Miracle In River Walk

One of the best books I have probably ever read! A tear jerker but heart-warming at the same time, it makes you stop and think about how you treat strangers and how kindness can change people and situations! This is the first book I have read by PD Cody but I would love to read more! I didn't want to put it down once I started reading it!

Jackson's wife, Mae, passed away leaving Jackson and his five children heartbroken.. As the funeral for his wife concludes, family services swoops in for some unknown reason and takes his children away. He later finds out they ended up in an orphanage and then in foster care where he hasn't seen or heard from them in over 16 long years. Jackson becomes basically a recluse and refuses to interact with his neighbors and others around town. Then Cory comes along and for some reason, decides to befriend Jackson. He begins to help Jackson fix his house and yard up to where it looks presentable since he has pretty much neglected it for the past 16 years. Along the way, Cory gets more help and through the kindness of the children, Jackson begins to see the world in a new light. While he regularly visits Mae in the cemetery, he also discovered four unmarked children's graves. Through his search for his own children, the four children buried in the cemetery become known as Jackson's Angels. Jackson goes on a mission to not only find his own children but to find out the identity of the four children buried in the cemetery. Throughout this search and discovery, Jackson's heart is slowly warming and becoming more receptive to others in River Walk. I won't reveal more but the ending of this story was kind of a surprise but at the same time, I felt it coming. This can definitely be a life-changing story for some!

Thank you to the publisher, Image Publishing House, and Net Galley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of this book....definitely a must read!!!

I am so grateful to have received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for a review. This book will stay with me forever - it is so poignant, especially in 2020.

The story builds around Jackson who lives alone, having built a wall around himself following the death of his wife, 16 years before. It develops so beautifully, treating the characters with such care as we learn more about them. PD Cody has that wonderful knack of putting empathy into her characters.

I feel as if I could walk down the road and meet Jackson - well I wish I could.

Thank you for making me feel warm and cosy, even through the tears!

How one mans journey changes the lives of many.

Fifteen years ago, Jackson not only lost his wife, but at her funeral, social services showed up and took his five children too. He could not understand why and when he tried to fight it, he lost. Now Jackson feels his life is over, he feels God failed him and he has given up the fight. He spends his days pouring two cups of coffee, one for him and one for his late wife Grace. He sits on the porch watching the mail man pass him by day after day. Some days he visits Graces grave and then spends his afternoon in his recliner watching the clock tick.

One day Jackson sees a boy passing by and starts watching for the boy. Soon this boy starts doing odd jobs around Jackson’s home, and starts bringing by friends to try and bring his home back to what it used to be. They all form a friendship and Jackson feels that he has something to look forward to again. One day when Jackson is at the cemetery, he notices four unmarked graves of children nameless, that were once at that same orphanage his children were. He vows to find out who these children were while he also vows to find his own children. The journey brings him more than he could ever imagine.

This novel by P D Cody was probably one of the best novels I have ever read. The depth of the characters was astounding. I could have gone on and on about the story, but it is truly one you must read for yourself. It is hard to describe the intensity of feelings you get from reading this novel and the journey you yourself are taken on. When I found out that this story was real, the magnitude of feelings was incredible. Thank you so much to the author P D Cody, BooksGoSocial Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review. It was incredible! All opinions expressed for this review are unbiased and entirely my own

This was a beautiful book. The story was lovely, albeit with a slower pace in the middle, and I felt uplifted as I finished. It was a little too 'religious' for my taste but I loved the sentiment of a man who had lost himself and his family, and the journey he went on to rediscover them.

Jackson has been alone for sixteen years. He lost his family and his faith on the same day. Instead of moving forward with life, he chose to stand still and build walls around his heart staying angry with God. Jackson goes through a daily routine of drinking coffee, winding his clock, and waiting on the mailman to drive by though he never stops to deliver any mail. Then one day he meets an orphan boy and his life starts to change.

This story touched my heart from the beginning. Jackson is so sad and lost you cannot help but wonder what made him that way. His backstory unfolds slowly as he rediscovers his purpose in life and sees the power of God through friends and community. The community is a bit utopian with its show of support, but the main characters are interesting and likable. I enjoyed the tale of redemption.

Miracle in River Walk is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. P.D. Cody skillfully weaves together a narrative that elicits both tears of sadness and tears of joy, immersing readers in a rollercoaster of emotions. Jackson's journey to uncover the truth behind the forgotten children buried in unmarked graves becomes a catalyst for change in the town, as the community rallies behind him and the story gains national attention. The acts of kindness and understanding displayed by strangers will inspire readers and remind them of the power of compassion and connection.

This compelling and touching story will leave readers deeply moved and forever changed. P.D. Cody's ability to blend heartbreaking moments with moments of inspiration creates a narrative that resonates long after the final page is turned. Miracle in River Walk is a testament to the human capacity for hope, healing, and the transformative power of love, making it a must-read for those seeking a story that will tug at their heartstrings and leave them with a renewed sense of faith in the goodness of humanity.