Author: Ashley Manley
Publisher: Wildflower Book LLC
Rating: 5 *s
Description: A widowed bartender, a summer road trip, the detour she never expected.
Penelope ‘Nel’ Crawford is stuck. At least that’s what her family tells her. A year after losing her husband of seventeen years, she’s still so deep in her grief that she’s barely hanging on, let alone living. She hardly recognizes her teenage kids and finds no joy in doing the things she once loved.
Her solution? An attempt to heal herself and the relationship with her kids with a summer road trip. From one destination to the next, Nel not only has to navigate life on the road, but the trials and tribulations of motherhood after loss.
When a detour leads her to a flirtatious restaurant owner she’s been emailing off and on for months, she starts to remember that life—no matter how unpredictable—is made for living. And the heart, even if broken, finds ways to love again.
Every Beautiful Mile will make readers laugh, cry, and remind them of the healing powers of nature, family, and love itself.
My Review: I don't even know where to begin this review. From the description I knew I was in for a heavy read but I didn't realize the depth of what I was reading until I dug in. From the first few pages I was wrecked and wanted more. I couldn't put it down and devoured it in one sitting.
Penelope (Nell) is stuck in grief. It's been over a year but it still feels like yesterday. She wants to move on but it feels wrong. Feels like she's leaving her husband behind. They were married for seventeen years after all. How do you move forward from that?
She decides on a family trip. She doesn't want to continue rotting in her grief. She wants to show up for her kids and find her path to healing. Along the way she builds memories and repairs her bonds with her children.
Reading Nell's story really touched my heart. I cried, laughed, and wept some more. I loved seeing how supportive Nell's children were as she tiptoed into the potential waters of the dating pool. They were many times I wish I could have held Nell in my arms and reassured her that she was going to be okay.
Manley gives us the perfect blend of healing, spice, and the journey that is moving forward after loss. This is a perfect debut novel and it really excites me to see what Manley will give us next! This will be one of my top reads of the year!
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