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Night Road

by Kristin Hannah (Goodreads Author)

4.16 of 5 stars 4.16 · rating details · 28,083 ratings · 3,792 reviews

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...more

ebook, 400 pages

Published March 22nd 2011 by St. Martin's Press (first published January 1st 2011)

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May 06, 2012 Ceren Ünlü rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Kristin Hannah / GECE YOLU

MÜKEMMELDİ. BÜYÜLEYİCİYDİ. HARİKAYDI. NEFESİMİ KESTİ. Hannah herzaman ki gibi salya sümük ağlattı... Ağlattı... Ağlattı. Başından sonuna kadar, kitap bittiğinde bile.
İçinde öyle bir yere dokunuyor ki, Hannah. Nefes alamıyor, düşünemiyorsun. Ya bu kadın nasıl böyle yazabiliyor ? Bu kadar iyi bir yazar olamaz, hiç kimse. Öyle içten, sıcacık, doğru !
Gece yolu, insanın ruhu affetme konusunda, beklemek, geçmişte tutmak, unutmak konusunda çok başarılı bir kitap.
Kimi zaman da...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is set in Washington State, like most of Kristin Hannah's books are. It starts with the story of Lexi Baill who is a perpetual foster child who has finally found her 'forever home' with an elderly aunt. Thanks to the help of her social worker she is enrolled in a prestigious (and wealthy) communities high school and befriends Mia who is a social outcast compared to her popular, jock brother. For several years everything is wonderful for them until a sudden tragedy changes the course of...more

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Feb 02, 2013 Amber rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-reads

Another emotional heart wrenching story by the wonderful Kristin Hannah. I am never disappointed by her books. It was another roller coaster ride. I went through all the stages of emotions with these characters and felt completely involved with their lives. All kinds of tears, happy and sad. I sobbed so much through the last 20% I could barely read the words! Great story :)

8 likes · like · see review

Jan 21, 2012 Meg ♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-books, favs, z-2011-reads, cover-lover

This is definitely a book I will be recommending to friends for a long time. Surprisingly, I hadn't heard anything about this book until I went to vote on the 2011 Goodreads polls a few months ago. This book was nominated for best book of 2011, and the cover instantly stood out to me, and I think it's very beautiful. I read the synopsis, and at first was hesitant, because the title, and synopsis seemed to give me the impression that the book would be very predictable. Definitely not the case.

Ju...more This is definitely a book I will be recommending to friends for a long time. Surprisingly, I hadn't heard anything about this book until I went to vote on the 2011 Goodreads polls a few months ago. This book was nominated for best book of 2011, and the cover instantly stood out to me, and I think it's very beautiful. I read the synopsis, and at first was hesitant, because the title, and synopsis seemed to give me the impression that the book would be very predictable. Definitely not the case.

Jude lives in a small town raising her twins Mia and Zack. Along with her husband Miles, they seem to live the perfect life in their perfect little community. Zach is very popular, but Mia is quite reserved. One day at school Mia meets a girl named Lexi when she discovers her reading a book she likes. She warns Lexi that being her friend is social suicide, but Lexi doesn't care. Lexi was from a from a foster home, and has a dark past, but Jude welcomes her daughter's new friend. Eventually she becomes like one of the family, as they all get along so well.

When I first started reading I loved the writing style. I enjoyed the fact that it changed POV between a teen and a mom. I thought that was kind of unique. The characters were great. Lexi was one of the most wonderfully written characters I have ever read about. The way she grows as a person in this book is simply astonishing. Jude was another well developed character that I could really relate to as a mom. She was over the top at times, in terms of her overbearing methods, but her heart was always in the right place. Every character in this story loves completely with all their heart. The supporting characters shined as well. The relationships between Lexi/Jude, Lexi/Mia, Lexi/Zach, and Zach/Mia were very well done.

This book has so many twists, and some are so major you wonder if you are still reading the same book. Hannah will take your emotions all over the place. One minute you will be laughing along with the family, one minute in tears, and another minute feeling angry about things that are going on. You will never be bored for a second reading this book, and I actually read it in one sitting, because I just had to know what would happen next.

I feel like this book sends lots of great messages about love, loss, forgiveness, acceptance and much more,and I feel she can send her messages in a positive way without ever sounding preachy. Night Road is an emotionally complex book, and it's truly unforgettable. This is my first book of Hannah's, and I will definitely be checking out more of her books!

I really think this is a book that can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike, but I do feel us moms can truly appreciate it the most.(less)

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Sep 04, 2011 Kathleen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-contemporary-authors

I have been an avid follower of Kristin Hannah. When this book appeared at my local library, I grabbed it tucking it away behind my Nancy Pearl recommendations, ready to roll it out and savor every page.
The opening pages, engaging as they were, sent out a huge warning...danger, danger...imminent tragedy, more than you can imagine, awaits. I read on and became immersed in a world I have lived in professionally and loved, working with adolescents as a teacher, school psychologist and principal. I...more I have been an avid follower of Kristin Hannah. When this book appeared at my local library, I grabbed it tucking it away behind my Nancy Pearl recommendations, ready to roll it out and savor every page.
The opening pages, engaging as they were, sent out a huge warning...danger, danger...imminent tragedy, more than you can imagine, awaits. I read on and became immersed in a world I have lived in professionally and loved, working with adolescents as a teacher, school psychologist and principal. I knew, with the details Hannah shared, we were headed toward disaster, and I was almost physically ill as the tension built. So 100 pages in, I cheated and read the last three pages of the book, thus relieving me of my anxiety and believing I knew the worst that was about to happen.
Hannah skillfully reflects the roller coaster emotions of every mother and student navigating through high school and senior year. Add to this a layer of privilege on an island off the coast of Washington v. the introduction of a young woman whose background was far removed from this land of privilege. Every time I thought I understood where this novel was going, I was brought up short.
Every woman who has ever been a mother can identify with the mother's intentions: wanting only to nurture her twin son and daughter, carving out a life of promise, hovering protectively, ensuring theirs was the "safe house," the place other high schoolers wanted to be.
Halfway through the book, when tragedy struck, I questioned what was ahead with so many pages left that could be different from other novels dealing with similar subjects. Here is Hannah's talent delivering the reader from grief-paralyzed Jude, the mother, to Lexi in prison to Zach in medical school to Grace and her imaginary friend. These are good people, honest, generous, grounded, and yet, their struggles left me breathless at times. Hannah's account of Jude's daily life and challenges to love and forgive, the details of Lexi in prison, and the father's patient and practical role in their healing were especially moving.
I cried throughout the last 40 pages of the book because I had come to love this family and wanted them to survive. Despite the subject, this is a story, perhaps a primer, on resilience, forgiveness,love,and most of all, hope.(less)

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Apr 01, 2013 TamElaine rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: great-author-challenge, to-read-2013, to-read-with-my-girls, new-to-me-authors

WOW !

This book read much like a Young Adult novel, – something I tend not to read – and yet the characterization drew me in so much that I had to know more....and I connected so much with Jude in the beginning of the novel – (view spoiler)...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Diane rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have read others of Kristin Hannah's books, but this one was somewhat different then her others. I found it well written and the characters have a way of pulling at your heartstrings in this story.

This is a story of three young people that have formed a bond between them. One has come from a broken home and heroin mother that did not care about her. She has been in and out of foster homes till a great-Aunt takes her in and gives her a home. The other two are twin sister and brother. One is po...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Trisha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-all-time-favourites

WARNING, READ THIS REVIEW IF YOU HAVE READ THIS BOOK!

Speechless. This book has made me speechless. I'm repeating myself because that's who exactly I feel this book has pulled my heartstrings. I love Zach, Lexi and Grace. (Obviously) At first I definitely have mixed feelings about Jude, like she was the mother who revolved her life around her kids, wanted the best for her children (which all parents want) but than I hated her for charging charges against Lexi, I hated how everyone thought of the...more WARNING, READ THIS REVIEW IF YOU HAVE READ THIS BOOK!

Speechless. This book has made me speechless. I'm repeating myself because that's who exactly I feel this book has pulled my heartstrings. I love Zach, Lexi and Grace. (Obviously) At first I definitely have mixed feelings about Jude, like she was the mother who revolved her life around her kids, wanted the best for her children (which all parents want) but than I hated her for charging charges against Lexi, I hated how everyone thought of themselves that time. It was always about MIA and it was about her after she DIED, like for god sake keeping her IMMORTAL in their thoughts when someone dies is one thing but revolving it around your existence forgetting everyone around them. Poor Lexi. That poor girl was blamed for it when it wasn't her FAULT, I mean come on she was the only one who wasn't that drunk. My heart felt for Lexi when she had to give her baby away, she carried her baby for nine months only for her to be taken away and than she not being happy (Once again Mia takes the spotlight.)

Zach had it so hard I wished he fought a little harder though, I know after losing his sister it was very hard for him but he only tried to keep his mother happy when all she did was neglect him. (One would think that after you lost one child you would keep the other in front of your eyes and shower them with lots of love, she didn't instead she wallowed in her own pain and didn't care for Miles pain, he lost his daughter too, Zach lost his sister to but he is holding it together).

Lexi lost her best friend, she has to carry the burden of being the driver, that girl had enough grief in life and she was blamed for the death, Jude told her she KILLED her daughter. Ughh, I wanted to punch her in the face! Can't you see that poor girl heart broken.

Miles and Eve are the best. I loved them both, they were the pillars for Zach and Lexi.

This story is STUPENDOUS, FANTASTIC AND AMAZING. It's really hard to find such emotional books that are written so well and beautifully. This book made me think of so many things. We are human and we tend to make so many mistakes it takes a lot to own up to them and learn from them.

I think many times what if Lexi didn't plead guilty would her sentence have been shorten would she have gone to prison. Maybe because of the way it went it was because it would have been easier on Lexi to move on, for her to have her happy ending?

My Verdict? 5 PLUS STARS (5 stars don't cover it and 10 doesn't so I believe infinity number of stars since it has no bounds) :)(less)

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Apr 10, 2011 thewanderingjew rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Mia and Lexi are best friends. Both girls are insecure. One comes from a charmed background and one from a background of neglect and poverty; a mother who was a druggie and an absent, unknown father. Mia has a twin brother. They are exceptionally close with the bond that only twins can share. This is their story.
It begins on the first day of a new High School for Lexi Baill. On that fateful day, she catches the eye of Zach Farraday, the future prom king, and befriends his opposite in social stat...more Mia and Lexi are best friends. Both girls are insecure. One comes from a charmed background and one from a background of neglect and poverty; a mother who was a druggie and an absent, unknown father. Mia has a twin brother. They are exceptionally close with the bond that only twins can share. This is their story.
It begins on the first day of a new High School for Lexi Baill. On that fateful day, she catches the eye of Zach Farraday, the future prom king, and befriends his opposite in social stature, his twin sister, Mia Farraday, a social outcast.
As rich a life as Mia and Zach have, with every social advantage that money can buy, Lexi’s is poor. Raised by a drug addict mom who was never able to kick the habit and who eventually overdosed, she is bounced around from foster home to foster home until a great aunt finds out she has a relative and takes her in to live with her. This is a story of how privilege can corrupt and tragedy can cause tremendous destruction. This is a story about justice and yet the justice was meted out in an unjust, cold-hearted way.
The punishment was not commensurate with the perpetrators intent or past history. The pain of loss, clouded by deep anger takes the life of a living child unfairly to make up for the life of one that dies prematurely in an accident. Fanaticism is bad no matter from what quarter it hails.
Foster children are bounced around and never feel safe or loved or wanted. Twins feel the presence of each other in their minds and emotions.
I thought, at first, the book was cloying and contrived. All the stereotypes of irresponsible teens are displayed. All the stereotypes of liberal moms, who want to make sure their children have everything while at the same time they hover over them and never let them grow up, are trotted out. The resulting tragedies keep unfolding and pyramiding, one on top of the other. Like dominoes, mistakes are made one after another.
Until I finished the first third of the book, I wondered if I would finish the book at all. At that point, the story becomes so gripping, so emotional that it is not only one you must complete, it is one you cannot put down.
(less)

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Apr 29, 2013 Debby rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A good story overall; however, too emotionally manipulative for my taste. It had a Lifetime movie, jerk your "mother" emotions all over the map, feel to it at times. The book just never made it to a 5-star awe in my opinion.
If you like that kind of mother melodrama, "God please I pray this never happens to me" kind of thing, this is the book for you. If you're a seriously over-protective mother or live vicariously through your kid's experiences, especially having your well-being attached to thei...more

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Mar 17, 2012 Kimba (Caffeinated Book Reviewer) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Night Road by Kristen Hannah has been in my TBR pile forever, I was gifted it when I first received my Nook. This month, I participated in a challenge on Goodreads. I partnered up with a member and they selected a book from my TBR pile for me to read. Since I am also participating in the 2012 TBR pile challenge this worked out perfectly for me. I think this sat in my pile for so long, because I tend to avoid surreal storylines. I look at reading as an escape and even though this is fiction, its...more Night Road by Kristen Hannah has been in my TBR pile forever, I was gifted it when I first received my Nook. This month, I participated in a challenge on Goodreads. I partnered up with a member and they selected a book from my TBR pile for me to read. Since I am also participating in the 2012 TBR pile challenge this worked out perfectly for me. I think this sat in my pile for so long, because I tend to avoid surreal storylines. I look at reading as an escape and even though this is fiction, its contents are all too real. Despite that, I loved this novel, the characters and the tragic story of love and loss. This story should also come with a warning label – some readers will experience the following reactions * bouts of excessive crying and the *inability to put the book down. I recommend amble supplies of the following before reading: tissues and chocolate. Then find a quiet place and a snugly blanket.

The novel centers on the well-to-do Farraday family and Lexi Baill. Judy Farraday is super Mom. She is the mother of twins Mia and Zach. When the tale begins they are getting ready to start high school. Judy is very involved, spoils her children and worries obsessively. On some points I adored her parenting and on others I kind of felt like she needed to get a life. For example she worries about Mia. Mia is the shy twin and on the first day of high school, she walks her into school, helps her find her first class and open her locker. Mia finds this stressful, but submits. My kids would have died of embarrassment and probably disowned me. Her husband and children realize how she is, and indulge her, simply because they love her and her intentions are good. I think Hannah purposely made her extreme, so that events that occur later in the tale have creditability and believe me they do.

Lexi Baill has had an incredibly difficult life. Her Mom recently OD and she has bounced from foster home to foster home. Her social worker found an Aunt who was willing to take her in. Lexi’s aunt is poor, lives in a double wide and works at Wally world, but lovingly opens her home. Despite all the turmoil her young life has wrought, Lexi is a loveable, respectful and an appreciative child. On the first day of school, she wears a dorky bedazzled butterfly shirt to school. Why? Because her aunt bought it for her, and she didn’t want to hurt her feelings. When she enters her first class, some girls immediately start making fun of her, until a very handsome young man steps in. He is completely swoon worthy and Lexi’s heart pounds so loud she can barely hear. She spends the rest of the morning trying to catch glimpses of him. At lunch she seeks a quiet place to read, and comes upon a girl dressed in a pink tutu reading under a tree. It’s Mia and the two become fast friends. Mia invites her home after school and she learns that the hot boy, she was crushing on, is Mia's twin brother Zach. That evening, Judy takes Lexi home, and when they pull up in front of the double-wide, she tells Judy her life story and promises not to hang with her kids again. Judy wisely tells her that doesn’t matter, and explains Mia needs a friend. She tells her a story about Mia’s last friend. A girl, who became friends with Mia to get close to Zach, began dating Zach, broke up with him and then ignored Mia, breaking her heart. Lexi vowels to ignore her feelings for Zach and becomes close with the entire family.

Life is good until the kid’s senior year of high school when everything changes. Lexi and Zach fall in love, and the three of them become inseparable. The romance between Lexi and Zach was so sweet and intense. He falls so hard for her. This was not instant-luv. They both have had feelings for each other and never acted on them out of concern for Mia. Jude is concerned, but she is also worked about all the parties. She worries about them drinking or having sex. She and her husband reminiscent about their own childhoods. Then one night tragedy strikes and it will change the lives of them all, ripping them apart. From this point on I cried for almost the remainder of the novel. Hannah’s portrayal of the event, the aftermath and the characters themselves was out of this world good. She walks us though each of their experiences. The depth of each characters emotions left me breathless and turning the pages searching for some kind of peace or happy ending. While, I predicted the ending, Hannah’s path there was delightful, tragic and heart-breaking. Despite the tears shed, I would gladly take the journey again.
(less)

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Mar 16, 2012 Eileen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hannah seems to always touch my emotions and past. I want to read her new book, but I have to rest myself for the emtional ride.

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Jun 06, 2013 Kenya Blue rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Night road was very fascinating and emotional. Throughout the book the main character Lexi Baill faces obstacles that stand in her way to achieve her goals. After coming out of foster care, Lexi goes to live with her only living family member in a small community where she meets the family that changes her life. Throughout the book the Farraday family has shown Lexi how to love and care for other people. Not only does Lexi become best friends with Mia but also falls in love with Zach, Mia’s twin...more

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May 30, 2013 Angela Larsen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Kristin Hannah does it again (are we surprised?). A fabulous, unputdownable read with a great (heart-breaking) premise, likable (even when they aren't) characters and lovely scenery (which totally matters; that's why I saw the Twilight movies I tell myself). Jude Farraday is a helicopter mom to twins who befriend a troubled girl and then, let's just say, tragedy strikes.

I love Hannah's ability to write from different POV, including even a five year old's, so deftly. I cried the first fifty page...more

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Apr 26, 2013 Mallory Chance rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I absolutely loved this book. It tells a story about a teenage girl, who's mom is a drug addict. Alexa Baill, the teenage girl gets sent into foster homes numerous times. Her mother keeps trying to come back to Lexi, but she fails at being a good and responsible mother. Lexi's "foster home organizer"/ the person who finds foster homes for her, feels really bad for Lexi, so she goes on a major search to find some kind of family of Lexi. After a while of searching she found Alexa's aunt Eva. So sh...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Tracy rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bocd

Listened to on CD by narrator Kathleen McInerney. Wow, was her Mia voice annoying!!

This book was melodramatic and agonizing. Too many adjectives, too many similes, too many phrases like "the egg yolk of a sun." It's the sun. Just say the sun. I swear, the book would be half the length if you cut out all the adjectives. The grandmother is described as moving through the garden "with the bearing of an ice pick." ??? What is that supposed to mean?

There was a lot of telling instead of showing, and...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Dipali rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The tears didn’t stop…I have never read a book that actually made me cry. Job well done Kristin, but I think this will be the first and the last book I will be reading written by you. I can’t keep going to bed in tears. I am better of reading stupid, frustrating teen love novels, than something like this. This was one of the realistic books I have read in a while. Things like these happen every day and destroy relationships, families and lives.

Main characters I would say were Lexi and Jude. Lexi...more The tears didn’t stop…I have never read a book that actually made me cry. Job well done Kristin, but I think this will be the first and the last book I will be reading written by you. I can’t keep going to bed in tears. I am better of reading stupid, frustrating teen love novels, than something like this. This was one of the realistic books I have read in a while. Things like these happen every day and destroy relationships, families and lives.

Main characters I would say were Lexi and Jude. Lexi, an orphan who finally found a piece of home and comfort in her best friend family (Jude’s family). Jude is a control freak mother. If motherhood is this difficult then I am better off staying as far away as I can. Her kids Mia and Zach became best friends with Lexi in school and everything is fun till the night Lexi makes a decision to drive Zach and Mia home (cauz they were drunk) and gets into an accident. The accident changed every one’s life. Jude blamed Lexi for Mia’s death, Zach blamed himself, Lexi blamed herself..you get the pattern. Everyone was looking for someone to blame than accepting the part that she is never coming back.

My favorite characters in this novel were Miles (Jude’s Husband) and Eva (Lexi’s Aunt). They both were the only sensible ones who accepted that nothing can be undone and let’s not destroy lives of the kids who survived the accident. I hated the part that Miles didn’t stand up to Jude and let Lexi go to Jail for an unintentional accident. Zach shut down and basically picked his mother over his love. I am not saying forget your family in a situation like this, but when you give someone a promise ring..that’s something deep. I felt so bad for Lexi, she lost everything in a blink of an eye; her best friend, love, family and her baby.

Most of the reviews talk about forgiveness, but I don’t think it was forgiveness in the end; it was Jude finally coming back to her senses and accepting the fact which she had avoided for so long.

The book was an amazing read. Kristin did a remarkable job to capture reader’s attention and getting them attached to the characters. It’s a guaranteed 6/5, but her books are a road towards depression which I am going to avoid.(less)

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Mar 18, 2013 Lauren added it · review of another edition

I read NIGHT ROAD by Kristen Hannah. This book was different from the other books I usually read. But I actually really enjoyed it, because I felt connected to the characters. This book is written in third person, and in a way has two perspectives. One of the main characters is Lexi. Lexi has been in foster care most of her life because her mom died from drug overdose. One day, Lexi meets her great aunt Eva. Eva lives in Washington and Lexi is nervous about living with her but she does anyway. A...more

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Mar 01, 2013 Kristal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2013, family-relationships, contemporary_fiction

Jude Farraday has an almost perfect life. Her twins, Mia and Zach are well on their way to graduating high school and getting into upper crust colleges, her husband is a popular surgeon, she owns a beautiful home and is planning on having her well-tended garden featured on the local garden tour the following year. Of her two children, Mia is the eccentric one and when a new girl in town, Lexi, befriends Mia, the two become inseparable and life couldn't get any smoother. But then senior year hits...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Hayley rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 04, 2013 Khaya rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, chicklit, maybe-it-s-me, marysues

OKAY ALL YOU TROLLS -- COME AND GET ME!!!!!

I know I probably didn't give this enough of a chance. Maybe it would have gotten better. But the other audiobook I was waiting for came in, so it is without any regret whatsoever that I bid this one adieu.

The first thing I noticed about this book was how overwritten it was. Way, way too many adjectives. Kristin Hannah seems to have graduated the Babysitter's Club school of overdescription and ham-fisted characterization. You know how in the Babysitter'...more OKAY ALL YOU TROLLS -- COME AND GET ME!!!!!

I know I probably didn't give this enough of a chance. Maybe it would have gotten better. But the other audiobook I was waiting for came in, so it is without any regret whatsoever that I bid this one adieu.

The first thing I noticed about this book was how overwritten it was. Way, way too many adjectives. Kristin Hannah seems to have graduated the Babysitter's Club school of overdescription and ham-fisted characterization. You know how in the Babysitter's Club books the author tells you what they were all wearing, because your sixth grade heart is fascinated by their outfits which, of course, offer deep insight into the characters' complex personalities? Yeah. Just like that.

So of course, the two parents in this book are beautiful with a honeymoonesque marriage and live in a gorgeous house. Jude, the mother, loves tending her orderly garden because of the predictability -- gee, do you think she might be a control freak? I dunno; maybe I need to be hit over the head just a little more with these obvious metaphors. Well, no problem -- conveniently, Jude and her husband get into a discussion right away about Jude's overparenting where Jude's husband decides to list off all the things Jude does for her children on a daily basis. Yup, just like the kind of conversation my husband and I have all the time. Don't worry, readers, we characters don't know you're there -- we just feel this compelling need to recount our everyday behaviors in this spontaneous discussion.

And then there's Lexie, the teenage foster child who's been traumatized repeatedly and just wants someone to love her. She's instantly lovable, of course, no limit-testing or risk-taking or attitude or other difficult behaviors foster children frequently present with (perfectly understandable in the context of what they've been through, just not so easy to live with). But lovable Lexie wouldn't do anything like that, because the reader is meant to have her heartstrings pulled and Lexie's acting difficult might add unwanted complexity. Lexie's aging great-aunt who recently learned of her existence is similarly lovable and loving -- oh, sure, she always wanted a child and is immediately prepared to sacrifice everything for Lexie's sake. No resentment or even ambivalence at this unexpected disruption of her old age and drain on her finances.

This may be the fault of the audiobook reader, but the teenager -- Mia? Oh. My. God. I suppose it's not Kristin Hannah's fault that the audiobook reader decided to read all of Mia's lines in a squeaky, ditzy, Minnie Mouse voice but it just emphasized Mia's over-the-top neediness and insecurity. Yow. Spare me.

I could go on. I did get further in the book, but I think I've pretty much given you a taste of why I'm stopping. This writing style is incredibly off-putting to me, and although it's possible the book gets better, I really don't have the patience if there's something with (hopefully) more potential for me to read. Kristin Hannah and I are just not meant to be, it seems.(less)

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view all 22 comments

FrozenbySloth Hey, I read this one yesterday and kept trolling GR for reviews below three stars.
I didn't hate the book and I don't even strongly dislike KH's style...more
May 19, 2013 07:23am

Khaya Hi, FrozenbySloth, thanks for your comment! I love comments from people who disagree with me but are seeking an interesting discussion as opposed to s...more
May 19, 2013 08:00am

Feb 01, 2013 Ivana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I hate Kristin Hannah's books. Just hate them. Because they are so beautiful, and emotional, touching and they seem so real they make me cry for days. And this one is no different from others I've read.

I loved Lexi from the first moment I read about her life, and kept on loving her to the last page, she felt like a real person to me, like a friend, and all the things she had gone through made me ball my eyes out. More than anything else I wanted a happy ending for her, but even that didn't seem...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Kat rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 28, 2012 Shari Dolinsky rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A very realistic story when you have teenage children. Great book club book for my group all having teenagers.
As written on Amazon,"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...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Debbie McClure rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Kristin Hannah was recommended to me by my sister. She warned me that once I started reading Night Road, I wouldn’t be able to put it down. She was right.

Jude Farraday has it all figured out. A committed wife and mother two twin teenagers, she lives for her family and the comfortable life she and husband, Miles, have built for themselves. When Lexi, a young girl from the other side of the tracks, befriends Mia Farraday, Jude welcomes her as another addition to their happy home. But much as she...more

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Aug 25, 2012 Allison rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I wasn't going to read this book at first, but then finished my other two books that I had brought on vacation and was left with no choice. So I gave in and started to read it. After a few chapters, I was hooked.

Let me start off by saying I HATE the mom, Jude. She is not a likable character from the moment you meet her and she does not even develop into someone likable. She becomes someone who you sympathize with, but only to a certain extent. She's a helicopter mom and it's creepy how paranoid...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Joyce rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: friends with growing children

Recommended to Joyce by: saw in library

Shelves: fiction

Jade hasn't been able to have children due to mis-carriages. Finally she and her husband have twins- one of each- Zac and Mia. Jade is involved with them from then on-she's a stay at home mom and does everything for her famiy. She is known at school,that the PTA. She is very involved with her children and what goes on with them. They become teenagers and start H.S. Zac is popular, Mia has always been wall flower. Mia meets Lexi, a girl who has been in foster homes and has now come to live her he...more

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Jul 14, 2012 Laurie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is a difficult book to categorize. It's classified as a physiological thriller, but there's little suspense and no spine-tingling action here. It's said to be haunting which is a bit of an overstatement. Still, Night Road is an engrossing read. I stayed up until 2 a.m. to finish it.

The story is told from two different viewpoints, one an orphan teenage girl, the other an upper-class overprotective mother.

The storyline covers a lot of territory. Friendship, family relationships, parenting, un...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Louise rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: literature-fiction

Story Description:

St. Martin’s Press|February 29, 2012|Hardcover||ISBN: 978-0-312-36442-7

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 w...more Story Description:

St. Martin’s Press|February 29, 2012|Hardcover||ISBN: 978-0-312-36442-7

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.

My Review:

Night Road was a page-turner! I felt warm and fuzzy at the friendship that Mia, Lexi, and Zach held onto so dearly. They were thick as thieves and loved and respected each other in ways that a lot of us wish we had with our friends. They knew how to love and respect each other and they knew how to have fun. Then one night, in one moment it all ended and blame was to be laid at everyone’s feet.

Jude, the everything mother; the father the surgeon; Zach; Mia; and Lexi all were to blame in one way or another but it was unfortunate that Lexi was the loser in this tragedy. She spent 5 years of her life in jail for a crime that was everyone’s fault but someone had to pay the price and she did in more ways than one.

After going to prison, she found out she was pregnant and had to give up her baby to be raised by Zach. Everyone in this family lost something but Lexi lost the most and would she ever gain back what was lost? That remains to be seen. I cried, I sympathized and I empathized throughout this novel. The emotions the story provoked were amazing and I’ve never felt more sorry for a family than I did this one. Kristin Hannah has done an awesome job in evoking all kinds of emotion and teaching us some good lessons about life along the way. I would highly recommend this book!

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May 27, 2012 Orchita rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My heart feels like it's going to fail any minute now. Is that normal? I don't think I've had that strong a reaction to anything in AGES. Well, okay, maybe I had a stronger reaction to Sing Me to Sleep, but STILL. I mean. UGHH. I'm incoherent right now.

The characters, each and every one of them got to me, in good and bad ways. Zach and Lexi and Grace were my favourites (for obvious reasons). I really didn't like Jude though. I mean she was clingy, and bossy, when Mia was still alive. She acted...more My heart feels like it's going to fail any minute now. Is that normal? I don't think I've had that strong a reaction to anything in AGES. Well, okay, maybe I had a stronger reaction to Sing Me to Sleep, but STILL. I mean. UGHH. I'm incoherent right now.

The characters, each and every one of them got to me, in good and bad ways. Zach and Lexi and Grace were my favourites (for obvious reasons). I really didn't like Jude though. I mean she was clingy, and bossy, when Mia was still alive. She acted as if Lexi was one of them, but when she first figured out how serious Zach and Lexi were she just freaked out. I mean, this girl is one that has been part of your family for the past 3 years. You KNOW her. Why would you be like that?

I have mixed feelings about Mia. She was a great friend to Lexi, and yeah, I get that Lexi loved her and Mia reciprocated, but most of the time she was a spoiled brat. She KNEW how unhappy Zach would be if he had to be separated from Lexi. She still pulled the friend card and basically FORCED Zach to come to USC with her. In a way, I think her death was her own fault. Yeah, sure by the end, she'd realized how wrong she was and all that, but the damage had already been done. Zach was HURT. He thought that Mia would understand his need to be with Lexi, and that Lexi would at least fight a little for him, and not just cave into Mia, like EVERYONE ELSE. That was what got him to drink that much, even though he'd promised he wouldn't. And I hated how even after she was dead, everything still had to be about HER with their whole family. I mean Zach NEEDED a mother. He'd lost his soulmate, his first love, his everything, as well as his best friend and twin sister. But no, even in death, she was still the centre of Jude's attention. Contrary to popular belief, I think Jude was a horrible parent. Miles was the best. YOU RULE MILES.

In the end, this book just got to me in places that haven't been touched in a long time. The writing was also FIRST CLASS. You go Kristin Hannah. I'm definitely going to read some of your other works!!! : )))

My verdict? All the stars in the galaxy couldn't express how AMAZING this book is. (less)

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About Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah is the New York Times bestselling author of eighteen novels, including the blockbuster Firefly Lane and Night Road. She is a former lawyer turned writer and is the mother of one son. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii with her husband.

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“Maybe time didn't heal wounds exactly, but it gave you a kind of armor, or a new perspective. A way to remember with a smile instead of a sob.” — 80 people liked it

“It isn’t about being at the same school or the same town or even the same room. It’s about being together. Love is a choice you make.” — 23 people liked it

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