Glory Road

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy. Wonderful southern story about family and the deep relationship between mothers and daughters. You will want to sit on the porch with a sweet tea and immerse yourself in Jessie, Gus and Evan’s story. Enjoy how they navigate new and old love, deal with a serious health issue al the while leaning on each other.

Such a sweet book, that’s really the best word I can think of to describe it. You know the feeling you get when you snuggle up on your couch on a snowy day with a cup of something warm to drink and a soft blanket? That’s the feeling this book gives me. I loved the characters because they are really just normal people living life. And I could just see Sumner’s house in my mind from the description. This book has me convinced I should be living in a small southern town where everyone knows each other and says hello, and the pace of life is just a little different.

This is Lauren Denton ‘s third book, and I’ve read all three. I’m a fan of her writing style; she somehow makes me “see” the place she’s writing about (which is always the south) and her dialogue seems so natural. I truly did not want to put this book down! Other reviewers have described what the story is about, so I won’t do that. Just....read this book! You’ll be glad you did!

I’ve pre-ordered a copy of this one for our church library. Others should get the chance to enjoy it as I have!

I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

In this latest novel by Ms. Denton, you will fall in love with her characters! This novel takes place in Perry, Alabama, on Glory Road. Glory Road is an idyllic place to grow up. Jessica is a divorced mom who has moved back and made her way on her own. You will meet her mom, Gus, who is a character (but one you can learn a lot from) and her daughter, Evan. Ms. Denton weaves a tale that is so charming. Jessica has several things she has to work through. Their life is not perfect by any means, but Ms. Denton does a splendid job of penning a story that is charming and well-written. The story grabs a hold of you and you will not want to quit reading. There are several secondary characters that you will meet throughout the book as well. I highly recommend this book and know you will not be disappointed! Ms. Denton’s writing just keeps getting better and better!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

I read The Hideaway last year, and it was easily one of my favorite books (if you haven’t read it yet, run and get it now 😬), so I had pretttty high hopes for Glory Road. When you’re feeling like a change of pace and want to slow things down (in the best way possible) this is the book for you! It focuses on a grandmother, mother, daughter trio living on Glory Road in small-town Alabama running their flower nursery. It’s a sweet story of family, high school love, and slow paced life. This book makes me want summer to be here NOW and has me wish I knew anything about flowers and gardening so I can make my house look great. This is just the perfect feel- good, time to take a break read — and didn’t disappoint

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A beautifully written story full of life, lessons and three generations of women. Treat yourself to this emotional story. You will not be disappointed. Five stars.

This book is like a homecoming to my youth. Growing up in a small Southern town, I knew every car that went down the dirt roads, like Jessie did. This is a story of self-acceptance and taking chances. I loved this family of strong women who nurture and challenge each other. The males who care for them are accepting and steady, characteristics that it takes some of us a lifetime to appreciate! This book was beautifully written and was a joy to read.

The story is about three women, mother, daughter, and grandmother who are going through different stages of their life. It’s a story of love and longing, not only of people, but also the land, while dealing with their lives. I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary book from Thomas Nelson through netgalley and my opinions are only mine.

A wonderful read was drawn in to this wonderful story three women three different times in their lives.Emotional moving beautifully written, #netgalley #thomasnelsonbooks.

Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton
Source: NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing
Rating: 5/5 stars

I think I could legitimately spend far too much time waxing poetic about Lauren K. Denton and novels! In Denton, I have found an author who has, to date, made every book worth the wait and Glory Road is certainly no exception to that rule!

For most of her thirty-eight years, Jessie McBride has lived on Glory Road, the long dusty stretch of road occupied by herself, her mother, her daughter, a whole host of neighbors who, like the McBride’s have lived in the area for generations. Glory Road is comforting, comfortable, a place of refuge, and a place those who leave often come back to. Jessie is a prime example. After far too many years in a bad marriage, Jessie has built a life she quite loves in Glory Road. She owns a moderately successful garden shop, works with her delightfully spry mother, and is raising an all-around good kid. While Jessie may sometimes feel a bit lonely as far as romance goes, overall, she has little to complain about.

Oh, how fate and the universe just love to step in and shake things up. . . .

As if the universe just understands loneliness, within a few weeks of one another, two men come into Jessie’s life. Sumner Tate is the epitome of southern charm and he is hell-bent on having Jessie work for him in the form of florist for his daughter’s wedding. Additionally, Sumner makes it clear (in a totally charming way) he is interested in Jessie beyond her flower arranging abilities. Though Sumner is certainly interesting, it is the other man who truly sets Jessie’s emotions aflame. Ben Bradley, the one who could have been and should have been so many years ago is back on Glory Road and he’s looking to, at the very least rekindle the friendship he and Jessie once had.

In addition to the men in her life, Jessie also has some disconcerting concerns over her mother, Gus. Physically, Gus is as spry as ever, loves to putter around in the garden shop with Jessie, and cooks and bakes for the family on a regular basis. Gus is kind, friendly, devoted to her girls, and, of late showing some signs of her age. With increasing frequency, Gus becomes lost in her own mind and memories and when she comes out of these states, she refuses to speak of them with Jessie. Though she’s not hurt herself or put herself or anyone else in danger, the episodes are troubling and need to be dealt with sooner rather than later.

For someone who has long valued and protected her comfort zone, Jessie suddenly finds herself, with two men and her mother, very much outside her comfort zone. Gus is completely encouraging of Jessie’s resurrected love life and ridiculously excited for the future possibilities the wedding flower project may bring for the garden shop. More than anything, Gus wants to see Jessie happy and though she can’t make the ultimate choice for her daughter, she can share some her own life experiences and wisdom. In turn, Jessie is passing on what she knows of life and love to her own daughter who is just beginning to understand the complexities of both.

The Bottom Line: At its core, Glory Road is the story of three generations of women who are, no matter their age finding their way in life, adjusting to the changes the universe likes to bring, and learning to truly lean on and rely on others when they need help. This is the aspect of this read I loved the most! Denton knows how to weave together lives, stories, events, and emotions that aren’t fictional at all and certainly not confined to her books. Glory Road may be classified among fiction books, but its story is real, relatable, and completely engrossing because it is a story so many among us can identify with at least on some level. As I generally do with Denton’s books, I blazed through this read and came away almost totally satisfied. They only thing I found lacking is an epilogue; if ever there was a book that simply begs for an epilogue, Glory Road would be that book. With that being said, the lack of an epilogue isn’t enough to keep me from, yet again adoring this beautifully written family saga. To get more like this, I will gladly wait until the next release this time next year.

Modern southern fiction usually has well written characters and a sense of place - to the point that the setting of the novel is as important as the characters. Glory Road is one of those locations that is a strong part of the book - the reader can see the red dirt road and feel the heat in the summer; we can hear the creak of the porch swing as the insects buzz past our ears. It's a comforting place to be and a fantastic setting for Glory Road.

Glory Road is about three strong women during one year of their lives. It is told by all three women in alternating chapters which gave the reader the total view of their lives. Jessie is the hub that holds the family together. She is a divorced mom who returned to Perry AL from Birmingham after an ugly split with her husband when she found out about his affair. She brought her 6 year old daughter Evan who is now 14 and ready to start high school. Jessie's mom is Gus. She lives next door but spends her days with Jessie and Gus. When Jessie moved back home, she decided to open a plant nursery called Twigs. She is most comfortable when she is working with the plants and flowers at the nursery. Evan and Gus both help out and it's a real family business. This summer is pivotal for all three women - Evan is testing her boundaries as she becomes ready to start high school, Gus is starting to have memory issues and worries about the possibility of dementia. Jessie who has always been content in her life with her daughter and her mother have two men come in to her life - one a rich man who wants her to do flowers for his daughter's wedding and the other, Ben, her first love from high school who moves back to Perry from Atlanta with his son. Before the summer is over, all three women have to make decisions that will affect the rest of their lives.

I've read all of Lauren Denton's books and this is my favorite. It's a wonderful book about family and love and second chances. This is a family of strong women that I won't soon forget.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Jessie McBride has finally had it. After finding out her husband has cheated on her she find herself and her 14 year old daughter, Evan, back in her hometown of Perry starting over again.
Jessie has started her own garden shop, a lifelong dream. Evan, is starting high school and has caught the attention of a new boy in school. Gus, the very snarky and funny mother of Jessie, is facing life changing experiences, she wishes she didn't have to.
Will these women be able to forgive, heal, love and find peace?

I really enjoyed this book. There are well built characters, amazing scene descriptions that make you feel as though you are there. This is the first book I have read by Ms. Denton, however, it will not be my last.

I was given an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and the thoughts and opinions of this story are my own.

For fans of southern women's fiction, this book will warm your heart. The story is told through the perspectives of three generations of women who live together in small-town Alabama. The grandmother is suffering through beginning-stage Alzheimers, the mother runs a garden shop and is fumbling through her second-go-round at love, and the daughter is dealing with all the drama of starting high school. Though it uses multiple voices, it is easy to follow. The voices are distinct enough that, even if you miss the chapter title telling who is speaking, it is easy to know which story you are jumping into. The author does a great job of setting the scene....if you're from the south, you'll experience feelings of comfort, and if you've never visited, you'll get a feel of what it's like to live in a sleepy, southern town. I wasn't sure which way the ending would go, but I like how some of the stories wrapped up very sweetly.

EVOCATIVE!

GLORY ROAD by Lauren K. Denton is Southern Fiction at its best! Denton will take you on an emotional journey over one summer with one family’s three generations of strong women. Her evocative storytelling will leave you mesmerized.

At the beginning of each Chapter, Denton has cleverly included a Garden Tip that’s also an illustration for what’s going to happen in the coming Chapter. Glory Road is the dirt road where the three women live and work and where much of the actual book takes place. As you read, you will quickly discover that Glory Road itself serves as a character. So much growing and living have taken place on that old, dirt road and it holds many secrets - both old and new.

Each of the three women plays an integral part in this story. Gus, at age 69, is still strong-willed and opinionated. Jessie, 39, is a single mom and an entrepreneur who owns a small plant and flower shop called Twig and Evan, 14, is starting the 9th Grade and moving up to High School. Each of these women will face significant challenges over the summer. Challenges that will shake them to their core and prove what they are made of. Challenges that will rally their friends to stand by them. There is an old friend that becomes a cherished loved one, an old friend who proves why he was so treasured in the first place and a friend who becomes like a big brother as he protects and teaches. It is a beautiful story of how a family learns from each other, learns to trust each other and for the first time in a long time, can face the future expectantly instead of fearfully. Glory Road will stay in your heart and soul long after you’ve read the last word. You will want to savor it.

I was provided an ARC of this book by Thomas Nelson and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

Glory Road is a fabulous book. Loved the plot, characters and the Alabama setting. I highly recommend this book. I received an arc from the publisher via Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

I read the first line of Glory Road and then paused and sighed. I actually turned to my daughter and said, “I really missed me some Southern Fiction. This is like stepping into a warm hug.” Being the booknerd my daughter also is, she understands this crazy talk and said, “You should put that in your review, Mom.” Well, kid. I think you’re right.

Reading that first line of Glory Road really was like stepping into a warm hug. There is something soothing that I absolutely adore in Southern Fiction. I have been reading and reviewing Denton’s books since her debut and she has been a favorite of mine from the very start. Her characters are real, their troubles could be your own. You just want to settle in on the porch with some sweet tea and dive in.

Of course, Glory Road is her best yet. Jessie is a southern girl back home on her red dirt road. She’s got her mama and her young teen daughter Evan. They have a tight bond, a good system. She’s running her shop, Twig. It works for them. Never in her wildest dreams did Jessie think she’d see Ben again. In her blast from the past, Jessie is thrown for a major loop. And then there’s Sumner. What is going on in her steady, predictable life? Well Jess, it ain’t over just because you’re 38 and divorced.

Glory Road is a story of second chances, family bonds, and really, really good pie. All of these things are incredibly essential in living life to it’s fullest. So grab that tea, hell, grab some pie too, and settle in. You’ll even get some gardening tips in the process.

I received an advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own.