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.
For more information about Valerie Fraser Luesse and her books, check out her website here!
My Thoughts ~
Despite whatever I subconsciously expected to find in The Key to Everything by Valerie Fraser Luesse, I was not prepared for the way this story would WRECK me with its BEAUTIFULNESS!
You can't prepare for it, dear readers. But you can read it and experience it for yourself. Because it's a journey that should not be missed!
The author has a real talent for immersing readers in the era and the setting! In the span of a few words, I was transported into Peyton's world. I was surrounded by the stuffy, backstabbing Cabot family. I was biking down the A1A to the island world of Key West in 1947. I was transformed by the new experiences, people who loved their neighbor, and hardships that only offer two options: grow stronger or remain stuck.
Peyton's coming-of-age story truly moved me! The "keys" to where Peyton came from, the man he was growing into, and the opportunities to love had me crying every few pages! However, the aspect that undid me the most was the way Peyton's story intersected with Kate's (Peyton's mother) unconditional love and journey through grief. Marshall's (Peyton's father) heart-twisting story lays out the story of a man with more good in him than not, a man who made mistakes, a man Peyton could learn from even in the end. The truth that your bad choices -- even choices with devastating consequences -- don't have to define your life for eternity is a narrative that is so very needed in this world! The Key to Everything challenges her readers to learn and grow with a beauty that will wreck you!
Five Stars ~ I can't recommend The Key to Everything by Valerie Fraser Luesse enough! The Key to Everything is a standalone, but the author has other titles in her backlist for readers to enjoy!
Possible Triggers ~ Grief, death of a loved one.
Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.
See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!
Hugs!
~V. Joy Palmer
V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!
Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!
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