I’m a huge fan of Sara’s books! All of Sara Brunsvold’s books go deep, and her characters are always written in a way that makes you feel like you truly know them. She does such a beautiful job creating people who feel real.

The Atlas of Untold Stories centers around three women—two sisters and their mom—who go on a bookish road trip through America’s heartland. Along the way, they’re not only visiting literary landmarks, but also learning more about themselves and each other. It’s a story about identity, relationships, and what it looks like being a mother, daughter, and sister.

I loved seeing all the different places they stopped—especially the little museums and small towns along their route. Book lovers will really enjoy traveling with them through cities tied to classic authors and stories. Sara brings those settings to life in such a charming way.

That said, I’ll be honest—the book was a little slow for me at first. It took me a while to really care about the storyline. But I’m so glad I stuck with it, because the last 45 minutes or so were by far my favorite. The emotional depth we finally get from the characters hit me hard—I even teared up at one point. Sara’s writing is just so beautiful when she digs into those deeper moments.

If you’re looking for a clean, contemporary read that steps away from romance and dives into family, identity, and healing—this is a great one to pick up this summer.

I loved the book's premise of traveling with your mom and sisters to literary stops in neighboring states! Fun, especially for those of us who live in a visited state!

Many of the characters were memorable and relatable. I adored Chloe's enthusiasm and heart for people and for life. I would have loved being on a trip with her, though I'm not sure I would be up for a downriver float in a stock tank. :) Her dad was so loving and wise; his gentle support of his anxious wife was heartwarming. Her landlord was a loveable, grumpy old man that added interest, as did many of the other secondary characters.

The hurt that is handed down to generations is a worthy topic to tackle in this thought provoking and satisfying read.

This award-winning author writes books that I can crawl into to spend time with characters that feel real. If you haven't read The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, I urge you to add it to you TBR List!

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced galley copy with no obligations. My remarks are entirely my own.

Posted at Goodreads

How do you map out the stories that live within us—the quiet fears, the small triumphs, the tender hopes? In The Atlas of Untold Stories, Sara Brunsvold takes readers on a literal and emotional road trip with a mother and her two daughters, weaving together faith, family, and the enduring power of literature.

For me, Chloe’s gentle joy and unwavering faith were what kept me turning the pages. Her bright spirit was a steady light through every mile of the journey, even when the story itself felt more like a meandering road trip than a deep exploration. I was especially drawn to the quiet conviction with which Chloe lived her faith—she didn’t tuck it away for convenience or comfort. This adventure was her way of honoring her Savior and Lord with every step she took alongside her mother and sister. It was a vivid reminder that faith isn’t just for the mountaintop moments; it’s for every muddy road and winding path along the way.

There’s a warmth and sweetness in this story, with moments that made me smile and others that prompted me to pause and ponder. I loved how the book wove in gentle humor and literary nostalgia, adding a cozy touch to their journey. Chloe’s love for exploring new places and her quiet resolve to honor God in the midst of family tensions felt like a soft thread of encouragement, inviting me to do the same in my own relationships.

Two quotes in particular echoed in my heart:

“Imagine the questions the disciples must have asked as they crossed into Samaria. Imagine the doubts they must have expressed, or how many times they tried to convince Jesus to go a different route. They couldn’t see what He did. They didn’t understand that being about the Father’s business often does look incomprehensible to the world. But how many lives were changed because of Jesus’s “unwise” choice? How many generations of lives?”

“She needed to be there. She needed to be about the Father’s business there. The certainty was immovable.”

This was a gentle, warm, enjoyable, and quietly luminous journey, with Chloe’s faith shining as a steady light throughout, lived out with quiet strength and joy.

She reminded me that the best stories are the ones that invite us to keep our eyes open to the Author of them all, and to live each chapter in wonder, grace, humble worship, and steadfast obedience.

I received a digital ARC and paperback of this book from the author. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

I think what I love most about this author is that all her works, to date, don't just entertain- they leave the reader with moral and spiritual lessons/thoughts worth revisiting.
The Atlas of Untold Stories is a treasure trove of inspiration on a relational, spiritual, AND literary level! I found myself challenged to have a faith like Chloe, encouraged to make the most of my time with my beloved family, and inspired to read the works of some of the literary greats mentioned (and experience some of the "bookish road trip" for myself!).
Relatable characters, vivid descriptions, and well- crafted storyline details give this book depth and quality that other Christian/inspirational fiction sometimes lacks.

I want to thank Sara Brunsvold for allowing me to be on her Launch Team. This was such a fun book to read. I enjoyed reading it and going on a bookish road trip with Chloe, her mom Edie, and her sister Lauren in the Midwest. In Lawrence, KS, you can visit The Watkins Museum of History and find out about African American Poet Langston Hughes. Visit Wamego, KS, and visit the Wizard of OZ museum. Also in Kansas is a town called Concordia, where Joan Lowery Nixon has written the Orphan Train. and where there is a National Orphan Train Museum and Complex.
I can name so many other places, but I don't want to give too much away. It's important to know the history to understand it. This is very well written, and I would love to take a road trip and visit these places mentioned in the book.
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THE ATLAS OF UNTOLD STORIES is a poignant, humorous road-trip story that should appeal to fans of Christian fiction and women's fiction. The three women are all unique in their own way. At times they can be frustrating. Chloe is a sweet, free spirit (at times maybe too perky/ perfect?) Edie had a fairly snarky attitude. Lauren could use some advice. The bookish stops along the way are fun. The pacing is a tiny bit slow. The supporting characters are cute as well. I enjoyed the weaving in of some faith elements. There is quite a bit of wisdom here, which makes for enjoyable reading.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this #gifted book!*
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Title: Atlas of Untold Stories
Author: Sara Brunsvold
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Women’s Fiction
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Synopsis: When Chloe Vance finally finds the courage to break the news of her big move to her mom, she instead finds herself inviting Edie Vance on a bookish road trip where hopefully she can tell her mom about Prague in the perfect moment. But Edie is hesitant at best because is her daughter really responsible enough to plan a trip like this for them? Soon Edie finds herself inviting her older daughter Lauren along for the sake of comfort and stability. Lauren agrees to go since unexpected job loss has freed up her schedule and she feels the pressure to watch over her mom and little sister. It’s one thing she can try to control in her world that feels like it’s spinning out of control. As the three women embark on an unlikely adventure, each face questions of dealing with the past, finding who they really are now, and discovering what their relationship looks like in the future.

Analysis: Sara Brunsvold is a master storyteller when it comes to family history and relationships. In this newest novel, she dives deep into questions of identity, healing, and courage. I absolutely loved reading the three different perspectives of these women as they went on a unique adventure for each of them. Chances are you’ll find you relate to at least one of them along the way. I also loved the writing style, and the short chapters. It made for a relaxing escape that was easy to get lost in! With themes of adventure, family, and faith, this book is the perfect summer vacation read!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book had all the feels for me. I can honestly say that I laughed, I teared up a bit and I had moments of frustration. There were times that I wanted to tell the characters, especially Lauren, what to do differently. I liked Chloe's sweet, enthusiastic spirit throughout the book. Sometimes, Edie's attitude was a bit much for me. She could be pretty snarky.

Being from the Midwest, I enjoyed all the stops they made on their bookish trip. In fact, there are a few that I have been to myself. Now, I have more that I'd like to see.

I felt like Sara did a fantastic job with the supporting characters as well. I really liked Grant, Chloe's dad and his relationship with both his daughters and his wife. I felt like he really grounded all of them.

I always like that Sara adds faith elements to her stories in a way that doesn't appear to be too preachy, just natural. Especially the section with Chloe having her quiet time and the lessons she learns through that time with God.

This was a pretty quick read for me, I was looking forward to how relationships were going to be resolved. One of my favorite quotes was "A person's greatest need was often the one they refused to acknowledge."

Thank you to the author, publisher & Netgalley for the early copy to review. This is my honest opinion.

I love bookish books. Okay, that might sound a little redundant, aren't all books bookish? But you know the kinds I mean... those that feature bookish characters or themes... that really just celebrate that love of reading and literature. With a bookish road trip visiting sites of literary importance along the way, this one certainly fits that bill and I found myself enjoying seeing those literary references throughout the story. More than that though, this was a beautiful story about the relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters... and how those relationships can sometimes be complicated especially when secrets are being kept. I loved getting to know these three women, each of them with their own unique story and struggles to deal with. Each of them had a lot of personal growth to make throughout the story, but we also got to see their relationships evolve as well. It felt like a bit of a slower read, but it worked for their story. If you enjoy Christian women's fictions and stories of mothers and daughters, this is certainly one you'll want to add to your TBR.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Chloe Vance has just been offered the opportunity of a lifetime—teaching art at an international Christian school in beautiful Prague. But sharing the news with her mom, Edie, won’t be easy. Edie is still grieving the recent loss of her own mother and carrying a complicated relationship with her sister Gabriella, who chose to live her own life instead of staying close to home. Chloe’s sister Lauren, usually the “responsible” one, has just lost her job over a silly but embarrassing mistake and is feeling completely off balance. In the middle of all this chaos, Chloe—full of hope and heart—spontaneously plans a literary road trip to bring them all back together.

This story was such a sweet, soul-nourishing read. I absolutely adored Chloe—her joyful spirit, her faith, and the way she met her critical mother and overwhelmed sister with patience and love was honestly something to admire. The setting was just perfect too. Their journey through Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and Iowa, visiting the homes of literary icons, gave the book a warm and nostalgic charm. I found myself wanting to plan the trip myself!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Revell for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book was a delight from start to finish—I truly loved it.

This is a beautifully written story about the complicated relationships between mothers, daughters, and sisters. Chloe, the younger daughter is the flighty one, always leaping into the unknown. Lauren is the older daughter who has spent her life picking up after Chloe. She is wound so tight she is one fall away from shattering. Evie is their mother, who has mother issues of her own. She lives in fear. Chloe plans to move overseas for two years and can’t quite figure out how to tell them so she invites her mother on a road trip to visit places related to midwestern novels and novelists such as Little House on the Prairie and The Grapes of Wrath. As they travel from town to town learning the stories of these books and authors, they begin to learn each other’s stories.

If you haven’t read any books by Sara Brunsvold, just go buy everything she has written. She is a phenomenal writer, and this book is no exception. This is a deeply moving family drama. This is also Christian fiction so expect prayer and discussions of faith.

I loved this book and would recommend it to lovers of good books.

Family friendly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Revell. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wow! In my opinion, an extraordinary book is one that makes you laugh, makes you cry, and makes you ponder. This book accomplished all three for me. Sara Brunsvold's writing touches the deep parts of my heart.

The characters are written brilliantly! I became totally invested in the lives of the main characters. My heart hurt when theirs did. I cheered for them in their successes. Chloe is optimistic, compassionate, full of energy, and loves adventure! She sees beyond the surface of people to the very heart of the matter. Lauren, I'll admit, I didn't connect with her right away. As her story unfolded, I saw a lot of me in her. She keeps things hidden because she's afraid to show weakness. Edie is the one who touched my heart the most. As a mother of young adult women, I sympathize with her. She tried to shield her daughters from hurt, but instead, she distanced herself from them. Her biggest fear is that they will think that she's not worth coming back to.

My new trip to put on my bucket list is a bookish road trip! Traveling to different towns that have connections to books or authors sounds like an awesome idea. I will, however, do my research when looking for places to stay. Lol!

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Revell via Netgalley through Interviews and Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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.