The Road to Hope

by Crissi Langwell

Set in California’s northern wine country, The Road to Hope tells the story of two mothers who experience the earth-shattering impact of two separate tragedies. For Jill, it’s when she discovers her two-year-old son passed away in his sleep. For Maddie, it’s when her parents kick her out the moment they find out she’s pregnant. Both are handed a life neither asked for, forced to navigate a rough road of hardships that include depression and grief for Jill and homelessness, poverty, and abandonment for Maddie. But a brief encounter forces the path of their lives to change course, offering light to their despair, and setting a journey where hope leads the way.

Healing from the stillborn death of her son, author Crissi Langwell wrote The Road to Hope as a therapeutic fictional story that addressed the depression and loss of losing a child. Her experience with poverty and young motherhood influenced this story, as well. While The Road to Hope is a work of imagination, the emotions are true, and the story is set in the author’s Northern California home region of Sonoma County.

284 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2014

About the author

Crissi Langwell is a multi-genre author whose work spans romance, women’s fiction, and speculative storytelling, all centered on deeply human characters and heartfelt emotional journeys. From her award-winning Sunset Bay series to her newest small-town Lahoma Springs romances, her novels blend heartache, hope, and humor into stories that feel both intimate and real.

A longtime advocate for creative community, Crissi serves as president of Redwood Writers, where she helps authors find connection, courage, and their own storytelling voice. Off the page, she juggles a full, rewarding life as a writer, caregiver, and communications director, often pulling inspiration from everyday moments and relatable struggles. She is also creator of Love Letters to Writers, a Substack community for those who are juggling inspiration and struggle with their writing life.

She makes her home in Northern California with her writerly husband, their Maine Coon cat Cleo, and a chair of laundry that really needs to get its act together.

Reviews

[Daiane]

* I have received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Let me tell you how profoundly moving this book is: I hardly cry in a book. But this book warms my heart and it truly did make me tear up. The struggle both characters in the story face is such a tragedy. I can't imagine how I would feel if I was in their place. But, eventually the characters looked in the light of hope and survived past through their hardships.

Probably one of my favorite parts in this book is when Maddie names her daughter hope
The characters in the story have survived through so much but I admire their courage to move on and look at the good things that will happen to them. Both Jill and Maddie are characters I can look up to because they taught readers (including me) that when you're in the dark, you have to look at the bright things that will guide you out.

I probably feel very sorry for Maddie because she was all alone, she had to survive her struggles all by herself and she was only 16 years old. Jill wasn't alone, she had her loving and caring husband. But, I do understand Jill's feelings.

Overall this was an amazing book and I started reading at night and I couldn't stop until I had finished the end of the book, and I have to say it was very well written with very deep and moving emotions. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and I have to say I am now looking forward to reading all of Crissi Langgwell's books :)

And if it wasn't clear enough 5 Stars all the way! Well done! And thank you Crissi for writing such an amazing and inspiring book :)

[Liz Carrasco]

I was absolutely RIVETED! The story Langwell tells is raw and emotionally moving. I admit I love a good cry when I read a book. This one did not disappoint. But I wasn't crying through the entire thing. (And disclaimer: I do have some pregnancy hormones going on right now that probably contributed to the crying.) I related to the struggles and worries of BOTH Jill and Maddie, and found myself rooting them each on to the very end. I have had the privilege of reading all of this author's published novels, so far, and this is her best work yet!!!

[Katie Turner]

I was honored with the gift of reading The Road To Hope as an e-book before it was published, and the story made me cry. I was delighted to receive a paperback copy of the published book and read it again. Crissi amazes me as a writer. She has a gift of telling beautiful stories, and this one touched me deeply. I cried AGAIN reading it for a second time!

"where there is despair, let there be hope... in darkness, light."

[Joyce Stewart Reviews]

The Road to Hope (Hope Series Book 1)
By Crissi Langwell
Fiction 284 pages
Reviewed on May 20th 2019

A beautiful heartfelt emotional story about two women Mattie & Jill. Get your tissues ready cause you are going need them !

A story that touches on themes of homelessness, poverty, teen pregnancy and child loss....and finding the light in times of darkness.

When a tragic accident kills her toddler son, Jill spirals into the clutches of depression, affecting her marriage and causing her to question her life and identity.

When Maddie reveals her pregnancy to her parents, she becomes homeless at 16, shocked that her mother and father abandoned her when she needed them most.

This is the story of two mothers rocked by tragedy, facing a life of loss while their worlds crumble around them. But the real story happens when their lives intersect, revealing the emergence of strength, and the beauty that exists when hope prevails.

The way the authôr tells this story is so captivating. You can easily visualize and feel each event as she tells it.This story was the first book of Crissi's that I read and boy It did not disappoint.The story was alternately told from the points of view of two women who fatefully met one day. Well written, very emotional, this will cut through every woman’s heart and make you cry so much. My heart broke for each woman. This is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. If you are looking for a story to make you cry this is definitely the one for you. I can not wait to read book 2

[Shawn Langwell]

So first off I'm married to Crissi. But I won't let that deter from an honest review.
I read the rough first draft over two years ago in a day and a half. It moved me then.
I just read the final published work. It still moved me. Her ability to paint a picture and draw you in to her characters is uncanny.
This is a story that has undoubtedly been lived out in various forms by thousands of pregnant teenage mothers.
Read it. Share it. You'll be glad you did. PS don't forget the tissues.

[Cathleen]

I found myself drawn to Jill and Maddie and their personal tragedies...Crissi Langwell spins and weaves their stories so that they intersect and then continue with surprising results. They both are changed "like gold tested in fire." I would highly recommend this book that I received in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Chana]

Touching story, but at times predictable. I would recommend this book to people who like a good cry. Story shows just how small the world can be. I will definitely consider reading another book by this author.

Touching story, but at times predictable. I would recommend this book to people who like a good cry. Story shows just how small the world can be.

[Hazel Hazelkuda]

A wonderful read

I gave it a four because it was a good read, fast paced and realistically set. I cried buckets and I am glad Maddie got a fresh start. I read it in one sitting , will definitely be buying more fromnthismwriter.

[Melissa Puentez]

Beautiful

This is a must read book, I cried for sad parts of story but at the end I cried happy tears

[I Roberts]

I read the synopsis and thought I might like it. I was wrong...I loved it.