About the Book:

When Addie Triplett’s identical twin sister—a maid for the Pullman Company—is murdered, there’s nothing else for Addie to do except to take her sister’s place and find out who killed her.

Comfortably settled in a new life, Mordecai Thorpe has made peace with his past and is looking toward the future—until he learns of a secret his father left behind.

Pulled into the life of her sister, Addie begins to learn that her twin was not all she presented herself to be.

Pulled back into the life of a Pullman porter, Mordecai wrestles with the buried wounds of his past.

Neither of them are on a trip either one of them wants to take, but as they ride the rails together, Addie and Mordecai must come to face the road the before them.

| Goodreads |

My Review:

The Road Before Me by Embassie Susberry
Rating: 4/5
Pages: 458
Published: January 30, 2025
Series: No Turning Back

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I read this one on KU, and was both surprised to find it on KU (since it’s the second in it’s series) and as I didn’t realize Susberry had a new one out. I’d only just found her last autumn, and this is the second book from her that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. While I was pleasantly surprised to find this one, on the otherside… I can say it was definitely a wild ride, and I loved it, but it’s probably not for the faint of heart.

Like her other book, this one deals with racism and the struggles of the black community post-slavery (or at least in non-slave states). But this one has several other twists and surprises that kept me guessing and add another layer of both mystery and intensity to the story. Other than the blurb, I knew next to nothing about this story, the characters, or the series. I haven’t really heard anyone else every mention Susberry’s books, although I see them around from time to time, mostly on TBR lists.

Still, I knew after reading her Through the Waters that I was eager to read more of her work! This one definitely fit the bill, plus I was excited for the chance to read and review one of her newer stories, especially since this one just came out earlier this year.

I, just…wow. These characters and their story was so real and vibrant, I loved getting to meet them and reading their story. Riding along on the rails and getting to see a little about what the life of a Pullman maid or porter might have looked like along the way. There’s so much that happens in the story, and the pages flew by as I couldn’t put it down! The mystery was well done, and the slow-burn romance was unique and fun too.

There are several things about this one that could be potentially triggering, and I wish I was better at making lists for those as I read. I do know there’s mention of murder, crime, a couple of ‘attacks’ against Addie, and use of the word n!gg*r used both as an insult, and in joking… The author skim over details and keeps most of it fairly vague, but it’s still there, and at times it’s a lot emotionally to take in. By the end of the story I know I found myself emotionally drained, and I love reading the more gritty intense stories like this usually. It was a delightful read, but I know that I tend to enjoy heavier topics and difficult choices in my stories, so wanted to point that out if that’s not the kind of stories you enjoy or reach for.

Overall, I loved meeting Addie and Cai, and getting to meet their friends. The friendships and character growth in this one was well done and I loved seeing how they changed and grew together along the way. Not just the main characters, but even some of the side-characters too. Which I always enjoy seeing! Susberry has such a powerfully and commanding writing-voice I can’t help but sit-back and listen as their stories come to life before my eyes. I love this, but it also places me as a reader into the story, and these characters face some difficult realities and impossible choices, so it’s definitely an emotional read, as well as an inspiring and faith-filled tale.

I did end up feeling as if the union and insurance threads were left a bit open-ended, and that those loose ends come off as a bit of a plot-hole. I would have liked a more clear and believable explanation there, since it seemed so important, then suddenly wasn’t? Still, it didn’t impact the overall story enjoy to keep me from enjoying it, I just would have enjoyed it more if they had an actual resolution or at least a pointed to an actual conclusion on issues, not just leaving them mostly up-in-the-air and with vague answerers and understanding at best. I know Addie’s experiences changed her, and can understand her stance by the end, but would have still liked these tied off in a more fitting and orderly way.

Other books in the series:
(Below is a list of the other books I’ve read & reviewed for this series)

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