'Sometimes God puts things in our paths for a reason. Best to sit up and pay attention.'

Lauren K. Denton writes stories with great southern charm and this one is so moving. Perry, Alabama is home once again to Jessie McBride when she returns after her husband's affair and her divorce. Along with her 14 year old daughter, Evan, settles down in her hometown. She opens a garden shop next door to her house and across a field from her widowed mother, Gus. Jessie is happy, but when her old maybe could have been boyfriend from high school moves back to Glory Road with his teenage son, her heart gets pulled in a new direction. Add to that a wealthy businessman asking her to do flowers for his daughter's huge wedding and combined with his lingering attentions to her, Jessie just is not sure which direction her life is heading. Her mama, Gus, has been having some frequent and surprisingly odd memory losses and all their futures look uncertain.

Told in three points of view, from Gus, to Jessie, to Evan, this book is deeply moving on all fronts. Set against the backdrop of a red Southern dirt road, two women learn that love is never to be passed by and one teenager learns that the women she follows are pretty amazing. I loved everything about this book.

'I think you marry the one who, when everything else is stripped away---money, job, arguments, disagreements--he's still the one you'd want to sit with on the porch and...just...do nothing. Or do anything. Pick the one who matters more than all the stuff of life.'

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a fine piece of southern fiction! While reading this I had a comforting feeling of home in the best possible sense. You could feel the love in this book - of family, friends, and the community. Memories of a simpler time came over me and I remembered sitting on the porch shelling peas, pulling weeds in the garden, making supper with Mom.

There are changes happening in the lives of the three generations of women in this book: the grandmother, Gus, who is gradually losing her memory; Gus's daughter, Jessie, who must decide how much risk she is willing to take - in business and in love; and Evan who is on the brink of adulthood and navigating those treacherous teenage years. The story is told from the point of view of these three women. The chapters are each introduced with quotes from gardening books and the quotes are relatable to what is happening in the lives of the women.

The writing flowed easily and the characters were well detailed. I could picture the surroundings of Glory Road - the Ice Box, the country road, the quiet. This is a wonderful, positive book and I truly loved it!

Thanks so much to Lauren K. Denton and Thomas Nelson--FICTION through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Glory Road is Lauren K. Denton’s third novel. Following in the same true story telling tradition as her first two novels, Ms. Denton paints a vivid picture of life in the small fictional Alabama town of Perry, just inland from Mobile. Jessie McBride returned to her home on red dirt Glory Road about eight years ago when she discovered her cheating husband’s ways. Packing up her belongings and her young daughter, Evan, into her SUV, she headed south from Birmingham to her childhood home and her mother, Gus McBride. In the ensuing years, Jessie has been able to purchase the property adjacent to her mother and create a home for herself and her daughter and a busy garden business.

The summer before Evan begins high school is a turning point for them all. Change is in the air, some pleasant, some frightening. Jessie has been very busy growing her business, raising her child, and watching over her mother. There has been no time for real life to intervene until it suddenly does.

This particular summer wealthy, distinguished golf course architect Sumner Tate takes notice of Jessie when he stops in her garden shop and wants to engage her to do the flowers for his daughter’s wedding. At about the same time, high school best friend/first love Ben Bradley and his son Nick return to Glory Road dredging up a multitude of old memories and emotions. A friendship between Nick and Evan also works on Jessie’s mind. But, perhaps, the piece that Jessie worries about most is what she sees happening with her mother, Gus.

In a wonderfully spun story of a sandwich generation woman pressed between the needs and responsibilities of her child and her mother, Ms. Denton has brought her characters to life and her story reflects the lives of so many today. These rich characters and the easy southern setting will draw the reader in to be engrossed in this poignant tale. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it.

This was a well written, enjoyable, light romance. The main character grew up trying to live up to others expectations. After a painful divorce she has returned to the small town in which she grew up. She has built a new life with her now 14 year old daughter and she runs a modestly successful garden shop. She is surprised when she sees a face from her past. Her high school boyfriend/friend has moved back to his parents' former home. Should she rekindle that old flame or continue the relationship with the wealthy land developer who she has just begun seeing?

This slow burning, familial book tells 3 separate stories of 3 generations of women who live in the country off an old red dirt road in Alabama. It's a testament to life in the south, of mistakes made and on-going battles faced. It's complex relationships, a little romance, and a lot of growing. I found the story charming and full of promise just not fully consuming.

It seems as all three women, two grown and one teenager, are at a crossroads of major life decisions in their sleepy little world. But on the surface they're consistently reminded of the strength they each hold no matter the trials through the love and deep respect they hold for each other.

Glory Road falls under general women's fiction for me. It's told from a 3 separate points of view and encapsulates the vulnerabilities, pride, and strength in each of the female characters. It holds a spark here and there of romance but in not in a way that they romance dominates the story or the characters. I really enjoyed it and fans of women's fiction will too.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton.

I have read both The Hideaway and Hurricane Season by Lauren K. Denton and she's quickly become one of my favorite authors when it comes to women's southern fiction. I absolutely adored both previous books and had a hunch Glory Road would become a favorite of mine as well.

This book felt a little different from The Hideaway and Hurricane Season, but in very good ways.

Glory Road follows Jessie, Evan, Jessie's fourteen year old daughter, and Gus, Jessie's mother. Jessie and Evan had moved back to her hometown of Perry, Alabama, several years ago after her marriage crumbled.
Jessie opened her gardening shop, Twig, and finally feels like herself after years of struggling to be someone she was not. She's closed off her heart to love after her divorce, but this summer might prove to be one that will open her heart back up when a high school friend, Ben, reenters her life and then she meets Sumner when he casually walks into her gardening shop one day.
Evan is entering into the summer before her freshman year in high school begins and helps in her Mom's shop frequently. She is determined to hold onto her unique personality and not to be changed by the world around her. This summer opens up a world of possibility for Evan, and she's determined to make the most of it.
Gus is a stubborn, witty homemaker, always cooking up something in the kitchen. She's a widow, living next door to her daughter and granddaughter. She is not afraid to share her opinion and is always trying to steer Jessie towards love again.

This book is sweet, full of summertime nostalgia and glimpses of the south. I enjoyed the way the book was narrated - it was so well-written and magical. I loved seeing both the similarities and differences in three generations of women throughout the story. The characters were so raw and intentional - Jessie's struggle as she worked through her emotions from her past and the love that she could experience now, Evan's discovery of who she is and how she always turns back to family. I really connected with her and saw pieces of my fourteen-year-old self in her. And then there's Gus. Oh, Gus. She had to be my favorite character. Her stubbornness and humor had me laughing out loud! She is determined and reminded me so much of my own grandmother.

Glory Road was such a beautiful story. The descriptions were spot on and had me visualizing everything from that red dirt road, to the rain drops falling during Jessie's evening runs. The small details were incredible as well - before each chapter began, there were quotes from gardening books. This was such a lovely addition and some quotes were so fascinating! I learned a lot about gardening from this book and it made me want to start planting one.

Sumner's and Ben's interactions with Jessie were believable and well-written - the struggle in Jessie's emotions and how her backstory is revealed throughout the story and not simply spelled out in the beginning was such a great writing choice. The way Lauren draws out her characters in such a personal way makes all of them seem so real. Gus had me laughing, Evan had me reminiscing, and Jessie had me feeling: peace, sadness, heartbreak, fear, love.

This is such a heartfelt read and definitely worth picking up and reading when it releases on March 19th!

*This review is also published on my blog: https://carolynehommes.com/blog/glory-road-book-review and Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2552803621

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy. Wonderful southern story about family and the deep relationship between mothers and daughters. You will want to sit on the porch with a sweet tea and immerse yourself in Jessie, Gus and Evan’s story. Enjoy how they navigate new and old love, deal with a serious health issue al the while leaning on each other.

Such a sweet book, that’s really the best word I can think of to describe it. You know the feeling you get when you snuggle up on your couch on a snowy day with a cup of something warm to drink and a soft blanket? That’s the feeling this book gives me. I loved the characters because they are really just normal people living life. And I could just see Sumner’s house in my mind from the description. This book has me convinced I should be living in a small southern town where everyone knows each other and says hello, and the pace of life is just a little different.

This is Lauren Denton ‘s third book, and I’ve read all three. I’m a fan of her writing style; she somehow makes me “see” the place she’s writing about (which is always the south) and her dialogue seems so natural. I truly did not want to put this book down! Other reviewers have described what the story is about, so I won’t do that. Just....read this book! You’ll be glad you did!

I’ve pre-ordered a copy of this one for our church library. Others should get the chance to enjoy it as I have!

I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

In this latest novel by Ms. Denton, you will fall in love with her characters! This novel takes place in Perry, Alabama, on Glory Road. Glory Road is an idyllic place to grow up. Jessica is a divorced mom who has moved back and made her way on her own. You will meet her mom, Gus, who is a character (but one you can learn a lot from) and her daughter, Evan. Ms. Denton weaves a tale that is so charming. Jessica has several things she has to work through. Their life is not perfect by any means, but Ms. Denton does a splendid job of penning a story that is charming and well-written. The story grabs a hold of you and you will not want to quit reading. There are several secondary characters that you will meet throughout the book as well. I highly recommend this book and know you will not be disappointed! Ms. Denton’s writing just keeps getting better and better!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Having read a few less than stellar books so far this year, Glory Road was exactly what I needed to get me out of my reading slump. Lauren K. Denton knows how to create characters I’d love to know in real life. Although the plot was predictable, the story of Jessie rediscovering her own passion for life and love was real and unassuming. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to more from Lauren K. Denton.

I was thrilled to hear of a new book by Lauren Denton. Like her other books, this one did not disappoint. It follows three generations of women in a small, southern town. While each independently strong, they still must work together and help each other overcome the obstacles we face in life, whether it is making the right decisions on relationships, career, or facing aging head on.

The characters are well developed and while a little slow to start, once I got into this book, I couldn’t put it down! I liked that when I thought I could predict what was going to happen next, I was wrong and surprised. My only complaint is that I felt the ending was rushed. I was wanting to know more about the final unfolding between Jessie and Ben. Perhaps it leaves room for a follow-up book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys stories of Southern women. It focuses on a grandmother, mother, daughter trio living on Glory Road in small-town Alabama running their flower nursery. It’s a sweet story of family, high school love, and slow paced life. This book is one that reminds me there is always hope and circumstances can change.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys stories of Southern women—a clean, sweet romance—on several levels. We meet 3 generations of women—Gus, Jessie & Evan—who are each struggling with life and how to address the trials they are facing. The hero, to me, was the sweet neighbor who loves Gus and wants to marry her even though she is facing a future where she may not remember who he is.

A beautifully written story of love and sacrifice.

Lauren K. Denton is a wonderful author whose stories hit each reader directly. Glory Road tells the story of a woman moving back home after her divorce and her relationship with her mother and daughter and the people in her town. Strength and positivity work to build her business and life.

A warm, relaxing story told with true southern charm. Three generations: Gus, her daughter, Jessie and granddaughter, Evan live on Glory Road in rural Alabama. Jessie is home after a failed marriage and has her own garden shop, the Twig in which all three work. Life is good but things are changing. Readers will see glimpses of the past as the story is leisurely told mostly in present tense. Readers will fall in love with these characters. Highly recommended!

I read The Hideaway last year, and it was easily one of my favorite books (if you haven’t read it yet, run and get it now 😬), so I had pretttty high hopes for Glory Road. When you’re feeling like a change of pace and want to slow things down (in the best way possible) this is the book for you! It focuses on a grandmother, mother, daughter trio living on Glory Road in small-town Alabama running their flower nursery. It’s a sweet story of family, high school love, and slow paced life. This book makes me want summer to be here NOW and has me wish I knew anything about flowers and gardening so I can make my house look great. This is just the perfect feel- good, time to take a break read — and didn’t disappoint

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A beautifully written story full of life, lessons and three generations of women. Treat yourself to this emotional story. You will not be disappointed. Five stars.

I LOVED this story about a family of three generations of southern women and their home on Glory Road in south Alabama. I fell in love with the beauty and simplicity of the writing...it all felt so genuine that I could taste the home cooking and feel the hot summer breeze of a southern night. Wonderful characters, life lessons and the importance of family and love. Will be reading this new-to-me author’s backlist for sure.

Out March 19

Thanks to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

This book is like a homecoming to my youth. Growing up in a small Southern town, I knew every car that went down the dirt roads, like Jessie did. This is a story of self-acceptance and taking chances. I loved this family of strong women who nurture and challenge each other. The males who care for them are accepting and steady, characteristics that it takes some of us a lifetime to appreciate! This book was beautifully written and was a joy to read.