From USA TODAY bestselling author Renée Carlino (Before We Were Strangers), a warm and witty novel about a struggling writer who must come to grips with her past, present, and future after she discovers that she’s the inspiration for a pseudonymously published bestselling novel.
When a bestselling debut novel from mysterious author J. Colby becomes the literary event of the year, Emiline reads it reluctantly. As an adjunct writing instructor at UC San Diego with her own stalled literary career and a bumpy long-term relationship, Emiline isn’t thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of a young and gifted writer.
Yet from the very first page, Emiline is entranced by the story of Emerson and Jackson, two childhood best friends who fall in love and dream of a better life beyond the long dirt road that winds through their impoverished town in rural Ohio.
That’s because the novel is patterned on Emiline’s own dark and desperate childhood, which means that “J. Colby” must be Jase: the best friend and first love she hasn’t seen in over a decade. Far from being flattered that he wrote the novel from her perspective, Emiline is furious that he co-opted her painful past and took some dramatic creative liberties with the ending.
The only way she can put her mind at ease is to find and confront “J. Colby,” but is she prepared to learn the truth behind the fiction?
Guest Reviewed by Carla
5 STARS
Emiline has always wanted to be a well known author, but lately she has really been struggling to create a story that will connect with her readers. When her best friend hands her a book and tells her how great it is, she is excited to read it. Who doesn’t love a good book, right? Imagine her surprise when she discovers that this widely popular book is her life story. Even though the author of the book uses a pen name, she instantly knows who wrote it-Jase, her first love. The book is called All the Roads Between, and as she reads it, she is forced to relive horrible events from her past. At first, Emiline is furious at Jase for writing this book, but in the end, revisiting her past turns out to be very therapuetic for her. Can this book be the one thing to reunite Emiline and Jase offering them a second chance at love?
What a breath of fresh air this book was! It is certainly one of a kind. It is a story within a story with Emiline and Jase being the protagonists in both. I was consumed by both stories. The characters were very well developed, and both stories progressed at the perfect pace! Through her use of imagery, this author draws the reader in and allows you to feel as if you are a part of the character’s worlds. Renee Carlino has done a great job delivering an epic love story you won’t want to miss!
AMAZON US
