This is another wonderful book written by Christine Nolfi that deals with some complicated family dynamics and shows how important love is in pulling things back together in order to move forward. The characters all seem so real and you are pulled into the story right to the end.

Christine Nolfi has penned a beautiful story here, dealing with family, secrets, loss, discovery and forgiveness.
I was swept into the life of Darcy Goodridge straight away, intrigued by why this woman was on the run from her past, her old life, for the last eight years.
Over the first few chapters, the story unfolded and we were introduced to characters who you fell in love with. Samson, the ray of sunshine who attaches himself to Darcy, despite her not wanting reminders of any pasts she has forgone, Rosalind, Darcy's mother, a scary character, who is full of misconceptions. Emerson, the nephew she left behind - but who is crying out for a mother's love, and Michael. Darcy's childhood best friend who she had to leave behind - twice.
A wonderful tale filled with twists and turns, and secrets that prove you shouldn't really hide things you think you know... because they may just not be the truth...
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christine Nolfi has done it again. The book was wonderful, filled with memorable and unique characters. Even the ones we aren't supposed to like were wonderful. We follow the journey of Darcy, who is living a transient and lonely life. Her one friend, Samson, was such a delightful character. Together they go to Darcy's family estate and encounter the wrath of Rosalind, Darcy's pretty horrible mother. As Darcy gets closer to her mother she unravels some family secrets and connects with her old boyfriend. Michael's family is Italian, and his nonna Tippi is a trip. Cavorting around in her mourning black, I was reminded of the old mamarellas in the Italian neighborhoods who wore black outfits from the day their husbands died. Tippi had a thing for poker and old men, and she really added a level of humor. Well told, very compelling, there are some tragic moments and some made me laugh out loud. Some parts gave me goosebumps. and choked me up...all the feelings you want to get from a book! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well told tale about family, loss, love and endless possibilities. Kind of like finding your own North star. xoxoxo Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

Sometimes the first few chapters of a book can start slow and it takes some time to get into it, but Nolfi did a great job getting me interested in The Road She Left Behind right from the start. From the first chapter, I was wanting to know what happened and why Darcy was running away from her past.

The story revolves around a very dysfunctional family littered with tragedy and heartache. Without giving away much there's a lot of broken hearts, guilt, death, and deception throughout. Most of the book left me wondering what would happen next, but as it got toward the end I started figuring out the puzzle and it became predictable. Not to say it wasn't a good book. I did enjoy it, but I wanted a little more emotion and wanted more of the relationship between Darcy and Michael.

Overall, I would recommend this book for those who like reading women's fiction. It was an enjoyable story about a family and their family drama which I'm sure everyone can relate to. While some label it as a mystery novel, I didn't feel that it belonged in that category.

Darcy Goodridge fled her family home in Ohio after a terrible accident claimed the life of her father and her younger sister eight years ago. Since then, Darcy has been a wanderer moving from city to city and changing jobs every year since she left. As Darcy is getting ready to move again and change jobs again, she gets a phone call from her mother’s housekeeper that changes Darcy’s plans and her future forever. Though Darcy and her mother Rosalind have many issues, as well as Rosalind’s issues with many people in the town, especially the next door neighbors the Varano’s, secrets kept will come to light, healing and forgiveness will start to mend these broken people.

With beautifully developed characters, a wonderful storyline and plenty of very realistic and emotional twists and turns Christine Nolfi has done it again with a story that will leave you wanting more and praying there is a sequel to this book. Ms. Nolfi’s writing style and character development is second to none!

I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down but then again I didn’t want it to end. The emotions and feelings within the story was so easy to identify with that you felt maybe is was part of your own life story being written within the pages. I highly recommend anyone who is a fan of Women’s Fiction to definitely check out any all books written by Christine Nolfi, you will not be disappointed!

I received this book through NetGalley for a fair an honest review. Above is that review.

This was a wonderful book and I highly recommend it. I went through so many emotions while reading it. It is about grief, family secrets, lost love, and hope. I loved all of the unique characters and wish I could know them more.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely loved “The Road She Left Behind” by Christine Nolfi. I did not want to put this book down once I started reading. This is a heartwarming story of guilt, secrets, family, betrayal, resentment and forgiveness. The characters are relatable and well defined. Each character has their own unique personality. I laughed and cried and chuckled out loud, and did not want this book to end. The descriptions made you feel like you were there living with the characters, you could smell the turkey cooking, taste the cookies, feel the rain on your face Nolfi is a gifted writer, I am so glad I read this book. You will be touched by all the emotions in this book. It is wonderfully written and a delight to read. I highly recommend this novel to readers that enjoy Women’s Fiction. Christine Nolfi is a must read author.

I read this book in 2 evenings. Once I got started, I could not put it down. The book is written revolving around a family tragedy and rift between families. You'll find true love, deceit, heartbreak, first love, family bonding , a broken promise and strong friendship ties all between the pages of this book. The only thing I did not like about the book was the ending. I'm hoping there is another book in process to pick up where this one left off!!!

I liked this book. The story was good and the characters were interesting. The only part of the book that was written in an awkward manner was the sex between the main character and her old flame. The build up to them getting back together was believable. However, once they did finally make love for the first time I felt the narrative did not reflect the characters true feelings on what was happening to them as they were rediscovering the love they once had.

“You just come home “.
Those are the words Darcy never wanted to hear. Having left home after her father and sisters funeral , years of drifting from one place to another and years of self blame!
Darcy returns home and we are introduced to not only those she left behind but new characters as well.
Every character is written so well and adds so much to this story as family secrets, regrets, second chances, love and forgiveness are played out.
I absolutely loved this story, these characters and I didn’t want it to end !
Another great Christine Nolfi read!

A really good story about family and all the heartache and complications that come along with them. Another really good book by this author. Thank you to Netgalley, publisher and author for the early copy!
Definitely recommend!!

I really loved this book! Darcy is such a damaged soul she can’t find herself, but manages to save Samson. She’s been lost for a long time, but Samson believes that she will find her North Star if she can only find the will to look. Darcy and Sampson, who has just aged out of foster care, form an improbable bond that will carry them through the darkest of times. I really loved all the characters and enjoyed watching them evolve, change, and embrace each other. It was a difficult book to put down and I highly recommend it! My fingers are crossed that Christine Nolfi will write another book to follow this one because I’m not ready to leave their lives just yet!

I received this book as a arc member. The beginning of this book was slow but when got in the middle I couldnt put down. This author did a great job describing the characters . Must read

The road she left behind is a story of loss, secrets, misconceptions, guilt & forgiveness. One fateful night changed a family forever. Darcy Goodridge leaves Ohio & for eight years kept to herself, moving from Job to Job sealing with grief. All is about to change for everyone with the help of two boys, misconceptions, hurts and relationships will begin to heal. Christine Nolfi pulls at your heart, her stories capture you in the first sentence you can’t put the book down nor do you want the story to end. You definitely feel like you could fit in the towns she writes about & be friends with the character. The Road she left behind will change you. You will want to put this on your TBR list.

The Road She Left Behind By Christine Nolfi

5 Stars

Darcy is on the move again. When an unexpected call comes in she finds herself on the move to the one place she never planned to go again....home. She spent her life moving around, never staying in one place long. Never making connections. Running from her past. Running from her grief. Now shes back home dealing with the past she ran away from and hoping to have a brighter future with a family she left behind.

This was the first book by Christine Nolfi that I have had the honor of reading and it was awesome. It was such a heartwarming story of family and at the center is heartache. This story has such a strong set of characters. Emerson of course was my favorite. For a young boy he is so bright and a little handful and so fun to fall in love with. Darcy, Latrice, Samson, and yes, even Rosalind spin a tale of heartache and family that you can't help but love. It was full of love, heartache, drama, and family. This book was one I can say that I could read and reread even though it gave me a roller coaster of emotions. It was sad and happy all at the same time. I caught myself in tears and then a bit later I was laughing. It was written in a way that is easy to love and get into. Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down.

After reading this book I can say with 100% honesty that this will not be my last book by this amazing author. If you love a book centered around family and a tear jerker that will have you on the edge of your seat then please get this book. You will love it just as much as I did.

Reviewed By
Stormi Ellis

Three women, two families, secrets...Christine Nolfi gets right into the hearts of the characters.
Tragedy strikes, Darcy leaves blaming it all on herself. 8 yrs later she returns home after a phone call from her mothers housekeeper. With her comes a young coworker whom looks to her as a substitute older sister or mother figure. Can she unravel her distant Mother, build a relationship with her nephew,
Pull her life together?
Read this great book and find out.
I highly recommend!

I absolutely loved this book. Christine always leaves her readers with a wonderful feeling of love and hope. Her unique characters are always my favorite. She writes with a color that you can't find many other places. So vivid that you can see and hear each and every character in your head as you devour her books. After a horrific crash that left her father and sister dead, Darcy spends years running place to place trying to overcome the guilt. But, when her nephew disappears, she finally goes back home to heal and find peace. This is a story that will melt your heart. Old mysteries and feuds, an old flame, and a family that will hopefully be put back together after years of guilt. You won't be disappointed with this book. I'm really looking forward to more.

Tbh, i struggled at the beginning of this book, my first by Christine Nolfi, but certainly not my last, I’m so glad i carried on. Darcy is obviously running away from her past, and not very successfully. At some point, buried emotions have to be addressed. All the characters were so different, yet all lovable; growing up in a home where parents are missing and the ‘help’ raises the children; the impact this has on everyone’s lives.
Happy, sad, laughter, tears......loved it

Darcy has been running from her past for eight years, and now she is being called back home. As much as she fights it, she returns to the home she grew up in and has to face her secrets. Along with her is an 18 year old young man, Samson, who she befriended and how is searching for his North Star after being released from the foster care system. Waiting for her is her 8 year old nephew Emerson, who is wise way beyond his age and yearning for stability and love in his young life. Can Darcy face her mother, her past love, and the reasons she ran away....and still be what Emerson and Samson need her to be? The neighbor and her mother bring another whole element into the story, with their love of Emerson, and their own secrets. The story captures the readers’s attention with the journeys of the characters through family crisis and challenges. This book is well worth the read and the emotional ups and downs it brings with it. I received an ARC of this book from the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley in return for an honest review, which this has been. #TheRoadSheLeftBehind, #NetGalley

There is guilt that leaves you with scars. There is guilt that tears a family apart. There is guilt that makes you think that a family will never heal and become one together ever again. That is the fate of Darcy Goodridge who left her family 8 years ago and never looked back. Yet there is a time for forgiveness, a time to let the past go and confront the emotional return to seek the love and humanity of family. This is a strong, compelling story, haunting in its telling...time to repair the hurt and the wounds. This was an emotional story from start to finish, but one I wouldn't want to miss. No matter what families are the ties that bind us.

My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.