Sara Brunsvold's writing just keeps getting better and better. I really enjoyed "The Atlas of Untold Stories" which is about a mother, Edie and her two adult daughters Chloe and Lauren. Each woman has things they are dealing with in their lives, things they are afraid to tell one another. As Chloe asks her mom to go on a road trip of Midwestern Literary sites, and Lauren ends up coming alone - these women discover more about themselves and each other than they ever thought they would during a 9 day road trip.

I loved how many nuggets of Christian faith are woven into the writing in this book. I highlighted so many passages so I could go back and ponder the words. This is definitely a book that will appeal to any avid readers of Christian fiction who enjoy faith-filled stories. This is a book I hope my church's book club will read together.

The sites the characters visit in the book are well researched and it's interesting how Brunsvold wove the sites into the character's thoughts and emotions as they progress to each site along the trip. Some of the sites in the book are ones I have visited before and others were new to me and are ones I'd like to visit in the future.

This book brought laughter and tears. I was rooting for the characters along the way and hoping they could grow closer together. There were some moments that really spoke to me as a reader and made me look back on events earlier in my life in different ways. A great book speaks to the reader and this is a book that really spoke to me.

Thank you to the author and Revell fiction for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

As any bookworm can tell you, most readers find tremendous consolation in books - whether it is because they are trying to escape from events in the real world, or from challenges in their own lives.

Edie is no exception, and her two daughters - Chloe and Lauren - are wrestling with their own issues. So the opportunity to leave all this behind in favour of a 9 day literary sojourn is pretty irresistible for all three of the family members.

The end result is a novel that is also irresistible to bookish readers. This one is not to be missed, earning an easy 3.5 stars!

4.5 stars
A bookish road trip begins as a way for Chloe Vance to make memories with her mom Edie, and to work up the courage tell her mother that she accepted a 2-year position overseas at a Christian school in Prague to teach art. Edie invites her other daughter Lauren to accompany them. In addition to the interesting bookish stops in several Midwestern states where authors, lived, visited or wrote about, the women confront fears and secrets that have been keeping them at a distance.

“Adventure had a way of shattering fear.” Their adventure begins outside of the library parking garage in Kansas City, with the façade of the building decorated to look like a huge row of books two stories high. I had so much fun visiting that bookish site myself a few years ago.

The Atlas of Untold Stories is not only about a fun Midwestern bookish road trip, but also a beautiful story of a daughter’s encouragement, love and prayers that lead them all on a journey of discovery, and healing. A heartfelt family story you don't want to miss!

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

I was in a little bit of a reading funk-ready for an original story. Sara Brunsvold did it again and wrote a story that is new for the reader. This time the reader gets a chance to not only enjoy the story but also learn about other great stories while reading.
Chloe Vance is scared of telling her mother that she is going to Prague for two years to work at a teacher. Her sister Lauren is scared to tell their mom that she lost her job. Their mom Edie has the greatest fear of all-of losing her daughters. Unfortunately, none of them know how to tell each other how much they mean to them. Chloe surprises them with a trip through the Midwest where they will stop at locations that are settings in great literature or has a tie to the author. As the Vance women travel together and learn others' stories, they discover they need to know each other's stories more to understand them.
I loved this story of family and forgiveness. Edie was so scared of losing her girls and had to realize she was the one pushing them away with her need of perfection. The girls learned the greatest gift-that family is everything.
I received a complimentary copy of this book thanks to Revell and NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

Sara Brunsvold is one of my favorite contemporary Christian fiction authors. She always writes about very realistic circumstances. The Atlas of Untold Stories is no different. We follow a mom and two daughters as they navigate their relationships and past hurt. There is a lot of internalization and very little communication. Chloe's optimism could be a put off to some readers, but the fact that it is based in Christ and what He has done makes her one of my favorite characters and allows her positivity to be seen as genuine. I also really enjoyed her dad (Grant) and his steady reactions to his girls and wife. He causes them to think and not just respond. Him sending gifs reminds me of my dad.

Now for Evie and Lauren. I wish we would have gotten a little more background about Evie's relationship with her mom. We got a glimpse, but I felt like I wanted more to see WHY Evie is like she is. As for Lauren, shew. Not sure how much I liked her. Seeing a little bit more of her transformation in the Epilogue would have been nice. I was left with a "now what about Lauren" thought at the end.

Probably my absolute favorite part of the novel was all the literary gems Brunsvold explores. It makes me want to go on a bookish trip with a bunch of girlfriends!

A special thank you to NetGalley and Revell for this complimentary ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Contemporary story about a mother and her two daughters who go on a literary road trip, each holding secrets. While two of the three characters are hard to like, I enjoyed the story and the literary references.

Road trip!

“We’re going on a bookish road trip!”

Hop in! Chloe Vance has an extra seat available in Goldie, her yellow Nissan Xterra.

You’ll be spending 9 days with Chloe, her sister Lauren, and their mom Edie as they visit different towns that have a connection to a book or an author in America’s heartland.

Did I mention that it’s a strained dynamic? No? My bad. I hope it isn’t too awkward.

Keep this quote in mind as you get comfortable. Don’t forget your seatbelt! “The belief of those closest to you was the hardest to earn. They know too many of your sins and failures.”

I saw SO much of myself and my sibling/parent relationship BUT I valued the cautionary tale the author presented. I liked knowing more than the others on the road trip, liked the reminder that a person’s greatest need was often the one they refused to acknowledge, but I really loved the thought about generations of impact stemming from seemingly unwise decisions.

My takeaway: We all have untold stories meant to be shared. Having the courage to share them may change us and those who’ll listen.

Thanks for a memorable trip, Sara Brunsvold!

I was gifted this copy by Revell and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Oh my I really really loved this book!!
I get to take a road trip along with some great historical places. Some I've never heard of like Red Cloud, NB. I miss taking road trips. There's just so much to see and learn along the way.
I was lost in this story for a whole evening and didn't get to sleep until 7am this morning
I wasn't sure what this was going to be about when I got it but now I'm so glad that I picked it up.
Lots of secrets for sure in this beautiful novel of learning to rebond with other family members and learning to find yourself along this amazing journey called life and fun. At least in my opinion it is.
Even mom's have secrets too. I really enjoyed in getting to know Edie and her little family. Most especially Edie.
She does what I do sometimes when my thoughts and emotions are bothering me.
It does help relieve stress.
Lauren is a different sort of hurt and secrets. She's a little bit harder to know.
Chloe is the who tickles me. She's what I call a free spirit. I loved her instantly. Her encouragement and cajoling lol to get what she wants is funny. She .ade me giggle.
I just really enjoyed this book. Brunswold does a great job in keeping me engaged in her stories. Especially this one! I learned so much!!
I wish I could give this one more than 5 stars! These three ladies definitely kept me entertained! I highly recommend this story!
My thanks for this wonderful read. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.