The second novel in the New York Times bestselling trilogy from Richard Paul Evans about a man on an inspirational pilgrimage across Route 66 to find his way back to himself. Chicago celebrity and successful pitchman Charles James is supposed to be dead. Everyone believes he was killed in a fiery plane crash. But thanks to a remarkable twist of fate, he’s very much alive and ready for a second … and ready for a second chance at life–and love. Narrowly escaping death has brought Charles some clarity: the money, the fame, the fast cars–none of it was making him happy. The last time he was happy–truly happy–was when he was married to his ex-wife Monica, before their connection was destroyed by his ambition and greed.
Charles decides to embark on an epic quest: He will walk the entire length of Route 66, from Chicago to California, where he hopes to convince Monica to give him another shot. Along the way, Charles is immersed in the deep and rich history of one of America’s most iconic highways. But the greater journey he finds is the one he takes in his heart as he meets people along the road who will change his perspective on the world. But will his transformation be enough to earn redemption?
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This book is part 2 of a 3 part trilogy. I immensely enjoyed the series, but I’m not certain this book would have actually stood alone.I do strongly recommend the series, and the forward to other books by this author.
My review will be the same for the three books:
After having read the authors The Walk series, I was looking forward to reading this new 3 book series of an individual who walked the famous route 66 from Chicago to California.
(“What if we could start over”) is the concept, then premise of this story, loosely based on a friend of the authors, but also about some of the authors own experiences, and fiction. It is a story of redemption it makes one look at their own lives and their own moral compass.
From growing up in abuse and poverty, Charles James, set out on his own to find success, but to what expense, as he becomes a hugely popular speaker, seducing people out of their hard earned money with the promises of wealth and success. He was constantly plagued by a reoccurring nightmare and also having messed up his own life. When all of a sudden something happened to enabled him to decide in which direction he wanted to make changes in his life.
The second book follows him on the first part of his journey on route 66, and this part was a bit slow for me as it seemed more descriptions of the roads and the attractions, and not much about the people he met.
The third book caught my attention again as we follow Charles on the rest of his journey to California, and to his goal of finding his ex wife. This part of the story was full of great encounters with different people, who of course could use a better life.
It was fun to see where these encounters went after he reaches his goal and to see what he has learned through this whole experience.
This is only a summery, as the trilogy is packed with interesting characters and life situations, which make the main character really think about the choices he made, and how he can help now after his second chance at life.
Truly an excellent read!
I have read the two “Road” books by Richard Paul Evans. This one and the Broken Road, and there will be a 3rd one in Spring, 2019. Wonderful story of a man who is highly money successful, but not successful in other things. He is telling his story to the author, who then writes it all out. Fascinating. I am looking forward to the last of the three books. Second book you learn a lot about Route 66, which was fun. This is Book One.
Another good read by Richard Paul Evans. Quick read…recommend this book!
I felt it was too short and definitely leaves you hanging. Now the wait until Spring of 2019 for the sequel. I can almost predict the outcome. I enjoyed the Walk series much more than this.
This second book in the series was just a wonderful as the first! I loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. And the story just pulled you in an kept you turning page after page. The author does a great job of making you feel sympathy for someone who was not such a nice person before his life changed in a dramatic way.
As you continue on the road with Charles James, you find yourself wanting to jump in the car and drive along Route 66, stopping in at the various locations along this stretch of historic highway, eat at the various eateries, meet some of the amazing people.
While life is not perfect and Charles has a lot to learn as he walks along this road, the lessons are everlasting and definitely ones we could learn from ourselves. Can’t wait for the 3rd book in this series. I’m waiting anxiously for the next installment!
If you liked “The Walk” series by Richard Paul Evans, you will like this series as well. I read the first one, “The Broken Road,” and then immediately started reading this one. Okay, I have to say this one was really good, and I really appreciated and enjoyed the ending, how he leaves you satisfied but ready for the next book all at the same time. It’s not coming out until spring 2019, so I’m going to have to wait. But this one wasn’t quite AS good, to me, as the first one. This one he’s already started on the road, and the first one was so action packed and crazy-busy, this one was just slower. Slower is not bad, but I really liked the action and trauma kind of of the first one. This one is definitely more peaceful but I didn’t always care SO MUCH about all the little tidbits and interesting things along the journey in this one. Most of them I did think were very interesting, but some, a few, I was like, “okay, details,” but I really did love this book and he did an amazing job, as always. I love this author and the feel of his books and working your way along the book along with the character in their journey.
I enjoyed the book.
The Forgotten Road is the second installment in Richard Paul Evans’ trilogy titled Broken Road. This continuation follows fictional character: Charles James as he finds purpose while using his presumed death to navigate a new life. It follows him as he starts his journey on foot from Chicago to California via Route 66. My personal reading experience had me viewing this book as Undercover Boss meets a Route 66 travel guide manual. Charles’ character is very descriptive about his journey on Route 66: Landmarks are noted, its history is explored, and interesting tidbits are shared. At the same time, Charles is meeting tons of side characters along the way, hearing about their lives, goals, and struggles, working along side them, giving financial gifts or making a mental note of how he would like to help them with his money and resources once he has ended his journey.
Overall, an unexpected but entertaining continuation of Charles’ story, a story which I very much look forward to continuing.
My favorite quote:
“To understand the world we live in, we must first understand that we are not seven billion people occupying one world—rather, we are seven billion worlds occupying one planet.”
I have read all Richard Paul Evans books and I was really disappointed in this book. It was like reading a travel guide. The first books he wrote about walking were very good, but this book was extremely boring.
Very good and informative