Woof, this was an interesting one. I was SUPER intrigued by the premise – the whole “trading up” thing while road tripping with an ex-boyfriend. That element of the story was a lot of fun, actually. You really don’t think something like this would work until you’re actually doing it.

One of my bigger issues with the book is that it felt like it was trying too hard at times. Yes, I can appreciate a memory coming up so we can learn more about the character and their history, but there were so many forced deep moments that I didn’t like. EVERYTHING reminded Ali of the past (about her dad or Nico) and it was a little too mushy and metaphorical in a lot of those scenes. Ali also had too many weird quirks or preferences, like having her burgers “inside out” and Milk Duds mixed in with her popcorn. I think it’s neat when authors give their characters more backstory and make them feel like REAL people… but there should be a balance. I’m nitpicking but for some reason this really bugged me?

There was also a lot of mystery surrounding her past, especially with Nico, and it felt like certain reveals or secrets didn’t happen as soon as they should have. It was frustrating for her to repeat the same thoughts and issues over and over again without just talking to him about everything. I could mostly feel the chemistry between them, but it could have just been the “unfinished business” part overtaking everything.

Related to all of that: I really didn’t like Ali. She was unnecessarily stubborn and difficult about everything. The scene when she was with the mechanic was one example of her just refusing to believe someone and being irritating. I can’t describe it very well and it’s been bugging me because I can’t put my feelings into words… but I just didn’t like her at all. Her mom also blatantly said she WANTED to leave the house because of bad memories, and Ali refused to care or see her mom’s side of things. She went on this road trip anyways and wanted to save the house, even though it 100% wasn’t the best for them to do.

Going back to some of the good things: I do think this book got better and more addicting as it progressed. I was always curious to see what they would get next in their trade adventures, which kept me reading after putting the book aside for weeks. I continue to enjoy Brody’s premises and will probably continue to read her books. I hope the next ones I read aren’t trying as hard to be literary and deep in some scenes, and just let the fun ride out a bit.

While this story was slow to start, it ended up being worth it. It’s a touching story unlike others that I have read. While I did have small issues here and there, it wasn’t with anything that I couldn’t push aside. I haven’t read anything else by Brody, but this book makes me want to look into her other novels. I would recommend this to people who like to read coming of age stories. I don’t know if I would re-read this book, but I would definitely recommend it. I think it could also be an interesting book club read.

Initial Thoughts:

Despite owning several of Jessica Brody's novels, this is the first YA contemporary of hers that I've read. There were three main reasons why I decided to pick up this book: 1) the cover is absolutely beautiful; 2) I was very interested in the concept of discovering the value of ordinary objects; and 3) I had yet to find a good "road trip story" that's been able to hold my attention for longer than two chapters - I'm not sure if that's because I get distracted easily or it's just my chronic issue of struggling with the first ten chapters of every book I pick up. Plus, every time I meet Jessica she's always been so lovely and amiable, I felt terrible having not read more of her books; I felt like it was time to finally start changing that!

Things I Liked:

As always with pretty much any book I read, I become highly invested in the main character and their love interest really early on, sort of right when they're first both introduced. I love seeing how they go through the whole pre-relationship phase, when feelings develop, change, and deepen until they demand to be acknowledged. In this book, however, Ali and Nico are exes right from the get-go and through this road trip we get to find out what caused their breakup and if, through this journey together, they're going to rekindle their romance. I found the whole mystery of the reason for their breakup to be really intriguing. That, and finding out what secret Nico has been hiding compelled me to keep reading.

Another mystery that I really wanted to discover the truth to was the reason for Jackson's departure. I felt really sympathetic to Ali, especially during flashbacks to her childhood of all the times Jackson gave her good memories, only to disappoint her later on when she was old enough to realize his unhealthy and destructive pattern. The unveiling of the truth behind her father's constant absence had a more significant impact on me than I anticipated. Despite already having passed away, Jackson's presence and the effects of his decisions were strongly present throughout the entire novel, and acted as the guiding force for Ali's journey to forgiveness. I felt somewhat sympathetic towards Jackson but my heart mainly ached for Ali, especially once the effects and full consequences of his absence became clearer.

I admit that I'm the type of person to hang onto things because of their sentimental value, so I really enjoyed seeing what different objects people valued and what they were willing to let go of to obtain something else. The whole trading concept that Nico introduced Ali to was a completely new thing to me, I had never heard of doing such a thing before so it was really interesting to learn about. Personally, I think it was too risky but it was one of the other aspects of the story that kept me enthralled and invested.

The writing was engaging and I really enjoyed the list of inventory at the beginning of each chapter, especially during the later parts of the book. It was amusing to see how the labeling of some items in their inventory would change depending on Ali's opinions and emotions.

Things I Disliked:

I'm not really sure what it was exactly that prevented me from giving this book 5 stars, but I guess there's a few little things that when added up together made me feel 4 stars best conveyed my feelings towards it. I thought it was a little strange that Ali's mom didn't contact her more frequently during her road trip with Nico, and I also wish there had been an epilogue of some sort to give me more closure at the end. I liked how it ended and it felt fitting for the story overall, but I guess I was looking for a more solid ending. I also wouldn't have minded a bit more in the romance department, but I do understand that this story was mainly about Ali and her relationship with her father.

Final Thoughts:

An insightful exploration of the impact of an absentee parent in a young girl's life, The Geography of Lost Things is equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming. This book addresses abandonment and addiction while highlighting the importance of forgiveness, family, love, and finding the courage to pave one's own path. This resonated with me more than I anticipated and I am certain that I will always remember the life lessons taught within its pages. I would definitely recommend this if you enjoy heartfelt road trip stories.

I was really excited for, The Geography of Lost Things. But unfortunately, I wasn't able to get into the story. I wasnt able to connect with the characters. I can tell that this is a story that a lot of people would love though.

The Geography of Lost Things really is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen. I wasn’t ready for this book when I first picked it up. I couldn’t put it down the second time I picked it up!

Nico and Ali take a road trip to sell her dad’s car to someone on Craigslist. I loved the plot, I just couldn’t help but feeling worried about them the whole time since their parents probably didn’t know where they were or that they would be gone for a week and a half or so. I was emotionally invested.

The pacing of the story was good too. I thought the chapter headers were a little bit hard to get into the first time but the second time it clicked and I really liked how different they were. The road trip is a road trip kids dream about when they just graduate high school!

The writing was really well done too, I liked the style and the voice. It was believable. I’d definitely recommend this book to anybody who likes contemporary romance. I’d also recommend it for anybody who is looking for that last summer vibe feeling book before the winter comes. It was a five star read. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the chance to read this book!

The cover was simply gorgeous too!

If you're looking for a nice road trip book, then this is for you. I, personally, LOVE road trip books and this one checked all of the boxes. It definitely makes me want to take a drive along the Western coastline of the US!

Ali and Nico were both likable characters and I thought the pacing of the book was really good. We didn't have to spend too much time in the car with them, but were given just enough as a reader to feel like our characters were on a journey and not just appearing in different cities.

The plot of the book was good as well. I thought it created a really good atmosphere for Ali to grow and develop as a character. I thought the flashbacks were written well and didn't detract from the pacing of what was supposed to be happening currently. I love the idea of trading up for things even if I think it's a tad unrealistic.

Overall, I thought this book was great! My only issues really, involved Ali and Nico's relationship. Specifically, I felt like the amount of time we spent in Ali's head thinking about the demise of their relationship was too much. Either tell us what was in the freaking glove box already, or stop bringing it up! Other than that, though, this book was a good read--perfect for summer or maybe just when you wish it felt a little more summery.

Overall Rating: 4
Language: Mild
Violence: None
Smoking/Drinking: Mild
Sexual Content: Mild

Note: I received this book free from the author/blog tour in exchange for an honest review.

Ali has had a difficult life, mostly because of her absent father. When she finds out that he has died and he left her his 1968 Pontiac Firebird, she ends up going on what she thinks will be a several hour trip with her ex boyfriend Nico in order to sell it. The stakes are high for Ali because if she doesn't sell the car she and her mother will lose their house to the bank. When Ali and Nico experience an unexpected delay while traveling, several other circumstances occur that will lead to them finding clues about Ali's father as they drive through California, Oregon, and Washington. Will Ali be able to forgive her father and rekindle her relationship with Nico? What will she find as they take this unexpected road trip?
I enjoyed this book very much, and I think I can safely say that this is one of my favorite YA reads this year. Ali and Nico are both complex characters with flawed parents who need to come to terms with what has happened in their lives as well as work out misunderstandings in their own relationship. This book has very valuable lessons about life, relationships, and forgiveness in it, and the story is poignant and funny. While I didn't agree with some of the views expressed, I enjoyed the story overall and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA fiction and uplifting stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This book is adorable. It’s another fun, short contemporary romance that’s perfect for the summer...which is exactly why I needed it at the end of September! The Geography of Lost Things will take you on a fun road trip down Route 1 along the California coast with two angst-y teenagers who are trying to deny their renewed love for one another.

For me, the reason why I loved this book so much was how completely unpredictable it was. I mean sure, you can surmise that Ali and Nico get back together in the end, but how? And what trouble are they going to get into in the meantime? And what was really up with Ali’s MIA father?

I haven’t enjoyed a contemporary romance like this is a long time. I highly recommend to anyone who needs a little pick-me-up. It’ll leave you grinning for hours.

I was hoping to like this story based on the description, and I was not disappointed. I loved it! The story was unique and the characters had depth and development. The twists, turns, and detours made the story fly by and it was over way too soon. I strongly recommend this book to readers. You won’t be sorry you went along on this road trip!

While I thought I'd enjoy the plot of this book, I honestly did not. 40% of it was Ali talking about how bad a father Jackson was (but with the same!! wording!! every!! single!! time!!), another 40% was Ali thinking "I cannot like Nico anymore, remember what he did" and then the!! same!! mentions!! of!! activities!! they would do together!!, 15% was the author using wayyyy too much parallelism and repetition, and the last 5% was the actual plot. Parts of this book was cute though, but those scenes were mostly flashbacks.

I loved this book! The full review will be posted soon at kaitgoodwin.com/books! Thank you very much for this wonderful opportunity to connect books to their readers!

I always enjoy Brody's books, but usually there's a little something that keeps it from getting those all-the-stars. That was not the case with The Geography of Lost Things! I was crying. I was smiling. I was crying AND smiling. I just loved this story.

Five things I really loved about The Geography of Lost Things

1. Brody really took me on a fantastic road trip. I got to travel through the picturesque Pacific Northwest, and Brody even took a little time out to visit some sights along the way.

2. This was both a physical and emotional journey. Ali learned a lot about her dad and herself. She discovered there were things were holding her back, and recognized that figuring out her relationship with her dad and her past was the key to her future.

3. Who knew Craig's List trading up could be so addictive. I found myself eager to see what they would barter for next, and even if it was fictional, I found the trades quite thrilling. I liked the additional characters these deals brought into the story as well. They all seemed to have some interesting personal stuff to add, which always had some sort of tie-in to Ali's situation. I also loved the idea of how an object can have multiple meanings depending on the person. This experience helped Ali see things in a different way, and each bit of progress she made was so gratifying for me.

4. There were two pieces of information Brody made me work for, which I was worried she wasn't going to reveal. One was Ali's legal name. It wasn't the name, but rather the origin of the name that got me right in the feels. The second thing was about Nico. It was forever before we found out his story, but it definitely made me understand and love him more. And seriously, Nico ❤️

5. There were all these little flourishes, which enhanced my enjoyment, such as: The Everything About Everything podcasts, all the little quizzes embedded in the narrative, the multitude of love for The Goonies, and the dogs! I believe I smiled every time one of these things popped up.

And I have to do a BONUS shoutout for the ending. Brody knows how to do an ending. I was so happy at that point in the books, I was bouncing up and down. Not only was it an ending that left me elated, it also answered a lot of questions, and for that, I am grateful.

Overall: A fun and emotional journey, which allowed Ali to untangle her past to make room for her future.

I will be purchasing a copy of this book for my high school library. I have many readers who love romance stories, and I have a geography teacher who has the students complete an independent choice reading assignment on a book that has a journey or some form of travel. This book will be another good choice for the geography teacher's assignment. The plot isn't a new idea, but it's well-developed. The characters are pretty typical for a YA novel, but the addition of the people they meet in their trading quest adds some depth to the development of the main characters. Language isn't an issue, and while the romance scenes make enough implications to not seem childish, it doesn't have graphic romance description. Good choice for the YA romance readers who devour Morgan Matson and Sarah Dessen stories.

Fun, cute story that also deals with grief, family, and how to forgive.

Ali's father has never been a good dad. He abandoned the family twice to follow his favorite band on tour. On top of that, he has sunk the family into so much debt, that Ali and her mom are forced to move after foreclosing on their house.

As Ali is packing up, a knock on the door changes everything. Her father has died and has left her his prized possession: a firebird convertible. Ali wants nothing to do with that car and figures out that if she sells it she can possibly save their house.

She decides to drive the car up California to sell it to a mechanic. The only issue is she can't drive the car since it is a stick shift. Enter Nico, her ex-boyfriend. Reluctantly, Ali accepts his help and the two go on a road trip that doesn't exactly go as planned.

Ali and Nico are likable and are both teens dealing with serious family issues. The two are relatable and believable. You root for them to be together, to figure out how to forgive each other, to find happiness amongst their family troubles.

I did like this book but it wasn't anything special or stand out in the myriad of ya road trip novels.

*I received an eARC from Netgalley*

The Geography of Lost Things was certainly an emotional roller coaster. Ali, our protagonist, is given her father's old car when he dies and finds a buyer a few hours away willing to pay a hefty sum for the vehicle. There's only one problem... Ali can't drive stick shift, but her ex-boyfriend, Nico, can. Ali enlists Nico to help drive her to Crescent City, beginning a road trip full of both grief and joy.

I can't remember the last time I cared so much about a protagonist's story. Any person who has a strained or distant relationship with their parent will find the struggles in the book very real. Of course, some suspension of disbelief is required for the story to work (some road trip necessities are left out, perhaps to save time), but overall I found that they did not detract from the story. I would highly recommend it to anyone even slightly interested!

I'm a big fan of Jessica Brody after reading The Chaos of Standing Still so I was very excited to pick this up and it didn't disappoint at all. What a beautiful way to express the power of forgiveness, as well as the different values we place on the items in our lives. This story is about Ali who is about to leave for college and facing a move away from the home she once shared with her mother (and briefly her father). When her a surprise inheritance arrives, Ali decides to take off on an adventure road trip to find what she is looking for in her life. Nico, ex boyfriend and secret keeper ends up coming along for the ride and the story moves forward quickly from there. A great cast of characters, this story left me with a strong lesson about the way we value things in our lives. I loved the concept of trading that is used in the story and the character growth Ali goes through is very realistic. I will continue to get excited about books by Jessica Brody! Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely LOVE this book. It was enjoyable from beginning to end.
Ali is in financial trouble and is losing her childhood home if she can't come up with a hefty sum of money. Her father recently passed away and has left her a 1968 firebird convertible. She puts it up on Craigslist and a car collector offers more than enough money for it. There's just one problem. She can't drive stick and her ex-boyfriend can. Thus begins an adventure of a lifetime, which starts out at a 5 hour road trip and turns into so much more.
I found so much of this story to be enthralling and I was zipping through the pages to see where Ali and Nico were headed next. Ali is very hesitant to start the trip with her ex-boyfriend because they left so much up in the air when they broke up. You discover so much on their road trip, including why they broke up and that they clearly still have feelings for each other. Of course, there's a lot to the story that could be fixed with better communication but I'm not going to hold it against them. There's a nice simmering tension that lasts through much of the book that doesn't disappoint, Nico suggests that they begin trading up items to make the tip more interesting and to see if they can get more money. This part is probably my favorite part of the story. It's a unique adventure and I loved seeing what they traded, where they had to go, and just how far it got them. They run into big problems and you feel their pain right along with them. The reveals make your heart crack just a little bit and you want to reach through the pages to comfort them.
Intertwined with the current story are flashbacks of Ali's time with her father. He was not the greatest man and it's clear she was conflicted in her feelings for him with her memories. It wasn't my favorite part of the story, only because it detracts from the present adventure. I did also find that while there was a deadline to needing money, there wasn't as much of a sense of urgency as I had hoped. We have one conversation from the mother in the beginning and we never hear from her again. It seems odd that she never checks in on her daughter once throughout the story. Ali has only one change of clothes and Nico has none but they never talk about needing other clothes. They're on the road for a few days and I definitely would want to change. This is nitpicking because I enjoyed everything else enough for it to earn 4 stars.

The Geography of Lost Things was the contemporary book I didn’t know I needed. I truly loved this story. I think anyone who has a strained relationship with a parent should read this book. The author writes such a raw, realistic interpretation of an estranged child and parent relationship. She also expertly conveys how this estrangement can affect the child and their behavior.

At its core, this story is about how the relationships between us and our parents can shape us in positive and negative ways. Ali’s father, Jackson, left her and her mom for the first time when she was 9 years old. The second time he left was when she was 12 years old. At first she was too young to understand what his leaving meant. She believed him when he said his job as a roadie for his favorite band, Fear Epidemic, was extremely important. But, when he left for the second time with only a post-it on the fridge proclaiming, “I’m sorry, I had to” Ali realized she was not as important to him as the band. Needless to say, as a result of this Ali fiercely guards her heart and she cannot tolerate anyone lying to her like her father did.

This book starts after Jackson, Ali’s father, has died. But, even though he may not be physically on the Earth anymore he is still wreaking havoc on Ali and her mom. Over the years, Jackson had taken out credit cards in her mom’s name and maxed them all out. Now, Ali and her mom’s house is going to be foreclosed on in a week--unless they can somehow wrangle 25,000 dollars. Ali’s mom has accepted that they will just have to move to an apartment complex, but Ali refuses to give up her home. So, when a guy comes by with the deed of her father’s most prized possession, his 1968 Firebird 400 Convertible, Ali’s first thought is to sell it. After she puts the ad on Craigslist, she realizes that this car is worth 30,000 dollars. Finally, Jackson is helping her instead of causing her more pain! The only problem is that the seller is 5 hours away in Crescent City and the Firebird is a stick-shift. Ali needs someone who can drive stick-shift...and the only person she knows is her ex, Nico.

The Geography of Lost Things is the perfect summer read! It’s a road-trip full of self-discovery, healing, acceptance, grief, and forgiveness. Ali and Nico both let down their guards for the first time with each other. They both learn how to trust each other after that trust has been seemingly broken. Most of all, Ali learns that there is more to her father than she initially thought.

Ahhh, word’s can’t accurately describe how much I enjoyed this book. I was surprised by how much I loved it. I connected with Ali and Nico easily; their pain was mine just as their joy was mine. I felt nearly every single emotion possible while reading this book: amusement, joy, sadness, anger, annoyance, and giddy. I cannot recommend this book enough. The message of this book is so important; sometimes the things we believe can be wrong, sometimes we judge someone too harshly, and sometimes we turn into the thing we fear most as a way to protect ourselves from being hurt.