Grandpa's Comrade JustRead Tour {book review and giveaway}

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Grandpa's Comrade by Kelsey Gjesdal, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Grandpa's Comrade 
Author: Kelsey Gjesdal 
Publisher: Kelsey Lee Writes LLC 
Release Date: November 11, 2025 
Genre: Christian YA fiction, multigenerational fiction, military fiction, adventure novel

A boy who wants to be a hero. A girl who just wants to be lost in her books. And a Grandpa with a past that won't leave him alone. 

Teens Jess and Will are stuck with their grandparents for three weeks while their parents go on a second honeymoon. Neither are too excited to be bored in a house full of off-limits secrets. But when Will's curiosity gets the best of him, the siblings uncover a mysterious box with a hidden message that could change everything. As former Navy SEAL Grandpa plans a rescue mission for a long-lost comrade, the teens must decide if they're ready for a real adventure. Jess and Will must navigate the unknown territory of South Korea... and Grandpa's PTSD. With each new clue comes haunting memories, and time is running out. Can Jess and Will find Grandpa's Comrade before it's too late? 

Join Jess and Will as they learn about true bravery, family love, and the price of heroism.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Author's Website | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Excerpt 1 

Grandpa rearranged clothes to fit the elvish box into the suitcase puzzle. “If you’re going to ask, then don’t.”

Will nodded. “Why?” 

“Don’t want to talk about it.”

“Did you make the box? It’s really cool.” 

“Nope.”

“Who did?” 

Grandpa cleared his throat. “An old friend.” 

“Who?”

Grandpa cleared his throat again, more forcefully. “Why do you ask so many questions?” Silence filled the air until it felt ready to explode. “George. George Gates.” He zipped up the suitcase. 

“He must’ve liked Lord of the Rings a lot.”

Grandpa nodded. “He loved to read… and write. Writing was his stress reliever.” 

“Too bad all the writing on the box didn’t mean anything.”

Grandpa’s eyes flashed. “Not George. Of course it means something. Everything was purposeful with George. I wouldn’t have had any idea—”

“You’re welcome,” Will interrupted. “I mean, on Jess’s behalf, you’re welcome. She’s the Lord of the Rings nerd.”

A small smile tugged at the right side of Grandpa’s lips. “She would’ve liked to know George.” 

“Where are you taking the box?”

“Will, I said not to ask.” 

“But Grandpa, why in the world would you be going anywhere after we just got here?” 

Grandpa grunted and pulled the suitcase off the worktable. “Shut the door and lock it when you leave. Don’t touch my tools.” 

Excerpt 2

“Will!” Jess nudged him and pointed to the conference table. There, on the North Korean side, was a crudely carved letter E. Will quickly sat down at the table and reached underneath. Tacked under the edge was a blank piece of paper. Will shoved it into his pocket, just as the tour guide asked him not to sit in the chairs. 

“Sorry, sir,” Will apologized, quickly standing. The guide stared at him for a moment, then moved the group along. 

The group headed back to the bus, but the tour guide stopped Jess and Will. “You’re not supposed to be in my group,” he said, raising an eyebrow. 

“We didn’t mean to butt in, it’s just that the guard outside looked really upset that we weren’t with your group, so we joined you guys,” Will explained.

The guide shook his head. “What concerns me more is that there are two unaccompanied American youths tagging along here. Now, I want a straight answer from you two once we get on the bus—who are you, what are you doing here, and what did you take from the table in T3?”

Excerpt 3

“Jess, we have to keep going!” Will said, patting her back. “I think we can make it if we hurry!”

Jess was breathing too hard to answer, but she nodded. Straightening, she started on a jog again. Will kept pace with her this time, encouraging her to keep going. Jess wasn’t sure this running torture was any better than facing Grandpa’s wrath. 

They made it back to the hotel at 9:02. 

“We made it!” Will said, patting Jess as she collapsed in the elevator. 

“Yay,” she whispered between gulps of air, coughing from inhaling her own spit. 

Will stood, tapping his foot while watching the elevator numbers change. “I hope there was traffic.”

They hurried to their room, and Jess pulled her room key from her purse. “There’s—no light—under the—door,” she panted. She tapped her card, then slowly opened the door. They hurried in and flipped on the lights. Jess heard the pullout bed creak. She turned, expecting to see Will flopping on his bed. Instead, she saw a man twice Will’s size sit up from under the covers. And she screamed.

My Thoughts

I enjoy discovering new-to-me authors, and seem to be doing that quite a bit lately. Kelsey Gjesdal is another one of those new-to-me authors, and Grandpa's Comrade was a fun introduction. 

This is a great teen read, full of adventure and intrigue. I liked that there are bits of history about the Korean War intertwined. The subject of PTSD is also woven in. Jess and Will seem a little reckless, as well as a bit disrespectful to their grandfather, at first, but lessons are learned.

I think this would be appropriate for junior high and high school readers. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys history, especially about the Korean War.

I received a complimentary copy. These opinions are my own.

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About the Author

 

Kelsey Gjesdal is an award-winning author and host of the Wholeheartedly with Kelsey Lee podcast. She is the author of the Truth Squad Trilogy, A Woman of Excellence Ruth Bible study, and, most recently, Grandpa’s Comrade. Through fiction and nonfiction writing and podcasting, Kelsey seeks to encourage Gen-Z to live wholeheartedly for Christ. When she’s not writing and podcasting, you’ll find her serving in her local church’s children’s ministry, playing music, or reading a book with a cup of coffee in hand. She resides in the beautiful state of Oregon.

Connect with Kelsey by visiting kelseyleewrites.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a print copy of Grandpa's Comrade plus a $15 Amazon Gift Card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 20, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 27, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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