Every Kerry Lonsdale book is my favorite. Every single one. Just when I think she can’t possibly come up with another twisty tale full of fascinating characters, suspense, heartbreak and love, she does it again. And again. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised anymore. What wonderful stories.

What can I say about Side Trip? A couple of chapters in and I knew this would be an all-nighter, that I wouldn’t be able to put it down until I completed the journey with Joy and Dylan. Tears? Yep. Huge smiles? Yep. Hand-to-heart-and-sigh moments? Yep. What an ending. And when I was finished I immediately went back and re-read some of my favorite parts. Which means I almost re-read the whole book.

Joy and Dylan’s backstories are revealed a little at a time, from things they say and do and from little glimpses into their pasts. They are both on the road not because they really want to be but because they feel they have to, that they owe something, this is a debt they have to pay. Neither feels they deserve to live the life they want. They don’t even know what that life might be, since they are afraid to look into their souls and see. They’re locked in. And then they meet. Wow. And take some side trips. Wow getting bigger. And some things become a little cloudy and some suddenly very certain. I can see their future and I want them to see it too. But life is tricky.

Author Kerry Lonsdale paints an amazing picture with her words and puts lasting images into your mind. I felt like I was there – seeing Joy in her retro clothes and hair, the beauty and quirkiness of Route 66, the fun (or tedium) of the side trips, Dylan’s fear and regrets. It’s all there. The characters are rich and fully developed. Joy’s relationship with her sister and Dylan’s life with his father come through loud and clear.

Whenever I write a review of a Kerry Lonsdale book I am hesitant to include too many details because I don’t want to spoil anything for the next reader – and I want everyone to be the next reader. I so enjoy getting to know the characters, learning about their hopes and fears and desires, putting all the bits together, thinking smugly I’ve figured it all out and finding the plot going down a totally different path and wondering how I didn’t see it, becoming smug again near the end and then whoa – didn’t see that coming. I am so invested and engaged in the story and the people that I almost talk to them – stop, wait, can’t you see how life with him/her would be? Take a chance, change your mind, do it.

So no spoilers from me. Just a strong recommendation to read this very, very satisfying book. It is well-written, flows smoothly and will not disappoint. Thanks so much to author Kerry Lonsdale for allowing me to be a part of her Team Side Trip and providing an advance copy of this incredible book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Add this book to your Kerry Lonsdale library, and if you don’t have a KL library then start one now.

#SideTrip

This novel didn't workout the way I was expecting from Kerry Lonsdale. I have read several of her previous works and really enjoyed them. Side Trip sort of fell flat for me. Why?

I couldn't really connect to the characters and the decisions they made! The novel started off with a great premise, of the main character honoring her late sister by fulfilling her "bucket list." I couldn't really understand why Joy made some of the decisions she did, and as the reader, you were often left with a feeling of "just because." Even making Mark the anti-hero made Joy's decisions even more questionable.

I really wanted to like this one, but it just wasn't for me!

Man alive did this book rip my heart out near the end, nothing like holding back tears in your kids dentist office. It was put back together a few pages later, definitely worth the angst. Joy and Dylan's story is as heartbreaking as it is redemption. Joy carries the loss of her sister with her during a scenic road trip down Route 66 all the way to New York where she is going to start her new life. Dylan shows her that it's ok to let go and that she needs to be herself, not the sister she lost. Joy feels compelled to finish her sisters bucket list because of the grief she has carried for so long. Joy finds herself while letting go of the past. She loses what she thought was her happily ever after only to gain it in the person who truly was her one. A fantastic read that will keep you turning the pages.

Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale is a romance, not my usual go to genre but I have been impressed by the author before so I decided to give it a shot, and I am glad I did.
Newly engaged Joy Barton is driving solo cross country to reunite with her fiance. The road trip is a tribute to the sister she lost years before in a tragic accident, and along the way she plans to tick off items on the bucket list her sister created years before in an attempt to live for her and expiate some of the guilt she feels about her role in the accident. While stopped at a diner one day she notices a handsome young man who is having car trouble, and somewhat reluctantly agrees to give him a ride to a nearby town. Dylan Westerfield is on a road trip with a mission too, and he has a tight schedule he must adhere to, so he needs Joy to give him that lift, since he is a songwriter and musician ,and he's got a gig to get to. Despite a little initial friction because of their opposing personalities, the two are soon getting on better than either of them anticipated and they agree to continue their trip together all the way to New York. She's engaged and he does not believe that music careers and romance combine well, so what could possibly go wrong as long as they stick to the rules - no second names, what happens on the road stays on the road, and any side trips must be mutually agreed upon.
No prizes for guessing that sticking to the rules proves to be a challenge, and that the two find themselves increasingly drawn to one another, but will they decide that what they share is more important than the promises they have made, to themselves for Dylan, and to her fiance for Joy.
The book uses three different time frames , flashbacks to the past, the time on the road, and after the events of the road trip, and its a device that works particularly well in the hands of a skilled storyteller like Lonsdale. Joy and Dylan are the heart of this book, and if they are not believable characters and you cannot buy into the chemistry between them , the book would fall flat, Fortunately they leap to life from the page, with plenty of sizzle, and as the reader gets to know them over the course of the book, it is impossible not to hope for the best for them. More than anything I liked how Joy finally learned to accept what had happened in the past and move on to live her life for herself instead of her sister since I found it a little frustrating to see her sublimating herself out of guilt. Without spoiling the ending, I will say I found it a little frustrating, almost as though the author second guessed her original plan and instead went with something she thought would be more crowd pleasing, for me the book would have had more impact without that final twist.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I've enjoyed a few of Kerry Lonsdale's other books and really loved this stand-alone. It's both a sweet and tragic family, adventure and love story with characters you can relate to. It had some Bridges of Madison County vibes and you will always wonder about 'what ifs'.. Nicely done.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. I usually am not a fan of the typical love stories, they just annoy me for some reason making the women seem like damsels in distress. This one, though, empowered the woman and really made her make the choices that she felt were the best for her in her life. It was a very interesting story line and I found myself unable to put this book down. The ending got me good too. I would highly highly recommend this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved traveling Old Route 66 with Dlyan and Joy! Instead of chasing the sunsets, they went for the sunrises. Each having secrets, and sad tragedies haunting them. Will they truly open up because what happens on the Old Route 66, stays! And there are side trips but only if both agree! A fun summer Side Trip, with a few bumps along the way! Don't throw the book, keep reading for you will love the trip!

I've read every book by this author and have enjoyed them all. This story is the polar opposite of her intense suspense thriller LAST SUMMER. In SIDE TRIP, the characters take us on a unique journey - a romantic "what if" view of the various possibilities when we meet the person our gut tells us is "the one." Do we listen to our gut and take a chance or do we stick with the life we'd already planned out?

Joy is ridden with the guilt of her sister's death, hoping her Route 66 trip will erase that guilt. Dylan is on a cross-country guilt trip of his own, thanks to his recently deceased father. When Joy and Dylan meet, sparks fly. But this is more than a romance story, this is a story about the guilt we carry, the path we feel we "should" take in life, the responsibilities and fear of taking a chance and the fear of failing if we do.

The best thing about this book is the twist toward the end, the insight into the possibility of true happiness when we dare to follow our "what if" options in life.

It's a quick read, and one that will inspire you to look back at those specific times in your life (we all have them!) where decisions you made that once seemed insignificant ended up completely changing your life - whether for better or worse.

Thanks so much to the author and publisher for providing me an ARC of this heartfelt read!

Side trip is a story that you willn't be able put down. A young girl carries her guilt to the extreme. You'll slowly learn as she take her trip cross country. The characters will become a part of you. Taking this trip will help you understand her.

Side Trip is a fun read. If you ever wanted to take a trip on Route 66. You can do it in your favorite chair with this book. I enjoyed this book. It held my interest for the entire "trip". I recommend this book.

What happens on the road stays on the road! Cute story of a ride down Route 66. Romance and adventure. A bit hard to stay focused at times, dragged a little. I did enjoy the story and am glad for the opportunity given. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher.

This book is really good. Knowing this author you will get this beautifully weaved story and it will affect your heart when you least expect it. I was not as invested in the characters it felt there was a bit too much disconnect to build their story. I think the last few chapters the development was there and I did feel invested but since I didnt connect until the end I felt at times like I wanted to put the book down. I think it is a cute story about a road trip that will change everyones lives becuase this book touches on a lot of very serious issues that are not typically found in books. i think if a minor revision occurred this would be amazing to every reader.

Two strangers and a long long road trip to New York. They agree that everything that happens on the road stays on the road. Although, what could happen as she is engaged and he doesn't believe in love or love at first sight. Another wonderful story of opposites attracting by Lonsdale!

Chick lit lovers will doubtless love this book! Sadly, I'm not among them. I only made it through 50%.
I appreciate this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This one had me from the start. Joy is off on an adventure to fulfill her dearly departed sisters bucket list on Route 66. Not long in ........ boom Dylan appears. I was really intrigued to see where this one is going.

I totally loved Dylan and Joy's connection. They just seemed to flow and I believed thier friendship.

What happens on the road stays on the road. They truly believed they could keep that promise to each other. Dylan and Joy's travels were great. Thier sidetrips were the best. Together they were truly living. It's just too bad the road had to come to an end.

There were certain parts of the book, that I felt dragged for me. However, over all I truly enjoyed this story.

It's a story of growth, lies, loves, family and being happy with oneself.

I'm a huge Kerry Lonsdale fan, I've read all her books. I really enjoyed this one, she's a great storyteller and her characters really draw you in and kept me invested in the book until the very end. I highly recommend this book, 5 stars!

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale is a book of "what ifs". There a a couple of twist...one I saw coming and one I didn't A little slow at times but stayed up late to finish once I got closer to the end. Loved this one.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my review.

I had a hard time getting into the novel The first chapter was too slow and seemed a little all over the place. I was able to get about half way through the book before putting it down. I would love to get back to it another time but as for now, this just wasn't for me.

This book was a wonderfully paced, emotional journey that took me on quite the ride (pardon the pun). Deftly combining humor and heart, SIDE TRIP is a story about love but it is so much more than a love story.

I love Kerry Lonsdale’s writing and this book might just be my favorite yet. It deals with complex emotions in a deeply relatable way that had me both rooting for Joy and Dylan while also resigned to what I expected the ending to be. But as Lonsdale is a master at incorporating unexpected twists and turns into her stories, the ending was a complete surprise.

I sped through the book, unable to get the characters out of my head and desperate to know what would happen to them. For me, the true sign of a great book is when I am both sad to reach the end but satisfied with the journey that got me there. That was precisely the case with SIDE TRIP. I highly recommend you pick up a copy when it is released on July 7th.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for the advance reading copy.

I received an electronic Advanced Reader ops through NetGalley.

I loved Dylan and Joy, I loved experiencing their road trip with them.