Thank you to Headline Eternal and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Wish Lists and Road Trips" was a joy to read, particularly because it had all my favorite romance tropes (grumpy/sunshine, enemies/lovers, forced proximity).

Wish Lists And Road Trips was such a pleasant surprise for me! It wasn't just your typical romcom (although it was definitely very good in that regard), but it also tackled grief, loss, alcoholism, and expectations.

Brit and Nick are such a cute couple, and both helped each other through some major difficulties in their lives. Brit brings Nick out of his shell, and Nick helps to ground Brit and see her worth. The way these two balanced each other was everything I could've asked for, and more!

Their adventure together is fun and romantic, and I couldn't help but laugh at the many things that went 'wrong' that forced them together.

Opposites attract, grumpy x sunshine and only one bed are some of the tropes in this book, but there are also a few things to be considerate about (mentioned above, grief, loss, alcoholism).

I really enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to fans of romcoms with a little extra substance.

I didn't get to finish this book because I've been busy for the past couple of months, but I read 70% of it so I can say that this was a good read but not the kind that really makes you completely into it. I think this is a rom-com with them hating each other, so the banter was just at the right amount and it makes me laugh somehow.

Absolutely loved this book. The hurdle of events really made this a fun read. I especially love the way the author develops the characters, they feel so. So real I find myself say (out loud even) Brit what are you doing, LOL! Or Nick don’t be so boring. This is a summer must read and a permanent on my shelf of books I keep. Can’t wait for Lauren H. Mae’s next book!

After they were both late getting back to their cruise Brit and Nick take a road trip from Costa rica to get back to the east coast
They both come to realize that what you thought you wanted in life isn't what you need.
Also that maybe fate is real.

Great book to read it had a fun plot that played out well. It was fun to read. Lots of twists and turns to keep you interested

I have loved this book and everything about it! The characters are gorgeous and will steal your heart from the very beginning.

This is a book I have been eagerly anticipating and I can safely say- it has delivered on every level. This is a book that should be on everyone’s TBR.

I love how different the characters are! The chemistry between them is evident and oozes from the pages. I have loved this one from beginning to end and found myself completely caught up in the pages and unwilling to put this one down.

This is perfectly paced and as a reader, you are transported to the pages. Mae has made me feel as though I know the characters and have been with them watching this play out.

This is a brilliant read and I have adored everything about it. This is a book that should be on everyone’s TBR.

I highly recommend this gem.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was such a fun sweet book! I loved the characters and their banter and their chemistry. SO good! Right from the start I was hooked and rooting for Brit and Nick. If you love the sunshine-grump trope and are looking for a fun rom com to read this summer then definitely grab this book! I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

Lauren H. Mae brings us a sweet romcom with added spice; this story had me swoon, laugh, and cry. This is my first book by her and I am now a new fan!

Britney, a 25-yr-old runaway bride, is trying to break away from her overbearing rich father and his demands (like marrying her cheating fiancé coz it’s good for business). Fighting her way to independence, Britney has a plan to open her own make up studio and so after taking her honeymoon cruise alone, she's in a hurry to get back for an auction to purchase her dream house/office space. Meanwhile, 29-yr-old Nick is on a quest to fulfill his last brother’s wishlist—a list that includes going to challenging places where his brother wanted his ashes to be buried. While he’s dealing with such sorrow and guilt, he also has the pressure to keep his family business—and his family—together. He’s the glue that keeps ‘em all together.

Seeing Brit and Nicky’s “weird dance between friendship and longing stares” gave me all the feels. The warmth and affection between these two melted my heart. As someone who is going through grief, regret, and a want to be more of a badass when all else directs me elsewhere, I appreciated the perspectives Lauren shares.

It taught me to relish the moments you have, not to self-suffocate in a life where you feel it limits you to your full potential. My dad always said, “stay with your people”, meaning surround yourself with the ones who build you up, and that is precisely what we yearn for in Nick and Brit.

It also taught me to mentally capture precious moments with loved ones; don’t take these little moments for granted.

“The thing about having a ticking clock hanging over your time with another person is you have to gorge yourself on every piece of them before they disappear from your life. You’ve got to dig into their soul and suck up every detail, so you can remember it when you’re alone and missing them.”

I am such a champion of Lauren H Mae’s Summer Nights Series; she is a treasured auto-buy author so I’m beyond excited for the privilege of reading an eARC of Wish Lists & Road Trips.

After leaving her cheating ex-fiancé Brit Donovan sets off solo on a cruise, escaping in search of empowerment. Nick Callaway, on a journey of bereavement spreading his brother’s ashes, desperately wants to return home to the family dependent upon him. While at a stop in Costa Rica they don't expected to find the ship has departed, find companionship in their fellow stray sailor, nor find healing during their ensuing journey home together.

Brit and Nick are such wonderful characters. I applaud Lauren’s talent for writing them each simultaneously deeply unique but also transcendently relatable; in each of their heartbreaks, stories, fears and courage you’ll find pieces of yourself.

Our pink-haired Brit is the epitome of a sunshine character, whirling her beautifully chaotic energy at Nick’s surly defences. Having endured unimaginable personal and professional loss, Nick operates in a state of detachment and obligation to his family at the expense of his own happiness.

While their literal journey becomes one of planes, trains and automobiles—sprinkled with Target trips, rum-soaked gummy bears and delicious mutual pining—Brit’s personal journey is one of embracing her kind heart, vibrant spirit and fierce passion as her superpower. Nick’s voyage working through survivor’s guilt, balancing the needs of his family alongside his own and allowing his true nature to shine through will leave an indelible mark on your heart. Nick is "grump" goals and we could not get enough of the quiet, tender affection he shows Brit, revealing his true, protective, love bug heart. Still swooning over the palm kisses.

Lauren inimitably writes with heartfelt hope, raw relatability, tangible chemistry and unparalleled humour. She handles tough topics with delicate care. Her words reach out to readers and enrapture each of your senses, wrapping you in a sunscreen-smelling, snowflake dusting, bar lights twinkling, blanket of bliss.

I'm a big fan of a grumpy/sunshine romance and this definitely gave me that.
I also really enjoyed the forced proximity.
There were also some fun plot twists and I ultimately liked the journey that this story and book took me on.
There's nice sexual tension between our two main characters too.
This would make such a great beach/holiday read and it deals with some tough subjects in a sensitive way too.
It's that bit more than your average romance or rom com.
I also liked that they brought out the best in one another.
I've not read anything by Lauren H. Mae before but I will certainly be keeping an eye out for what she does next.
I may even need to go back and read some of her previous books too.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Two stranded travellers. One unexpected journey.

Makeup artist Brit Donovan wants one thing: to prove to her overbearing family that she can be independent. After breaking off her engagement to her cheating ex, she sets off on her honeymoon cruise alone to recharge before opening her own studio.

Nick Callaway isn't on a pleasure trip. Armed with his brother's ashes and a list of places, he's on a mission to fulfill a dying wish. Burdened with survivor's guilt and on a countdown to get home in time to help his family's company, the only thing he wants is to get this trip over with.

When they're both stranded in Costa Rica after missing their cruise ship, Nick and Brit team up to make their way back to the US. Complete opposites, their initial frustration - heightened by the obstacles of grounded flights and delayed trains - gives way to a searing attraction, and the feeling this may be a journey that neither will want to end.”

**What I loved about this book:
I loved the plot of this book! I really appreciated how Brit and Nick were both healing from their own experiences. And I loved the opposites attract trope in this story!

Read if you like:
*destination romance
*forced proximity
*opposites attract
*strangers to lovers
*character healing and growth

(4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5/5 stars)

New book for you! Wishlists and Roadtrips is an equally sweet and emotional book with a happy ending, of course! Each character brings stuff to the table that impacts the relationship and I loved seeing them work through it together. What you get:

💕A somewhat meet cute
😠Grumpy Male Lead
🤩Sunshine Female Lead
💔Grief, but a beautiful description of it
🚢Missed Boat
🧳Cross Country Travels
☀️Hot weather setting
🌨️Snowy setting
💁🏻‍♀️Comeback moment
🌶️Perfect amount of spice

This was a deeply moving, fun, charming story of healing, self-discovery and finding love in the most unexpected times and places. Add in lots of adventures and hilarious moments of travels and roadtrips and weird sleeping acommodations, and you get yourself a full package for a summer read.

I don't know how to say this without sounding cold and inconsiderate but I kinda liked that Nick was more grumpy and aloof because of his personal burden and loss, and not for the sake of being an as***, like most heroes these days. Seeing Brit get under his skin and break his walls with her smiles, impulsivity and evervescence was delicious and heart-melting. You can do no wrong with a grumpy sunshine trope! She was relentless and he kept giving in, mumbling and dragging his feet all along.

"Has anyone ever told you you're nosy?"
"Of course they have. Now spill."


"I don't think you're boring."
"That's because you're easy to talk to". *see walls crumbling*

"She was in my face, bright, loud, making me do stuff like search for waterfalls and eat Rummy Bears. "

"All I knew was there was this connection between us when we touched, like the click of a lock latching into place".

The slow burn and tension was real especially with all the travel forced proximity and moments cut short. But they made for a very satisfying ending.

"Please don't tone yourself down".
"That's the nicest thing anyone ever said to me."

Nick was good hearted, supportive, charming in that quiet way and went with all the crazy Brit threw at him. They completed each other so well.

Despite touching on some heaver themes and some somber moments, this was a light, fun, quick read and I would read it again at the beach, given the chance! I love forced proximity x road trips! Totally recommened for the summer season.

Thank you for the eARC

Wish Lists and Road Trips by Lauren H. Mae is a fun rom-com. Brit and Nick get stranded in Costa Rica from their cruise. Ensue a way is needed to get home. Due to their forced proximity they develop the sweetest relationship. Their dynamic was fun and overall it was a good time.

This was such a fun story! It’s perfect for summer and will be a great beach read. It’s fast paced with short chapters, punchy dialogue and vivid characters. Nick and Brit are opposites who foil each other nicely, and forced proximity is the perfect trope to highlight their differences. This novel was an absolute delight to read.

This was a cute romance with a lot of mishaps that prolonged their trip home and let their romance flourish. I found the story sweet but somewhat predictable. I found Brit’s naivete to be a bit unbelievable and her quick jump into another relationship after just ending an engagement seemed to be a stretch. She also comes off as a spoiled, rich girl who has trouble standing on her own two feet (granted, her dad was super controlling). I liked Nick but wasn’t a fan of the portrayal of Brit.

In Wish Lists & Road Trips, Brit and Nick are facing a comedy of errors trying to get home from their ruined cruise. Brit is escaping her failed run down the aisle, while Nick is trying to live out his brother's last dying wish. When the pair meet under the most unfortunate of circumstances in Costa Rica, they're thrust together as travel partners, but when sparks start flying, they might become much more.

This forced proximity road trip romance packs in great one lines mixed with fantastic sexual tension. With quick, short chapters, I flew through this one, despite it being a slower start for me. Once you get to the 50% mark, I was invested in Nick and Brit's journey and wanted to know what would happen next.

In a true case of opposites attract, Brit and Nick could not be more different. Brit's carefree and fun, living life to the fullest. Nick is noble, yet uptight and guarded. In this open door romance, the steamy scenes are well done with consent and care. I loved how Brit pushes Nick to face his grief, even when he doesn't want to. There are heavy tones of grief throughout, which I thought were handled well. Trigger warnings include death of a sibling and toxic family relationships.

Wish Lists & Road Trips is out now!

This was a funny book and a very easy read. I enjoyed the characters and warmed to them quickly. At first I was a little irritated with the main character but warmed to her later in the book. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️

Despite both Brit and Nick finding themselves in a difficult situation while battling personal turmoil, their journey is that of grief and healing but also tender moments that led to beautiful chemistry

What you can expect:
• forced proximity
• opposites attract
• dual pov
• grumpy x sunshine
• sad boy vs. wild girl
• road trips with misfortune

Even though Brit was quite oblivious to certain situations, I immediately took a liking towards her when she showed her sassy personality. I also thought it was quite funny and sweet how Nick, seemingly, didn't have time for Brit but also felt incredibly protective over her and wanted to guide her

But the story does follow a very emotional quest, which is the whole reason for Nick's trip. I could truly feel his pain, and it made me incredibly sad to see him in anguish. He was pretty perfect and an absolute saint. Which is where Brit came in as this complete wild card. These two opposites made the perfect pair, and they both needed each other to heal back into a better version of themselves

If you love a good, emotional but fun road tripping story with very loveable characters, I'd definitely recommend putting this one on your tbr :)

*𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘌𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯-𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸*