Overall, I gave up this book 20% in. The writing style made it difficult to concentrate on. The lack of exposition really impacted my read on this ARC negatively. I didn't like that it was continous dialogue of up to 18 lines in some places at a time. I couldn't imagine the story, envision the characters or what they were doing. It was as if I was overhearing this on the bus and I only had to pay attention because I was there. I believe this would work better as an audiobook which I see is an option.

Overall, I'm going to give this a 3 out of 5 star rating solely because the premise of the story was interesting and I believe I would have enjoyed more of what I read if it weren't a dialogue only e-book. Thank-you NetGalley for the ARC.

Sometimes you don't know exactly what book you needed to read until you get an email saying you have a new ARC to read.

Seatmate is the lighthearted roadtrip romance that I have been searching for. When I am not usually an insta-love kind of reader, Sam and Gwen wiggled there way into my heart and made room for themselves. I was absolutely hooked and routing for the two of them from the moment Sam sat down.

The style of writing isn't one I see very often, whole chapters of just dialogue with no descriptions give the book a fast pace that keep you going through the motions of reading chapter-to-chapter, back-to-back.

For fluffy romance, I highly recomend this book and can't wait to read more from this author

If you're ever reading a romance book, and the banter is top notch and you wish it would stop getting interrupted by overly long descriptions of the soft decor in a room, then this book is for you.

This was my first book by Cara Bastone, and it certainly won't be my last, she is such a unique author! I won't lie, the first few pages of dialogue I was wondering, is this really for me? Somehow, CB knew I needed this laugh out loud, sparks flying, chemistry bubbling banter more than I did. When the writing style turns away from dialogue, the story and characters still shone through the same.

The concept of the story seems so simple at first, but the more time the main characters, Gwen and Sam, spend learning the others life, the more depth and questions are added to your mind. Utterly captivating, no lie.

I'd usually make a negative point about books that don't contain any spice\steam, but for the first time this hasn't factored in, probably due to the fact id been so hooked in by the characters and the fun, upbeat story I didn't have time to think of it.

I'm not going to recommend this fantastic book based on similarities to other books, but for the fact that it is SO different to others in its field. Perfect if you're in a reading slump, this will pull you right out with a smile on your face.

🚌Seatmate🚌

By Cara Bastone @carabastone

Description:

I have exactly 5 hours and 10 minutes to get from Boston to New York City or the professional opportunity of a lifetime disappears. My only travel option? The second to last seat on a discount bus. Across from the bathroom. Wearing last night's clothes (don't ask). All worth it if I can make it in time.

My nerves almost get the best of me, but then there he is, sitting down in the seat next to me. Tall. Friendly smile. Bright indigo streak in his brown hair. The perfect distraction. Turns out he's on his way to reconnect with an old flame. The one that got away. We can both make it on time - just barely - if the traffic keeps flowing.

Playing road-trip games, avoiding calls from his mother, and effortless conversation keeps us from clockwatching . . . until the bus breaks down. And my seatmate turns into my copilot as we wrangle a ride in a car three decades old. And hit all the traffic. And oh, Lord, the detours. And somehow I end up careening cross-town on the handlebars of a Citi Bike carrying a box of kittens. (Yeah, don't ask.)

He's my hero every step of the way . . . and I might be falling for him. But what happens when we reach our final destination? Could my seatmate really be my soulmate?

🚌🚌🚌🚌

This book is part of the wider Love Lines series. Previously released as an audiobook, it is now being released as an e-book.

It took me a minute to get used to the very dialogue-heavy format, but once I was into it, I really liked it. It’s just a wholesome read with loveable characters and some mild obstacles to get past. There are sone great supporting characters too. I haven’t read the other books in the series, so I don’t know to what degree they interlink, if at all, but it definitely isn’t necessary to have read them to read this one. Having said that, I will be going to read the rest.

Thanks to @netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

e-ARC provided by Headline Eternal

Originally released as an audiobook, Seatmates is now in ebook format! This is a closed door, meet cute/insta love story which takes place in the span of five hours. Gwen, who is on her way to an interview of a lifetime, meets Sam on a bus ride going from Boston to New York City. The two strike up conversation and get to know each other, for two people who have just met they have an instant connection and are incredibly comfortable around one another. Halfway through the journey the bus breaks down and Gwen is slightly distressed that she won't make it to the interview which is a once in a life time opportunity, also the catch is if her colleague gets there before her she will miss out. Sam comes to her rescue by calling in a favour from a friend and borrowing his car to help resume the journey and get Gwen to her destination on time.

Considering this was a story that took place in such a short time we learn so much about the characters and even a few side characters too, it was well paced and the charters well developed quite well considering the time frame. The banter between Sam and Gwen is really entertaining and they two were so cute, it gave soulmate vibes. The story format is interesting because 80% of the book is mainly conversations between the two main characters as well as a few side characters popping in here and there whole the remaining 20% comprises of the inner monologues. I hope I do get a chance to listen to the audiobook because the execution of this book will be way different.

I did enjoy this book but it didn’t have the spark I was hoping it would.

It was a fab concept, cool characters and I did love the Kitten element lol!

But it seemed a bit rushed (kinda the point but it didn’t seem quite right to me - there were some elements missing)

It was a very easy read, nice and sweet but didn’t WOW me.

4.5 stars This audiobooks that the author has done as audible originals are some of the highest quality produced audiobooks I've read in a while. This was super cute, the full cast narration made me smile and I just loved how cute Sam was. If you enjoy a fast, cute read and haven't checked out the Love Lines series, I don't know what to tell 'ya. You're missing out.

The book was such a cute and fun read! Sam and Gwen are just so damn adorable, they now have a place in my heart.

These two characters are completely different from one another, yet they complement each other so well. I love the fate encounter trope of this story and unlike most, I like the unconventional way they meet - on a discount bus. Both of them are trying to get back to New York City. Gwen to make it for an interview of a lifetime and Sam to meet his high school crush on a blind date (to which his mother set up).

This book is mainly written with dialogue and internal monologue, which did take me a few chapters to get into the fast pace writing and lack of setting descriptions. I've noticed there is an audiobook version of this book, which I think for me I would have normally opted for. But in the end, I got used to the style of writing and found it enjoyable to read. For people who don't like dialogue-driven books, I recommend maybe listening to the audiobook version.

Although classed as a romance book, the romance isn't immediate and we only really get to see that romance blossom towards the end of the book. I think for the majority of the book it sort of fits in the category of strangers to friends, who are trying to help get others get to their planned destinations, who then admit there is chemistry and feelings between them.

Very thankful to have received an eARC of Seatmate through NetGalley and Headline.
#Seatmate #NetGalley