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
A wonderful book about finding yourself after any stage of your life. The characters are so real as they work their ways through the changes in their life. I couldn’t put it down!
This was a great book of overcoming what you thought you knew about situations in your past and coming to grips with it in the future. I enjoyed every page.
This is one of the best books I have read this year. Great characters, fun garden info and lots of Southern charm. I will be buying more books by this author. ( Clean language bonus)
I loved it so much that I’ve looked other books the author has written because I want to read them all. It was realistic and not sappy. Only took me a day and a half to read the whole thing.
Good book for a summer vacation
I very much enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and realistic. The author’s style is very descriptive, and draws you into the setting. It touched on some human issues and showed how they be dealt with and life goes on. I highly recommend this novel.
This was my first Lauren K. Denton book, and it took me a few chapters to settle in. I had to get used to the slower pace of the story, but it was worth settling into.
This book is a slow, easy read that sort of ambles along. It reminds me of the play Our Town — nothing really extraordinary happens throughout the book. In fact, it’s really pretty predictable. It is, however, an enjoyable book (though I wanted to slap Jessie at the end for acting like an 18-year-old when she should have known better). It’s appropriate that so much of the story takes places on the porch, because that’s really how I would describe this book — it’s about as exciting as an evening on the front porch (and I mean that in the good, watching-the-world-go-by kind of way).
I honestly don’t usually read these types of books, but it was a nice read. I would have liked to see more happen between the characters (a little less introspection), but it fit together well.
This is a beautiful book! Jolina Petershiem has given us a wonderful book about love and loss. Ruth returns to Wisconsin with her children and mother-in-law to bury her husband. She is surrounded by the peaceful Mennonite community and welcomed in by Elam, her husband’s cousin. Ruth begins to heal and thinks she may find love again. Then something unexpected happens! What will this do to the new life she has created? Read this gem of a book to find out!
Another great southern story. In this book, we learn about 3 generations of a family – Gus, the grandmother; Jessie, the daughter, and Evan, the granddaughter (teenager) in a small town in Alabama. One of the interesting things about this book, it is told from the point of view of each of these characters.
Things in this book made me think of things from my childhood or even now, dealing with a teenage daughter.
As much as I wanted to read this book, I didn’t want it to end. But I stayed up past my bedtime, because I couldn’t put it down. I don’t want to give away too much about the book. Family, a little romance, and a lot of southern charm is in this book.
#GloryRoadBook
This slow burning, familial book tells 3 separate stories of 3 generations of women who live in the country off an old red dirt road in Alabama. It’s a testament to life in the south, of mistakes made and on-going battles faced. It’s complex relationships, a little romance, and a lot of growing. I found the story charming and full of promise just not fully consuming.
It seems as all three women, two grown and one teenager, are at a crossroads of major life decisions in their sleepy little world. But on the surface they’re consistently reminded of the strength they each hold no matter the trials through the love and deep respect they hold for each other.
Glory Road falls under general women’s fiction for me. It’s told from a 3 separate points of view and encapsulates the vulnerabilities, pride, and strength in each of the female characters. It holds a spark here and there of romance but in not in a way that they romance dominates the story or the characters. I really enjoyed it and fans of women’s fiction will too.
Lauren K. Denton is a southern writer who writes about the people and culture of the lower southern American states. I was first introduced to her writing when I read The Hideaway. I enjoyed the time-slip novel and the characters. Her second novel, Hurricane Season, didn’t wow me like the first one. But then I heard she was writing another novel entitled Glory Road. I prayed it was as well-written as The Hideaway was. Fortunately for Denton, I really enjoyed Glory Road.
Her writing is clear and concise. She does a wonderful job at creating the southern way of life and bringing it to life for this Yankee. I have visited the south once to visit my aunt, but I have really never traveled down there. I have spent most of my life traveling across the northern part of the country. But Denton allows me to experience and slower and more polite way of life in her novels through her characters.
I really liked this coming of age story with Evan and flashbacks told in third person from Jessie. I really liked how she dived into the realistic dilemmas of a teenager and a mother who are trying to survive after moving home ten years ago. As for Gus, the grandmother or mother, who is dealing with the early signs of forgetfulness, she gripped my heart with her boastful mouth, but then I felt bad when she couldn’t remember simple things. I liked seeing Evan, the teenage girl, struggle with life and early romance.
The story doesn’t just feature the mother’s romance. It features all three heroines. I enjoyed seeing them ride the rollercoaster of emotions as they chased the different feelings weaving through their lives. The romance didn’t overshadow the main storyline. It strengthens the women and made each of them stronger heroines.
Overall, Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton was a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours. I loved seeing three generations of strong women and watching them interact with each other with love and respect. It was a relief with all the hatred floating around through the generations today. It was a nice change. I enjoyed the novel, and I believe fans of Catherine West and Beth K. Vogt might enjoy this literary women’s fiction novel too.
I received a complimentary copy of Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
Do you know what I loved most about this book??
All of the positive and healthy relationships.
Glory Road is the back drop to three generations of strong women as they navigate changes in their futures. Jessie, divorced and content, now has two men making her rethink her chances for romance. While her daughter, Evan, navigates the emotional summer between middle and high school and her mother, Gus, begins having frightening memory lapses.
I loved Jessie. I now strive to be more of a mother like her. This novel was steeped in southern charm and made me feel right at home. I have major garden fever now and cant wait to see what grows from it.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Glory Road by Lauren K. Denton.
I have read both The Hideaway and Hurricane Season by Lauren K. Denton and she’s quickly become one of my favorite authors when it comes to women’s southern fiction. I absolutely adored both previous books and had a hunch Glory Road would become a favorite of mine as well.
This book felt a little different from The Hideaway and Hurricane Season, but in very good ways.
Glory Road follows Jessie, Evan (Jessie’s fourteen year old daughter), and Gus (Jessie’s mother). Jessie and Evan had moved back to her hometown of Perry, Alabama, several years ago after her marriage crumbled.
Jessie opened her gardening shop, Twig, and finally feels like herself after years of struggling to be someone she was not. She’s closed off her heart to love after her divorce, but this summer might prove to be one that will open her heart back up. Jessie’s life may change when a close high school friend, Ben, reenters her life and then she meets Sumner when he casually walks into her gardening shop one day .
Evan is entering into the summer before her freshman year in high school begins and helps in her Mom’s shop frequently. She is determined to hold onto her unique personality and not to be changed by the world around her. This summer opens up a world of possibility for Evan, and she’s determined to make the most of it.
Gus is a stubborn, witty homemaker, always cooking up something in the kitchen. She’s a widow, living next door to her daughter and granddaughter. She is not afraid to share her opinion and is always trying to steer Jessie towards love again.
This book is sweet, full of summertime nostalgia and glimpses of the south. I enjoyed the way the book was narrated – it was so well-written and magical. I loved seeing both the similarities and differences in three generations of women throughout the story. The characters were so raw and intentional – Jessie’s struggle as she worked through her emotions from her past and the love that she could experience now, Evan’s discovery of who she is and how she always turns back to family. I really connected with her and saw pieces of my fourteen-year-old self in her. And then there’s Gus. Oh, Gus. She had to be my favorite character. Her stubbornness and humor had me laughing out loud! She is determined and reminded me so much of my own grandmother.
Glory Road was such a beautiful story. The descriptions were spot on and had me visualizing everything from that red dirt road, to the rain drops falling during Jessie’s evening runs. The small details were incredible as well – before each chapter began, there were quotes from gardening books. This was such a lovely addition and some quotes were so fascinating! I learned a lot about gardening from this book and it made me want to start planting one.
Sumner’s and Ben’s interactions with Jessie were believable and well-written – the struggle in Jessie’s emotions and how her backstory is revealed throughout the story and not simply spelled out in the beginning was such a great writing choice. The way Lauren draws out her characters in such a personal way makes all of them seem so real. Gus had me laughing, Evan had me reminiscing, and Jessie had me feeling: peace, sadness, heartbreak, fear, love.
This is such a heartfelt read and definitely worth picking up and reading when it releases on March 19th!
Lauren Denton’s prose is like rocking on a porch swing in summer. Gently, she draws in her reader to with a story about mothers and daughters–and how that relationship is actually far more complex. Most impressive is her ability to weave between her POV characters, from Gus, the wisecracking grandmother who loves to bake, to Evan, music-loving teenager stretching her boundaries, to Jessie, a mom and daughter trying to keep her roots planted deep. The sweet storyline of Jessie’s romantic interests balances nicely with the heavier overtones of Gus’s descent into dementia. As a mom of a teenager and a child of the nineties myself, I found Jessie perfectly relatable, her situation believable, and her fears wisely executed. Denton has written another story book clubbers will relish and fans will enjoy.
She’ll also make you want to plant a garden, plan a wedding, and eat a lot of peach pie.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Glory Road is a quiet, small place where Jessica owns a thriving garden shop, and lives with her daughter and mom. She moved back to Glory Road years ago after devorcing the husband that decided he wanted someone else and not her. Jessica lives her quiet life and was content with her small family. That is until two handsome, very different men came into her life. One she had never met, one that lived on Glory Road when they were growing up. And life is just not the same as before these two men arrive.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love the characters, they were all fantastic! Jessica and her quirky mom has such different personalities, and I can see a little off Evan in both of the ladies. Three strong women, two of which have suffered heartbreaking issues life has thrown them, all determined to stay strong and fight to strive in this world. I love Glory Road and the atmosphere surrounding the place! It all seems olive somewhere in a dream, yet so close and realistic. It’s a place I would sure want to live. Ms. Denton does a really good job weaving together the differences between Ben and Sumner, and with Jessica struggling to make a decision between the two. Of course I fell in love with Ben from the beginning, so I was cheering for him all along! But you have to read the book for the rest of that story!
Glory Road is a sweet calming read for me. It’s like settling down at home for a nice relaxing stay. It’s that book you want to read when you need a few days of relaxing. It’s a book that I highly recommend to anyone wanting a nice clean time of enjoyment through books!
I received this book from JustReads Tours to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.
This book was such a page turner. I couldn’t put it down! Lauren Denton’s books are all like that, so I was so excited about a new one. The way the three women in the story overlap and their stories all come together is so intriguing and not expected. You think it will end one way for each of them and it doesn’t. So you don’t get bored reading it. Easy read, so a working mom of 2 could even read it in less than a few days. Highly recommend!!
I did not want this story too end……
A Southern Fiction narrative steeped rich in charm, humor, life lessons, long summer days and family roots
with an added bonus of wise gardening tips and tricks, featured at the beginning of each chapter. One particular snippet dates back to 1916. I found this to be a very nice touch that was completely unexpected, and with that, I learned a lot as well.
Lauren K. Denton has created a winner, in this her third book, Glory Road.
The characters are written as real and believable with a backdrop of Southern tradition and values that will not disappoint. It’s an easy-going breath of fresh air, yet a generational look into the lives of our main characters, the strengths and weaknesses of Gus, Jessie and Evan and the choices they must make in staying true to themselves.
Three little houses on the red dirt of Glory Road, and a garden shop, hold second chances and promise for this small town Alabama family as they reminisce the past and hold on tight in navigating towards their future.
A compelling, heart-felt story; lyrically woven and will capture you in a way that Lauren Denton stories are known for, satisfying and enjoyable from cover to cover.
I thank the author for this personal ARC copy of Glory Road, one I not only enjoyed do its delightful and sincere storyline, but will certainly be looking forward to what is waiting for all of us next.
5 Stars
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EVOCATIVE!
GLORY ROAD by Lauren K. Denton is Southern Fiction at its best! Denton will take you on an emotional journey over one summer with one family’s three generations of strong women. Her evocative storytelling will leave you mesmerized.
At the beginning of each Chapter, Denton has cleverly included a Garden Tip that’s also an illustration for what’s going to happen in the coming Chapter. Glory Road is the dirt road where the three women live and work and where much of the actual book takes place. As you read, you will quickly discover that Glory Road itself serves as a character. So much growing and living have taken place on that old, dirt road and it holds many secrets – both old and new.
Each of the three women plays an integral part in this story. Gus, at age 69, is still strong-willed and opinionated. Jessie, 39, is a single mom and an entrepreneur who owns a small plant and flower shop called Twig and Evan, 14, is starting the 9th Grade and moving up to High School. Each of these women will face significant challenges over the summer. Challenges that will shake them to their core and prove what they are made of. Challenges that will rally their friends to stand by them. There is an old friend that becomes a cherished loved one, an old friend who proves why he was so treasured in the first place and a friend who becomes like a big brother as he protects and teaches. It is a beautiful story of how a family learns from each other, learns to trust each other and for the first time in a long time, can face the future expectantly instead of fearfully. Glory Road will stay in your heart and soul long after you’ve read the last word. You will want to savor it.
I was provided an ARC of this book by Thomas Nelson and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
Glory Road was a heartwarming novel of family, faith, and a bit of romance. Lauren K. Denton tells the story through three different viewpoints: teenager Evan, her mother Jessie, and her grandmother Gus. Three generations of women share their stories of second chances and hope for the future on Glory Road. Topics such as infidelity and Alzheimer’s disease are discussed.
This was a wonderful novel that readers of contemporary women’s fiction will thoroughly enjoy. Jessie’s storyline captured my attention and held my interest the most, but all three storylines were well written and flowed together nicely.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
‘Sometimes God puts things in our paths for a reason. Best to sit up and pay attention.’
Lauren K. Denton writes stories with great southern charm and this one is so moving. Perry, Alabama is home once again to Jessie McBride when she returns after her husband’s affair and her divorce. Along with her 14 year old daughter, Evan, settles down in her hometown. She opens a garden shop next door to her house and across a field from her widowed mother, Gus. Jessie is happy, but when her old maybe could have been boyfriend from high school moves back to Glory Road with his teenage son, her heart gets pulled in a new direction. Add to that a wealthy businessman asking her to do flowers for his daughter’s huge wedding and combined with his lingering attentions to her, Jessie just is not sure which direction her life is heading. Her mama, Gus, has been having some frequent and surprisingly odd memory losses and all their futures look uncertain.
Told in three points of view, from Gus, to Jessie, to Evan, this book is deeply moving on all fronts. Set against the backdrop of a red Southern dirt road, two women learn that love is never to be passed by and one teenager learns that the women she follows are pretty amazing. I loved everything about this book.
‘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. Pick the one who matters more than all the stuff of life.’
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.