by Valerie Fraser Luesse
About the book
Peyton Cabot’s fifteenth year will be a painful and transformative one. His father, the heroic but reluctant head of a moneyed Savannah family, has come home from WWII a troubled vet, drowning his demons in bourbon and distancing himself from his son. A tragic accident shows Peyton the depths of his parents’ devotion to each other but interrupts his own budding romance with the girl of his dreams, Lisa Wallace.
Struggling to cope with a young life upended, Peyton makes a daring decision: He will retrace a journey his father took at fifteen, riding his bicycle all the way to Key West, Florida. Part declaration of independence, part search for self, Peyton’s journey will bring him more than he ever could have imagined–namely, the key to his unknowable father, a reunion with Lisa, and a calling that will shape the rest of his life.
Through poignant prose and characters so real you’ll be sure you know them, Valerie Fraser Luesse transports you to the storied Atlantic coast for a unique coming-of-age story you won’t soon forget.
My Thoughts
This is such an incredible story. After I finished reading, I just had to sit and think. And hope I can come up with words to write a review that adequately expresses all my feelings as I read.
Peyton is such an amazing character. This is his coming of age story.
I wasn’t quite sure about a 15 year old young man like him being the hero of the romance. But in this story, it worked!
Yes, Peyton was only 15, but you almost forget that when you read about his journey, he is amazingly mature.
Peyton embarks on this bicycle journey, riding the length of Florida, and this all takes place in the 40s. He’s doing it partly to retrace his dad’s journey, because his dad had also taken this same trip as a young man. He’s also doing it partly to find the love of his life, Lisa.
The author did such an amazing job at bringing the setting to life. I could almost feel the humidity of Florida, the salt, the sun.
The characters were also just beautifully portrayed. I loved Peyton. And I also enjoyed reading about his mom, Kate, and hearing more of the backstory of his parents.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
And…here’s a little fun fact…this author is one that I had the privilege of meeting in person last summer. We had a nice chat, and it was fun getting to know her! She told me then about her book, and I just couldn’t wait to read it! So, I’d like to say, Valerie Fraser, Luesse, if you’re reading this–this book is just amazing, and well worth the wait! 🙂 I can’t wait to read any other books you write!!
All-of-a-kind Mom 