What a way to make a 6-hour plane flight go by quickly! Kerry drew me in from page one and I couldn't read fast enough to find out how Joy and Dylan's story would end. If you're looking for a little escapist romance, this is the perfect book for you.. Definitely recommend.

Side Trip by author Kerry Lonsdale took me on an emotional adventure which had me feeling swept away from the start all the way through to the ending.
Oh My Stars, I feel SHATTERED! Joy Evers is taking a sentimental journey in the memory of her sister, Judy. Joy has made plans to drive a convertible Beetle from her family home in California along the historic Route 66 which ends in Chicago. She will then travel on to New York and move in with her fiance', Mark. She never planned to pick up a musician who needed a ride. Joy has secrets she has kept for all the years since the night an accident took Judy's life. She kept a box of life lists Judy had hidden in a hatbox. Joy feels she needs to use this trip to fulfill the items on Judy's bucket list as a debt she owes her sister. Oh, how her plans get side-tracked along the way! Joy is not the only person carrying secrets and a load of self guilt from the past. What is Dylan running from as he needs to stop along the same historic route and perform in some of the most unlikely bars and dives? I won't post spoilers, but I have to let you know, this book will have you seeing a scenic drive in an unexpected way. I remembered my trip to the Grand Canyon, felt the crazy exciting thrill of a bungee jump off a bridge, danced with the joy of wonderful music, I cried with sorrow, and fell so madly in love. But all of life is on a crazy loop and Side Trip will leave the reader breathless!
Publication Date July 7, 2020
Thank you to Kerry Lonsdale, NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and post a review of this book.

Kerry Lonsdale does not disappoint with this romantic suspense drama that draws you in from page one. The alternating storylines tell the captivating tale of an unlikely duo driving cross country. One with a bucket list, the other with an obligation to fulfill, and both keeping secrets. As they embark on side trips along the route, their stories unfold and the true purpose behind the journey is revealed. Rich narrative, and complex characters create a surprising emotional roller coaster. It twists and turns, and just when you think the ride is over, there's one more final loop!
*Thank you Kerry Lonsdale, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for giving me the ARC in exchange for my honest review

What do I say about side trip? It was an amazing book. Kerry really knows how to keep her readers on there toes there was several spots where she keeps you on your toes I wish this book did not have to end. But they say all all good things must come to an end. I was so not expecting how the book ends but that is Kerry for you keeping her readers on there toes. Giving her readers curve balls after curve balls. Joy and Dylan are quite the pair. I hope someday inwill get to make my own side trips. This is definitely a must read

5* “What If” Stars

While reading the story of Joy and Dylan my emotions were all over the place, one minute I was laughing, and the next ugly tears were leaking down my cheek.

Dylan and Joy meet at a Diner on her road trip to New York where she is to meet up with her fiancé and start her new job. She is travelling solo along Route 66 and fulfilling her deceased sisters bucket list. When Dylan’s car breaks down, he convinces her, that with him tagging along to New York, it will be a road trip to remember and the best side trips she will ever experience. During their 10-day journey, family secrets are shared and their feelings for each other grow.

This story is about forgiveness and taking chances you never planned. It is about taking decisions that are right for you and not for others. It is a book that will keep you thinking, what if, if only!

Kerry has written such a beautiful and unforgettable story with characters you will fall in love with. I absolutely loved this book and will be reading it over again as there is so much to learn and absorb.

I have yet to read a book by Kerry that is not 5 Stars.

Many thanks to the Author and NetGalley for my copy to read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Amazing emotional I laughed I cried loved Joy & Dylan.Joys fulfilling her deceased sisters bucket list.Shes on a road trip meets Dylan whose car broke down a meeting that kept me turning the pages.Love this author .her books are so well written so involving.#netgalley#lakeunionpublishing

Wowza what an amazing book!!! This book makes you feel EVERYTHING!!! Laughter, big sloppy tears, sadness, and joy!!! Joy sets out to drive cross country completing her deceased sister's bucket list along the way. Along the way, she meets Dylan. He is also going to New York and his car is broken down. He offers to pay for gas if Joy will let him ride along with her. Road Trip is a book about what ifs. The story takes place over the course of 10 years and is told by both Joy and Dylan. I LOVED Joy! She is so real and authentic. You feel everything Joy does. I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing book and its wonderful characters! I devoured every precious word of this amazing book!!! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

Have you ever traveled Route 66—the historic highway that runs from California to New York? No? Me either, until I read Side Trip. Join Joy, a recent graduate, as she honors her deceased sister’s dreams when she embarks on a cross-country trip with her sister’s travel bucket list in hand: Drive cross country in a convertible, Do something spontaneous, Do something daring, Do something dangerous, Sleep under the stars, Dance in the rain, Make a new friend, Fall in love.

Make a new friend is crossed off quickly when Joy meets Dylan at diner, and with their “friendship” comes a few more rules for the trip: They don’t exchange last names, What happens on the road stays on the road, and If one of them wants to take a side trip, they both have to agree.

Kerry Lonsdale is a phenomenal writer. On this trip, you will fall in love, you will question the choices of your heart, you will take risks and you will play it safe, you will put the top down and get lost in some meaningful lyrics, and in the end you will have taken a trip—like all the best trips—that you wished never had to end.

I want to thank Kerry Lonsdale for giving me the opportunity to be an advanced reader of this unputdownable book. My opinions are my own and were not influenced from receiving this ARC. Side Trip is an adventure that I won’t soon forget.

Side Trip, Kerry Lonsdale

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (adult), Women's Fiction.

* sign * Women's fiction again, oh how I hate that outdated category. Its 2020, an outdated category.

Anyway, I love Kerry's stories, and was keen to see where this would take me. It was incredibly emotional, heartbreaking for both the young Joy and the person she is now. She's doing her dead sister's bucket list, mirroring what she thinks her sister wanted in life. Joy has her life planned to Judy's lists for her future, and they are pretty fixed but Joy feels she needs to follow them. I felt she was so entrenched in Judy's would-be life she has repressed her own wants and needs, its clear that she isn't enjoying things in the way she expected. There's no room for spontaneity in her life, its only whats on one of Judy's lists that's allowed. So what on earth happened to let Dylan on the trip with her? Well, blame Judy's list for that :-), fortunately it has things that push Joy out of her familiar zone and having Dylan along helps her cross things off the list.
Dylan is totally opposite to joy, on his own private trip, he's all for free spirit, no plans, spontaneity, his views are so opposite to Joys, and yet the two get on so well. I loved Dylan, was intrigued by his reasons for making the journey when it was so clear he hated what he was doing.

Both Joy and Dylan are in a way escaping from their pasts, affected by what happened then, even to the current day. The novel breaks into time periods, the past, the present and the future ( which is of course also the present). I don't usually like stories set out like this. I find it frustrating, as just as I'm desperate to know more then time zones jump, but here Kerry keeps it short so it works – and works well. I was in tears more than once, and towards the end I was devastated. Gutted. Ugly crying. I really didn't think that was coming, I almost stopped reading. I'm so glad I continued to the epilogue though – it was perfect. Wonderful. Satisfying. And cleverly done.

Its something I again don't usually like, have only seen it done as a kind of escape effect when writer seemed desperate to get the H out of a situation that seemed to have no answer. Here though, I should have kept in mind the plots premise of fate v the what if's.
“ What if Joy and Dylan had exchanged last names? What if he’d told her she made him believe love was worth the risk? And what if they hadn’t made that second deal when they couldn’t say goodbye?”
Its so important to bear that in mind and keep reading. I didn't and it wasn't until I re-read the description just before writing my review that I realised how intentional it was, and it made sense. Its a plot device I'm still not a fan of, but it works here. For me though it did mean I dropped half a star, as even though it works I just don't like that kind of mechanism for a story. Maybe if I'd realised at the time I was reading, rather than next day just prior to review. If I'd not been reviewing I wouldn't have read the description and realised that it was intentional, part of the “what if” premise that's integral to the story. That's my personal issues though, and of course others will feel very differently. A really emotional read.

Stars: four and a half. I'm being picky but I can't get past how easily I could have missed that a huge part of the story was intentional, and not just the plot device I've seen before and disliked.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

My road trip began yesterday and finished this evening. (I CLEARED THE DECKS and put another book on hold ;-) ) My freaking nervous system and heart!!! I won't say anything about the story's specifics. The title is very fitting, on many levels. Kerry Lonsdale did her "thing" (what I call your "twist") deftly. I don't know how her imagination does what it does, but I hope it keeps on doing it. ❤️❤️❤️

OMG!!! What a fantastic story! This book was so very good!! I loved it!!! It had that An Affair to Remember feel to it. ❤️I almost started crying towards the end. It had a bit of a twist at the end too. Definitely recommend her books!!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the early copy
I loved the cover too!!

I have been a huge fan of Kerry since I stumbled upon her books on Amazon. I've not missed one. I love her and her fantastic mind. But to date, THIS IS THE BOOK! This is the book that hit every sensory nerve in my body. Joy and Dylan will take everything you thought you knew about life and living, shake it up and sprinkle your thoughts everywhere.

Joy takes a trip to rid herself of guilt about her sisters death. Dylan is following his father's exact steps to stardom, albeit unwillingly.They meet at a diner on Route 66 and take a chance. They take chance at things they never saw coming. They take the best side trips that mold them into the people they never thought they could be. But what happens when fate takes over? What happens when you take the comfortable step in life instead of taking a chance? So much heartache, so much loss, so much wasted time.
If you're daring and want to break some rules, take a chance....Take some time to take a Side Trip with Joy, Dylan (and Kerry) It will leave you pondering some decisions you've made and question so many "what if's

Wow! I love this story. It's about promises kept, finding love when you least expect it and the power of forgiveness. You'll have a hard time putting this book down, it's that engrossing. I enjoyed the road trip along with Joy & Dylan and so will you!!

My heart ❤️ is still recovering. This book is the epitome of heartbreak, heart fluttering, heart ache, heart felt, and heart full. I loved every minute reading this book. My best friend and I have a tradition - call it a “deal” we both share. Since we are both serious book lovers - only certain ones make it into our Ribbon Book series. I buy them for her in hard copy so we can tie it around our other must read - must treasure - must pass down to our children and then grandchildren - books to read. I am so proud and happy to say this book - Side Trip - is now at the top of our stack of Ribbon Books. What a joyride through laugher, longing, and true love. Thank you Kerry for writing this phenomenal story. I will carry it with me always.

Side Trip is Fantastic unforgettable story! Take a ride on Route66 from California to New York. This is a journey you will not want to miss. Joy has her sister’s Route 66 bucket list and she plans to take this cross-country road trip to honor her deceased sister Judy, by doing it Judy’s way. She is determined to check off the bullet items along the way.

Dylan is a singer-songwriter whose car breaks down at a diner where he meets Joy. He is everything she is not moody, spontaneous and has a belief that love relationships are complicated.

They agree that Joy will drive him to New York and he will pay for gas. And 3 rules; no last names; what happens on the road stays on the road and if one of them wants to take a side trip they must both agree.

This story is about family secrets and how they can take you on unexpected routes. This love story will have you laughing, crying and screaming at the characters to make other choices. What if you took the risk to live your best life? I loved this book. I can not stop thinking about it. It will be a book you will want to read again and again.

Thank you Netgalley for my complimentary copy. The thoughts and opinions are my own!

Wow! This is an amazing book. My emotions were all over the place and that is a fantastic thing to say about a story. When the reader becomes so involved in caring about the characters, the situations happening, and the ultimate outcome, that shows the great skills of the author.

Joy at age 13 made a bad decision. That decision then was made worse by decisions others made. She did the best she could at that young age, but now as an adult, she carries the guilt of what happened inside her, not wanting to express her feelings or truly feel free to live her life.

The guilt is eating Joy’s spirit away and she cannot see a way to be rid of it. In an attempt to relieve some pain, she takes a road trip on Route 66. This was a life goal of her sister Judy and she had a list of things to do on the trip. The fact that Judy is not around anymore and cannot take the trip herself is part of Joy’s guilt.

Joy meets Dylan near the beginning of her journey on Route 66 and he also is carrying burdens with him. They agree to travel together in Joy’s convertible Bug. Their relationship begins as driving companions, to temporary friends, to much more over the ten days of the journey. They become a salve to each other, to heal the wounds of the past.

The details of the journey on Route 66 were so interesting to experience. I never have taken the trip, but now, I feel like I did. There is a strong theme of music being felt deeply in the soul and what a musician’s life is like in this story. That was so informative and enjoyable to me, since I love music.

I believe the core of the story is about self-forgiveness and living “your” best life. I think that might be the bravest thing to do. To live the life you want and to be strong enough to achieve the goals you desire.

I highly recommend this book! It will be released on July 7, 2020.

I am a huge fan of this author’s work and I think this is a wonderful addition to her collection. I want to thank Kerry Lonsdale and NetGalley for giving me the immense pleasure of being an advance reader. My review is my own opinion not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Omg!
Kerry has done it again.
I’ve laughed, I’ve cried (big fat ugly tears) and I have loved every minute of this journey..
Joy is travelling Route 66 to complete her dead sister Judy’s bucket list, before moving to New York to marry her fiancé Mark. She plans to cross of all the things Judy wanted to do in her memory.
Stooping at a roadside cafe she meets Dylan ,who is travelling the same route performing in various venues on the way. After hs car breaks down she agrees to give him a lift, as long as they agree to 3 rules: No last names, Whatever happens on the road stays on the road, and if one of them wants to take a side trip they both have to agree. They spend the next 10 days together before separating at JFK.
The story is told in both Joy and Dylan’s perspectives and weaves brilliantly between before and after

I would highly recommend. I’ve also loved listening to the Side Trip playlist that accompanies this book

Thanks go to Kerry and her Team Side Trip And Netgalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book

Wow! This is Kerry Lonsdale’s best writing yet! Every book I read I think that she can’t write a book I like better, happily I continue to be wrong! I loved Joy and Dylan! I loved that I could actually feel the emotions that Kerry was portraying through her characters! There was so much “Joy” reading this, tears as well (you will experience these emotions too I promise)!
I just cannot recommend Kerry as an author more! If you are reading this, take a “Side Trip” with her other books she has written as well! You won’t be sorry!

WOW!! Kerry Lonsdale has done it again -- given her readers a fantastic story with realistic characters that keep you turning pages to the end. I have read every word that this author has published and she has become one of the few authors that I will buy her books without knowing anything about them because I know that they'll be fantastic.

Joy is driving from California to New York City to start a new job and move in with her fiancé. She is travelling on Route 66 holding on to her deceased sister's bucket list as she tries to experience all of adventures that her sister wanted to do but never had a chance before she died. In Arizona, she meets Dylan who is also headed to NYC but with his car broken down at a greasy spoon restaurant, he isn't sure how he'll get there. He is a musician and has several stops to make along the way to perform at various bars. They make a deal. She’ll drive him to New York and he’ll pay for gas. Only three rules apply: no exchanging of last names; what happens on the road, stays on the road; and if one of them wants to take a side trip, they both must agree. After spending 10 days together on their trip, they say goodbye at JFK airport in NYC and spend the next 10 years wondering 'what if'.

This book is full of romance and music and suspense. It asks the question whether planning out your life and adhering strictly to your plans is the way to find happiness? Or does life need some spontaneity to be happy?

Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.