Reviewed by Robert A. Groves for Readers' Favorite

Roads Not Taken by Emily Gallo is a quiet novel focused on choices. The book begins with Malcolm Washington, a 20-something person of color, trying to plant roots and start his adult life in Venice Beach. He’s a waiter, but when he decides that a car would make his life easier, he accepts a second job as an activity coordinator at a senior residence. It is there that he meets a co-worker, Savali, whom most people would categorize as female at first glance. When a film producer offers Malcolm a more lucrative income opportunity, he quits both jobs and takes the cameraman position. However, when he discovers what is being filmed, he quits and returns to his two prior jobs at the café and Moss House. From this brief wandering, the relationship between Malcolm and Savali begins to come into focus. Also, Malcolm views the residents at Moss House differently than before. In time, he begins to see them as extended family. Alongside all this runs a subplot in which Malcolm helps Nick, a cantankerous resident who is hiding from his organized-crime family. This assistance turns into a road trip to northern California. But the real theme is an ever-deepening love between Malcolm and Savali. It is from this trip that Malcolm finally figures out what he wants in life. What will it be?

Emily Gallo has crafted a low-key plot in Roads Not Taken. Its momentum is fueled by Malcolm’s drifting into people’s lives and enveloping the changes that happen. The symbolism of Robert Frost’s poem will not be lost on readers. From beginning to end, Malcolm’s experiences are all about choice. Career choices, friendship choices, and choices of the heart. The most emotional moment of the novel occurs when Malcolm is reunited with Jed in San Francisco. Almost none of the characters are bound to Malcolm by blood. Gallo explores genetic relationships against the ones we build. The novel’s foundation is Malcolm learning to accept love that does not look like what he always expected. The story lays out a spectrum of gender and identity without fully resolving it. But Malcolm’s growth is seen from constantly asking Savali “which are you?” to accepting “both and neither.” And Savali refuses to be edited to meet Malcolm’s expectations. As the book closes, it leaves an openness for us to continue to ponder. The road less traveled; chosen without a GPS device. Bravo, Emily Gallo, bravo!