The Road before Us is the story of redemption and becoming who we want to be. The reader is given the chance to travel Route 66, perfect book for the summer.
Jade finds herself alone and rejected after she reports her bosses of running a Ponzi scheme. The most heart break for her is Benny, a famous elderly actress who lost her life savings. But Benny is one to give forgiveness kindly and has Jade drive herself and now grown foster son Bridger across America on Route 66 to relive the trip she had done with her husband.
The Road Before Us brings up many past traumas for the characters and deals with the hard subject of dementia for Benny, but it's worth the read to see the story of healing.
I received a complimentary copy of The Road Before Us thanks to Revell and NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

“‘I can only be responsible for my own actions, my own words. I may never know why things happened the way they did. I have to be okay with that.’”

This is the road trip book I never knew I was looking for. The trip out west from Chicago along the historic Route 66 was atmospheric. The journey the characters went on was as meandering as the road. I loved everything about it, and now I would love to drive the Route 66 myself.

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Read if you like:
Multiple timelines
Road trips
Found family
Adoption stories
Old Hollywood

Thank you UpLit Reads and Revell Books for the #gifted book.

WOW this book was amazing!!!

It's my first Janine Rosche book, and it definitely won't be the last. She writes beautifully, and I was drawn into the story in every way from the first page. The plot, characters, and setting are all fantastic (and I'd like to drive Route 66 now, please!).

The multiple narrators were really intriguing, too--alternating between '50s/present Benny and '00s/present Jade. That can be hard for anyone to do, and Rosche does it excellently--another reason I'll pursue more of her books. She also deals (and deals well) with a wide variety of tough topics over the course of the read.

I love that the read included romance in addition to other, familial, relationships, especially that of Benny and Bridger. The intergenerational relationship, whether parental/familial or otherwise, is so important--we can all learn from each other, especially the young from the old(er). ;)

I'll admit I'm a sucker for Steinbeck references, too, though I must also admit I've not (yet!) read _Grapes of Wrath_--can't wait to check that out! (I hope I still say that later?! LOL!)

This is a great summertime read--the best time for road trips. (I read it on a road trip myself! #win)

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Y’all. The Road Before Us checked all the boxes for me. In fact, I would dare to call it a ‘perfect read’. It has wit, it has heart, it has depth, it has Old Hollywood, it has Route 66 and a cool car, it has a swoony Samoan hero, it has KISSES!! And that’s honestly just a drop in the bucket. I picked it up, intending to read a couple of chapters before I went to sleep, and the next thing I know it’s 4am and I’ve read the whole thing. I already know my review won’t do it justice, but that’s not going to stop me from trying.

The three main characters in The Road Before Us are so beautifully layered and they continue to become all the more compelling as we dig into those layers. These backstories are revealed to us in stages as Janine Rosche’s brilliant storytelling alternates effortlessly between the present day, 1956, and 2003, and it all came together just perfectly. Jade, Benny, and Bridger are each at a critical juncture in their lives, and the intersection of these separate life-changing events (in addition to the one that connects all three of them) not only makes their shared road trip down historic Route 66 both poignant and Providential, it’s also one of my favorite aspects to this story. Rosche tackles some sensitive issues in this book, ranging from racism to elder care and a host of things in between like parental kidnapping, adoption fraud, Ponzi schemes, addiction, and sexual harassment. But wow, does she ever do a fabulous job presenting these topics with grace and insight, making us love these characters even more in the process, and balancing the ‘heavy’ with well-timed humor and romance.

My other favorite part of this story? The banter – and sparks – between Bridger & Jade. Oh my goodness. I laughed out loud several times (“He’s celibate.”), I swooned A LOT, and I even shed a few tears once or twice. They are so cute together, despite (or I should more accurately say ‘due to’) being apparent polar opposites for most of the book. There is so much more to these two, though, than his ‘doing yoga in an elevator’ free spirit and her buttoned-up heart, and I absolutely loved getting to know their true selves and watching them fall for each other. I can’t stop grinning at how much I enjoyed these two, their shared journey, and their respective relationships with precious, feisty Benny.

Bottom Line: The Road Before Us by Janine Rosche is everything I want a road trip story to be – and more. Not only did it sweep me up in a profound exploration of the complexities of love and family and life in general, it also played triumphant tribute to finding our purpose & place. I experienced all the emotions as I rode down Route 66 with Jade, Benny, and Bridger, sometimes with laughter and other times with tears but always with joy in the story itself. The same story that let me play tourist, treated me to two swoony love stories, left me pondering some newfound perspectives, and kept me thoroughly entertained! These three characters have permanently etched themselves on my heart, and I’ll be thinking about them for a long time to come.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

4.5/5 ⭐️

Trigger warnings: war, dementia, adoption, child kidnapping and verbal abuse

I really enjoyed this book. There are three different timelines and I was invested in all of them. Benny was my favorite character and learning about her desire to be an actress and chasing after her dreams made my heart so happy. Jade is a unique and special character filled with love, conviction and just wants the best for everyone. Bridger was a fantastic caretaker and character and it was so fun learning more about him.

I would love a sequel to this book someday!

Read this book if you love:
-different timelines
-books about road trips
-dynamic family stories

I have mixed feelings about The Road Before Us by Janine Rosche. The beginning drew me in, but then I found my attention flagging. I believe part of the problem was adjusting to the multiple points of view and the three timelines. The pacing was on the slow side (it reminded me of when I was a child and a car ride felt like it is going on forever especially since I had to share the backseat with my sister). The characters were developed and multifaceted. I liked that there was a diverse cast. My favorite character was Benny. I liked her spirit and attitude. Benny was determined to get to Hollywood to be an actress (she was not taking no for an answer). I loved the descriptions of the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air (a beautiful car). We get to travel down the iconic Route 66 and see it from three points of view. I enjoyed the retired couple, Sandy and Tim from Ohio (my favorite state) that Benny, Jade, and Bridger met while traveling. Sandy and Tim were friendly, helpful, and hopeful. The story addresses several sensitive and weighty topics (parental kidnapping, PTSD, sexual harassment, PTSD, and racism—I might have missed one or two). I did feel that the author tried to put too much into one book. Faith was a minute part of the story. I appreciated the hopeful ending. While I liked some parts of The Road Before Us, I skimmed through others. I had to laugh, though, at the advice Benny offered to Ronald Regan when she met him at the wrap party after her first film.

What a wonderful book! I normally dislike books that go from the past to current time repeatedly, but this story was so compelling I couldn't read it fast enough. The author created characters that were interesting. Definitely the kind of novel perfect for a relaxing weekend.Curl up and enjoy.

Thank you to Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own thoughts and views.

The Road Before Us by Janine Rosche - 4 Stars
This is a Christian Contemporary Fiction story surrounding a road trip on Route 66. From the very beginning of the story, you are invested in these characters, their backstories and their journey on this road trip. The story begins with Jade Jessup, in court with her fiancé after realizing he scammed their financial clients out of millions of dollars in a huge Ponzi scheme. One of the clients was a huge Hollywood star back in the 1960s, Berenice "Benny" Alderidge. Benny's adult foster son, Bridger, is filming a documentary retracing Benny's 1956 trip that started the love story between Benny and her recently deceased husband, Paul.

We see Jade, Benny and Bridger's road trip journey in modern day, plus flashbacks of Jade's life in 2003 and Benny's in 1956. Jade is reliving trauma she experience when was kidnapped by her non-custodial father in 2003 traveling through Route 66 when she was 8 years old. Benny is experiencing signs of dementia as she tries to recount her previous life with Paul from 1956. The story continues from here as we see growth, forgiveness and their history as their trip progresses together.

If you like a good Contemporary Women's Fiction story, road trips, Hollywood stories and in depth characters who have went through so much in their lives - pick this up. Jade, Benny and Bridger went on quite the journey along Route 66 in this book. We saw so much of their past, hardships in life and how they planned to move on in the future. This book also tackled some heavy topics such as parental kidnapping, dementia, treatment of POWs, racism, sexual harassment and much more. The author handled each topic very well with grace. My heart broke for what the characters were going through but seeing their journey was beautiful.

Regarding the faith content, there were some good smaller moments of faith interweaved throughout the story. I wasn't a fan of the way yoga was mentioned a couple times in this book but that is a personal preference of mine for Christian books. It was only a couple of things for that, so it didn't take away from the story too much for me but something I wanted to mention.

Overall, anyone who is looking for a great in depth multi-POV contemporary story with a lot to unpack about the past, forgiveness, redemption and moving forward should pick this up!

Thank you to Revell for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Have you ever traveled on Route 66? You will enjoy this trip with Jade, Benny and Bridger as they travel Route 66 in a 1955 Chevy Bel Air.
Jade was leaving behind a fiancé that had just swindled a lot of people, including Benny out of millions of dollars, Jade was not part of it but her boyfriend swindled her clients!
Benny and Bridger were part of a documentary about Bridger was filming about Benny and her late husband Paul's trip to Hollywood to become famous in the 1950's.
Enjoy your route 66 trip!

The Road before Us by Janine Rosche was a stunning story from beginning to end!
This has to be some of the best writing I’ve come across in some time.
I was immediately sucked into the story and journey of these characters and loved every minute of it.
The emotions I could feel, the characters I saw, the setting I breathed in.
It's a wonderful book that you should highly consider reading!

Thank You NetGalley and Revell for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I doubt I’ll read another book in 2024 that is so beautifully written as The Road Before Us. Janine Rosche has crafted a masterpiece, weaving multiple timelines together to present a seamless story of grace and redemption. She managed to include so many of my favorite things: forced proximity romance, mid-century charm, Old Hollywood, and The Eagles. This was definitely a 5 star read for me.

I loved how the peeks into the past showed us how Benny and Paul fell in love along Route 66 as they parallel Jade and Bridger’s journey. As if two spectacular romances weren’t enough, Rosche layers in the story of Jade’s traumatic childhood and how it shaped her. This book is rich, descriptive, and bursting with points to ponder. I could see it being a great book club pick.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. All views are my own.

BOOK REVIEW - The Road Before Us - Janine Rosche - 5/5 Stars

THE STORY
The Road Before Us is one of my most anticipated reads this year, I've been looking forward to reading it since I first heard about it. And I was not disappointed! Bring the tissue box for this one, it's one emotional roller coaster! I didn't realise this story would be a split timeline, especially between three stories, but I was all for it and the stories were so easy to follow. Driving Route 66 as always been something I've thought about doing one day and now I want to do it more than ever! I loved the blend of the real story set in the 50s and the nostalgia of driving it in the present day. I absolutely loved seeing the legacy of the long and happy marriage between Benny and Paul, it's such an accomplishment these days and needs to be celebrated.

THE ROMANCE
Dual timeline means two romances, yay! I adored Benny and Paul's story! I wasn't quite as keen on Jade and Bridger though I think it's because I don't read super-softie MMCs who cry as much as the FMC very often and is not usually my go to. However I did enjoy picturing a Jason Mamoa-like character for the whole book!

THE TRUTHS
For me, this book highlighted how our past contributes to who we are but shouldn't determine who we become. Looking back at our pasts is important to gain perspective on the present but should never be used to shape our futures. No matter our pasts, God wipes our slates clean when we invite Him into our lives so we can look to the future with hope, seeing ourselves as God sees us, as precious, forgiven, valued, loved and so much more!

⚠️This was a romp of a road trip novel. Thanks to @uplitreads for the #gifted copy and invitation to feature this book! ‘The Road Before Us’ is out today!

⚠️ I really enjoyed this adventure — a trip across America via Route 66 with past and present timelines detailing a few different trips down the same road.

⚠️ What I liked:
- a lot of action
- the depth of the characters
- the sense of adventure

⚠️ As much as I enjoyed this one, there were some parts that dragged a bit. Also, this isn’t listed as Christian fiction but it felt like the deeper we got into the book, more and more references to God and the Bible were peppered in to the point it started feeling a bit preachy. If that’s your thing you may love this- but it wasn’t for me.

⚠️ Overall, I think this would be a good pick for a summer read— especially if you’re going on any road trips! Again, it’s out today!

Oh what a beautiful story!!! I absolutely adored this book of love and memories and secrets and lies.

Told in 3 different time periods this book is the story of Jade and Bridger and Benny. They embark on a cross country trip on the famous Route 66 to recreate the trip that Benny and her husband Paul first took in 1956. They were on their way to Hollywood to become movie stars.

Each stop brings a different memory and for the now-aged Benny it is way to bring her beloved husband back to her. Bridger is their adopted child who has a fierce sense of love and protection for Benny. Jade is the woman who worked for the firm that swindled Benny and Paul out of their vast fortune. These 3 characters each bring their own secrets to the trip and as each mile passes they are forced to be more real with the others and with themselves.

This is a 5-star read for me!!! Thank you Netgalley and Revell for the chance to read and review this book.

There was so much I loved about this book! My son and I have watched Cars more times than I can count, so the setting of this story felt extra special. In effort to fix her mistakes, Jade agrees to drive recently widowed Benny and her rather charming adult foster son, along Route 66 to film a documentary that retraces Benny’s love story. But the journey forces Jade to revisit memories of her own dark past. The Road Before Us is about learning to come to terms with the past and having hope for the future. I teared up at the amount of times I read, “I am God’s child, and no matter what I am chosen and dearly loved.” The story brushes over some heavy topics, but I never felt without hope or left feeling heavy. And I always love some twists that I didn’t see coming. If you love a good story that has its own soundtrack scattered throughout, this one is for you! There are lots of music references for this road trip!

The Road Before Us was such a great book! I loved the story from beginning to end. There are 3 different time periods in the book, and all are connected. Benny and Paul’s love story was beautiful. Jade’s kidnapping and then reunion with her father was heartwarming and Bridger and Jade’s love story was sweet. I loved it and highly recommend it.

This book was a slow start for me. It took me the prologue and a chapter or two before I was truly enjoying the book. Don't give up, it's a good book.

The story is told between two people, mainly. It also jumps around in time from the present to Jade's past and to Benny's past.

This story touches on some tender, at least for me, subjects. They were handled well, but for me, many things touched home. They are not overly sensitive subjects, just things that I relate to.

This is a Christian book but, not at all pushy.

The editing was very well done, with only one or two errors such as a missing letter in the word "it". The characters are quite well-developed. The story flowed fairly well.

I would recommend this book to a friend. I give it a 4 out of 5-star rating.

I requested to read and review an ARC copy of this book through the Revell Reads program. All thoughts are my own. A positive review is not required.

Take a scenic ride down Route 66 with Janine Rosche's The Road Before Us, a novel that blends history, relationships, personal growth, romance, and the pursuit of redemption against the backdrop of America's most legendary highway. Ideal for fans of Christian Fiction, Women’s Fiction, or anyone drawn to narratives brimming with authentic characters, this novel promises to enthrall readers seeking their next unforgettable adventure.

Jade, Benny, and Bridger embark on a transformative pilgrimage, where each mil marker brings them closer to healing old wounds and embracing the freedom of forgiveness. Witness unlikely bonds blossom as they navigate the open road, guided by faith and redemption.

In the heart of this story stands Jade Jessup, once a respected financial advisor in Chicago, now struggling with a tarnished reputation after her fiancé's Ponzi scheme. Seeking to mend past wrongs, Jade finds herself on a transformative road trip with the enigmatic Hollywood starlet Benny Alderidge and her foster son Bridger. As they cruise the winding roads of Route 66, Jade is confronted with the shadows of her past, including a childhood trauma that has haunted her for years.

Rosche deftly intertwines multiple timelines, shifting between the present-day journey and the memories of Benny's 1956 cross-country trip with her late husband and Jade’s childhood. Through these interwoven stories, readers are treated to a diverse cast of characters and experiences, each contributing to the overarching theme of forgiveness and second chances.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its rich and multifaceted characters, each facing inner turmoil and motivated for redemption. From Bridger, whose tumultuous upbringing has left him yearning for acceptance, to the resilient Benny, whose indomitable spirit shines through life's adversities, Rosche's characters leap off the page with depth and authenticity.

While the novel tackles weighty topics (parental kidnapping, post-traumatic stress disorder, war crimes, sexual harassment and assault, treatment of POWs then and now, dementia, the Samoan Adoption Scandal, the bombing in Oklahoma, the Tulsa Race Massacre, the realities of Jim Crow and modern-day racism), Rosche handles these sensitive subjects with perfect grace and sensitivity, infusing the narrative with an undercurrent of hope, faith, and resilience. Through the characters' journeys of self-discovery and healing, readers are reminded of the power of forgiveness and the possibility of redemption, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

In addition to exploring the realms of love, loss, redemption, and faith, the book incorporates elements like yoga practices embraced by some characters. While such practices may not resonate with all readers (including me – as I avoided those paragraphs), they serve as a reminder of the characters' individual journeys of healing and self-discovery. Regardless of personal convictions, the narrative's core focus remains on the transformative power of forgiveness, faith, and second chances, offering a compelling and beautiful story that will resonate with readers.

Rosche's vibrant descriptions catapult the iconic Route 66 into full Technicolor, whisking readers away on a joyride through the past while reveling in the timeless thrill of the open road. Picture bustling diners serving up heaping plates of nostalgia alongside neon-lit motels beckoning weary travelers with promises of retro charm and the breathtaking vistas of the American Southwest. The setting isn't just a backdrop—it's a lively character in its own right, injecting the story with a hefty dose of charm and allure that'll leave you itching to hit the road yourself!

Get ready to cruise because The Road Before Us is a vintage ride through the heartland, fueled by the timeless melodies of the Eagles and the purr of a classic car engine. With love, loss, and forgiveness in the driver's seat, this story takes you on a road trip like no other. Rosche's characters are as iconic as a '57 Chevy, and her attention to historical detail is like a finely tuned V8. So, buckle up, dear reader, and surrender to the allure of the open road. For in the journey that awaits, every turn and crossroad hold the promise of discovery and the sweet embrace of redemption.

I received a digital copy of The Road Before Us from the publisher, Revell. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

I am happy to have had the chance to read the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy of “The Road before Us" by Janine Rosche; thank you NetGalley and Revell!

A journey along Route 66 is one I have always wondered about, and between the pages of this memorable story of love stories, I was able to sit back and recline for this road trip as the emotional dramas and traumas of these characters were revealed.

My favorite stop in the story was definitely Winslow, Arizona as I am a forever fan of The Eagles. To know that the city has made the classic songs a part of their community would be a wonderful sight to see. As I imagined where I was being taken along this road, and with this story, I had a bit of a hum going on “...Hi there how are ya? Been a long time. Seems like we've come a long way…” I think I’ll need to listen to some Eagles tunes now that I’ve finished and experienced my own glimpse of this historic road through the eyes of this sensitive and talented author.

I feel like I took Route 66 myself. This book is a journey worth taking. The setting became its own character, rough around the edges, but offering so much to the story. It’s an emotional ride, not just for the characters, but for the reader as well. While Janine tackles some sensitive topics (as is usual with her books), nothing overwhelmed the story. Each added to it in an organic way. The flashback sections worked well for me. They offered enough of a glimpse to keep me reading. (I actually read the last 3/4 of the book in one day) The characters were all so well written that I was drawn into each of their stories.