THE ATLAS OF UNTOLD STORIES by Sara Brunsvold, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

 Contemporary Women's Fiction Book about Books 

and a Family Road Trip through Midwest America

PAULA'S REVIEW:

“On a road trip aimed at celebrating perspective-shaping books, her mom and sister staunchly remained the main characters in their own stories.”

A spur of the moment road trip to visit towns with literary connections was concocted by Chloe Vance so she could bond better with her mother Edie and reveal a life changing opportunity. Her sister, Lauren, reluctantly joins them after being let go from her job. But neither wants to reveal their secrets just yet. Mom Edie tells herself she is protective of her daughters but her relationship in the past with her own mother colors her perspective.
 

I loved the scenes in St. Louis, Mansfield and Branson because I live in Missouri. The literary settings were so much fun to learn about.
 

A defining moment came near the end when secrets came out in the open and the women realized that they really saw each other for the first time.
 

This was a book that caused me to deeply reflect on family relationships. A stabilizing character was dad Grant, who supported the three women and kept confidences.
 

The story was somber at times but had humor and showed the stages of spiritual maturity of each of the women. It was very different from the other books by this author but not any less significant.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.

*5 stars and a solid faith thread

 

BackCover Blurb:
A literary journey beckons them . . . and may profoundly rewrite their stories.

Chloe Vance, dreamer of the family, needs to tell her pragmatic mom, Edie, that she has accepted a low-paying art instructor role at a Christian school in Prague. Her older sister, Lauren--the "responsible one"--is doing all she can to hide the fact she's been fired for a foolish mistake and is desperately seeking her next career move. Meanwhile, Edie, estranged from her own sister following their mother's recent death, is frankly in no mood for anything else to change.

The one thing they can all agree on? Life in books sure is easier to navigate than life in the real world. As the three women embark on a nine-day road trip to visit significant literary sites throughout America's heartland, they hope to find inspiration through the works and lives of literary greats. As they experience firsthand the adventure and wonder of the classics, they'll discover the value of being honest with themselves--and their family--about their losses and failures. Only then can they come to terms with their own needs and desires and find support from the most important women in their lives--each other.

Book clubs will relish this trek through America's classic literature as award-winning author Sara Brunsvold pens an inspirational novel of mother-daughter relationships, sisterhood, literary themes, a cross-country road trip, and books about books. 

Revell Publishing, June, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

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