Debbie Macomber
Series: Blossom Street #8
Publisher: Mira Books
Publication Date: April 26, 2011
Audio Book {10 hrs}
Source: Public Library
Genre: Contemporary
Characters: Bethanne Hamlin, Ruth Hamlin, Annie Hamlin
Challenge: 100+, Whisper Stories
In the middle of the year, in the middle of her life, Bethanne Hamlin takes a road trip with her daughter, Annie, and her former mother-in-law, Ruth. They’re driving to Florida for Ruth’s 50th high-school reunion. A longtime widow, Ruth would like to reconnect with Royce, the love of her teenage life. She’s heard he’s alone, too...and, well, she’s curious. Maybe even hopeful. Bethanne herself needs time to reflect, to ponder a decision she has to make. Her ex-husband, Grant — her children’s father — wants to reconcile now that his second marriage has failed. Bethanne’s considering it....
Meanwhile, Annie’s out to prove to her onetime boyfriend that she can live a brilliant life without him! So there they are, three women driving across America. They have their maps and their directions — but even the best-planned journey can take you to a turn in the road. Or lead you to an unexpected encounter — like the day Bethanne meets a man named Max who really is a hero on a Harley. That’s when Bethanne’s decision becomes a lot harder. Because Grant wants her back, but now there’s Max....
From Seattle’s Blossom Street to the other end of the country, this is a trip that could change three women’s lives.
A Turn in the Road was an emotional journey of the generations of women all with the same common factor: love. As these women road trip from Washington to Florida, we witness their struggle to find their happily ever after.
Bethanne, a six year divorcee, is contemplating whether or not to go back to her ex-husband. She feels that she at least should give it serious consideration for the sake of her adult children. The only problem is that she is unsure if she can ever truly trust Grant again after his betrayal. That is until she meets Max. She is instantly drawn to this man like no other before him. She has to then decide if she wants to take a chance on her ex or the drifter motorcyclist, Max.
Ruth, Bethanne’s ex-mother-in-law, is taking this road trip to attend her 50th class reunion in hopes of reconnecting with her high school sweetheart, Royce. These two are so cut together and showed that love can be found at any age.
Annie, Bethanne and Grant’s daughter, was the only downside of the story. She was constantly whining and interfering in her mother’s life that it made her an extremely unlikable character. I couldn’t take her seriously as an adult and completely understood her boyfriend leaving her. Annie had a lot of growing up to do, and she never accomplished that by the story’s end. For me, Annie is what took this story from a five star read to a four star.
However one of the secondary characters, Rooster, Max’s motorcycle buddy, was a great addition to the story. He was a loyal friend to Max when he needed him most. The scenes Rooster shared with “Granny” were some of my favorites.
Duration: 10 hours
Brilliance Audio
Narration: A+
I love Joyce Bean's narration. She is one of my absolute favorite female narrators. She always seems to make the books come alive.
