I was fortunate to receive an advanced reader's copy of this book from Kerry Lonsdale. I devoured the book in two days. It would have been one, if obligations in life hadn't gotten in the way.

The prevailing theme in the book is "What If". How many times have we asked ourselves just that question?

***Semi-Spoiler Alert***

Joy and Dylan take a 10 day road trip - starting out as complete strangers, becoming so much more. Sometimes it's the complete stranger that allows us to open up about ourselves, sharing details when "what happens in the car stays in the car".

I love how Kerry makes us love these two characters through their faults and struggles. Joy, grappling with the death of her sister and the guilt she feels that compels her to try to live her sister's life for her. Dylan, who feels he's doomed to repeat the relationship errors of his father and battles with a performer's nightmare - stage fright.

There's a huge twist towards the end of the book that brought this reader to tears because of the bond I felt with these characters.

The story, set on Route 66, in a convertible Beetle, with a musical theme just feels fun. I'd love to hop in the car and make my way across the country - taking a side trip here and there. So happy to have gotten to experience this Side Trip!

Wow! Another great book by Kerry Lonsdale! It kept me reading from page one, the only thing that kept me form reading it faster was just not having time. That ending....what a shock times two! Loved it!

This was the first book in a long time that I read within one day. I am a huge fan of Kerry Lonsdale, and her latest did not disappoint. This was one of the best love stories o have read in such a long time. It had depth, sweetness, and humor wrapped up in an intimate and quickly developing relationship. The surprise at the end was interesting and shows the talent that Kerry has as an author. I highly recommend this book!

OMG!!! Kerry never disappoints! This happens to be my favorite book of her so far, which isn't saying much because i have loved every single book she's written so far. I fell so in love with the characters in this book that i had to pull myself back to reality most times, the plot, the twists, everything was amazing! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

I've read all of Kerry's books, and this book is by far my absolute favorite. Everything you expect from a Kerry Lonsdale novel is in this book--fantastic characters, great setting, a story that draws you in so much that you can't put the book down--but this one really stands out. I absolutely loved Joy and Dylan. I felt their connection, and I even felt like I was on the road trip with them. I loved all the music references and "side trips" along the way. The character development and depth to these characters made them so easy to relate to, and get attached to! I felt like Joy and Dylan were real people. It was so hard to put the book down and even harder once I finished the book because I didn't want to leave these characters.

Kerry expertly alternated between time periods in this book. This format can be hit or miss for me and Kerry absolutely nailed it. The book includes flashbacks, the road trip itself, and the years after the road trip and it will all tug at your heart. It's such a beautiful story that will leave you emotional and thinking about the story long after you finish the book. More than a love story, this book is about forgiving yourself, making peace with the past, taking chances, and asking, what if?

This is hands down Kerry's best book yet--and deserves all the stars!

Kerry not only wrote another great book, but I think this one might be my favorite of hers!! There were secrets, betrayal, love, mystery.... and definitely some HUGE “wow” moments!!! A complete emotional rollercoaster of a journey! This will be a MUST READ on your summer reading list!! In the mean time, pick up her other books, I’ve loved them all!

This was just okay for me. The previous books I’ve read from this author were more mystery-themed and this was more romantic. But the ending was absurd and not realistic at all so it really made the book fall flat for me.

I've read most of Kerry Lonsdale's books, and I've enjoyed all of them. This one is no different. This novel is about two individuals who meet up in a diner and drive across the United States along Route 66 over a week and a half journey with Joy's deceased sister's bucket list to accomplish along the way. It was a much different book than I was anticipating and a nice change from my typical genres that I read. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline, as well as the plot, which were well thought-out and accomplished. I look forward to seeing what else she has plans in the future. I definitely recommend this book.

I would like to thank the publisher/author/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! It's been awhile since a book grabbed my attention and heartstrings like this one and I couldn't tell you the last time I read a book within a 2 day time frame but I just couldn't walk away from this one. Joy and Dylan are loveable characters, Kerry does such an awesome job of building the relationship along the road trip and as the relationship grows so do the characters. The ending about did me in! Thank you Kerry Lonsdale and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this amazing book!

Another hit from Kerry!

Joy is on a road trip driving along Route 66 from California towards her fiancé in New York. In her pocket is a list- a bucket list of her deceased sister. Joy is taking the trip that Judy was going to-in her honor.... But holding onto a big secret.

Dylan is the son of a famous singer. He just wants to write songs for others to perform. He's headed to Chicago-playing in dive bars along the way. He's doing this to honor his father's last wishes. He doesn't want to but there's a secret he's holding onto.

They find themselves together. Taking side trips along the way. What happens is a great friendship and more.

The story tore my heart in two and then mended it in a very interesting twist. It made me cry out of sadness and then out of happiness.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Side trip
Kelly Lonsdale
Release date 7-11-20

What a beautiful story chock filled with resentment, forgiveness, love and loss. This may officially be the best book of 2020 that I read.
We follow Dylan and Joy who meet and travel across country together. They are both jaded, and have secrets they are not quite ready to share. Joy is a women I could easily relate to and would love to have in my corner. She is at a crossroad, she is heartbroken and needs to find her way, she is devastated at what life has handed her..... Dylan also has turmoil in his life and trying to work through it and figure out his own path. Their lives intersect at a very pivotal time. The characters become alive, I found myself wondering what if..... many times during the book.

I believe in destiny and think certain people come in and out of your life with a true purpose. Kerry Lonsdale does not disappoint. She makes you question falling in love so quickly while also questioning timing.

Can love last when you are broken? Such a moving story that will stay with me for a long time. Go into this book blind, I found it complex and would NEVER of guessed the ending. A romantic read filled with suspense and a longing to believe everything happens for a reason.

Thank you the NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me the ARC for my honest review of It Side Trip.

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Just when I thought I couldn’t love an author any more than I do, Kerry delivers AGAIN.
What a JOYRIDE I just went on.
Joy and Dylan might possibly be my favorite fictional duo.
I just finished this book and my head is still spinning, so I will update this review when I can formulate words again.
Just know that I LOVED THIS STORY.

Joy and Dylan have a complicated story. They meet as they both take a road trip for differing reasons. Dylan is fulfilling a request and really doenst want to be there, and Joy is grimly following in her sister's bucket list footsteps.
I found the side trips the most interesting, and wasnt expecting Joy to be leaping into the air from a great height.
The ending was unexpectedly gentle.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy of this book.

Kerry broke my heart. Ripped it right out of my chest, shattered it, stomped on it for good measure, and then put the pieces back together. What. A. Trip! I cried real tears, something no other book has ever made me do, for Joy and Dylan's story. Their journey, both individually and together, is something so relatable, so understandable, that I forget this was fiction, a book. I didn't realize how much I had come to care for Joy and Dylan until I had literal tears streaming down my face. I haven't read a book in one sitting in YEARS. Joy and Dylan grabbed me right from page one. 10/5 stars.

Love this surprising and twisting love story about two lost and lonely people offered a chance at happiness. Will they take it....or let life make those choices for them? A highly romantic and heartwrenching story by a writer who rarely takes the expected route.

Side Trip is a rollercoaster of emotions that will leave you thinking long after you finish reading. Joy and Dylan meet by chance, each with their own secrets and regrets and on a journey to whatever might come next. Their connection is undeniable though and their brief, unexpected adventure changes both of their lives in unexpected ways. Told in both present day and flashback, Kerry Lonsdale does a remarkable job of creating characters, settings and relationships that produce all the feels for readers.

Kerry does it again! This is the ride of a lifetime, that will grip you until the very end. Full of love and loss, secrets and adventure, this is a must read for 2020!

Not that I need any excuse to cozy up and read ... but these freezing temps and this ARC - thanks to @netgalley - were just two more reasons to stay inside and read on this 🇨🇦 long weekend. 📖.
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I had this book on my TBR for this upcoming summer but was so excited to be able to dive in ahead of its release in July. The story follows Joy and Dylan as their paths meet while on their own cross country road trips - both fueled by grief and loss. The story covers a decade from when they first meet and continues as their lives evolve - both with and without each other. It’s a love story - not always my fave - but it is also a story of “what if’s” and “what could be” and moving on from your past. 🤔.
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This was a fast and engaging read. Don’t go into this expecting a thought provoking book ... but it will grab you and the twists close to the end will definitely keep you to the very last page. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫.
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Thanks to @netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this copy!

All I can say is WOW! I went from reading a book about gang violence to this sweet romance that left me teary-eyed as I ran through the gamut of emotions that only a very powerful novel can evoke. Having loved Lonsdale's previous books. I knew I was in for a great story but this one has so many surprises! Joy is on a road trip down Highway 66 when she meets Dylan whose car has broken down and needs a ride. Both are attracted to each other but Joy is engaged and so they agree to several conditions that will keep them both "safe." But of course each of them harbors painful secrets about their pasts that will tug at your heart strings. As they take several "side trips" on their journey, we witness grief, sorrow, heartbreak, passion, and ultimately the power of redemption. Keep your tissues handy for this one!

Side trip is simply amazing. It can be described as Simply Elegant!!
This book differs from all of Kerrys other books, If you are used to the wow factor in the 3rd chapter, you will get the wow factor much later. But having said that the WOW factor is sooooo WOWful!! This is a love story pure and simple with a bunch of twists and turns, and the ending is just so wonderful. I laughed, cried, ok cried a lot, and in the end was just a joyful pile of elated delight. This book is a major winner!!