Thank you LibraryThing for allowing me to read this book. However, it’s one of the strangest stories I’ve ever read and I did not care for it. It’s the story of 4 college friends who have a reunion 15 years after college. Memories reveal a lot to be dealt with and how that is done is on the unbelievable side. I do not recommend this book. ( )

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Thomas Nelson/TNZ Fiction, as well as Prism Book Tours for providing an advanced review copy. A positive review was not required and all words are my own.

The cover is one of the striking things about this novel, other than the blurb. The stars above and the red dirt road of the Australian outback feature four people on a journey. Immediately questions come to mind – what are they looking for, what will they find, will they like what they find?

This is one of those “spiritual journey” novels that begins with graduation from college, culminating in a “15 years later trip” to Australia for four friends – Lincoln, Andy, Eliza, and Bree. Due to life experiences they are obviously not the same people they were when they arrive. Are they even who they want to be, or are meant to be?

But “how” did they arrive there – that is the key question in this novel and the entire premise. In addition – where are they going? What do they want next?

To be honest, this was a brilliant idea. I truly loved where the author went with this story. Yet, the execution has several weaknesses – some that truly affect how well the novel works, or could work. The stunning and brilliant writing saves this novel. The amount of imagination and passion the writer has are indeed strengths and you can read it in every page.

For the reunion, Lincoln has planned a camping trip to the Australian Outback. Basically being dropped in the middle of nowhere – or so it seems right then.

For Eliza, the trip is “significant”. Bree is hiding a secret, and Andy is just trying to hide.

The characters were indeed flawed, unique, and realistic. I couldn’t relate to the characters but I honestly understood some of them. I was drawn to the story to see how it was all going to play out. As someone who skipped her 10 year high school reunion (for more than one reason), it was an interesting plot to see how these people would have fared 15 years down the road of life’s experiences. How close would they be considering how they were in the beginning.

That is quickly established.

Eliza mentions a term – “walkabout” – which is a journey of self-discovery. From the way the characters are at the beginning of this reunion, they could definitely benefit from it. However, their “tour” guides, particularly Eddie, mention they don’t exploit culture and don’t use the term anymore because it has been misunderstood and used to explain something that it wasn’t and painted to describe a picture of people who weren’t like that. He refers to the trek as a “journey with a purpose”.

According to one finding, ‘go walkabout – (of an Australian Aboriginal) wander into the bush away from white society in order to live in the traditional manner”. Which is why the two men, Eddie and Sloaney, say “it’s not appropriate to exploit cultural heritage for tourists” almost at the end.

In a later campfire session, Eddie is playing a yidaki which Eliza thinks calls a didgeridoo. Again, Eddie is quick to point out the original name. This was definitely an interesting look into an unknown part of the Australian culture. It was definitely fascinating to read and learn about.

Of course what happens at that campsite changes the four friends and causes them to reevaluate the current course they’re on. That doesn’t happen until about halfway through the novel though.

They start off camping and learning about the area – everything seems to be going great, but each one with their own baggage they don’t want to unpack. But, the longer they are together, there is something that threatens them – mainly their own issues in their lives and how they feel about each other.

It starts with a campfire argument and the four people yelling at each other. One interesting note is that Andy blames Lincoln for how his life turns out. This is a result of a “gambling” tip in college that then sets about Andy’s downward path in life, as well as where he his at this point in life. The tip was actually successful, however as most gamblers know – even one small success can be dangerous and lead to a darker path.

The argument culminates with a rare storm that forces them into taking cover which scatters them in different directions. They each wake up in a different area and try to find their way back to the campsite, or civilization – only after they’ve completed their “journey”.

The lessons/guides are simple:

1st – Lincoln. He is LOCKED in a train station with no train that comes by. He can’t find his way out until a woman asks to be let in.

2nd – Andy. It is his problem that is the most bizarre and readers at the end will be left wondering “what happened”, perhaps even in a scary way. This was perhaps the most disturbing part of the novel itself.

3rd – Eliza. She meets a guide, Grace, who quickly surmises what Eliza knew – she is missing something in her life; but what exactly? Was it a failed chance with Lincoln?

4th – Bree. Her biggest “demon” is self-doubt due to a failed attempt at a major event just after college, while happy, she still wrestles with the “am I good enough?” question.

This is a great story that really takes the reader on more than a journey in self-discovery. Told in third (3rd) person; the POV switches from Lincoln, Eliza, Bree, to Andy.

I honestly couldn’t put it down; I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen to them.

Through their individual “guide” journeys; most of the group learn purpose, healing, redemption, and what is wrong in their lives. They also learn that their story isn’t what they do, so much as how they got where they are. Something we all need to take in and reflect on. What was interesting is how they had to “go away” to find themselves. They had to be lost in order to be found.

They learn to re-think their story or their path on life. The journey acts as a course-correction to direct them into being who they are supposed to be, not who they ended up being.

For example, despite her success, Eliza was definitely unhappy. While she did seemingly “have everything”, it was really nothing to her. Same as her ex-finance from college, Lincoln. This mesmerizing tale gives one a harsh lesson in the value of success. This is one of those novels that gets the reader to thinking – actually reflecting on their lives.

Other issues, particularly surrounding Andy, were the questions of personal accountability, responsibility, and owning up to one’s mistakes.

It also begs the question of second chances – if given one, would we take them? What would be the consequences? How far do we fall before we don’t even deserve one?

Each journey was a variation of the same story.

While I am not sure I would call them plot holes, the ending left me wanting SO much more. I wanted to know what happened to these characters. Chapter one does start with the police involvement or rather investigation as one of the characters never seemingly “resurfaces”.

Where did the fourth (4th) person end up?
Were the remaining three going to be charged in the disappearance?
How where they going to change their lives going forward?
What was going to happen?
Was this how it was going to end for them?

There were a LOT of questions in that area – those are some of the major ones. And, that was the big let-down in this otherwise superb book. I’m hoping that because I read an ARC, there was more at the end that didn’t make it in. If not, it is a disappointment as this story deserves a more satisfying ending or rather an end with decent closure. I did re-read the ending to check to see if I missed anything.

As this is “magical realism”, there is no “realistic” basis for what happens in this novel. So, the reader needs to keep that in mind. This is a “hard to describe” kind of read; and best to “give it a try” one.

While I was left disappointed, confused, and even perplexed by the ending, I was also left with reflecting on the questions being asked of the characters.

I think this is geared more for fans of the author, and those of the genre; maybe even those who are “searching” for something in their lives. The discussion questions are great, and a theme for this book – how did you get to the point you are in your life; what shaped your journey; what events shaped it. Does clinging to the past really hold us back?

What about exploring a road not taken?

That was an interesting one as it was the topic of a J*A*G episode (“What If”) when the characters were pondering that same thing over fortune cookies – explore the road not taken, take it. Harm, Mac, Harriet, Bud, and Sturgis each had a view of the road not taken – each time it led them, in a way, towards where they were supposed to be, only by a different road. That was another thing that also stood out for me.

But, the reader also learns through this book that leaving old habits and thoughts behind is sometimes best so we can move forward.

This is definitely a LOWER 4 star read – more like a 3.8/3.9. As some websites don’t do partial stars, I did round it up.

Christy Award winning Australian author, David Rawlings, is a new-to-me author despite hearing about some of his releases last year – “The Baggage Handler” and “The Camera Never Lies”. While disappointed about the ending, the author does accomplish the main goal set out in the story.

While distributed through TNZ Fiction/Thomas Nelson, which is a Christian and faith themed publisher, I found no real Christian references at all. However, it was a clean read with no sex scenes or foul language. ( )

Where the Road Bends by David Rawlings is a recommended allegorical novel featuring a reunion of four college friends. This is highly recommended and a good choice if you like fiction that follows a spiritual journey of self-discovery.

Four college friends promised after graduation to meet and have a fifteenth reunion. The four are keeping their promise and meeting to take a trip to the Australian Outback. "Eliza needs to disconnect from her high-powered fashion job to consider the CEO position she’s just been offered. Lincoln hopes to rekindle a past relationship and escape from another one. Bree looks forward to a fun get away from home and her deeply buried disappointments. Andy wants to disappear from the mess he’s made of his life - possibly forever."

Once they are out at their campsite in the middle of nowhere, one of their guides, Eddie, asks them all the same questions: Tell me your story? Do you enjoy it? He then makes it clear to them that they are replying with what they do, their job, rather than about themselves personally and their lives. This sets the tone for the true purpose of this novel: a parable or allegory of their inner spiritual journey which will take place after a bizarre storm sweeps through their camp and sets them all on their journey, which will include an individual guide to help direct them in their search for their camp and for meaning, purpose, healing, courage, and redemption in their lives.

I appreciate the vivid descriptions of the breathtaking beauty of the Australian Outback and the care taken to set the story in a specific place where the survival tasks are real and work in juxtaposition with the guides who help them find their way back to camp and their true purpose in life. The focus of the plot is a spiritual journey of self-discovery for each individual character, thus it is an allegorical novel.

The characters present a bit of a challenge, however, as they are more caricatures representing different struggles people may have in their lives. So, while there is some character development, the characters all actually represent a struggle people have rather than a well-developed individual. Additionally there seems to be no reason for these four people to really have this reunion after fifteen years. Eliza and Bree have stayed in touch, but the whole group hasn't. (3.5 for me.)

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Thomas Nelson.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2020/06/where-road-bends.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3415268686 ( )

Go on an adventure of discovery in the Australian Outback in this new release from David Rawlings, Where the Road Bends!

Four college friends have not kept in touch well since graduation, but now, they get an opportunity (a strange one!) to reconnect, discovering hard truths about the people they have become and how they need to change.

Like he does in his previous books, Rawlings uses this story of friends to deliver valuable insight and thought-provoking sentiments. While I do wish the characters had been a little more fleshed out, Where the Road Bends does prove to be an interesting story—especially given its atmospheric setting!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

3.5 Stars

Fifteen years and roads diverged separate four college friends in Where the Road Bends. Now, they are fulfilling a pact they made in college.

As with previous books by David Rawlings, each of these people is meets a supernatural stranger who acts as a guide of sorts for them. I enjoyed some elements of this book, but others were lacking.

With the exception of Bree and Eliza, these four people haven’t stayed connected which makes the entire trip seem a little contrived. And I was a tad disappointed with the characterization of each of these friends as I felt they could have been explored more. I had a hard time connecting with any of them.

However, Rawlings paints a vivid picture of the Australian outback that transports you to the ruggedness the land both beautiful and deadly.

He also poses the question of how we respond to the unexpected and unforeseen bends in the road in our lives. Do we adapt? Do we stall? Do we run and hope our problems don’t catch us? How we respond to life when it goes off rails is the mark of where our foundation of beliefs lies, and without a compass, we are often lost.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )