For a mother, life comes down to a series of choices.
To hold on…
To let go..
To forget…
To forgive…
Which road will you take?
Night Road
For eighteen years, Jude Farraday has put her children’s needs above her own, and it shows—her twins, Mia and Zach—are bright and happy teenagers. When Lexi Baill moves into their small, close knit community, no one is more welcoming than Jude. Lexi, a former foster child with a dark past, quickly becomes Mia’s best friend. Then Zach falls in love with Lexi and the three become inseparable.
Jude does everything to keep her kids on track for college and out of harm’s way. It has always been easy-- until senior year of high school. Suddenly she is at a loss. Nothing feels safe anymore; every time her kids leave the house, she worries about them.
On a hot summer’s night her worst fears come true. One decision will change the course of their lives. In the blink of an eye, the Farraday family will be torn apart and Lexi will lose everything. In the years that follow, each must face the consequences of that single night and find a way to forget…or the courage to forgive.
Vivid, universal, and emotionally complex, NIGHT ROAD raises profound questions about motherhood, identity, love, and forgiveness. It is a luminous, heartbreaking novel that captures both the exquisite pain of loss and the stunning power of hope. This is Kristin Hannah at her very best, telling an unforgettable story about the longing for family, the resilience of the human heart, and the courage it takes to forgive the people we love.
I'm going to divide this review into 2 parts--like the book. First, I want to say, I loved this book. It was a great and thought provoking story that many people can relate to.
Part 1- Before
Jude was a self described "helicopter parent". She hovered over her children....protecting them, putting them first, and doing whatever she could to make them happy. I could really relate to her as a parent. I, too, am over protective. I love my kids more than I could have ever imagined loving anyone or anything. I would do anything to protect them so I understand her parenting style.
When Lexi and Mia became best friends, Jude welcomed her with open arms. I appreciated her kindness and willingness to treat this girl as family; knowing that she has been through so much. It made me really love Jude.
Part 2- After
I'm going to do my best not to give away all of the "twists" in the book, but while also giving my opinion. When Mia dies; Jude becomes a different person. She is angry, depressed, and full of grief. She wants someone to pay and cannot figure out how to show love to the rest of her family. I really related to some of her feelings. In one section she said she was a "mother of twins who only had 1 child.". I too, have felt that way and while our situations were very different...the emotion and grief is the same. She also said, "how could she make them understand that they woman they knew was gone. She wasn't the woman they befriended anymore." I totally get that. Losing a child changes you...sometimes for the better...sometimes not. I think it made me a better person in many ways, but still different nonethelesss.
In this book, Jude had trouble with forgiveness. I think this is largely due to the fact that she was not religious. When I lost Parker, I was ok (as ok as 1 can be) because I know and take comfort in the fact that Parker is in Heaven. Jude did not have that comfort. Nor, did she know how to forgive. Six years passed before she was able to start the process of forgiveness. Part 2 of the book really focuses on her anger. It also shows the struggle that Zach deals with in losing his twin sister. It made me wonder...did Mia (my Mia) experience those feelings too? Does she feel like a part of her is missing?
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It gave me a lot to think about. It also makes me wonder...how would I have reacted? Would I have forgiven easier? I'd like to think yes, but honestly...I'm not sure. That is something I struggle with, especially when it comes to my kids.
