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aliu6's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Actress Gwendolyn Carter hasn't been home for 17 years. In the time since, she hasn't made much of herself beyond a few supporting roles in movies and a lot of therapy sessions. Gwen is finally convinced to return home for her father's birthday, dreading a confrontation with her mother and with Lila Machowicz, the woman her parents think of as another daughter. Then she finds out that her mother's cancer has returned, and despite all the hard feelings between them, Gwen knows she has to stay to take care of her. Her mother is a lot more accepting and supportive of Gwen than she was all those years ago, which should feel amazing. Except Gwen can't help but be jealous of Lila and the place she has taken in her parents' lives. Throw in all that pesky attraction between them, her mother's hard truths, and her father's secrets, and Gwen has way more than she bargained for.
cw: difficult cancer battle, infidelity (only between side characters), homophobia
This was a solid read. The story was entertaining, but there were some downsides that brought the book down in my opinion.
The Characters: I found both characters to be quite likable. I will say that despite being the older one, Gwen came off as childish and immature, especially in the beginning, although it was partially understandable given the circumstances. Lila was really sweet and seems like a genuinely good person. Gwen works through her issues by the end of the book, so I liked her character growth. There's some reliance on side characters, but I'm a little disappointed that none of them besides the mother was really given a personality.
The Romance: This part was really cute. Erin Zak does great build up with the attraction between the MCs, and I was rooting for them the whole way through. I love me a good enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story.
The Plot: I'm not sure how I felt about this. The plot was mainly driven by the mother's cancer battle and Gwen working out her insecurities. I thought that these two conflicts were enough to keep the story interesting. When additional issues popped up concerning Gwen's dad, it felt a little unnecessary. Maybe Zak added it so the story could have more depth, but it kind of just bummed me out. I also thought the revelation about Gwen's mother at the way end was unnecessary and out of the blue.
The Writing: Hmm. So to start with the positive, I really loved the humor that Erin Zak brought into this book. Not an easy thing to do when the main topic is cancer. There was pretty good dialogue between the characters, especially during the heart-to-hearts. Something I didn't like (which is just a pet peeve of mine) is the story was written in present tense. Also, it was written in 3rd person omniscient, so we hear both Gwen's and Lila's thoughts, but it felt disorganized, and I found myself getting confused about the narration several times.
All in all: An entertaining, above-average read. I would recommend this if you want a cute romance and don't mind the cons from above.
**I received an ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Actress Gwendolyn Carter hasn't been home for 17 years. In the time since, she hasn't made much of herself beyond a few supporting roles in movies and a lot of therapy sessions. Gwen is finally convinced to return home for her father's birthday, dreading a confrontation with her mother and with Lila Machowicz, the woman her parents think of as another daughter. Then she finds out that her mother's cancer has returned, and despite all the hard feelings between them, Gwen knows she has to stay to take care of her. Her mother is a lot more accepting and supportive of Gwen than she was all those years ago, which should feel amazing. Except Gwen can't help but be jealous of Lila and the place she has taken in her parents' lives. Throw in all that pesky attraction between them, her mother's hard truths, and her father's secrets, and Gwen has way more than she bargained for.
cw: difficult cancer battle, infidelity (only between side characters), homophobia
This was a solid read. The story was entertaining, but there were some downsides that brought the book down in my opinion.
The Characters: I found both characters to be quite likable. I will say that despite being the older one, Gwen came off as childish and immature, especially in the beginning, although it was partially understandable given the circumstances. Lila was really sweet and seems like a genuinely good person. Gwen works through her issues by the end of the book, so I liked her character growth. There's some reliance on side characters, but I'm a little disappointed that none of them besides the mother was really given a personality.
The Romance: This part was really cute. Erin Zak does great build up with the attraction between the MCs, and I was rooting for them the whole way through. I love me a good enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story.
The Plot: I'm not sure how I felt about this. The plot was mainly driven by the mother's cancer battle and Gwen working out her insecurities. I thought that these two conflicts were enough to keep the story interesting. When additional issues popped up concerning Gwen's dad, it felt a little unnecessary. Maybe Zak added it so the story could have more depth, but it kind of just bummed me out. I also thought the revelation about Gwen's mother at the way end was unnecessary and out of the blue.
The Writing: Hmm. So to start with the positive, I really loved the humor that Erin Zak brought into this book. Not an easy thing to do when the main topic is cancer. There was pretty good dialogue between the characters, especially during the heart-to-hearts. Something I didn't like (which is just a pet peeve of mine) is the story was written in present tense. Also, it was written in 3rd person omniscient, so we hear both Gwen's and Lila's thoughts, but it felt disorganized, and I found myself getting confused about the narration several times.
All in all: An entertaining, above-average read. I would recommend this if you want a cute romance and don't mind the cons from above.
**I received an ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
hacfhowe's review against another edition
4.0
I was so sure I wouldn't cry at this. Putting on my clown shoes as I type.
hsinjulit's review against another edition
4.0
Gwendolyn Carter left home seventeen years ago and never looked back. When she went home to celebrate her father's birthday after failing to get a big acting role, Gwen came to face Lila Machowicz, a woman who basically became the Carters' second daughter over the last fifteen years. Getting off on the wrong foot yet mutually attracted, Gwen and Lila had to work together and navigate through Carol Carter's life-threatening cancer as well as other familial issues.
The focus of Zak's The Road Home was more on familial relationships than romance, and the story was incredibly moving. Even though Gwen spent years hating her mom, dealing with Carol's cancer with the possibility of losing her was still messy. Zak did a wonderful job at capturing all the feelings, thoughts, and emotions of the characters. Most descriptions were dedicated to both Gwen's and Lila's panic and overthinking. As readers, we were inevitably pulled into the emotional ride with them, experiencing the journey of getting reacquainted with family and finding love.
As for the romantic pair, both Gwen and Lila were very relatable with their own minor flaws that made them more human. Their respective relationships with Carol Carter were highly contrasting at first, and that indirectly had them disliking each other in the beginning. The building of their romance after the initial attraction was done carefully and beautifully. And them going through family crisis together was one of the most engrossing thing about their relationship.
The closing of the book was indeed a little bit random, but I think it helped lighten the mood. There was also a mention of of my favorite musical Come From Away, and now I secretly wish for Chicago having its own production and not just the touring one.
The Road Home was not a light read because of its topic of loss, but it was a heartwarming one. I totally recommend this book and would read more of Zak's works.
I received an e-ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The focus of Zak's The Road Home was more on familial relationships than romance, and the story was incredibly moving. Even though Gwen spent years hating her mom, dealing with Carol's cancer with the possibility of losing her was still messy. Zak did a wonderful job at capturing all the feelings, thoughts, and emotions of the characters. Most descriptions were dedicated to both Gwen's and Lila's panic and overthinking. As readers, we were inevitably pulled into the emotional ride with them, experiencing the journey of getting reacquainted with family and finding love.
As for the romantic pair, both Gwen and Lila were very relatable with their own minor flaws that made them more human. Their respective relationships with Carol Carter were highly contrasting at first, and that indirectly had them disliking each other in the beginning. The building of their romance after the initial attraction was done carefully and beautifully. And them going through family crisis together was one of the most engrossing thing about their relationship.
“Thank you,” Gwendolyn whispered against her lips. “For loving me through this.”
The closing of the book was indeed a little bit random, but I think it helped lighten the mood. There was also a mention of of my favorite musical Come From Away, and now I secretly wish for Chicago having its own production and not just the touring one.
The Road Home was not a light read because of its topic of loss, but it was a heartwarming one. I totally recommend this book and would read more of Zak's works.
I received an e-ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
queerlitloft's review against another edition
4.0
The Road Home is such an emotional rollercoaster - make sure you bring a box of tissues for the ride, because this is without a doubt a tear jerker of a story.
There's alot going off in this story and so the romance doesn't overly take centre stage. But having experienced the loss of a parent at a young age, i did find that all the components worked seamlessly together. Afterall, when you're dealing with impending loss and grief, the rush of love and sex is not likely to be at the forefront of your mind, unless you're trying to escape the situation. I was pleased to find that Zak didn't go down this road with her characters. The story focused more on coming to terms with the past and making peace with the present.
Whilst the story is sad and heartbreaking, Zak did a great job of making her story true to life, in every aspect of the characters journeys.
My only dislike was the ending, i felt like having having Gerald turn up at the end of the book as Carol's long term partner, just jarred the flow of the story - mainly because we learn very little about him and their relationship, other than they'd been in love for 27 years.
In which case, you tend to think why keep Gwen's mum and dad together at all, if they were both seeing other people throughout the marriage?
Maybe i didn't understand the author's intentions with that aspect of the story, but i wish it had finished differently.
Everything else i enjoyed, but it's certainly not a book for the faint hearted considering the subject matter.
There's alot going off in this story and so the romance doesn't overly take centre stage. But having experienced the loss of a parent at a young age, i did find that all the components worked seamlessly together. Afterall, when you're dealing with impending loss and grief, the rush of love and sex is not likely to be at the forefront of your mind, unless you're trying to escape the situation. I was pleased to find that Zak didn't go down this road with her characters. The story focused more on coming to terms with the past and making peace with the present.
Whilst the story is sad and heartbreaking, Zak did a great job of making her story true to life, in every aspect of the characters journeys.
My only dislike was the ending, i felt like having having Gerald turn up at the end of the book as Carol's long term partner, just jarred the flow of the story - mainly because we learn very little about him and their relationship, other than they'd been in love for 27 years.
In which case, you tend to think why keep Gwen's mum and dad together at all, if they were both seeing other people throughout the marriage?
Maybe i didn't understand the author's intentions with that aspect of the story, but i wish it had finished differently.
Everything else i enjoyed, but it's certainly not a book for the faint hearted considering the subject matter.
tricia_r's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hhushaw's review against another edition
4.0
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This is my first time reading a book by Erin Zak and I am so thankful I did. This is not a light read but it is so encompassing and pulls you down a rabbit hole unable to put the book down. Emotions are wrecked out of you at all the betrayals, hurt, and love are thrown at our main character Gwendolyn. This was an outstanding book about love and loss.
00leah00's review against another edition
4.0
This really puts you through an emotional wringer. Loved to watch the relationship change between Gwen and carol. Gwen and Lila were so cute together. It made me happy that they had one another.
tlb's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5