The four friends—Bree, Eliza, Andy, and Lincoln—met in a freshman anthropology seminar and remained close through all four years of college. At graduation, they vow to travel to Australia together in fifteen years. When the time comes, only Bree and Eliza have kept in touch, but they all keep their promise and go on the trip, which is subsidized by Lincoln who is always quick to reveal he is a very successful stock broker.

All four are struggling with something, and it is immediately obvious the trip will be, at best, awkward. But deep in the Australian bush, a sudden storm breaks out, and the four friends are dispersed from their camp, left to their own devices, and forced to confront their greatest fears. Three of them return to civilization, irrevocably changed, while the fourth can not overcome demons.

An interesting moral tale that in ordinary circumstances might be more profound, but in today’s world, the friends’ problems seem very much like the first world problems they are. #WhereTheRoadBends #NetGalley

15 years after college graduation, 4 friend fulfil their graduation pact to reunite in the Australian outback.

After a superficial catch up session on the flight, the groups begin their outback excursion with the help of their tour guides, Eddie and Sloaney. The tour guides encourage them to talk around the campfire and reconnect, with mixed results. After Andy storms away from the fire, there is a sudden sand storm and as each emerge, they find themselves separated. The journey back to the camp will be everybody’s real journey.

I loved the descriptions of Australia, the author’s connectedness to the culture and the land. I enjoy that helped the characters see things while reminding them and the reader not to exploit the setting or the culture.

That being said, other than a few highlights as to what led each character to this point, there was not enough back story to make the characters very likeable. Their personalities all seemed more than a little flat and there didn’t seem to be any remnant of connection to make their relationships feel real.

The novel didn’t seem quite “finished” to me, the tone felt a little flat and the characters weren’t really developed.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fifteen years after their college graduation four friends who have lost touch over the years embark on a trip to the outback they promised themselves they would take. Each friend comes with their own struggles on the point they are at in their lives. ⁣
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The first night into their trip a severe sandstorm hits and when they awake the next day they are each miraculously in a different part of the desert. They have no idea how they got to where they are and are each on their own journey to try to find their way back to their camp. Time and time again they struggle with obstacles and get thrown back to where they awoke until help comes in the most unusual way. ⁣
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This is definitely a story that is out there as far as reality goes but the underlining lesson is great. There were some characters that I liked and some that were total unlikeable. I would have liked the issues to be discussed a bit more in detail but this book is very short. I enjoyed the setting of this book being the Australian outback. ⁣

2.5 stars
First off, I think David Rawlings has an incredible imagination. I love that he combines an intriguing story with a theme and the characters grow and learn through some magical/fantastic circumstances. The one place that I feel this book falls short, which is the same thing that happened in his last book, is that it just doesn't go deep enough. None of the four characters' motivations and issues were described very thoroughly and I didn't connect to their problems in a sincere enough way to make me care about what happens to them in the end. This was a wonderful start to a book, but it just didn't have the follow-through that I expect with such an introspective novel. It never goes deeper than the surface to show the miraculous change that could take place.
That said, the Australian setting was perfectly described and the care that the author takes with the historical detail is wonderful.

Three things we've come to love in Rawling's stories are they are written beautifully, he uses a supernatural 'stranger of sorts' to challenge and stretch his characters and he makes you think deeply about the experiences and struggles of his characters. This time, the setting is in Australia, somewhere near the Red Centre of this vast continent. The way he weaves the spirit and sparsity of the desert added to the intrigue of this story as the feelings of separation, loneliness and anxiety invaded each of the four characters in some way.

Four people who studied at College/University together are reunited 15 years later as they committed to on their last day of college. Only the two girls have continued a friendship, having only seen the two guys at previous reunions years apart. There is naturally a disconnect, a chasm between the various relationships. Yes, they shared a significant part of their lives in completing their studies but their respective lives have moved on without the others participation except for the girls.

The isolation of the outback serves as the backdrop for the four characters to step away from their individual worlds for a few days and when confronted with their dreams and hopes of 15 years earlier, each are challenged with what they have become. Rawlings deals with some real life and complex issues which most readers will be able to relate to in some way.

Each character meets a stranger along the way who challenges them to look deeply at who they've become. Because there are 4 of them and the story is relatively short, I felt a little disconnected from each until the second half when the strangers arrive. As the issues the 4 grapple with are 'big' I wish this was the first in a series so Rawlings could walk longer with each of them through their struggle and give us a glimpse of what life might look like on the other side when they return to their homes. But that 'not knowing how they turn out' is another element of Rawlings storytelling bag of tricks.

I loved the Aussie references (I'm an Aussie) and the beauty of Rawlings writing and of the depiction of the Aussie outback. I'm excited for the next story Rawlings presents to the world.

I received an early ebook version of the story from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without any expectation of a positive review.

At their college graduation, four friends promise to meet up in fifteen years to reconnect. They each are starting very different journeys in their lives. The book fast forwards through their lives until the fifteen years has passed. Each of the friends is facing some sort of difficulty when they travel to the Australian Outback together. There is fear, there is addiction, there is uncertainty, and there is loss. Through their reconnection, they are each transformed. This book is filled with metaphors and resolutions. I really found that I liked the location, however overall, I felt that I didn't really attach to the characters so I felt that I was reading a story that I really didn't care much about It just felt like a self help book of sorts.. I understood where the book was going and the writing was beautiful. Thanks for the ARC, First Reads.

This book was a somewhat enjoyable read about a group of college friends who reunite 15 years after graduation for the trip of a lifetime. Loved all the descriptions of the Australian outback, and now it's on my bucket list. I personally struggled to connect with the characters. There wasn't as much depth there as I generally like, but that could be a hang-up on my part. I did enjoy the book, though and fans of general fiction would probably love it.

I found this to be an 'ok' read. Four friends reunite in the outback of Australia, 15 years after graduation and explore their live's experiences. The issue for me was that I just couldn't connect with any of the individuals and I didn't care enough for them to be interested in their journeys.

On the plus side, as the author is from Australia, the descriptions of the outback and the Aboriginal references are strong and it's an easy read. Just insufficient depth in the characters for me to fully enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview.

When I sit down to read a new book by David Rawlings, I know one thing to be true: it is going to make me think! I love his use of allegories to ask the important questions in life. In Where The Road Bends, that question is: how did you get to where you are in life?

When four old college friends meet up after 15 years to go on an adventure in Australia, that is just the question they are faced with. Through some rather mysterious circumstances, they all find themselves taking a look at their own issues, where they began...and how they can improve upon them. There were definitely some elements of faith, and a spiritual aspect to the story as well, which I genuinely enjoy in this author's story. That said, it wasn't overly Christian (no mentions of God specifically that I recall), so it could perhaps appeal to an even wider audience as such.

Without giving too much away, I will say that there was one particular character whose story I felt like didn't quite reach the resolution I had hoped for... but then such is life, sometimes I suppose that is just what truly happens sometimes... would I have liked to have seen it end differently? Yes, absolutely. But I can also understand the reasoning why it did not.

I must admit that for me this one wasn't quite as good as I had come to expect from David Rawlings, but it was a quick and enjoyable read nonetheless and one I would still recommend.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

I enjoyed the adventures of the inspiring read, Where the Road Bends. It loved it very much. I give it five stars.

This book just didn't do anything for this reader. Perhaps it is just me so give it a chance. I received an advance book from the publisher and this is my honest review.

This book was very atmospheric of Australia and I enjoyed that. The life lessons and introspection very valuable and made for a great read.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A wonderful story centering on life's lessons...An enjoyable read. HIghly recommended. Five Stars!

Four friends who come together to live out a pledge they made upon graduation find themselves in unexpected circumstances having to make life decisions quickly. The four friends find themselves at different places in their lives, none of them where they pictured they would be at this point. Hoping that this trip, with all of the hardships and surprises, would help them bring clarity and strengthen their goals but instead find themselves even more lost. Each of them must reach down inside themselves to find the strength to bring themselves through this experience. A feel good book that takes the readers along for the ride.

This is really good! I enjoyed it very much! I am hoping there is
another book coming. What I enjoyed most about the book are
the life lessons. There is a lot to think about here in this book.
Where the road Bends, is my first David Rawlings book and I am
anxious to read more of his books.

Thank you so much, David Rawlings, the Publisher, and NetGalley
for this great book. I loved it.

I received an early copy of this from Net Galley for an honest review.

4 college friends make a pact to meet in Australia in 15 years at graduation. I found it a bit odd that these friends have not seen each other in 15 years but still follow through with the trip.

Each character plays a role in the novel on what their lesson is to learn on the trip. Each of these was very cliche but still found the story entertaining. I just didn’t buy it and found the story line with Andy a huge let down. Quick easy read but left me with a lot of unanswered questions.

Rating: 2.9 / 5

**Received early copy from Netgalley for honest review.**

Following the trek of four college friends who reconnect after 15 years into the Australian outback is a great premise for a book. Not only is Australia the world's emptiest continent (after Antarctica), but it's also an entire world "down under", completely different from what most people, especially in the Western world, are used to. In other words, there's the potential for a "journey", and that's what I went into this book wanting to read.

In a sense, that aspect of my expectations was fulfilled, in that the outback was represented well, I thought, and the Aboriginal traditions and outlook on life was explored a little. Unfortunately, what took away from these aspects was a lack of depth, or, more specifically, a lack of depth regarding the main characters and why we should care about them.

The four friends--Lincoln, Eliza, Bree, and Andy--have separated on one note and then reunited on another, their lives having gone in completely separate directions. Bree's dreams remain unfulfilled; Eliza's successful, but unhappy without know "who" she is; Lincoln's overly materialistic to make up for other failures in his life; and Andy...well, his arc is meant to be somewhat of a mystery, I guess, so I won't spoil it.

If I had to say why none of these stories had any depth for me and thus resulted in an average overall rating, I'd say it's because we don't get enough detail about them or really even bring emotions that feel real to the surface.

For instance, Bree is devastated that she didn't fulfill her dreams, but in almost 15 years, after getting married and having kids, I feel like her character hasn't changed and she's still a college girl even though her entire life is different. She was a static character (literary term, meaning a character that doesn't change), and that made it hard to get on-board with her story because there was no journey/path/progress to follow up with.

For Lincoln, he's become so superficial, materialistic, and asshole-y that you really don't care what his motivations are because, to be honest, they felt contrived as the driving force beyond the whole Australian expedition thing, and I honestly would have liked better reasons for everything he did, reasons that would have made sense. For instance, if he proved himself to be more sensitive about that past rather than just try to relive it because it's convenient for him, maybe I would have had more sympathy; as it is, I got none.

Eliza's the character I was most interested in, but even so, I don't think that there was enough explanation or depth even for her, and as soon as she put aside her own troubles to get involved in fixing her friends' lives, she lost all appeal for me.

And Andy...well, let's just say that I was expecting worse things from his history, given all the buildup for it in the first couple of chapters, and so his entire history was a big disappointment in general. Kind of like the reaction of a deflated balloon.

So, to conclude, this story was subpar-average. Like so many books put out there on the market, things like the premise/idea, setting, and intentions were good, but there's something about the overall execution and result that just doesn't deliver.

A book that drew me right in a trip a reunion a group of friends happy to be together.Friends who will answer old issues and questions in their present life.So well written so enjoyable.#netgalley #thomasnelson

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC.

This was such an inspiring book that reminded me of Mitch Albom stories which have so many life lessons.

I love it that David Rawlings' books are independent of each other. That way you can read any one of them and not feel left out because you didn't read the previous one. His style is interesting in that he uses supernatural beings to deliver his messages. Are they angels? One can only hope that angels do walk this earth to try and guide us as we go along our own path. Mr. Rawlings is from Australia, and in this book he gives us a peek into what his country is like. Add his perspective to what we hear on the news about his country, and you can get a appreciation for the country. The story follows 4 college friends who reunite 15 years after graduation I'm sure many people will be able to relate to at least one of them. I strongly suggest you read his other books. The life lessons are valuable.

Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC for an honest review.