I just loved this story by Janine Roche - "The Road before Us". This is my first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last. I really enjoyed the Route 66 theme and sites. When she starts out at the beginning on the iconic Route 66 sign in Chicago, I can just picture the scene after being in that very spot so many times in the past - the authors words transported me back to that spot.

The characters all see major growth during the story. You see Benny now in her 90's, a widow and starting to lose her memory. Jade, kidnapped by her father,, and Bridger - born in Samoa and adopted then given up by the couple that adopted him. Benny, despite losing all of her money in a ponzi scheme still finds hope in life and wants this trip to connect back to the beginning of her life with her deceased husband.

The people that the 3 main characters meet along Route 66 are brought to life and you feel like you are traveling right along with them from Chicago to California. The triple timeline of this book - Benny's earlier life in the 1956's, Jade's life in 2003 and the lives of all 3 main characters in present day make for an excellent story with the three different perspectives and decades.

There are several twists and turns in the story that I don't want to spoil for perspective readers. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. I honestly didn't know what to expect with this one but couldn't put it down once I started it. There are also really cool 1950's and 1960's Hollywood references that add fun dialogue to the story, including highlights from Marilyn Monroe and Ronald Regan!

I highly recommend this book to my fellow readers. Thank you to NetGalley and Revell Fiction for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

What an absolutely captivating and refreshing read by an author who is new to me – Ms. Janine Rosche. I’ve never had the experience of driving the entire historic Route 66, but after reading The Road Before Us, I am more than ready to take it on! I thoroughly enjoyed every single aspect of this book. Benny, Bridger and Jade were well-developed characters and so well written that I was invested in their story immediately after reading the prologue. I don’t want to ruin the story line by going into detail and possibly giving too much away--I’d much rather say that it was a riveting and thought-provoking read that kept me up well past my bedtime. There’s a bit of everything in this book–family dynamics; a bit of mystery; a swoon-worthy romance; twists & turns; 1960's Hollywood nostalgia; actual highlights from actual places along Route 66 that I found fascinating! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg – their road trip had me laughing, thinking, contemplating and crying my eyes out. It’s one of my favorite reads this year. I most definitely recommend this 5+ star read if you’re looking for a deeply emotional and moving read with engaging and charming characters who will stay with you long after you’ve completed reading their journey. I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

First, I loved the writing of this book. I was captivated from the beginning and didn't want to put it down. The characters were such a treat getting to know and love. Bridger was so thoughtful and had me swooning from his introduction, and I just wanted to give Benny a hug throughout the recollection of her life. The elements of faith weren't these big grand full-page experiences, they were small but so good! I enjoyed the multiple points of view, multiple timelines, and just the overall setting of Rt 66. I've had another book from this author on my TBR, and after enjoying this wonderful story, I am excited to dive into another.
Thank you, NetGalley, and Revell for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

I’ve never been on the historic Route 66, however, after reading this fascinating story, I am ready for a road trip.
Jade’s fiancé who was also a coworker, is in jail after he scamming millions of dollars from unsuspecting clients. Jade, although unaware of the Ponzi scheme, lost her job and credibility. One of her favorite clients, a former Hollywood star in the 1960s, Berenice “Benny” Alderidge lost everything, asks Jade to drive her and her adult foster son from Chicago, back to Los Angeles in their 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, following Route 66, the original way she and her late husband had taken when the first arrived in Hollywood.
Bridger, the foster son, is filming a documentary along the way that documents the original trip along Route 66, in 1956. The film relives the love story between Benny and her beloved husband Paul. As the story unfolds with many stops along the way to reminisce, Jade is remembering her own trip along Route 66 when she was 8 years old.
There are many twists and turns to this intriguing story as it fluctuates from the present time, back to Benny and Paull’s trip in 1956, to 2003 when Jade was traveling along the same route unaware, she’d been kidnapped, until she found a picture of herself on a poster. There is a very diverse, intriguing cast of characters in this compelling, fascinating story that was difficult to put down.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.