Coming up to their one-year anniversary, Connor tells Mallory that their marriage isn't working, and they will be separating after he returns from a three-week road trip with his business partner Nathan that is an attempt to gain an important account for their fledgling advertising business. Mallory is reluctant to accept this, but is still more horrified when a call to jury-service means that Nathan is no longer available - and she is being asked to go along instead. Playing the happily married couple on video for all of America to see? And that in a tiny teardrop camper? Throw into the mix Judah, Nathan's recalcitrant preteen nephew, who they agree to take along in lieu of putting him into foster care for the duration of Nathan's service, and they seemingly have a recipe for complete disaster. But being out on back roads brings some perspective-changing experiences and insightful new friends. Maybe by the end they will have come a long way from where they started in more ways than one...

I wasn't sure what to expect of this book, but it exceeded whatever I might have thought of expecting. The slow growth of each character and the development of the relationships between them were well managed and enjoyable to watch unfold. There were also some insightful comments on a range of topics, but without feeling preachy. Though the first book I've read by the author, I hope it won't be the last! Highly recommended.

Characters: It was a pleasure to get to know them, and I'd like to see more of their story, particularly Judah.
Storyline: Relatively straightforward, but never too predictable. Well managed.
Content and language: Clean, no issues noted.
Message: Lessons about faith in God, but not extensive.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

Miles from Where We Started is yet another winner by Cynthia Ruchti. She knows how to write believable characters that readers can relate to and this book is proof of that. I enjoyed this story. My favorite character would have to be Judah. I personally he was hilarious and a perfect addition to Mallory and Connor Duncan’s world. I loved the journey they all went on. I never knew what would happen to them next.

I would give Miles from Where We Started one hundred stars if I could. I highly recommend it for readers who need to something that is clean, heartwarming, inspirational, full of faith, and lessons that so many of us all could learn from.
Miles from Where We Started is a great book that readers should not miss. I had a hard time putting the book down and wound up reading it in after a few hours.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Ruchti is a talented writer who always gets to the hearts of her characters and this transfers directly to the reader. This latest offering is a quietly intense story about commitment and surrender.
It took me quite a bit to get invested in this story. We start out not really knowing what is going on other than that this couple's one-year marriage is in trouble. Soon the reader is given more information and then the story takes off.
I loved Judah and the balance he provided between Mallory and Connor. His young street-smart perspective gave the perfect counterbalance to the couple's strengths and weaknesses.
I personally know of a couple dealing with a hereditary illness similar to the one in Connor's family. If I didn't know how devastating this has been for the older married couple, as well as the effects it has had on their young adult children wondering if it will hit them, I don't know that I would have been as invested in the story as much as I was. That part is very realistic, and those of us who don't have that threat hanging over our heads cannot fathom the far-reaching effects this has on a marriage at any stage.
I became so fascinated throughout the journey of the characters as well as the interesting people they met along the way. Wisdom about freedom, forgiveness, faith, and family resonate throughout the tale. I highly recommend setting back into this novel and letting God show you what lessons He wants you to learn, because I certainly learned some things about myself along the way.

Miles From Where We Started is the first book I have read by Cynthia Rucht. I was pleasantly surprised with a charming story of a marriage on the verge of dissolution. Not even married a year yet and Connor and Mallory are ready to call it quits. Well, Connor for sure...maybe! Unresolved issues, the impending possibility of a debilitating disease and commitment seems to have lost its meaning for this young couple. Mallory agrees to a three week trip in a microcamper to help save Connor's business and then added to the mix is a troubled eleven-year-old foster child (snarky and yet you gotta love him!) and the plot thickens. It is a trip that is a mashup of anticipation, sorrow, excitement, and regret...who knows where it will take them. Following this couple on the road trip as well as a trip to perhaps reclaiming their love made for a great read. Would their brokeness offer a training ground for fixing their relationship? On their trip they will log a lot of miles but will they be miles from where they started or right back at the beginning of the end? Ruchti tells a good story, drawing the reader in early in the book and keeping interest with geographic details of the trip (lots of waterfalls--a place to go for soul healing in the Lakota language) and the beautiful characters Connor and Mallory meet along the way. Colorful characters who take interest and become invested in this threesome's tangled lives in a variety of ways. Amidst the conflicts (that couldn't be ignored) there is a wonderful measure of hope--hope that love can see you through the tough times--hope that brings healing to the heart. I look forward to reading more of this author's books.

Ruchti's novels are such a joy to read. While this one took me a bit longer to get into than some, it was nonetheless enjoyable. Overall, this is a beautiful tale with hope and God's mercy woven throughout the laughter and tears.

The setting was unique, and it was interesting to "meet" the people along the way with Mallory, Connor, and Judah. The author is a master at crafting realistic scenarios, making the reader feel they've stepped into the story. Judah adds a nice twist, and he was my favorite character. The book may have the reader pondering what we can learn, and offer, to those we encounter on a daily basis.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary from the publisher and NetGalley, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.

Imagine being stuck in a car, with not only your husband who has asked for a separation, but also an 11-year-old kid whom you barely know, for a 3,000 mile road trip, where your lodging is a tear-drop camper that's mostly bed, and your nightly destinations are unknown until you arrive. This is the situation that Mallory has found herself in, and while she sets out with high hopes that she can convince her husband, Connor, to rethink his separation question, it's going to take everything in her to get through this crazy trip facing a reluctant husband and a rebellious foster kid.

This was such a unique setting and plotline; it took me a little bit to get into it, but once they were on the road, I was so intrigued by the people they were meeting and the destinations the company sponsoring the road trip was sending them to, that suddenly a road trip and camping sounded like a great idea! I love that this author makes her characters feel so real; Mallory and Connor are facing some hard stuff that they should be facing together, but they're each trying to deal with it separately and the reader gets to see how that plays out and their individual motivations for such. In addition, Judah - the 11-year-old - adds the complicated dynamic of not being able to talk out their problems, and they have to figure out how to show this toughened kid that life isn't always going to kick him when he's down.

I give this book 4 stars; I really enjoyed the trip itself and all of the characters along the way. Also, isn't that cover gorgeous?!

You can find Miles from Where We Started HERE.
You can find the author's page HERE. Everything I've read from her has been unique and thought-provoking - I look forward to reading more!

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

Many people who have been married for many years would agree that the first year of marriage can be a hard one with adjusting to sharing life with someone else. Mallory and Connor are on the verge of ending their first year of marriage when an opportunity arises for them to travel three weeks across country hauling a microcamper. Mallory agrees to trip to help Connor in his business endeavor. Adding to the tension of the trip is an eleven year old foster boy who needs guardians. As they travel together and meet people from all walks of life, the three learn to depend on each other. I really enjoyed the added storylines of the people they meet along the way and how Mallory and Connor learned it's okay to accept help from others.
Cynthia Ruchti always tells a good story that is different from other Christian writers. If you want a book on a marriage healed, read this story.
I received an e-copy of Miles from Where We started from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I could not finish this book. I wanted to ask why this couple had not taken pre-marriage prep....because, if they did, they certainly did not learn about the importance of communication. This, and a rather unlikely plot just had me put this book down.

'Forgive more than you think you should have to. And that includes yourself.'

This was my first book by Cynthia Ruchti and it will not be the last. This one is going on my top ten reads of 2018. Worth a re-read, too, down the road.

Connor and Mallory Duncan have decided to end their year long marriage. Well, Connor has. He has his reasons but Mallory doesn't agree with him at all. They can't agree on how to end the marriage, though. A last minute situation sends them off on a three thousand mile road trip in a mini camper and Mallory feels like their marriage just might have a chance. Then an 11 year old at risk boy is tossed into the mix and their travel quarters, while impossibly close already, become closer still. This is not a recipe for anything good to happen and quite possibly, disaster will happen. Will their marriage end for good? Can they find a new beginning on this trip?

This book captured my attention from the very first chapter and held me completely until the last word. This young couple truly do love each other, but circumstances cause one of them to think they have no future. I felt their love for each other, their pain and their heartache. The emotions ran deep, hard at times, nearly too hard, but there also was a sweetness to it all. As they set out on their journey across America, they run into some absolutely wonderful people. People that blessed me to no end, making me wish I could run into them myself. Each group they ran into imparted great wisdom and strength and love to them. These people deposited so much grace into Mallory and Connor's life and also to mine! Sometimes you read a book that just doesn't want to leave you for a while. This is such a book.

I wept through the last fourth of this book. Everything about it was so tremendously powerful. I am richer for having read this book. I highly recommend it. Truly. Do not miss this book.

*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Net Galley. All opinions stated here are entirely my own.

I admit - the writing wasn’t very good so I had to shelve it. The descriptions, the way the narrator talked about other characters.

Cynthia Ruchti is so good at weaving a touch of humor into a heavy matter of the heart.

In Miles from Where we Started, main characters Mallory and Connor Duncan have been married not even a year and Connor declares he wants to end the marriage. To help out Connor's business and to try to salvage their marriage, Mallory agrees to a three week road trip in a tear drop camper with Connor. At the last minute an 11 year old foster child, Judah, is added to the journey.

Mallory, Connor and Judah meet so many wonderful people during their road trip. It brings to mind if we stop to really get to know others, what might we offer to them? Learn from them? I think we are so busy, we fail to slow down enough to connect at any level with strangers.

Judah's snarky sense of humor added lightness to the heaviness of Mallory and Connor's marital problems. I adored Judah.

In MILES FROM WHERE WE STARTED, CYNTHIA RUCHTI tells the story of a marriage and a fifteen year old boy that both need rescuing. It is a delightful read, very emotional but relieved with a good dose of humour.
Connor and Mallory Duncan haven't even been married for a year and their marriage seems to be over. They are about to go their separate ways when, because Connor's partner, Nathan, can't get out of jury duty, they end up embarking on a three week road trip in a very small camper, in order to make sure that their firm gets the RoadSave account. Add Nathan's troubled foster son, Judah, and things really get interesting!
It is a beautifully told story of courage, redemption and restoration, as we see God's grace at work in their hearts. I especially love the way the people they meet on the way have such input in their lives. It is not only RoadSave that is organizing their route - God Himself definitely has a hand in it!
I was given a free copy of the book by Gilead Publishing from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Cynthia Ruchti never fails to touch my heart. Miles from Where We Started kept my heart engaged from this very first page.

A young married couple are struggling in their less-than-a-year old marriage; communication has completely broken down. The husband has determined that his genetic inheritance may, or may not, shorten his life, making him a burden on his wife, something he has decided would be just unfair to ask of her. The wife is just as determined that her commitment is lifelong and nothing about it would be burdensome.

Mallory and Duncan agree to a 3000 mile road trip in a very small camper. They’ve also agreed to allow an 11 year old troubled foster boy to travel with them. The road trip destinations are directed by the company marketing the small camper. Along the way, the three find themselves in some interesting situations and meeting some unique individuals, each of them having a story to share. Interestingly, each destination always includes a waterfall, some requiring considerable hiking.

As the trio travels along something begins to happen; self-reflection that leads to listening and listening that leads to hope.

This is one of the best books I've read this year. Mallory and Conner have been married just under a year and are on the verge of separating when an emergency with Conner's job requires a 3-week road trip, Mallory and a co-worker's foster child go on a trip of a lifetime with Conner. As Mallory and Conner navigate a rebellious foster child and their mixed feelings regarding their marriage and upcoming separation, God's hand works in the midst of the turmoil and unknowns. The book describes the physical and emotional journey of both Conner and Mallory in this unforgettable book about life.

This book is absolutely wonderful!! Don't start it if you have to get up early the next morning because you can't put it down. Come join Conner, Mallery and Judah on a road trip you will never forget. You can't help but fall in love with Judah, he is such a special kid. This book has you laughing, cry and cheering. I can't wait to read more books by Cynthia Ruchti, I love how she has the theme of hope and God's mercy woven into this story. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Gilead Publishing via NetGally for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion of this great book.