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judeinthestars's review against another edition
5.0
Gwendolyn Carter has spent the last seventeen years hating her mother for all the ways she’s put her down as she was growing up and, most of all, for her terrible response when she discovered her only daughter was a lesbian. Summoned home for her dad’s birthday, Gwendolyn is faced with multiple challenges. Not only is her mother sick and probably dying, Gwendolyn has to get along with the woman who, to all intents and purposes, took her place in the household, becoming Carol’s new daughter, her best friend and her colleague. To top it all, David, Gwendolyn’s father, her hero, turns out to not be such a great guy after all.
I have so many feelings about this book, I’m not sure where to start. Maybe with acknowledging how brave it is of Erin Zak to have written this book. This isn’t simply a work of imagination. It’s wonderfully written but what makes it so moving is how raw it feels, how real. I don’t know if I would be able to revisit such a heart-wrenching experience as losing a parent and come out with something so beautiful.
In addition to the grief the characters start preparing themselves to, and already face as soon as they learn Carol’s cancer is back, Erin Zak describes with delicate brush strokes all that’s complex in mother/daughter relationships, the resentment, the love, the admiration, the need for validation. As Gwendolyn re-evaluates her own behaviour and her reactions to her mother’s behaviour, she opens herself to something new and magnificent, as she allows herself to see Lila, her mother’s surrogate daughter, for who she is and not the person Gwendolyn has refused to even imagine liking. The attraction is undeniable, inconvenient and breathtaking. The chemistry between the two women is tremendous, and I love how they deal with the notion that they’re both Carol’s daughters, yet not, and the potential creepiness. I love that they have such a hard time resisting and I love the moment they decide to give in. And while the romance arc is awesome, each and every relationship of the story is complex and layered, whether it’s Gwendolyn’s relationship to her parents, to her best friend, to volleyball, to her career as an actress in Hollywood, or Carol and David’s marriage, Lila’s relationship with both Carol and David, with the volleyball players she coaches. Every one of them is full of little things that make them genuine and plausible.
Erin Zak is one of those authors I kinda missed, for some reason. The first of her books I read was Beautiful Accidents last year, and, for me, it was 5* all the way. I think I loved this one even more…
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have so many feelings about this book, I’m not sure where to start. Maybe with acknowledging how brave it is of Erin Zak to have written this book. This isn’t simply a work of imagination. It’s wonderfully written but what makes it so moving is how raw it feels, how real. I don’t know if I would be able to revisit such a heart-wrenching experience as losing a parent and come out with something so beautiful.
In addition to the grief the characters start preparing themselves to, and already face as soon as they learn Carol’s cancer is back, Erin Zak describes with delicate brush strokes all that’s complex in mother/daughter relationships, the resentment, the love, the admiration, the need for validation. As Gwendolyn re-evaluates her own behaviour and her reactions to her mother’s behaviour, she opens herself to something new and magnificent, as she allows herself to see Lila, her mother’s surrogate daughter, for who she is and not the person Gwendolyn has refused to even imagine liking. The attraction is undeniable, inconvenient and breathtaking. The chemistry between the two women is tremendous, and I love how they deal with the notion that they’re both Carol’s daughters, yet not, and the potential creepiness. I love that they have such a hard time resisting and I love the moment they decide to give in. And while the romance arc is awesome, each and every relationship of the story is complex and layered, whether it’s Gwendolyn’s relationship to her parents, to her best friend, to volleyball, to her career as an actress in Hollywood, or Carol and David’s marriage, Lila’s relationship with both Carol and David, with the volleyball players she coaches. Every one of them is full of little things that make them genuine and plausible.
Erin Zak is one of those authors I kinda missed, for some reason. The first of her books I read was Beautiful Accidents last year, and, for me, it was 5* all the way. I think I loved this one even more…
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
evelynhugoo's review against another edition
5.0
oh god this book broke my heart into million pieces, i can't stop crying. cancer has been close to my family the last years, maybe not something that has made me lost my parents but it made me lose a lot of people i loved and i knew forever, it's terrible and i cant think about it without breaking a little. loved this book for how real it felt, for how close it felt and maybe i will not be capable of reading it again but im glad i found it.
mjsam's review against another edition
4.0
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I knew going in that this was as much about a mother and daughter coming to terms as it was a romance (more so really) and that it had a cancer storyline, so my fault entirely for requesting it anyway. My only defence is that I have enjoyed all of Zak’s books and thought I could handle it. Yeah, I was wrong.
So, the main characters here are Gwen, a barely made it actress who lives in LA and has been estranged from her mother Carol for 15 years. She comes home for her father’s birthday and discovers that her mother is ill. Complicating this is that while she was gone her parents essentially replaced her with Lila, who not only moved in and became the new daughter, she also coaches volleyball with Carol.
Most of the story and many of the most moving parts revolve around Gwen and her mother and their reconciliation. During this process Lila and Gwen get to know each other and fall in love. To be honest, I didn’t really buy into their relationship, I didn’t feel the chemistry between them and the constant harping on them almost being ‘sisters’ was annoying and distracting. There’s also a lot of soap opera moments around the parents marriage, including a reveal at the end that just had me shaking my head. In a book that was trying to do so much, it felt like a step too far.
Having lost my mother to Alzheimer’s and my dad to cancer/Parkinson’s reading this was like picking at a never healed wound and around the 85% mark I had to put it down, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish it. Not because it was bad, just because of the feelings it evoked. It’s a raw and unflinching look at the devastation of illness and finding hope even in grief. I’m giving it 4 stars only because I thought there were a few too many soap opera twists towards the end, but still recommend it, just be warned, it’s not an easy read, and it will be harder for some.
I knew going in that this was as much about a mother and daughter coming to terms as it was a romance (more so really) and that it had a cancer storyline, so my fault entirely for requesting it anyway. My only defence is that I have enjoyed all of Zak’s books and thought I could handle it. Yeah, I was wrong.
So, the main characters here are Gwen, a barely made it actress who lives in LA and has been estranged from her mother Carol for 15 years. She comes home for her father’s birthday and discovers that her mother is ill. Complicating this is that while she was gone her parents essentially replaced her with Lila, who not only moved in and became the new daughter, she also coaches volleyball with Carol.
Most of the story and many of the most moving parts revolve around Gwen and her mother and their reconciliation. During this process Lila and Gwen get to know each other and fall in love. To be honest, I didn’t really buy into their relationship, I didn’t feel the chemistry between them and the constant harping on them almost being ‘sisters’ was annoying and distracting. There’s also a lot of soap opera moments around the parents marriage, including a reveal at the end that just had me shaking my head. In a book that was trying to do so much, it felt like a step too far.
Having lost my mother to Alzheimer’s and my dad to cancer/Parkinson’s reading this was like picking at a never healed wound and around the 85% mark I had to put it down, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish it. Not because it was bad, just because of the feelings it evoked. It’s a raw and unflinching look at the devastation of illness and finding hope even in grief. I’m giving it 4 stars only because I thought there were a few too many soap opera twists towards the end, but still recommend it, just be warned, it’s not an easy read, and it will be harder for some.
theamandashelby's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book slowly. I would read for a while and put it down, then pick it up after a break. This book was both wonderful and heartbreaking. Zak did such a great job with Gwen in this novel. The emotions were written in such a way the reader experienced the entire range, even if the reader has little or no personal experience with cancer. I see how this could be a difficult read for some especially if the circumstances are very close to home. I always love when a character is written to be exactly the person the other needs at a particular time. Lila was exactly that, someone who could move beyond first impressions, be incredibly supportive while also acting as a bridge. While this isn't a book a will be rushing to read again, it is a book that I will not soon forget. Pick this one up when you want a more serious read you will not be disappointed.
brennooth's review against another edition
5.0
I’m a crying mess after reading this. I just put the book down minutes ago and I haven’t stopped crying yet. I didn’t read the synopsis before I started reading. I had a very bad feeling when I saw the mention of cancer, though. I didn’t think it would affect me the way it did in the end. Cancer has always been a touchy subject. This story was... raw. It was amazing in how detailed and realistic every part of the journey is. How you can feel the heartbreak and the struggles you go through without having much of a choice. I’ve cried my way through page after page and wow, what a powerful book it was. I feel changed by having relieved all of it through this book...
asiantomato's review against another edition
5.0
17 years ago, Gwendolyn Carter left Indiana to pursue a career as an actress in Hollywood. She never came home once in those 17 years because she believes her mom absolutely hates her. During this time, her mom and dad took in a girl named Lila who became their surrogate daughter. When Gwen returns home to celebrate her dad’s birthday, things are awkward to say the least because Gwen thinks her mom loves Lila more than her. But, as time goes on, Lila and Gwen can’t deny the attraction they feel towards one another. When Gwen is ready to return to Hollywood, she discovers that her mom has cancer. Deciding to stay, Gwen is forced to unpack her demons and learn how to trust and love her mom again.
I absolutely loved this book. The moment I started, I couldn’t put it down until I was finished lol. There was so much more than just a f/f romance in The Road Home. The way that Zak wove the storyline was so beautiful and powerful and authentic.
From the start, with Gwen in therapy talking about the trauma her mom put her through as a teenager, I knew this was going to be a rollercoaster. I mean, can you imagine thinking your mom literally replaced you with someone else as soon as you were out of her house? And on top of that, thinking your mom hates you because you’re gay, but then she accepts her new daughter despite the fact that she’s gay too.
There were a lot of parts in the story where I got frustrated though, because they really could’ve avoided a lot of the problems if they just talked to one another, but I guess that’s just them being human. Another reason is that I felt like no one really tried to get to know Gwen in the beginning. Like Lila “tried” to be understanding, but she ended up just losing her temper and calling Gwen a child (which okay she was acting like a child LOL I’ll give her that) even though she doesn’t know what caused her to leave her home. Idk about you, but I think if I heard that someone left their home for 17 years and never came back, I don’t think I would be mad at the person. I think I would question the household that they were raised in to see why that happened and what could’ve been so bad that made them do that.
Aside from that, the romance was amazing. Gwen and Lila go from sort of enemies to friends to lovers and I love that. They were there for each other when they needed it the most and there were definitely some steamy moments ;). I really enjoyed watching them get to know each other and start to open up and learn to understand why the other person acts the way they act. One complaint that I do have is that I wish Gwen opened up more about how her mom was not accepting of her sexuality with Lila. I feel like she just kind of brushed it off even though, obviously, it was traumatic enough to send her away for 17 years.
And finally, the storyline where Gwen and Lila have to learn how to deal with Carol’s (Gwen’s mom) fight with cancer. This was probably my favorite aspect in the book. Seeing Gwen rebuild her relationship with her mom and understanding that people can change, whether it be for good or for bad, made me very emotional. One of my favorite moments was when Gwen’s best friend helps her understand that everything happens for a reason. If she hadn’t left 17 years ago, maybe her mom would have never accepted her sexuality. But the fact of the matter is everything that had happened, led up to that moment where they can begin to rebuild their relationship.
I received a copy from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book. The moment I started, I couldn’t put it down until I was finished lol. There was so much more than just a f/f romance in The Road Home. The way that Zak wove the storyline was so beautiful and powerful and authentic.
From the start, with Gwen in therapy talking about the trauma her mom put her through as a teenager, I knew this was going to be a rollercoaster. I mean, can you imagine thinking your mom literally replaced you with someone else as soon as you were out of her house? And on top of that, thinking your mom hates you because you’re gay, but then she accepts her new daughter despite the fact that she’s gay too.
There were a lot of parts in the story where I got frustrated though, because they really could’ve avoided a lot of the problems if they just talked to one another, but I guess that’s just them being human. Another reason is that I felt like no one really tried to get to know Gwen in the beginning. Like Lila “tried” to be understanding, but she ended up just losing her temper and calling Gwen a child (which okay she was acting like a child LOL I’ll give her that) even though she doesn’t know what caused her to leave her home. Idk about you, but I think if I heard that someone left their home for 17 years and never came back, I don’t think I would be mad at the person. I think I would question the household that they were raised in to see why that happened and what could’ve been so bad that made them do that.
Aside from that, the romance was amazing. Gwen and Lila go from sort of enemies to friends to lovers and I love that. They were there for each other when they needed it the most and there were definitely some steamy moments ;). I really enjoyed watching them get to know each other and start to open up and learn to understand why the other person acts the way they act. One complaint that I do have is that I wish Gwen opened up more about how her mom was not accepting of her sexuality with Lila. I feel like she just kind of brushed it off even though, obviously, it was traumatic enough to send her away for 17 years.
And finally, the storyline where Gwen and Lila have to learn how to deal with Carol’s (Gwen’s mom) fight with cancer. This was probably my favorite aspect in the book. Seeing Gwen rebuild her relationship with her mom and understanding that people can change, whether it be for good or for bad, made me very emotional. One of my favorite moments was when Gwen’s best friend helps her understand that everything happens for a reason. If she hadn’t left 17 years ago, maybe her mom would have never accepted her sexuality. But the fact of the matter is everything that had happened, led up to that moment where they can begin to rebuild their relationship.
I received a copy from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
rogue_lurker's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars
Wow - really enjoyed this book. There was so much going on on the interpersonal levels between not only the leads but with the secondary characters - it gave the story a phenomenal amount of depth and pathos. Zak likes her angst - and there's lots of angst triggers in this novel: estranged mother/daughter, rivalry for mother's affection, terminal illness, distant father, hate to love relationship, career doubt and a volleyball championship. Sounds jam-packed and all over the place but Zak weaves them all together to make a particularly poignant and satisfying story.
Returning home for the first time in years, Gwendolyn is dealing with a Hollywood career that is stalled and having to face her estranged mother and the woman who seems to have replaced Gwendolyn as a surrogate daughter. There's a brittle and icy edge to their first scenes - and Gwendolyn is no saint. I think that is what I liked best about this book - there was no black or white, right or wrong - the characters were nuanced and flawed but still willing to change and accept. The enemy to lover storyline between Gwendolyn and Lara works particularly well - especially as they are drawn closer together as Gwendolyn's mother illness progresses. Unlike a lot of lesfic novels, this unravels over a months long period of time, giving all the characters a chance to shift and grow.
I won't lie - this one got me tearing up but it didn't feel like it was exploitative, the characters and the situations just resonated. There's a raw honesty and emotion in the characters and their evolving relationships that, as hard as they sometimes might be to read, also provide a wonderful sense of hope and resolution.
Although it sounds like a dreary and depressing novel, The Road Home is a riveting family drama that has it high points and humour as well. I think, out of the books I've read this year, this is the best drama I've read and Ms Zak has a masterful ability to pull the best out of angsty tropes and make them real and relatable with characters that could very well be someone in your own life.
Strongly recommended.
Wow - really enjoyed this book. There was so much going on on the interpersonal levels between not only the leads but with the secondary characters - it gave the story a phenomenal amount of depth and pathos. Zak likes her angst - and there's lots of angst triggers in this novel: estranged mother/daughter, rivalry for mother's affection, terminal illness, distant father, hate to love relationship, career doubt and a volleyball championship. Sounds jam-packed and all over the place but Zak weaves them all together to make a particularly poignant and satisfying story.
Returning home for the first time in years, Gwendolyn is dealing with a Hollywood career that is stalled and having to face her estranged mother and the woman who seems to have replaced Gwendolyn as a surrogate daughter. There's a brittle and icy edge to their first scenes - and Gwendolyn is no saint. I think that is what I liked best about this book - there was no black or white, right or wrong - the characters were nuanced and flawed but still willing to change and accept. The enemy to lover storyline between Gwendolyn and Lara works particularly well - especially as they are drawn closer together as Gwendolyn's mother illness progresses. Unlike a lot of lesfic novels, this unravels over a months long period of time, giving all the characters a chance to shift and grow.
I won't lie - this one got me tearing up but it didn't feel like it was exploitative, the characters and the situations just resonated. There's a raw honesty and emotion in the characters and their evolving relationships that, as hard as they sometimes might be to read, also provide a wonderful sense of hope and resolution.
Although it sounds like a dreary and depressing novel, The Road Home is a riveting family drama that has it high points and humour as well. I think, out of the books I've read this year, this is the best drama I've read and Ms Zak has a masterful ability to pull the best out of angsty tropes and make them real and relatable with characters that could very well be someone in your own life.
Strongly recommended.
kc210791's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. It's so different from the other lesbian fiction/romance novels. I couldn't stop reading it. I laughed, I cried, I cheered. I felt what the characters were feeling, which I always find to be great character development.
When Gwen comes home, despite her reluctance, she finds herself in the midst of a different parent/child relationship. Lila, who was the "second chance" has taken her place in this very different world from which she grew up. The challenges and growth of her character, along with Lila's, will crawl it's way into your heart in this novel.
When Gwen comes home, despite her reluctance, she finds herself in the midst of a different parent/child relationship. Lila, who was the "second chance" has taken her place in this very different world from which she grew up. The challenges and growth of her character, along with Lila's, will crawl it's way into your heart in this novel.
cdownes's review against another edition
4.0
A heartfelt story of regret and love.
This story touched me quite profoundly. The characters have an evolving chemistry, but the heart of the story belongs to Carol, a mother to both Gwen and Lila.
The pace of depth of the novel are finely tuned, it delivers perfectly, like a delicate recipe.
* ARC received for an honest review *
This story touched me quite profoundly. The characters have an evolving chemistry, but the heart of the story belongs to Carol, a mother to both Gwen and Lila.
The pace of depth of the novel are finely tuned, it delivers perfectly, like a delicate recipe.
* ARC received for an honest review *
shereadstales's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the digital galley of this book.
Welcome to the latest installment of me catching up on the backlist. Actress Gwendolyn Carter has had a few bit parts over the last few years but hasn’t landed her breakout role yet. Crushed and ready to give up, she’s called home to celebrate her dad’s birthday and to meet her “replacement,” Lila Machowicz, whom her parents have been basically raising since she was a teenager. Lila can do no wrong, and Gwen and her mother have never gotten along. Gwen is only planning on staying a couple of days, but a crushing diagnosis from her mother prompts her to stay a little longer and hopefully repair the rift. As if all of this isn’t enough, she finds herself fighting an attraction to Lila.
I enjoyed this one. It was a nice, emotional story of coming home, repairing rifts, and of course, romance. I liked Gwen’s character arc, even though I found her being really dramatic and childish at times. I guess that goes with the territory as an actress, and it worked pretty well for the story. I liked that Lila wasn’t as one dimensional as Gwen anticipated. She wasn’t the perfect child, but she grew into a mature adult. Zak built the romantic tension well, and Gwen’s prolonged absence left space for a few twists and turns as well as revelations.
Overall, it was really nice to be able to read this during slow work days. It provided a perfect escape from long hours sitting at a desk, waiting to go home. It’s out now, so check it out.