I initially picked this book because I thought it was going to be a romance book. While there are some elements of romance, it doesn't make up the bulk of the storyline. Once I got past my expectations, I was able to enjoy the book for what it really was: a story about a teenager going through a very difficult time in his life.

I'll admit that this book has an "on the surface" type of feel to it, but considering the majority of it is being told from a teenager's perspective, it makes sense. I can honestly say that I haven't read anything like it before.

The ending really pulled this book together for me and also revealed some things that I had suspected. Overall, it was a good read and one that I will definitely recommend.

You might have already guessed how I felt about this book – it’s there, on that wonderful front cover. And what a perfect cover it is (well done, Jennie Rawlings at Serifim) – the simplicity, the light checks of the quilt in the background, the birds nest with the single broken egg. And the book inside that lovely cover? Well, that’s quite perfect too – yes, achingly perfect.

A perfect book for me needs to do more than engage me, it needs to capture my heart. Ryan laid claim to mine from the opening pages – but then so did his mother Joanna, and then the wonderful Lex. The writing is just ineffably beautiful, with some scenes that will fill you with joy, some that will move you deeply, and others that will completely break you. Had anyone asked me while reading whether this book was written in the first or third person, I would have said the former (although it isn’t!) because the author so completely conveys everything Ryan thinks and feels in his own style and voice.

There’s immense sadness, but also a real emotional warmth to the whole book as it wrestles with issues of love, loss and family: the relationships between its characters are joyful and uplifting, and the touches of gentle humour are quite perfectly judged. And the ending? A little different, and it might surprise some, but I thought it was absolutely right.

Add this one to your New Year reading list now – you won’t regret it for an instant.

(Edited for Amazon - also on Amazon.com, but no link currently available)

This is Louise Walters’ strongest book yet - I enjoyed her first two books but neither were as immersive or with as rich characterisation as this. A small story, with three main characters, this nevertheless covers universal themes of family, grief, change, love, life and everything in between. It is mainly told from the point of view of teenage Ryan, excluded from school for violence and kicking his heels at hime with his single mum Joanna. In desperation she calls Lex, Ryan’s father, to help and soon the family unit is functioning well. But then tragedy strikes and Ryan’s world falls to pieces.
It’s so well written, and takes its time to immerse you in the details. While on the face of it, nothing extraordinary happens, this is full of human truth.

I've enjoyed both of Louise Walters' previous books and The Road to California is equally enjoyable. The story follows single parent Joanna and her relationship with her autistic teenage son Ryan. When Ryan is excluded from school Joanna home tutors him while selling her handmade quilts to make ends meet. But loner Ryan is out of control and in desperation Joanna contacts his American father, Lex, to help her.

This is a moving story with great characterisation and fans of Louise's work will not be disappointed. Thanks to NetGalley and Louise Walters for the opportunity to read and review The Road to California.

Once again a magnificent offering from Ms Walters. Such believable characters, especially the troubled Ryan. A well written storyline with lots of credible emotion.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a Kindle galley copy of "The Road to California." I hadn't heard of author Louise Walters or read anything by her, so I didn't know what to expect. The title lead me to believe that the story would be about a "literal" way a person got to California, through a journey, an excursion, etc., and in a way, that ended up being true. The name The Road to California is the main character's business name. Joanne is a single mother to young teen, Ryan, who has problems at school, which result in his eventual expulsion. The story is set in England, but Ryan is the son of an American father (from California) and Joanne. Joanne struggles to keep herself and Ryan above water. When she reaches the breaking point with Ryan's behavior, she tracks down Ryan's long absent father, who appears to help her resolve some of his behavioral issues. Lex establishes a relationship with his son and Lex and Joanne also decide to get back together, which was the only part of the book I had difficulty in believing, since Lex abandoned his family when Ryan was a toddler. I won't post any spoilers here, but the book was a lot more interesting and compelling than I expected. The characters show depth and real heart. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys reading about family issues.