The Broken Road

Written by Richard Evans

Narrated by Richard Evans

A broken man. A twist of fate. A second chance. The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Mistletoe Promise and The Walk begins a riveting new trilogy that explores the tantalizing question: What if you could start over?

Chicago celebrity Charles James can’t shake the nightmare that wakes him each night. He sees himself walking down a long, broken highway lined in flames. Where is he going? Why is he walking? What is the wailing he hears around him?

By day, he wonders why he’s so haunted and unhappy when he has all he ever wanted—fame, fans, and fortune and the lavish lifestyle it affords him. Coming from a childhood of poverty and pain, this is what he’s dreamed of. But now, at the pinnacle of his career, he’s started to wonder if he’s wanted the wrong things. His wealth has come legally, but questionably, from the power of his personality, seducing people out of their hard-earned money. When he learns that one of his customers has committed suicide because of financial ruin, Charles is shaken. The cracks in his façade start to break down, spurring him to question everything: his choices, his relationships, his future, and the type of man he’s become.

Then a twist of fate changes everything. Charles is granted something very remarkable: a second chance. The question is: what will he do with it?

The Broken Road is an engrossing, contemplative story of redemption and grace and the power of second chances. It is an epic journey you won’t soon forget.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: May 2, 2017
• ISBN: 9781442388390

Richard Evans

RICHARD EVANS is a former journalist who has spent the last 18 years leading communications teams for health charities. He is the author of two books: The Explorer and the Journalist and From the Frontline. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and two children.

Reviews for The Broken Road

[Crizelda Salita · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have always been a fan of Mr. Evans’ work. This is not his best novel but his “NOT BEST” writing is still BETTER than other authors’ BEST. I am about to start the second book in this series. I found it to be too much of a cliffhanger when I first read it about a year ago. I listened to this audiobook this week to refresh my mind about Charles James before I dove into THE FORGOTTEN ROAD.

[misty scott · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I wasn’t ready for the book to end. It was well written and it makes the reader remember the important things in life.

[Frances O'Connor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've not read or listened to a book quite like this. A really interesting spin. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Peggy Howard · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not me favorite. Because I know people who feel for these schemes and lost everything. The person doing schemes walked free.

[KBrook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great read. Enjoyed the insight and the story of redemption.

[Lisa Ann Whistler Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book I have listened to from this author. I truly enjoyed the journey and am going into the next book of the trilogy.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

"The Broken Road" didn't really impress me. I liked Charles at the start and felt sorry for the horrible childhood he had to endure at the hands of an abusive father, but the richer and more successful he became the less I liked him. How he treated his wife, Monica, was terrible! Even though the novel ended on a hopeful note, I will not be reading the sequel to see what happens. A disappointing read.

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I needed an audiobook to listen to in my car and Evans was the first author I came to at the library whose name I recognized and who had a book I hadn't already read.

The beginning of this book reminds me of my friend, Michelle, who at one point said she'd been looking for a book referenced in "The Princess Bride" (supposedly "The Princess Bride" was "the good parts version" of a longer book) only to find out years later that the longer book never existed! Evans seems to make the claim that he met Charles James at a diner near historic Route 66 and the two made an agreement for Evans to tell his story at a time James set forth. Yet, when I googled Charles James Wealth Seminars there were no entries. So . . . is it a real person that Evans has used a pseudonym for or is the story a product of Evans' imagination?

This narrative covers James' climb from an dumpster-diving, abused child in Ogden Utah to a successful, multimillionaire presenter. Life's going well for James until his mentor shows up to offer forgiveness and advice--neither of which James asked for. James is haunted by a recurring dream where he seems to be walking on Route 66. When he checks in for but misses a flight that crashes soon after take-off, he is presumed dead and is able to reinvent himself in any way he chooses--apparently he chooses to walk Route 66 from Chicago to California if the beginning of the book is any indication.

It's an okay story--it lags a bit in places. It's a bit unfinished but enough of the story was tied up that I didn't feel cheated. I've already started the second book in the series.

[mchwest · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this story, not an author that I usually read. And I'm happy to have the follow up book, The Forgotten Road, to read now too. The story involved a man who has a chance to reset his cosmic life button, and although I'm not one that would take this chance it was very thought provoking. Good reading.