TTHE ROAD TO CHRISTMAS is actually a family tale that has them all driving toward the same location in three separate vehicles. Three pairs, each having very different journeys. And in each car, the dialog describes their feelings and gives us a look into the past. Car one has mom Michelle and dad Max. Car two has grandma and grandpa. And car three are sisters Audrey and Shyla.

If you had any questions about the sisters' relationship, just hearing Shyla talk about the origin of Audrey’s name makes you laugh. A sure sign that Sheila Roberts has a good sense of humor, and her movie references are spot on. She infuses her characters with that same sense of humor and irony.

The family is heading to young sister Julia for Christmas. This is decided during Thanksgiving dinner when the Turnbull family realized they missed having Julia with them. So the solution was for them all to go to Julia, even if it meant facing certain road issues at this snowy time of the year. Brave souls. But the drama takes place in automobiles, and the dialog provides the plot.

The folks in each of the three cards are going through very different phases of their lives. Dissecting their pasts, wondering about their future. At different ages and stages of their lives. At so many points I could totally relate to these characters. Child of the fifties, teen in the sixties, young mother in the seventies I totally identified with the grandparents. But could equally appreciate what all the inhabitants of the other cars were mulling over.

Sheila Roberts takes you on a journey. At face value, it’s a simple road trip, but you quickly realize THE ROAD TO CHRISTMAS is so much more. Be prepared to be affected on so many levels by these characters and their plight.

Book Summary