An Uncertain Road, Historical Christian Romance Set in the World of Early Automobile Racing
Welcome back to LiteraryScape! This week, we're diving into the first book of Abby Downey's Adventurous Heart series, An Uncertain Road, a delightful historical Christian romance set in the world of early automobile racing.
The Story
Set in 1905, An Uncertain Road follows Flora Montfort, a young widow who returns to America with her French mother-in-law. Determined to use her auto racing training to support herself—despite female drivers being rare in that era—Flora seizes the opportunity to drive in the Glidden Tour, a 10-day race through New England.
Joining her is Jensen Gable, a reluctant mechanic who has sworn off racing after losing his best friend in a tragic accident. His promise to protect his friend's younger brother becomes the only reason compelling enough to get him back on the racing circuit.
As Flora and Jensen navigate hazardous road conditions, meddling locals, and ruthless competitors, they discover an undeniable connection. But can their budding romance survive the dangers of the race and the ghosts of their pasts?
What We Loved
The Historical Setting: One of the highlights of this novel is how it's loosely based on real events. The Glidden Tour was a real race started by the Triple A, and there actually was a woman who competed in it. While Abby takes creative liberties with the story, that grounding in history adds authenticity and charm.
Coney Island Adventure: The scenes at Coney Island were fascinating, with attractions that felt surprisingly modern for the time period. The infamous "cheese" attraction particularly stood out (and grossed us out!), along with the space-themed and water-themed rides.
Tense Racing Scenes: Abby writes compelling action sequences. The mountain climb scene where Jensen has to jerk the wheel, the moment with cows blocking the race route, and the nerve-wracking curves where one wrong move could send them off the side—these scenes had us on the edge of our seats. The river crossing via ferry was another memorable moment that reminded us how different travel was in 1905.
Character Depth: Both Flora and Jensen carry emotional baggage that makes them hesitant to open their hearts. Flora fears being controlled again after her experiences with her domineering brother and late husband. Jensen struggles with grief and fear after his friend's death. Their slow-burn romance feels earned and authentic.
Supporting Characters: The newlywed couple riding along in the backseat added a fun dynamic to the story. Using the race as part of their honeymoon was an interesting choice—the groom was training to be a minister and knew he wouldn't have money for an elaborate honeymoon, so this was his way of giving his bride an adventure.
The Redemption Arc: When a terrible driver has an accident, Flora shows remarkable sportsmanship by stopping to help, even though she could have kept going. This moment of grace leads to a powerful redemption story that we both appreciated.
The Romance & Faith Elements
The relationship between Flora and Jensen develops naturally as they face challenges together. Their feelings are evident, but both are afraid to express them for their own reasons. The faith element is woven throughout the story in a gentle, non-preachy way that enhances rather than overwhelms the narrative.
One particularly poignant scene occurs when Archie (the owner's youngest son) makes comments about Gregory's death, leading to tension. Eventually, Jensen takes the time to sit down and talk through the tragedy, providing much-needed closure. We wished this conversation had happened sooner, as avoiding difficult topics is never healthy.
Our Ratings
Using our signature coffee scale (Espresso = a little, Mocha = medium, Latte = a lot):
Suspense: Espresso
Drama: Espresso to Mocha
Mystery: Espresso
Inspirational: Mocha
Romance: Espresso to Mocha (we disagreed slightly on this one!)
Lasso Rating: We gave it a 2.5 out of 3 lassos. This means we were hooked and thoroughly enjoyed it, though it wasn't quite a "can't put it down" read. It's an excellent book that we could pause when needed, but we definitely wanted to keep coming back to it.
Who Should Read This?
An Uncertain Road is perfect for readers who enjoy:
Sweet, cozy historical romances
Stories grounded in real historical events
Faith-based fiction with a light touch
Early 20th-century settings
Adventure and travel narratives
Abby Downey has crafted a charming series opener that balances romance, adventure, and faith. While it may not have the intense suspense or mystery of some novels, it excels at creating a warm, engaging story with characters you'll root for.
What's Next?
Join us next week as we discuss the second book in the Adventurous Heart series, An Unexpected Catch. We're excited to continue this journey through Abby's delightful historical romances!
Want to learn more about Abby Downey and her books? Visit her website at https://abbeydowney.com/
Have you read An Uncertain Road? What did you think of Flora and Jensen's story? Let us know in the comments!
