Glory Road, by Lauren Denton

Jessie and her daughter Evan move back to Glory Road to be near Jessie’s mom, Gus. She also starts a small garden/nursery shop for the people of their small home town. They are here to escape a bad marriage that Jessie had left and to find healing, friendship, love and a community that is warm and accepting.

Low and behold after they have been there for some time Ben moves back into his parents home just up the road along with his son. He also is there for healing and to repair and sell his parents home after they have moved to Florida. Ben and Jessie had once been close friends and should probably have married each other. But as happens, they left high school, went to separate colleges and met other people. The rest is history, but a history that is harsh and difficult for both of them.

Will they find themselves together again? That is a big question. Will their kids grow up differently in this small community feel? Absolutely.

The like a good Hallmark movie there enters another man to give Jessie someone else to compare Ben to. Sumner is wealthy, he is handsome, he is older. But he takes and interest in Jessie.

The novel does a great job of developing the characters and developing the tensions of relationships between people who are both familiar and comfortable, but also have baggage. Compare that to a new and refreshing relationship and Jessie has to wonder which man is best for her. What will happen is the real point of the story. Where will Jessie find true love and how will it change her.

Enjoy!