Fifteen-year-old Peyton Cabot knows his daddy hasn’t been the same since he came back from the war. After an unfortunate accident, Peyton realizes he didn’t know too much about his daddy before the war either. In an attempt to make sense of his father and himself, he sets out to imitate the same incredible journey his daddy once traveled: biking all the way to Key West.
My Thoughts:
I’m beginning to realize that a Valerie Fraser Luesse novel is a whole experience. Like a good chocolate, it needs to be appreciated.
This was an absolutely beautiful book. It has a stunning simplicity that meets readers exactly where they are. The characters are unforgettable–not because they’re abnormal, but because they could be our neighbors and our grandparents and our friends. That’s the magic of it. These characters and their stories are so real, and the way they all weave together is a beautiful testament to the fact that our lives are connected in inexplicable, miraculous ways.
Peyton’s journey is packed with meaning. There’s an unexpected depth in his travel, in the things he discovers about his father and about himself. There’s a touch of romance. Readers also get brief moments with Peyton’s mother, Kate, as she navigates the turn her life has taken and what it means for her and her son.
There were several things I adored about this book, but the epilogue was absolutely perfect. I felt all of the things, and I hated closing the book and saying goodbye. Luesse continues to impress me with her ability to write such realistic, human characters who remain imprinted in the hearts of readers long after the last page is read.
The Key to Everything released June 2, so it’s available right now!
A huge thanks to Revell for the complimentary copy of this novel. All expressed opinions in this review belong to me.
Purchase: Amazon | Christianbook | Barnes & Noble | Baker Book House
Book Boyfriend:
This is a coming-of-age story, so I don’t really have a Book Boyfriend for this one. But Peyton grows up to be the best kind of young man and I am always in support of young men with integrity.
Soul of a Librarian 