This novel didn’t work for me. I never got emotionally invested in the characters. I like being clear about what outcome I’m rooting for, but because I never cared about the characters and it was unclear whether I was hoping Joy worked things out with Mark or Dylan, that never happened.

Joy is driving from California where she just finished college to New York, where her fiancé Mark lives. Along the way, she’s crossing off her older sister’s bucket list. Joy feels responsible for Judy’s death, and dressing in the 50s style her sister was fond of and listening to 50s music while checking off the things her sister wanted to do makes her feel less guilty. It doesn’t take a psychic to figure out that Joy needs to forgive herself for making a dumb mistake when she was young, and living her sister’s life’s goals will never bring her back.

Along the way, she meets an angry, talented musician. She knows Dylan doesn’t want to be performing at dive bars across America because he has terrible stage fright. He much prefers writing songs and selling them to people who like to perform or discovering talent and helping those folks make it in the music industry. He won’t tell her why he has to drive across the country doing this, although once he finally does, you realize it was a stupid thing he kept secret and he should have just told her straight away. We’re told about how hot they are for each other, but I never felt it.

Even though he knows she’s engaged, they fall for each other along the way, but Joy still feels obligated to marry Mark because she promised him he would.

I’ve liked other books by Lonsdale, but not this one.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel, which RELEASES JULY 7, 2020.

I declare this book to be one of the greatest books of 2020! I fell in love with Joy and Dylan throughout this captivating story that has all the feels! I love being apart of the Tiki Lounge and I thank Kerry Lonsdale for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book! Highly recommend!

I was honored to be chosen to receive an ARC of this book, and also be part of Team #SideTrip. Thank you so very much to Kerry Lonsdale, the author, Lake Union publishing company and NetGalley for the ARC.

The story of Joy and Dylan was an amazing read (and ride); I was very impressed with the way the author went back and forth for each chapter, not only just between Joy and Dylan, but with Joy and Dylan in the past, and then also currently.

I love that Joy was completing her cross country trip in memory of her sister, and what her sister's bucket list was, but I truly felt her heart break through the pages each time she marked off one of the items on the list. While the author didn't go into a lot of how Joy felt when she finished an item and marked it off, just be some of the language in the paragraphs around this, you could 'feel' the heartache that Joy has for doing this for her sister.

I was intrigued on how this book would play out, considering it was spanning a decade, however this was completed elegantly and really kept me intrigued on the whole story line. At the time that I got to the point of the book where my emotions kicked in and I started to cry, I was able to turn the page and realize that I needed to reel those emotions in and just keep reading. If there was an option to give 10 stars, I definitely would.

I love reading the books that this author writes, and I can't believe that I was chosen to be a part of reading, reviewing and letting all of my other friends know about this new book coming in July. Thank you again, Kerry Lonsdale, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley.

This book was a LOT of fun. I read it over several days on the train, and it made the commute fly by. The characters felt real, and I was so invested in the friendship and tension between Joy and Dylan, that I walked into a stranger on the street while reading a chapter I couldn't put down (sorry). This story covered some heavy themes of coping with grief, growing into adulthood and living your live in the present. The book took me through a wave of emotions, and I truly felt like I was on a road trip with these characters. I kept casting the characters in my head, because it felt like I was watching a movie unfold. Very very fun read, great for a plane ride or a night in with a glass of wine, and as with all Kerry Lonsdale books, I highly recommend it!!

Oh. My. God.
Kerry Lonsdale had outdone herself.
Side Trip is a book i will never forget.
Joy and Dylan are characters I'll never forget Andi wish I could experience e their story for the first time all over again. There thumbs up. Ten gold stars.

Joy Evers is living a lie…..
Since she was thirteen, when her sister dies in a car accident Joy has lived with survivor’s guilt, and has set herself the goal of living her life as her sister would have lived it, that's why she is with her sister’s bucket list on a dinner on Route 66

Dylan Westfield’s car has broken-down in some town between LA and Flagstaff, that's where he sees Joy, there's something about her that catches his eye.

She has a car, they both go to the same place, what can go wrong?....... but Joy is engaged and is going to meet her fiancé.

Wow! this story broke my heart only to then revived it back to life with an electric shock! OMG those last chapters were everything! I was reading them with blurry eyes.
You’ve done it again Kerry (standing ovation here)
First of all, I want to listen to Joyride so so bad! and the entire album too!

I loved Joy and Dylan, their characters were amazing, I felt for them, the story is not only about love, but of family, of trust, of being honest with ourselves, of taking the path that makes US happy and most important, forgiveness, so many times I wanted to go into the book and put some sense into both of them.
The alternate stories and flashbacks on both sides were very clean, I loved every page.

Kerry I don't know if I'm wrong, but there were things that reminded me parts of some my favorite movies, like The Bachelor with Chris O'Donnell (because of the will) and An Affair to Remember, thank you for that.

It’s a highly recommended book! It will be released on July 7, 2020


Thanks to Kerry, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity yet again to read an advance copy of Kerry’s.

Grateful to the author and publisher for an ARC of this beautiful book ! What at emotional roller coaster ! Joy is on a road trip to hopefully dissolve her grief and Dylan is on one due to obligation. Long story short, Dylan's car dies. He meets Joy and they decide to go on this JoyRide together. What can go wrong ? I laughed, I cried, and then I cried some more. This is not just a romantic love story. It is a story of grief, disappointment and choices. And where those choices will lead you . I cannot recommend this book enough. Kerry Lonsdale has outdone herself with this spectacular novel.

Side Trip is a roller coaster ride of love, loss, secrets, and surprises -- from start to finish! Lonsdale remains a true master storyteller as proven in all her previous offerings. Side Trip is one of her best yet and surely went disappoint her readers, new and old alike. Highly recommend!!

OMG!
Kerry has done it again. Kerry's best book yet!
This book was amazing. Side Trip had a bit of a twist at the end.
Awesome story and I couldn't put it down.
I definitely recommend Kerry Lonsdale's books!
Thank you to Netgalley and the Kerry Lonsdale for the early copy.

Side Trip is such an amazing read, I feel like my review isn't going do it justice. Joy Evers was involved in an accident as a teen that resulted in the loss of her older sister Judy. That tragedy holds a terrible secret that Joy hasn't shared with anyone, instead, carrying the baggage with her and living out Judy's dreams while putting her own on hold. That spurs her to take a road trip on Route 66, something Judy always wanted to do, while Joy's moving from California to be with her fiance in New York. Dylan Westbrook, son of a famous musician, is just trying to meet the stipulations of his father's will so that he can get his record label off the ground. Unfortunately for him that includes traveling Route 66 and playing in all of the small dives his dad did before he made it big. Dylan's already determined this is going to be the worst trip of his life, not only does he despise performing, he can't use his cellphone and his car has broken down near the California Arizona border. Now he needs a ride, trying his luck he makes a deal with Joy.

I'm a Kerry Lonsdale fan and have been for a couple of years now, I've never read a book by her that wasn't fantastic and Side Trip definitely did not disappoint. It's been a while since I've read something that I just couldn't put down and NEEDED to know what was going to happen next. Everything about this book drew me in, the characters, their backstories, the dialogue, the tension, it was all so beautiful. It's not in chronological order, going back and forth between during and after the road trip. My heart was equally broken for both Joy and Dylan, Joy not just for the loss of her sister but because of the baggage that she carried because of it, and also the feelings of inadequacy she had before (and after) her sister died. Dylan for his dad and the way he treated him and his mom, the conditions he grew up in and his own set of baggage that caused. Around the 95% point, I wasn't sure I could finish the book, it was so brutal, but I'm SO GLAD I did finish. Side Trip is a phenomenal book, about love, life, loss, forgiveness and letting go. I can not recommend it enough.

I am literally speechless after reading this book. It was amazing . My heart is pounding right now as I absorb what I read. I laughed , I cried both happy and sad tears while reading this . I love all of Kerry Lonsdales books but this one takes the cake by far. Cannot wait to see what she has in store for her readers next . This is a must read book. I loved the characters and felt like I was right there with them.

This is a contemporary romance that is unlike any other book in this genre that I have ever read. It was light, humorous, mysterious and just plain fun to read! Joy Evers is going on a cross-country road trip from CA to NYC when she meets Dylan Westfield at a small diner in Arizona. Dylan’s car has broken down, and on the spur of the moment, Joy invites him to share her ride with her. They establish rules for their road trip that were spontaneously made but which made a big difference in their 10-day road trip acquaintance. Rule 1: No last names. Rule 2: Whenever one wants to go on a side trip, then they both must agree to go. Rule 3: What happens on the road stays on the road.

I really enjoyed the two points of view, that of Dylan and that of Joy. I looked forward to both equally because both added to the story in such an imaginative way! There were also two timelines, during the road trip (called before) and after the road trip. The books is not just a fluffy love story either since it makes you think. Do you need to plan out your life, and what if your plans change? Should everyone have a bucket list? Joy was using her deceased sister Judy’s bucket list when she met Dylan. Fate or accident? The entire plot was woven together so intricately well that the two stories of the main characters meshed perfectly. This is the perfect read for laughing, thinking and listening to some good music along the trip down life’s road, with unexpected turns and stops that will have you wanting more, even at the end!

Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Kerry Lonsdale's books always make me run the gamut of emotions, and Side Trip was no different. Side Trip may just replace the Everything series as my favorite Lonsdale book to date! I could not read this book fast enough because I needed to know what happens for Joy and Dylan.

Joy sets off on a road trip from California along Route 66, determined to cross every item off her deceased sister Judy's bucket list. While stopped at a diner, she meets Dylan, a songwriter who's car has died and is traveling in the same direction as Joy. Dylan convinces Judy to allow him to travel with her, and they set off on a 10 day road trip from California to New York. Once they reach New York, they will go there separate ways, but as they travel cross country and exchange stories and experiences together, their feelings for each other begin to grow. Can Joy easily forget these 10 days and live her life with her fiancé Mark in New York? Has Dylan been wrong in his thought about relationships?

I loved the characters of Joy and Dylan. You feel their pain and happiness right alongside them, and you cannot help rooting for them. The book follows Joy and Dylan all along their road trip and on the 10 years that follow and the story easily flows with the back and forth.

And that ending, I don't want to say much because of fear of spoiling, but Lonsdale punches you in the gut. I did shed some tears, but keep reading because the epilogue is worth it!

Thank you Kerry Lonsdale, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for an ARC.

Gripping. Lovely. Heartbreaking. Redeeming. Sweet. Breathtaking. I loved it. Immensely. Sitting and crying, and then the last few chapters hit. Read it. You’ll be glad you did.

SIDE TRIP by Kerry Lonsdale is a beautifully-written and heart-wrenching story of family, loss and love that held me captive from beginning to end. I simply could not put this book down! Still haunted by the tragic death of her sister, Judy, Joy sets off on a cross-country trip from California to New York following Route 66 with the plan of crossing off all the things on her sister’s bucket list. Her fiancé, Mark and her new life await her once she reaches New York. Not long into her trip, while stopped at a diner, she meets Dylan Westfield, a singer and songwriter who happens to be traveling the same route as Joy. Against her better judgment, she allows Dylan to travel with her, but there is a catch. They agree they will go their separate ways when they reach New York. They also agree not to exchange last names and not to share the details of their trip (and side-trips) with anyone. What follows is a heart-wrenching and emotional journey filled with suspense, romance and plenty of drama. The story is told over a period of ten years from both Joy and Dylan’s point of view, alternating seamlessly between the time before and after their 10-day trip, finally arriving in the present. I loved the characters and the music theme throughout the book. SIDE TRIP is an unforgettable story that I can’t recommend highly enough! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the honor of reading an early copy.

Pure perfection! I am so sad to have finished this book because I want more of Joy and Dylan! Two strangers are embarking on cross country trips for two very different and personal reasons. Joy is moving cross country to move in with her fiance but also to fulfill her deceased sister, Judy's, bucket list. Dylan is traveling cross country to fulfill an obligation he has. When his car breaks down, they travel together across the country on Route 66.

Joy is a surfer chick with a big secret and bigger weight on her shoulders. She has horrible guilt and is attempting to ease it all by checking off items on her sister's bucket list. She's unhappy with her past and not particularly thrilled with the future that awaits her either. Dylan is just what she needs (and vice versa) and their chemistry is off the charts! The emotions that I felt throughout the book were incredible because of the brilliant writing. I love every character that Kerry created.

I don't want to say much about the ending because I don't want to give anything away...but what an emotional rollercoaster that was!!!

I cannot say enough good things about this book. Like every book that Kerry Lonsdale writes, Side Trip is a wonderful read! I'm proud to be a Tiki and am thrilled to have received an ARC of this fabulous book. All thoughts are my own.

Wow! Another great book from Kerry!! This is a book that you cannot put down!! This book will have you wanting to know more!!! Great job again Kerry!!

I have to say I have liked all of the books I have read by Kerry Lonsdale.Each new book she tops herself. Side triptakes you to all the stops, you go through feelings from one end of the spectrum to the other and back. This book starts out Joy is starting a cross country trip to fulfill her deceased sisters bucket list. This book is that but so much more in "side trips". You will love Joy and Dylan, you will cheer for them, want to yell and shake them, just want to hug them and cry with them. To paraphrase one of the great old songs "what a long,strange trip it's been".
In many reviews I see people state a book "hit all the Feels" now I know exactly what they meant. This books does that and more. Take some time after you finish, just digest....and ponder....

This story tells a tale about 2 people who meet in a diner and they drive across the country along Route 66 over 10 days with a bucket list of things to check off along the way. A very different story and a wonderful break from all the psychological thrillers I’ve been reading lately. I fell in love with the characters, the story line, all of it! Cannot wait for her next book in 2021. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

So many thanks to the author, Kerry Lonsdale, for allowing me to be a part of the promotional team for this book, and providing me with a free, digital ARC!
I tend to read psychological fiction, suspense and creepy horrors; these types of novels have always been my genre of choice. It was only recently that I started getting into women’s fiction novels, and Kerry Lonsdale’s “Everything We Keep” novel series was actually where that journey began for me.
Joy is still reeling from the death of her sister when she was a teenager, and she decides to combat her grief by completing her sister’s “bucket list”. When her fiancée relocates to New York, Joy jumps at the chance to make the cross-country road trip, hopefully checking off her sister’s dreams as she goes. At a diner in Arizona, Joy meets Dylan, a songwriter with a broken down car and a goal of his own - to perform at various venues from one coast to the other in order to fulfill his father’s dying wishes. The two end up road tripping together, each trying to complete their own individual lists. As the two veer off on various “side trips” to check off their obligations, the two begin to learn about each other and romantic feelings begin to grow. But with only ten days together, do they really know each other? Could what they have be worth risking it all?
Both Joy and Dylan are complex characters, and they bring about a wide range of emotions in the reader. I sympathized with Joy while at the same time I was completely frustrated with her. I liked Dylan’s wit but at the same time was annoyed by his arrogance. This, though, is why they are so likable. They are not the usual cheesy, picture-perfect characters that romance novels generally feature. They are dysfunctional and flawed, but they are perfect together.
I thought I had predicted how this novel would end, but the twist toward the end was one I didn’t see coming. It leaves a reader thinking of all the roads not taken, and the choices we have made along the way that brought us to where we are.
This emotionally charged road trip story is thought provoking, full of heart-warming characters and beautiful settings. Joy and Dylan are wonderful characters to get to know and I hope to see more of them in the future!