Up in the Middle of Nowhere

Wow, this book is bound to hit you right in the feels.

Follow the great adventure of mother, Tessa, and daughter, Nova, as they embark on a trip through various treehouse stays in Tennessee. The book is broken up into three parts, before their adventure, during and after.

Nova is getting ready to complete her last year of high school. Tessa, prone to micromanaging and control (all out of the love a parent feels for a child), is struggling with her relationship with her daughter who is making decisions that are self-sabotaging. Nora is on the cusp of adulthood struggling to find her independence but maybe choosing the wrong ways to find it.

The trip they take together is full of obstacles - physical and emotional. Tessa and Nova both challenge each other to do things out of their comfort zone. Throughout the trip, they face bumpy moments, reconnection with each other and self-reflection. I think the self-reflection they each process helps them to reconnect with each other. It's all to easy to focus outward than it is inward. Tessa realizes that maybe she's not living as authentic of life as she wants to while Nova starts to understand why she's been acting the way she has.

As you read through their adventure and discovery, it's difficult not to think about your own relationships with your parents and with your children. While I tried not to feel guilty about my own teenage angst I put my mother through, this book honestly had me in tears. Nova realizes (just like I have) our mothers are one of the very few people that are always in our corner and show up for us - unconditionally.

The best part is that the novel is based on true events. I think it's easy to see how true their relationship hits home.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and the author for this ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

At first glance I wasn't going to pick this book. But, for some reason it was begging me to read it. I kept scrolling by it as I was looking at other books. Finally, I caved and got it.
I've never had so much fun and laughter as I did with this book! I'm so glad I got it after all!
I really loved these two characters! They brightened my day and they're easy to love. Yes, times I wanted to scream at Nova. I wanted to tell her to look at what she had right in front of her not behind her.
I loved Tessa and I really enjoyed cheering her on. Lady has awesome determination to make things work.
I feel like the first part of this story is my story except mine's not a teenager. I'm hoping he's learned this on his own.
I wish we could reconnect like this. Maybe someday if its God's will.
This adventure was sooo much fun!
Imagine a tree house adventure.
At one point though I was really scared for Nova. I love this girls name. It's so unusual.
A quote that resonated with me at the beginning of this story is definitely one I can relate to and I believe that most of us will during our lives.
“I know.” Tessa nodded. “I think I’m most upset about the time I lost. Two years. I keep getting pushed back to the starting line. How many false starts does one woman get?”“As many as it takes.” How many false starts does one woman get?”“As many as it takes.”
Kristie shrugged. “It wasn’t time wasted. Nothing is ever wasted. You learned more about yourself with him. It’s all a journey.” A long quote I know.
Life's certainly not easy. I know I've been in Tessa's shoes many times. That's why I chose this quote. I feel like we can never get ahead.
I wish this could be my review because it speaks so many volumes and has many emotions.
Here's another one I liked too.
In life, there are lots of forks in the road, and it looks like you’ve stumbled onto your next one. There are two paths in front of you now.” He paused,
stumbled onto your next one. There are two paths in front of you now.” He paused then continued, “I know it doesn’t feel like it, but it has given you the luxury of choice.”“It doesn’t feel like a luxury. It feels like I set my life on fire only to watch it burn.”“Sometimes you have to burn everything to the ground so you can build back better. "
Oh so true and this is where the two steps forward and three steps back comes in In my opinion. So frustrating!
I loved loved this book and the journey that was within. I guess this is what you call tough love and 2nd chances. I promise you'll laugh, cry get mad among other things but if you’re honest with yourself you'll want to take a step back and look at yourself and your children cause time definitely flies! They're adults before you're ready. I know! It happened to me. Thats why I loved this story so much!
5 stars! I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this sweet and wonderful novel. My heart us left feeling full and satisfied.
I was very happy with this book! I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own!