Hello lovely friends!

If you’ve been following me for for long, you’ll know that Nicole Baart is one of only a handful of authors that I’m devoted to reading, no matter what she writes. And her latest, The Long Way Back, does not disappoint.

Just as another author recently captivated me despite an unlikely subject matter, so too did Nicole hook me in spite of the fact that I didn’t think I would care a whole lot about a couple of Instagram celebrities. While the story did maybe take a minute to lift off, boom!, there came the twist. That got my full attention and kept it from then on out.

I really liked how Nicole structured her story — telling it first from the mom’s POV (point of view), then the daughter’s, and finally a blend of both, which proved very effective. I’m curious about the reasons for casting the protagonists and antagonist as they are, as it leaves me a little uncertain as to the conveyed message in the context of this cultural moment. But I found the complex mother-daughter interplay intriguing and realistically nuanced. And, as always, I loved Nicole’s writing style, which manages to be lyrical yet spare. Not quite sure how she does it. She makes it look effortless, and I know it’s not.

While Nicole always writes a redemptive ending, this book landed on a slightly happier note than some of her previous titles. I never mind an uplifting conclusion, and I certainly didn’t mind this one.

Nicole professes to have “adored” writing this book, and I think it shows. Despite the gravitas of the material, there’s a certain light touch that feels unique to this among her more recent releases. Given the “road trip” nature of The Long Way Back, I recommend it as ideal summertime reading.

About this book

Mother and daughter Charlie and Eva never sought social media fame, but when a stunning photo of Eva went viral, fame found them. Now, after more than two years documenting life on the road in their vintage Airstream trailer, the duo has temporarily settled on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Eva is happily finishing her senior year of high school and applying to college, but Charlie longs for the adventures they left behind.

When Eva goes missing less than a week before her graduation, it’s Charlie who is immediately suspected of foul play—not just by their fans, but also by the police and the FBI. As a fight about one more road trip comes to light, and the truth about their relationship is questioned, Charlie realizes the rosy facade they portrayed online hid a complicated and potentially dangerous reality. Now, to clear her name and find out what has happened to her daughter, she’ll have to confront her own role in Eva’s disappearance—and whether she knows her daughter at all.

About the author

Nicole Baart is the author of eleven novels, including Everything We Didn’t Say and The Long Way Back. The cofounder of a nonprofit and mother of five, she lives in Iowa with her family. Learn more at NicoleBaart.com.

Hot tip–I think Nicole puts out one of the best author newsletters around, with just enough frequency, just enough newsiness, just enough peek into her real life. Her roundups typically offer a tried-and-true recipe and a handful of recs that include her latest what-I’m-reading/watching/listening-to, plus a fun personal update. I highly recommend subscribing here.

Happy reading!

❤️ Katherine

With thanks to Atria Books for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.