Most days it’s manageable. No more than a quiet wondering around the edges of her mind. What has become of the baby she left behind? Smiling through the pain and suffering in silence, Leslie Laudon marches forward. Embracing the life skillfully designed by her husband Paul. Living right could be penance for an impossible choice made with an uneasy heart. Dutiful and anchoring, Leslie poured … poured herself into her other children. Nurturing them through infancy, protecting them as toddlers, guiding them as teens. As her youngest child heads off to college with her suitcases and coordinating dorm room accessories, so goes Leslie’s identity. The chaotic life of a busy working mother threatens to become dangerously quiet. Quiet enough to hear the voices she’s tried to silence for decades.
Gwen Fox was adopted by two perfect people. Noel and Millie have always treated her the same as their two biological sons. Her parents love is strong and unwavering, yet a soul-deep ache still lingers. Plagued by an unnamed, hard to explain, longing Gwen could never shake. Riddled with doubt and dragged down by the undertow of unanswered questions, Leslie and Gwen both find their lives suddenly upended. One seeks the truth about the day she was born. The other seeks herself, the woman she was before motherhood. Before she made a choice to leave a piece of her heart lying asleep in the hospital nursery.
In this complex journey for answers, blame is abundant. Guilt is thick enough to choke on. Marriages are brought to the brink of disaster. As the ripples of the past vibrate through their lives, Gwen and Leslie realize there is no turning back. What they have put into motion cannot be stopped. The road toward the truth will be littered with casualties.
“You will not be disappointed if you take a journey around The Bend in Redwood Road. You will hang on every word wondering if resolution will be possible” Michele, 5 stars
“Stewart has a knack for creating rich, complicated characters. One standout is Leslie’s daughter, Kerry, who is defiantly vocal about the issues within her family and laudably supportive of her mother. The author treads carefully around the subject of adoption, respectfully noting systematic issues while preserving the emotional complexities of Gwen’s experience. Another intriguing feature is the romantic subplot” – Kirkus Reviews
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Interesting reading and good storey to follow
I liked it so well I ordered the sequel right away and am now on the third book. My only complaint is that I feel they should warn you that in order to find out what happens to or with everyone that there will be sequels.
Enjoyed an easy interesting read
Loved this story!
Two great stories about 2 families you want to find out about their lives. Couldn’t wait to find out how it ends.
Well-written characters and a storyline that draws you in and makes you wish the book was longer.
Extremely well-planned; incredibly well-written; flawed REAL characters; parallel story lines; a single-book plot with an overarching series story line ~ what more could you want? Thanks, Ms. Stewart, for creating such a wonderful world for us to visit! Can’t wait to see how Gwen and Griff deal with the reality of NOT being in a ‘search mode’ cocoon . . . . is Kerry really managing and handling it this well? (I hope the next book(s) will delve into her story a bit) . . . . and how will Leslie live this ‘life after’ it’s all out in the open? So much to read . . . yippee!!!
I enjoyed this one -and will likely read more in the Missing pieces series-An easy read that opens up interesting questions re-adoption -from varied perspectives-
ONE of those books that speaks to my soul! I have hundreds of passages highlighted! It’s like what I would say to someone if I knew the right words to say it. But warning ! It does have a cliffhanger! It has me almost forgetting the book budget I agreed to with my husband and mindlessly one- clicking for book 2!
I enjoyed this book. I had me glued to the pages and I found hard to put down. You can feel the love of these two families coming through the pages and you just want to hug them when they are sad. I have already bought the next in the series and can not wait to read it.
Gives a realistic view of what can happen when you do things in your life that are different from the way you were raised.
A very emotional read. I loved it!
Love the story, characters.
Could happen to any family
Very good, easy to read
First time reading this author and I really enjoyed it. The storyline was engaging and kept my interest until the very end. Looking forward to reading more.
a lovely read. I didn’t want it to end.
Just ok.
Loved this beautiful story! She has a wonderful way with words. Thank you!
I love both honest characters in this book. A mother and daughter who do not know how the other is existing and why they are really apart. I saw the results of decisions that are life long painful but we also see what can happen in the ideal world of love and compassion.