Captivating characters and exquisite language make Kristin Hannah’s Night Road unputdownable from the very first page. It’s a story about motherhood and friendship, hope and forgiveness, and it’s at once heartbreaking and uplifting. You can view it on Amazon, here.
Here’s the synopsis:
For eighteen years, Jude Farraday has put her children’s needs above her own, and it shows–her twins, Mia and Zach, are bright and happy teenagers. When Lexi Baill moves into their small, close-knit community, no one is more welcoming than Jude. Lexi, a former foster child with a dark past, quickly becomes Mia’s best friend. Then Zach falls in love with Lexi and the three become inseparable.
Jude does everything to keep her kids on track for college and out of harm’s way. It has always been easy–until senior year of high school. Suddenly she is at a loss. Nothing feels safe anymore; every time Mia and Zach leave the house, she worries about them.
On a hot summer’s night her worst fears are realized. One decision will change the course of their lives. In the blink of an eye, the Farraday family will be torn apart and Lexi will lose everything. In the years that follow, each must face the consequences of that single night and find a way to forget … or the courage to forgive.
My review:
This is the first Kristin Hannah book I’ve read, and it definitely won’t be the last. All the elements of the book, from the plot to the characters to the writing itself, comes together to create an immersive, unforgettable experience. The story is set in Washington state, and the novel carries a strong sense of place, thanks to pristine imagery. Ms. Hannah’s writing makes it easy to relate to each of the players in the story: the teenagers navigating new friendships and first loves and the parents navigating raising teenagers.
A favorite quote: “In the emergent light, her backyard glistened with dew; lush green grass sloped gently down to a sandy gray-pebbled beach. Beyond it, the Sound was a series of charcoal-colored waves that rolled and rolled, their peaks painted orange by the dawn. On the opposite shore, the Olympic mountain range was a jagged line of pink and lavender.”
Bottom line:
Read It! Grab a box of tissues and a cup of tea and settle in–you won’t want to stop reading until you’ve finished the very last page.