ebook, 300 pages
Published
May 10th 2016
by Mirror Press
My Review: 5 Stars
Road trip anyone?? After reading this, I'm dying to go on a road trip--somewhere, anywhere! I've written a short review after each novella description. This is a great collection and I loved every single story!
I love the way these collections each have a similar thread to bind them together, but they all have unique voices, due to being written by different authors. There are many different ways to find love and it seems that each story had a fresh style. I found a connection with many different characters and felt as if I was almost a fly in many cars, observing these people and feeling a part of each story.
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WHAT FALLING FEELS LIKE by Jolene Betty Perry
High school was years ago, and Kendell is ready to admit that Tyler, her best friend’s younger brother, has matured into a good-looking man. But the once-popular Kendell is recovering from a marriage-gone-wrong, and she regrets turning Tyler down for high school prom. On their road trip to deliver a refurbished camper, Kendell rediscovers all the reasons she liked Tyler, but it might be too late to rekindle their friendship.
It's interesting how people change over the years and how sometimes you realize what you want has been there all along. Regrets come along and a second chance to make things right with a good friend is always lucky thing. I love the whole "falling for your friend's brother" kind of thing.
I really enjoyed the interactions that Tyler and Kendell had with each other. They way they were able to pick up their friendship on a road trip to New Mexico (after a rocky start) right where they left off, just warmed my heart.
ANTIQUES ROAD TRIP by Sarah M. Eden
Kelsey is living out her dream for the weekend as she participates in a reality show contest by living on a 19th century film set. The contestant who wins the show receives a trip to England and $100k, more than enough to get her through grad school. When she meets Devon, who was coerced by his sister to participate, friendship blossoms. When things go wrong for Kelsey, Devon is there to help, and she soon realizes that winning the contest isn’t what she most desires.
What an interesting concept! In a slight way, this reminded me of Austenland, where modern people get to live in a way of days gone past. Kelsey has the chance to go on a road trip, Regency style, in an effort to win a contest. She's well-versed in the ways of Jane Austen and is determined to win. Devon is doing this for his sister. He's not perfect at that way of life, but makes a heroic effort. These are two great characters and the secondary characters are entertaining in their own ways.
The chemistry between this two fairly leaps off the pages. I loved their interactions and the ways that they would help each other. The ending was a pleasant surprise! I love the way this story was modern, but still had a Regency feel to it--it's the best of both worlds.
WOULDN’T IT BE NICE by Ranee` S. Clark
When Jacqueline's boyfriend Colin drops out of their long-planned road trip with friends to put his job first—again—it's the final nail in the coffin of their dying relationship. But then Hudson, her best friend’s brother, takes Colin's spot for the road trip, and Jacqueline’s disappointment in her ex takes a back seat to the chance for reestablishing the close ties she once had with Hudson. When their friendship detours into romance, it forces Jacqueline to question her reasons for breaking up with Colin and her future with Hudson.
There are many types of romances that I adore and this is one of them--liking your best friend's older brother. Now that I think about it, this story also had a love triangle. I don't mind those at all, especially this one, as it was handled in a very tasteful way. I know as teens, those big brothers can be annoying, but then they grow up...and can grow on you.
Typically, a quick head-over-heels kind of love isn't very believable, but this one totally is! They've known each other for years, and when the flames of attraction and interest suddenly ignite, there's no stopping what's meant to be. A surprising twist turns that all upside down. For a novella, this one is well-rounded and had me very engaged.
HEAD OVER HEELS by Annette Lyon
Tristan is proud to be an entrepreneur, running a popular singles’ lifestyle blog. So when she gets an offer to cover a singles convention in Las Vegas, she needs to find a way to get there from another freelance job in Salt Lake without breaking into her personal savings. Her friend sets her up with a co-worker who happens to be driving that way, and Tristan is more than surprised to come face-to-face with a man she has a lot in common with, not to mention seems to click with right away. The two decide to play a prank on Tristan’s friend, and pretend that they are smitten with each other, but soon, the lines between pretend and reality start to fade.
I've never thought about meeting the man of my dreams at a Comic Con! It's so sad when a quick meeting there leaves a girl wanting for more, but Tristan has no way of finding her Loki again. A humorous second meeting puts Tristan on a road trip from Salt Lake to Las Vegas with a man who seems to be her match.
The way these two characters click just feels so right. I love the way they work together to get back at their friend and that long car ride really gives them time to discover their common threads. My heart was warmed by this road trip and the results from it. And bonus? These two are really into 80s music.
TWO DOZEN ROSES by Heather B. Moore
Dayna reluctantly takes time out of her busy work life to drive her mother up the Pacific Coast Highway from California to her brother’s home in Oregon. Strangely enough, they keep running into two brothers who are traveling the same route in honor of their sister’s memory. The older brother Garrett is a merciless flirt, but the younger brother Roman is who captures Dayna’s attention. Soon she realizes that the brothers are extremely competitive, and she’s just become their next target.
This road trip on the PCH is a little scary, interesting, and more than Dayna bargains for! After running into two brothers at a few different stops along the way, she realizes that no two brothers are exactly alike. I love the way she handles each one, coming closer to the one she likes and gently keeping the other one at bay. I love the part her mother plays in the story, as well.
I think one of my favorite things about this story is that each of the characters has weaknesses to overcome and they aren't portrayed as perfect, yet they are still likable. This is a great mini story with good lessons mingled within the pages. And that ending...it's the best!
TRY, TRY AGAIN by Aubrey Mace
Sarah’s secret crush on Justin takes a sudden turn when he breaks up with his girlfriend and declares that he’s interested in Sarah. She believes he’s just on the rebound, and they slowly drift apart. Six months later, Sarah still can’t stop thinking about what might have been. She ropes her friend into taking a road trip to visit Justin, hoping for a second chance. When Justin sees her, he wants answers, and Sarah has to decide if she’s brave enough to finally tell him the truth.
Never assume you know anything. That's a great lesson for Sarah to remember. She and Justin both seem to do things spontaneously--him breaking up with his girlfriend for her and her taking a road trip to Idaho for his grandfather's funeral. There are many stops and starts to this potential relationship, but I love the way these two connect and develop.
Second chance relationships are always intriguing and so much fun to see play out. This is a great ending to this collection and I enjoyed it a lot!
