Glory Road

De: Lauren K. Denton

Narrado por: Devon O'day

One summer changes everything for these three Southern women.

As three generations of women navigate the uncertain paths of their hearts and futures, one summer promises to bring change - whether they’re ready for it or not.

At 38, garden shop owner Jessie McBride thinks her chances for romance are years behind her, and after her failed marriage, she’s fine with that. She lives contentedly with her fiery mother and her quiet, headstrong daughter. But the unexpected arrival of two men on Glory Road make her question if she’s really happy with the status quo. Handsome, wealthy Sumner Tate asks her to arrange flowers for his daughter’s wedding, and Jessie finds herself drawn to his continued attention. And Ben Bradley, her lingering what-could-have-been from high school days who’s known her better than anyone and whom she hasn’t seen in years, moves back to the red dirt road. Jessie finds her heart being pulled in directions she never expected.

Meanwhile, Jessie’s 14-year-old daughter, Evan, is approaching the start of high school and trying to navigate a new world of identity and emotions - particularly as they relate to the cute new guy who’s moved in just down the road. At the same time, Jessie’s mother, Gus, increasingly finds herself forgetful and faces a potentially frightening future.

For these three strong Southern women, the roots they’ve planted on Glory Road will give life to the adventures waiting just around the curve.

"Brims with family, second chances, and new horizons." (Lisa Wingate, New York Times best-selling author of Before We Were Yours)

"Rich colorful characters capturing my heart, combined with a story that kept me up till the wee hours, Glory Road is a perfect read. Lauren Denton has done it again!" (Lisa Patton, best-selling author of Rush and Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter)

"Once again Lauren Denton brings her lyrical writing and compelling characters to a story that will enthrall readers from page one." (Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, author of Only Ever Her and co-founder of She Reads, for Glory Road)

Southern women’s fiction, stand-alone novel

Audiobook length: approximately 95,000 words

Includes discussion questions for book clubs

©2019 Lauren K. Denton (P)2019 Thomas Nelson

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A poignant and heartfelt tale of sisterhood, motherhood, and marriage, Hurricane Season deftly examines the role that coming to terms with the past plays in creating a hopeful future. Readers will devour this story of the hurricanes - both literal and figurative - that shape our lives." (Kristy Woodson Harvey, national bestselling author of Slightly South of Simple)

Easy on the heart

This was such an easy listen, but not in a brainless way; in a peaceful way. Being from Alabama myself, the smooth Southern of the narrator was soothing. I don’t listen to a book to accumulate more stress in my life, I listen to relax and enjoy. This was a book of kindness, and sweet relationships, with a little angst thrown in there for a good story. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Comfortable, easy listening.

Enjoyed this story with my daughter on a drive to KC. Added the app to my phone when we got home to catch the last few chapters. Very good!

Enjoyed the story but not the narration

The narrator spoke too fast for a Southerner and did not allow enough pauses. She also didn’t vary her voice much between characters. I got used to it, but the rapid speech pattern detracted from a good story that didn’t include cussing or sex scenes.

love it

I really enjoyed the love of the characters and the story was really well written. Thank you for a good clean story

Wonderful!

This story spoke to my soul. I never wanted it to end. I loved the characters and wished I could be in their world.

three generations of women

The narrator did a good job - she got the southern accent without overdoing it.

EASY, ENJOYABLE READ..,

I enjoyed this book very much (my first by this author). This book told the story of three generations of Southern women, all in various stages of life, all living together and running a plant nursery from their home.

First, there is Augusta (Gus), the grandmother. She’s still got some fire in her, although she’s mellowed with time. She’s got the reputation as the best pie maker in the whole county. She’s always got “advice” for her daughter and granddaughter, but she never just comes straight out with it (that just wouldn’t be the Southern way; and why use ten words, when 100 will do? Gus is beginning to show signs of dementia, which scares her AND he daughter and grand daughter.

Next is Jessie, Gus’ daughter. She’s 38, divorced, living with her mother and raising her 13-year-old who is headed off to the ninth grade in a few short weeks. Jessie has a lot of emotional scars from her failed marriage; she wants to find love again, but the whole idea terrifies her. Her mother practically PUSHES her at every single man who comes into Jessie’s nursery, Twig.

Jessie is extremely proud of Twig. Except for her daughter Evan, Twig is the first and only thing that has ever belonged to just her. But, keeping it afloat financially is a daily struggle. Things get a lot harder when one of those big box stores move in less than a mile down the road.

There are two men pursuing Jessie, a handsome, kind, VERY wealthy Southern gentleman who approaches Jessie to provide the flowers for his daughter’s wedding (if this is a PROBLEM, PLEASE GOD, may I soon have the same problem)! Then there is Ben, the boy from Jessie’s high school days, whom she loved, but walked away from when she left for college. Ben made no secret of the fact that he loved Jessie. Life get a whole lot more complicated for Jessie when Ben moves in to the house he inherited from his parents, just a few doors down from Jessie. (Poor girl — life is hard…having TWO handsome men pursuing you)…. But, Jessie has her mother to worry about, her 14-year-old daughter Evan and her business to worry about; and the idea of having her heart crushed again by love, is terrifying.

Evan is Jessie’s 14-year-old daughter. She’s a remarkably good kid who rarely causes her mother any problems. She helps out in the nursery after school and works there during the summer.

Evan meets Nick, a new guy from down the road. He’s different than other guys she’d met so far. He’s kind of broody and dark and he has the most incredible singing voice (and a Black Lab, named Stanley, that Evan falls for on first sigh). Much to Jessie’s surprise, Nick is BEN’S son! Jessie’ life is about to become a lot more complicated, especially because Evan developed a major crush on Nick, the second she laid eyes on him. Fourteen-year-old girls with their first crush — that’s always fun to deal with… Being that Nick is Ben’s son, third creates a BIG problem for Jessie.

This is a nice, easy story of three generations of women living together (which isn’t always easy when all three women are strong minded and opinionated, but they manage. The book starts out slow (almost too slow for me), but if you hang in there until Chapter Four, you’ll be rewarded.

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a few hours of relaxation and peacefulness. This would be the perfect companion while on vacation at the beach. 👍

Delightful!

A delight for anyone who enjoys flowers, gardening, romance in a lovely contemporary Southern setting.

Finding Happiness

I enjoyed reading about the three generations in this family and their joys and challenges. How age changes us in many ways and yet we are all looking for love and acceptance. The love these three women have for each other beautiful.

Love it

I thoroughly enjoyed Glory Road especially listening while planting my garden. It was such a great combination of life and romance.