Miles from Where We Started: A Novel

I love the title of this book because it applies to almost every aspect of Connor’s and Mallory’s lives—emotional, relational, geographical, occupational, spiritual, and any other -al you can think of.

Cynthia Ruchti pulls back the veil of happily-ever-after and digs into the work it takes to make a marriage work. When Connor steps in front of God, deciding what’s best for himself and his wife of less than a year, things fall apart.

The road trip (aka adventure) is a fantastic metaphor for life. Along the way, we should stop and appreciate the scenery. We’ll meet people who have walked the road before us who model what is needed but also the truth in love into our doubts and fears. Mis-directions and unexpected detours are to be show more expected. But most of all, the journey, though difficult at times, is better shared with those we love along for the ride.

I’m not sure why this is the first book penned by Ruchti that I’ve read, but I can say without a doubt, this author is one I’ll be reading more stories from soon.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. show less

I have been a big fan of Cynthia Ruchti for a while now. I read her debut novel, They Almost Always Come Home, and was hooked! She always delivers highly readable and thoughtful books with big messages. Miles from Where We Started, her newest offering, is no exception. The characters drive the story, but the foundation of a road trip adventure adds fun and interest. I give this one a highly recommended rating.

Ruchti’s three main characters — married couple Connor and Mallory Duncan and 11 year old Judah — fill the pages of Miles from Where We Started with heart. With a marriage on the rocks and a foster kid with lots of trust issues, they make an unlikely trio for a trip that will promote the joys of micro-camping. As the social show more media world follows their wanderings on the back roads of America, with hikes to secluded waterfalls and interactions with people along the way, the three navigate love and life. I have to admit I wasn’t a big fan of Connor or Mallory at the beginning of the book, but as they grew in their relationship with each other and God, they grew on me 😉 . Judah, though, was an intriguing and sympathetic character right from the start. I couldn’t help but love and cheer on the troubled and sometimes trouble-making pre-adolescent. Secondary characters are a treat and make a big difference in Connor, Mallory, and Judah’s attitudes and understanding of God. RoadRave, the company that hires Connor’s PR firm to embark on the adventure, determines their course, but it soon became apparent to this reader (and the characters) that God had a bigger hand in the travel plans. As Mallory and Connor discover there’s “A path carved for us by a creative imagination bigger than our own.” (p 326.)

Miles from Where We Started is written with a light hand in spite of some heavy situations. I loved the wit and wisdom that is expressed along the way. I think this novel would be perfect for a book club — there’s so much to talk about. So grab this book and some friends and head out on a fun reading adventure.

Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

(Thanks to Gilead Publishing for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

I had a hard time putting this book down. I loved Mallory, Connor and Judah. I don’t always understand how someone could begin to say that a marriage is going bad in less than a year. These three people do something I would never do. I could not go quite as small as they do and video all that they do. This book made me happy in the end. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

It took me a bit to get into this book, but when the child arrived it became a page-turner, how I loved him, a tough little cookie.
The author has us with a couple that has been married less than a year, but are about to thrown the towel. What happens next is something you never expect, when these two take off in a mini camper with an eleven-year-old boy, not related to them. There isn’t room in this thing to even turn around and now there are three of them traveling around the country. It soon becomes so funny that I found myself falling in love, especially with the boy, you never knew what was going to happen next.
I don’t think you will be disappointed picking this one up, and as we travel we find so many people with such great show more compassion, this one will make you think!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Gilead, and was not required to give a positive review. show less

Cynthia Ruchti never fails to captivate. Readers of this book will be drawn in to the marriage struggles between this young couple who don't know how to communicate how they truly feel. Connor is a workaholic who has just learned that his father's life threatening disease is a genetic complication which could cripple him and leave his wife nothing but a care-taker. Mallory doesn't care, but struggles to express herself properly to this new version of the man she married. When the couple is thrown together on a cross-country road trip, close quarters force them to reconsider their impending divorce.

Stuck together with them in this tiny camper is a foster child with quite an attitude. He was probably my favorite character of the book, and show more helps in some of the best scenes. I found myself wanting to slap the characters upside the head (OFTEN) because of their communication issues, the issues that they are having are common and only seem obvious because the reader hears both sides of what the characters are thinking.

All throughout the book, Cynthia's writing remains excellent, tying together the simple moments life, laughter, and despair. Her message of hope is resounding and leaves you with the inspiration to go and hug your loved ones.

Recommended reading for lovers of contemporary women's fiction, clean romance, and inspirational titles. No content which justifies an age limit. show less

Cynthia Ruchti never fails to captivate. Readers of this book will be drawn in to the marriage struggles between this young couple who don't know how to communicate how they truly feel. Connor is a workaholic who has just learned that his father's life threatening disease is a genetic complication which could cripple him and leave his wife nothing but a care-taker. Mallory doesn't care, but struggles to express herself properly to this new version of the man she married. When the couple is thrown together on a cross-country road trip, close quarters force them to reconsider their impending divorce.

Stuck together with them in this tiny camper is a foster child with quite an attitude. He was probably my favorite character of the book, and show more helps in some of the best scenes. I found myself wanting to slap the characters upside the head (OFTEN) because of their communication issues, the issues that they are having are common and only seem obvious because the reader hears both sides of what the characters are thinking.

All throughout the book, Cynthia's writing remains excellent, tying together the simple moments life, laughter, and despair. Her message of hope is resounding and leaves you with the inspiration to go and hug your loved ones. Recommended reading for lovers of contemporary women's fiction, clean romance, and inspirational titles. show less

As I finished this book, I realized that I had become a part of their tour to see the country. The author has an elegant way to bring readers in with wonderful easy to relate to characters. I loved the idea of traveling across country to see the sights and along the way meet interesting people. There were just two small problems to make the trip perfect. We have a newlywed couple wanting to call it quits before their first anniversary. Add to the equation, a young boy who needs to be loved and accepted. This has all the makings for a journey that only God could handle.

Mallory and Conner don't realize it but they have a big pride issue. Neither one wants to give in and try to save the marriage. How can they give up so easily? Maybe this show more trip for Conner's work will have an impact on them. The people they meet along the way are in some way a blessing to them. There are some wise people out there and all Mallory and Conner need to do is open their hearts to the truth.

Judah is a smart young boy who has not felt the love of a parent. Mallory and Conner hopefully can help him see that there are people out there who do care and do want to make a home for him. I think Judah was my favorite character because he was so hungry to learn about God. His need to be accepted was heart breaking at times. The author does a great job of letting us see how a young child can be affected by their parents choices.

The story is one that is filled with life lessons we sometimes forget. How often do we enjoy the beautiful sky as the sun is rising? Do we tell those we love how important they are to us? Forgiveness begins with us. We have to make that first step and sometimes our pride gets in the way. The author has captured my full attention and swept me away on a journey to redemption, love, forgiveness, trust and the importance of marriage and family.

"Forgive more than you think you should have to. And that includes yourself."

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. show less