I absolutely loved Nicole’s last book, The Words We lost! Since this book consumed the series, of course I had to read it!

The two books’ only connection is the publishing company, Fog Harbor Books, and the agent named Chip. I enjoyed the book and it’s sometimes lighthearted, sometimes serious family squabbles and dynamics. The addition of bus driver Micah Davenport and his search during this family road trip made for some interesting moments, particularly with Reagan, the youngest Farrow daughter. Mother Farrow is a very popular recording artist who previously had a close relationship with Lynn, Micah’s mother, which mysteriously ended abruptly some years ago. The road trip with her daughters in her resurrected tour bus is an effort to reveal some of her early life to her daughters.

I enjoyed this book, especially the way the author told the story and how she wrapped it up!

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. Four stars!

Who doesn't love a road trip?! I sure do, so I loved the main setting for Nicole's new book: a family cross-country trip to a music festival location. This one proves to me far more complicated and involved than any I've been on, though, as we, the readers, are invited to get to know singer Luella's three daughters (Adele, Hattie and Raegan) and Micah, the son of her dearest friend and singing partner from years ago. We get to know their personalities, struggles, relationships...and family dynamics which have impacted them in the past and present, and quite possibly future as well. As always, the author writes a gripping story about people I wanted to get to know, and whose lives I grew to care about.

An entertaining book following the dynamics of country royalty. I was unsure what I was signing on for when I started the book, but I was pleasantly surprised by the book. I had a hard time connecting with the main character but I think it was because Deese did a great job making the family feel real. I am not a fan of faith driven books, not the main type of book I read, but I can understand the storyline and think it was well done.

The Roads We follow
by Nicole Deese
Pub Date: April 30, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
A cross-country road trip. A secretive box of journals. An unforgettable summer romance.
I highly recommend this well written and engaging book.
I am a fan of journals and stories told through them, so I was immediately drawn to The Roads We Follow. This story was even better than I could have imagined with all its twists and turns and a mystery to solve. The family dynamics between the four Farrow women was elaborately complex. A road trip that repeats a trip made 40 years in the past is full of mishaps, misunderstandings and revelations that will have everyone finally being honest and facing truths long hidden.
Read this author!
5 stars

Every time I read a book by Nicole Deese I’m left in awe and saying “wow!” Her stories have such depth and weave all the threads together perfectly.

The Roads We Follow is a touching story of the search for identity, family, and reconciliation set on the backdrop of a road trip. A sweet love story grows as complex character’s learn how to relate and understand each other. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bethany House Publishers, and Nicole Deese for the review copy.

Favorite quote: "There’s a divine intimacy in nature that can’t be duplicated."

Nicole Deese is a fantastic author. In some ways, this road-trip book reminded me of Rachel Hauck's The Best Summer of Our Lives because of the themes of sister-friends, broken relationships, looking back, camp, retro vibes. Each of the characters are distinct and their dynamic is carefully crafted, with growth journeys that intertwine and affect each other's. They each need and are searching for something different.
I loved bus-driver Micah being a therapist by trade, how that played into the communication between the famous mother and three adult daughters that he was driving for, and even the moment he lost his cool. He was so human and still likeable.
I almost gave this book four stars because I had trouble liking and rooting for Raegan - also so human. Ultimately I gave it five because the author did a good job even though I didn't love the character. And maybe I'm too much like her, unwilling to say the hard things and work toward reconciliation. The book had me looking at circumstances in my own life and praying for them in a new way.
Prayer is a bedrock in this book even though most of the characters don't openly talk about God in it- you know they have a faith foundation and some of them seek God more than others. More, I would say, than in The Words We Lost.

I'm grateful for Deese's talent and the way she writes for the glory of God and to the publisher for allowing me to read an ebook provided by Netgalley so I could write an honest review.

I loved absolutely everything about The Roads We Follow! From the aptly named dual meaning title, to the intricately drawn characters, Nicole Deese has outdone herself! 5 well deserved stars!

I am a fan of journals and stories told through them, so I was immediately drawn to The Roads We Follow. This story was even better than I could have imagined with all its twists and turns and a mystery to solve. The family dynamics between the four Farrow women was elaborately complex. A road trip that repeats a trip made 40 years in the past is full of mishaps, misunderstandings and revelations that will have everyone finally being honest and facing truths long hidden.

There are so many nuggets of wisdom throughout the pages of The Roads We Follow. One favorite is,
"You wrote what living in truth is supposed to look like...You spoke of establishing healthy boundaries, of open communication, of keeping short accounts, of setting honest and appropriate expectations, of having hard conversations with the hope of reconciliation." This book is a prime example of excellent Christian fiction at its inspirational finest.

I was already in love with this story, but the epilogue put this fantastic women's fiction romance over the top! I couldn't have loved it more! The Roads We Follow is going on my best books of 2024 list. I know I'm gushing its praise, but I'm not sorry. It deserves all the accolades it gets. I predict it will be one the best books of the year and highly recommend it. I appreciate Bethany House Publishers making a copy available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

All Raegan Farrow wants is to be a published romance author. She doesn’t care about her father’s fame (he’s a country singer) nor does she want any part of it. She wants to make a name for herself. When she rejects the idea of bashing her mom with a tell all book to help her career, someone else takes matters into their own hands. Raegan and her sister's decide to take a roadtrip with a handsome bus driving with his own secrets. This was better than the first book in the series.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Loved this book!
This was such a cute read. It reminded me of our road trip in 2005. Such a fun trip and I enjoyed reliving it through this beautiful novel.
I liked that the characters turned to their faith throughout the book.
Raegan was fun person to get to know.
I think that this book shows us that people aren't what they seem until it's too late.
People keep secrets and eventually they do come out and sometimes not always good.
Family dynamics are added to this story too and they are what kept me turning the pages.
“Peace isn’t passive, Raegan. It’s proactive. The way I see it, you’ve been a passive character in your own story for far too long.” "That's not fair." I said.
I love the way Deese has taken these characters on their journey and has brought them to life.
I'm still thinking about Raegan and her sisters.
I also appreciated the way the author has described the scenery too. Makes me want to do another road trip but I'm afraid not. I'm so.glad and blessed that we got to take the one in 2005.
My personal pet peeve with this story was the cell phones. I don't like them because they take a person’s attention away from whomever is trying to be with them. So I knew how Luella felt. Ugh! Mama to the sisters.
Here's another quote
“Because God doesn’t give us talents He doesn’t intend for us to use with Him and for Him. You reminded me of the same just three days ago in the Ruby Mountains. You’re a writer, and yet you’ve spent far more energy wishing you could hide behind a pen name than realizing that you are exactly who God intended you to be."
He not only knew your name and the family you were going to be born into, but all the atypical logistics in between. And even still, He saw fit to give you a storyteller’s imagination.
Yes! I loved this. My favorite quote in the whole story. I know it's a long one and I believe that this is the moral of this book. Or that's how I take it.
5.stars for a very enjoyable book. A wonderful adventure.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

In Nicole Deese's compelling novel, "The Roads We Follow," Raegan Farrow, the youngest daughter of a country music legend, embarks on a quest to establish her own identity outside the spotlight. Aspiring to publish her small-town romances under a pen name, her dreams are shattered when a tell-all threatens to expose the Farrow family's secrets. To protect her sisters from scandal, Raegan embarks on a two-week cross-country road trip while secretly investigating the anonymous author behind the biography. During the journey, Raegan crosses paths with Micah Davenport, their enigmatic bus driver, who holds secrets of his own. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they discover a connection between their mothers and an old box of journals. This shared pursuit leads them down an unanticipated path of love and reconciliation. Deese skillfully weaves together Raegan's journey of self-discovery and the family's struggle to overcome past scandals. Raegan's determination to maintain her privacy and pursue her passion for writing is inspiring, while the complex relationships within the Farrow family add depth to the narrative. Deese deftly explores the themes of family dynamics, the power of secrets, and the resilience of the human spirit. The road trip setting provides a backdrop for personal growth and transformation. As Raegan and Micah traverse the country, they encounter diverse landscapes, people, and experiences that challenge their perspectives and deepen their connection. The author's vivid descriptions bring the journey to life, immersing readers in the beauty of the American landscape and the emotional landscapes of the characters. The cast of characters is well-developed and relatable. Raegan's determination and resilience shine through, while Micah's enigmatic nature and hidden agenda add intrigue to the story. The Farrow sisters each have distinct personalities and struggles, creating a complex family dynamic. "The Roads We Follow" is a captivating blend of mystery, romance, and family drama. Deese's engaging writing style and exploration of universal themes make this novel a compelling read. The story's heartwarming conclusion leaves readers with a sense of hope and the enduring power of love and family.

A unique and enjoyable road trip romance.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this second book in this series. But it would be fine to read as a stand alone since not much from the first is in the second. I loved how deep the main characters faith was. I also loved how the faith aspects in the story wasn’t in your face. It was subtle enough to know they were Christians but didn’t make you feel like you were reading a come to Jesus book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bethany house for this one!

There's a lot going on with this novel - a lot of hidden agendas and secrets - but that makes it seem like real life, doesn't it? As always, Nicole Deese does a wonderful job of crafting her characters and giving them relatable desires and just the right amount of depth. If you like a wacky road trip story and sagas about family secrets, you won't be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance e-galley; all opinions are my own.