by Dr. Laura Wilhelm, LauraWil Intercultural
Just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month, bestselling author Anna Gomez returns with a deeply personal and emotionally resonant new novel, Somewhere Along the Way (Open Road Media Romance; May 6, 2025). Drawing on her own experiences with grief, identity, and the ripple effects of mental health struggles within families, Gomez crafts a compelling and unforgettable story that captures the power of human connection, resilience, and the transformative nature of love.
Described by New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Leylah Attar as “a beautifully woven tale of two love stories, past and present, that capture the complexities of love,” this latest release cements Gomez’s place as a master of poignant, character-driven fiction with heart.
Anna Gomez was kind enough to grant an exclusive interview. Her detailed responses appear below.
LW: How does your book illuminate key issues surrounding mental health?
AG: My book, Somewhere Along the Way is a story of a young woman who goes on a journey of self-discovery while searching for the mother she never knew. Charlie was raised by her father, who not only kept the secret of her mother’s existence but also of her mother’s illness.
Through the letters written by her mother, she begins to understand the circumstances of their separation and also bears witness to the undying but tragic love between her parents. Mental illness is a terrifying and isolating disease that Charlie experiences through the eyes of her mother.
LW: Is Charlie’s cross-country trek meant as a metaphor for one’s journey through life?
AG: Definitely. While on a road trip to find her mother, each stopover, each letter, each interaction she has with Graham uncovers a life lesson that helps her to understand, to grow and to fall in love.
LW: Please comment on the multicultural romance between the two main characters.
AG: The book touches briefly on the cultural nuances of Charlie’s family. It was a humorous touch on growing up in a close-knit and extended family similar to the culture I grew up in.
Graham’s family life and economic situation was the complete opposite of hers. And yet, at the end of the day, love and loss bound them together no matter who they were or where they came from. That was the message I wanted to convey.
LW: How can healthy love relationships help people to heal?
AG: Healing comes in different ways for different people. But a healthy love relationship provides stability and self-assurance.
A healthy love relationship allows you to be who you are, despite all your imperfections. A healthy love relationship gives you the confidence to step away from all the traumas of the past and to take risks knowing that someone will always be there for you.
LW: What messages would you like for readers to take away from your story?
AG: I think I snuck so many messages into this story because of personal experiences that have taught me so much about life. But if I were to choose one message, I would say this – Sometimes, you can’t see past the struggle of loss or hardships in life that you fail to recognize that in the middle of all that confusion, there is love and support and forgiveness.
These things are your little rays of light. They give you strength, mold you as a person, and form parts of who you are. Every journey is a gift. Learn to embrace it.
Website: www.annagomezbooks.com
Instagram: @annagomezbooks
Somewhere Along the Way
By Anna Gomez
Open Road Media Romance | May 6, 2025
$22.99 | 282 pages | ISBN-13: 979-8337200859
