There’s nothing I love more than a road trip, so when I saw the context of this book I was immediately excited to read it. This story is about joy who loses her sister and decides to take on her Route 66 bucket list. This book id about romance, family drama / trauma, music, and finding what you really want. Dylan and Joy were a delight to read about - I wish we could hear Dylan’s music in real life! Overall it was a great women’s fiction / contemporary romance that was full of heart, a little joy, a little sadness, and a lot of love.

I don't think I have ever read a book quite like this. Side Trip is an engrossing, interesting, and at times, heartbreaking novel about the impact of guilt. Joy's sister dies when she is young, so Joy recreates a trip that her sister planned along Route 66. Along the way, she meets Dylan, a musician who is on his own journey along Route 66. Together, they explore love, adventure, heartbreak, and the meaning of forgiveness.

4.5 stars

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

First off, I should say I LOVE Kerry Lonsdale! And I love her books however.....

I have to say I have a love/hate relationship with this book. Joy sets out on a road trip to check off items on her sister's bucket list when she meets Dylan. Dylan has his own reasons for driving across the country and when his car breaks down, the two end up making the journey together.

Without giving anything away, I almost didn't finish the book. Finish the book!

Green Gables Book Reviews thoughts-Kerry Lonsdale is an author you know you can always count on for a great book! Her topics are always relatable, the characters become real, and the books stick with you. Side Trip is another win! Emotional, realistic, thought-provoking, and wow are words I would use to describe it to friends. Side Trip is a book that will make you sad a few times, mad, curious, and leave you in wonder about the choices we make in our lives.

“Kerry Lonsdale is an author you know you can always count on for a great book! Her topics are always relatable, the characters become real, and the books stick with you. Side Trip is another win!”-Green Gables Book Reviews

About Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale

When a significant change is about to happen in her life, Joy knows that there is something she needs to do first. Before she moves with her fiancé to New York, she has to complete the bucket list her sister never got to finish before she died. Her fiancé doesn’t seem to completely understand this need Joy has but he agrees. She starts on her journey, list in hand. Determined to do it all, to do what her sister couldn’t. Route 66 and her convertible await.

Dylan and Joy end up at the same diner. They start talking, and Dylan needs a ride to New York. He is a musician with a broken-down vehicle that needs to catch a flight in New York. Joy is going there anyway, so they make a deal. He pays for the gas, but no last names, what happens on the road stays on the road, and if a side trip comes up, they both need to agree. Easy, right?

They learn a lot about each other on this trip, and they share deep thoughts, fears, worries, conversations that aren’t always had. They develop a friendship, a wondering, and go down a road they may never have taken. And, at the airport, they make one more promise that impacts them both. Thinking of the what if, wondering about choices, wondering if they are thinking about each other years later. Then, it is time to fulfill the last promise. Will they both remember it?

On Kerry Lonsdale’s website, you will find discussion questions for Side Trip, a great addition to your book club book list. It would lead to amazing group discussions!

I did not finish this book! Couldn't get into it and decided it just wasn't for me. I've enjoyed some of her other books but just not this one.

Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale

A very enjoyable interesting story touching on many difficult topics handled beautifully, they will make you laugh and cry all at once.

Very interesting, likeable characters if at times a tad unbelievable.

Makes me want to go on my own road trip on Route 66.

DNF - did not finish. I decided not to keep reading this romance title. It was not for me. Thank you, publisher, and NetGalley for the early copy!

This book just was not for me - I gave it several tries yet never could get invested in the story. I am likely in the minority with this opinion as some of my friends loved it.

This is probably my fave Kerry Lonsdale book. Loved the story and the AMAZING twist at the end. I love when authors surprise you with something new. I'm also thrilled that she wrote a stand-alone novel. I'm not a big series fan, with a few exceptions, so this was a welcome read! Links to follow.

I must say that I truly enjoy Lonsdale's writing and her ability to tell a story. This story has heart, loss, and a wonderfully addictive quality as the reader takes the journey with these two characters.

Light, romantic and at times a tad unrealistic~ but hey, who wouldn't want to pick up a hot musician on a road trip through Route 66? Especially when "whatever happens on the side trip, stays on the side trip"!
Joy is on a mission to complete her deceased sisters "bucket list", when she meets Dylan at a diner on Route 66- where his car broke down. Ultimately this is a story about "What if's", with an ending that sure surprised me! Would be a good vacation book.

I was completely enthralled with this book and it's main characters, Joy and Dylan. I loved the what-if aspect of the plot and the journey the characters and story took us on.

Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale

Brief Summary: Joy leaves California on a cross-country drive with her deceased sister’s Route 66 bucket list in hand; fiancée awaiting her in New York. At one of her first stops, she meets Dylan, a musician on his own cross-country mission. They agree to drive together with an agreed upon list of rules; what follows in a touching love story. I’m a longtime Kerry Lonsdale fan and when I first heard about the premise of this book, I was not very interested. I was so wrong; I absolutely loved this book.

Highlights: I was quickly and unexpectedly sucked into this book. Joy and Dylan are very raw, relatable, and likeable characters and as a couple. I loved the themes of living a life of comfort and expectation or living the life you want. Do you live your life for someone else or do you live for yourself? Forgiveness of others and yourself is another salient theme.

Explanation of Rating: 5/5; this is one of my favorite Kerry Lonsdale books, comparable to her fabulous Everything series.

Psychology Factors: Kerry Lonsdale has a tradition of writing on mental health issues; which she continues with Dylan’s anxiety and panic attacks. I thought it was an interesting aspect of the story and she portrayed it realistically.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

I can think of very few recent novels that have completely gutted me. Kerry Lonsdale’s Side Trip tore me to shreds. It is an outstanding, heartfelt, emotional novel that is not to be missed. A bit of a love triangle story, with tragic repercussions that will keep you glued to the pages until the very end. I am raw, my husband was legitimately concerned when he saw how hard I was crying. Kudos, Kerry. Perhaps my favorite of hers to date!
I received this novel as an e-book ARC from #netgalley and the publisher
#sidetrip #kerrylonsdale

A light romantic read that didn't really surprise me but I enjoyed. I loved reading about their adventures on Route 66.

Normally I am a huge fan of Kerry! This novel fell short for me. I got 1/3 of the way into the book and I didn’t want to put it down. Dylan and Joy were so fun to read about and I wanted more of their happily ever after. Sadly at some point the book takes a turn and their road trip ends - as expected. From there the rest of the book didn’t make sense to me. I have no idea which ending was the “real” ending and depending on which ending it was I wasted pages and pages on something that didn’t happen. I guess it was interesting to see both sides of what could have happened. It was also slightly annoying Joy did everything for Judy because of the guilt she felt. All in all - this book fell a little short for me.

This has been my all time favorite book by Kerry!! The characters were amazing. It felt like you were on their trip with them. You will have every emotion going through your heart with this book.

Side Trip left me with all the feelings of love, loss, laughter and tears. For me, Joy’s journey started out slow but it certainly was worth the wait. After a few light hearted encounters and a several serious nights, I was hooked. I am ready for a side trip of my own. I recommend this book to all book lovers. Thank you Kerry Lonsdale. I can’t wait for your next adventure.

4.5 stars - I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love Kerry Lonsdale's writing and storytelling ability. I see a new story from her and it's an immediate one click. And this one is no different. While this one didn't have the angst that I've come to expect, I was immediately drawn into the characters and their backstories. It was so much fun to go on their road trip with them. Sure, I figured out their secrets pretty quickly, but not the whole story behind them. And then there was one final twist that was so very clever. I didn't see if coming. Kerry best be writing her next story, because I'm (im)patiently waiting.

Oh my heartstrings! I absolutely loved this book! I needed a warning for that ending - wow! A great book to remind you to live your life - tomorrow isn't promised so don't live with regrets or coulda, shoulda, woulda. A definite read that you will want to read in one sitting!