The Road to Escape

I really enjoyed this short book. It allows readers to take in small town atmosphere and enjoy the warmth of friends and family. I liked Laurie and thought she was a good character. We get to know her as the story revolves around her and the diner she bought. It has been hard for her to start over but she is trying to fit in . What made her stop being a nurse? Is there someone in town trying to sabotage Laurie? I loved the picture the author painted with clear and precise words of the diner. It would be fun to sit and visit in the diner as you eat the delicious dishes that are served.

Tom was an interesting character. He has lost his wife several years ago, but it is hard for him to let go of her memory. He begins to notice that show more something isn't quite right and after the doctor gives him a diagnosis, he decides he needs to make some changes. I loved reading a story about older people who have lived a happy life and now find themselves having to start over. I liked how the author slowly developed a relationship between Laurie and Tom. It is a nice story about family, friendship and finding love again. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the Early Readers Program from Librarything. The review is my own opinion. show less

I really enjoyed this short book. It allows readers to take in small town atmosphere and enjoy the warmth of friends and family. I liked Laurie and thought she was a good character. We get to know her as the story revolves around her and the diner she bought. It has been hard for her to start over but she is trying to fit in . What made her stop being a nurse? Is there someone in town trying to sabotage Laurie? I loved the picture the author painted with clear and precise words of the diner. It would be fun to sit and visit in the diner as you eat the delicious dishes that are served.

Tom was an interesting character. He has lost his wife several years ago, but it is hard for him to let go of her memory. He begins to notice that show more something isn't quite right and after the doctor gives him a diagnosis, he decides he needs to make some changes. I loved reading a story about older people who have lived a happy life and now find themselves having to start over. I liked how the author slowly developed a relationship between Laurie and Tom. It is a nice story about family, friendship and finding love again. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the Early Readers Program from Librarything. The review is my own opinion. show less

The Road to Escape is a short, sweet tale set in a small town with great characters. Laurie and Tom both have intriguing backstories that are similar in some ways... maybe too many ways.

While this book is sweet, it reads more like the first draft of a story. Characters and setting are fleshed out, but the storyline moves too quickly, and key moments seem to either be ignored or glossed over. Two fantastic characters show up late in the story who could have easily added so much more to the storyline, but they each only played minor roles. Things happened too conveniently.

Honestly, I would truly LOVE to see this novel rewritten. I feel the author has made an excellent start here, but needs to put some meat on the bones. I would gladly show more read a fuller version if it ever happens. show less

Short and sweet. Pleasure reading this very well written story with characters having CHARACTER and a work ethic that is so sadly disappearing these days. It is a rather formalistic romance, but without the tiresome pages describing body part contacts. The novelty here was the ages of the protagonists.

It was nice to read a romance story that had older people as the main characters. Laurie and Tom both have sadness in their past, and although neither of them are looking, they both feel the need to have someone to be close to. This is a nice clean romance story with characters that are real and will be familiar to those of us in the older generation.

Special Note: I received this ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) in exchange for a review.

The synopsis was okay. The story line was fine, even though it may have been a little weak in a few places. Overall, I think this book should be targeted towards senior citizens as this particular time of life would be more relatable to them: failing health, widow status, etc.

Would I reread it again? Probably not. The author can produce a good story, but I'm much too young for something like this. Give me three decades and I'll have a better understanding of what these characters have endured.

I read The Three Inns by Patricia Kiyono in 2016.
I like her style.

In The Road to Escape a new character appears at two third of the book. That is too late. The book could have done without it.
The denouement at the end of the book is rather over the top.

And still: I like the people. The way they act, the way they talk.

So yes, it is a book other people should read too.