About the Book
Book: When the Road Comes Around
Author: Katie Powner
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: August 2025
In the small town of Grady, Montana, twenty-four-year-old Tad Bungley has a reputation for trouble. When he lands a job at Come Around Ranch, however, his life seems to take a positive turn. As he develops a soft spot for Sam, the ranch owner's disabled son, and a special bond with TJ, a rescue horse with a poor reputation of his own, Tad becomes determined not to mess up this time.
Forty-eight-year-old Anita Wilson is too young to feel so old, but rheumatoid arthritis limits her ability to work on the guest ranch she owns with her husband. It was a risk to hire Tad for the summer, but Anita is convinced he just needs a bit of grace and encouragement to find his footing. What she doesn't anticipate is that Tad's presence at the ranch will change everything, including her relationship with her son. And when Tad finds himself in more trouble than ever, he and Anita must learn when to hold on, when to let go, and how to embrace grace.
Forty-eight-year-old Anita Wilson is too young to feel so old, but rheumatoid arthritis limits her ability to work on the guest ranch she owns with her husband. It was a risk to hire Tad for the summer, but Anita is convinced he just needs a bit of grace and encouragement to find his footing. What she doesn't anticipate is that Tad's presence at the ranch will change everything, including her relationship with her son. And when Tad finds himself in more trouble than ever, he and Anita must learn when to hold on, when to let go, and how to embrace grace.
My Thoughts
This is a story of redemption, forgiveness and grace. We meet Tad who is a troubled young man that has been given a second chance by Anita and her husband Dan who are the owners of Come Around Ranch. Tad, though rough around the edges is loved by Anita who has a son with developmental disabilities. Tad is his best friend and looks out for Sam no matter what. Dan at times can't see past the negatives of Tad but because of his love for his wife and God he shows him grace.
Tad unexpectedly gets custody of his daughter that he never knew about so we do see some growth in his character but not enough to make it substantial to the story, at least not for me.
There was another storyline happening in this story that felt a bit disjointed but it did connect all the characters together. This was a good story by Katie Powner and while it didn't resonate with me as her other books have I am sure you may enjoy it. It is definitely one of those stories that at the end its not wrapped up nicely and gives you that deep sigh of resolution. There is not big "come to Jesus moment" or anything like that which I typically expect in a fiction story. So this is more of a realistic ending where everything is still the same. While Tad has learned some lessons, he hasn't realized that he so desperately needs His Savior.
Overall the book was good and did keep me reading but I was a bit disappointed with how it all turned out.
I received a copy of this book for review. All views expressed are my own.
About the Author
Katie Powner is a Christy Award-winning author who lives in rural Montana where cows still outnumber people. She writes contemporary fiction about redemption, relationships, and finding the dirt road home. Katie is a mom to the third power: biological, adoptive, and foster. Learn more at www.katiepowner.com
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