever for the finished copy of this sweet novel. I have to say the typesetting was magnificent. So easy to read and I love this cover. I'd also like to thank Forever via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of the novel. It worked really well flipping back and forth between the hard copy and my kindle, especially when it came to the text messages because the emojis were there to see in the hard copy instead of going by a description. All opinions expressed are my own.
Grace Johnson, who lives in Boston, has just been told by her husband that he's met someone else and wants out of their marriage. It just so happens that Grace's mother Loralynn, who is a big Elvis fan, wants Grace to drive her from El Paso, Texas to Memphis, Tennessee for her 70th birthday. Sorta like Chester Wheeler only with a tiny Asian lady who likes to wear wigs and eye-catching outfits.
Loralynn rents a huge purple convertible for Grace to drive on the trip and their adventure begins. This was such a sweet story with some lovable characters and great descriptions of the places they visit. I'd love to take a road trip like that with my daughter. Grace and Loralynn have never been close but as the trip progresses they're drawn ever closer together. There are moments of sadness but also moments of humour and joy. Highly recommended reading.
When I was about 65% into this book, it was announced that Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis and Priscilla, had passed away. I wonder if Loralynn would find that news upsetting. She nursed quite a hatred of Priscilla!
Publication Date: January 24, 2023.
Grace Johnson, who lives in Boston, has just been told by her husband that he's met someone else and wants out of their marriage. It just so happens that Grace's mother Loralynn, who is a big Elvis fan, wants Grace to drive her from El Paso, Texas to Memphis, Tennessee for her 70th birthday. Sorta like Chester Wheeler only with a tiny Asian lady who likes to wear wigs and eye-catching outfits.
Loralynn rents a huge purple convertible for Grace to drive on the trip and their adventure begins. This was such a sweet story with some lovable characters and great descriptions of the places they visit. I'd love to take a road trip like that with my daughter. Grace and Loralynn have never been close but as the trip progresses they're drawn ever closer together. There are moments of sadness but also moments of humour and joy. Highly recommended reading.
When I was about 65% into this book, it was announced that Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis and Priscilla, had passed away. I wonder if Loralynn would find that news upsetting. She nursed quite a hatred of Priscilla!
Publication Date: January 24, 2023.
January 30, 2023
A nice balance of navigating grief while finding your joy again, A THOUSAND MILES TO GRACELAND was a delightful foray into the complexity of mother/daughter relationships and the growth that can occur when placed in close proximity together for an extended period of time. Please note there are trigger warnings for domestic abuse and cancer.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
June 10, 2023
3.5/5 rounded up
I totally went into A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase expecting a heartwarming mother/daughter bonding session, some sweet romance (it IS a Forever Pub book), and an overall light read. I definitely got a mother/daughter relationship session, but it was way heavier than what I was expecting, and it was NOT a light read at all. The behind-the-scenes look at the back of the book made me 😢 and I kind of wish I had read that prior to listening to the book. As it was, I didn't end up loving the story as much as I had hoped I would, and for how serious and sad some of the topics were, I didn't actually find myself tearing up in the book itself. Maybe that is a me problem, but it just wasn't what I was expecting when I started this.
I did, however, really enjoy the audiobook and Kim Mai Guest was a fantastic narrator. Everything is told entirely from Grace's viewpoint, and she did a great job of embodying her character and all of the emotions she is feeling towards her mom and everything else in general. Grace's mom really stole the show in this story, but I can't actually say I liked her all that much. There is just something that rubs me the wrong way about women that stay with abusive alcoholic husbands when they have a child, and there were things that just absolutely KILLED me in here. I mean I get it, but it just really hurts my heart. I am in the minority here though, so I suggest that if you are ready for a soul-stirring novel about a mother and daughter with a strong dose of Elvis, you should definitely pick up A Thousand Miles to Graceland - and support a debut author!
I totally went into A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase expecting a heartwarming mother/daughter bonding session, some sweet romance (it IS a Forever Pub book), and an overall light read. I definitely got a mother/daughter relationship session, but it was way heavier than what I was expecting, and it was NOT a light read at all. The behind-the-scenes look at the back of the book made me 😢 and I kind of wish I had read that prior to listening to the book. As it was, I didn't end up loving the story as much as I had hoped I would, and for how serious and sad some of the topics were, I didn't actually find myself tearing up in the book itself. Maybe that is a me problem, but it just wasn't what I was expecting when I started this.
I did, however, really enjoy the audiobook and Kim Mai Guest was a fantastic narrator. Everything is told entirely from Grace's viewpoint, and she did a great job of embodying her character and all of the emotions she is feeling towards her mom and everything else in general. Grace's mom really stole the show in this story, but I can't actually say I liked her all that much. There is just something that rubs me the wrong way about women that stay with abusive alcoholic husbands when they have a child, and there were things that just absolutely KILLED me in here. I mean I get it, but it just really hurts my heart. I am in the minority here though, so I suggest that if you are ready for a soul-stirring novel about a mother and daughter with a strong dose of Elvis, you should definitely pick up A Thousand Miles to Graceland - and support a debut author!
January 23, 2023
Review coming soon.
July 30, 2023
A THOUSAND MILES TO GRACELAND by Kristen Mei Chase
I LOVED this book! A THOUSAND MILES TO GRACELAND by Kristen Mei Chase is a poignant and endearing novel about the complexities of the relationships with our mothers, and about moving forward to healing never looking back - while also having a fun road-trip with the magic of Elvis and Graceland.
Grace Johnson’s marriage is falling apart, and what a great time to escape when her momma Loralynn then a fun road trip for her seventieth on a purple Cadillac. This road trip was more than the destination, but the journey along the way. With equal parts humor and emotional themes, and a sprinkle of romance, this made for a fantastic read I plan to recommend to all.
Ahhhhhhhh so so good!
I LOVED this book! A THOUSAND MILES TO GRACELAND by Kristen Mei Chase is a poignant and endearing novel about the complexities of the relationships with our mothers, and about moving forward to healing never looking back - while also having a fun road-trip with the magic of Elvis and Graceland.
Grace Johnson’s marriage is falling apart, and what a great time to escape when her momma Loralynn then a fun road trip for her seventieth on a purple Cadillac. This road trip was more than the destination, but the journey along the way. With equal parts humor and emotional themes, and a sprinkle of romance, this made for a fantastic read I plan to recommend to all.
Ahhhhhhhh so so good!
January 16, 2023
Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase is a delightful road trip story about a woman and her eccentric mother. This mother-daughter bonding trip is heartwarming, emotional, and a lot of fun.
Story Recap:
Grace Johnson’s husband has left her and she’s feeling lost and doesn’t know what to do next, so when her mother suggests they go on a road trip to Graceland in Memphis, she reluctantly decides to go along. Grace’s relationship with her outlandish mother hasn’t always been good, and she’s not looking forward to spending so much time together. But, it’s her mother’s seventieth birthday, and she knows it’s the right thing to do.
So, Grace and her Elvis-obsessed mama hop in a purple Cadillac and drive from El Paso, Texas to Memphis Tennessee to see the iconic Graceland, the previous home of Elvis Presley. Along the way, they have a few adventures and learn a lot about themselves and each other.
My Thoughts:
I love a good road trip book, and A Thousand Miles to Graceland did not disappoint! The story is heartwarming, funny, and emotional at times. Grace and her mother couldn’t be more different on the surface, but as we get to know each of them more, we realize that they are quite similar deep down inside.
I thought the pacing was very well done. There were moments of humor to break up the more emotional parts and that made a nice balance. There is also a bit of light romance, which I also enjoyed.
If you enjoy heartwarming stories about family dynamics, with a bit of humor and romance, this is the book for you.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend A Thousand Miles to Graceland to anyone who enjoys stories about families. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase is a delightful road trip story about a woman and her eccentric mother. This mother-daughter bonding trip is heartwarming, emotional, and a lot of fun.
Story Recap:
Grace Johnson’s husband has left her and she’s feeling lost and doesn’t know what to do next, so when her mother suggests they go on a road trip to Graceland in Memphis, she reluctantly decides to go along. Grace’s relationship with her outlandish mother hasn’t always been good, and she’s not looking forward to spending so much time together. But, it’s her mother’s seventieth birthday, and she knows it’s the right thing to do.
So, Grace and her Elvis-obsessed mama hop in a purple Cadillac and drive from El Paso, Texas to Memphis Tennessee to see the iconic Graceland, the previous home of Elvis Presley. Along the way, they have a few adventures and learn a lot about themselves and each other.
My Thoughts:
I love a good road trip book, and A Thousand Miles to Graceland did not disappoint! The story is heartwarming, funny, and emotional at times. Grace and her mother couldn’t be more different on the surface, but as we get to know each of them more, we realize that they are quite similar deep down inside.
I thought the pacing was very well done. There were moments of humor to break up the more emotional parts and that made a nice balance. There is also a bit of light romance, which I also enjoyed.
If you enjoy heartwarming stories about family dynamics, with a bit of humor and romance, this is the book for you.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend A Thousand Miles to Graceland to anyone who enjoys stories about families. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 22, 2023
Have you ever visited Graceland?
A Thousand Miles To Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase
#Bookmail Review (5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Available on January 24th
My thoughts:
I really enjoyed reading Kristen Mei Chase's new book. This heartwarming story is about a mother and daughter's imperfect journey to Graceland. I laughed and cried. The writing in Chase's story reaches out and draws you in. It is witty and hilarious. It brought back tender memories of my own sweet mother.
Blurb:
The journey of a thousand miles begins with sequins and a beehive wig in this sharply funny and achingly tender debut novel about mothers, daughters, and the surprising power of Elvis.
Grace Johnson can’t escape the feeling that her life is on autopilot—until her husband announces he’s done with their marriage. Grace has a choice: wallow in humiliation . . . or reluctantly grant her outlandish mother’s seventieth birthday wish with a road trip Graceland. Buckle up, Elvis. We’re on our way.
Now the two are hightailing it from El Paso to Memphis, leaving a trail of sequins, false eyelashes, and difficult memories in their wake. Between spontaneous roadside stops to psychics, wig mishaps, and familiar passive-aggressive zingers, Grace is starting to better understand her Elvis-obsessed mama and their own fragile connection. She may even have another shot at love. Apparently the King really does work in mysterious ways. But after all these years, will it ever be possible for Grace and her mom to heal the hurts of the past?
Thank you @ThatKrisrenAagain @HachetteBookGroup and @ReadForeverPub for my complimentary copy of this amazing book. You made my day.
#AThousandMilesToGraceland #KristenMeiChase #HachetteBooksSocialClub #HachetteBooks #HachetteGo #HachetteBookGroup #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #blogtour #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
A Thousand Miles To Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase
#Bookmail Review (5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Available on January 24th
My thoughts:
I really enjoyed reading Kristen Mei Chase's new book. This heartwarming story is about a mother and daughter's imperfect journey to Graceland. I laughed and cried. The writing in Chase's story reaches out and draws you in. It is witty and hilarious. It brought back tender memories of my own sweet mother.
Blurb:
The journey of a thousand miles begins with sequins and a beehive wig in this sharply funny and achingly tender debut novel about mothers, daughters, and the surprising power of Elvis.
Grace Johnson can’t escape the feeling that her life is on autopilot—until her husband announces he’s done with their marriage. Grace has a choice: wallow in humiliation . . . or reluctantly grant her outlandish mother’s seventieth birthday wish with a road trip Graceland. Buckle up, Elvis. We’re on our way.
Now the two are hightailing it from El Paso to Memphis, leaving a trail of sequins, false eyelashes, and difficult memories in their wake. Between spontaneous roadside stops to psychics, wig mishaps, and familiar passive-aggressive zingers, Grace is starting to better understand her Elvis-obsessed mama and their own fragile connection. She may even have another shot at love. Apparently the King really does work in mysterious ways. But after all these years, will it ever be possible for Grace and her mom to heal the hurts of the past?
Thank you @ThatKrisrenAagain @HachetteBookGroup and @ReadForeverPub for my complimentary copy of this amazing book. You made my day.
#AThousandMilesToGraceland #KristenMeiChase #HachetteBooksSocialClub #HachetteBooks #HachetteGo #HachetteBookGroup #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #blogtour #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #Audible #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra #Bookishcom #trending #bestsellingbooks #b
January 27, 2023
This was an emotional debut that gave me all the feels and had a perfect balance of humor and heart.
A mother-daughter roadtrip story that sees recently separated lawyer Grace taking her mother on the trip of a lifetime for her 70th birthday to visit all sorts of historic Elvis landmarks (in a pink convertible of all things!)
Together these two repair their relationship, deal with past family trauma (alcoholic, abusive father) while sharing some long-held secrets.
Be prepared to cry with this one but also enjoy all the kookiness of Grace’s Elvis-obsesssed mother.
I loved the anxiety rep in this book (Grace) and the way the story deals with familial trauma and terminal illness. There’s even some romance in the form of a childhood friend.
Great on audio and highly recommended for fans of Jesse Q Sutanto, Roselle Lim or Rachel Gibson’s How Lulu lost her mind (another mother-daughter road trip story).
Much thanks to @readforeverpub for a beautiful finished copy!! This is one debut you don’t want to miss and I’m excited to read more from Kristen!
A mother-daughter roadtrip story that sees recently separated lawyer Grace taking her mother on the trip of a lifetime for her 70th birthday to visit all sorts of historic Elvis landmarks (in a pink convertible of all things!)
Together these two repair their relationship, deal with past family trauma (alcoholic, abusive father) while sharing some long-held secrets.
Be prepared to cry with this one but also enjoy all the kookiness of Grace’s Elvis-obsesssed mother.
I loved the anxiety rep in this book (Grace) and the way the story deals with familial trauma and terminal illness. There’s even some romance in the form of a childhood friend.
Great on audio and highly recommended for fans of Jesse Q Sutanto, Roselle Lim or Rachel Gibson’s How Lulu lost her mind (another mother-daughter road trip story).
Much thanks to @readforeverpub for a beautiful finished copy!! This is one debut you don’t want to miss and I’m excited to read more from Kristen!
May 12, 2023
With such a cute cover, I was ready for a cute dysfunctional redemption story of a mother and daughter and they travel around visiting previous Elvis locations. I thought it would be light and funny and cute. Instead, there are some pretty heavy themes in here. And definitely a case of where I wasn't so sure the daughter being estranged from her mom was such a bad thing.
I know others loved this story so if this sounds like it will work for you, go check those glowing 4 & 5 star reviews as I'm sure you will love it. This one just wasn't for me. I didn't find the mom's reasons to be enough or the daughter's PTSD from very real abuse to be so heartbreaking. I did like the little bit of romance and thought that rounded out the MC well. I really didn't like the mom. I wish I'd loved this one.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I know others loved this story so if this sounds like it will work for you, go check those glowing 4 & 5 star reviews as I'm sure you will love it. This one just wasn't for me. I didn't find the mom's reasons to be enough or the daughter's PTSD from very real abuse to be so heartbreaking. I did like the little bit of romance and thought that rounded out the MC well. I really didn't like the mom. I wish I'd loved this one.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
June 12, 2023
Charming, some tears, some smiles, touching, working through grief and past hurts.. loved it :)
December 19, 2022
What do you think of when you see this title? Yep! You guessed it! Elvis! I loved this book! Not just because it's centered around a mother's love of Elvis, but it's a mom and daughter trip to look back on the past and move forward while clearing the air of some ghosts that haunt each of their pasts.
This book made me think about my own mom and pulled on my heartstrings. I even cried a little bit. My mom and I have always clashed, but as I have gotten older, I now understand some of her quirky ways and why she made some of the choices she made. I want the rest of our life to be great before it's too late and I never get a "redo" again.
A Thousand Miles to Graceland is a super sweet book that doesn't need to go unread! Available 1/24/2023
Thank you to Forever Pub and Netgalley for this heart-warming book. Congrats to Kristen Mei Chase on a superb debut novel!
This book made me think about my own mom and pulled on my heartstrings. I even cried a little bit. My mom and I have always clashed, but as I have gotten older, I now understand some of her quirky ways and why she made some of the choices she made. I want the rest of our life to be great before it's too late and I never get a "redo" again.
A Thousand Miles to Graceland is a super sweet book that doesn't need to go unread! Available 1/24/2023
Thank you to Forever Pub and Netgalley for this heart-warming book. Congrats to Kristen Mei Chase on a superb debut novel!
January 30, 2023
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Copy provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing).
Grace Johnson can not escape the feeling that her life is on autopilot—until her husband announces he is done with their marriage. Grace has a choice: wallow in humiliation or reluctantly grant her outlandish mother’s seventieth birthday wish with a road trip Graceland. Buckle up, Elvis. We are on our way.
Now the two are hightailing it from El Paso to Memphis, leaving a trail of sequins, false eyelashes, and difficult memories in their wake. Between spontaneous roadside stops to psychics, wig mishaps, and familiar passive-aggressive zingers, Grace is starting to better understand her Elvis-obsessed mama and their own fragile connection. She may even have another shot at love. Apparently the King really does work in mysterious ways. But after all these years, will it ever be possible for Grace and her mom to heal the hurts of the past?
A big-hearted, big-haired story about a mother and daughter crossing the thousand miles between them. A Thousand Miles to Graceland is a book with heart, which often makes up for the occasionally weak writing. I am still unsure if we actually needed the romantic interest at all. Chase also seems to be a capable writer, but I found both of her main characters unrealistic and unlikable. I feel like if the author had flushed out her characters more and given more time to their repairing their relationship, It is a good premise, the eccentric mother could have been fun if she had not been so selfish. I am obviously in the minority, so if this seems like a book that you would enjoy - one of an estranged mother and daughter traveling to Graceland - then check it out and decide for yourself.
Grace Johnson can not escape the feeling that her life is on autopilot—until her husband announces he is done with their marriage. Grace has a choice: wallow in humiliation or reluctantly grant her outlandish mother’s seventieth birthday wish with a road trip Graceland. Buckle up, Elvis. We are on our way.
Now the two are hightailing it from El Paso to Memphis, leaving a trail of sequins, false eyelashes, and difficult memories in their wake. Between spontaneous roadside stops to psychics, wig mishaps, and familiar passive-aggressive zingers, Grace is starting to better understand her Elvis-obsessed mama and their own fragile connection. She may even have another shot at love. Apparently the King really does work in mysterious ways. But after all these years, will it ever be possible for Grace and her mom to heal the hurts of the past?
A big-hearted, big-haired story about a mother and daughter crossing the thousand miles between them. A Thousand Miles to Graceland is a book with heart, which often makes up for the occasionally weak writing. I am still unsure if we actually needed the romantic interest at all. Chase also seems to be a capable writer, but I found both of her main characters unrealistic and unlikable. I feel like if the author had flushed out her characters more and given more time to their repairing their relationship, It is a good premise, the eccentric mother could have been fun if she had not been so selfish. I am obviously in the minority, so if this seems like a book that you would enjoy - one of an estranged mother and daughter traveling to Graceland - then check it out and decide for yourself.
September 17, 2022
A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase is a wonderful contemporary fiction that highlights the importance of friends, family, and one’s own happiness in life.
I really enjoyed this contemporary/women’s fiction that focuses on the internal and external struggles of Grace Johnson. The relationship between Grace and her Momma. The road trip was therapeutic in more ways than one. What started as a fun trip to Graceland, turned into so much more.
I enjoyed the balance of fun and light-hearted material in the narrative with the more serious subject matter. The process of working through her own concerns, questions, and place and purpose in life, and the answers that she finds during this road trip was refreshing and warming.
I am looking forward to more from this author in the future.
4.5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Forever ( Grand Central Publishing) for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 1/24/23.
I really enjoyed this contemporary/women’s fiction that focuses on the internal and external struggles of Grace Johnson. The relationship between Grace and her Momma. The road trip was therapeutic in more ways than one. What started as a fun trip to Graceland, turned into so much more.
I enjoyed the balance of fun and light-hearted material in the narrative with the more serious subject matter. The process of working through her own concerns, questions, and place and purpose in life, and the answers that she finds during this road trip was refreshing and warming.
I am looking forward to more from this author in the future.
4.5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Forever ( Grand Central Publishing) for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 1/24/23.
May 30, 2023
The fun, colorful cover design and the word Graceland (a place I’ve visited) is what caught my eye about this book, but that suggestion of whimsy was quite misleading. For a few pages I expected to be writing a review that gave comp titles for fans of books like ‘People We Meet on Vacation’ by Emily Henry. However, that is not the case; at the same time the parent- daughter relationship in ‘A Thousand Miles to Graceland’ is not quite as bad as that of Jeanette Walls in ‘The Glass Castle.’ The author’s final notes at the end of the book make it clear that there are many autobiographical elements in these 200 pages and that getting this story down in print was somewhat of a catharsis for her. I neither looked at the back of the book nor did I search for the reactions /reviews from other people. So as I read, I kept expecting more of a happy end to the road trip. Thank you to the Forever imprint of Hatchette Book Group and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
March 31, 2023
This was such a wonderful read.
I loved that Elvis was the reason that the daughter always resented her mom, and she barely spoke to her as an adult. But when her Mom was turning Seventy, her mom asked her to take a trip to Graceland with her. She finally obliged. From El Paso to Graceland, was such a treasure trove of memories and forgiveness, thanks to Elvis.
Such a heartwarming, uplifting journey as mother and daughter finally reunite after years of antagonism.
I loved that Elvis was the reason that the daughter always resented her mom, and she barely spoke to her as an adult. But when her Mom was turning Seventy, her mom asked her to take a trip to Graceland with her. She finally obliged. From El Paso to Graceland, was such a treasure trove of memories and forgiveness, thanks to Elvis.
Such a heartwarming, uplifting journey as mother and daughter finally reunite after years of antagonism.
May 7, 2023
This was so much more than I thought it would be! This is a mother/daughter road trip story with so much humor but also depth-- I felt the full range of emotions! Grace's mom is an Elvis LOVER and has a dream of going to Graceland and she wants her somewhat estranged daughter Grace to accompany her. Reluctantly Grace agrees and on the trip we find out so much more about the mom, their past, and what the relationship means to each of them. The mom is hilarious. She's a very southern woman who embodies Priscilla (complete with wigs and crazy outfits) and collects Elvis figurines. She's also Asian. This has led to a lot of ridicule and embarrassment when Grace was a child but when we find out the why it just added to my love for the mother. Overall this is a great story of love, loss, motherhood, and so much more. Highly impressed!
SPOILERS AHEAD:
The mom had beaten cancer but now its back and its in her brain. She has months to live but is withholding treatment so she downslides fast on this trip. When Grace was 4, her brother died and her father was very abusive and Elvis became a symbol of hope for the mother.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
The mom had beaten cancer but now its back and its in her brain. She has months to live but is withholding treatment so she downslides fast on this trip. When Grace was 4, her brother died and her father was very abusive and Elvis became a symbol of hope for the mother.
November 6, 2023
I visited Graceland 30 years ago as part of a band trip and not as an Elvis lover. My oldest daughter just did a trip to Tennessee which of course, included a trip to Graceland because she does love Elvis. 🤣
I picked up this book as a trip down memory lane.
I loved this little book. It brought back memories and nostalgia. At the heart of the it is a mother-daughter relationship that is strained. The daughter is recently separated from her husband and her mother is battling cancer. Together, they drive to Graceland and encounter adventures along the way. It was funny and sentimental. I appreciated the little blurbs about Tupelo and Memphis.
A light read with big spirit. “Don’t wait!”
I picked up this book as a trip down memory lane.
I loved this little book. It brought back memories and nostalgia. At the heart of the it is a mother-daughter relationship that is strained. The daughter is recently separated from her husband and her mother is battling cancer. Together, they drive to Graceland and encounter adventures along the way. It was funny and sentimental. I appreciated the little blurbs about Tupelo and Memphis.
A light read with big spirit. “Don’t wait!”
Want to read
February 25, 2023I loved this book so much. It's full of complicated mother daughter relationships, grief, joy, and love. Being a mixed Asian woman myself, I found myself completely pulled into the complex relationship with your heritage and therefore your own family. It's a painful and confusing space but it's full of love, longing, and a full heart.
This book is a classic delight that is a road trip where the journey is about so much more than the destination. A story where you realize along the way why you're on the road in the first place. It's the long car ride where you start to understand your mother in ways that you never understood her before. The realization that your mother is probably pulled to and from her culture just as much as you are. This book is the moment we realize that we aren't so different after all.
This story is absolutely beautiful and I'm so honored to have been able to read it, and so thankful that it exists. It's so infrequent we get stories by mixed authors where the characters are explicitly mixed. It's diaspora multiplied by two and this journey is one we all take, whether we're on the way to Graceland or just adulthood. Thank you, Kristen Mei Chase for this story.
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This book is a classic delight that is a road trip where the journey is about so much more than the destination. A story where you realize along the way why you're on the road in the first place. It's the long car ride where you start to understand your mother in ways that you never understood her before. The realization that your mother is probably pulled to and from her culture just as much as you are. This book is the moment we realize that we aren't so different after all.
This story is absolutely beautiful and I'm so honored to have been able to read it, and so thankful that it exists. It's so infrequent we get stories by mixed authors where the characters are explicitly mixed. It's diaspora multiplied by two and this journey is one we all take, whether we're on the way to Graceland or just adulthood. Thank you, Kristen Mei Chase for this story.
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January 21, 2023
This book was so cute. It’s about a girl and her Elvis loving mother taking a road trip from El Paso Texas to Memphis Tennessee to see Graceland. I honestly had to idea Graceland was in Memphis Tennessee. I don’t actually listen to Elvis or followed his career
October 28, 2022
What a fun memorable trip everyone needs to take (read) at least once in their lifetime.
dnf
July 1, 2023I made it to 75% and had to stop. BUT I actually think this is a really good book. It’s well-written and I think may hold a lot of humor and emotion for lots of readers. For me, there were just too many very painful mother-daughter conversations and fights that hit some particular pain spots. And I found myself having to force myself to listen because I didn’t want to feel more pain and ummm duh 😂 I had to stop. Just a not-for-me story.
January 25, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre/Tropes: fiction, mother-daughter, road trip, family
CW/TW: alcoholism, domestic abuse (memory), tongue cancer (dad), brain cancer (mom), dead infant from illness (memory)
It’s kind of hard to express my feelings about 𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗧𝗚 . Upon the start it felt like a cute read with a daughter taking her eccentric, Elvis-loving, dresses-like-Pricilla mother to Graceland for her 70th birthday. Grace was unwilling to do it at first because they have a strained relationship. But her with marriage headed towards divorce, it’s a chance for her to get away.
The road trip features stops at tourist attractions or at friends’. It takes an unexpectedly serious turn when Grace’s childhood’s mentioned. I was startled by how casually the physical and mental abuse suffered at the hands of her father were brought up. There was no warning. After adapting to that, the next blow was reading that her mother’s cancer had metastasized to her brain. This one hit me hard, and here I had to put the book down, unsure if I could continue.
Let me emphasize the writing and story are great. It’s the subject matter that gave me pause. But I was too invested in Grace and her mother to give up on the story.
There’s no further big tragedy, though there is a scary incident and a hospital stay involved. (To be a bit spoilery, her mom does make it to the end and is in the epilogue.)
The rest of the trip and what it means to Grace’s mother, and what it does for their relationship is worth the uneasiness I went through in reading this story. I know this might not be the case for everyone, hence the CW/TWs. It’s a touching story, but when you’re ready, and be gentle with yourself when you read it.
Thanks to @netgalley & @readforeverpub for my ARC. This is my honest review. 𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗧𝗚 is out today.
Genre/Tropes: fiction, mother-daughter, road trip, family
CW/TW: alcoholism, domestic abuse (memory), tongue cancer (dad), brain cancer (mom), dead infant from illness (memory)
It’s kind of hard to express my feelings about 𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗧𝗚 . Upon the start it felt like a cute read with a daughter taking her eccentric, Elvis-loving, dresses-like-Pricilla mother to Graceland for her 70th birthday. Grace was unwilling to do it at first because they have a strained relationship. But her with marriage headed towards divorce, it’s a chance for her to get away.
The road trip features stops at tourist attractions or at friends’. It takes an unexpectedly serious turn when Grace’s childhood’s mentioned. I was startled by how casually the physical and mental abuse suffered at the hands of her father were brought up. There was no warning. After adapting to that, the next blow was reading that her mother’s cancer had metastasized to her brain. This one hit me hard, and here I had to put the book down, unsure if I could continue.
Let me emphasize the writing and story are great. It’s the subject matter that gave me pause. But I was too invested in Grace and her mother to give up on the story.
There’s no further big tragedy, though there is a scary incident and a hospital stay involved. (To be a bit spoilery, her mom does make it to the end and is in the epilogue.)
The rest of the trip and what it means to Grace’s mother, and what it does for their relationship is worth the uneasiness I went through in reading this story. I know this might not be the case for everyone, hence the CW/TWs. It’s a touching story, but when you’re ready, and be gentle with yourself when you read it.
Thanks to @netgalley & @readforeverpub for my ARC. This is my honest review. 𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗧𝗚 is out today.
August 26, 2025
This book brought me out of my reading slump 😄 very long chapters but super cute and great if you’re an Elvis fan!
February 12, 2024
A mother and daughter who haven’t had a close relationship for years come back together for a road trip from El Paso to Memphis. This book wasn’t as wacky as the official description and the cover would imply.
January 11, 2023
I came to this book with no expectations beyond the blurb. What an enjoyable road trip! Grace Johnson safe world is shaken when her husband announces he has met someone else. She decides to get away (so he can move out) and give in to her mother’s 70th birthday wish. Next thing you know she’s driving a rented purple convertible Cadillac from El Paso, TX to Memphis, TN. Her mother has been obsessed with Elvis Presley and visiting Graceland is her ultimate bucket list desire.
This book is about the journey and not the destination. Mom and daughter need time together to reconnect understand each other. Grace left behind her abusive father and childhood without understanding how her mom didn’t protect her better. They also both have things they haven’t shared with each other. I’m making this sound depressing and it is not. There is humor and lightness even when discussing serious things. And some of the passive aggressive comment made me roll my eyes and chuckle as I could hear my mother saying such things.
This is an easy book to recommend and is appropriately listed as General (Women’s) Fiction and Multicultural Interest (Asian). There is a potential love interest with an old friend but that is limited to a few conversations and ongoing texting. Trigger warnings for domestic abuse, racism, divorce, cheating, anxiety, divorce, cheating and death (off page).
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is about the journey and not the destination. Mom and daughter need time together to reconnect understand each other. Grace left behind her abusive father and childhood without understanding how her mom didn’t protect her better. They also both have things they haven’t shared with each other. I’m making this sound depressing and it is not. There is humor and lightness even when discussing serious things. And some of the passive aggressive comment made me roll my eyes and chuckle as I could hear my mother saying such things.
This is an easy book to recommend and is appropriately listed as General (Women’s) Fiction and Multicultural Interest (Asian). There is a potential love interest with an old friend but that is limited to a few conversations and ongoing texting. Trigger warnings for domestic abuse, racism, divorce, cheating, anxiety, divorce, cheating and death (off page).
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2023
A story featuring an Asian American mother and daughter going on a road trip to Graceland - sign me up!
This book had heavier themes than I expected going in, but I appreciated the story and its focus on Grace and her complicated relationship with her Elvis-obsessed mother, Loralynn. From an initial standpoint, the two women are vastly different and you believe that is the crux of their relationship. Loralynn is outgoing and zany, preferring to wear bouffant wigs and sequins emulating Elvis’s spirit and that era, whereas Grace prefers a safe and simpler livelihood much different than her mother’s. As the story progresses however, you begin to learn that there is a painful past that still affects both women. They each have handled it differently, but throughout this literal journey to confront their shared traumas, I found Grace’s growth into coming to terms with her childhood, and slowly learning more about her mother and accepting her as she is, raw and real. This felt like a personal story and it didn’t hold back in showing how difficult it was to heal from old wounds and the work it takes to rebuild that relationship between a daughter and her mother.
The road trip was a great setting for this story. I liked the unique places they visited as well as some of the stopovers from El Paso to Memphis. My favorite was when they got stuck in Louisiana and met a father and daughter, who were almost a reflection of Grace and Loralynn once they confronted their problems. I kind of wanted more Elvis references (as if this book didn’t have enough), but after reading, I now want to visit Tupelo and see Elvis’s house and the diner he frequented, along with Graceland, of course.
This book had heavier themes than I expected going in, but I appreciated the story and its focus on Grace and her complicated relationship with her Elvis-obsessed mother, Loralynn. From an initial standpoint, the two women are vastly different and you believe that is the crux of their relationship. Loralynn is outgoing and zany, preferring to wear bouffant wigs and sequins emulating Elvis’s spirit and that era, whereas Grace prefers a safe and simpler livelihood much different than her mother’s. As the story progresses however, you begin to learn that there is a painful past that still affects both women. They each have handled it differently, but throughout this literal journey to confront their shared traumas, I found Grace’s growth into coming to terms with her childhood, and slowly learning more about her mother and accepting her as she is, raw and real. This felt like a personal story and it didn’t hold back in showing how difficult it was to heal from old wounds and the work it takes to rebuild that relationship between a daughter and her mother.
The road trip was a great setting for this story. I liked the unique places they visited as well as some of the stopovers from El Paso to Memphis. My favorite was when they got stuck in Louisiana and met a father and daughter, who were almost a reflection of Grace and Loralynn once they confronted their problems. I kind of wanted more Elvis references (as if this book didn’t have enough), but after reading, I now want to visit Tupelo and see Elvis’s house and the diner he frequented, along with Graceland, of course.
September 24, 2022
In “A Thousand Miles to Graceland,” Grace, a half Caucasian/ half Chinese American tax accountant in her forties goes on a road trip with her estranged Chinese American mother, Loralynn to celebrate Loralynn’s 70th birthday, traveling from El Paso, Texas to Memphis, Tennessee, stopping along the way and meeting an interesting cast of characters. During the course of the trip, the reader discovers that Grace and her mother were victimized by Grace’s abusive, alcoholic father. Grace resented Loraylnn for not standing up for her against her father, and also for Loralynn’s obsession with Elvis Presley, an obsession that manifested itself in the form of polyester sequined outfits, large black wigs and a large Elvis figurine collection.
Grace’s close and unavoidable proximity to Loralynn during the course of their road trip forces Grace to acknowledge her lifelong resentments of her mother and to realize how her past has shaped her inability to form close relationships or to take risks. The book is character driven, with fully fledged characters, even the ones that make cameo appearances throughout the book. It is a moving tribute to mother/daughter relationships and how they can shape us as adults. I loved every aspect of this book, and enjoyed watching Grace grow as a person and overcome her past resentments of her mother as she learned to appreciate and love her.
(Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher, Forever, for providing me an ARC copy of the book in exchange for my honest review).
Grace’s close and unavoidable proximity to Loralynn during the course of their road trip forces Grace to acknowledge her lifelong resentments of her mother and to realize how her past has shaped her inability to form close relationships or to take risks. The book is character driven, with fully fledged characters, even the ones that make cameo appearances throughout the book. It is a moving tribute to mother/daughter relationships and how they can shape us as adults. I loved every aspect of this book, and enjoyed watching Grace grow as a person and overcome her past resentments of her mother as she learned to appreciate and love her.
(Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher, Forever, for providing me an ARC copy of the book in exchange for my honest review).
February 9, 2023
I read this as an e-galley from Netgalley and it should be noted that I work for Hachette Book Group but all opinions are mine. 3.5 stars
Grace and her mom have an incredibly complicated relationship. Grace's dad was an alcoholic and was abusive to Grace and her mom. Grace fled home after high school and avoids her mom as much as possible. Grace's mom, Loralynn, wears Grace down and Grace agrees to take a road trip with her Mom from El Paso to Loralynn's holy grail destination- Graceland.
Loralynn has been obsessed with all things Elvis since Grace can remember. Loralynn, a tiny woman, wears a big wig and heels all the time as she cosplays her version of Priscilla.
Grace holds immense amounts of anger and resentment towards her mom. Even on discovering her mother's cancer is back and learning the rationale behind Loralynn's obsession with Elvis, Grace continues to be hostile and angry.
I get it, her anger and resentment was partially deserved, but Grace also talks about how she's been in therapy for a long time so I was left wondering why she was still holding on to so much of this. I got a bit annoyed with it.
There are some comments about weight and food that made me unhappy.
Overall an interesting story about a complicated mother/daughter relationship and the duo taking a road trip.
CW: Mom with cancer, dead dad, intimate partner violence, alcoholism, divorce, seizure- on page, hospitalization, lots of mentions of Elvis, likely something I am forgetting.
Grace and her mom have an incredibly complicated relationship. Grace's dad was an alcoholic and was abusive to Grace and her mom. Grace fled home after high school and avoids her mom as much as possible. Grace's mom, Loralynn, wears Grace down and Grace agrees to take a road trip with her Mom from El Paso to Loralynn's holy grail destination- Graceland.
Loralynn has been obsessed with all things Elvis since Grace can remember. Loralynn, a tiny woman, wears a big wig and heels all the time as she cosplays her version of Priscilla.
Grace holds immense amounts of anger and resentment towards her mom. Even on discovering her mother's cancer is back and learning the rationale behind Loralynn's obsession with Elvis, Grace continues to be hostile and angry.
I get it, her anger and resentment was partially deserved, but Grace also talks about how she's been in therapy for a long time so I was left wondering why she was still holding on to so much of this. I got a bit annoyed with it.
There are some comments about weight and food that made me unhappy.
Overall an interesting story about a complicated mother/daughter relationship and the duo taking a road trip.
CW: Mom with cancer, dead dad, intimate partner violence, alcoholism, divorce, seizure- on page, hospitalization, lots of mentions of Elvis, likely something I am forgetting.
May 4, 2023
I get what was happening with the Mom and the daughter, but it was just okay for me. The heartstrings just weren’t pulled hard enough.
June 7, 2023
Definitely a summer read albeit w some unexpected depth in parts- formulaic.
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