Author : Lori Keesey
Genre : Journey Narrative & Inspirational Fiction
My rating : ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Brief :
A courageous mother on the run and a relentless abuser in hot pursuit set the stage for an emotional, high-stakes road trip toward redemption.
Ginny Carmichael feels completely trapped in an abusive relationship in Atlanta, until a strange, spiritual visit gives her the courage to break free. With her baby daughter Laurel with her, she packs up and runs for her life. While mourning the recent death of her beloved Granny, Ginny decides to hunt down the last person she ever expected to turn to: her estranged mother, who abandoned her years ago and is now somewhere in Las Vegas Nevada (if she is even still alive!).
But escaping is far from easy. When a quick stop in Oklahoma reveals that her abusive ex partner Jacob is tracking her every move through her phone and car, Ginny has to make a drastic choice. To survive, she leaves technology behind and teams up with Oralyn, a kind diner owner who reminds her of her late grandmother, and Oralyn's lively niece. Together, they ditch the trackers and hit Route 66! Later in Arizona, they are joined by Ginny’s Aunt Adele, who has not seen her sister in decades. Now, this tight knit group of women must outrun a dangerous past that refuses to let go.
As the miles rack up, Ginny discovers that the road is not just about reaching a physical place. It is about healing from deep pain, and finding her true self again.
Second Chance Highway is the moving, inspirational second book in Lori Keesey’s series (following the award winning Always Think of Me, but it works beautifully as a standalone book too). It is the absolute perfect read for fans of deep character journeys, strong female friendships, and heartfelt stories of faith and healing!
My opinion :
Second Chance Highway is a deeply moving, emotional novel that pulls you right into a high stakes journey of survival, faith, and self discovery! Written by Lori Keesey, whose kind storytelling shines through on every page, this book is so much more than a simple story about running away from danger. Instead, it starts a brilliant chain reaction along Route 66, constantly changing gears and throwing fresh surprises at you while these women face their past mistakes. We follow Ginny as she tries to escape a terrifying home situation, eventually finding an unexpected safe haven in a tight knit circle of incredible women. It is a beautifully paced game of cat and mouse where the emotional stakes keep rising until you reach a deep sense of healing.
There is so much to love about this book! It is full of heart and completely made me fall in love with inspirational drama all over again. Lori Keesey’s world building is amazing. Her descriptions of roadside diners, the open roads of Oklahoma and Arizona, and the places Ginny visits are so vivid that you feel like you are standing right there in the dust and neon lights with her. What I loved most was that the story does not just focus on one main character. Instead, it lets you see inside the minds of multiple characters (even the ex partner Jacob), which gives you a great mix of perspectives. Oralyn is definitely a standout character! She is dealing with old age, ignoring her diabetes, and mourning the tragic loss of her young daughter. When she connects with Ginny, they both find a fresh reason to live. The author beautifully blends heavy themes like alcohol abuse, trauma, and loss with a strong message of faith, making this book a total win.
While the book is an absolute ride, it has just a couple of minor speed bumps. In the beginning, the story gives the characters plenty of time to grow, but the last few chapters feel way too rushed. The plot suddenly jumps through big blocks of time, which was a bit confusing and slowed down my enjoyment of the ending. Because the emotional journey is so gripping, those sudden time skips made me wish the final chapters had more room to breathe naturally.
Ultimately, Second Chance Highway was a fantastic experience! It wraps up a heartfelt, beautifully written story that leaves you incredibly excited to see how these characters live their new lives. It is a high energy, memorable drama with amazing character growth, deep emotions, and real suspense. If you are looking for a typical, fast paced action movie style thriller, the deep focus on faith and reflection here might surprise you. But if you want an emotional, action packed journey that keeps the heartwarming surprises coming until the very end, this one absolutely delivers! Lori Keesey proves she knows exactly how to capture both the open road and the reader’s heart.
I received a gifted copy of this book, but all opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
Ekaurbook 