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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I’m adopted so the story resonated but it’s a great little read about self-discovery, healing, and personal growth.
I liked this book
I liked the book. When I first started it, I got a little confused and wasn’t sure I liked it, but, as I kept reading, I started really enjoying the story. So if you have this book, keep reading it all makes sense, you just need to get past the first couple of chapters. You won’t be disappointed.
Wow enjoyed this book!!!
sow going for about half the book.If you are an adoptee you will probably stick with it as I did. the story continues in 2 more books so don’t expect the whole story to be revealed here
One of the better books I have read recently.
I loved this book! I just finished book two and preordered book three. This story has made me think about what I would do in this situation.
Shows the impact that a single decision can have on two families.
The story started out rather slow. As I continued reading it became much more interesting although complicated. A woman giving up her baby, a couple adopting the baby under unusual circumstances and eventually the child becoming an adult seeking her biological mother.
In the end all the circumstances surrounding this situation became clear.
Great story
i am also an adoptee and it was interesting to read what the characters went thru
Very good
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book with such wonderful character development. The book and story line was amazing. I instantly bought the second book and was disappointed the third isn’t out yet, though there aren’t any cliff hangers, so neither book needs the next to feel fulfilled with the ending.
To be honest I tried to read one of her previous books and couldn’t get into it. This story and her improved writing style are so much better. I couldn’t put the books down. You will not be disappointed.
I found this book very interesting…having adopted children myself, both of whom eventually met their birth families. Sadly their meetings did not go well but I enjoyed the idea that things could go well. I am looking forward to the story of the meeting with her birth father next.
The difficult life choices. The “little white lies” told by families. The impact of DNA testing on today’s world. A great novel.
felt very personal, made me stop and think what I would do under similar circumstances. great read, highly recommend
I love the way The Bend in Redwood Road is written from so many different characters’ perspectives. It truly gives you a sense of what each character is feeling and why. I find it amazing to be able to develop all of the characters so completely in just one book! Danielle Stewart also does a wonderful job writing about this subject in such an honest and straight forward way with a touch of humor thrown in. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens next!
The Bend in Redwood Road is a must-read page-turner and one of my newest Danielle Stewart favorites. I love how these characters are forced to examine their current life situations by exploring some difficult past choices that are at the root cause. Lies and secrets start to unravel for Leslie & Gwen until the truth can be discovered and faced head on.
When her empty nest fast approaches, Leslie suddenly realizes her self-worth and career have always been diminished and held ransom by her husband’s career for his view of a picture perfect life. Young Leslie is left alone, sad, and lonely to care for children while trying to balance her backseat career. She discovers renewed strength and her fighting spirit to stand tall and begin making things right for all her children.
Gwen & Griff are childhood friends who find themselves back home after each having a personal crisis. Their friendship is rekindled instantly and is full of wonderful childhood memories, humor, and familial love growing up at the Redwood Road house. Is it just friendship, first crush, or something more?
Most readers will easily relate to these characters in some way. Even if not adopted like Gwen, at some point we’ve all had feelings of being different and not fitting in. Our childhood best friend or sweet heart will always hold a special place in our hearts like it does for Griff & Gwen. At work or school, we are bound encounter controlling, passive-aggressive bullies like Paul. Also, like these characters, we’ve all had both good and bad relationships with family, friends, mothers, daughters, in-laws, siblings, romantic partners, and career professionals. Luckily, Gwen has support from her best friend and a kind-hearted mentor-counselor and Leslie has help from her daughter and Claudette her fabulous, supportive, best friend to help them through.
Don’t miss this great read!
The Bend in Redwood Road is a deeply emotional story about a woman, Leslie, in a “decent” marriage, her unhappiness & a secret baby given up for adoption. As this book starts, we learn about Leslie & her state of mind. As it goes we start hearing about Gwen, the secret from Leslie’s past, & her emotional state as she’s searching for answers. This story weaves us through Leslie’s marriage & it’s issues. Gwen has always known she was adopted but decided to try to find her birth mother.
This emotional journey was tough not only on Gwen & Leslie but for both families. There was guilt, pain, tears & recriminations. Leslie’s husband wouldn’t accept his part in any of it. Leslie’s guilt over the years caused depression & pain. Leslie had to face a lot of truths regarding her life & marriage. She had to admit that Paul’s personality had worn hers down & what she wanted had no bearing in their marriage. I loved the way Leslie’s daughter, Kerry started to think about what her mother had gone through & open up. Gwen’s family had kept a few secrets from her but had told her the important facts. They supported her, even through their own fear. This was a wonderful testament to love & family.
This book began with a bit too much philosophical verbiage that sounded like the author was trying to prove how insightful she could be. This was however, just the first few pages. The rest of the book had very good character development and good character insight without becoming too wordy. Although somewhat predicable, there were a few twists and turns along the way. I give this 4 stars because although, it is a stand alone novel, the subplot of the two of the main characters is not satisfied but instead, encourages the reader to read the next in the series.