You’ll likely have realised I’m on a bit of a Kristin Hannah hype at the moment having raved about The Nightingale, The Four Winds and The Women and so I think you won’t be that surprised that I absolutely fell in love with Night Road too.
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Night Road was actually originally released back in 2011 and, after some massive success with her recent books, has been rereleased recently with an all new cover and a new marketing push. It focuses on the story of two twins, their friend and the twins’ mother with other characters coming in and out of importance throughout.
Twins Mia and Zach Faraday seeming have a great life – their family is fairly wealthy, their mother dotes on their every move and things are picking up for them as school. When Lexi joins their school and quickly makes friends with Mia, things only seem to pick up. However, after one horrible night, everything changes forever and the story takes a markedly different turn.
Night Road plot – 4.5/5
The initial story for Night Road seems to be a sort of “coming-of-age” story about three young people and how changes in high school and their relationships affect their relationships affect them. Yes there are some slight issues and complications as they grow older but nothing too turbulent – up until one dark night that changes this.
Jude Farraday is Mia and Zach’s very involved mother. Most of her life revolves around ensuring her children have the very easiest and best lives: hosting parties at their house, driving them everywhere they need to go, buying them everything they need etc. Therefore, the moment everything changes is a huge moment for her.
The plot pacing, as I said, starts off relatively slow, feeling more like a teen drama than anything more but after the big plot moment, everything feels a lot different. The lightness and cuteness of the story disappear, and it becomes something far more serious with a lot more adult tones – it’s a great switch that really shows the effect of this one event.
Night Road characters – 4.5/5
Something I always say with Kristin Hannah books is that she manages to write genuinely engaging, down-to-earth and likeable characters and that’s the case once again with Night Road.
The three younger characters are all fascinating to read as they go through their teens, experiencing the usual anxieties of growing up: relationships, friendship groups and fitting in all whilst trying to do their best in their education. They develop bonds with one another – especially between Mia and Lexi that you know at some point will be tested and cause you to constantly be on edge but hope the best for them all.
There’s a great complex dynamic between Lexi and Zach as they grow up was something I found really intriguing and the idea of a “will they, won’t they” sort of narrative actually played quite well against the rest of the growing up they had to do.
Jude’s character is fascinating as this mother whose almost entire life revolves around her two children, making them happy ad ensuring they have the easiest coming-of-age experience they can have. At no point does she ever feel overbearing, but rather a good mother who sets boundaries while also realising her children are growing up and will need the reins loosened as they grow older.
Night Road final rating – 4.5/5
I don’t think you’ll be surprised to read that Night Road was another huge success for me. I felt so deeply ingrained in these people’s lives and in wanting the very best for all of them that when I finally finished the book, I couldn’t stop thinking about it for days. Kristin Hannah’s ability to write books like this, where she’s constantly pulling on your emotions and at the same time writing a story that’s so engrossing and interesting, is why, at the moment, she’s without a doubt one of my favourite authors. A powerful story with a strong message, Night Road may not fall into the same historical fiction theme that Hannah’s books usually do, but it’s still one you should definitely read.
