★★★★★ The Roads We Follow by Nicole Deese - A Delightfully, Emotional Contemporary Romance
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
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About This Book:
A cross-country road trip. A secretive box of journals. An unforgettable summer romance.
As the youngest daughter of a country music legend, Raegan Farrow longs to establish an identity away from the spotlight and publish her small-town romances under a pen name. But after her dream is dashed when she won't exploit her mother's fame to further her own career, she hears a rumor from a reliable source regarding a tell-all being written about the Farrow family. Making matters worse, the unknown author has gone to great lengths to remain anonymous until publication.
Raegan chooses to keep the tell-all a secret from her scandal-leery sisters as they embark on a two-week cross-country road trip at their mother's request and makes it her mission to expose the identity of the author behind the unsanctioned biography. But all is complicated when she discovers their hired bus driver, Micah Davenport, has a hidden agenda of his own--one involving both of their mothers and an old box of journals. As they rely on each other to find the answers they seek, the surprising revelations they unearth will lead them down an unexpected road of love and reconciliation.
MY REVIEW: ★★★★★ 5/5
Time and time again, I find myself turning to Nicole Deese novels for many reasons. First, I know her books will be uplifting, heartwarming and sure to make me laugh or smile. Second, because I'm a feelings reader, in that, I love to feel deeply when I read and Deese has such a beautiful way of evoking emotion in both her characters, and me. And lastly, because I simply adore her delightful, relatable characters and her richly woven stories of redemption, hope, joy and sorrow.
Highlights:
A Cross-Country Road Trip on a Bus
Sisterhood & A Search for Truth
Family Legacy & Country Music
Secrets, Novels and Old Journals
Wit, Charm and a Heartwarming Romance
In this newest release, Deese thoroughly entertained me from beginning to end with deep threads of sisterhood and family, the brokenness found there, and the redemption that followed.
I absolutely loved the nostalgic idea of a modern-day road trip, touring the country on a bus, singing at local haunts and dives while recapturing memories along the way through past journal entries and relived moments. From the setting of Raegan's home in Nashville, TN to the mountains of Micah's Idaho home and all the states in between, I loved every moment of the throwback, late 1970's - early '80's music industry vibes that influenced this story.
I found the main characters, Raegan and Micah, to be well-crafted and loved watching their stories unfold as Raegan struggled with her place in her family, dreaming of making a name for herself as an author and the revelation of Micah's sought-after hidden truth. The broken, fragile bond between Raegan and her sisters, as well as the love and honor they held for their widowed, country music superstar mother was so touching. As the sisters navigate secrets, grief, loss and heartache, their bond changes, stretches, breaks and grows.
Lastly, but not least, I loved the romance thread in this story, finding Raegan and Micah's meeting and initial interactions witty, heartwarming and cute. Their bond strengthens and grows throughout the story as well, making their romance sweet and full of sparks. I loved Micah's gentle, yet firm, manner and thought it very appropriate that he was a bus-driver-therapist, who tenderly and carefully strengthened the familial bond between the Farrow women.
Oh, this story was simply so rewarding! This is a must-read and a solid five stars (I would give it ten, if I could) that will appeal to readers who enjoy books by Christina Suzann Nelson or Rachel Hauck, as well as reader's who enjoy women's fiction with a contemporary romance twist.
Content and Trigger Warnings: Grief, loss of a loved one, divorce, betrayal, lie by omission
About the Author:
Photo Credit: © Rayla Kay Photography | Image courtesy of Baker Publishing Group
Nicole Deese (nicoledeese.com) is a Christy and Carol Award-winning, bestselling author of hope-filled, humorous, and heartfelt contemporary romance novels. When she's not sorting out character arcs and story plots of her own, she can usually be found listening to an audiobook and multitasking at least four different chores at once. She's a hoarder of sparkling water, a lover of long walks and even longer talks with friends, and a seeker of fun and adventure at all times. She lives in small-town Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two freakishly tall teenage sons, and one princess daughter with the heart of a warrior,
