The Long Way Home by Cali Black Review

 

Okay, I'm going to start off by saying, if you are anything like me, you will want to make sure to read Christmas in the Cascades first. This is an anthology that came out last October, with stories written by five different authors. These stories are all set in the town of Dane's Creek and revolve around the town bell tower. Can you read The Long Way Home as a stand alone? Well, yeah. BUT it will not have the same impact if you don't know the history of the town, and especially the final story written by Cali Black, Finding Home, where she had wrapped everything up so nicely and filled it with an awesome dose of nostolgia. And you get to know the people of the town. Cynda, the FMC from The Long Way Home is first introduced there, and we get to know the Carter family and Sass the celebrity baker. Believe me, The Long Way Home will be a lot more meaningful and emotional if you know the backstory.

I absolutely loved this second book in the Home for Christmas series. Cynda is still producing Sass's show The Cake Maker, but she has a dream of making a show focusing on small towns and the people who make it special, their stories. While in nearby "Christmas Town" with some friends, she discovers an awesome little shop named Santa's Workshop where the toys are all supplied by a local, reclusive aritsan. She is driven to tell the story of this town, the shop, and the toy maker. However, the fact that the man is a recluse who barely comes out of his home is a huge obstacle. 

We do also get to see the story from the POV of said recluse. John wants to stay hidden, clearly running from something in his past. There is a world of hurt that he is dealing with, guilt that he tries to deal with while creating things for others, donating them anonymously. Though the owner of Santa's Workshop knows who supplies her toys, she doesn't really know who he is, nor why he remains in seclusion. However, when Cynda bursts into his life, things are going to change, and he's sure he doesn't want that to happen. 

As the story progresses secrets and truths from the past are slowly revealed while Cynda tries to draw John out of his shell. It was sort of clear who John really was, but I was so invested in knowing how the whole truth would finally be unveiled. I was riveted to the book, especially after the midway mark. The author did not disappoint and I found myself in tears. I do get emotional with books, but it is very rare that tears flow. This book truly moved me. 

I just had to share this passage that really spoke to me:

"'Why do things happen the way they do? I don't know. But if I've learned anything in all of this, it's that life moves. It lives, it breathes, it changes. Not always in ways that we like, although those times come around again, too. It's a big messy swirl of joy and pain, good times and bad and when we think we've got it figured out and find a little piece of driftwood to cling to, the current shifts again. . . I don't know anything, but if you're asking for advice, I'm gonna tell you not to fight for control. Live in the moments that you find yourself with. Make the most of them, and when the currents shift, hold on to the One who never changes." He pointed heavenward."

Definitely a book I highly recommend. 

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.