A charming story with continual twists that kept me reading! What a rough life these children endured due to the stigma of being a British home child that follow them into adulthood. My heart ached for Emma and the injustice she suffered but Carrie ties it nicely with a teary happy ending that also sees Grace reunited with her birth family after many years. The sibling love is so sweet it made me sorry they had so much lost time between them. If you love historical fiction you will enjoy the journey in this novel.

No Journey too Far is another heartwarming and well written book by Ms. Turansky. Great plot and character dynamics. I recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

Another heartwarming well written story by this author.
No Journey Too Far is the sequel to No Ocean Too Wide. Although enough backstory is given, I recommend you read the first to fully enjoy the story.
A story that will stay with me for a while.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

My heart is full after reading this powerful book of never giving up on love and holding on to faith to see you through. I fell in love with these characters as children in No Ocean to Wide and the journey has been long and difficult for them. Ms Turansky is a pro at weaving a tapestry of words that draw you in and stay with you even after turning the final page. It reminds me not to give up hope even in the darkest circumstances as God is still working behind the scenes to bring to fruition His plan for our lives. He restores and gives beauty for the ashes. I love the research that the author does and how she brings it to life as if you are in the midst of it. I highly recommend this series and bringing the plight of the British Home Children to the forefront. Have tissues handy.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

No Journey Too Far by Carrie Turansky

I read this book at night when I couldn’t sleep. I did really enjoy the book, it had some twists and turns to it, it does have quite a bit about the British Home Children. Some of the children taken due to their parents no longer able to take care of them or they passed away and the children had no relatives to step forward and take care of them. When they arrive in Canada, they are either adopted or given to farmers, etc. to serve as indentured servants. Grace McAlister finds a small trunk in her attic with belongings that came with her when her parents adopted her. She finds the name of the place where she stayed until she was placed with her parents. She really wants to find her family members. Then a brother showed up on her doorstep. Her parents don’t want to believe she has family members and even a Mother who was alive and they throw him out. She is about to be presented to society as a girl ready to marry, marry the man who has be best family even if she doesn’t like or love him. So, when Garth and his buddy show up at the ball, they sneak her away from her family to take her back to natural family. There are other’s who are involved in this story and it is quite a tale. This is the second book in the series, the first in this saga was “No Ocean Too Wide”. I never read the first book and don’t believe you have to read it in order to understand and follow this story. It’s a sweet romance, with mystery and history thrown in. I do recommend this book if this is your type of read.

I received this book in the kindle format from NetGalley and my opinions on this book are my own freely given, I wasn’t required to do a review. #NoJourneyTooFar #NetGalley #CarrieTuransky


Description as found on NetGalley.com:

A family long divided, a mysterious trunk, and a desperate journey across the ocean—all in the name of love. The epic saga of the McAlisters continues in this riveting sequel to No Ocean Too Wide.

In 1909, Grace McAlister set sail for Canada as one of the thousands of British Home Children taken from their families and their homeland. Though she is fortunate enough to be adopted by wealthy parents, the secrets of her past are kept hidden for ten years until someone from her long-buried childhood arrives on her doorstep. With this new connection to her birth family, will she be brave enough to leave her sheltered life in Toronto and uncover the truth?

After enduring hardship as an indentured British Home Child, Garth McAlister left Canada to serve in World War I. His sweetheart, Emma Lafferty, promised to wait for his return, but after three long years apart, her letters suddenly stopped. When Garth arrives home from the war to unexpected news, he is determined to return to Canada once more on a daunting mission to find the two women he refuses to abandon—his long-lost sister and his mysteriously missing sweetheart.

No Journey Too Far is the long-awaited sequel to No Ocean Too Wide. Although enough backstory is given, I highly recommend you read the first to fully enjoy the story.

Following his service as a soldier in WWI, Garth plans to return to Canada to continue the years-long search for a missing sister who had been mistakenly sent to Canada as a British Home Child. He also hopes to find his sweetheart Emma, a young lady he met during his own indenture period. Through a series of barriers brought on by prejudice and misunderstandings, Garth must rely upon his faith in God for strength and guidance on his journey. I loved learning about the British Home Children and the successes and failures that accompanied their inclusion into Canadian society.

The theme that no journey in distance and time is too much to search and reunite with loved ones is heartwarming. I found this story of family, faith and love to be delightful conclusion.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Carrie Turansky delivers another moving tale with No Journey too Far.

If you have read No Ocean Too Wide, then you will be familiar with the McAlister siblings and their journey to Canada as British Home Children. In No Journey too Far, Garth McAlister is on the hunt to find his sister Grace and the sweetheart he left behind when he went off to war. While Grace was legally adopted and not forced to serve as an indentured servant as her brother and sister Katie did, her life was still difficult in different ways. While she was adopted into a wealthy family, her new parents were determined to hide the fact that she was a British Home Child. Forced to deny her heritage, Grace must make the heart-rending decision to leave her adoptive parents to find not only herself but also her real family.

In the meantime, Garth is trying to find his sweetheart, Emma. Their story is very traumatic and surprising. I loved how this book was so "faith-filled." Despite the character's circumstances, their trust in God remained strong.

As with No Ocean too Wide, I was amazed that people (my fellow Canadians) had such prejudiced attitudes towards children who had no say in their futures at all. Just being known as a British Home Child automatically put you in the category of an undesirable and untrustworthy person. While Emma's story is fictional, the prejudice towards British Home Children was factual. It is a sad part of Canadian history.

If you haven't read the first book, this can be read as a standalone, although I highly recommend reading together!

Great story about the British Home Children and their lives in Canada. You will smile and cry as their lives are. unfurled. A great since of place. you feel like you are there.

5 Stars Out Of 5
A Must-Read for Historical Fiction Lovers!
March 20, 2021
This is the second in the McAlister Family series after No Ocean Too Wide which was also wonderful! It picks up the story of the two remaining siblings in Canada as British Home Children. This is a moving account of the trials home children endured and how far one family will go to reclaim their missing children and siblings. This tale is filled with love, home, intrigue, mystery, and joy. A must-read for sure!

I was selected to be part of the Launch Team for No Journey Too Far and to receive an advance copy of this book via NetGalley for which I am very grateful.

No Journey too far is book 2 in the McAlister Family series by Carrie Turansky, published by Multnomah. The story is set in Canada 1919 and is about Garth McAlister as he returns from the Great War. As children believed to be orphans he and his 2 sisters were shipped off to Canada to work on farms and after 10 years of search, his family has still not heard from his sister, Grace. Garth decides to go back in search for her and also for his sweetheart, Emma Lafferty. Grace was adopted by a wealthy family in Toronto and is now about to be launched into Society to get married. She resents the pressure and reaches out to her family in England. Her address reaches Garth, and he visits her. Grace’s adoptive parents are convinced she is an orphan, so they brusquely throw him out, which makes Grace run away. Garth continues his mission to find sweetheart Emma. His skill and connections come in handy when helping her out of some really difficult circumstances.

Main character is ex-Corporal Garth McAlister who seems compassionate, well rounded and likable. As a British Home Child he was badly treated as a farm hand, but seems to have soldiered through without too many emotional scars.

Supporting character is Emma Lafferty seems quite level headed and assertive as she figures out who to contact for information about Garth. From time to time she gets doubts Garth commitment, but I was pleased to see regains her trust again. I found her easy to like and my favorite of this story.

I read No Journey too far as a standalone which worked perfectly, but reading book one first would give the complete picture of the McAlister family. The parts about Garth’s life within his family were my absolute favorites of the story. I didn’t know much about British Home Children or about American farm life in the 1900s, so it felt like I learned a lot by reading this story.

I enjoyed how the spiritual element was at the forefront for most of the story. Grace was adopted by a family who only went to church a few times a year. They didn’t pray or read the Bible, so Grace’s spiritual journey seemed to begin when she found the family Bible and started reading it in secret.

This is the last in the 2 book series, and I wonder what Carrie Turansky’s next book will be about. Anyone who enjoys historical romance will enjoy this one. As will fans of Carrie Turansky’s other works. Similar authors to explore might be Laura Frantz or Jody Hedlund. Thank you to Multnomah, Carrie Turansky and NetGalley for this opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

Conclusion: No Journey too far takes ex-corporal Garth McAlister to Canada in search of his sweetheart and his lost sister, Grace. He helps Grace escape her wealthy and powerful adoptive parents and he has to use all his skill and connections to help his sweetheart out of her difficulties for them to have a future together.

Grace Hamilton, about to make her society debut in post-World War 1 Toronto, has never quite fit in with the expectations of her adoptive parents. When her long-lost brother shows up on her doorstep and informs Grace of her mother and siblings in England, she finds herself torn between her obligation to her adoptive family and her need to seek out her true relations. As Grace learns more about herself, she finds herself on a quest seeking to belong and be loved for who she really is. Themes of faith, family and friendship are woven throughout this inspirational work of historical fiction.

Was it even possible that years later, Grace, having been ripped from her family as a young girl, nurtured by a well meaning Canadian couple should stumble across her past? Garth and Katie has also been separated. Where had they been all this time? Carrie quickly catches the reader up with the past, enabling a new reader to enjoy the series that so adeptly covers the emotions and confusions experienced by some that had been picked up under the British Homes Children's programme. If only the 3 children could of been united in Canada and wrongs rectified. Carrie weaves around the lives of Garth and Grace, now much older, with quite different experiences. Who is Emma and why does Andrew, Garth and Grace's brother in law come to their aid. A very enjoyable story that takes the reader on the waves of life, not knowing what might happen next, just when all appears well. One that is not easily put down

Even though No Journey Too Far is the second book in this series about British Home Children being sent to Canada to serve as indentured servants or to be adopted in some cases by Canadian families, it can be read before No Ocean Too Wide, the first book in the series. However, the full impact of the ordeal experienced by the McAlister family will best be understood and appreciated if the two novels are read in the order they were written. Both are excellent novels--well written with well-developed characters and plenty of intrigue. This second novel features Garth McAlister, who served as an indentured servant on a farm and then served Canada in WWI before returning to England to be reunited with his mother and two of his sisters. He then returns to Canada to find his younger sister Grace and his girlfriend Emma. His good friend Rob accompanies him and hopes to take over his former employer's farm as he retires. All four of these characters were British Home Children and faced tremendous prejudice by Canadians but persevered and trusted the Lord during their various trials. The ending was encouraging and satisfying, leaving the reader with hope and inspiration. I highly recommend this novel and the one that preceded it.

Grace McAllister has grown into a 17 yr old society lady in Toronto. She still longs for knowledge of her sisters, brother, Garth, and her Mum. Garth is grown and after fighting overseas is back on English soil with his sisters in St Alban, England. Laura and Andrew have since married and they all live at Bolton, except for Grace. Katie, Garth’s twin, married Steven and are expecting a child. This story follows their trials, anguish and joys as they find love. Their faith leads their footsteps down the path each must walk until it leads them all home. Wonderful conclusion to Grace’s and Garth’s stories. I was sent an advanced copy for an honest review. Thank you so much for allowing me this honor.

I have waited for this story for awhile. I couldn’t wait to see what had happened to Grace and Garth. The author gives us more details of what happens to British Home Children. It is a must to read the first book in this series called, No Ocean Too Wide. It will set the stage for who the characters are and their journey to find their family.

This story gives us a look at what happens when these children become young adults and the prejudge they face. It was so hard to read how they were mistreated. Some of them endured physical abuse that was not reported. My heart broke as I read how Grace longed to find her siblings. She was fortunate to be adopted and raised in a loving home. But her parents always insisted that no one know her past. How sad that they were ashamed of something that Grace had no control over.

Garth was so determined to find his siblings that he would travel anywhere to be reunited with them. I loved how the author emphasizes the importance of trusting God throughout the story. When circumstances seemed hopeless, God was there to guide them. I loved the romance that developed between several characters. It was sweet and gave them hope for a better future. I did enjoy the part that finds us front and center in a courtroom. Those scenes were exceptional and allowed us to see how much Emma was loved. Garth’s heart was full of love for Emma and prayed for a future with her.

I am very happy with the ending but I will confess that I cried. Oh they were happy tears but I have come to love these characters and didn’t want to say goodbye to them. The author writes a compassionate story about how important family is. The journey was hard at times mixed with danger but through it all they never gave up. Their faith was tested but they stood steadfast believing He had a plan for each of them. Welcome home McAlister family.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Netgalley. The review is my own opinion.

A satisfying finish to the story of the McAlister siblings. It picks up 10 years after book one, and brings together all of the loose ends, adding some new characters and two tender romances. A story of family, faith, and forgiveness.

"...home is not just a place. It’s the people you care about."

There is a clear Christian message in this book, mixed well into what the main characters are experiencing. Many sincere prayers are lifted up for guidance and help in a time of need. I felt especially pulled into Emma's story. She was a sweet, hard working, sincere young woman whose background as a British Home Child was often used against her. It was sad to think there was such a prejudice towards these children. The author notes shed light on the legacy they have left in Canada, with many descendants.

Teens and older readers who enjoy historical fiction with faith, and tender clean romance, should enjoy this one.

I loved Carrie Turansky's first novel in the McAlister series, No Ocean Too Wide, and looked forward to No Journey Too Far. I was not disappointed. This series focuses on the lives of British Home Children. In the late 1800s through the early 1900s, British children who were orphaned were often sent to one of the British colonies to become indentured servants to people who opened their homes to them. Many were treated well, but many found themselves split from their siblings and placed into homes where they were used and terribly abused.

In this second book, we see McAlister son, Garth, has grown into an intelligent young man who has finally finished his indentured contract and is returning from his service in World War II. He is finally reunited with his family, but he must journey back to Canada to reunite with the girl he left waiting for him with a promise to return for her. Unfortunately, Emma has had to flee the farm where she and Garth were indentured, and he must go on a journey to find her. The story also centers on the youngest McAlister sister, Grace, who has been raised by a wealthy family, but she longs to be reunited with her birth family.

I love historical fiction and until reading the first book in this series, I never knew about the British Home Children program. Carrie Turansky weaves a beautiful story that contains suspense, a mystery and crime to be solved, and of course, love. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

No Journey Too Far, book 2 in the McAlister Family by Carrie Turansky, is about some young adults who had come to Canada from England as part of the British Home Children in early 1900s. Some children were adopted, and some came as indentured servants. In this story, the youngest of the McAlister siblings, Grace, had been adopted by a wealthy, high society couple, who loved her, but were rather stiff and aloof. They gave her many opportunities, but insisted that she never let anyone know she was adopted. It was time for her "coming out," time to find a "suitable" husband. Her sister Katie and brother, Garth, had been reunited with their Mum and older sister, Laura in England.. Garth and his friend Rob set out to find Grace. Grace had also sent letters, trying to find Garth. Garth also had to find his girlfriend, whom he had left behind in Canada when he went to serve in WW1.

Although I had read some stories about the Orphan Train children in the U.S., I had never heard of the British Home Children. This book was well - researched and very informative. There was just enough tension, romance, and faith in God for my taste. The theme for No Journey Too Far is Psalm 9:9-10 "The Lord is refuge for the oppressed and a stronghold in times of trouble . . . you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
I would recommend this story for anyone, especially young adults and teens so they can appreciate what they have.
There was one thing that was very annoying about the book. There was no indication of change of time or place- no wiggly line to separate. I often thought "Huh? They're in the barn? I thought they were sleeping" or " Emma is speaking? I thought this was Grace."Since this was an advanced copy, perhaps that will be fixed before the book is released.
I would rate this 4.5 stars out of 5 or 9 stars of 10.

It was such a delight to find a historical novel set in Canada! It was exciting for me since the story was set in places I know well – Toronto, Kingston and Belleville Ontario. The descriptions of the places were done well.

I haven’t read the first book so I was a bit lost with the nuances and the backstories of Garth and Grace. I probably would have enjoyed the novel a lot more if I had read the first one before this one.

I enjoyed learning about the British Home Children, something that I was already familiar with. The author did an excellent job researching the subject.

I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was an enjoyable, clean, and wholesome read. I liked the setting- Canada and England in the early 1900s. The two main storylines were compelling and I liked how they were woven together. I enjoyed the faith aspect of the book and how the characters had to trust in God to help them through their circumstances. The court trial had me on the edge of my seat! At times I felt like the dialogue was a little cheesy and there were 8+ grammar mistakes, but it didn’t distract from the story. I would recommend it to someone who is looking for a quick wholesome read and is interested in the aftermath of the Great War for the British Home children.