One summer changes everything for these three Southern women. As three generations of women navigate the uncertain paths of their hearts and futures, one summer promises to bring change–whether they’re ready for it or not. At thirty-eight, garden shop owner Jessie McBride thinks her chances for romance are years behind her and, after her failed marriage, she’s fine with that. She lives … that. She lives contentedly with her fiery mother and her quiet, headstrong daughter. But the unexpected arrival of two men on Glory Road make her question if she’s really happy with the status quo. Handsome, wealthy Sumner Tate asks her to arrange flowers for his daughter’s wedding, and Jessie finds herself drawn to his continued attention. And Ben Bradley, her lingering what-could-have-been from high school days who’s known her better than anyone and whom she hasn’t seen in years, moves back to the red dirt road. Jessie finds her heart being pulled in directions she never expected.
Meanwhile, Jessie’s fourteen-year-old daughter, Evan, is approaching the start of high school and trying to navigate a new world of identity and emotions–particularly as they relate to the cute new guy who’s moved in just down the road. At the same time, Jessie’s mother, Gus, increasingly finds herself forgetful and faces a potentially frightening future.
For these three strong Southern women, the roots they’ve planted on Glory Road will give life to the adventures waiting just around the curve.
“Brims with family, second chances, and new horizons.” –Lisa Wingate, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours
“Rich colorful characters capturing my heart, combined with a story that kept me up till the wee hours, Glory Road is a perfect read. Lauren Denton has done it again!” –Lisa Patton, bestselling author of Rush and Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter
“Once again Lauren Denton brings her lyrical writing and compelling characters to a story that will enthrall readers from page one.” –Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, author of Only Ever Her and co-founder of She Reads, for Glory Road
- Southern women’s fiction, stand-alone novel
- Book length: approximately 95,000 words
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
more
Glory Road brims with faith and family, second chances, and new horizons.
Modern southern fiction usually has well written characters and a sense of place – to the point that the setting of the novel is as important as the characters. Glory Road is one of those locations that is a strong part of the book – the reader can see the red dirt road and feel the heat in the summer; we can hear the creak of the porch swing as the insects buzz past our ears. It’s a comforting place to be and a fantastic setting for Glory Road.
Glory Road is about three strong women during one year of their lives. It is told by all three women in alternating chapters which gave the reader the total view of their lives. Jessie is the hub that holds the family together. She is a divorced mom who returned to Perry AL from Birmingham after an ugly split with her husband when she found out about his affair. She brought her 6 year old daughter Evan who is now 14 and ready to start high school. Jessie’s mom is Gus. She lives next door but spends her days with Jessie and Gus. When Jessie moved back home, she decided to open a plant nursery called Twigs. She is most comfortable when she is working with the plants and flowers at the nursery. Evan and Gus both help out and it’s a real family business. This summer is pivotal for all three women – Evan is testing her boundaries as she becomes ready to start high school, Gus is starting to have memory issues and worries about the possibility of dementia. Jessie who has always been content in her life with her daughter and her mother have two men come in to her life – one a rich man who wants her to do flowers for his daughter’s wedding and the other, Ben, her first love from high school who moves back to Perry from Atlanta with his son. Before the summer is over, all three women have to make decisions that will affect the rest of their lives.
I’ve read all of Lauren Denton’s books and this is my favorite. It’s a wonderful book about family and love and second chances. This is a family of strong women that I won’t soon forget.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Rich colorful characters capturing my heart, combined with a story that kept me up till the wee hours, Glory Road is a perfect read. Lauren Denton has done it again!
Three generations of women live on Glory Road, Gus, Jessie, and Evan. I enjoyed reading this book, it was interesting to see how they all interacted being family as well as living so close together.
Gus was starting to be forgetful and at first she hid it from her daughter and granddaughter. Jessie had her hands full, but she always had time for her family. She also realized that when talking to her 14-year-old daughter she needed to be honest with her about what she was like as a teenager.
Three generations of women, each alike in many ways, and each trying to figure out where to go from where they are now. The book was so written that I felt like I was there, digging in the soil, facing decisions, and learning many life lessons. Whether it is gardening or life, the roots are the foundation.
I loved this book!
4.5 stars
“To fixing broken things.”
A lovely sentiment perhaps,”but maybe our repair skills didn’t extend to the brokenness that existed between the two of us”. Is Jessie McBride truly convinced that the past is the past, and that some things can never be restored? She is so used to her quiet, familiar life on Glory Road; where she, her teen daughter, and her mother live protectively nestled just steps away from her popular local garden shop. Just takes the rumble of a familiar engine loosens the strings of predictability; perhaps forever or perhaps, never.
Such great characters invade this beautifully written story that bravely heralds the many seasons of life, love, and inevitable loss. A blossoming teen, an aging parent, a surprising suitor, and one who feels like coming home, all blend with a gentle authenticity that will paste its readers into life along the hot, dusty roads of southern Alabama; I loved the feel, I loved the fit, I loved the flow . . . between what could have been, what might have been, what should have been, and what might never have been . . . . except for one extra trip down Glory Road.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated are entirely my own.
Glory Road’s words switching gracefully from Gus, Jessie, and Evan draw you into the world of three generations living gracefully together. A superb story of a loving family finding their way together.
This book stole my heart. I was so engaged with the characters that it was like I was there. What a beautiful story that grabbed me from the get go and is still hanging on. I wish there was a sequel so I could revisit. The pace and timing of this book is so spot on. I want to go live on Glory Road. Southern women that are strong and navigating the storms of life together in perfect southern style. Ben was a wonderful hero and every woman’s dream. This story is like a beautiful puzzle being put together and you can’t get the full effect until it is complete. Put this one on your must read list.
I won a copy of this book. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
In Glory Road, Laura Denton explores the idea of what happens when you return to your childhood home. Settling down with this book was delightful. The reader is pulled into the story as though you are sitting on the porch with the characters, the writing is so descriptive you can almost taste the southern humid air and the peach cobbler.
Jessie, our main character, is running her own gardening business and raising her teenage daughter with the help of her mother who lives next door. The appearance of a new client and an old love create an inner struggle for Jessie. A touching book that explores childhood expectations, family struggles and being true to who you are.
Thank you to Just Read Tours for selecting me to be part of the tour; and to the publisher Thomas Nelson for sending this book.
This is a Southern Style Women’s Fiction/Romance novel about three generations of women living on Glory Road: Gus (Augusta), her daughter Jessie, and Jessie’s 14-year old daughter Evan.
It’s been nearly a decade since Jessie returned to Perry following her husband’s affair that ended their marriage. A lot has changed – some things haven’t.
Over the summer, two men enter her life – Ben Bradley, from her past, and a wealthy business man (Sumner Tate) who shows more of an interest in her than the work she’s doing for his daughter’s wedding. And, Evan is even finding herself navigating not only high school, but her emotions when she meets Ben’s son Nick.
The two women are also concerned about Gus whose memory lapses are getting worse.
Together they all face an uncertain and unfamiliar future – but one they will face together because the only thing that is certain … is change, even in small towns.
This book was a delightful read, charming, light, and realistic. For those looking for a clean, and “family” driven romance – this book is a winner! It teaches us about the choices we make in our lives and at different points in our lives: young, middle, and old age – and as we go through them our needs change, but love never does. It’s about second chances and no regrets about where we are in life – because where we are is where we need to be to make our lives work.
“Glory Road” is a beautiful story with charming and realistic characters – people that we know or would know anywhere we live, especially a small town. They’re so realistic that this book could’ve easily have been written about myself, my mom, and my grandma. From the time I was about 4 to 14, it was just the three of us in that dynamic.
Also, some of the issues going on with Gus are quite similar in my own family which felt personal but reassuring. Her struggles make us realize there is no shame in needing help and admitting we have problems.
The only problem I had was the repeated mention of the title “Glory Road” in almost every chapter, averaging about 2-3 times. Other than that – the book was a clean, entertaining read. I wanted to rush through it, but savor it all at the same time. I will definitely be looking for this author’s other novels.
Once again Lauren Denton brings her lyrical writing and compelling characters to a story that will enthrall readers from page one.
I’m not one to “gush” over a story, but an exception simply must be made for Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton. Long on my radar of authors to try, I’m berating myself for waiting until now to discover this incredible author. Women’s fiction, especially books with southern settings, is my favorite genre. This is Denton’s area of expertise, and she can hold her own with any author I’ve read in the general market. Actually better when you consider that the writing is clean. Glory Road is a captivating and poignant story, a “best of the best” read for me.
Glory Road is rich in all the essentials – vivid imagery, lyrical prose, complex characters, and a storyline that captured my emotions from the first page and never let go. The fact that I live in the southeast and have relatives who live in areas similar to the setting of Perry, Alabama (15 miles northwest of Mobile) makes the story so very relatable. This description of Jessie’s view from her home is so peaceful … “Long sweeps of wildflowers in the summer, fields dotted with cows and horses, straight rows of corn and cotton and soybeans lining the roads.”
How does an author convey an ambience replete with aromas that you can literally smell? I don’t know, but Denton certainly does this – from freshly-shelled peas and juicy cobblers, to sun-warmed dirt and that just-before-the-rain scent in the air. Small-town southern living is slower paced, and that’s the tone of this novel, yet it is never boring; every sentence begs to be savored.
The story itself revolves around three generations of McBride family women, and dealing with change in their lives. I easily connected with each one – Jessie, who returned home to Perry with her young daughter after going through a divorce; Evan, now a well-grounded young lady about to start high school; and Jessie’s mother, Gus, beginning to experience bouts of forgetfulness. These characters have depth and the relationships between them are complex. Delightful romantic elements relating to all three are secondary, yet key to the overall story.
Spiritual themes are subtle, but very much present. Gardening quotes from various sources are creatively placed at the beginning of each chapter, beautifully setting the mood and conveying the strong link between the care and nurturing of plants to our spiritual lives. I loved the outspoken wisdom in these words from Gus … “Sometimes God puts things in our paths for a reason. Best to sit up and pay attention.”
Glory Road comes to a heartwarming, fulfilling conclusion; these characters will forever linger in my thoughts. Very highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours and Thomas Nelson. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
This is southern fiction at it’s finest. Lauren K. Denton draws you in with these three generations of women, the small town setting, and true southern hospitality.
Jessie gets the most page time as she runs her garden shop, raises her teenage daughter, worries over her mother, and navigates the interest of two men (but the romance is a very small part of Glory Road). Jessie, Evan, and Gus are strong women who battle doubts and disappointments while stirring the embers of hope. Through it all, they love and support each other.
Denton has once again wowed me with her thought-provoking prose, unraveling the details of this story much like a beloved tale. Grab your sweet tea and settle onto the porch swing for a long visit with the women on Glory Road.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Summary: Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton is a Southern fiction novel set in Perry, Alabama. The story is centered around Gus (the grandmother), Jessie (Gus’s daughter), and Evan (Jessie’s daughter). Jessie came home a decade before when her husband’s affair caused her and her daughter to seek refuge on Glory Road. Gus’s recent memory lapses have Jessie worried that things aren’t right with her Mom and Evan is coming into her own as she starts high school. The arrival of Jessie’s best friend from high school and his son start to change things on Glory Road for all three women.
My Review: There are books that touch you and then there are books that reach right to your soul. Glory Road is one of those books for me. I see parts of Gus, Jessie, and Evan in myself and the women in my family. I connected so deeply with where they lived on Glory Road. Both sides of my family are from south Alabama and the descriptions of Glory Road take me right back to my great great aunt’s house on a red dirt road. I can practically smell her rose bushes, feel the dirt between my toes, and taste her apple tarts. While I loved the story itself it really was the little things in this book such as the gardening tips beginning each chapter that made me love the book more and more as I read it. Scenes made me laugh, caused my heart to ache for the characters, and reminded me of the power of love. I highly recommend this to anyone that loves Southern fiction and to the daughters, mothers, & grandmothers of all ages!
I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
GLORY ROAD by Lauren K. Denton is an engaging story of three generations of women living in the small town of Perry, Alabama. I loved Lauren’s previous two books, THE HIDEAWAY and HURRICANE SEASON and couldn’t wait to read her next novel. As with her previous books, the story is filled with the charm of a rural Southern setting and features lovable and relatable characters that captured my heart. The story is told from the alternating points of view of grandmother Gus, mother Jessie and teen daughter, Evan as they navigate the different stages of life they are in. Their love and support for one another are inspirational and heart-warming. GLORY ROAD is a family story touched with a little romance. I loved the gardening quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating book of love, family and second chances and highly recommend it! Thank you to the author and publisher for the chance to read an early copy.
Glory Road is Lauren K. Denton’s third novel. Following in the same true story telling tradition as her first two novels, Ms. Denton paints a vivid picture of life in the small fictional Alabama town of Perry, just inland from Mobile. Jessie McBride returned to her home on red dirt Glory Road about eight years ago when she discovered her cheating husband’s ways. Packing up her belongings and her young daughter, Evan, into her SUV, she headed south from Birmingham to her childhood home and her mother, Gus McBride. In the ensuing years, Jessie has been able to purchase the property adjacent to her mother and create a home for herself and her daughter and a busy garden business.
The summer before Evan begins high school is a turning point for them all. Change is in the air, some pleasant, some frightening. Jessie has been very busy growing her business, raising her child, and watching over her mother. There has been no time for real life to intervene until it suddenly does.
This particular summer wealthy, distinguished golf course architect Sumner Tate takes notice of Jessie when he stops in her garden shop and wants to engage her to do the flowers for his daughter’s wedding. At about the same time, high school best friend/first love Ben Bradley and his son Nick return to Glory Road dredging up a multitude of old memories and emotions. A friendship between Nick and Evan also works on Jessie’s mind. But, perhaps, the piece that Jessie worries about most is what she sees happening with her mother, Gus.
In a wonderfully spun story of a sandwich generation woman pressed between the needs and responsibilities of her child and her mother, Ms. Denton has brought her characters to life and her story reflects the lives of so many today. These rich characters and the easy southern setting will draw the reader in to be engrossed in this poignant tale. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it.
In this latest novel by Ms. Denton, you will fall in love with her characters! This novel takes place in Perry, Alabama, on Glory Road. Glory Road is an idyllic place to grow up. Jessica is a divorced mom who has moved back and made her way on her own. You will meet her mom, Gus, who is a character (but one you can learn a lot from) and her daughter, Evan. Ms. Denton weaves a tale that is so charming. Jessica has several things she has to work through. Their life is not perfect by any means, but Ms. Denton does a splendid job of penning a story that is charming and well-written. The story grabs a hold of you and you will not want to quit reading. There are several secondary characters that you will meet throughout the book as well. I highly recommend this book and know you will not be disappointed! Ms. Denton’s writing just keeps getting better and better!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.
I LOVED this story about a family of three generations of southern women and their home on Glory Road in south Alabama. I fell in love with the beauty and simplicity of the writing…it all felt so genuine that I could taste the home cooking and feel the hot summer breeze of a southern night. Wonderful characters, life lessons and the importance of family and love. Will be reading this new-to-me author’s backlist for sure.
Out March 19
Thanks to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
Laura Denton has become a favorite to read! Her writing and the stories stick with me long after I’ve finished reading them. Glory Road is about three generations of women facing age related life circumstances. The characters and the setting for the book are just right. This book is one that reminds me there is always hope and circumstances can change. Be true to thyself. Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC
Lauren Denton, with her immersive storytelling, continues leading me down a road filled with glory, beauty, and unparalleled splendor. The authenticity and raw connectedness to her characters is something that resonates with me on a level that transcends fiction. I see life through Jessie, Gus, and Evan’s eyes and feel compelled to echo those soul-stirring sentiments buried beneath layers of calcifying experiences.
Life is tough, messy, complicated, and uncertain… so uncertain. But it’s the people we surround ourselves with and summoning the courage to open our true selves up to them that makes everything seem more “right”. There’s not a word for it, that feeling when everything settles into place because you’ve given yourself permission to be the person you truly are. But the entirety of this novel wraps around you with that anxious yet comforting message. It’s not always easy to mix such competing words and feelings (anxiety and comfort) inside a single thought, but Ms. Denton and her interwoven storylines accomplish that feat with perfection.
Jessie’s comments about finding the “one” caused me to smile on the inside: “I think you marry the one who, when everything else is stripped away—money, job, arguments, disagreements—he’s still the one you’d want to sit with on the porch and…just…do nothing. Or do anything.”
That. It’s lines like this that settle into an elemental part of yourself and become part of the fabric of your being. They stick with you long after you finish reading about fictional characters in made-up stories, however real they might feel in the moment. These are the small seeds, that when planted, blossom into the most vibrant, healthy, and colorful blooms of our personal gardens.
The floral overtones, the intergenerational connection between the three women in this story, and the supporting characters surrounding them, create a garden that will survive any drought, flood, or other extreme weather condition tossed at it, physical or otherwise.
In her closing remarks, Lauren thanks her readers for passing along her books to friends, sisters, daughters, mothers, and even a few husbands and fathers. Count me as one in that last group, and let me assure you, the number of people who would benefit from reading this beautiful story—man, woman, or child—is so much greater than a few.
Find your path, with all its grooves and bumps and ruts. There might be dusty fragments scattered in the breeze or thick mud that slows you down, but when it’s “your” road and “your” choice, it’s undeniably the most glorious road you’ll ever travel.