User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
Wow! A trip to a wedding trapped in a car with your over protective sister, a random guy you found on Facebook, your ex who broke your heart into pieces and his bestie who did everything in his power to force two of you break up!
Good luck Addie!
Did you like the idea of ex lovers- new enemies’ longest road trip with one of the most disturbing chaperones! Oh, this is just the beginning! Things will get messier! I can guarantee that!
This will be longest trip of yours filled with grudge, resentment, unfinished businesses, unresolved issues, bottled up anger, frustration!
Addie and Dylan hasn’t seen each other for two long years after their tragic breakup and when Dylan drives to Scotland where the we’d takes places, he realizes her car is in front of him: oh boy, he can see her waving hand! Of course he gets panicked to see her after long time, accidentally crushing his car into hers( correction his grumpy bestie Marcus’ Mercedes he’s driving and the car Addie is driving belongs to her sister)
Miraculously Addie’s sister Deb’s car survives with a few scratches as boys’ car is totaled! It seems like Addie has every right to leave them in the middle of the road and drive off! We don’t know the whole story about their break up but as we get snippets of Dylan’s shy and guilty looks and Addie’s efforts not to have eye contact with him and the little information we get : he left her as she was crying out her eyes, we can sense he might have done something so bad!
Unfortunately Addie is bigger person and she doesn’t leave them at the road! They’re jammed in her sister’s portable car. And the bestie Marcus acts like Addie is the one to blame!
What’s his deal with her anyways?
And Rodney, the random guy they met who is also invited to the wedding acts suspicious! Deb seems so furious at both Dylan and Marcus, Addie is still heartbroken and Dylan acts like he wants to earn his forgiveness as Marcus gives killing daggers to Addie!
They already survived from a dangerous car crash but this is not the only problem they have to deal at their long trip which seems like will never end!
We’re going back and forth between Addie and Dylan’s first meeting where she works as caretaker at their villa. As we learn more about relationship dynamics, Marcus’ efforts to sabotage their relationship, Addie and Dylan’s own problems, insecurities about themselves, brassy Deb’s interventions, we finally found out what happened between them!
Well, I already talked too much! I can honestly say I’m not a big fan of Flatshare! Switch was light, soft and more likable book but in my opinion this one is truly the best, more genuine, realistic book the author wrote. Both characters are broken, flawed, dealing with their insecurities, their own traumas. You criticize and get angry at them but you can also easily empathize with them by understanding the real reasons beyond their wrongdoings and misunderstandings.
The conclusion of the story was angsty, emotional, powerful! It started as like soft, laugh out loud, entertaining comedy but it turned into something intense, tear jerker, heartfelt read which earned my five blazing, second chances, romantic stars!
This was truly impressive and I’m so happy I devoured it at Valentine’s Day!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing For sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
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Rating: really liked it
This is a Romance/Women's Fiction/Chick-Lit. I have loved the other two books I read by Beth O'Leary, so I had high hopes for this one. I am sad to say I really did not enjoy this book, but I did finish the book. If I did not have an ARC of this book I would have DNF this book. I was bored while reading most of this book, but there was a few funny parts that made me laugh. I have to say the jumps in the time lines in this book drove me crazy, and I also felt that some of the jumps from Now time period to the then time period was at weird times. I also got confessed on which if it was now or then at times. I also did not find myself caring about any of the characters. Some of the storyline I found ok, and I found myself wanting to know why or what happen by the end. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Quercus) or author (Beth O'Leary) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
Rating: really liked it
forced proximity + second chance = a great trope combination
although i loved the usage of these tropes for flirtatiousness, this is definitely much heavier than the authors previous books. there are a lot of attempts at making it lighthearted and fun, but wow. theres quite a bit of serious content to unpack with this story. i didnt find that to be a bad thing, but i think its good to note for readers going into this expecting it to be similar a similar tone as
‘the switch.’ but i did enjoy the story overall. i found myself looking forward to both the past and present chapters, which doesnt happen a lot for me. and while the characters didnt always make the best decisions, it was rewarding to see them finally come together and communicate and learn from their past mistakes. i think they are a good example at how people arent perfect but still worth the effort.
so maybe not the best feel good beach read out there, but a pretty realistic romance with all the ups and downs.
↠ 3.5 stars
Rating: really liked it
*Now available*
2.5 Stars ☹
Two sisters (Addie and Deb), one ex (Dylan), one toxic best friend (Marcus) and a random (Rodney) all squash into a mini for the road trip from hell...Will they make it to their friend's wedding in time? Will Addie and Dylan confront their past mistakes? What can possibly go wrong?!This dual timeline, second chance romance was one of my most anticipated books of the summer, but it didn't really deliver. Vastly different from Beth O'Leary's other books, which I loved, it wasn't the feel good, heart-warming book I was expecting, but more like a bunch of rich, entitled, toxic people making terrible life choices!
Whilst I loved the first 20% or so, it gradually became less fun as the book went on. I enjoyed the start, where the characters crashed, and end up piling into the mini together for the epic journey from Brighton to Scotland! My friend had one of the old style minis, and it was a squash fitting four of us in for a short journey to college, so I laughed at the image of five of them plus luggage travelling all that way! They had some mishaps, which were quite funny. I also liked the flashbacks to when Addie and Dylan first met on holiday at the villa, it was cute, if a little insta-love, but I can kind of forgive insta-love if it's set on holiday..sort of?! After all, I met my husband abroad, but the difference there was that we got to know each other over a few months, and definitely didn't say the love word until we got back home, let alone after a few weeks like this couple! Holiday romances are great, but until you see how you slot into each other's lives back home, then they're not real 🤷♀️
Once these characters arrived home, the past chapters began to annoy me. There was no relationship development, no communication about anything real, and Dylan's friend Marcus took over the story too much. Speaking of Marcus, I hated him. I don't think I was meant to like him, but I really hated him, and how he overshadowed the story! It ruined it for me! He was one of the most selfish, toxic characters I've ever read about. In fact, I would say that Addie was the only character I liked in this book! Deb was fun, and I loved their sisterly relationship, but she was a little ridiculous. Rodney started off harmless enough, but then (view spoiler)
[he turned out to be their bride to be friend's stalker, out to crash her wedding, and it was almost treated like a joke?! Was I meant to like him after that revelation? Also Marcus stalked Addie! This was all played down?! Does the author think stalking is ok?! (hide spoiler)]Now for Dylan, Addie's ex. He was so unlikeable! So entitled, so dysfunctional, so pathetic, so not sexy, and I detested his poetry which was randomly inserted throughout the book! Apart from the initial get together, I couldn't really see what Addie saw in him? They had no chemistry in the present timeline, apart from some initial yearning, and to be honest, I didn't really want Addie to give him a second chance! When I found out the horrible reason for their split, I was disgusted, and yet this awful thing that happened was almost glossed over, and not looked at in any depth, which I did not like at all! Addie deserved better in both timelines, and I wanted her to get the hell away from all of those toxic people! Oh and her ex's father was a homophobic piece of work too!
Kudos to the author for the different approach, and also for the discussion about depression and therapy. mental illness can affect anyone, from all walks of life.
However although I would recommend
and absolutely loved
, unfortunately this one was a bit of a miss for me!
Many thanks to Edelweiss and Berkley for the DRC, in exchange for an honest review
Rating: really liked it
hell no
Rating: really liked it
Unlike her previous two novels, Beth O' Leary's latest doesn't have quite the same feel good warm vibes but it charts her development as an author as we have more complicated flawed characters with mental health issues, dysfunctional families and toxic behaviours which makes for more uncomfortable but a more rewarding reading experience. Additionally, the main protagonists are young, as a consequence perhaps not as resilient, with a more hazy sense of identity and make major errors of judgement. Addie Gilbert is 21 years old when she meets the privileged, poetry writing Dylan Abbot, at a crossroads in his life after Cambridge University, searching for a friend, Grace. Addie, along with her half sister Deb, is working as a caretaker for wealthy friend Cherry's family’s Villa Cerise in Provence when she and Dylan fall hard for each other.
However, there is a serpent in paradise in the form of Dylan's childhood best friend, Marcus, who is virtually family, with the nature of his arrival at the Villa speaking volumes about his character. Dylan's unpleasant and overbearing father is putting pressure on him to join the family business, something he is reluctant to do. The novel opens with Addie and Debs, along with the geeky Rodney, on a road trip from Chichester to Scotland to the lavish wedding of Cherry and Krish. Addie and Dylan have not seen each other for 2 years since their relationship fell apart, though the two have never forgotten each other. Addie and Deb offer Dylan and Marcus a lift to the wedding with them through gritted teeth when Marcus's car is wrecked, the 5 of them packed like sardines in the Mini Cooper on a hot and sweltering day. The scene is set for tensions, longings and conflict as unresolved feelings spill over in a narrative that shifts from the past to the present, revealing the disastrous set of events that led to their break up.
O'Leary expertly writes of the opportunity of a second chance romance with verve and wit, where having a privileged background cannot insulate you from dysfunctional families or from mental health issues, such as depression. Both Addie and Dylan are no longer the same people they used to be, they have had to grow up the hard way, with Dylan having undergone therapy and having to address the issues that arose with having Marcus as a best friend. I am sure, like me, most people have encountered toxic people within their professional, friends and family circles, they are usually emotionally damaged individuals, and Marcus is not the only such character in this novel. Not everyone who is a fan of the author will love this as much her other books, but I enjoyed seeing her create and develop significantly more complex characters and their issues. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
Rating: really liked it
While I would happily FLATSHARE with Tiffy, or SWITCH lives for the summer with Eileen or Leena, I cannot say that I would want to take a road trip with this bunch!
I liked Addie and her sister, Deb and I could probably sing along with them in the MINI COOPER and tolerate the “random wedding guest” Rodney, who was along for the ride.
But, there is no way, that I could spend that much time with Dylan’s best mate, Marcus, who was driving in the BMW with him.
This is a SECOND CHANCE romance for Addie and Dylan, told in the alternating timelines of THEN and NOW...
THEN explores the things that brought Addie and Dylan together, and what drove them apart.
NOW is two years later-each is headed to their mutual friend Cherry’s wedding in Scotland, and all five wedding guests become forced to squeeze into the Mini Cooper, when it is the only car that survives after the two collide!
Each timeline is told through both Addie and Dylan’s POV.
But, this road trip was stuck in the SLOW lane for quite awhile.
It didn’t pick up speed until the second half, and a revelation at the BUDGET TRAVEL!
Things became more interesting from there.
I just didn’t find the characters or conversations in this book to be as charming as those in Beth O’Leary’s first two books-(both solid 5 ⭐️ reads for me) perhaps because these characters are so much younger than I and things just weren’t resonating.
LOVE IS BLIND❤️
In romances, you have to enjoy the journey and want to root for the characters to get together-in this case-for a second time.
I wanted Addie to be happy but I wasn’t sure if I wanted it to be with Dylan.
I do however think I want a Mini Cooper! 🚗
And, Beth O’Leary’s next book-which I hope she is already writing! 📝
She remains a favorite in this genre and an AUTO REQUEST author for me!
Available in the US on June 1, 2021
Thank You to Berkley books for providing a gifted copy.
It was my pleasure to provide a candid review!
Rating: really liked it
This is a review I never thought I’d write. I absolutely adored Beth O’Leary’s first two novels. I was privileged to read them both through NetGalley, I raved about them to pretty much all and sundry, and bought copies of both as gifts for members of my family.
And so I was extremely excited for The Road Trip. I firmly believed it would be one of my favourites of 2021...
But things didn’t work out like I’d planned.
I ended up hating it. Oof that sounds so cruel to say. So harsh. But this book and I never clicked. I struggled reading it for over a week. I wanted to DNF but didn’t because it was Beth O’Leary! And I thought surely I’ll find my way into this novel and that it would ultimately get better....
Sadly for me it never did.
It’s an interesting concept. A then and now look at two people. Then being when they first met and embarked on a romantic relationship. And now being a collision of events that force them into close confines a long time post their breakup.
But the story never worked for me.
Addie and Dylan just never felt like a true love story!
I know.... true love. What even is that? Love isn’t all picture perfect summer sunshine in continents Europe. It’s compromise and common ground, and just having someone else’s back. But the novel tried to tell us these two were madly in love with each other. And I never felt it. Even in the earliest stages of the novel when they first met and made googly eyes at each other I never felt that their love connection was fully shown to the reader. I just didn’t believe it. And therefore when things started to go south I actively wished for a breakup. I wasn’t in any way rooting for them to stay together as a couple. And therefore the novel felt arduous to me. Their relationship was always toxic in my eyes in the past, and remained toxic in the present.
And as for the side characters.
Addie’s sister Deb was just one cliche after another. Her personality was flat. She was nothing more than the quirky, loyal sidekick to Addie. Don’t even start me on that whole peeing on the side of the motorway ridiculousness.
And then there was Dylan’s best friend Marcus. I get that he was supposed to be a toxic character and at the centre of chaos... but it was too done. Too much. Too heavy. His redemption character arc was completely undercooked, and honestly, given the way the climax to his story was rushed I thought he deserved much more of a comeuppance rather than the forgiveness he seemed to inexplicably be in receipt of.
And Rodney? Just no. Nope, nein, non! Another criminally underdeveloped story arc that almost was played for laughs when it should have been weightier in tone, and had an incredibly unsatisfactory conclusion.
Basically this story had a lot of underdeveloped characters... and when I say a lot, I actually mean every single one. Nothing about the way they were written on the page made them come alive for me. They simply acted in a perfunctory manner within the narrative of the book; it felt as if the characters were forced into their roles to fit a rigid plot idea. Nothing about this book felt free flowing and easy.
I’m honestly quite heartbroken with how I feel about this book. I will definitely read Beth O’Leary’s next novel because of how much I loved The Switch and The Flatshare, and fingers crossed O’Leary will be back on form with that one. But sadly The Road Trip just wasn’t for me.
Content Warning:
sexual assault
alcoholism
anxiety and depression
stalking
homophobic parents
*An e-copy was kindly provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley for honest review* Publishing 29th April 2021, Quercus
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Rating: really liked it
Two exes forced to take a road trip together? What’s not to love? More than I’d hoped, unfortunately.
Addie and her sister, Deb, are on their way to Scotland for their best friend’s wedding. They are all set to have a fantastic road trip with awesome music and delicious snacks...and an odd man named Rodney in the backseat. That is, until they are rear ended by Addie’s ex, Dylan. He and his best friend, Marcus, are also going to the wedding. Addie hasn’t set sight on him since their breakup two years prior.
Marcus’s car is totaled, so against their better judgement, Addie and Deb agree to let Dylan and Marcus ride with them.
That’s 5 people + luggage in a Mini Cooper, in case you need a fun visual.
With hours of driving and plenty of mishaps on the journey, Addie and Dylan will ultimately have time to reflect on their past relationship. After all of the hurt, is there a chance to rekindle what was lost?
I am a HUGE Beth O’Leary fan, and I absolutely fell in love with the characters in
The Switch and
The Flatshare. Regrettably, I didn’t really fall in love with the characters in this one. I cared for Addie, and even Dylan on some levels, and Deb was a hoot...but they don’t light a candle to the characters in O’Leary’s previous gems. Dylan’s friend, Marcus, was heinous and ridiculously immature. I wish his character could’ve taken a back seat...in the story.
The main thing that prevented me from loving it more was the lack of charm. I expected so much more, and maybe that is on me having already read the aforementioned books which were OOZING with charm and good vibes. While there were some cute moments and laughs sprinkled in, they weren’t consistent throughout the journey.
Having said that, I still recommend it to fans of the author (I will always be a fan, and am already looking forward to her next book). I would also recommend this to those who haven’t had the chance to read her books yet - with the caveat that they will hopefully love her backlog even more.
Enjoyable, but didn’t reach my admittedly high expectations. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Quercus Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published in the U.S by Berkley on 6/1/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Rating: really liked it
DNF at 70%
Dylan, Addie and marcus are annoying af
Rating: really liked it
Is this the same author that gave us The Flatshare and The Switch?
It didn't feel that way to me.
Dylan and Marcus are driving towards their friend Cherry's wedding in Scotland when they hit the car in front. Of course, the car in front is driven by Dylan's ex-girlfriend, Addie.
Addie is also going to the wedding. Her sister, Beth is in the passenger seat and Rodney, a guy from the Facebook wedding group is in the back.
When Dylan's car ceases to work, Addie can't leave Dylan stranded. So both Dylan and Marcus join them in Addie's car. What follows is an uncomfortable trip for most of them.
I had 3 issues with The Road Trip.
First one: Connecting with the characters. I didn't like Dylan and hated his best friend, Marcus. Addie was not so bad but If I have to pick a favorite character, it would be Beth, Addie's sister. Beth was there for Addie every time she needed her. She also gave good advice and inserted humor into the story.
The second problem: Addie's reactions. It felt like Addie was in love with Dylan just a few hours after meeting Dylan. Then, in the present, just a few hours into the drive she was forgetting and sweeping under the rug all the bad times Dylan and Marcus have caused her.
Third, I didn't understand the necessity to include Rodneys's drama into the storyline. It felt it came out of nowhere and it didn't contribute to anything.
I felt disappointed that I didn't like it when I have loved her other books.
Sigh, Hopefully, I can connect with the next book.
Cliffhanger: No
2/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Rating: really liked it
4 StarsTrigger Warnings: Sexual Assault, Alcohol/Drug Abuse, Homophobia, Mental Illness, Manipulative Behaviour, Eating DisordersWhat an absolute whirlwind of a book! A very basic synopsis of this is that Dylan and Addie broke up and now they are in a very small car together on their way to a wedding. This is the story between past and present the highs and the lows of the relationship.
This for me was one of Beth O'Leary more raw and vulnerable books. It's really strange, because I found parts of this book to be so much fun and hilarious but there were also a lot of dark moments and it really made me feel a lot for them all individually.
The characters really sold this book, they were the type of characters you really root for, and it was incredible to see that journey between them. Sometimes when I read certain books and it involves romance, there are often times when it doesn't feel believable, but this was definitely an all encompassing love that some people can only dream for. It was a love that I genuinely believed and enjoyed reading about.
Topics discussed in this really hit a chord with me, there were relationships that were very very toxic and knowing when to walk away from them, this was both friendships and family, and it genuinely broke my heart on many many occasions on how vulnerable a lot of the characters were and that sense of hopelessness.
I've been going backwards and forwards with what to rate this, and this is a time when I would beg for half stars, the
only reason why this isn't a 5 star read for me is I think, and this is just a personal opinion... I wanted something more from the ending maybe? I think there was a part and once people read it they'll get what I mean, but I just wish a character had spoken up. There was SUCH a good moment that I was amazed at, and then something else that made me be a bit like oh...
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I had been desperate to read this from the moment I knew there was a new book and I'm so happy it surpassed my expectations! Lots of fun, heartwarming, heart wrenching and all the feels moments! Truly recommend this!
--------
21..08.22
This is my least favourites of Beth O'Learys books, but it's still a great one! I think the relationships in this are super complex and really make you think, it looks at mens mental health, toxic relationships and you see people be so emotional and not hide how they actually feel (this is towards the end but still!) I always love what Beth O'Leary does with her books, always brings something new and I always love it!
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09.12.2020
I’ve just seen the synopsis, I am ready for this.
————
I have no idea what this is about... I see Beth O’Leary it is now an auto buy.
Rating: really liked it
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Cue the popular Tik Tok/reels song: “Oh no. Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no.” I recently finished The Soulmate Equation and really liked it and wanted another lighter, fast read to combat work chaos/stress, so I decided to start The Road Trip. I haven’t read The Flatshare or The Switch but I have the latter and have heard good things in general. I know this was a highly anticipated read, and was excited to dive in.
This book is written in alternating “now”/”then” timelines. Now, exes Addie and Dylan are trapped on a road trip together to a friend’s wedding. Then, Addie and Dylan are meeting and falling in love. The first 20% was exactly what I hoped - light, fun, takes place at a villa in France (I want to go to there!). I became concerned around ~20% by the lack of character development -- were we supposed to be rooting for these characters? We don’t know them at all. Why is Dylan so pathetic? How on earth is he a POET? Oh my god, there is nothing less sexy than Dylan randomly reciting poetry. Wait, they’re suddenly IN LOVE? But...there was no development of their relationship whatsoever? What?? It was at this point I should have DNFed, but I am stupid and thought it would turn around. It did not.
Here are a few of the many things that I hated about this book:
- The love story. Seems to me that Addie and Dylan clearly don’t know or like each other yet we are told they are in love. They are apparently deeply attracted to one another, as we are told over and over and over, yet there isn’t actual chemistry in the book, we are just told there is.
- These characters are all the absolute worst. There is literally no character development for anyone. Marcus is one of the most unlikable characters I have ever read in a book. Dylan is the most annoying and I have absolutely no idea why we should be rooting for him and Addie to be together. They’re all so unlikeable, except for Deb.
- The Rodney storyline was strange and went nowhere.
However, this is what really pushed me over the edge: In the “now” timeline, we know that Dylan dumped Addie but there’s a layered “secretive” aspect to it and we are waiting for it to be revealed. I kept reading because I wanted to know what this big “secret” was. It was revealed ~80% and it was horrible and SO not worth it. I didn’t like the book up to this point, but the reveal turned this book from a 2.5 stars to a ZERO star read for me. It was extremely problematic and not handled well at all. I already wasn’t rooting for Addie and Dylan at all, but I became furious upon the reveal and was internally SCREAMING as I finished the last part of the book. It was unforgivable. These people SHOULD NOT BE TOGETHER. They are HORRIBLE, pathetic people and I hate them. I hate them. I HATE THEM. I HATE Dylan. He doesn't deserve Addie and there is absolutely no explicable reason why Addie would forgive him. I HATE THIS BOOK. GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
So like, you’ve been warned.
Rating: really liked it
The Road Trip is the author’s third book. It was a bit surprising that The Road Trip had a bit more grit compared to her earlier work. More depths. And also more emotions and carried a bigger punch.
The novel is split into two different timelines. And although I’m not usually a big fan of this kind of method, I loved how the author combined the two timelines. The back and forth allowed for a slow revelation that was actually quite powerful.
The present confronted the two exes, forced them into a small space for hours on time. And over the duration of the road trip small titbits of the past were revealed, and the dynamic between the different characters became apparent. The past told how they met in France and fell in love, which was one of my favourite parts, it also gave me the biggest case of wanderlust.
The road trip had some wonderful laugh out loud moments. It’s just such an iconic situation, to squeeze five people into a very small car and send them on a road trip. Hilarity ensues.
BUT there were also moments when my heart ached for them. Both, the past and the present had moments I adored, and also moments that broke my heart.
The characters, as expected in a Beth O’Leary book, were funny and genuine. People I would have loved calling my friends. Even Marcus grew on me, although he has still much work to do. I adored Addie and Dylan, which isn’t really surprising. But Addie’s sister was probably my most favourite character of all.
Overall, this book was another successful novel by Beth O’Leary. And I already can’t wait to read her next one.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
You can find me on my blog and on Bookstagram
Rating: really liked it
Addie and Deb Gilbert with misfit Rodney are in Deb’s mini en route from Chichester to Scotland for friend Cherry’s posh wedding to Krish. When bang, out of nowhere seemingly, their stationary car is smashed into by a large Mercedes. Out of which climb Marcus and Dylan ..... the latter is Addie’s ex, they are also en route, same destination. The merc is undrivable, the mini isn’t, so of course they squeeze in uncomfortably for what proves to be a very eventful journey. The story is told Then and Now by Addie and Dylan.
Beth O’Leary nails this genre in my opinion and she’s an automatic pick for me as her books are fun, well written with good moments of laughter but always with something thought provoking too. This is a novel about firmly grasping second chances, the chemistry between Dylan and Addie despite the tampering of outside forces always feels right. During their time apart they mature and possibly for the better now. The journey north is entertaining, the repartee is whip-smart and some events make Rodney blush and hastily pass round the flapjack! The car journey is like a rollercoaster ride with many ups and downs, they’re all watching each other’s every move and the dynamics are fascinating. There’s tension and awkwardness with other undercurrents which adds to the atmosphere with fractured families and friend adding to it. There’s a good mix of characters from wince inducing Uncle Terry to Rodney’s strangeness, some to heartily dislike such as Dylan’s father and I’d have to sit on my hands so as not to strangle Marcus on the road trip! He’s entitled, opinionated and not above sabotaging things. Deb is great as is Addie and Dylan is likeable with his love of poetry, his blustery awkwardness and loyalty to Marcus even when he doesn’t deserve it. The alternating point of view is good and seeing their similar thought processes even when things aren’t going well is interesting. I love the ending - who wouldn’t??!!
Overall, this is good escapist reading, giving some laughs, plenty of emotions, there’s misunderstanding and misdirection along with resentment and jealousy providing a good mix to entertain the reader!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
