🏕️ 🏞️ “The Glass Road” (Prescott Family Romance #2) (2023) 🏞️ 🏕️ – Book Review

 

 

MY REVIEW

 

Series: Prescott Family Romance (Book #2)

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Alyssa Schwarz (October 11, 2022)

Language: English

ISBN: 1737978849

ISBN-13: 978-1737978848

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“The road ahead is full of bends and turns...
 
 Austin Wright had bigger dreams than to inherit his grandfather’s old property, but with the help of his nephew and a few volunteers, he decides to reopen the idyllic summer camp of his youth.

 

Following her accident at the first triathlon of the season, Tess Prescott’s dreams of the Olympics are shattered, and when her brother volunteers her to work at his friend’s summer camp, she is anything but pleased. Determined to make the best of a bad situation, and to keep herself busy while she recovers, she reluctantly agrees, and ultimately learns the joy of being part of a team.

 

In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, two people must learn to work together if they have any chance of making it through this season of change—even if it means sacrificing the dreams they once strove so hard to protect.
 
But one unexpected secret could have the power to unravel it all.”

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Alyssa Schwarz, for providing a complimentary review copy through JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

Schwarz is a new-to-me author, but she’s definitely not going to stay that way.

 

In anticipation of reading this book, I purchased the first book, The Glass Cottage, as well as the novella Dear Beth. I haven’t been able to read them yet, but do plan to. I do, as some of the characters from those books return and events referenced, recommend reading them prior to this one:

 

💒 Abigail and Ben (The Glass Cottage) [it is their wedding that Tess and Austin attend]

 

💕 Tye and Beth (Dear Beth)

 

In this book, Schwarz brings back Tess, Micah, and Caden; and introduces us to:

 

🏕️ Austin

👦🏻 Josh

🗺️ Meghan

🫕 Trudy

🚙 Brian

🧸 Opal

⏱️ Ryan

 

As well as the other camp counselors. And, the camp name? Camp Kinnikinnick. I shouldn’t have – but, it made me giggle. Talk about a tongue twister.

 

I was drawn to the cover. It truly invokes a calm and peaceful feeling. If not for the fact I do need internet and cell service – that looks like a place I’d love to live. (I’m sure the weather would be a challenge though).

 

This begins with Tess at the first triathlon of the season. When, in San Diego, she has an accident during the running portion. [Have to admit, the accident was unique – no human or car though].

 

Austin has his 14-year-old nephew (Josh) with him, and is trying to get the camp up to specs to host campers. He feels he owes it to his grandfather who ran the camp. Josh’s mom is in Cambodia serving on a mission.

 

Three months later, while Tess has been told she’ll recover and could run again, she’s finding that isn’t the case. She’s also been dropped by her sponsors and coach (Ryan). But, she’s given an opportunity. Her brother (Caden), who was supposed to help his friend Austin out at the camp, asks Tess to go in his place.

 

Tess shows up with her Prius, and it is a hilarious moment. Most in the area have a vehicle with 4WD.  Tess decides to stay and help, and they even encounter a stubborn woodpecker in one of the cabins who Josh has called Morty.

 

One of the camp’s former employees, Trudy, shows up as the cook. And, this old gal was a treat. She immediately takes to Tess and the two even surprise Austin with a party he somehow knew about.

 

Tess is also trying to manage her maid of honor duties for Abigail’s wedding. It isn’t along until the other camp staff shows up – college kids who are an absolute delight as well.

 

It isn’t long until Tess thinks less of returning to training or her previous life. She begins to wonder if a life there is better despite Ryan contacting her to work through things.

 

But, Josh’s dad shows up and Austin is wondering how best to deal with it. He’s even more conflicted when Brian’s daughter, Opal, seemingly takes right to Josh and he to her.

 

And, Tess’ moment (and a lesson to readers) comes when one of the camp counselors, Harper, asks her advice on being a pro athlete. Tess remarks that there is more to life than living from win to win.

 

It’s also clear she wants what Abigail and Ben have.

 

For the size of the book, this was definitely hard to put down and I ended up reading it in about a day and a half. The short chapters and pacing definitely didn’t disappoint at all. It didn’t lag or linger in any one point, but it didn’t feel as though the author rushed through it either. Though to be honest, I think I was a bit too tired and had to re-read a section. For a laugh, I read something as “open brick potato”. It was actually patio, so if there were any typos – I missed them.

 

There were elements of humor that had me rolling. While it isn’t funny per se, the use of the Bee Gees’ “Staying Alive” for CPR always has me laughing hysterically. Though, it is a perfect rhythm and some firefighters have trained on it. There’s also a YouTube video out there.  

 

I loved some of the 1980’s music and movie references. Although I really like Harrison Ford, I preferred him in Star Wars as opposed to Indiana Jones. Fans of both will love the Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi references.

 

I was curious about how the title played into the story. I have to admit it was a wonderfully inspiring read. It truly opens one’s eyes about their path in life, their experiences, and their own goals in life.

 

I absolutely loved Tess’ family – siblings and cousins. I loved her relationship with Austin. It was a natural, organic relationship without many hiccups in it. I enjoyed watching Tess’ character progression, and I truly felt her frustration with the medical profession and her recovery.

 

My mother worked as a clerk in a hospital for 28 years. 25 of those were in a teaching hospital. It is frustrating, like Tess finds out, when they don’t give you a straight answer with regard to recovery. It’s natural to ask why they can’t. After all, they have experience and knowledge, all these diagnostic tools at their disposal.

 

As a patient, it’s maddening. As someone close to the profession – it is understandable as to why they can’t. There are SO many factors at work, and some we don’t think about until they come up.

 

Schwarz also has an accurate portrayal of concussion symptoms and their treatment. I truly believe that it was Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s battle that brought more awareness to them. It’s great to see authors taking a realistic approach when it comes to writing them in.

 

I related in some ways to Josh when learning of his father and half-sister. When I was four (4) my parents divorced and my male bio-parent chose his six (6) step-children over me, often citing that as a reason he wasn’t able to pay child support and didn’t want to visit me. In addition, Josh wishes he’d had the choice to stay or go with his mother. I love how Schwarz wrote the kid. Instead of a surly and combative kid, she wrote a kid I could identify with – understanding, smart, and compassionate.

 

Overall, this was a wonderful read with realistic elements. And, it truly shows how adaptable some of us are, especially with resources and support of family and friends. There was a unique slant on a lesson when Tess tells Austin about grudges, comparing it to jumping into a ditch of poison ivy and expecting the other person to get the rash. Some use poison and compare it to revenge.

 

This is Christian fiction and a Christian romance. There will be some elements of faith. They are overly preachy in tone and limited more or less to the characters when dealing with their situation and seeking guidance. It is also a clean read with “affection” limited to kisses or hugs, and the language is suitable for all ages.

 

The third book, Fields of Glass, is due out this fall, and looks to be Micah’s story. I am definitely putting that on my TBR.

 

Those who’ve read the other two books definitely need to get this. Anyone looking for a sweet, inspirational, and heartwarming read should pick it up as well.

 

 

 

RATING:

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)

Previous Books in the Series: 

Series: Prescott Family Romance (Book #0.5)

Paperback: 126 pages

Publisher: Alyssa Schwarz (January 20, 2029)

Language: English

ISBN: 1737978822

ISBN-13: 978-1737978824

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“After finishing his veterinarian training, Tye Prescott is back in Colorado and ready to give his relationship with Beth another chance, only she's made it very clear she wants nothing to do with him.

 

Beth Walsh is a hopeless romantic, except when it comes to her own love life. In her opinion, love is best left to the storybooks. But when a few nosy octogenarians decide to play matchmaker, she grasps for the only excuse she can think of to avoid another set up.

 

Set against the backdrop of Loveland's historic Valentine's Day letter re-mailing program, Tye and Beth must work together to convince the town of their rekindled romance. But Tye has his own plans of winning back the woman who got away.

 

Might it finally be time for Beth to risk her heart again?”

Series: Prescott Family Romance (Book #1)
Paperback: 333 pages
Publisher: Alyssa Schwarz (October 5, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN: 1737978814
ISBN-13: 978-1737978817
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️

“Could a nineteenth-century diary be the answer to Abigail’s prayers?

 

Iris wanted nothing more than to live her own adventure. But on the tails of the Colorado gold rush, a certain discovery could upend her world before it’s even begun.

 

Over a hundred years later, Abigail Prescott returns to the sleepy mountain town she once called home to help her great Aunt Josie restore the old antique shop, The Glass Cottage. Looking for peace and God’s direction for her life, the last thing she expected to encounter was a ghost from her past—Benjamin Greene—her childhood best friend. The boy who got away.

 

Is this just a coincidence, or could it be the start of something greater?

Together, Ben and Abigail work to fix up the shop and stumble upon an old journal. With more questions than answers, Abigail embarks on a journey of self-discovery to track down the mysterious Iris, but the truth is not always what it seems.

 

In this tale of friendship, love lost, and love found, Abigail must decide for herself: Is every story worth saving, and if so, at what cost?”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Contemporary romance author Alyssa Schwarz is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines with a Master's in Geology & Geological Engineering. She also works as a professional watercolor artist along the Colorado Front Range and is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Alyssa's second full-length novel, The Glass Road, is set in the Colorado mountains, and is the third installment in her new series, A Prescott Family Romance. You can find her online at www.alyssaschwarzauthor.com.

 

You can also find her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alyssa-Schwarz-Author-102406868756561

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssaschwarzauthor

 

  

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