Take the long way home by Rochelle Alers is a great story. It is a historical fiction. Claudia is the main character who travels home to Mississippi after living in Italy as an Italian citizen for most of her life. The book is sectioned into for parts surrounding for men in her life. Alers tells Claudia’s story phenomenally and incorporates racial history in the U.S.

This one was a bit longer than my average read but I have to say that I Absolutely loved the concept and execution of this story and how it spans such a vast period of time and many intriguing places. Some what of reminiscent of the likes of "Evelyn Hugo' but in a deeper and more meaningful way. Immediately gripped and connected. Pulling at my heart strings in all the right ways. Beautifully written!

This is not my usual reading material from Rochelle Alers; but I must say I enjoyed reading Take The Long Way Home. Rochelle Alers did an awesome job, I loved the rich history, the characters were awesome and plot held me captive turning page after page. I felt as if I was right there with Claudia as she was taking the readers on her journey throughout her life. I just can’t say enough about Take The Long Way Home.

Can’t wait to see what Rochelle Alers has in store for her readers next.

I received an ARC via NetGalley and Kensington Books, Dafina and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Review based on final copy. All opinions are my own.
I’ve read a couple of Rochelle Alers’ romances, and while I’ve been very mixed on them, due to her tendency to solve them with a third-act pregnancy (this happened in two books now!), I was intrigued to see that she, like some other Black romance authors, was branching out into historical fiction with Take the Long Way Home. While I did find some of the marketing choices for the review copy a tad misleading, and I did balk a tad when I realized it was almost 600 pages, and somewhat non-linear, I decided to give it a chance for my Black History Month reading. And to my surprise, I ended up really enjoying it.
While Claudia and all the major characters are fictional, they are based on real historical figures instrumental to Black history and the civil rights movement. While the movement isn’t the central theme of the book, it plays a part in Cladia’s narrative throughout the book.
The premise of how these different men shape a woman, whether romantically or otherwise, is an intriguing premise, but I love that ultimately, while the story is about that, Claudia and her growth are always centered. She truly learns a lot from a young age, and doesn’t have an easy road, but she ends up accomplishing a lot throughout her life, even with all the challenges, loves, and losses. Through each of these experiences, she shows her strength to keep moving forward.
And while the marketing emphasizes the various men who come in and out of her life, and they are important, I love the role the various women in her family play too, like her grandmother, mother, and aunt. And rather late in the narrative, she also is accepted by her second husband Giancarlo’s mother as well.
While I feared the challenges the length and breadth might present, these were largely unfounded. The story was easy to get into, and while there were some intense moments, due to the nature of the subject matter, I quickly became engrossed. The pacing also wasn’t an issue, and the timeline wasn’t as scattered as I’d feared, although I did feel like the main part of the book prior to the epilogue ended rather abruptly, before jumping ahead in time.
I really enjoyed this book, and would be interested in reading more books in a similar vein from Rochelle Alers in the future. If you’re interested in romantic historical fiction about a Black woman during the civil rights movement, I’d recommend checking this out!

"Take the Long Way Home" by Rochelle Alers is an enthralling novel spanning seven decades and two continents, unfolding the remarkable journey of Claudia Patterson through some of history's turbulent eras. Alers skillfully crafts Claudia as a multifaceted character, from a freedom fighter and businessperson to a devoted wife and linguist. The narrative explores Claudia's relationships with four impactful men, providing a nuanced perspective on love, loss, and resilience against the backdrop of significant historical events like the Civil Rights Movement. While the novel excels in its rich historical context and portrayal of Claudia, some readers may find the complex narrative challenging to follow, and certain plot twists may be intense. Additionally, the breadth of the story occasionally leads to underexplored aspects, leaving room for deeper character development. Overall, it's a compelling tale of rising through adversity, woven with history and timeless emotion.

Take the Long Way Home knocked me for a loop as it was the 2nd time in a few months I have heard about such harrowing hidden tales from the South in the 50s. As a companion, look into the history of Lake Lanier.

Engaging story of Claudia's life throughout the decades. Lots of history thrown in and I enjoyed that. Overall a goodread.

This book was interesting. Written unlike any book I've read before. Claudia is truly timeless but there is a lot of action packed between these pages.

Reading this book is indeed taking the long way home.

Claudia spends the first twelve years of her life in an all-Black town in Mississippi but when a young white man becomes obsessed with her, her parents send her to live with an aunt in Biloxi. Through this aunt, and another very wealthy one, Claudia is introduced to Europe’s upper crust of society. But again, a man’s interest in her is disapproved of by her family and Claudia returns to the states.

A marriage, another romance, tragedies, career. Claudia’s story is interesting but her unrelenting perfection and the devotion of everyone around her is tiring, as is the excessive detail the author shares. Still, the underlying themes—the heavy impact of systemic racism—is an important one. The story could be told with a reasonably flawed protagonist and less meal detail. #TaketheLongWayHome #NetGalley

This is a wonderful book full of history that centers around a beautiful Black woman called Claudia Peterson and the four men that are part of her part of her life.They are Denny Clark- a white boy whose life Claudia saves who pays her back in a most unjust way. Robert- who she marries and loses tragically. Ashley- a wealthy Black man who is afraid to tell Claudia he loves her and Giancarlo- an Italian man who emerges from Claudia’s past at just the right time. Each chapter has a famous quote that is pertinent to the events of the chapter. This novel has great character development and I highly recommend it.

"Take the Long Way Home" by Rochelle Alers offers an arresting and sweeping narrative that traverses seven decades and two continents, following the remarkable journey of Claudia Patterson through some of history's most tumultuous periods. From a 1950s Mississippi town established by freed slaves to the cultural diversity of 1960s Paris and Rome, and the allure of 1980s Wall Street to present-day New York, Alers crafts a vivid tapestry of Claudia's life and the profound impact of four significant men who shape her journey.

Claudia Patterson emerges as a multifaceted protagonist—part freedom fighter, astute businessperson, devoted wife, linguistic savant, and the eventual savior of a European dynasty. Alers skillfully unveils Claudia's life, driven by powerful loves and profound losses that shape her trajectory and define her resilience.

The narrative introduces four pivotal men who leave indelible marks on Claudia's life. First, Denny Clark, an abused young boy whose life Claudia saves at a tender age, setting off a chain of events that intricately intertwines their fates. Then, Robert Moore, a passionate Black lawyer who becomes Claudia's husband and an essential partner in the Civil Rights Movement, leading to a personal encounter with the Ku Klux Klan that irrevocably alters her path.

Subsequent relationships with Ashley Booth, a Wall Street executive, and Giancarlo Pasquale Fortenza, an Italian automobile industrialist, bring new dimensions to Claudia's life. The allure of the elite Black circle in New York and an overseas assignment in Italy amplify the intricacies of her existence, reconnecting her with her past in unexpected and daring ways.

Alers weaves a rich tapestry of history, emotion, and resilience, chronicling Claudia's rise from poverty, navigating the challenges of racism, and enduring heartbreak. Through Claudia's journey, the novel explores the profound impact of significant relationships across a lifetime, portraying the complexities of human connections against the backdrop of historical turbulence.

"Take the Long Way Home" stands as an epic saga that resonates with timeless themes of resilience, love, and the transformative power of relationships. Rochelle Alers' masterful storytelling unfolds a compelling narrative, capturing the essence of an extraordinary life marked by trials, triumphs, and the enduring strength drawn from profound connections. This preview of the first 43 chapters promises a captivating and emotionally resonant saga that spans generations, leaving readers eager to embark on the entirety of Claudia Patterson's remarkable odyssey.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington books for an advance digital copy for my honest review.

I think this one that will sit with me for a while. From the history to the actual story, there is so much to unpack here. I have some students who will deeply appreciate this text—not only for the representation but also for the fullness and richness of the story.

Thank you Rochelle Alers, Kensington Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC e-book. I love a great historical fiction book and a touch of romance is an added benefit. That said this book fell flat. There was so much sex (which is fine) but the history part lacked. I think there were too many decades to go through where it was almost like okay let me guess new lover (insert eyeroll). I really wanted to like this book but i just couldn't find it in me to like it enough. The fact that it was also not complete did not even break my heart because i wasnt sure I could continue reading anymore.

This novel covers about 70 years in the life of Claudia Patterson starting with her life as a 12 year old girl through her teens, college years, her friends and family. The book was told through stories about the men in her life.
Claudia was the only child of a couple who lived in Freedom, Mississippi, a fictional town founded by freed slaves after the Civil War. Her parents each owned their businesses - her mother, a beauty salon, and her father a barber shop. It was refreshing to read about a family which did not conform to the typical oppressed Black family, with multiple children, multiple absent fathers, and impoverished lives. Claudia's parents took an interest in everything she did and her grandmother Earline was also a major influence in her life. Claudia learned from her life experiences and developed into an determined, focused woman.
Along the way, it was interesting to revisit the turbulent 60's from the perspective of a Black Southern woman, where racism, discrimination and sexism were so prominent. The author deftly describes the impact of these events on the life of a Black person - which were very different from my own experiences (being a white Yankee).
Claudia was fluent in three languages - English, Italian, and French. She was fortunate to have a college education which allowed her to succeed in the world of banking and even get a job in Rome, Italy.
I liked the relationship she had with her husbands, and the moral standards that she maintained. However, my
chief objection to this book was the inclusion of multiple graphic erotic scenes which I felt were out of place in this book which could have stood alone as a sage of a woman through 70 years of her life and the changes that she experienced.
I Received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher which included the first 43 chapters, and also an advance paperback copy which was complete. It was fortunate that I got to read the end of the book, as there was some resolution to the story. The opinions expressed are my own, and I rate the book 3.5 stars

A historical fiction story of a woman spanning decades, that tells of her loves and love for life. This book started off really good. But then it began to drag a little and it was hard for me to stay interested. It did remind me a little of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, so I kept reading to see if it would get better. And it did. Claudia led a very eventful life. I loved the history and getting a glimpse into what life was like for Black people in Europe at that time.

Thank you Netgalley for a chance to read and review.

This story is historical fiction, part romance that tells us the life of Claudia Patterson a Black woman that we meet when she is 12 years old, and how her life is developing during the few decades of her life. I had a chance to read about everything that happened in that time in the world in the story about the MC's life. In overall it is a well-written book.

Claudia Patterson was born in 1940 in the coloured town of Freedom, Mississippi, it was founded by freed slaves and it’s still dangerous to live there and because the Ku Klux Klan are very active in the area. Claudia parents both run their own businesses, her father Earl is a barber and her mother Sarah a hair dresser and Claudia is an only child.

Claudia and her grandmother Earline save the life of a severely beaten teenage boy called Denny Clark, it becomes unsafe for Claudia to stay in Freedom, her name has been linked to the white boy and he later goes on to be a leader of the Klan. Claudia leaves and goes to stay with her aunt Mavis, who’s the assistant principal at a private coloured girl’s school in Biloxi and family visits her on the weekends,

Claudia graduates high school, she goes to Hampton College and studies business. Claudia marries Robert Moore, and they move back to Mississippi, he works for the Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee, Robert becomes involved with the civil rights movement and Claudia believes he hid what he was really doing from her and this leads to his death.

Claudia leaves the South, she has had enough and her best friend from college Yvonne lives in New York City and she invites her to visit. Claudia still encounters prejudice here, she’s not sure if it’s because of the colour of her skin or due to being an educated woman? Here she meets Ashley booth, a Wall Street executive and a successful one, he’s afraid to commit and when Claudia is given the chance to work for an international bank in Italy she seizes the opportunity.

Giancarlo Fortenza owns Fortenza Motors, he met a teenage Claudia years ago when she was visiting her aunt Virgie in France and now the twelve year age difference isn’t such an issue and is Claudia ready to put her heart on the line again?

I received a digital copy of Take the Long Way Home by Rochelle Alers from Kensington publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The narrative focuses on the life of a coloured woman, spanning over seventy years and it’s told from her point of view, she faces racism, discrimination, sexism and hatred.

Education and being fluent in three languages are pivotal in Claudia being able to leave America, live in another country and like many coloured people she was tired of waiting. Martin Luther King was a civil rights activist in America at the time and through nonviolence and using civil disobedience and he tried to bring about change. My favourite characters were, Claudia's grandmother Earline and her two aunts Mavis and Virgie and all three are strong and influential women and I gave the book three and a half stars.

DNF!!! I love historical fiction. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The writing style was off and I could not get through this book. It needed some editing. The writing was superficial and simplistic and the characters were not intriguing and did not interest me. Plus, the book wasn't even finished. The last 5-8 chapters were not in my advanced copy.

Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for this ARC for my honest review.

I judged a book by its cover and 100% expected this to be a World War II drama set at least partially in Italy. I was 100% wrong. Well, maybe not 100% because it’s set in the immediate post-war period (ish) and involves Italy. But it’s mostly the story of a young woman who grows up in the segregated southern United States but who has opportunities and relative privilege that make her life so very different from those we (I) have read of before. It’s also a story about love and friendship that spans continents and crosses state lines.

Claudia is a smart, polished businesswoman who knows what she wants and works hard for it. In a lot of ways this was a great book. In other ways this was not a fantastic read because there was just some choppiness in the writing and it’s the ARC with the most typos and errors I’ve ever seen - so that was a bit disappointing. I also don’t love how there are chapters missing at the end of the story - how are we expected to give a full review without understanding how the beginning chapters - set in the “present” - link back with the story that’s been told in the “in between.” Disappointed.

I found this book to be very interesting. It follows the life of Claudia from age 12 on. All she goes through an does. Her ups and downs. Sadness and happiness.

It's about the horrible racism in Mississippi and other states during her life. Unfortunately it still exists to this day. I found it hard to read in places. Not because it wasn't good but because it is so real. Growing up in a country that claims to be the land of the free yet so filled with hatred for people is horrible.

I found this book to be very realistic and well written. This author took one woman and made her come to life on the pages. It is one that I recommend people to read. Learn how things were. I just hope this one is not banned...

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington books for this ARC. This is my true thoughts about this book.

5 big stars.