The Key to Circus-Mom Highway

By Allyson Rice

In an attempt to secure an unexpected inheritance-and hopefully find a few answers-two estranged sisters and their newly discovered brother embark on a comically surreal trip through the Deep South to retrace the life of the mother who abandoned them.

On a Tuesday afternoon, Chicago-based sisters Jesse Chasen and Jennifer McMahon receive a phone call notifying them that the birth mother they had no knowledge of has died, leaving behind a significant inheritance. But in order to obtain it, they must follow a detailed road trip she designed for them to get to know her-and that includes finding a brother they never knew existed.

For the next week, this ill-assorted trio treks across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia to meet their mother's old friends, from circus performers to a juke joint owner, each of whom delivers a shocking vignette into the life of a young mother traumatized by loss and abuse. Along the way, these three siblings-Jesse, whose fiery exterior disguises a drifting musician stuck in a rut; Jennifer, whose carefully curated family life is threatened by her husband's infidelity; and Jack, whose enigmatic Jackie, Oh! persona in the New Orleans drag queen scene helps him escape the nightmares of Afghanistan that haunt him at night-must confront their own demons (and at least one alligator). But in chasing the truth about their real mother, they may all just find their second chance.

A story of family trauma and transformation, The Key to Circus-Mom Highway is a profound, often hilarious, reminder that the family you'd never have chosen may turn out to be exactly what you need.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0982185545
• ISBN13: 9780982185544
• Release Date: November 2022
• Publisher: Total Human Publications
• Length: 282 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

The Key to Circus Mom Highway

The Key to Circus Mom Highway is the first book released by the talented author, Allyson Rice. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to read her debut. I thought it was a great read. I enjoyed getting to know the main characters, Jesse and Jennifer. They wound up going on an adventure they would have never imagined. It was fun taking this journey through the southern United States and finding out the discoveries that awaited them. They have to learn things about the mother they really never knew and truths they have to face, as well. It was interesting and entertaining to see what all they came across. There were a few laughs all throughout the book. I wanted to keep reading until the very end to see how it would all turn out for them and what they learned about themselves, their mother, family and life. I thought it was fabulous to read. I am giving The Key to Circus Mom Highway a very well deserved five plus stars. I believe readers and fans of contemporary and or women’s fiction will want to give this one a try. I would be interested in reading more books by Allyson Rice in the future to see where else her imagination will take her characters and readers to next. I received a paperback copy of The Key to Circus Mom Highway from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.