Member Reviews
Since the first book in the McAlister Family series No Ocean Too Deep is one of the best books I have ever read, I had high expectations for this one. I was not disappointed! In her beautiful, fluent style; consummate storyteller Carrie Turansky continues the saga of the McAlister siblings focusing now on Garth and Grace and their roller-coaster journey to reunite their family. It is a heartwarming story of family, friendship, love, hope, and faith evoking numerous emotions. The plot flows smoothly at a steady pace with lots of twists, turns, and surprises. The characters, main and secondary, are well-developed and wonderfully unforgettable. The renewed romance of Garth and Emma and the newly found romance of Grace and Rob are endearing. I especially appreciated the strong, inspiring faith element illustrating the importance of trusting God and His plan. I also enjoyed the humorous scenes as debutante Grace attempts to adapt to farm life. The historical aspect of the book focuses on the British Home Children in the mid 1900s and the repercussions of the prejudice they had to endure. Although this book works fine as a stand-alone, reading No Ocean Too Deep first will give you more information and a better perspective on the historical element and a better connection to the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it is on my Best Reads of the Year list. I highly recommend it especially for lovers of historical romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A touching conclusion about a family torn apart by the British Home Children Program. I have ties to Britain and to Canada so it was quite interesting to read this story.
The McAlister family fought long and hard to be together again. This book's main characters were siblings: Garth and Grace McAlister. Both had different upbringings due to their placements but were proud of where they came and fought for the truth.
I loved the twists and turns of the book. It had a little of everything. Who could be more romantic and devoted than Garth towards his love, Emma? Rob, a very close friend of Garth's, carefully lets his guard down to show Grace his true feelings.
I was touched by how people whom were not blood related can and did become family. This was displayed by so many in this story.
I truly loved the book. I left feeling that I was a part of their family.
Thank you, Carrie Turansky for such a moving story. It is not one I will easily forget.
I received this book for free from Carrie Turansky's Reading Friends on Facebook to give a honest review.
Rivoting! As a sequel to No Ocean to Far, No Journey too Far is a book on its own. It was difficult to put down! This book captured the readers attention from the start. I could identify with the characters and I felt all types of emotions flutter through me from cancer and our rage to tears of joy and happiness. As a direct descendant of a British Home Child, I would encourage everyone to read this book. It explains the difficulties of being known as a BHC and the attitude of others towards them. Carrie's best novel yet!
Outstanding Sequel!
Having read the first book of this series No Ocean Too Wide I was eagerly looking forward to diving into this second book, No Journey Too Far to follow up with the McAlister family ten years later, in 1919. It was well worth the wait, as this book was an absolutely fabulous conclusion! This novel checked off all the boxes for me about what I love in a great inspirational and historical novel: wonderful characters, strong faith themes seamlessly woven into the story, page-turning drama and plot, and sweet romance. This book portrayed true love at its finest, not only in the romantic sense, but also in the love of family, siblings, and lasting friendships.
I would definitely recommend reading the first book in the series before picking up this one, as it provides the incredible backstory of the fictional McAlister family and the very real topic of British Home Children which I had never heard of before reading No Ocean Too Wide. Carrie Turansky did an amazing job weaving historical facts with the storyline to provide readers with insight regarding the practice of bringing British Home Children into Canada during the mid-nineteenth century into the twentieth century. Her memorable characters and marvelous storytelling made this a book I would want to read again as I closed the book with a very contented sigh, relishing the heartwarming characters and inspiring messages of trust, forgiveness and hope. I can’t recommend this book enough and wish I could give it more than 5 stars!
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher and NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
When I see that a book by Carrie Turansky is on the list of available books for review, I always jump on the chance to read it. Her writing grabs her readers, hooks them on the first page, and drags them through to the last page without letting go. When I finish a Carrie Turansky book, I have felt all of the feels, I have laughed and wept, I have been angry, and I have connected with the characters. This is no less the case with No Journey Too Far.
In this book, the reader will find social injustice, wealth and social status, a bit of a Perry Mason drama, and a reunion of such magnitude it will tear one's heart out.
First: Grace is sent to a Barnardos Children's Home in Canada with her sister, Katie, and her brother, Garth, when her mother cannot take care of them due to illness, even though her mother would recover and desire to have Grace and her siblings back. Grace is separated from her sister when a couple adopts her and tells her she had no family left when, in fact, that was not the case. Grace's brother and sister were both indentured and had to serve out terms of their contracts. Grace's sister was placed in a friendlier atmosphere than her brother was, but her brother met the love of his life while serving his indenture.
After World War I, Grace's brother comes back to Canada to find Grace after she wrote a letter to the home where she was originally taken to find out about her family. She is seventeen and her parents are planning her debut, so that she can make an "advantageous match" and marry into society. Status and wealth seemed to mean everything to her parents. When Garth comes to the house where Grace is living, Grace's parents turn him away. Garth and his friend Ron plot a way to get Grace away, if that is Grace's desire. Their family is waiting in England for her.
In a parallel plot, Garth has been waiting for letters from Emma, the woman he wants to marry, but time and circumstances have prevented her letters from getting to him and his letters from getting to her. One other purpose Garth has for coming back to Canada is to find Emma. In a series of unfortunate events, Emma's landlady is murdered and the suspicion falls on Emma. She leaves town and moves with Margaret, the cook of the boarding house, to Margaret's sister's place. Margaret's sister has a restaurant where Emma and Margaret work to help out for their room and board.
Emma is eventually found and arrested by the authorities, and Garth's brother-in-law-a Perry Mason-ish barrister, comes from England and defends Emma in court.
It was easy to be angry with Grace's adoptive parents for the information they withheld from her, for the way they turned her brother away from their home, and for the way they pushed her toward a socially acceptable marriage; but their motives were good though misguided and their priorities needed an adjustment.
Grace is a sweet girl who lived to please her parents, but always thought she fell short of the mark, so when Garth offered her a way out, she took it. Garth's friend, Ron, was a mainstay to Grace during the whole adventure.
This is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a tearfully joyful reunion.
Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
This book is a delightful book. The cover intrigued me and the page fascinated me.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Although, I never knew it was part of a series and it was not a problem for me.
This is the first time I am discovering the author and her writing captivated my heart. Her characterization is so realistic.
The themes of love, patience, endurance and most of all, ability to trust God were largely portrayed in the plot.
This is a Christian fiction book and I am so glad I read it. I highly recommend it.
P.S. I was doing my best not to give out spoilers but you will love Garth, Grace, Rob and Emma.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are mine.
A very sweet tale. This is part 2 following a family who were separated and slowly come together again. Easy to read and Heartwarming.
This is the 2nd in the McAllister series. I did not read the first one but did enjoy this one so much.
The British Home Child was fascinating to read about as well.
Gareth is home from the war and is still searching for his sister Grace. It has been 10 years since he saw his sister. At 7, Grace was adopted by a wealthy couple. Her adoptive family wants her to marry without sharing the knowledge of being a British Home Child.
The book is definitely an exciting journey. I particularly enjoyed Garths friend, Rob. I also enjoyed the couple Chester and Mabel who had taken Rob in.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
Such a strong story of family reunited across the years. Such an encouragement to keep trusting God in the darkest moments knowing He always has a plan & a purpose for us.
NO JOURNEY TOO FAR by CARRY TURANSKY is the second novel in the McAlister family saga and the sequel to No Ocean Too Wide, but it can easily stand alone. It is a well told and inspirational story and the characters are unforgettable. I like to see the determination of the McAlisters to find the missing member of their family, and how they all pull together.
The subject of British Home Children in Canada again makes up an integral part of the story and in this book we see the stigma attached to being a Home Child as we see the lengths to which the Hamiltons go to hide Grace's background, which they find shameful. They are a wealthy couple who adopt Grace when she is seven and who pretend that she is their biological daughter. Grace's family have been looking for her for ten years and when her brother Garth and his friend Rob Lewis find her, her life changes. Garth has also come to Canada to find his girlfriend, Emma Lafferty, who is an English orphan who was treated badly by her Canadian employer and was forced to run away. Will Garth be able to find the love of his life?
It is a heartwarming story about love, family and second chances. There is also a strong Christian message of hope and God's protection.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Waterbrook & Multnomah. The opinions in this review are completely my own.