Wish Lists and Road Trips was an enjoyable, engaging, at times heartbreaking read about two people who find themselves thrown together unexpectedly because they literally missed the boat. This book is told with alternating pov’s which gives you plenty of time to get to know and understand both `Brit and Nick, their feelings, their motivations, back story and what they’re going through on their journey together. I loved both of them as individuals and together. Brit was warm, kind, optimistic and full of joy that had not been lost despite her parents and ex fiancé. Her vulnerability coupled with that hint of steel and backbone made her very relatable. Nick was strong, dependable but also had grief, pain and vulnerability running through him. As the story goes on you get more of his family history and you cannot help but feel angry and heartbroken on his behalf at the burdens he had to carry. I loved that both Brit and Nick, through their journey, were able to give the other exactly what they needed to realise their best, whole selves and take the necessary stands with their respective families. Great chemistry and fun, sometimes difficult, road trip shenanigans made for a very entertaining read. 4.5 ⭐️

This was an enjoyable, delight to read. Nick and Brit were adorablemix if grumpy/ sunshine each with their own struggles and demons that they had to work through during their impromptu road trip together. Loved both their personalities and how they meshed together and felt the journey they took, what they found in each other and the resolution to their story was really well done. 5 stars.

Have you ever just read one of those books that hits you right in the blood pumping machine and kind of shocks you out of the doldrums of a genre?

Well, Wish Lists & Road Trips was one of those books for me. Frankly I’m unwell but it’s the type of unwell you are after over indulging in something delicious… you just know you’re gonna do it again with a big ol’ smile on your face! And I plan on taking this journey again when I have the paperback in my hands!

Brit & Nick start off at the wrong time, on the wrong foot, on the wrong dock, because really they should be on a deck on a cruise ship that has left port! It’s just a series of bad luck and misfortune from there on out. Or is it? Honestly traveling with someone who is your polar opposite is one of the greatest joys, even if you are unaware of it at the time.

These characters are on different and yet somehow similar paths. Desperate for a change or to get back to reality only to learn from one another that maybe they’re going about it all wrong! They also both get much needed shoves from those who love them most, and those scenes were some of my favourites!

I laughed, cried, fanned my face because whoa steamy steamy steam, cried some more and awed and sighed a whole helluva lot! This book felt so much bigger than a rom com. It has depth and heart and challenges the reader’s own perception of grief and personal growth. I loved it!

Road trip romance means of course there is going to be some forced proximity and one bed etc etc and the book doesn't disappoint on that front. Maybe stretching the believability of how these two would actually choose to travel to gether and maybe even a little farsical on how many mishaps one journey can have. The book is an easy hallmark movie style happily ever after romance and is ideal for a quick and easy holiday beach read.

this book was so cute, i could cry. i loved lauren maes summer nights series, and this did not disappoint either! it was beautifully written, a well paced story, and i fell in love with the characters. a lovely read that’s perfect for everyone!

When Brit and Nick both end up stranded on their cruise when they missed the ship, they embark on a journey together to get back to their respective homes. They are both on a soul trip after Brit called off her wedding and Nick is on a mission to scatter his brother Alex's ashes at a list of places. Back home, Brit is dealing with controlling and manipulative parents and Nick is under so much pressure to manage the family business. Their journey together was very much needed and they learned a lot along the way. So much so, that they really don't want to leave each other but they end up hurting each other, emotionally.

Thanks to Headline, NetGalley, and Lauren H. Mae for this advanced copt. My review will be posted on instagram @annas.book.reviews on February 9, 2023.

Wish Lists and Road Trips by Lauren H. Mae was a really cute steamy, opposites attract romance story.

I couldn't have enjoyed this book more if I tried.
Lauren H. Mae has this incredible way of creating stories that entrap you into an imaginary world.
This book was full of funny, heartwarming, and sweet moments.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Headline Eternal,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

A very cute and a light hearted read that I very much happened to enjoy. These protagonists were so adorable. And I so loved the ending!!

I adored this story!! It definitely got me in the summer mood and is a perfect vacation read! I lived for the chemistry between the two main characters. Nick was the perfect grump. I just loved jumping into this story and watching their romance unfold.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

LOVED this book so much!! My favorite romance I’ve read this year!

Nick is grieving the loss of his brother and Brit just broke off her engagement. They both end up missing their cruise ship, and decide to join forces to get back home. Their journey back home comes with roadblocks, but this just allows them to get to know each other better.

I loved watching Nick and Brit’s friendship grow. They shared some of the sweetest moments and they really understood each other, especially for having just met. I thought the story line was unique but realistic. I honestly didn’t want this book to end! It was heartfelt, emotional, funny, adorable, and overall such a great read!

This was my first book from Lauren H. Mae but I definitely look forward to reading more from her!

📘: Wish Lists & Road Trips by Lauren H. Mae
🗓 Pub Date: April 18,2023

Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren H. Mae, and Headline for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley and Goodreads. Will review on retail once published!

A very cute book with a fun and engaging storyline! If you have A love for Emily Henry- you will love this book too. A def must read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Cute, humorous and Heartfelt.
When Brit a make-up artist and Nick, a property developer miss their boat in Costa Rica they join forces to make their way back home. Along the way they encounter roadblocks and set backs. These two strangers couldn’t be more different and both are carrying baggage that’s weighing them down, but the two of them somehow seem to pull each other up to see the good in themselves.
I loved Brit’s seemingly endless positivity and Nick’s patience, the banter between them was great and there was plenty of steam between them. I loved everything about it.

This book was really cute, but also a really heartfelt look at different ways of finding out who you are and finding your voice. Nick is deep in the grieving process after losing his brother, and Brit is learning how to find her way on her own after ending an engagement to a toxic man handpicked by her father. Circumstances lead to both of them missing their cruise ship’s departure from the port they were docked in and needing to find their way back home together. Chaos surrounds the entire journey as Brit teaches Nick how to let go of some of his ingrained sense of responsibility and Nick lifts Brit’s self-confidence by believing in her ability to achieve anything she sets her mind to. She’s always felt like too much for people and he enjoys her company exactly how she is. She helps him figure out how to navigate his grief, and she opens his eyes to a different way of looking at the mission left for him by his brother. They have so many sweet moments together as their friendship grows, and when the relationship evolves, it’s natural and rewarding. My biggest issue is that it felt like the trip home went on a little too long, and it dragged for me a bit in the middle. After they’ve made it to their respective homes, it was nice to see them use the things they found in each other to stand up for what they wanted and needed to be happy. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

What a cute story. I really enjoyed the quirkiness between characters.
Definately a must read. Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this book.

Oh my, I didn't want this book to end! I loved it and can't stop thinking about it. It had everything - adventure, romance, grief, laughter, humour, road trips and some very spicy scenes. This book deals heavily with grief and healing - but it's done in such a beautiful way. Brit and Nick's chemistry is just top notch! I loved how they completed each other with their opposites personalities. This book had everything I want in a contemporary romance. It was an unforgettable journey.

This is the first novel I have read by this author, and it focuses on Britt and Nick, two strangers forced to travel together after they miss their cruise ship.

Britt is on her honeymoon, alone, after calling off her wedding to her cheating ex. Nick is struggling to complete a series of adventures his brother set for him before his untimely death.

Everything that can go wrong on this trip does. Will they make it through intact?

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this in return for my honest review.

When I first started this book I expected a light fun romance. It was that at times, but so much more as well. Both Brit and Nick had issues to overcome, and both found ways to deal with them working together. Someone mentioned in the reviews it reminded them of a Hallmark movie, and yes at times it did. A fun read, and one I had trouble putting down. Would highly recommend.

<b>Cute, tender and hot</b>

Two strangers miss their cruise boat in Costa Rica. Brit is a make-up professional, a ray of sunshine with big smiles and pink hair. Nick is a real estate developer, always so serious and grumpy. They become travel buddies with one mission: to get back to New York.

What will happen until then? Will they unravel each other's true feelings? Will they want this trip to end? I guess you'll have to wait until 18th April to find out.

It's the first book of Lauren H. Mae that I read and I really like it! It brought tears to my face and little laughs and giggles along the way. Every thought and feeling of our main characters were well written. I felt like I was in their head. The way Lauren writes about grief and last goodbyes is so tender! How she portraits what is of true value and what is the meaning of life.

I liked the grumpy x sunshine trope. Brit and Nick are so different, but they complete each other perfectly.

<blockquote>It was interesting, I thought , the way she seemed to be begging the world to give her more responsibility when I’d spent my whole life wishing I had less.</blockquote>

Brit is a sunshine, spontaneous and sensitive, while Nick is protective and someone you can lean on. I really liked their POVs and how with every passing moment they came to realise their real feelings and who they really were.

If you're into opposites-attract, forced-proximity romance, then this is the perfect summer read for you!

Thank you,Headline Publishers, NetGalley and Lauren H. Mae for granting my wish and sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

🚢 🪦 💖 Wish Lists and Road Trips ARC Book Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Not every detour is a disaster. Sometimes they keep you from running into a tree.”

An instant new favorite. I went into this one expecting a cotton candy rom com, but this was such a wonderful romance with so much humor but also so much heart. (For the record- I loooove cotton candy rom coms also). This book deals heavily with grief, but it’s done in such a beautiful way. We have Nick and Brit- complete opposites who have everything that the other needs but doesn’t know they need. Nick and Brit go on a road trip to get home after they both happen to miss the re-dock of their cruise. Stuck in Costa Rica, they begin a trip to get home and have no clue what they are in for. They come from two completely different worlds and when they collide, it’s epic. Nick and Brit might be my new favorite book couple. Brit is so adorable and hilarious, and Nick is just full of layers! I loved their dynamic so much. This is my first book to read by Lauren H. Mae, but I’ll be devouring her backlist after this one. The writing is so good. The chemistry is top notch. The cuteness is just too much. I swooned the entire time. If you love opposites attract, forced proximity road trips, and two imperfect but real characters- check this one out. It’ll be the perfect summer read! Releases April 18.


Thank you to Lauren H. Mae, Headline Publishers, and Netgalley for providing me this ARC to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.



Other favorite quote:
“Guys like to think women dress up for them, but it’s not always about you. It’s about self-expression, what makes us feel pretty and unique and seen. For ourselves.”

#romancebooks #romancenovels #romanceinstagram #romancereaders #romancereadersofinstagram #booksreviews #booklover #romanceaddict #romancereviews #ireadromance #readersofinstagram #bookshelf #booksofig #bookstagram #bookish #booksbooksbooks #hannuhreads
#wishlistsandroadtrips #netgalley

I absolutely loved this book, 5/5 stars! I couldn’t put this book down, it was so good. This is the first book I’ve read by Lauren H Mae and I can’t wait to read the rest of her books. It was my favourite read in January. Thank you to Netgalley, Headline Publishing and Lauren H Mae for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.