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Nocna droga
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Fiction (2011)Życie każdej matki składa się z trudnych wyborów…
Przez osiemnaście lat Jude Farraday stawiała potrzeby dzieci ponad własne i było warto: bliźniaki Mia i Zach wyrosły na parę bystrych szczęśliwych nastolatków. Kiedy do niewielkiej zżytej społeczności wprowadza się Lexi Baill - dziewczyna, która ma za sobą trudne dzieciństwo i bolesną przeszłość - Jude nie kryje radości. Lexi szybko zaprzyjaźnia się z Mią, a kiedy Zach zakochuje się w Lexi, cała trójka staje się nierozłączna.
Jude zawsze robiła wszystko, by uchronić dzieci przed niebezpieczeństwem. Pewnej letniej nocy jej najgorsze lęki się urzeczywistniają. Jedna feralna decyzja raz na zawsze odmienia losy nastolatków. Rodzina Farradayów staje przed najcięższą próbą, a Lexi traci wszystko, na co długo pracowała. Bohaterowie będą musieli stawić czoła konsekwencjom albo znaleźć siłę, by… przebaczyć.
Przez osiemnaście lat Jude Farraday stawiała potrzeby dzieci ponad własne i było warto: bliźniaki Mia i Zach wyrosły na parę bystrych szczęśliwych nastolatków. Kiedy do niewielkiej zżytej społeczności wprowadza się Lexi Baill - dziewczyna, która ma za sobą trudne dzieciństwo i bolesną przeszłość - Jude nie kryje radości. Lexi szybko zaprzyjaźnia się z Mią, a kiedy Zach zakochuje się w Lexi, cała trójka staje się nierozłączna.
Jude zawsze robiła wszystko, by uchronić dzieci przed niebezpieczeństwem. Pewnej letniej nocy jej najgorsze lęki się urzeczywistniają. Jedna feralna decyzja raz na zawsze odmienia losy nastolatków. Rodzina Farradayów staje przed najcięższą próbą, a Lexi traci wszystko, na co długo pracowała. Bohaterowie będą musieli stawić czoła konsekwencjom albo znaleźć siłę, by… przebaczyć.
456 pages, Paperback
First published March 22, 2011
About the author
Kristin Hannah
129 books235k followersKristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People's Choice award for best fiction in the same year. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week. In 2018,
The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.
The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.
Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.
Her new novel, The Women, about a young woman coming of age during the turbulent 1960's in America, who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in Vietnam will be published February 6th, 2024.
A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.
The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.
The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.
Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.
Her new novel, The Women, about a young woman coming of age during the turbulent 1960's in America, who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in Vietnam will be published February 6th, 2024.
A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.
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September 29, 2015
::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED ::::
5 STARS!!!!!!!!!!! Holy wow, after finishing this book, it feels like I’ve just been through some kind of emotional marathon. My heart is racing. I feel out of breath. There are tears in my eyes. AND I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!!!!
Reading Night Road was a bit of a departure from my usual choice in books because, for the most part, I’m a hard-core romance reader. Kristin Hannah however, writes deeply emotional fiction novels that are more widely focused on all kinds of relationships, but not solely romantic ones. That being said, after reading The Nightingaleearlier this year, I fell in love with her beautiful, powerful, evocative writing style and ever since then, I’ve been meaning to read more of her books.
Today, I was in the mood for two things: deep feels and beautiful writing but was open to any kind of storyline so I decided to try Night Road because even just reading the blurb made my heart ache and let me tell you…. this is now one of my all-time, I-will-remember-this-book-forever top favorites.
While Night Road is not a romance in the sense that the guy-meets-girl isn’t the sole focus of the book, the heart of this story is completely character-driven and all about different relationships and there absolutely IS a love story too. My God, such an intensely heart-wrenching love story. Like the kind of deeply-routed forever-love that is always present in your heart even if it can’t always be acted on. And oh boy, did it ever make me feel everything!!!! The prologue though was what completely sold me on the book — within two pages, before I’d even met any of the characters, I was already feeling emotional about their story…
If you want to read the official blurb, just click here and you can read it on Amazon, but as a way to explain the story further, I’m actually just going to tell you about the characters…
First, we have Lexi, a foster child whose neglectful mother died of an overdose after being in and out of prison leaving her daughter to be bounced from family to family for years with no stability or sense of love and belonging. Until one day, they found a long-lost great aunt who didn’t have much in the world but still welcomed Lexi into her life with open arms and an open heart.
Then we have Jude — mother of teenage twins Mia and Zach — who was the well-to-do wife of a surgeon. Her children were entering high school (with Lexi) but their lives couldn’t be more different given the huge disparity in their socio-economic status. While it would be possible (and at times accurate) to label Jude as a helicopter mother, being shown her perspective in the story made it clear that the manner in which she was over protective and so deeply involved in her children’s lives came out of a deep sense of love and a desire to give them the very best life she possibly could…
Of the twins, Zach was popular and outgoing, while Mia was quiet and had trouble making friends, but even with their differences, they were very close and would do anything for each other.
Lexi and Zach met on the first day of school and although they instantly connected, Lexi also met Mia and they quickly bonded into best friends. The girl who had nothing and the girl who had everything. Complete opposites yet kindred spirits. And because of her friendship with Mia, Zach kept his distance from Lexi, not wanting to do anything that would compromise the one friend his beloved sister had finally made.
A few years later, we saw an almost ‘forbidden’ love grow between Lexi and Zach, born out of their connection on the day they first met, and their feelings for each other grew to a point where they finally decided that they they can no longer keep it secret from Mia and his family. But then one night, a horrific tragedy shattered all their lives and the consequences of it quite literally changed everything…
At 51%, my. jaw. dropped. Like holy fuuuuuuuuuuckkkkkk!!!!!!! I was pretty much rendered speechless. It’s safe to say that the story took a turn I was absolutely not expecting at all and I feverishly read on desperate to see how this could ever be resolved. The unfairness of it all tore my heart out!!!
Me at 58% –> THIS. BOOK. IS. KILLING. ME!!!!!!!! Holy angst!!! Gah!!!! MY HEART! Seriously just had to put the book down for a minute because I’m so angry-mad-hurt-sad-wanting-everything-to-just-be-okay!!!!!! AHHH. Ok. I just needed to get that out. *deep breath* I can do this…. *dives back in*
So I’ll be honest, prior to reading this book, I kind of thought or assumed the direction it would take. I mean, it’s pretty clear there’s an accident in the story so I thought it would kinda build up to the accident, then show us the aftermath and healing and such. But this went WAY above and beyond what I could ever have imagined. There’s a deceptively quiet start to the story, then……. hold on to your hat, because it turns into an emotional rollercoaster that seriously put my heart right through the wringer! I still can’t believe that she actually went to youknowwhat and that she was (!!!!!!!) too!! Did not see that coming!
By 83% I was cryyyyyyying!!!!!
I know this isn’t a specifically a romance but even still, the love story within it is SO DAMN POWERFUL and so painfully heart-wrenching that I almost couldn’t stand the depth of emotion I was feeling.
Oh my gosh, and THIS:
*SOB*
I have to say that I seriously LOVE Kristin Hannah’s writing style. She can write like you wouldn’t believe. Honestly, she’s probably one of the strongest authors I’ve ever read. The way she describes characters and relationship dynamics is downright brilliant. Many of you know how much I love Kristen Ashley‘s romances, and in many ways I almost feel like Kristin Hannah is the KA of fiction novels if that makes sense. She just GETS people and their relationships with each other on such a deep level. It doesn’t matter if you love or hate the characters (you’ll probably go through a whole range of feelings with regards to them) but the way she describes them is just so vivid and believably accurate that they feel REAL.
So like I said, I’m a hardcore romance reader. Like literally for me, when there isn’t a romance as the focus of what I’m reading, I usually just zone out of the story. I can read a 300 page romance book in 2-3 hours, but if I try to read most fiction books, it usually takes me like two weeks to get through the first half. BUT THIS AUTHOR??? I can’t get enough of her writing, and you know why? I think it’s because her stories are just SO character-driven and because she’s just so freaking good at interpersonal relationships that it satisfies that part of me that needs the emotional connection of a romance by giving me these deep feels but just in a different way. There are so many kinds of love in this world and Kristin Hannah doesn’t just focus only on romantic love, she explores all kinds. Within this book, we see mother/child relationships, brother/sister, father/daughter, first love, abandonment, parental support and failure, grief, sacrifice, romance, parenthood, sisterhood, friendships, shattered dreams, second chances, forgiveness, and pure all-consuming love. And because her writing is so amazing, I find myself so easily drawn into her stories because they’re just so powerful and believable and heart-felt. I just love it. Can you tell? Hehe.
This book is an emotional roller-coaster — you’ll laugh and you’ll cry, you’ll fall in love with some characters and probably hate others. You may find yourself hating someone you loved at first and then loving someone you hated. But you may also find yourself forgiving things you never thought you would. You’ll fall in love and have your heart broken, then healed again… it’s just such a powerful journey.
I feel like with so many of the books I read, if I were to individually recommend them to readers one book at a time, there are some I’d recommend to certain readers and ones I’d recommend to others depending on the kinds of books I think they might most enjoy. But Night Road is one of those rare books that I’d honestly recommend to anyone and everyone. I’d recommend it to any reader who came to me, I’d give it to my friends, my family, a random person in a bookstore… I just feel like there’s something in here for so many different types of people. In many ways, it’s a very universal story regardless of whether or not you can personally relate to it. But bottom line is that I’d recommend it to anyone who loves to read. And if you’re a long-time follower of my blog and my recommendations, just know that while this book is a little different than my usual reads, but it fundamentally has all the things I love in it. And I promise that even though the journey throughout the book is often painful and heart-wrenching, the ending is worth it.
Rating: 5 STARS!!!!! Contemporary fiction standalone.
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
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5 STARS!!!!!!!!!!! Holy wow, after finishing this book, it feels like I’ve just been through some kind of emotional marathon. My heart is racing. I feel out of breath. There are tears in my eyes. AND I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!!!!
Reading Night Road was a bit of a departure from my usual choice in books because, for the most part, I’m a hard-core romance reader. Kristin Hannah however, writes deeply emotional fiction novels that are more widely focused on all kinds of relationships, but not solely romantic ones. That being said, after reading The Nightingaleearlier this year, I fell in love with her beautiful, powerful, evocative writing style and ever since then, I’ve been meaning to read more of her books.
Today, I was in the mood for two things: deep feels and beautiful writing but was open to any kind of storyline so I decided to try Night Road because even just reading the blurb made my heart ache and let me tell you…. this is now one of my all-time, I-will-remember-this-book-forever top favorites.
While Night Road is not a romance in the sense that the guy-meets-girl isn’t the sole focus of the book, the heart of this story is completely character-driven and all about different relationships and there absolutely IS a love story too. My God, such an intensely heart-wrenching love story. Like the kind of deeply-routed forever-love that is always present in your heart even if it can’t always be acted on. And oh boy, did it ever make me feel everything!!!! The prologue though was what completely sold me on the book — within two pages, before I’d even met any of the characters, I was already feeling emotional about their story…
“If anyone sees her here, just standing on this lonely roadside… it will all come up again. They’ll remember that night, so long ago, when the rain turned to ash…”
If you want to read the official blurb, just click here and you can read it on Amazon, but as a way to explain the story further, I’m actually just going to tell you about the characters…
First, we have Lexi, a foster child whose neglectful mother died of an overdose after being in and out of prison leaving her daughter to be bounced from family to family for years with no stability or sense of love and belonging. Until one day, they found a long-lost great aunt who didn’t have much in the world but still welcomed Lexi into her life with open arms and an open heart.
Then we have Jude — mother of teenage twins Mia and Zach — who was the well-to-do wife of a surgeon. Her children were entering high school (with Lexi) but their lives couldn’t be more different given the huge disparity in their socio-economic status. While it would be possible (and at times accurate) to label Jude as a helicopter mother, being shown her perspective in the story made it clear that the manner in which she was over protective and so deeply involved in her children’s lives came out of a deep sense of love and a desire to give them the very best life she possibly could…
“The media room was full of kids, as usual. Some women might be overwhelmed by the noise and mayhem, but not Jude. Years ago — back when the twins were starting sixth grade — she’d made a conscious effort to make her house welcoming. She wanted the kids to hang out here. She’d know herself well enough to know that she didn’t want to be dropping her kids off into another woman’s care; she wanted to be the one in charge… Some days, there were fifteen kids here, eating their way through her snack provisions like locusts. But she knew where her children were and she knew they were safe.”
Of the twins, Zach was popular and outgoing, while Mia was quiet and had trouble making friends, but even with their differences, they were very close and would do anything for each other.
Lexi and Zach met on the first day of school and although they instantly connected, Lexi also met Mia and they quickly bonded into best friends. The girl who had nothing and the girl who had everything. Complete opposites yet kindred spirits. And because of her friendship with Mia, Zach kept his distance from Lexi, not wanting to do anything that would compromise the one friend his beloved sister had finally made.
A few years later, we saw an almost ‘forbidden’ love grow between Lexi and Zach, born out of their connection on the day they first met, and their feelings for each other grew to a point where they finally decided that they they can no longer keep it secret from Mia and his family. But then one night, a horrific tragedy shattered all their lives and the consequences of it quite literally changed everything…
At 51%, my. jaw. dropped. Like holy fuuuuuuuuuuckkkkkk!!!!!!! I was pretty much rendered speechless. It’s safe to say that the story took a turn I was absolutely not expecting at all and I feverishly read on desperate to see how this could ever be resolved. The unfairness of it all tore my heart out!!!
Me at 58% –> THIS. BOOK. IS. KILLING. ME!!!!!!!! Holy angst!!! Gah!!!! MY HEART! Seriously just had to put the book down for a minute because I’m so angry-mad-hurt-sad-wanting-everything-to-just-be-okay!!!!!! AHHH. Ok. I just needed to get that out. *deep breath* I can do this…. *dives back in*
So I’ll be honest, prior to reading this book, I kind of thought or assumed the direction it would take. I mean, it’s pretty clear there’s an accident in the story so I thought it would kinda build up to the accident, then show us the aftermath and healing and such. But this went WAY above and beyond what I could ever have imagined. There’s a deceptively quiet start to the story, then……. hold on to your hat, because it turns into an emotional rollercoaster that seriously put my heart right through the wringer! I still can’t believe that she actually went to youknowwhat and that she was (!!!!!!!) too!! Did not see that coming!
By 83% I was cryyyyyyying!!!!!
I know this isn’t a specifically a romance but even still, the love story within it is SO DAMN POWERFUL and so painfully heart-wrenching that I almost couldn’t stand the depth of emotion I was feeling.
“I just… couldn’t look at him without remembering…”
“Remembering is okay.”
“Not the way I do it. It… breaks me.”
“Maybe you need to be broken a little before you can put yourself back together.”
Oh my gosh, and THIS:
“Do you still love her?”
He seemed to crumble at that. In his eyes, she saw both a fragile youth and a terrible maturity. “I’ve always loved her. I never even tried not to.”
*SOB*
I have to say that I seriously LOVE Kristin Hannah’s writing style. She can write like you wouldn’t believe. Honestly, she’s probably one of the strongest authors I’ve ever read. The way she describes characters and relationship dynamics is downright brilliant. Many of you know how much I love Kristen Ashley‘s romances, and in many ways I almost feel like Kristin Hannah is the KA of fiction novels if that makes sense. She just GETS people and their relationships with each other on such a deep level. It doesn’t matter if you love or hate the characters (you’ll probably go through a whole range of feelings with regards to them) but the way she describes them is just so vivid and believably accurate that they feel REAL.
So like I said, I’m a hardcore romance reader. Like literally for me, when there isn’t a romance as the focus of what I’m reading, I usually just zone out of the story. I can read a 300 page romance book in 2-3 hours, but if I try to read most fiction books, it usually takes me like two weeks to get through the first half. BUT THIS AUTHOR??? I can’t get enough of her writing, and you know why? I think it’s because her stories are just SO character-driven and because she’s just so freaking good at interpersonal relationships that it satisfies that part of me that needs the emotional connection of a romance by giving me these deep feels but just in a different way. There are so many kinds of love in this world and Kristin Hannah doesn’t just focus only on romantic love, she explores all kinds. Within this book, we see mother/child relationships, brother/sister, father/daughter, first love, abandonment, parental support and failure, grief, sacrifice, romance, parenthood, sisterhood, friendships, shattered dreams, second chances, forgiveness, and pure all-consuming love. And because her writing is so amazing, I find myself so easily drawn into her stories because they’re just so powerful and believable and heart-felt. I just love it. Can you tell? Hehe.
This book is an emotional roller-coaster — you’ll laugh and you’ll cry, you’ll fall in love with some characters and probably hate others. You may find yourself hating someone you loved at first and then loving someone you hated. But you may also find yourself forgiving things you never thought you would. You’ll fall in love and have your heart broken, then healed again… it’s just such a powerful journey.
I feel like with so many of the books I read, if I were to individually recommend them to readers one book at a time, there are some I’d recommend to certain readers and ones I’d recommend to others depending on the kinds of books I think they might most enjoy. But Night Road is one of those rare books that I’d honestly recommend to anyone and everyone. I’d recommend it to any reader who came to me, I’d give it to my friends, my family, a random person in a bookstore… I just feel like there’s something in here for so many different types of people. In many ways, it’s a very universal story regardless of whether or not you can personally relate to it. But bottom line is that I’d recommend it to anyone who loves to read. And if you’re a long-time follower of my blog and my recommendations, just know that while this book is a little different than my usual reads, but it fundamentally has all the things I love in it. And I promise that even though the journey throughout the book is often painful and heart-wrenching, the ending is worth it.
“What do I do next?”
“Follow your heart.”
Rating: 5 STARS!!!!! Contemporary fiction standalone.
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Subscribe by email
February 4, 2013
OKAY ALL YOU TROLLS -- COME AND GET ME!!!!!
I know I probably didn't give this enough of a chance. Maybe it would have gotten better. But the other audiobook I was waiting for came in, so it is without any regret whatsoever that I bid this one adieu.
The first thing I noticed about this book was how overwritten it was. Way, way too many adjectives. Kristin Hannah seems to have graduated the Babysitter's Club school of overdescription and ham-fisted characterization. You know how in the Babysitter's Club books the author tells you what they were all wearing, because your sixth grade heart is fascinated by their outfits which, of course, offer deep insight into the characters' complex personalities? Yeah. Just like that.
So of course, the two parents in this book are beautiful with a honeymoonesque marriage and live in a gorgeous house. Jude, the mother, loves tending her orderly garden because of the predictability -- gee, do you think she might be a control freak? I dunno; maybe I need to be hit over the head just a little more with these obvious metaphors. Well, no problem -- conveniently, Jude and her husband get into a discussion right away about Jude's overparenting where Jude's husband decides to list off all the things Jude does for her children on a daily basis. Yup, just like the kind of conversation my husband and I have all the time. Don't worry, readers, we characters don't know you're there -- we just feel this compelling need to recount our everyday behaviors in this spontaneous discussion.
And then there's Lexie, the teenage foster child who's been traumatized repeatedly and just wants someone to love her. She's instantly lovable, of course, no limit-testing or risk-taking or attitude or other difficult behaviors foster children frequently present with (perfectly understandable in the context of what they've been through, just not so easy to live with). But lovable Lexie wouldn't do anything like that, because the reader is meant to have her heartstrings pulled and Lexie's acting difficult might add unwanted complexity. Lexie's aging great-aunt who recently learned of her existence is similarly lovable and loving -- oh, sure, she always wanted a child and is immediately prepared to sacrifice everything for Lexie's sake. No resentment or even ambivalence at this unexpected disruption of her old age and drain on her finances.
This may be the fault of the audiobook reader, but the teenager -- Mia? Oh. My. God. I suppose it's not Kristin Hannah's fault that the audiobook reader decided to read all of Mia's lines in a squeaky, ditzy, Minnie Mouse voice but it just emphasized Mia's over-the-top neediness and insecurity. Yow. Spare me.
I could go on. I did get further in the book, but I think I've pretty much given you a taste of why I'm stopping. This writing style is incredibly off-putting to me, and although it's possible the book gets better, I really don't have the patience if there's something with (hopefully) more potential for me to read. Kristin Hannah and I are just not meant to be, it seems.
I know I probably didn't give this enough of a chance. Maybe it would have gotten better. But the other audiobook I was waiting for came in, so it is without any regret whatsoever that I bid this one adieu.
The first thing I noticed about this book was how overwritten it was. Way, way too many adjectives. Kristin Hannah seems to have graduated the Babysitter's Club school of overdescription and ham-fisted characterization. You know how in the Babysitter's Club books the author tells you what they were all wearing, because your sixth grade heart is fascinated by their outfits which, of course, offer deep insight into the characters' complex personalities? Yeah. Just like that.
So of course, the two parents in this book are beautiful with a honeymoonesque marriage and live in a gorgeous house. Jude, the mother, loves tending her orderly garden because of the predictability -- gee, do you think she might be a control freak? I dunno; maybe I need to be hit over the head just a little more with these obvious metaphors. Well, no problem -- conveniently, Jude and her husband get into a discussion right away about Jude's overparenting where Jude's husband decides to list off all the things Jude does for her children on a daily basis. Yup, just like the kind of conversation my husband and I have all the time. Don't worry, readers, we characters don't know you're there -- we just feel this compelling need to recount our everyday behaviors in this spontaneous discussion.
And then there's Lexie, the teenage foster child who's been traumatized repeatedly and just wants someone to love her. She's instantly lovable, of course, no limit-testing or risk-taking or attitude or other difficult behaviors foster children frequently present with (perfectly understandable in the context of what they've been through, just not so easy to live with). But lovable Lexie wouldn't do anything like that, because the reader is meant to have her heartstrings pulled and Lexie's acting difficult might add unwanted complexity. Lexie's aging great-aunt who recently learned of her existence is similarly lovable and loving -- oh, sure, she always wanted a child and is immediately prepared to sacrifice everything for Lexie's sake. No resentment or even ambivalence at this unexpected disruption of her old age and drain on her finances.
This may be the fault of the audiobook reader, but the teenager -- Mia? Oh. My. God. I suppose it's not Kristin Hannah's fault that the audiobook reader decided to read all of Mia's lines in a squeaky, ditzy, Minnie Mouse voice but it just emphasized Mia's over-the-top neediness and insecurity. Yow. Spare me.
I could go on. I did get further in the book, but I think I've pretty much given you a taste of why I'm stopping. This writing style is incredibly off-putting to me, and although it's possible the book gets better, I really don't have the patience if there's something with (hopefully) more potential for me to read. Kristin Hannah and I are just not meant to be, it seems.
April 21, 2012
Ehnnn...
It's an engaging premise: boy-girl twins who are inseparable, and the girlfriend (of both) who complicates their lives. But Hannah piles on layers of irritating detail: endless descriptions of How the Privileged Live and How the Poor Live (in rusty trailers--and they work at Wal-Mart). How critical it is to get into the right college, and how your life is essentially over if you don't have the money to go to a good college (a fact that is presented without context as just the way life is). Teen-age drinking as inevitable. Teenage sex as inevitable.
Quite obviously, the person readers are supposed to relate to, to feel sorry for, is Jude, the ever-hovering Helicopter Mom. But nobody in this story feels real, with the possible exception of poor Lexi, who gets punished, big-time, for trying to hang out with the advantaged kids. Her reward, which comes in the last 4 or 5 pages of the book defies reality. It's as if Hannah can't decide how to end a complex, layered plot, so pours on a bottle of emotional syrup. Is everybody happy now? No. Not the reader, who's been jerked around enough.
The worst part of the book (the place where I start skimming) is when a friend visits Jude after a horrible funeral, wearing Juicy Couture sweats. Perhaps this is what Hannah and her set does--notices who's wearing expensive designer brands, even in the midst of grief. But...no thanks.
It's an engaging premise: boy-girl twins who are inseparable, and the girlfriend (of both) who complicates their lives. But Hannah piles on layers of irritating detail: endless descriptions of How the Privileged Live and How the Poor Live (in rusty trailers--and they work at Wal-Mart). How critical it is to get into the right college, and how your life is essentially over if you don't have the money to go to a good college (a fact that is presented without context as just the way life is). Teen-age drinking as inevitable. Teenage sex as inevitable.
Quite obviously, the person readers are supposed to relate to, to feel sorry for, is Jude, the ever-hovering Helicopter Mom. But nobody in this story feels real, with the possible exception of poor Lexi, who gets punished, big-time, for trying to hang out with the advantaged kids. Her reward, which comes in the last 4 or 5 pages of the book defies reality. It's as if Hannah can't decide how to end a complex, layered plot, so pours on a bottle of emotional syrup. Is everybody happy now? No. Not the reader, who's been jerked around enough.
The worst part of the book (the place where I start skimming) is when a friend visits Jude after a horrible funeral, wearing Juicy Couture sweats. Perhaps this is what Hannah and her set does--notices who's wearing expensive designer brands, even in the midst of grief. But...no thanks.
February 15, 2012
I almost gave this book one star, but since I at least finished reading it, I figured it had a little merit. Overall, I found the characters unrealistic, shallow, and almost caricatures. I'm not one to speak ill of the dead, but since it's a fictional character I will. Mia is an over-privileged, over indulged self-centered poor little rich girl with no coping skills. We find out out deeply into the book that someone called her "pizza face" in 8th grade so that's why she's frail and needy for the rest of her life. She's blond, beautiful and rich with an extremely handsome and popular twin brother, and she has enough acting chops to get into USC, but she's so fragile. She doesn't even consider that her twin brother might have different college aspirations, much less other life ambitions. She wants USC, so to USC he must go. She can't go alone. God forbid .... So too, the other characters are extremely exagerrated versions of good and evil. Miles the father is always wise and good. The grandmother, Jude's mother, is always cold and harsh. Not believable.
As for the story itself, you know from the book jacket that there's going to be an accident and you're just waiting to find out who dies.
Too much of the first half of the book is just very repetitive character portrayals of fragile Mia, strong Lexi, and handsome Zach. The second half of the story, from the accident and forward, it moves on, but by then it's built on unbelievable characters, so it lacks the ability to evoke pathos from the reader. Curiousity to see how it all comes to closure brings the reader to the end, but not with empathy.
Overall, this was a disappointment from Kristen Hannah. I have higher hopes for Home Front.
As for the story itself, you know from the book jacket that there's going to be an accident and you're just waiting to find out who dies.
Too much of the first half of the book is just very repetitive character portrayals of fragile Mia, strong Lexi, and handsome Zach. The second half of the story, from the accident and forward, it moves on, but by then it's built on unbelievable characters, so it lacks the ability to evoke pathos from the reader. Curiousity to see how it all comes to closure brings the reader to the end, but not with empathy.
Overall, this was a disappointment from Kristen Hannah. I have higher hopes for Home Front.
January 21, 2012
This is definitely a book I will be recommending to friends for a long time. Surprisingly, I hadn't heard anything about this book until I went to vote on the 2011 Goodreads polls a few months ago. This book was nominated for best book of 2011, and the cover instantly stood out to me, and I think it's very beautiful. I read the synopsis, and at first was hesitant, because the title, and synopsis seemed to give me the impression that the book would be very predictable. Definitely not the case.
Jude lives in a small town raising her twins Mia and Zack. Along with her husband Miles, they seem to live the perfect life in their perfect little community. Zach is very popular, but Mia is quite reserved. One day at school Mia meets a girl named Lexi when she discovers her reading a book she likes. She warns Lexi that being her friend is social suicide, but Lexi doesn't care. Lexi was from a from a foster home, and has a dark past, but Jude welcomes her daughter's new friend. Eventually she becomes like one of the family, as they all get along so well.
When I first started reading I loved the writing style. I enjoyed the fact that it changed POV between a teen and a mom. I thought that was kind of unique. The characters were great. Lexi was one of the most wonderfully written characters I have ever read about. The way she grows as a person in this book is simply astonishing. Jude was another well developed character that I could really relate to as a mom. She was over the top at times, in terms of her overbearing methods, but her heart was always in the right place. Every character in this story loves completely with all their heart. The supporting characters shined as well. The relationships between Lexi/Jude, Lexi/Mia, Lexi/Zach, and Zach/Mia were very well done.
This book has so many twists, and some are so major you wonder if you are still reading the same book. Hannah will take your emotions all over the place. One minute you will be laughing along with the family, one minute in tears, and another minute feeling angry about things that are going on. You will never be bored for a second reading this book, and I actually read it in one sitting, because I just had to know what would happen next.
I feel like this book sends lots of great messages about love, loss, forgiveness, acceptance and much more,and I feel she can send her messages in a positive way without ever sounding preachy. Night Road is an emotionally complex book, and it's truly unforgettable. This is my first book of Hannah's, and I will definitely be checking out more of her books!
I really think this is a book that can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike, but I do feel us moms can truly appreciate it the most.
Jude lives in a small town raising her twins Mia and Zack. Along with her husband Miles, they seem to live the perfect life in their perfect little community. Zach is very popular, but Mia is quite reserved. One day at school Mia meets a girl named Lexi when she discovers her reading a book she likes. She warns Lexi that being her friend is social suicide, but Lexi doesn't care. Lexi was from a from a foster home, and has a dark past, but Jude welcomes her daughter's new friend. Eventually she becomes like one of the family, as they all get along so well.
When I first started reading I loved the writing style. I enjoyed the fact that it changed POV between a teen and a mom. I thought that was kind of unique. The characters were great. Lexi was one of the most wonderfully written characters I have ever read about. The way she grows as a person in this book is simply astonishing. Jude was another well developed character that I could really relate to as a mom. She was over the top at times, in terms of her overbearing methods, but her heart was always in the right place. Every character in this story loves completely with all their heart. The supporting characters shined as well. The relationships between Lexi/Jude, Lexi/Mia, Lexi/Zach, and Zach/Mia were very well done.
This book has so many twists, and some are so major you wonder if you are still reading the same book. Hannah will take your emotions all over the place. One minute you will be laughing along with the family, one minute in tears, and another minute feeling angry about things that are going on. You will never be bored for a second reading this book, and I actually read it in one sitting, because I just had to know what would happen next.
I feel like this book sends lots of great messages about love, loss, forgiveness, acceptance and much more,and I feel she can send her messages in a positive way without ever sounding preachy. Night Road is an emotionally complex book, and it's truly unforgettable. This is my first book of Hannah's, and I will definitely be checking out more of her books!
I really think this is a book that can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike, but I do feel us moms can truly appreciate it the most.
October 16, 2020
****WARNING!!!! READ THIS REVIEW IF YOU HAVE READ THIS BOOK! Contains spoilers.****
Speechless. This book has made me speechless. I'm repeating myself because that's exactly how I feel. This book has pulled my heartstrings. I love Zach, Lexi and Grace. (Obviously!) At first I definitely had mixed feelings about Jude, like she was the mother who revolved her life around her kids, wanted the best for her children (which all parents want), but then I hated her for charging charges against Lexi. I hated how everyone thought of themselves that time. It was always about MIA and it was about her after she DIED, like for god sakes keeping her IMMORTAL in their thoughts when someone dies is one thing, but revolving it around your entire existence forgetting everyone around them. It is too much.
Poor Lexi. That poor girl was blamed for it when it wasn't her FAULT, I mean come on she was the only one who wasn't that drunk. My heart felt for Lexi when she had to give her baby away, she carried her baby for nine months only for her to be taken away and than again she was left with the pain and loss of losing everything. (Once again Mia takes the spotlight.)
Zach had it so hard I wished he fought a little harder though, I know after losing his sister it was very hard for him but he only tried to keep his mother happy when all she did was neglect him. (One would think that after you lose one child, you would keep the other in front of your eyes and shower them with lots of love. She didn't instead she wallowed in her own pain and didn't care for Miles pain; he lost his daughter too. Zach lost his sister too, but he is holding it together).
Lexi lost her best friend. SHE has to carry the burden of being the driver. That girl had enough grief in life and she was blamed for her death. Jude told her she KILLED her daughter. Ughh, I wanted to punch her in the face! Can't you see that poor girl heart broken.
Miles and Eve are the best. I loved them both, they were the pillars for Zach and Lexi.
There was many moments when I thought WHAT IF... Lexi didn't plead guilty would her sentence have been short? Would she have gone to prison? Maybe because of the way it went down? I had the moments where I hoped for a different outcome because it would have been easier on Lexi to move on. For her to perhaps have her own happy ending?
OVERALL
This story is STUPENDOUS, FANTASTIC AND AMAZING. It's really hard to find such emotional books that are written so well and beautifully. This book made me think of so many things. Such as... We are human and we will tend to make so many mistakes that it takes a lot to OWN up to them and learn from them.
My Verdict? 5 PLUS STARS (5 stars don't cover it and neither does 10 stars so infinity number of stars should cover it since it has no bounds) :)
Speechless. This book has made me speechless. I'm repeating myself because that's exactly how I feel. This book has pulled my heartstrings. I love Zach, Lexi and Grace. (Obviously!) At first I definitely had mixed feelings about Jude, like she was the mother who revolved her life around her kids, wanted the best for her children (which all parents want), but then I hated her for charging charges against Lexi. I hated how everyone thought of themselves that time. It was always about MIA and it was about her after she DIED, like for god sakes keeping her IMMORTAL in their thoughts when someone dies is one thing, but revolving it around your entire existence forgetting everyone around them. It is too much.
Poor Lexi. That poor girl was blamed for it when it wasn't her FAULT, I mean come on she was the only one who wasn't that drunk. My heart felt for Lexi when she had to give her baby away, she carried her baby for nine months only for her to be taken away and than again she was left with the pain and loss of losing everything. (Once again Mia takes the spotlight.)
Zach had it so hard I wished he fought a little harder though, I know after losing his sister it was very hard for him but he only tried to keep his mother happy when all she did was neglect him. (One would think that after you lose one child, you would keep the other in front of your eyes and shower them with lots of love. She didn't instead she wallowed in her own pain and didn't care for Miles pain; he lost his daughter too. Zach lost his sister too, but he is holding it together).
Lexi lost her best friend. SHE has to carry the burden of being the driver. That girl had enough grief in life and she was blamed for her death. Jude told her she KILLED her daughter. Ughh, I wanted to punch her in the face! Can't you see that poor girl heart broken.
Miles and Eve are the best. I loved them both, they were the pillars for Zach and Lexi.
There was many moments when I thought WHAT IF... Lexi didn't plead guilty would her sentence have been short? Would she have gone to prison? Maybe because of the way it went down? I had the moments where I hoped for a different outcome because it would have been easier on Lexi to move on. For her to perhaps have her own happy ending?
OVERALL
This story is STUPENDOUS, FANTASTIC AND AMAZING. It's really hard to find such emotional books that are written so well and beautifully. This book made me think of so many things. Such as... We are human and we will tend to make so many mistakes that it takes a lot to OWN up to them and learn from them.
My Verdict? 5 PLUS STARS (5 stars don't cover it and neither does 10 stars so infinity number of stars should cover it since it has no bounds) :)
February 7, 2022
This is a Women's Fiction. This book pulled me in from the beginning. This book made me think about things so hard, and it also made me cry so hard. I had to stop reading at times because I was crying so hard. There is a big event that changes the life of all the main characters in this book, and in some way all of the main characters are in some way had a hand in what happen. I love Kristin Hannah writing, and this book did not disappoint me. This book covers something that can be very hard to read, so if you get upset by reading hard to read topics then you should look into what is in this book. I think all teenagers in high school and high school parents should read this book.
March 4, 2013
Lexi Baill arrives in Washington State to live with her aunt, Eva Lange, in 2000. Lexi has been bounced around many foster homes throughout her childhood, and spent some sporadic years living with her drug-addict mother in between. But now Lexi has found a home and stability with her aunt Eva, living in a little yellow trailer in Port George, Washington.
Jude Farraday is mother to twins Zach and Mia – polar opposites and partners in crime. Mia is shy and reclusive, while Zach is popular and outgoing. The two are best friends, and the pride of Jude’s life. Jude’s doctor husband, Miles, may have a point about her helicopter-parenting and reluctance to cut the apron-strings where the twins are concerned, but Jude’s own childhood was a lonely one cut off from her mother after her father’s death, and she won’t do that to Mia and Zach.
When Mia and Lexi strike up a powerful bond over a shared-love of classic literature, Jude is both relieved and nervous. Lexi brings Mia out of her shell, but Jude is also aware that the Farraday’s have a very different, privileged life to that of Lexi and her aunt . . . then there’s the fact that Mia has been hurt in the past, when her girlfriends developed crushes on Zach, and abandoned Mia for him.
But Mia and Lexi prove to have a bond that’s almost as strong as the one Mia and Zach have – and for three years they are the best of friends . . . until one night changes everything. Zach is left an only-child, Jude is cut adrift and Lexi takes on the burden of blame – and none of them will ever be the same again.
‘Night Road’ was the 2011 popular fiction title from Kristin Hannah.
This novel is just awful. I hated reading it – all the characters irked me, and some of them made me want to reach into the story and throttle them. But I kept reading because I wanted to know how it would end. . . this book is, literally, like a McDonalds meal that you start feeling guilty about from the first bite but you can’t stop yourself from finishing all of it.
We begin in 2000, when Lexi arrives at Port George and strikes up a friendship with Mia and is welcomed into the Farraday bosom by Jude. The first few pages introduce us to Lexi – a young girl who has had an unfair share of heartache in her short life. Between foster homes and witnessing her mother’s decline (more than once) her arrival in Port George to live with her unknown Aunt Eva is the first really good thing to happen to Lexi, possibly in her whole life.
Then we’re introduced to Jude – who is panicking about her kid’s first day of high school. She’s worried that Mia won’t make friends, and she’s concerned about the kind of friends Zach will make . . . yep, Jude is one of those parents. Meeting Jude and the Farraday family after having first met Lexi is rather jarring – even more so when Jude goes over the floor-plan of their massive manor-home (the kids have the entire first floor to themselves – including a gaming room.) Straight away, I was on Lexi’s side and more invested in her story and narrative voice. I’ll always root for the underdog, and compared to the obnoxious wealth of the Farraday’s, Lexi is an extreme-underdog
Then the timeline of this story starts getting a little skewed . . . we jump ahead from 2000 to three years later (right in an odd place too, Hannah snaps forward right before we’re about to read Jude, Mia and Lexi start bonding on a girl��s outing).
The next little chunk of timeline concerns Lexi and Zach’s developing feelings for one another in senior year of high school – something they have to hide from Mia because she’s so fragile after having one friend in the past hook-up and break-up with her brother that has apparently scarred her for life. Geez. You know things aren’t good when you give characters nicknames in your head – Mia was ‘needy-psycho’ to me. This girl just grated – though I think Hannah meant to portray her as a sweet, innocent soul who needed looking after . . . I just read ‘whinger’. This section of story also concerns Lexi working round-the-clock at an ice-cream store to try and scrape enough money together to go to a small state school, while Mia and Zach are struggling to decide between USC, Yale, Stanford . . . and of course dominating parent, Jude, is stressing right along with them. When Lexi’s Aunt Eva contemplates dipping into her life-savings to help Lexi go to a four-year school, I officially wanted to smack every Farraday character over the head, repeatedly.
Now, a huge let-down of this book is the supposed soul-mate romance of Zach and Lexi – which is meant to cover all manner of ills and explain a lot, later in the story. It doesn’t help that Zach is written a little too true-to-life as a teenage boy who says not a whole lot. Seriously – when Hannah pulls the “he’s in love with her!” card I was sitting there thinking ‘Really? How can you tell? The boy does not talk!’ Actually, Zach suffers the same fate as his father, Miles, in that neither male character does or says a whole lot. The men in this story feel depleted and sidelined, completely overpowered by the women despite them all going through the same losses and traumas. This is especially bad for Jude’s story – I might have warmed to her if she had been a well-rounded woman but she is literally labelled MOTHER and not much else. Her marriage, despite going through the biggest trauma any relationship can experience, is just back-burner to her being a mother (and then a mother who loses a child). She gardens, but that’s really her only discernible characteristic. She has her own mother-issues, but they’re anaemic and not at all an excuse for her being such a one-dimensional mother-cyborg. I get that this is the point of ‘Night Road’ – here is a woman who sees herself as a mother and nothing else, and what happens when that’s (partly) taken away from her? Well, that’s boring to me. Jude is the book-equivalent of all those people in my Facebook feed who only post photos and updates about their kids and nothing else – as if they weren’t really alive until they had offspring. Blergh.
The second-half of the story jumps ahead to 2010 and concerns everyone’s fate after the tragic accident that kills Mia . . . and lays blame entirely (unfairly) at Lexi’s feet.
Now, if this had been a Jodi Picoult novel, you can bet this would have been the point that the story started. Because this is the most interesting portion of the whole book – everything else that came before; setting up Mia & Zach’s twin-dynamic, Jude’s helicopter parenting, the kids growing, Lexi & Zach’s romance . . . all that was just boring filler. Part-two of the story, which starts at page 241 of this 385-page book, is where the whole thing should have started from (with some backtracking of story origin). Here is where Hannah pulls out questions of morality, forgiving, guilt and redemption.
Jude just gets worse. Maybe I was meant to feel sympathy for her – but I have little sympathy for those determined to be victims and wallow in their own pain while blaming and punishing others for their state of being.
“Most patients want to learn how to live. They want me to make a map that they can follow to get them to a healthy future. You simply just want to survive each day.”
“He-llo. I’m not bipolar or schizophrenic or borderline. I’m sad. My daughter died, and I’m devastated. There’s no getting better.”
“Is that what you want to believe?”
“It’s the way it is.” Jude crossed her arms. “Look, you’ve helped me, if that’s what this is about. Maybe you think I should be doing better by now, maybe you think six years is a long time. But it’s not, not when your child died. And I am doing better. I grocery shop. I cook dinner. I go out with girlfriends. I make love to my husband. I vote.”
I cannot, for the life of me, tell you why I didn’t chuck this book away about 20 pages into it. But I think I was looking forward to the skip-ahead portion, when we get to the meat of the morality-story. And, honestly, I did race to read this last half (though it left me utterly unsatisfied). Hannah rushes the ending, and what could actually take up an entire 300+ pages is watered-down with happily-ever-after shenanigans and unbelievable resolutions .
I know that popular-fiction writers get a bad rep. Their books are seen as nothing more substantial than fairy-floss . . . but, by God!, there are nuances within this genre. Someone like Jodi Picoult can have me enraptured in a couple of chapters, and I’ll finish one of (admittedly, earlier) books a weeping-wreck, but completely satisfied. Then you read someone like Kristin Hannah who writes despicable characters like Jude (I’m convinced we were meant to like her) and waffles on for 280-pages writing absolute filler rubbish – only to leave the actual meat of the story for the last 100 rushed pages. But, you know, I can only blame myself for this one – I knew it was bad after the first chapter, but I kept punishing myself and reading it. Fool me once.
1.5/5
Jude Farraday is mother to twins Zach and Mia – polar opposites and partners in crime. Mia is shy and reclusive, while Zach is popular and outgoing. The two are best friends, and the pride of Jude’s life. Jude’s doctor husband, Miles, may have a point about her helicopter-parenting and reluctance to cut the apron-strings where the twins are concerned, but Jude’s own childhood was a lonely one cut off from her mother after her father’s death, and she won’t do that to Mia and Zach.
When Mia and Lexi strike up a powerful bond over a shared-love of classic literature, Jude is both relieved and nervous. Lexi brings Mia out of her shell, but Jude is also aware that the Farraday’s have a very different, privileged life to that of Lexi and her aunt . . . then there’s the fact that Mia has been hurt in the past, when her girlfriends developed crushes on Zach, and abandoned Mia for him.
But Mia and Lexi prove to have a bond that’s almost as strong as the one Mia and Zach have – and for three years they are the best of friends . . . until one night changes everything. Zach is left an only-child, Jude is cut adrift and Lexi takes on the burden of blame – and none of them will ever be the same again.
‘Night Road’ was the 2011 popular fiction title from Kristin Hannah.
This novel is just awful. I hated reading it – all the characters irked me, and some of them made me want to reach into the story and throttle them. But I kept reading because I wanted to know how it would end. . . this book is, literally, like a McDonalds meal that you start feeling guilty about from the first bite but you can’t stop yourself from finishing all of it.
We begin in 2000, when Lexi arrives at Port George and strikes up a friendship with Mia and is welcomed into the Farraday bosom by Jude. The first few pages introduce us to Lexi – a young girl who has had an unfair share of heartache in her short life. Between foster homes and witnessing her mother’s decline (more than once) her arrival in Port George to live with her unknown Aunt Eva is the first really good thing to happen to Lexi, possibly in her whole life.
Then we’re introduced to Jude – who is panicking about her kid’s first day of high school. She’s worried that Mia won’t make friends, and she’s concerned about the kind of friends Zach will make . . . yep, Jude is one of those parents. Meeting Jude and the Farraday family after having first met Lexi is rather jarring – even more so when Jude goes over the floor-plan of their massive manor-home (the kids have the entire first floor to themselves – including a gaming room.) Straight away, I was on Lexi’s side and more invested in her story and narrative voice. I’ll always root for the underdog, and compared to the obnoxious wealth of the Farraday’s, Lexi is an extreme-underdog
Then the timeline of this story starts getting a little skewed . . . we jump ahead from 2000 to three years later (right in an odd place too, Hannah snaps forward right before we’re about to read Jude, Mia and Lexi start bonding on a girl��s outing).
The next little chunk of timeline concerns Lexi and Zach’s developing feelings for one another in senior year of high school – something they have to hide from Mia because she’s so fragile after having one friend in the past hook-up and break-up with her brother that has apparently scarred her for life. Geez. You know things aren’t good when you give characters nicknames in your head – Mia was ‘needy-psycho’ to me. This girl just grated – though I think Hannah meant to portray her as a sweet, innocent soul who needed looking after . . . I just read ‘whinger’. This section of story also concerns Lexi working round-the-clock at an ice-cream store to try and scrape enough money together to go to a small state school, while Mia and Zach are struggling to decide between USC, Yale, Stanford . . . and of course dominating parent, Jude, is stressing right along with them. When Lexi’s Aunt Eva contemplates dipping into her life-savings to help Lexi go to a four-year school, I officially wanted to smack every Farraday character over the head, repeatedly.
Now, a huge let-down of this book is the supposed soul-mate romance of Zach and Lexi – which is meant to cover all manner of ills and explain a lot, later in the story. It doesn’t help that Zach is written a little too true-to-life as a teenage boy who says not a whole lot. Seriously – when Hannah pulls the “he’s in love with her!” card I was sitting there thinking ‘Really? How can you tell? The boy does not talk!’ Actually, Zach suffers the same fate as his father, Miles, in that neither male character does or says a whole lot. The men in this story feel depleted and sidelined, completely overpowered by the women despite them all going through the same losses and traumas. This is especially bad for Jude’s story – I might have warmed to her if she had been a well-rounded woman but she is literally labelled MOTHER and not much else. Her marriage, despite going through the biggest trauma any relationship can experience, is just back-burner to her being a mother (and then a mother who loses a child). She gardens, but that’s really her only discernible characteristic. She has her own mother-issues, but they’re anaemic and not at all an excuse for her being such a one-dimensional mother-cyborg. I get that this is the point of ‘Night Road’ – here is a woman who sees herself as a mother and nothing else, and what happens when that’s (partly) taken away from her? Well, that’s boring to me. Jude is the book-equivalent of all those people in my Facebook feed who only post photos and updates about their kids and nothing else – as if they weren’t really alive until they had offspring. Blergh.
The second-half of the story jumps ahead to 2010 and concerns everyone’s fate after the tragic accident that kills Mia . . . and lays blame entirely (unfairly) at Lexi’s feet.
Now, if this had been a Jodi Picoult novel, you can bet this would have been the point that the story started. Because this is the most interesting portion of the whole book – everything else that came before; setting up Mia & Zach’s twin-dynamic, Jude’s helicopter parenting, the kids growing, Lexi & Zach’s romance . . . all that was just boring filler. Part-two of the story, which starts at page 241 of this 385-page book, is where the whole thing should have started from (with some backtracking of story origin). Here is where Hannah pulls out questions of morality, forgiving, guilt and redemption.
Jude just gets worse. Maybe I was meant to feel sympathy for her – but I have little sympathy for those determined to be victims and wallow in their own pain while blaming and punishing others for their state of being.
“Most patients want to learn how to live. They want me to make a map that they can follow to get them to a healthy future. You simply just want to survive each day.”
“He-llo. I’m not bipolar or schizophrenic or borderline. I’m sad. My daughter died, and I’m devastated. There’s no getting better.”
“Is that what you want to believe?”
“It’s the way it is.” Jude crossed her arms. “Look, you’ve helped me, if that’s what this is about. Maybe you think I should be doing better by now, maybe you think six years is a long time. But it’s not, not when your child died. And I am doing better. I grocery shop. I cook dinner. I go out with girlfriends. I make love to my husband. I vote.”
I cannot, for the life of me, tell you why I didn’t chuck this book away about 20 pages into it. But I think I was looking forward to the skip-ahead portion, when we get to the meat of the morality-story. And, honestly, I did race to read this last half (though it left me utterly unsatisfied). Hannah rushes the ending, and what could actually take up an entire 300+ pages is watered-down with happily-ever-after shenanigans and unbelievable resolutions .
I know that popular-fiction writers get a bad rep. Their books are seen as nothing more substantial than fairy-floss . . . but, by God!, there are nuances within this genre. Someone like Jodi Picoult can have me enraptured in a couple of chapters, and I’ll finish one of (admittedly, earlier) books a weeping-wreck, but completely satisfied. Then you read someone like Kristin Hannah who writes despicable characters like Jude (I’m convinced we were meant to like her) and waffles on for 280-pages writing absolute filler rubbish – only to leave the actual meat of the story for the last 100 rushed pages. But, you know, I can only blame myself for this one – I knew it was bad after the first chapter, but I kept punishing myself and reading it. Fool me once.
1.5/5
March 19, 2022
About the book: “Vivid, universal, and emotionally complex, Kristin Hannah's Night Road raises profound questions about motherhood, identity, love, and forgiveness.
"A rich, multilayered reading experience, and an easy recommendation for book clubs." —Library Journal (starred review).”
This was my first time reading Night Road, and I am grateful I finally met Jude Farraday. She’s a devoted SAHM to her twins, Mia and Zach, who are now teenagers. Mia’s new best friend, Lexi, was previously in foster care, though now her life is more settled. Jude loves Lexi and makes her part of the family. Zach also falls in love with her, literally.
Then, a tragic accident happens. All fingers point at Lexi, which tears apart her ties to the Farraday family she loves so much.
Years later, Lexi wants closure when she returns to visit Jude. Will Jude move forward and forgive Lexi, or is she not ready to let go?
Oh my, full of emotions, just as we expect from Kristin Hannah. Night Road is about incredible loss, a mother’s grief, actually the whole community comes together in their grief, as well as forgiveness. Have those tissues ready. I learned a lot from Jude and Lexi.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
"A rich, multilayered reading experience, and an easy recommendation for book clubs." —Library Journal (starred review).”
This was my first time reading Night Road, and I am grateful I finally met Jude Farraday. She’s a devoted SAHM to her twins, Mia and Zach, who are now teenagers. Mia’s new best friend, Lexi, was previously in foster care, though now her life is more settled. Jude loves Lexi and makes her part of the family. Zach also falls in love with her, literally.
Then, a tragic accident happens. All fingers point at Lexi, which tears apart her ties to the Farraday family she loves so much.
Years later, Lexi wants closure when she returns to visit Jude. Will Jude move forward and forgive Lexi, or is she not ready to let go?
Oh my, full of emotions, just as we expect from Kristin Hannah. Night Road is about incredible loss, a mother’s grief, actually the whole community comes together in their grief, as well as forgiveness. Have those tissues ready. I learned a lot from Jude and Lexi.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
April 7, 2022
I didn’t read anything about this book before I started it. I just saw the name Kristin Hannah and downloaded it. At somewhere around the 40 percent mark, my heart sunk. I had to speed read a section of it because it just got too sad. In fiction, you want to put your protagonist against some kind of challenge . . . and then things get even worse. I was silently begging Ms. Hannah not to make things any worse. She did, but she was kind enough to skip ahead so the reader knows bad stuff went down, but we don’t have to read every minute of it. I cried several times through this story, feeling terrible for absolutely every character. Hannah is such a ridiculously gifted writer.
September 11, 2018
Higher than a 5 from me. I couldn't put this down. Night road made me feel, think, ask myself questions and want to talk about it. Unforgettable and one I will think of often.
January 23, 2022
A heartbreaking story of motherhood and the tough choices that parents and their teenagers must make. Night Road recounts a terrible tragedy and examines how loss forever changes you.
Young Lexi has had a hard life. Being the daughter of a drug addict, she spent the better part of her childhood moving around foster homes while being continuously let down by her mother. When her great aunt takes her in, she moves to Washington to start a new life. At high school she meets the Farraday family. Mia quickly becomes her best friend, Zach her first love, Jude an admired mother figure, and Miles the level-headed father in the background. Though the Farraday’s have opened their home to Lexi, Jude has her doubts about her twin’s strong connection to Lexi, worrying how it might affect her children’s future.
This novel is fast paced. Hannah’s writing is rich and descriptive transporting you into the parent’s and teen’s inner world. The first half of the book is a touching tale of young love, friendship, and chosen family. However, you can’t help but feel that something bad is looming around the corner.
When devastating tragedy strikes, blame is placed, tension develops, and each character is faced with their own guilt and grief. Your heart aches for both the family’s horrible misfortune and all the harshness Lexi experiences. The characters were developed well, having grown and learned lessons by the end. They each worked to take responsibility for their mistakes, right their wrongs, and forgive not only others, but themselves too.
Night Road is a powerful story of loss, acceptance, and redemption. The novel showed that healing requires letting go and holding on at the same time. Even if we get lost, we can always forge a new path and find a way forward. I truly enjoyed this captivating Kristin Hannah novel!
Young Lexi has had a hard life. Being the daughter of a drug addict, she spent the better part of her childhood moving around foster homes while being continuously let down by her mother. When her great aunt takes her in, she moves to Washington to start a new life. At high school she meets the Farraday family. Mia quickly becomes her best friend, Zach her first love, Jude an admired mother figure, and Miles the level-headed father in the background. Though the Farraday’s have opened their home to Lexi, Jude has her doubts about her twin’s strong connection to Lexi, worrying how it might affect her children’s future.
This novel is fast paced. Hannah’s writing is rich and descriptive transporting you into the parent’s and teen’s inner world. The first half of the book is a touching tale of young love, friendship, and chosen family. However, you can’t help but feel that something bad is looming around the corner.
When devastating tragedy strikes, blame is placed, tension develops, and each character is faced with their own guilt and grief. Your heart aches for both the family’s horrible misfortune and all the harshness Lexi experiences. The characters were developed well, having grown and learned lessons by the end. They each worked to take responsibility for their mistakes, right their wrongs, and forgive not only others, but themselves too.
Night Road is a powerful story of loss, acceptance, and redemption. The novel showed that healing requires letting go and holding on at the same time. Even if we get lost, we can always forge a new path and find a way forward. I truly enjoyed this captivating Kristin Hannah novel!
March 10, 2019
Kristin Hannah killed it again with this book! Like the other four books of hers’ I’ve read, it’s a deeply emotional character story – this time about friendship, love, loss, and family. It centers around a high school girl named Lexi, who’s been bounced around from one foster home to another thanks to a loser drug addict mom who’s more concerned with getting high than caring for her daughter. Things begin to improve for Lexi when she’s taken in by her kindly aunt, and befriends an outcast girl named Mia, but a tragic mistake one night shatters everything. It’s a little slow and sappy at the beginning, but then it hits a surprise twist – and after that it grabs your heartstrings and doesn’t let go. While it’s not at the level of Kristin’s book, “The Nightingale,” it’s still a fantastic 5-star read.
March 3, 2019
Beautiful, emotive haunting read - another masterpiece from Kristin
The story begins with Lexi, she has had a traumatic start to life, her mother suffered from mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse and recently passed away. Lexi was placed into foster care. In 5 years she's lived with multiple families and attended multiple schools Lexi has never felt like she belonged or felt loved, it was so easy for her foster carers to return her like an unwanted gift.
Now she is 14 years old, Lexi’s Aunt Eva has her taken her in to live with her in Port George. Aunt Eva doesn’t have much, but she makes her feel wanted and cared for.
Lexi starts at her new school and meets Mia, they bond over their love of books. Mia and Lexi are inseparable and become best friends. Mia lives in a beautiful home and has a loving family her mother, father and twin brother Zach, a very different world to Lexi, an orphan living in a trailer with her aunt in the outskirts of the affluent Pine Island.
Senior year is approaching, Mia and Lexi are as close as ever. Lexi and Zach (Mia’s twin brother) have fallen in love, all three of them are excited for their future and making plans after college. But one night before graduation, something goes horribly wrong that will change the three young lives forever…..
This book pulls at the old heart strings, at its core is friendship, love, tragedy and learning to forgive.
It is poignant and heartbreaking, I absolutely loved this book… I couldn’t put in down and read it in one day. This is my 3rd novel from Kristin, after The Nightingale and Winter Garden….
I give it a solid 5 stars!
The story begins with Lexi, she has had a traumatic start to life, her mother suffered from mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse and recently passed away. Lexi was placed into foster care. In 5 years she's lived with multiple families and attended multiple schools Lexi has never felt like she belonged or felt loved, it was so easy for her foster carers to return her like an unwanted gift.
Now she is 14 years old, Lexi’s Aunt Eva has her taken her in to live with her in Port George. Aunt Eva doesn’t have much, but she makes her feel wanted and cared for.
Lexi starts at her new school and meets Mia, they bond over their love of books. Mia and Lexi are inseparable and become best friends. Mia lives in a beautiful home and has a loving family her mother, father and twin brother Zach, a very different world to Lexi, an orphan living in a trailer with her aunt in the outskirts of the affluent Pine Island.
Senior year is approaching, Mia and Lexi are as close as ever. Lexi and Zach (Mia’s twin brother) have fallen in love, all three of them are excited for their future and making plans after college. But one night before graduation, something goes horribly wrong that will change the three young lives forever…..
This book pulls at the old heart strings, at its core is friendship, love, tragedy and learning to forgive.
It is poignant and heartbreaking, I absolutely loved this book… I couldn’t put in down and read it in one day. This is my 3rd novel from Kristin, after The Nightingale and Winter Garden….
I give it a solid 5 stars!
August 26, 2016
WOOOW wow wow. I did not expect to love this as much as I did. Or become as addicted.
The story was pretty predictable but so good. And so sad. It made me cry, it made me smile, it did so many things in between.
I really loved the characters and loved seeing their growth and change and heartbreak and AH it was just so good y'all.
The story was pretty predictable but so good. And so sad. It made me cry, it made me smile, it did so many things in between.
I really loved the characters and loved seeing their growth and change and heartbreak and AH it was just so good y'all.
February 20, 2024
Kristin Hannah's "Night Road" intricately weaves a tapestry of emotions, drawing readers into the intimate lives of the characters with a rare blend of compassion and realism. Against the lush backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, the narrative unfolds with an exquisite attention to detail, capturing the essence of the setting and enriching the overall reading experience.
At the heart of the story are Lexi and Mia, two friends whose unbreakable bond is the beating heart of the novel. The dynamics between them and their children, Zach and Jude, reflect the complexities of friendship, parenthood, and the delicate dance between independence and protection. As the teenagers grapple with the challenges of growing up, Hannah skillfully explores the universal themes of identity, peer pressure, and the quest for self-discovery.
The pivotal moment, a tragic incident on a night that leaves an indelible mark on everyone involved, becomes the focal point that propels the narrative forward. Hannah navigates the aftermath with a deft touch, unraveling the layers of guilt, grief, and the profound impact of choices made in the heat of the moment. Readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster, experiencing the characters' pain, confusion, and, ultimately, their quest for healing and redemption.
One of the novel's strengths lies in Hannah's ability to delve into the nuanced relationships between parents and their children. The story explores the delicate balance between offering guidance and allowing freedom, depicting the profound impact that well-intentioned decisions can have on the lives of the characters.
As the characters grapple with loss and attempt to rebuild their lives, the narrative unfolds with grace and poignancy. Hannah's prose is both eloquent and evocative, capturing the depth of human emotions with a keen understanding of the human condition. "Night Road" is not just a story; it's an exploration of the enduring strength of love, the complexities of forgiveness, and the resilience of the human spirit.
In the tapestry of contemporary fiction, Kristin Hannah's "Night Road" stands out as a compelling and beautifully crafted narrative. It is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess, creating an immersive experience that resonates long after the final chapter. This novel is not merely a read; it's an emotional journey that leaves an indelible mark on the reader's soul.
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At the heart of the story are Lexi and Mia, two friends whose unbreakable bond is the beating heart of the novel. The dynamics between them and their children, Zach and Jude, reflect the complexities of friendship, parenthood, and the delicate dance between independence and protection. As the teenagers grapple with the challenges of growing up, Hannah skillfully explores the universal themes of identity, peer pressure, and the quest for self-discovery.
The pivotal moment, a tragic incident on a night that leaves an indelible mark on everyone involved, becomes the focal point that propels the narrative forward. Hannah navigates the aftermath with a deft touch, unraveling the layers of guilt, grief, and the profound impact of choices made in the heat of the moment. Readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster, experiencing the characters' pain, confusion, and, ultimately, their quest for healing and redemption.
One of the novel's strengths lies in Hannah's ability to delve into the nuanced relationships between parents and their children. The story explores the delicate balance between offering guidance and allowing freedom, depicting the profound impact that well-intentioned decisions can have on the lives of the characters.
As the characters grapple with loss and attempt to rebuild their lives, the narrative unfolds with grace and poignancy. Hannah's prose is both eloquent and evocative, capturing the depth of human emotions with a keen understanding of the human condition. "Night Road" is not just a story; it's an exploration of the enduring strength of love, the complexities of forgiveness, and the resilience of the human spirit.
In the tapestry of contemporary fiction, Kristin Hannah's "Night Road" stands out as a compelling and beautifully crafted narrative. It is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess, creating an immersive experience that resonates long after the final chapter. This novel is not merely a read; it's an emotional journey that leaves an indelible mark on the reader's soul.
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March 8, 2023
it might be impossible to read a KH and not cry
March 16, 2012
The premise of this book is straightforward: long-time foster child Lexi, daughter of a drug addict, moves to the Seattle area to live with her great-aunt. There, she befriends Mia, the shy, socially awkward twin sister of Zach, the most popular boy in school. Jude, Mia's and Zach's mother, is overjoyed that Mia has finally found a friend, and adopts Lexi as part of the family. Everything blows up about 1/3 of the way through the book, when Lexi and Zach finally admit their feelings for one another and tragedy strikes everyone concerned. The remainder of the book deals with the fallout and how the characters - primarily Lexi, Zach, and Jude, deal with the consequences.
I am really conflicted about this book. On the one hand, I really connected with Lexi and, to a lesser extent, Mia; that connection is what kept me reading the book right up to the end. On the other hand, the book is full of problems and flaws that kept making me want to (metaphorically) throw it against a wall. In no particular order, here are some of the biggest ones. First, and least excusably, the book is poorly edited. If I, as a reader, am thrown by continuity errors, then someone in the editing process wasn't doing his/her job. A handful of examples: Jude putting on two different pair of jeans within the same paragraph; Lexi not knowing that her "heart could take wing", when it did so twice within two paragraphs a few chapters earlier; two different people being responsible for driving Gracie to kindergarten (again, within two consecutive paragraphs).
Much of the book is told through Jude's point of view, but I found her to be one of the most annoying characters I've encountered in a book in ages. Jude is a helicopter parent, but so over-the-top as to range from simply annoying to completely unbelievable (even to someone who has dealt with many members of this species). The way she deals (or fails to deal) with the book's central tragedy is puzzling at best. A very understandable deep depression (with no apparent attempt at therapy), followed by 5 years of dysfunction masked by superficial coping, followed by a one-day epiphany that makes everything better simply didn't ring true.
Finally, I became very tired of being hit over the head with the "teenage drinking is bad" message. In the world created by this author, no high school student begins drinking until around Thanksgiving of his/her senior year. At that point, every single student lives to party, in spite of parental efforts to prevent them. So heavy-handed is the treatment of the topic that teen drinking is practically its own character, one that stumbles in and out of scenes like the proverbial bull in a china shop.
In general, Hannah's prose is serviceable, but falls into cliche and awkward metaphor upon occasion. Again, I think better editing would have fixed a lot of those problems. And, just for the record, glaciers only move forward when they accumulate ice, not when they start to thaw.
I am really conflicted about this book. On the one hand, I really connected with Lexi and, to a lesser extent, Mia; that connection is what kept me reading the book right up to the end. On the other hand, the book is full of problems and flaws that kept making me want to (metaphorically) throw it against a wall. In no particular order, here are some of the biggest ones. First, and least excusably, the book is poorly edited. If I, as a reader, am thrown by continuity errors, then someone in the editing process wasn't doing his/her job. A handful of examples: Jude putting on two different pair of jeans within the same paragraph; Lexi not knowing that her "heart could take wing", when it did so twice within two paragraphs a few chapters earlier; two different people being responsible for driving Gracie to kindergarten (again, within two consecutive paragraphs).
Much of the book is told through Jude's point of view, but I found her to be one of the most annoying characters I've encountered in a book in ages. Jude is a helicopter parent, but so over-the-top as to range from simply annoying to completely unbelievable (even to someone who has dealt with many members of this species). The way she deals (or fails to deal) with the book's central tragedy is puzzling at best. A very understandable deep depression (with no apparent attempt at therapy), followed by 5 years of dysfunction masked by superficial coping, followed by a one-day epiphany that makes everything better simply didn't ring true.
Finally, I became very tired of being hit over the head with the "teenage drinking is bad" message. In the world created by this author, no high school student begins drinking until around Thanksgiving of his/her senior year. At that point, every single student lives to party, in spite of parental efforts to prevent them. So heavy-handed is the treatment of the topic that teen drinking is practically its own character, one that stumbles in and out of scenes like the proverbial bull in a china shop.
In general, Hannah's prose is serviceable, but falls into cliche and awkward metaphor upon occasion. Again, I think better editing would have fixed a lot of those problems. And, just for the record, glaciers only move forward when they accumulate ice, not when they start to thaw.
April 15, 2018
This one started off a little slow. Plus, I really wanted to kill the mother. OK, we are all invested in our children's lives but, c'mon, she was just OTT!!! Even when they were older, Jude was just so much in their business. You have to cut the apron strings at some stage. Saying that, I will be the one who will be a miserable wreck sending my youngest off to college next September.
It was sort of obvious what was going to happen ... and it did. It did take a little turn that I did not really see coming. Even so, throughout most of the book, I did not like Jude at all. If I was Miles, I would have told her to get a grip or fuck off!! Yeah, I can be a cruel bitch.
I really felt for Lexi. She had a shitty upbringing and then for THAT to happen. But she took it on the chin.
It is a book that you really cannot say too much about. I read the synopsis but not any reviews. I really did not want spoilers.
In the end, I still could not really warm to Jude. And I thought it ended up a tad too quickly and nicely. Wrapped with a lovely pink bow ... or even a balloon!
It was quite an emotional read. I did shed a few tears. Actually when Himself saw me this morning, he said "You look absolutely wrecked!" Nice one! I had to explain that my book was a little emotional. Of course, I got the eye roll ... but, hey, he knows me by now.
It was sort of obvious what was going to happen ... and it did. It did take a little turn that I did not really see coming. Even so, throughout most of the book, I did not like Jude at all. If I was Miles, I would have told her to get a grip or fuck off!! Yeah, I can be a cruel bitch.
Midnight upon the journey of our life I found myself within a forest dark,
For the straightforward pathway had been lost
I really felt for Lexi. She had a shitty upbringing and then for THAT to happen. But she took it on the chin.
"Why don't you like me?"
"Is that what you think?"
It is a book that you really cannot say too much about. I read the synopsis but not any reviews. I really did not want spoilers.
It was no wonder that emotion ran so high in these first golden days of summer ...
In the end, I still could not really warm to Jude. And I thought it ended up a tad too quickly and nicely. Wrapped with a lovely pink bow ... or even a balloon!
It was quite an emotional read. I did shed a few tears. Actually when Himself saw me this morning, he said "You look absolutely wrecked!" Nice one! I had to explain that my book was a little emotional. Of course, I got the eye roll ... but, hey, he knows me by now.
May 11, 2020
What is it about Kristin Hannah’s novels? The plots are a bit predictable. Her main characters usually shine, yet her supporting cast often falls a bit flat. And yet her work is compulsively readable. Her latest, Night Road, is no exception.
Like many of her previous books, Night Road focuses on the complicated relationship between mothers and their children. In this case, the mother in question is Jude Farraday, an admittedly (with some hesitation) over-protective, hyper-involved mother of twins Zach and Mia. Jude’s husband, Miles, is a faint but steadying presence throughout the book.
Hannah keeps her readers totally engaged throughout this moving novel, which shifts from a story of young love to an exploration of Jude’s grief, guilt and rage—and ultimately her ability to forgive what happened long ago on Night Road.
Although Night Road does not give readers a wholly original story or a fully-developed cast of characters, the storyline is compelling and Hannah does an admirable job of exploring the depth of a mother’s love and the power of forgiveness.
Night Road is one special book that can transform the lives of readers by influencing how they think about certain important life issues. The reader becomes a first-hand witness to the pitfalls of parenthood, mortality, heartbreak, guilt, life choices, grief, forgiveness, and much more. In short, the entire range of human emotions are explored in this excruciatingly painful but hopeful book about the triumphant power of the human spirit in the process of forgiveness.
Like many of her previous books, Night Road focuses on the complicated relationship between mothers and their children. In this case, the mother in question is Jude Farraday, an admittedly (with some hesitation) over-protective, hyper-involved mother of twins Zach and Mia. Jude’s husband, Miles, is a faint but steadying presence throughout the book.
Hannah keeps her readers totally engaged throughout this moving novel, which shifts from a story of young love to an exploration of Jude’s grief, guilt and rage—and ultimately her ability to forgive what happened long ago on Night Road.
Although Night Road does not give readers a wholly original story or a fully-developed cast of characters, the storyline is compelling and Hannah does an admirable job of exploring the depth of a mother’s love and the power of forgiveness.
Night Road is one special book that can transform the lives of readers by influencing how they think about certain important life issues. The reader becomes a first-hand witness to the pitfalls of parenthood, mortality, heartbreak, guilt, life choices, grief, forgiveness, and much more. In short, the entire range of human emotions are explored in this excruciatingly painful but hopeful book about the triumphant power of the human spirit in the process of forgiveness.
April 9, 2015
I loved this book. Could not put it down until I was finished, then cried because I was finished.
It is one of my all time favorite books by Kristin Hannah and in general. After reading I shared a few parts of the book with my daughter. She was intrigued and ended up reading and loving the book too.
I went through so many emotions reading this book. I bought it shortly after it came out and was so excited to read it. It did not disappoint. A stunning tale of love, friendship, loss and forgiveness.
So well written and many readers will be able to relate to the story.
It is one of my all time favorite books by Kristin Hannah and in general. After reading I shared a few parts of the book with my daughter. She was intrigued and ended up reading and loving the book too.
I went through so many emotions reading this book. I bought it shortly after it came out and was so excited to read it. It did not disappoint. A stunning tale of love, friendship, loss and forgiveness.
So well written and many readers will be able to relate to the story.
May 17, 2019
Excellent book, as with most of Hannah's offerings. This one made me cry, and also made me think.
August 14, 2014
I am quickly becoming a huge Kristin Hannah fan. This is the second book of hers that I've read and absolutely loved. The story gripped me from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down or stop thinking about it when I wasn’t reading.
May 11, 2020
This book is set in Washington State, like most of Kristin Hannah's books are. It starts with the story of Lexi Baill who is a perpetual foster child who has finally found her 'forever home' with an elderly aunt. Thanks to the help of her social worker she is enrolled in a prestigious (and wealthy) community's high school and befriends Mia who is a social outcast compared to her popular, jock brother. For several years everything is wonderful for them until a sudden tragedy changes the course of both families lives forever.
This was a rare 5-star book for me. Those of you who know me, know why it really hit home for me & I could sympathize with the characters on a level that honestly made my stomach hurt sometimes. It also really made me think (and become somewhat terrified) of my kids growing up and all the challenges that come with parenting teenagers. When you have little ones you always think 'This will be easier when they have a life of their own'. But, this was a stark reminder that it never really gets easier when you have the unconditional love that a parent provides. This book invoked tears, and that is something I very rarely find.
This was a rare 5-star book for me. Those of you who know me, know why it really hit home for me & I could sympathize with the characters on a level that honestly made my stomach hurt sometimes. It also really made me think (and become somewhat terrified) of my kids growing up and all the challenges that come with parenting teenagers. When you have little ones you always think 'This will be easier when they have a life of their own'. But, this was a stark reminder that it never really gets easier when you have the unconditional love that a parent provides. This book invoked tears, and that is something I very rarely find.
December 24, 2022
Night Road by Kristin Hannah shows what happens when every teenage parents worst nightmare comes true. She takes you through the guilt, the anger, the unforgiveness of self and other and to the end love and acceptance with a whole lot of forgiveness. Powerful and emotional. I could not put this down. Have a box or 2 of Kleenex. You will need it.
May 27, 2015
I wasn’t going to write a review for this one and then I found my self here, so here goes.
It would be easy to say this is a coming of age story but it really is much, more than that. Yes we have our teenage angst but we also have their parents and all the possibilities of life and how, these things that are possible, these choices we make, how it can all affect us, each and every one.
I found the first quarter of this story to be slow and I had a difficult time relating to The Farraday's as a family, really.
Lexi, however, did have my full attention from the beginning, she felt real to me, her circumstances more than possible.
Overall though, I found the characters to be shallow, contrived somehow, and I never quite made the connection with anyone, as a reader, save Lexi.
In the end I enjoyed the read and the journey this family took, each in their own way.
It would be easy to say this is a coming of age story but it really is much, more than that. Yes we have our teenage angst but we also have their parents and all the possibilities of life and how, these things that are possible, these choices we make, how it can all affect us, each and every one.
I found the first quarter of this story to be slow and I had a difficult time relating to The Farraday's as a family, really.
Lexi, however, did have my full attention from the beginning, she felt real to me, her circumstances more than possible.
Overall though, I found the characters to be shallow, contrived somehow, and I never quite made the connection with anyone, as a reader, save Lexi.
In the end I enjoyed the read and the journey this family took, each in their own way.
April 21, 2022
Night Road by Kristin Hannah
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an absolute roller coaster of a ride! The heartbreak, the love, the hate, the forgiveness and the challenge of wanting the very best for one’s family.
While reading this incredible story I laughed and believe me I cried like a baby!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What an absolute roller coaster of a ride! The heartbreak, the love, the hate, the forgiveness and the challenge of wanting the very best for one’s family.
While reading this incredible story I laughed and believe me I cried like a baby!
May 14, 2013
Night Road by Kristin Hannah is one of those books that just keeps coming up on book club reads. Having now read it I have to say you cannot read Night Road and not be emotionally affected by the story and the characters.
This is a novel which is without doubt a page turner and by the first 50 pages I was totally drawn in by the story and the characters and I was interest and connected to the story.
Being a mother I could certainly identify with the worries a parent has when a child enters teenage years and the difficulties that comes with parenting.
Second half of the novel was a let down for me as I found it quite predictable. I am not a fan of endings tied up in a bow, I prefer book that leave you guessing or at least leave a few loose ends. I love books like Gone Girl as I like characters that are edgy and a plot that packs a punch.
Having said that Night Road is one of those books that is very readable and I know many of my friends will love it.
This is a novel which is without doubt a page turner and by the first 50 pages I was totally drawn in by the story and the characters and I was interest and connected to the story.
Being a mother I could certainly identify with the worries a parent has when a child enters teenage years and the difficulties that comes with parenting.
Second half of the novel was a let down for me as I found it quite predictable. I am not a fan of endings tied up in a bow, I prefer book that leave you guessing or at least leave a few loose ends. I love books like Gone Girl as I like characters that are edgy and a plot that packs a punch.
Having said that Night Road is one of those books that is very readable and I know many of my friends will love it.
July 16, 2018
This was a beautiful and heartbreaking story. The audiobook on CD has a fantastic narration!
I was so hooked on this I didn’t want to get out of the car. When I got to work, I sat in the car for ten minutes listening and did the same when I returned home. When I went to the store, I sat in the parking lot for a few minutes to listen. At home, I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I got the audiobook out of my car and listened to it on my laptop. It’s that good.
There’s so much I want to say, but they’re spoilers and I want to keep this spoiler free. Sorry if this sounds disjointed and rushed. This is another novel where Kristin Hannah shines. Actually, this is only my second novel of hers, the other being The Great Alone. As a new fan, I’m embarrassed to say that I have yet to read The Nightingale.
Her storytelling is spot on and yet again, she does a magnificent job bringing the characters to life. The themes are universal and most of us know someone who experienced something similar. The major turn of events shocked me, although in hindsight, it shouldn’t have. In many ways, it’s so realistic with the underage drinking, struggling to fit in, and the differences in socioeconomic levels between the characters. I felt bitter seeing the privileged family and felt an ache seeing the ones who struggled. I understood some of Lexi’s struggles, mainly growing up poor and feeling like you don’t have any friends. Several times my eyes watered or I gasped as the story unfolded.
If you’ve enjoyed some of Kristin Hannah’s other novels, this is a must read for you. Be prepared. This may give you a good cry.
I was so hooked on this I didn’t want to get out of the car. When I got to work, I sat in the car for ten minutes listening and did the same when I returned home. When I went to the store, I sat in the parking lot for a few minutes to listen. At home, I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I got the audiobook out of my car and listened to it on my laptop. It’s that good.
There’s so much I want to say, but they’re spoilers and I want to keep this spoiler free. Sorry if this sounds disjointed and rushed. This is another novel where Kristin Hannah shines. Actually, this is only my second novel of hers, the other being The Great Alone. As a new fan, I’m embarrassed to say that I have yet to read The Nightingale.
Her storytelling is spot on and yet again, she does a magnificent job bringing the characters to life. The themes are universal and most of us know someone who experienced something similar. The major turn of events shocked me, although in hindsight, it shouldn’t have. In many ways, it’s so realistic with the underage drinking, struggling to fit in, and the differences in socioeconomic levels between the characters. I felt bitter seeing the privileged family and felt an ache seeing the ones who struggled. I understood some of Lexi’s struggles, mainly growing up poor and feeling like you don’t have any friends. Several times my eyes watered or I gasped as the story unfolded.
If you’ve enjoyed some of Kristin Hannah’s other novels, this is a must read for you. Be prepared. This may give you a good cry.
September 21, 2021
This is the first book I've read in ages where I've cared about every single character. Sometimes I wanted to yell at them, hug them, shake them or wipe their tears. It was a roller-coaster of emotions when reading this book.
For me this book had everything, a great plot to keep you gripped and fantastic characters and I loved the ending. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
For me this book had everything, a great plot to keep you gripped and fantastic characters and I loved the ending. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
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