The small town he couldn’t wait to leave is calling him home… the one woman who has every reason not to trust him.
Librarian Callie Colton cherished summers with her grandparents, in the town her ancestors helped build, in spite of the boy who called her names. Now that Colton is her home, life is quiet until Dax returns…and, along with him, ugly letters on her doorstep. He may still have the power to hurt her, but she’s not the same scared little girl she used to be.
And soon Dax will have to face his past to find a way forward for the relationship they were cheated of once before.
Praise for The Way Forward
“A timely, courageous story of love overcoming hate, THE WAY FORWARD treats readers to a hero facing seemingly insurmountable odds in his quest for redemption, a heroine who discovers the power of forgiveness and a town forced to face ugly truths, as the community reaches for a better, brighter future. Entertaining, yes. But also real, inspiring and hopeful.” – Roxanne Snopek, USA TODAY Bestselling Author
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When I first read the blurb for this book, I hesitated pre-ordering it. I have definite opinions about bullies. However, I know Eliana via Writers for Diversity, was excited that her first book was coming out, and was curious how she handled the enemies to lovers trope. I’m so glad I did .
Dax has made an effort to change himself and returns to his hometown to make amends for his past and help rebuild the failing town. Callie Colton, the young woman he bullied, has also made the same commitment, despite the challenges she faced there as a child and now as an adult.
The path to making amends is not an easy one because it takes two — the person making the amends, and the recipient(s) and what they are willing to accept. While Dax sometimes stumbles in his quest, and Callie does, too, by the end you will be rooting for their success as a couple, and that of Colton which is in serious need of revitalization, in its attitudes and economy.
Thanks to the introduction of a great cast of secondary characters, I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.
‘The Way Forward’ written by Eliana West is the first book in a series. After reading this book, I am so looking forward to the upcoming books yet to come. This love story, intertwined with the desire to rebuild the town, is inspirational. Life lessons learned from past mistakes are what Dax, the main character, struggles to overcome throughout the story. I gave this book a 4 star rating due to the fact that the story line has me struggling a bit in regard to how Callie is able to forgive and then fall in love with Dax who threatened her life but the story is still believable. I highly recommend this book to all.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.
I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This book was an interesting read. I found it quite appropriate in these current times to highlight these types of behaviors. The treatment of the black members of the community of Colton was appalling. My hometown was in a northern state, Illinois, and luckily I didn’t see that type of behavior. The author did a tremendous job in describing the various characters in the book and their previous actions and the current state of affairs in Colton.
The author tells us about the original plantation owner and his descendants and those of his slaves that all lived in Colton. The town is still segregated by race. Callie Colton’s mother was a black woman who left town and married a white man. They lived in Seattle and were in film producing. Callie came every summer to stay with her grandparents in Colton and loved it there. Her mother had no desire to return. Callie grew up not fitting in as either black or white but identified with her black family in Colton. After college she returned to Colton. After her grandparents death, Callie inherited their home, and a row of buildings including the library where she works.
Dax was descended from the original plantation owner. Growing up his mother was very racist and taught him to be just as cruel. He behaved as he did because his older brother had been sent away and he never knew why. He believed he had to mimic his mother’s words and actions to avoid being sent to boarding school. Callie was the object of his hateful speech when they were younger. She was so hurt, angry and humiliated by his cruel taunting. Dax’s mother still runs the town with respect to how the black residents are treated. She has the sheriff working with her in her acts.
Dax returns to Colton after getting out of the military. He buys a building in town to set up his business, his home and some rental apartments. He sees Callie and is drawn to her. He realizes how horribly he treated her before leaving town and starts trying to apologize. At first she doesn’t believe him or want to accept his apology. His mother expects him to move home but he refuses. She tries to keep Dax and Callie apart. His uncle Robert is living in town too and he offers support and suggestions to Dax to turn his past behavior around. Dax also starts trying to mend fences with his brother by getting him to visit.
Callie is being sent threatening notes and she is having trouble with Dax’s mom working against what she is trying to do with the library and bookstore/cafe she is attempting to open. Her cousin Mae has been a rock for her as she fights against the actions of Dax’s mother and the sheriff. Dax started developing feelings toward Callie and he pushed for them to start a relationship.
There are a few mysteries that come out in the book about the various family members and who is behind the threats and actions against Callie. It was a page turner to find out what was going to happen next. I have given it 5 stars. It was a great book.
The Way Forward (Heart of Colton #1) by Eliana West is a heartfelt story of life changing for the better in a small town. That is not to say that there is not resistance to this. The problem is not that so many people in the town had the prejudices or bias of the psychopath because they didn’t. It was that nothing had been done to stop her until Dax returned home. Sadly, this may be the case for real sometimes. I hope not, I live in a small Southern town and have to believe that the people here would stand up sooner rather than later. The conclusion bothered me a little because the villain was mentally disturbed, not just mean. It was difficult for me to see how jail time would help her. Much more serious intervention is needed.
As for the romance in this story I like Dax, the different man who has returned and also Callie. I don’t think I could ever feel for him as Callie did no matter how many apologies he made. In that respect, it is romance based on a past bulling childhood. Forgiveness I can see, love not so much. Still it is well-written with character insight that stretched my imagination.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
in the crazy world we’re in right now, this story made my heart happy!! I loved every word!!! Thank you!
Old Hurts and New Beginnings (An audio review)
Although Callie is well into adulthood, she’s still haunted by the tormenting and bullying she endured first as a child, and then young woman growing up in Colton, Mississippi. Although numerous kids in the town harassed her, Dax Ellis was her true tormentor. Just hearing about the stories horrified me and, at times, made me want to stop the audio. Gut-churning stuff. I’d been bullied growing up, but nothing like what Callie endured. And all because of her mixed-race heritage.
So when Dax Ellis returns to town, Callie plans to give him a wide berth.
Dax has changed. Years away from Colton, serving in the army, has revealed to him how truly soul-crushing his behavior must have been to Callie. He’s learned empathy from a beloved uncle, and is ready to confront those in his family who still believe themselves better than everyone else. His mother might not be mayor of Colton, but she has her finger in every pie, and those who don’t kowtow to her often find themselves on the losing end of whatever battle she starts.
Callie has suffered under the wrath of Dax’s mother, but her firm belief in the town of Colton has kept her going. Now Dax is back, and she has to decide if his contrition is sincere. And if she can ever trust him again.
Not going to lie, there were parts of this audio that were hard to listen to. But I’m so glad I forged ahead and finished it. I love Ms. West’s storytelling abilities. I was spellbound, and wanting things to end well for Callie and Dax. There were also several secondary characters I fell in love with, including Callie’s best friend. Glad to see this is only book one in the series and there are more to come.
Finally I’ll mention Zuzu Robinson. I’m from Canada, so have minimal exposure to the southern United States, but the accent is unmistakable. Ms. Robinson did a great job and her work was a pleasure to listen to. Can’t wait for the next book.
I was 13% into this book and I turned to my husband and said I would be reading all evening and doing nothing else. That’s exactly what I did. I fell into this story and got surrounded by it, finishing it in one day. It’s emotional, tackles some tough issues, and left me with hope for a better future. The love between Callie and Dax is strong and true. It has to be because they have some powerful hurts to get past. The contemporary world racism made me angry but it felt honest and well-addressed. And again, there is a lot of hope in this story. Honestly, I got into all the characters, even the ones I hated. I want more stories in this world. Jacob, Mae, Isiah, Uncle Robert, Reid. I want to see the town of Colton grow into its new self with a thriving downtown. And, since I wasn’t ready to leave Callie and Dax, I want to see their relationship flourish through others stories. This is a really good debut story and I look forward to reading more from this author.
The Way Forward is the debut novel by Elaina West and the first in The Heart of Colton series. It is a wonderful story of love overcoming hate. She brings light to troubles we as a society have faced in the past and are still facing today with racism.
Dax Ellis was not a very nice kid growing up in fact he was a bully to everyone in Colton, especially Callie Colton. Now he is all grown up and a different person than he was when he left Colton seven years ago. He now wants to put down roots and help rebuild the town he called home. The only problem is that he will have to prove to everyone that he is not the same bully he was growing up. Will they accept him and his apologies.
Callie Colton loved the summers she spent with her grandparents. She is now the town librarian and carrying on her grandparents legacy. That is until Dax returns along with the nightmares. Now their are even threatening letters. All Dax wants to do is apologize for what he did in the past. Can she accept his apology and the fact that he has changed? He is also falling for her, can he go as far as hoping she will feel the same way……
I would definitely recommend this book. Once you read it you will become a fan of this new Author. I know I am, and I can’t wait for next book in The Heart of Colton series.
I received a ARC of this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
With his return to Colton, Dax has to make amends for his behavior as a teenager. This was a wonderful book. The issue of race revealed the truth from the earlier years in the south. I highly recommend this one. This is my first book by this author, but I will read more. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book. This review is my opinion.
Eliana West does a great job of exposing the hypocrisy of racism and the challenges to change it. The Way Forward is a heart warming story of friendship, family and forgiveness.
I just couldn’t connect with the characters. I felt like a outsider watching instead of experiencing the story with them. Just not my favorite read.
I loved this book! Dax wasn’t perfect and he had a lot to atone for with the peopel of Colton, but he was absolutely perfect for Callie. These two went through some things and I couldn’t help the clench in my heart as I read their story. I smiled, I was angry, I had tears, but I was so happy I read this story. It’s definitely a keeper and a must-read story!
The Way Forward by Eliana West
The story is set in a small Southern town, Colton, that has not progressed with the times and attitudes. Small towns can offer a great sense of community, but small town politics can be quite complex too. Enter the world of Callie who is half Black and half White and Dax who tormented her relentlessly as children. Dax is back in town to make amends to those he wronged as a child and to start life anew. It won’t be easy as his mother is the town “matriarch” and she has the town in her hip pocket. She is one of those people who seem born dissatisfied. Nothing and no one are good enough. She clings to old ideas and prejudices; afraid to admit she is wrong.
Can Callie and Dax move beyond the past and find love?
This book is well written and particularly relevant in today’s world. There are themes of community, love, facing prejudice and family. This book is a great read and will give you lots to think about. I would love to see a sequel about what happens in Colton next.
I enjoyed Callie and Dax’s journey through trust and forgiveness to love. The realistic portrayal of racism and bigotry drew me into the story, made me hope that the characters could overcome it, and left me cheering at the end. This is a 5-star story with some minor editing issues.
This was the first book I have read by Eliana, and I was not able to put it down. This book is about southern traditions and how wrong they are in the here and now.
Callie was tortured by Dax growing up because of the color of her skin. The whites would look down on her because she was half black, and the adterican Americans would look down on her becaise she was half white. Dax would torture her when she would visit for the summers growing up. After years of growing up and serving his country, Dax has returned to a town that is afraid of why he’s there.
Dax goes against his momma to reconnect with his brother and find out why he was sent away, fix up his old town, and make amends with the town finding love in the last place he would have ever imagined.
This book is about second chances to fix what looks like can’t be mended and moving forward. I cant say enough praises about this book.
The Way Forward by Eliana West.
The small town he couldn’t wait to leave is calling him home…
Dax Ellis returns to Colton, Mississippi, a changed man. He traveled the world, earned a fortune, and made a lifetime of memories, but now he longs to put down roots. Time hasn’t been kind to his hometown, and Dax wants to help—if only he can convince everyone he’s not the same petulant boy he used to be. Especially the one woman who has every reason not to trust him.
Librarian Callie Colton cherished summers with her grandparents, in the town her ancestors helped build, in spite of the boy who called her names. Now that Colton is her home, life is quiet until Dax returns…and, along with him, ugly letters on her doorstep. He may still have the power to hurt her, but she’s not the same scared little girl she used to be.
And soon Dax will have to face his past to find a way forward for the relationship they were cheated of once before.
This is Callie Colton and Dax Ellis’s story.
She was the one to take a step back, her eyes locked onto him, wide with anxiety.
“The next meeting is Tuesday night.
“Book club.”
Time stood still in Colton, Mississippi, or at least it seemed that way every time Dax Ellis came back to visit. Nothing in his hometown had changed since he left. Like many small towns in the South, Colton was a place where folks were afraid of letting go of the past and fearful of moving forward into an uncertain future. The only thing that changed over time was the worn welcome sign showing the population, which only went down.
Today it went up by one.
He rolled down his window taking in the cool morning air. His gaze swept over the small patch of green with a gazebo at its center. Absolem Madden Colton Park was the centerpiece of Colton’s downtown. His mouth began to water as he drove by the Catfish Café. Sometimes the fact that nothing changed was a good thing. He’d have to stop in for some of Tillie’s pecan pie if she’d let him in the door. Hopefully, it tasted as good as he remembered. The barbershop pole continued its lazy twirl on one side of the town square while the neon lights for Walker’s Pharmacy flickered a dull orange glow. The K blinked twice and went dark just as he drove past. Seven years since he came home for his father’s funeral, and the town had faded even further into obscurity since then. He’d come back to do his best to make sure it didn’t disappear altogether.
The Way Forward by Eliana West is a 3 star book.
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.”
Eliana’s Books with Tule:
The Way Forward
Heart of Colton
Seven years away from home and the first encounter is the girl he tortured as a kid. This is a pleasing and appealing story of reparation and romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a book that has a wonderful feel to it even though it is handling discrimination something that is very much in the public eye at the moment and is been beamed all over the world from the US. It handled it well and certainly had you thinking a very well written story
Dax Ellis was a product of his upbringing when he lives in the small town of Colton, Mississippi but he left travelled and made his money now he has returned and he looks at what is happening in the town in an entirely different way. He wants to build a new life there preferable with the woman he treated bad when he was a child but first there will need to be huge changes in the town His he strong enough to bring that about and will Callie Colton stand by his side as he does it.
Settle in folks, because I have a lot to unpack on this one. The short and sweet review would say this is a wonderful story that needs some editing help, but I’ll dive in deeper.
I always try to start with the good. And honestly, there is a lot that is good with this story. I enjoyed the characters, the good and bad. They are fleshed out pretty well and had me rooting for them, or hating them if that’s what the character called for. I loved the slow unfolding of the relationship between Dax and Callie. There was a bit of two steps forward and one step back, but that is what was expected with their past. Parts of this story made me feel downright icky, and they were supposed to. Racism isn’t unicorns and rainbows, after all. The author does a phenomenal job of portraying the racism in this small southern town. The people who perpetrate the racism, and those that have turned a blind eye to the hatred while not participating. Those who have educated themselves and regret the things they’ve done, and those who still think they are superior to others. It’s not a good look on anyone, and it casts a pall on the town. Seriously, I often had knots in my stomach. That I was so emotionally effected tells me the author has writing chops. (I guess I should actually add a trigger warning here. It gets intense and there are awful things said and done in this story.)
Although I love the storyline, it also bothered me. Callie and Dax aren’t just enemies, Dax was exceptionally cruel to Callie growing up. There is still a part of me that just doesn’t believe she could ever come to an acceptance to some of the things Dax did, no matter how much he’s changed. Since the chemistry between the two of them is great, it’s easier to forget once in a while that he was a terrible bully as a child.
Here’s my main issue with this story, which I don’t think will come as a surprise to those who regularly read my reviews, the timeline. Oh this poor timeline. While nothing about the timeline will make it so the reader doesn’t understand what is happening, it will have you scratching your head. There’s one point that Dax asks Callie for coffee, but that’s somehow never followed through with. More than once a character references “I haven’t seen her since” or “he hasn’t been here since”, but the sentence is not true and they characters HAD seen each other or been to the place. The romance in this story is behind closed doors for the most part and I swear, the characters get intimate (behind closed doors means I don’t know to what extent) and later it’s like it never happened.
From what I can see, this is this author’s first published work. Or at least, the first work listed on her Goodreads page at this point. She has so much potential. Ya’ll know how much I hate inconsistencies in a storyline, yet I still want to read the next book in this series. Her characters really drew me in. In my opinion, her editorial staff failed her. The ARC for this book was sent out 11 days before publication, so I can only imagine it’s been gone over a time or two. It actually makes me angry that this author seems to have been mishandled which can, in effect, end up holding her writing back in the long run.
What I’m trying to say is, although problematic, I’m still going to recommend this book. I think the author has raw talent and will come into her own very quickly. I want her to succeed, I think she deserves to succeed. I think she has a lot of great stories to tell and I want her to be able to share them with the public. And I also want her editor and/or publisher to pay a bit more attention instead of leaving a talented author hanging.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**