One man running from his past, two women he’s attracted to, and a peculiar town that won’t let him go.Matthew Sadler rides his ’77 Harley into Happenstance, intent on passing through, but people and events conspire to prevent his leaving.The elderly Barlow sisters consider Matt their knight on a motorcycle. Matt is entranced by Roni, the other lodger at the Happenstance Hotel who bears an uncanny … an uncanny resemblance to Matt’s beloved, deceased wife. The young doctor in town, Paula Percy, adores Matt’s motorcycle. However, she is suspicious of the woman from the hotel.
As the days pass, the quaint little town, with its unique residents, begins to show its sinister side. When evidence of multiple thefts leads to Matt’s door, he must deal with a mystery and yet more false accusations.
Do the old diaries of Amanda Rutherford Barlow hold the answers Matt so desperately seeks? Will Happenstance finally let him go, or does he have a reason to stay?
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“Something happened to me as I crossed the bridge into Happenstance. I can’t explain it, except to say that for some reason, I think I was meant to be here.”
These are the words found in a journal written in September, 1922, and they prove to be words that may mirror Matt Sadler’s feelings in 2020. He had a strong reason for leaving his teaching job and it is kept from us for much of the story. What we do see is a man, still grieving for his deceased wife, who experiences a revival of romantic feelings when he meets a young woman who looks very much like his Ginny. He soon encounters a mystery that involves this look-alike, the two elderly sisters that he has grown fond of, and a centuries-old residence with a secret of its own. Through it all, readers are reminded of the joys of living in a community of decent people who are willing to offer forgiveness and second chances.
This is the first time I’ve read any of Janice Dick’s writing and I thoroughly enjoyed The Road to Happenstance. If you enjoy Christian fiction with a touch of suspense and a possibility of romance, you will want to read The Road to Happenstance.
I received an e-copy of this book but there was no obligation to post a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
An enjoyable read with the theme of second chances. While I was not surprised by the outcome I nevertheless enjoyed the journey. The story contained heroes, heroines, villains and elderly crackerjacks. I was dismayed by the naivete of one of the characters and the all too common human propensity to view life through the lens of wishful thinking. No one can fool us so much as we can fool ourselves and there is much truth in the saying that experience is the best teacher. A recommended, light read.
The recipe for a wonderful read:
Take an unusual town that seems to keep people there
A charming newcomer that is running from a complex past
A cast of quirky characters
Stir together with four women, two old and two young, vying for the newcomer’s attention
A mystery involving an old house
Hidden crimes
Mix all together and you come up with a wonderful story that pulls you right through to the the surprising end.
(A was given an advance copy as part of the launch team for this book)
Can charming little town and their residents be the answer to Matthew’s trouble soul ? After losing his wife five years ago and his job as a teacher for a misunderstanding, Matt can’t find his place. But when he enters the streets of Happenstance he feels something special. Can he find his soul,his faith, friends, a purpose in life and a new love?
I liked this story. It dealt with issues that made the characters come alive. In fact I’d like to know what happens next. An original story about the town of Happenstance and the people who live there. I’d recommend this story to friends. I was given a complimentary copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
It didn’t take many paragraphs for this story to completely catch my attention and draw me in.
In this case, I was drawn to not only the storyline, but the unique, lovable characters who make up a quaint town named Happenstance. I loved the descriptions of the stores, library, and the once beautiful manor that was converted into a hotel. It was all so easy to visualize and fall in love with.
When Matthew Sadler, because of a near accident, guides his Harley motorcycle off the main road and through a beautiful covered bridge, he has no idea that it will be life-changing.
Matt is trying to escape problems that he’s been dealing with where he lives and works. He has no destination in mind, only the need to take a break from the life he’s experiencing.
Behind this beautiful book cover, you will discover interesting stories of death, relationships, romance, mystery, and much more.
Happenstance … Drawn To Yesteryear, Even Though It’s Today….
Its as if you’ve stepped back in time. Happenstance will draw you in to a time of civility, of busy bodies (even though they don’t know it) and of really interesting people…. Matt ’Smith’ feels the pull, the draw to stay. But he’s running … running away from life. So, maybe Happenstance is the perfect town… maybe for someone wanting to escape all the weariness and hubbub of modern life. After all, Matt has been invited to a ‘roofing-bee’ over at the reverend’s place. Yep, we’ve somehow time travelled to the 1960s or even earlier. There’s even a men’s Haberdashery. So what is it about the town of Happenstance?
Something happened. It was just by happenstance, mind you. But something sure did happen. And, the good folk at Happenstance are none the wiser. Well, that’s not exactly true. The Barlow sisters, especially Miss Gracey, lives by the slogan, ’Trust but Verify’. And ohhhhh, does she verify…. and it’s not pretty. There’s something going on in Happenstance and its far from innocent. In fact, it’s downright dangerous.
Hmmmmm, sounds a little bit mysterious. And just who is Roni? Why is she a duplicate of Matt’s late wife, Ginny?
OBERSERVATIONS:
Roni….. Innocent or just an act? Look for the clues and be alert to her acts and manipulations.
Matt…. frustrating, way too naive . He needs to get a clue but he does eventually wise up.
The Barlow Sisters … precious, and don’t make the mistake of taking them for granted 🙂
Secondary characters are many and all play an integral role here.
WISHES:
…Need more at the end…. the book progressed along at a slow pace and it fit the theme. It kept you interested. However, the end seemed rushed and totally changed to a fast completion. The last two chapters crammed in all the crimes, consequences and revelations. We needed more. It seemed all we got was teased instead of answers.
…We needed to know how Matt fared going back to Reedport. How did that community right their wrongs toward Matt?
…We needed to know more about Roni and Daniel. How did they get together? How did they respond and react to ‘crime and punishment’. Was it just a fluke that Daniel was once married to Paula and then suddenly shows up when she comes back to town? How was he still in the neighborhood if he’d been discovered to be a dirty cop?
I truly enjoyed reading this book, just wanted the ending not to be so rushed. The characters were wonderful and I loved their accents and their way of wording things when they talked.
Real or just happenstance? Read the questions at the end of the book and come to your own conclusions.
The author did a wonderful job writing this book.
The beginning of the story looked nothing like the end. The twists, bends and curves of the story was superb. I enjoyed how the author wrote about how God works behind the scene in the lives of his children.
Matt has lost faith in God and was running. Almost ran off the road by two wonderful sisters into Happenstance. I enjoyed reading how he got to let go of the past and face the accusations against him head-on. Even though he has to experience Roni’s wrath in the process.
You’d be enamored by the two sister’s Gracyie and Emm. Wonderful women. Their spunky will make you laugh and admire them despite their age.
Everyone gets to have a second chance and Paula did. I love how the author introduced her into the story!
Everyone loves a love triangle story once in a while.
God’s workings behind the scenes and his consistent pursuing of mankind ran through this story.
I received a copy of the book and this is my honest opinion
Running away from his sorry problems, widower Matt “happens” upon the village of Happenstance to find his destiny tied up in the lives of small-town characters embroiled in love and loathing, betrayal and fidelity, charity and greed—and, perhaps in the end most important of all, skepticism and faith.
One reason this novel grabbed my attention and retained it all the way through to the end is the proficient intertwining of several plot lines that kept me guessing: Would Matt stay in the Happenstance, and what was he running from? Was Veronica who she claimed to be? Did the elderly sisters possess the resources to keep their home? The element of gentle mystery in this novel held me fast.
The author’s dry humour shows up in the dialogue of her characters; for example, in asking for a restaurant recommendation, Matt is told, “If you want Italian, there’s Wong’s over on the west side of town.” Her descriptions were just right as well: A woman’s laughter “sparkled into his soul”; the engine “purred like a well-fed kitten.” The plethora of characters—several with strong and maybe caricaturized “accents”—nevertheless people the novel with a wide range of personalities that prove the author really respects and understands in depth the individualism and variety of humanity found in small-town America.