<b>A fabulous Christian women's fiction tale about three women bonded by blood but not much else...</b>

Ms Brunsvold's latest story follows the perspectives of three Vance women: Edie and her two daughters, Lauren and Chloe. Their strained relationships are tested when Chloe suggests they go on a 9-day bookish roadtrip through Midwestern USA, a "stalling tactic" to build her confidence before telling her mum she's moving overseas.

The first scene in the book reveals the challenging relationship Edie shared with her own mother and helps readers understand the dynamic between the three Vance women... even though it was still hard to understand why Edie and Lauren, in particular, acted the way they did.

I understood/sympathised/related to Chloe throughout the story. Her faith and ability to hold her tongue (most of the time) were inspiring, as was her indomitable enthusiasm and positivity. Her heart was pure and despite the way her mother and sister treated her, she still chased her dreams.

I'll be honest and say I didn't like Edie or Lauren a lot of the time. My heart would soften toward them when I discovered (or was reminded of) their pain, but their prickly and judgemental attitudes brushed me the wrong way... which was the whole point of this story. Family dynamics can be complicated, even in the most "perfect" families. No one truly knows what happens behind closed doors, and not everyone is willing to open their hearts to The One who can hold us securely in His arms.

For readers who love real-life struggles and tension in their women's fiction, this book is for you. Enmeshed with faith elements and God's grace throughout, this novel is a satisfying (albeit frustrating at times!) read.

NB Many thanks to Revell and NetGalley, I received an ARC of this book.

Who doesn't love a literary roadtrip?! I enjoyed this Christian contemporary fiction book so much! It was my first book by Sara Brunsvold, but now I want to go back and read her earlier books too. The story had a lot of depth as it focused on the strained relationships of a mother and her two adult daughters. The complexities of their relationship are woven throughout the story and we are given glimpses into the mother's past that help us understand her self-protective and sometimes cold behavior. Chole was such a faithful light throughout the story and her joy was contagious. The character development was excellent and I especially loved to the way their relationships grew and changed. Also who doesn't love a book with loads of literary references?!
Definitely put this one on your summer TBR!

Read if you like:
_ Books about books
- Literary roadtrips
_ Vulnerability
_ Mother-Daughter stories
_ Complicated family dynamics
- Relatable characters
_ Strong faith thread
! Content warning: eating disorder

Chloe Vance is sitting on the most exciting news of her life. She's accepted a job teaching art at a school in Prague. Now if only she can find a way to break the news to her always-do-what's-expected mother.

In order to prove that she can take care of herself, Chloe spontaneously invites her mother on a roadtrip touring the literary sites in America's heartland. Her older sister Lauren tags along too. As they visit sites in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Oklahoma, they experience the wonders of the written word but face the fact that it's our own stories we might have the most trouble sharing.

The characters in this book are all very unique. Chloe has a wonderful free spirit, full of grace. Edie is shackled by invisible tethers of expectations from generations before her. Lauren holds deep secrets and has lost a grasp of her own self-worth. Can the ties of family love triumph in the face of all they are not saying?

This was a great story, especially if you are a literary fan and have visited some of these same sites. It's a study in how we view ourselves, how we view others, and how we can shut others out or let them in. At times it was a difficult book to read, because what we say or what we don't say has the power to hurt others, and unfortunately there are hard moments of pain in the story. But that's not the end. I won't spoil the ending, but I will say it brought happy, touched tears to my eyes.

Recommended for all fans of women's fiction.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

The Atlas of Untold Stories is a heartwarming road-trip adventure with a complicated mother & her two very different adult daughters. Each carries hidden secrets that once revealed will change their lives for the better if they have the courage to share. With humor, faith, heartfelt prose, & a delightful adventure across the Midwest, this story kept me eagerly reading.

Chloe Vance is the idealistic youngest daughter of a pragmatic mother. Her artistic talent & unwavering faith led her to accept a 2 year teaching position in Prague. Though she’s 26 years old, she’s afraid to tell her often disappointed mother of her plans. Instead of telling her directly, she offers to take her on a road trip across the Midwest visiting famous literary sites from some of America’s greatest authors including Laura Ingalls Wilder, John Steinbeck, & Mark Twain. She hopes this’ll prove to her mother she can make it on her own in Prague & provide the perfect opportunity to share her plans.

Lauren Vance, Chloe’s older sister has always been the responsible daughter. When she makes a disastrous social media blunder & is fired from her prestigious job, she’s afraid to admit her failure. With nothing to do, she accepts an invitation to go on Chloe’s road trip.

Their mother Edie’s had a difficult year with her mother’s death & all the deep emotions that brings, & her estrangement from her own sister. She’s never been away from her husband & reluctant to go on Chloe’s trip. With his encouragement, she goes, but has low expectations.

I absolutely enjoyed this story! These siblings & mother each have their own issues going into this trip. Along the way though, they connect in a profound way as only mothers & daughters can. I adored all the literary sites they visit & learning more about these beloved authors. I enjoyed the family dynamics & seeing their walls come down. There’re hilarious, relatable experiences like Edie dealing with menopause, some of Chloe’s less than idyllic reservations, & more. But, there are also beautiful moments of sharing & faith.

Highly recommend this moving story to book lovers & women’s fiction fans! I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are completely my own & voluntarily provided.

Sara Brunsvold's The Atlas of Untold Stories was a poignant depiction of complex family dynamics. With moments of vulnerability and brutal honesty, Brunsvold delivers a journey of awareness, change, and growth. I loved how she wove American literature into the plot, which awakened my youth spent reading the classics.
The characters, while flawed, were utterly relatable, inviting my heart and mind into their journey of discovery. Reminiscent of Robin Jones Gunn's Sisterchicks books, this story truly gripped me. I loved every moment.

I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I love the idea of taking a bookish road trip. It was fun learning more about various authors and their homes and settings. I did travel to Hannibal, MO to learn more about Mark Twain and found it fascinating. I enjoyed Chloe's optimism and hopefulness and eagerness for adventure no matter what happened and despite her sister's and mother's skeptical and unwilling attitudes.

This book has a lot of awkward family dynamics...comparison, trying to feel worthy and meet everyone's expectations, over-powering help and opinions and more. I appreciated the growth and the willingness to barge in with help "like a prairie storm instead of waiting to be summoned" (location 1365).

The pace of this book is pretty slow. If you read a lot of suspense and high action books, it may not be for you. If you like a more measured, poignant read, give it a try. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Well, she's done it again. You will not find daring adventure, reckless abandon, or passionate embraces in a Sara Brunsvold novel. But what you will find is repaired relationships, hard conversations, and depths that you'll long to explore even within yourself.

This book, like her previous books, is a multigenerational one. Edie in particular resonated with me. As a mom who is [very slowly] learning to let her kids go, I understood her far too well.

Where will my children end up? How will I protect them if they aren't close? If they move away, did I do something wrong?

Yeah. I was ugly crying.

All I can say is that I'm so grateful that my children aren't MINE to protect. They're in God's hands, come what may. What a relief that is!

Anyway, I'm seriously getting off the point here. This is a beautiful story of a mom and her daughters who are getting to know each other. Maybe for the first time ever.

Road Trip! And what a journey it is! Sara Brunsvold is now one of my favorite authors because she can take the ordinary and turn it into a thoughtful, fun, and inspiring tale of family dynamics. The ATLAS OF UNTOLD STORIES is a clever jaunt to explore a mother and her two daughters’ dysfunctional relationships. And haven’t we all been there? Even if the reader hasn’t experienced the heartbreak of broken bonds or disappointing expectations, this story will touch the heart.

THE STORY: Irrepressible dreamer Chloe Vance needs to tell her pragmatic mom, Edie, that she has accepted a low-paying, two-year art instructor role at a Christian international school in Prague. And her older sister, Lauren--the "responsible one"--is doing all she can to keep the family from finding out she has been fired for a stupid mistake, plus figure out her next career move. Meanwhile, Edie, estranged from her own sister following their mother's recent death, is frankly in no mood for anything else to change.

The one thing they can all agree on? Life in books sure is easier to figure out than life in the real world. As the three women embark on a nine-day road trip to visit significant literary sites throughout America's heartland, they hope to find inspiration through the works and lives of literary greats. And as they experience firsthand the adventure and wonder of the classics, they'll have to come to terms with their own needs and desires, as well as those of the most important women in their lives--each other.

Brunsvold knows how to drive us to the heart of those untold family stories! I totally identified with the “organized” overachiever daughter—the people-pleaser. How I loved that it takes the “flighty” daughter to think outside the box and drive her mother and sister batty, but also take them on a journey of freedom.

Highly recommended to Sara Brunsvold fans, contemporary stories, unique stories, meaningful stories. Stories about road trips, family dynamics, faith, and restorations.

I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishers for my honest review.

"To watch someone live their heart's deepest, purest desire was an inexpressible fulfillment."

Sara Brunsvold has a gift for storytelling and speaking into her readers' hearts and souls. I loved going on this book-themed adventure through middle America with Edie, Lauren, and Chloe. The book was provocative, emotional and thought-provoking. It delved into bonds of motherhood and sisterhood and poignantly addressed roots of fear. I loved the journey and how the main characters grew through their road trip. I did not love any of these main characters at the beginning though. Edie was extremely opinionated and narrow-minded with a terribly overactive imagination. Lauren was self-righteous, overly regimented, and completely self-focused. Chloe was impulsive and believed her way was the right way in every situation. All three women were self-centered and selfish in their own way. Despite not loving them at first, they grew on me and I learned to understand them better, even with Edie and Lauren's relentless complaints and grumblings. Chloe's unshakable faith and optimism were bright spots. I did love Grant, Edie's husband and the girls' father, who stayed gentle, humble, loyal, and loving through all of his family's ups and downs.

If you enjoy women's fiction, you will absolutely adore this book. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell via Interviews and Reviews and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

“On a road trip aimed at celebrating perspective-shaping books, her mom and sister staunchly remained the main characters in their own stories.”
A spur of the moment road trip to visit towns with literary connections was concocted by Chloe Vance so she could bond better with her mother Edie amd reveal a life changing opportunity. Her sister, Lauren, reluctantly joins them after being let go from her job. But neither wants to reveal their secrets just yet. Mom Edie tells herself she is protective of her daughters but her relationship in the past with her own mother colors her perspective.
I loved the scenes in St. Louis, Mansfield and Branson because I live in Missouri. The references were so much fun to learn about.
A defining moment came near the end when secrets came out in the open and the women realized that they really saw each other for the first time.
This was a book that caused me to deeply reflect on family relationships. A stabilizing character was dad Grant, who supported the three women and kept confidences.
The story was somber at times but had humor and showed the stages of spiritual maturity of all the women. It was very different from the other books by this author but not any less significant.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

With an artfully subtle magic, Brunsvold's pen writes with a richness of heart in her newest novel, The Atlas of Untold Stories, a well-crafted story that will hit home to all women as it explores the many relationships we hold, that of mothers, daughters and sisters. As the irrepressible Chloe begins a bookish road trip with her mother and sister, she realizes that each holds secrets. Chloe's strong faith gives her the wisdom to allow the time needed as each finds the courage to release burdens that have weighed heavy, unintentionally building walls between the very thing they need most. The beauty of finding value in unconditional love and grace. Brunsvold deftly develops her characters, with an elegant and sensitive pen. The characters wound their way into my heart, wonderfully flawed people whose hearts grew as the long erected barriers came tumbling down, and allowed a wealth of love to flow in.

I was initially drawn to the premise of the bookish road trip but found the story of relationships and love so very heartwarming. The bookish road trip was delightful and has inspired me to take some of my own.

I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions as I laughed and cried with the main characters until the very satisfying ending. A book for the keeper shelf!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

What a treat this book was! No, it did not generate lovely feelings; in fact, I was annoyed with the women most of the way through. As I told my daughter, two of them acted childish, while one was childlike! However, there was a lot going on inside them. As with all of us, these women had a lot of issues that God needed to work on, and that happened throughout the course of the story. I could hardly tear myself away from this book, because I wanted to find out how they worked through their problems.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

This book explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships through Edie and her two daughters, Chloe and Lauren. The three women embark on a book-themed roadtrip of the Midwest while Chloe works up the courage to tell them that she will be moving to Prague for two years for her new job. Meanwhile, Edie is struggling with the loss of her own mother, and Lauren feels like her life is falling apart and she has no control.
I appreciated the insight into all three perspectives and liked seeing how the way Edie was treated by her mother directly affected the way she engaged with her own children, and similarly how Edie’s mindsight echoed into Lauren’s relationship with her body.
It was frustrating to see the characters seemingly refuse to communicate with each other for so long, but the breakdown that brings the women together was touching. I was especially glad Edie realised she might have judged her own sister too harshly, and that both women realised Chloe was more capable than they gave her credit for.

Being a lifelong bookworm and Midwest native, I was eager to read The Atlas of Untold Stories by Sara Brunsvold. What an intriguing idea to design a road trip around favorite books and authors. It was especially enjoyable to read about areas that I have personally traveled. The relationship between the mother and her two daughters made me reflect back on my own family dynamics. How many times do we keep information about ourselves hidden from family members in fear of their judgment. Thanks to NetGalley, Revell and the author for a copy to read and review.

The Atlas of Untold Stories by Sara Brunsvold is an unforgettable story of a mother and her two daughters on a literary road trip. The story is told from the viewpoint of each of women as travel through America’s Heartland visiting places associated with authors or settings connected to the cities and towns they visit in this literary road trip.
The characters each have their own struggles, hurts and disappointments, but grow as they gather memories and learn the importance of family, forgiveness, and sharing the ups and downs of life with each other. There are many bumps and bruises on the road, but relationships between mother and daughter and sister to sister are rebuilt along the way.
This is a very heartwarming story of family dynamics with splashes of humor thrown in that provide some comic relief. This would be a great read for a book group and would be fun to plan a bookish road trip with a group of book lovers.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and NetGalley, but all opinion are my own.

Go on a bookish girls road trip with a mom and her two daughters as they navigate through their relationships! This sounds like such a fun idea to do with girlfriends who love books.

My favorite characters were Chloe and Grant. Chloe possessed this unimaginable joyous spirit despite those around her. Grant also loved the women in his life and didn't try to change them but let them make their own discoveries.

Sori and Seymour were also pretty great. Sori cheered on Chloe and kept her accountable. Seymour was just a grumpy older fella with a big heart.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

I have enjoyed all of Sara Brunsvold's books. It is amazing to me how different each one has been! This book was so interesting to me in two ways. I loved the story of the dynamic between the different generations of women in this book. Everyone needs to learn to not take so much to heart what other people say to them because they don't know what life experiences are clouding their comments. This is definitely true for this group of women. The second thing that I loved was the journey that they traveled. I am from Red Cloud and live in Kansas. I have been a lot of the places that they were and it was so great to picture them in my mind. The author did such an amazing job!

5+ stars!!!!!!

My thoughts are rather jumbled and I hope that I can make some coherency of them as I type. I know Brunsvold to be a fantastic author but I kept procrastinating on reading the advanced reader copy. I knew it was very likely to rub raw.... on repeat. I finally put my big girl pants on yesterday and finished today - Release Day. (Pardon me while I give myself a big ol' smack to the forehead for procrastinating when I could have completed this fabulousness sooner!).

- Did the subject matter rub raw on repeat? YES. But it was a good thing!
- Was I emotional and re-reading parts? YES.
- Did I highlight passages? YES. A 'mere' 22 times!
- Will this book stick with me forever? YES.
- Was I impacted and did I learn anything? YES.
- Did I see myself in the three main characters? YES-all!
- Did this novel exceed my expectations? YES.
- Did I marvel at the author's way with words? YES.
- Will I recommend it? YES. On repeat!

The 3 main characters are Chloe and Lauren (sisters) and Edie (their Mom). In a way, Moria (Edie's late Mom) is a fourth. They embark on a road trip to literary classic locations. Chloe needs to tell her Mom that she's moving to Prague for 2 years to something that she loves and feels called to.

1. Chloe is joy, positivity, and courage with a strong faith. She is rather spontaneous and maybe in too much of a hurry sometimes. She overlooks details but is still goal-oriented. She desperately seeks approval from her Mom, not just for the trip, but in life.
2. Lauren was fired from her job and secretly struggles with some mental health issues She is a perfectionist, one who wants control and an image of confidence and ease-when she is anything but. She seeks acceptance and belonging of who she truly is under it all.
3. Edie is strait-laced, very proper woman, a pessimist, critical, and one who just can't seem to let go and just BE. She also strongly desires to be close with her daughters yet cannot understand the division. She has issues with her own sister, Gab, as well. She relies on her husband, Grant, too much and doesn't let her girls see the woman he does. I must note that Grant is an amazing husband and father-a shining example of a godly man. I saw my husband in him.

Their adventures are interesting but it's what goes on between the three women that is the real story. Some stops include an orphan train, a tank float down a river, Laura Ingalls Wilder's home, and the recreation of the set from The Outsiders movie. These are backdrops for fears, misunderstandings, poor communication, and the like. Close proximity-on a whirlwind trip in a car with little air conditioning-is a precursor to some meltdowns, arguments, and more.

I saw parts of myself in each main character at different points. I could also relate to the relationship dynamics of mother-daughter and sister-sister. As Shakespeare would say. "There's the rub." WHEW!!!

My one wish is that the cover looked like a sketch or watercolour befitting Chloe's talent.

I cannot really pick a favourite passage but the one that sums up so much of this novel is early on: "“But the sense clung to her that the proposed trip was more than just adventure seeking. It was a shell over something unspoken, and shells almost always proved fragile.”

I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Mothers, daughters, and sisters will particularly embrace this book, but I think men would really benefit also. Prepare to do a lot of reflecting. It is powerful in the difficulties AND the triumphs. Both will impact you.

*** My gratitude to Revell (publisher) and Net Galley for providing an Advanced Reader Copy to me. My honest opinion and review are voluntary and solely in my own words.

I loved this book! I’ve enjoyed all of Brunsvold’s books so far, but in my opinion, this one is a strong contender with The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip for my favorite. I love deep, character-driven stories—especially those with more internal conflict than external. This book was all about that; each character was rich, dynamic, and relatable. Multiple times, I wished I could wrap Lauren, in particular, in a hug—she needed it so badly! I also deeply sympathized with the situation Edie found herself in, but loved that she kept pushing herself for the sake of her daughters, even if her efforts didn’t always pay off. And Chloe…such a dear! I loved her heart, desire to help others, and the way her faith kept her moving!

The literary side of this book was fun, although I was familiar with only maybe half of the authors featured in here. It provided a great structure to keep the story moving.

If you enjoy Christian women’s fiction with a focus on internal growth and letting go of the coping mechanisms we all have, I’d highly recommend you check out this book. Perfect for fans of the Sensible Shoes series or Amanda Cox’s books.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

The Atlas of Untold Stories
Details told the story, and there was a story in those details. Whatever it was, she couldn’t force it before its time. Light always found what was hidden. Eventually.

- Sara Brunsvold The Atlas of Untold Stories

The truth will out. It always does.

This is a slow starting book that illustrates the above. A build up of a lot of details that slowly unfold throughout the story.

The literary road trip helps break the heavy things up, especially with some of the harder moments.

I enjoyed the road trip and the stops. I learned so much and want to take the same trip.

The family aspect will hit a lot of readers is numerous waves. At times it was slow going, which is good because change takes time. The compromise, the gradual communication and trust, the determination to do better. This novel drives home the importance of family, quirks and all, and is a reminder that no family is perfect. We all have things that are unique to our family dynamic. We can either let those things drive a wedge, or we can work to move
through and past them.

Thank you to Revell for the copy of this book. All views are my own.