Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

I loved this book! Wholly, utterly and without reservation LOVE this book. What don't I love? That it's categorized as YA because I feel it deserves to be exposed to a greater audience. The brilliance of the story is the emotional and psychological journey both Amy and Roger undergo - not just the obvious geographical one. It makes sense that it takes a long road trip - with its attendant adventures and cast of characters along the way - to heal the emotional wounds Amy & Roger were carrying.

The plot, the prose - I can find no fault with anything here. This is truly one of the rare top-notch novels I have ever read - YA or otherwise. It had pathos, humor, romance, fun USA factoids - all woven in an exceptional novel.

Not only did I enjoy the leads, but the secondary characters too (esp. Bron & Lucien) greatly added to the story.

What I also loved about A&R was it was free from the usual tropes one finds all too common these days. Example:
* Roger was not the smug, smirking, arrogant alpha male of many YA novels
* Amy was neither the "special snowflake" nor TSTL heroine of YA novels
* There wasn't a cliche reunion between Amy and her brother. Their scenes went a ways towards reconciliation, but they are not all the way there yet. So true to life.
* Another "true to life" aspect of A&R? No declarations of undying love between Amy & Roger at novel's end. [Also, no insta-love at the beginning either, thank goodness]. It's too soon for A&R to make any long lasting declarations to each other. Now, some readers might view the relationship between the two (especially the sex) as being too soon. I argue that being in an enclosed space alone with someone for hours and hours and days upon days engenders intimacy and bonding between the two people. For me, their closeness didn't feel contrived because they spent so much time in each other's company.

Some readers may have viewed Roger as stalking his ex-girlfriend. I on the other hand, saw a hurt, confused guy trying to understand why his relationship ended. Only then will he get closure. So he needed answers, and Roger could only get that from Hadley.

My only quibble with this book is I wish journey's end was not as rushed. I wish there were a few more passages before A&R parted, and before Amy arrived in Connecticut.

The bonus of the book for me was the inclusion of receipts and other detritus from the scrapbook. If I can't go on a long-haul road trip, I'll do it vicariously through A&R.

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour was an amazing book! It centered around Amy Curry, and after the death of her father, her mother decides to sell their house and move to Connecticut. Amy finds out that she can't fly to Connecticut, but has to drive there with the help of Roger, who has something of his own journey ahead of him - a boy she knew when she was a kid.

Along the way the reader sees Amy struggling with her guilt and grief over the loss of her father, her anger and sadness at her mother and brother, Charlie, and how it has affected her family. Throughout the book Amy grows and evolves and comes to term with what happened, makes a few friends along the way, eats some great food, visits amazing places, and maybe even falls in love.

This book is one of my favorites. It made me laugh, it made me cry (a lot!), and it made me appreciate all the people I love in my life. I also liked the fact that the book didn't have a cookie-cutter ending, it was realistic and not in any way false. Roger and Amy didn't make promises to each other that they couldn't keep, and everything wasn't suddenly okay between Amy, Charlie and her mother. This book should definitely be rated higher than 5 stars, and I would recommend Amy & Roger's Epic Detour to everyone.But beware- after you read this you will want to want to go on a road trip immediately :)

Read more of my reviews at: theintrovertedreader.weebly.com

You know that feeling you get when your driving in your car with the windows down, it’s a gorgeous sunny day and your favorite song is playing on the radio? You know the feeling…for some reason you can’t wipe that silly grin off your face. That’s how this book made me feel. I finished the last page, closed the book and couldn’t stop smiling. Everything about it was perfect and if you’re looking for a summer road trip romance then look no further. No seriously, I mean it, you MUST read this book!

When we first meet Amy she is a shell of the person she used to be. Tragedy has sucked every ounce happiness and her carefree life is now filled with angst , anger and pain. I immediately related to Amy and the pain she was going through, having lost my own father. I felt a certain familiarity in what she was going through. Morgan Matson crafted such an honest and raw portrait of grief in Amy and the way in which she worked through that pain. Slowly, painfully and awkwardly…by way of latching on to moments that feel familiar to your past but in a completely different way. It’s these moments in which Amy was able to share her grief (sometimes with complete strangers) that was so authentic. For that reason alone, this book holds a special place in my heart.

Amy’s healing is due in no small part to Roger. A person she barely knew and was not prepared to share her grief with. His character was so integral to this story and if he was written in any other way, the story never would have worked. Matson was able to create a male main character that blended kindness, humility, and humor into a perfect mix that is rarely seen in books these days. Roger was also wounded, flawed and hurting – which is why he was able to connect so intimately with Amy. I loved that these two forged a deep and lasting friendship without even a thought to a romantic connection. Now, that’s not to say there isn’t romance or swoon-worthy moments in this book, but I did appreciate the fact that Matson didn’t take the easy way out and have them jumping each other’s bones after a few chapters. It was refreshing and felt true to how this kind of friendship would naturally unfold. I absolutely loved their relationship and how they each brought out the best in each other.

The road was just as much a character in this story as Amy & Roger. You could really tell that these were roads that Matson travelled and she drew on her on experiences, I love that her research for this book involved a solo cross-country road trip. Get it girl! Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour was an example of how small decisions can lead to great things, like camping overnight at Yosemite, somehow finding yourself on “The Loneliest Road” and a fulfilling a promise of visiting Graceland.

Moments and happy accidents are what make memories and in this book they are what pushed Amy forward in her journey towards healing. I don’t know why it took me so long but halfway through the book I realized that the road was the perfect analogy of Amy’s journey. She needed to push forward, sometimes not knowing where she was going, but keeping her eye on the final destination. All the pit stops and side trips along the way served as lessons that would help heal her wounds. What started out as a dreaded cross-country drive to a new home with a total stranger, ended up being exactly what Amy (and Roger) needed.

This book gave me, say it with me, ALL THE FEELS! It easily earns five stars from me and is placed on my favorites shelf along with other amazing YA romances such as Open Road Summer, Just One Day/Year, Fangirl, Anna & The French Kiss and Where The Stars Still Shine. I love a book that’s filled with moments that make you swoon AND moments that break your heart. This book had all of that and more. PLUS…the soundtrack is EPIC!

At a Glance/The Cover:
This book was recommended to me by the Goodreads brain computer thingy. And since the cover was so cute. :) And it sounded like a great romantic novel. And there were so much great reviews. Although there was one where the reader tried to read it three times already and still DNF. I have no idea why, because I definitely finished this book in one sitting. BECAUSE, IT'S SO LOVELY. AND CUTE. OH. I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK.

Yes. Definitely on my summer reads list. I think I really should start creating this list. Hmmm.

The Characters/My Opinions:
Amy Curry - Amy is totally short for Amelia. I really had nothing against her name. I just thought it was quite common but I moved on. Really. Amy suffered through a tragic accident. And truly, I'm glad it wasn't a sexual harassment, because most of the books I read of girls who is scared of something experienced the feeling of sexual harassment. I'm kind of getting tired of those.

Roger Sullivan - Ay. He is so cute. His name was the one name I got stuck on. Cuz I was like what kind of name is Roger? Forreal tho. I thought it was sounded like a dog's name. You know, Roger, the dog? Or like, that radio walkie-talkie thing, which I still don't understand what it's supposed to mean. Like Roger that. Or Roger over. Maybe it means I understand. BUT NOW, after I finished reading the book....you know what....WHO CARES? He is amazing~

Gosh. I swear I sound so scary. Like. I don't even know him. He's not even alive. And I truly cannot imagine liking a 19-year-old guy. But he was so romantic and caring in the book. OH. Totally worth fangurling over. I swear. Amy is so lucky. I'm not jealous tho. CUZ I TOTALLY SHIP THEM. Ouu. Totes.

I finally can see what the reviewers of this are all raving about. And yannoe, I was never big about road trips. But this one tho. Swerve. I'm reading more road trip novels from now on. I feel like I'm talking too ghetto over here. Hope no one's offended. Welps. Continuing on.

Even though this book, I've decided, is to be one of my summer reads and I rave all about them and move on to the next, I've gone a bit crazy raving this book. I went went on Goodreads and recommended it to most of my friends who liked "romance". Oh. Hope they took that advice well. Haha.

Either way, throughout the book, Roger and Amy's chemistry totally took my attention. I swear t.5hose are some awesome detours they took. And I just totally love how Roger is 19 and Amy is 17. Two-year-apart romances are the best! Fooreaal. Although 19 and 17 is the age where the guy just went to college so it never works out in a high school environment. :)

Final Thoughts:
If you guys just happened to skip straight down to my final thoughts or something, here's the summary what I just said. GO READ IT!

The Rating: (1-10): 9.5~

Happy Reading.

Amy has had a difficult time lately. Her father died in a car accident, her brother is in rehab and her mother has fled to Connecticut. Now that school is over, Amy is expected to drive across country with Roger, a friend of the family. The only problem is Amy is too scared to get behind the wheel since the accident. So with Roger behind the wheel, they ahead across the country. With Amy dealing with her grief, Roger has his own reasons for wanting to take a detour. Thus they take the detour of their lives and learn more about themselves then they thought was possible.

I bought Amy & Roger's Epic Detour over a year ago and its been sitting on my audio shelf for a while, unlistened to. I decided I was in the mood for some contemporary YA fiction and picked this one up. I don't listen to a lot of contemporary YA fiction, maybe 1-2 books a year. I love paranormal, fantasy, dystopia and science fiction in the YA genre, but not a lot of contemporary fiction. So I went into this one with a little hesitation. I came out the other side with a huge appreciation for Morgan Matson and this great story.

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour is the best road trip book ever. It is told from Amy's point of view, and includes songs they listened to, places they visits and each state's motto. I'm an Australian that now resides in Canada, and I've only visited 2-3 US states. I felt like I was experiencing the US for almost the first time as Amy and Roger take a trip from California, through Nevada, Colorado and so many detours until they end up in Philadelphia and Connecticut.

It was a great road trip full of self-discovery and I enjoyed listening, watching each of their stories unravel. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour was at times emotional, especially as Amy unravels the full story of her father's death. She meets people she never thought she'd meet, and she starts the road to recovery and healing from the loss of her father. It was a beautiful, beautiful story that makes me want to hop in a car and head somewhere!

This was my first time listening to Suzy Jackson and I liked that her voice was just young enough to match the idea I had of Amy's voice in my head. She really put all the emotion into the narration that was in Morgan Matson's words and made it a very enjoyable experience. I will definitely pick up another audiobook narrated by Suzy Jackson.

I'd recommend Amy & Roger's Epic Detour to not just fans of YA fiction, but anyone that wants to remember that great feeling of hoping in the car and driving, and making those detours that make life interesting.

Amy & Roger's hijacked road trip is pretty fun. While I had been rooting for a different outcome, it was still good. Amy hijacks her mother's pre-planned itinerary for a cross country car/child delivery to resolve some unacknowledged grieving. Roger (her designated driver) on the other hand spent 80% of the trip being morose over a girl named Hadley. A girl no one else seemed to like, including her own brother. While the book isn't life altering or action packed, it is a great story about working through feelings. Since you've been gone is still my favorite Morgan Matson book, but this one is good too!

Amy's family has fallen apart since her father was killed in a car accident. Her brother turned to drugs and alcohol and is now in rehab, her mother is desperate to get away from the memories and is determined to move to the other side of the country and Amy is just trying to get through one day at a time. She feels disconnected from her old life, is unable to open up to her friends and she blames herself for her father's death. The last thing she wants to take a five day road trip, especially when just the thought of getting in a car sends her into a panic. Even worse is the fact that she will be driven by the son of her mum's friend, she hasn't seen Roger for years and is dreading the thought of being in a confined space with a complete stranger. Roger isn't too keen on the idea either and the last thing he intends to do is follow the strict route that Amy's mother has planned for them, if you're taking a road trip you can at least make an adventure out of it.

I was talking with several other bloggers about road trip books and Amy & Roger's Epic Detour was one that came highly recommended by everyone who had read it so of course I had to read it. As a Brit I'm fascinated by the idea of doing a road trip across the US. I actually find it hard to comprehend the distances people travel in America to get from one side of the states to the other though. To put it into perspective for my US friends we can travel from Land's End (the very bottom of England) to John o' Groats (the very top of Scotland) in less than 16 hours and that is the furthest you can drive in a straight line before hitting water at either end of the journey! The trip that Amy & Roger take is probably three times that distance and they complete it in about a week which I think is pretty impressive when only one of them is driving (I consider the 5 hours it takes to get from London to Devon a long journey LOL!). Anyway, I absolutely loved getting to take this trip with them, Morgan Matson describes the scenery beautifully and the little hints about good places to stop for food or must see tourist sites made me desperately want to book flights, hire a car and follow in their footsteps!

Amy and Roger start out as complete strangers who are reluctant to be spending so much time together but as they get to know each other they realise how much they have in common and begin to open up to each other. I loved the way their friendship slowly develops into something more, it all happens at a realistic pace and never once felt forced or rushed. With Roger's help Amy starts to overcome her anxiety issues and remember the girl she used to be before her father's accident, she will never be quite the same but she really does start to face her problems head on instead of burying them away. I'll admit that I was a little worried about Roger's stalker potential in the beginning. The way he was constantly trying to call his ex-girlfriend even though she was obviously ignoring him came across as a little creepy but thankfully his behaviour doesn't carry on for too long as he starts to realise how wrong they were for each other. He really grew on me as I got to know him better and I loved the way he was so patient and understanding with Amy, he really did help her come to terms with her father's death and she desperately needed a friend who was able to make her open up about what had happened to him. They actually make a really sweet couple but their romance doesn't take over the story and the focus is much more on friendship, family, growing up and forgiving yourself.

One of my favourite things about the book was all the little added extras that are included. As they travel Amy keeps a journal full of photos, postcards, receipts, playlists, drawings and much more and these pages are re-created throughout the book helping to make the story come to life. I loved the fun facts that she writes about each of the states they travel through and I actually ended up getting out a map so I could see exactly where they went. This was definitely one of my favourite road trip books so I can understand why all my friends recommended it so highly. If you're looking for a coming of age story, a fab road trip book and a really sweet romance all rolled into one then you can't go wrong with Amy & Roger's Epic Detour. This is definitely one for my keeper shelf and I'm already looking forward to reading Morgan Matson's next book Second Chance Summer!

This book isn’t a normal contemporary story about two people falling in love. It’s a story about two people on their personal quests, and on a journey of self-discovery.

The story is told through Amy’s POV. Amy Curry recently lost her father, and now she has to move all the way across the country from California to Connecticut. She is joined on her road-trip to her new home by Roger, who is the son of Amy’s mother’s friend, and who comes with his own baggage. Traveling through the country as reluctant co-travelers, Amy & Roger decide to deviate from their planned journey and take a detour, each for their own personal reasons. Amy is trying to get over her father’s death, and reconcile with the idea of moving from the place she’s always known as home. Her brother has been away at a facility, and her mother has been gone for months trying to set up their new place. Having had so much time alone, Amy has become a social loner, and has a hard time connecting or opening up to anyone. Roger, on the other hand, is trying to deal with certain disappointments, which do seem a little trivial, compared to those of Amy’s.

This book might seem like just another one of those cliché contemporary love stories, but it’s not. Though there were a lot of things about this book that were predictable, I really liked the way the story played out, and the way we got to know our characters. Amy & Roger’s characters are both deeply layered and it was very enjoyable to watch them both get over their insecurities, and also help and support each other through their hard times. It’s a very authentic, realistic and likable story about two strangers going on a road-trip, and how they come to understand and fall in love with each other.

My favorite parts about the books were the illustrations and the different playlists at the end of each section. There were also glimpses of the travel journal kept by Amy, with pictures and receipts and various facts about each state they went through. Also, this book had a great set of secondary characters. This book made me smile a lot, and it was definitely a very good, if not great, coming of age story. And the road-trip elements made the book very enjoyable and fresh.

Despite the serious issues it addresses, the book is very fast, upbeat and fun. I loved the writing style, and was very impressed by the fact that the author took a road-trip of her own, to research for this book. And I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of her work in the future. If you’re looking for a light and feel good book this summer, this is the one for you. But beware! Reading this book might give some very strong and sudden desires to go on a road-trip of your own.

This review is originally found on www.alluringtales.com

I've always been a hopeless romantic. Always looking for new books where the guy automatically falls for the girl or vise versa. The cheesy, overly lovey ones. What can I say I love, love? I came into this book really expecting a love story. Two kids going on a road trip, he likes her and bam they fall in love. It isn’t that. Nope, not this book. This was a self discovery book. I don't know what it is about these books that just pulls at my heart and gets me all emotional. Maybe it’s because I know how it feels to feel lost. It's about the Amy (the main character) finding her old self after a lost she thought she could never overcome. Forgiving herself, and making herself a better person.
Just reading this story was touching and beautiful. I finally felt like I was going somewhere and doing something great, but it wasn't me it was Amy. Everything is so well described and it just flows off the page and turns into clear images. And that’s the beauty in Morgan Matson’s writing. She gets you to feel the character and live through them. You become the protagonist. My favorite part is the road trip aspect. How nothing was permanent. Ever since I read ‘The Edge Of Never’ by J.A. Redmerski I fell in love with the idea of a road trip. With one other person, just us and the long winding enigma in the roads ahead.
Overall, I am extremely happy how everything played out. The pictures in the book just added more to realism and gave your more of a emotional attachment to the book. It added such a great touch. — Is it just me though? That felt a little cheated in the end, I really wish there was an Epilogue. Other than that, I'm extremely happy. I couldn't find a more perfect book this month. I can't wait to dive into her book ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ I hear we learn a little something about the characters from Amy and Roger! So at least I'll feel some closure. I highly recommend this to everyone!!

Super quick, sweet, and fun summer read. It's not as heart-achingly sad as Second Chance Summer was, but still has the genuine feelings that Morgan Matson's books usually do. The characters are loveable as usual, though there is definitely a little bit of First Book Syndrome present in how the story played out. The edges are rougher and the story less refined than some of her other books, but the fun road trip vibe and sweet emotional journey make up for it. Plus, clocking in at less than 350 pages, including pictures, playlists, and maps, makes this a very quick read for any reading speed.

*This review originally appeared on my blog on September 29th, 2011*

I can't tell you how much I loved this book. I finished it a few days ago and haven't been able to get all my thoughts together because there were so many I didn't know where to begin. This review is going to be a bit different (and longer) than my usual reviews, just because when I really enjoy a book, I love to share its awesomeness with everyone, and I have a lot to say about it.

I've always dreamed of going on an epic road trip like the one Amy and Roger took. I love road trips, but rarely get to take them anymore, so this book was the perfect way for me to live vicariously, and I enjoyed every second of this adventure.

The characters:
I love Amy and Roger, separately and together. Amy was so relatable to me; she'd been through a trauma, and her emotions were so real - the pain, the avoidance, the anger, the awkwardness around other people, all of it. It was so great to watch her blossom and find herself again, and learn new things about herself.

Roger is just plain amazing. He's sweet without being one of those guy characters who's so perfect he's unbelievable. I also enjoyed watching his transformation - although subtler than Amy's, it was still interesting to see. I thought these two were great together - the way they quickly learned each other's moods, habits, expressions and body language was so real and it was a lot of fun to see them discovering things about each other without really realizing it.

I also loved all the quirky characters the pair met along the way.

The story itself:
Well-written, laugh-out-loud funny, achingly real and believable. We know that Amy's father died, and we know how, but it takes a long time for us to learn the details, and I was so curious. I was sitting in the library when I read the part where Amy finally tells Roger what happened, and I had to stop reading because I was crying. Seriously. Her self-blame and guilt were so real, it broke my heart.

Another of my favorite things about this book was the little extras - the pictures, the sketches, the playlists, the facts about the states they visited. I learned so much from this book! In fact, I loved those parts so much that I bookmarked them all to show my mum - my only real-life book loving friend, hence my love and appreciation for my fellow book bloggers lol - and even after I'd shown her, I found her flipping through the book again a little while later. She doesn't read YA (except for Harry Potter), but I've been wondering if I could get her started with this book. ;-)

Possible spoiler alert: I don't want to say I was unhappy with the ending, but I suppose there was a part of me that was slightly disappointed. Not disappointed enough to stop loving this book, but the romantic in me, and the side of me that likes for books to be wrapped up in neat little bows - even though I know that's not how life itself is - was a bit sad. I realize that at the heart of it, this story was about Amy finding herself and making a lot of really important self-discoveries, but the slightly ambiguous way things were left between Amy and Roger...well, I wasn't satisfied. I did wonder how it could possibly work out for them, so I know this was the more realistic ending than some ideal happily ever after, especially when they're both so young. BUT, the ending leaves it open for a possible sequel - I have no idea if Ms Matson ever intends to do a sequel, but I'd say she at least has the option for one, and I know she'd have a lot of happy fans if she carried on with Amy and Roger's tale. (Please Morgan, please please pleeeeease!)

How this book affected me on a person level:
*Amy's dad's death really hit me hard, because my dad died a long time ago and we had a really special bond, like Amy had with her dad. Whether it was an accident or something else, and even when there's absolutely nothing anyone could have done, when a kid loses a parent, there's going to be guilt there, and possibly even self-blame. I could really relate to what Amy was going through, even though my dad died of a prolonged illness, not a car accident, and I was much younger than she was when it happened.

*I said at the beginning that I've always dreamed of going on an epic road trip...well, I'd be lying if I said I've never had an epic road trip of my own, even if it was a lot different. I've had a few really terrific road trips, but only one American one. A few years ago, I met a girl online and we became fast friends. We talked all day every day, had tons in common, and it felt like we'd known each other our entire lives. Just a few months after meeting online, we decided it was time to meet in person...only, she lived in Kentucky and I live in Ontario, Canada. So, she drove from Kentucky to here (13 hours), stayed with us a couple days, then the two of us headed back to KY. After a couple days there, we headed out with her mother and nephew to Virginia to visit family. So that's a 13 hour straight trip, followed by a 9-10 hour trip. While we were there, we visited DC and Maryland. On the way home, we split from her mother and nephew - they went home, and we came back here, but took a different route (another 9-10 hour drive). So I saw 9 states in as many days: Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York (the only state I'd been to previously). Amy and Roger hit 14 states, so we weren't far behind. That girl and I are no longer friends, but this book made my heart ache a little with the memories of our own epic adventure, especially when Amy and Roger were in Kentucky and Virginia. Our playlist consisted of non-stop U2 (we met in a U2 fan forum), and we had some amazing food along the way, just like Amy and Roger. We also met some pretty memorable characters. And like Amy, I learned quite a bit about myself on that trip.

This is one of those books that it seems like everyone has read, but if you haven't, you really should. I know I've rambled on endlessly, but there's so much more I could say, I just really and truly loved this book.

After losing her father in an auto accident, Amy is barely going through the motions of living. Her twin brother is in rehab in North Carolina and her best friend has moved to Florida. Left alone in California to finish the last month of junior year while her mother gets settled in Connecticut, she won't drive and limits social interaction. With money tight, her mother arranges for college-aged family friend Roger to drive Amy and the car east, carefully mapping out their route and making hotel reservations along the way. Amy barely knows Roger, so is pleasantly surprised when he turns out to be cute and nice. They ditch her mother's regimented itinerary and take off across the country, visiting places and people of significance to them, and eating mostly junk food. I have never made such a trip, and it was fascinating. iPod playlists, receipts and handwritten lists every few chapters didn't add much for me (I'd never heard of most of the songs). Amy was a little too angsty and the details of the accident were slow to be revealed (and weren't that earth-shaking), but the journey was generally satisfying and delightful. (I read a web copy of the book through PulseIt)

I read this little tale yesterday and I found that while it is very predictable about the path that Amy and Roger take, it is a great lite read that keeps you interested just enough.

(NO SPOILERS)

Likes:

1. The characters are great. Amy, we learn, has dealt with a lot of loss and because of that loss she loses herself. She follows her mother to a new state- across the country, but must first get there. Enters, Roger, a likable, cute, boy-I-haven't-seen-since-mud-pies and the road trip begins. Amy is a, dare I say it, a likeable teenager. Little attention is piad to her apperance and there is substance to her. She is funny, clever and smart- perhaps it is because of her forced maturity because of her loss, but it is beautiful to read about how she grows as they travel across the US. Roger is a sweet boy, just enough and therefore a perfect counter to Amy. Where she is funny, he is genuine, when she is stubborn he is abliging. I found that their friendship was realistic, never forced. They understood one another for different reasons.

2. The inclusion of defying her mother and taking a different route was classy, without it there would be no story. But I liked the discriptions of the places they chose to visit and the reasoning behind these places. The settings are unique and beautiful (having been to a few myself) I found the author did a great job of relating each place to a certain point\time in the life of the characters. I mean can you really go wrong with bear attavk videos? hole in the wall dinners? cheap motels? Um no!

3. The musical playlists. They were great and I loved the whole travel journal idea. This allowed the reader an added bonus of understanding what Amy and Roger were actually going through as oppossed to flat out telling us. Speaking through music is always welcomed as long as the wuhtor does it well and here it is done very well. (Can't go wrong with Sufjan Stevens, Wilco and The Decemberists)

Not So Good:

1. The predictability of the story.

2. Hadley.

3. The brother inclusion: it was not necessary and it seemed to slow the story down for some reason. I mean as the reader we know why Amy needs to do this- but I felt it was just like- eh? Who really cares if she sees him or not. It was a strange interaction/scene that I felt could have been skipped.

So while I found the characters endearing, it was the story that brought it down for me. Amy does a lot of healing in five days, but there is something...just missing.

I am not sure what would have made it better and that is why I am torn as to what to give this book. Did I like it- slightly yes. Love it- no. But I will say it was worth the time I invested to read it and it is leaps above some of the young adult fiction out there.

3.5/5 Stars

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

After the death of Amy Curry's father, Amy's mother decided to move from their California home to Connecticut.

Now, that Amy has finished out her school year her mother has planned a way to get both Amy and the car to Connecticut. Travel Buddy included.

However, the two decide to take a detour and the fun begins!

I enjoyed this summer adventure read. I loved how the author included play lists and scrap-booking in the book. I felt like I was traveling along with the main characters. My only complaint is I would have liked an epilogue.

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This book will have you wanting to let yourself go, expand your own horizons, and be spontaneous. Especially if an unplanned journey could become the time of your life. The thing is, you never know unless you let go. Amy and Roger learned all about that lesson, specifically Amy.
Such a bittersweet tale. Tragic events always seem to form massive events in our lives, changing us. This story was no different and showed just that. It also showed the power of love and healing. More steps that we all have to walk in life. This story seems to make those steps poignant.
I NEED to know if Amy and Roger continue on. There was a perfect ending, it all closed up nicely. Still, there was a lot left open just enough to give so much more. And I want more. Lots would be an understatement.
This book is perfect for people who love a sense of adventure. It will surely entice you right to the very end.

This book was absolutely amazing. I loved every minute of it. I'm glad everyone was still buzzing about it this year so I heard about it and got a chance to read it. I feel like I need to go on a road trip now. That's just how good it was.
Also, I don't think I've ever actually wanted to own a book as badly as I do this one. I feel as if it would be my best friend on a road trip. All those playlists? Absolutely amazing. I mean Owl City alongside Guns `n Roses: where else are you going to see that? I was also happily surprised with the format. I wasn't expecting all the extra little things, but they really made it fantastic.
I've read good books lately, but I haven't read one in quite some time that actually made me laugh out loud. This one had me laughing in the middle of a bunch of people and alone in my bed late at night.
I went on a road trip across the country with my family a couple years ago and needless to say, I did not see all the things Amy did. Since I seemed to miss so much, I feel like I need to go back now and see everything with new (non-disgruntled at my family) eyes.
And of course, the characters. They were all amazing. I loved every last one we met along the way, but Roger was definitely my favorite. It felt like Matson had simply turned my personality into a guy most of the time. I'm terrible with directions and take the same philosophy as him, neither of us can whistle, and we have similar taste in music.
To summarize, I will definitely be trying to get a hold of this book to keep. I loved it and want it to have a permanent spot on my bookshelf. Definitely check this out as a summer read. And then maybe take a little road trip ;)

Every once in a while, book lovers are lucky enough to stumble upon a book that they just fall instantly in love with. It is a book they can connect to, recommend to countless amounts of people, or in my case talk about for days on end to anyone within listening range. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour is that book for me. Every single detail about this book was magical for me. The story was deep and uplifting at the same time. The characters were loveable, realistic, complicated people. The relationships between characters were drawn out perfectly. And don't even get me started on all the little detailed pages included throughout the whole book; you will have me talking for hours about that aspect alone!

I picked this book up for a number of reasons. The cover is adorable, the synopsis sounds enjoyable, and I was about to embark on a road trip, so what better book to read than one about two teens taking the biggest road trip of their lives? I thought it would be a fun, light, easy read. Little did I know that this book would have me completely entranced in little time at all.

Amy, the main character, is going through some unimaginable tough times. Her father was killed in a car accident. Her estranged twin brother is in rehab across the country. Her mother, in an effort to get a "fresh start" moved from California all the way to Connecticut leaving Amy to finish her year of school off alone. Once school finishes, Amy hitches a ride with Roger, a son of a family friend, to move in with her mom. The two start the trip off following the itinerary but decide to take a detour before they even leave the state of California. The detour takes them through several different small town that all hold a special meaning for the two. For Amy it is all about places she visited or wish she would have gone to with her dad. For Roger it is all about getting back the girl he loved but lost. Along the ride the quiet, grieving Amy learns to open up. She holds so much of what she is feeling inside but along every stop they make on their adventure, she opens up a little more. At first Roger is so hung up on his ex-girlfriend that he fails to see the bigger picture. The closer they get to reaching her, the more Roger realizes she probably wasn't the girl for him. The changes that these two went through were amazing. In the end of the book they were almost like two different people. What Morgan did so well was that she let these two grow and change but managed to stay very true the their personality.

The bulk of the story is Amy and Roger together but with every stop they meet some wonderful new characters. While these characters may be small and we often learned little about them, they were HUGE stepping stones for the changes within Amy and Roger. They meet some great friends and learned quite a bit from these small characters. I loved that about this book.

Amy and Roger's relationship starts off rather awkward. They barely remember each other from childhood, not to mention they are both dealing with many internal struggles, so conversation in the beginning is strained. However, they soon come to know each other so well. After being trapped in a car with someone for days on end, I can imagine learning all their little quirks would be easy. Before the two even realize it, they have become great friends. They become each other's support system. Not long after they become great friends, they soon recognize that there are more than friendship feelings there. I loved the connection between these two characters. It was real, honest, believable, sweet, etc.

As if the plot, characters, and awesome chemistry weren't enough to make me love this book, they just had to throw in extra details. Between every chapter are musical playlists (with real bands that I actually listen to!), receipts from restaurants and gas stations they visited, little tid-bits of the state they were just in, there are even some pictures. These details make this so much more amazing than it already is.

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour proved to be an amazing book. There is an easy plot with complicated, amazing characters. You also have believable, real relationships and the awesome extra details scattering the pages of this book. Reading Amy & Roger's Epic Detour is so much more than reading a book, it is like taking a mini adventure. I highly recommend this book to anyone especially if you are fans of Sarah Dessen and Sarah Ockler!

I loved this book so much!!! Seriously, after I was done reading it I just hugged it to my chest and grinned like an idiot --- which, by the way, got me some really strange glances from people sitting near me on the subway ... ;o)

There are many words that can be used to describe this book --- wonderful, great, brilliant, beautifully written, captivating, delightful, touching, funny, poignant, cute, memorable, enjoyable, enchanting, amazing, charming ... well, I'm sure you get the drift ... ;o)

Amy and Roger are such wonderful characters --- likable and real, and I could really relate perfectly to them. They both have been broken in a way --- although admittedly Amy's father dying is much worse than Roger's girlfriend breaking up with him without giving a reason. Not only are they virtual strangers at the beginning of the trip but they are each vulnerable and have to learn to trust again. Watching their relationship change from wariness and "unsureness" (they don't really no how to act around each other at first, but then that's what it is often like with strangers) to friendship and finally to romance was such a joy!

Their detour --- which takes them from California to Connecticut by way of Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee and quite a few more states --- is also a healing trip. It gives both of them time to face their demons, so to speak. In the beginning, Roger is still hung up on his ex, Hadley, and is on a mission to find out why she broke up with him. Amy, on the other hand, is still dealing with the aftermath of the car accident in which her father was killed --- the accident for which she blames herself. Over the course of their trip both Amy and Roger come to realize that sometimes the only way is forward. And - as Roger so aptly puts it - often the best discoveries are the ones you weren't looking for ... the ones you just stumble across.

In addition to Amy and Roger, the book also boasts some truly great (and interesting) secondary characters, all of whom enrich the story in some way.

Last but not least, I absolutely adored all the little touches throughout the book (very creative!) --- the photos, playlists, receipts, postcards, the little drawings and side notes. It all made the story feel so much more real --- more even, it made me feel like I was right there with Amy and Roger, doing "Hike-U" at Yosemite, driving along "the loneliest road in America", eating Derby Pie and "Crumbly Burgers" with special sauce and playing Twenty Questions!

In fact, right now I'm just itching to clear out my bank account, buy myself a plane ticket from Germany to California, and drive across America in a car to have my very own "epic detour" ... LOL!

Anyone up for a road trip???

I loved this book so much!!! Seriously, after I was done reading it I just hugged it to my chest and grinned like an idiot --- which, by the way, got me some really strange glances from people sitting near me on the subway ... ;o)

There are many words that can be used to describe this book --- wonderful, great, brilliant, beautifully written, captivating, delightful, touching, funny, poignant, cute, memorable, enjoyable, enchanting, amazing, charming ... well, I'm sure you get the drift ... ;o)

Amy and Roger are such wonderful characters --- likable and real, and I could really relate perfectly to them. They both have been broken in a way --- although admittedly Amy's father dying is much worse than Roger's girlfriend breaking up with him without giving a reason. Not only are they virtual strangers at the beginning of the trip but they are each vulnerable and have to learn to trust again. Watching their relationship change from wariness and "unsureness" (they don't really no how to act around each other at first, but then that's what it is often like with strangers) to friendship and finally to romance was such a joy!

Their detour --- which takes them from California to Connecticut by way of Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee and quite a few more states --- is also a healing trip. It gives both of them time to face their demons, so to speak. In the beginning, Roger is still hung up on his ex, Hadley, and is on a mission to find out why she broke up with him. Amy, on the other hand, is still dealing with the aftermath of the car accident in which her father was killed --- the accident for which she blames herself. Over the course of their trip both Amy and Roger come to realize that sometimes the only way is forward. And - as Roger so aptly puts it - often the best discoveries are the ones you weren't looking for ... the ones you just stumble across.

In addition to Amy and Roger, the book also boasts some truly great (and interesting) secondary characters, all of whom enrich the story in some way.

Last but not least, I absolutely adored all the little touches throughout the book (very creative!) --- the photos, playlists, receipts, postcards, the little drawings and side notes. It all made the story feel so much more real --- more even, it made me feel like I was right there with Amy and Roger, doing "Hike-U" at Yosemite, driving along "the loneliest road in America", eating Derby Pie and "Crumbly Burgers" with special sauce and playing Twenty Questions!

In fact, right now I'm just itching to clear out my bank account, buy myself a plane ticket from Germany to California, and drive across America in a car to have my very own "epic detour" ... LOL!

Anyone up for a road trip???

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour is definitely a book you do not want to miss out on if you've ever wanted to take a cross country road trip. What a wonderful way to explore America without ever leaving your house! I thought the maps, playlist, pictures, and Amy's entries in her travel journal were a clever touch to really make you feel like you were with Roger and her.

Amy was pretty bland at the beginning of the novel. It made the read a bit drabby at first, but after I passed the first fifty pages - I was pretty much sold. While being on a road trip just for about a week doesn't seem like that long of a time for a person to change, it is. Knowing more and more about Roger and Amy and seeing them both tackle things in their past made the pages fly by. The plot itself isn't very fast paced, but it makes for a great character growth read. I think those that like a more action fast plot might not like this one too much.

One thing I have to point out is how much I enjoyed seeing both characters experience everything around them. Neither of the characters had really been outside of California so when they stumbled upon the Midwest (where I'm from) I was probably cracking up a bit more than I should have. Especially when they arrived at a Sonic, and had no clue what it was. Or when they hit Kentucky and never had sweet tea. (No sweet tea? You people are living without!) It was pretty neat seeing all the differences that many states have.

After I read this book, I texted my sister asking if she wanted to make a small road trip of our own. So at the end of the month we're hitting up Graceland! So I say pick this book up, enjoy Morgan Matson's wonderful writing, and see where it takes you. Who knows, you might end up on a road trip of your own.

Title: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

Author: Morgan Matson

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Number of Pages: 343

Date of Release: May 4th, 2010

Synopsis From Front Cover:

When you're on a road trip life is all about the detours. . . .

Amy Curry is having a terrible year. Her mother has decided to move across the country and needs Amy to get their car From California to Connecticut. There's just one problem: Since her dad died this past spring, Amy hasn't been able to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger, the nineteen-year-old son of an old family friend, who turns out to be unexpectedly cute. . . and dealing with some baggage of his own.

Meeting new people and coming to terms with her father's death were not what Amy had planned for this trip. And traveling the Loneliest Road in America, seeing the Colorado Mountains, crossing the Kansas plains, and visiting diners, dingy motels and Graceland were definitely not on the itinerary. But as they drive, Amy finds that the people you least expected are the ones you may need the most-and that sometimes you have to get lost in order to find your way home.

Review: I had heard a ton of buzz starting in April and through July about this book. I was lucky enough to win copy of my own and I am so happy I did. Not usually my favorite genre this novel was easy to fall in love with. There were no annoying female leads. No stupid boyfriends and no backstabbing. Those are things I hate about books when those kinds of things are what the whole book is about. Morgan Matson sends universal messages to her readers through her eloquent writing style and witty lead characters.

Amy & Rogers Epic Detour deals with loss, love, life and moving on. Everyone can relate to these themes. I was easily able to see these and they are what made the book so amazing.

Amy has not dealt properly with her father's death, she has tons of pent up emotions. Her brother is in rehab and her mom in denial. Amy has been living in a house in California all by herself for several weeks before Roger shows up. Along the way Roger and Amy deal with their own issues together. Amy gets a new wardrobe, which means she can't blend in anymore and go with the flow. Roger learns to except that sometimes people aren't what they seem, and can disappoint you.

The little things are what make this book. The realizations and new thoughts each character has is delightful. I especially liked the pictures and receipts that go along with each place they stopped at. I really think that this was such a cute summer read for me. I think you guys would like it as well so go check it out. Take a break from the werewolves and vampires and fey and everything else paranormal and check out Morgan Matson's new novel!

Amy isn't thrilled about her mother's decision to sell the house and move across the country. She's been living in her home alone for the last month. Now, it's time to head to Connecticut - her new home.

As Amy doesn't drive anymore, her mother's friend's son will drive Amy. Roger's headed for Philadelphia for the summer. Amy's mother has planned out their whole trip, including hotel stops along the way.

Roger isn't happy with this plan. In fact, the first thing they do is ditch the itinerary. Amy wants to head to Yosemite Park, a place she's frequented with her father and twin brother.

Her father died in a car accident. Her brother is secretly in rehab. Amy can't talk to anyone about his death. She keeps her feelings bottled up inside her and pushes everyone away. She's become really good at being invisible to the world.

The driving time doesn't allow her to hide from Roger. He asks her hard questions that make her think. He forces her to confront her feelings. As each mile passes, Amy starts to become more and more like her old self. She knows several places she wants to stop along the way - as she has unfinished business.

My Thoughts: I read this one because of an IF YOU LIKE IT post from Reclusive Bibliophile. I adored this book. I loved uncovering what really happened to Amy's father and her exploring her feelings towards the rest of the world as a result of the accident. I loved the fact that Roger has a secret of his own and watching him open up to Amy. I love how the adventure unfolds and the people they meet along the way. A great road trip novel!

One of the most memorable, touching food-good road trip books I've read! This is one of the best car books, or beach reads or just whenever book. I loved the pictures!!! It really brought the book to life.

Road trip books are the best. The author knocked this out of the park. I highly recommend it. And I will definitely re read it.

Source: Received for review from publicist. Many thanks goes to Loretta from Simon & Schuster for sending me this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
My rating: 5/5

Amy is having a hard time dealing with her father's death. She hasn't been able to get behind the wheel since, and she ultimately blames herself for his death. Unfortunately, her mother is relocating the family to Connecticut, and needs someone to drive the car from California to their new home. Amy still isn't up to driving, and so, Roger enters the picture. Amy vaguely recognizes Roger as the kid who lived down the street many years ago. Roger's mother, and Amy's for that matter, have decided that Roger and Amy should bring the car back, together. Things get interesting when they decide to deviate from the original plan, and take a few detours of their own.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Amy is such a poignant character. I felt heartsick for her, and sympathized with her. It was truly a joy to watch her develop under Matson's firm hand. She seemed to come to life, and poured her heart out for the reader to see. She seemed so real. I think Matson captured the angst, and turmoil of a teenager's heart perfectly.
Roger was also absolutely brilliant, and he was a true gentleman. Sure, he's a guy, but he happens to be one of the good ones. He and Amy both seemed to complement each other beautifully. It was captivating to watch their personalities unfold, and see how they meshed, as they had been almost complete strangers before they embarked on the road trip.
Matson weaves together bittersweet emotions, sorrow, hope, and a sense of finding yourself within this remarkable journey. The road trip wasn't just a trip, it was also about the journey to finding oneself after adversity, to knowing who you are, and realizing that there is always hope. Things will get better, maybe not today, or tomorrow, but one day.
I also absolutely loved the sense of adventure within this book, and thought that it, as well as the playlists offset the sad tone created, therefore making it an even more enjoyable read.
All in all, this was an incredibly heartwarming read that runs the gamut of emotions. You'll be laughing, crying, and singing along to the songs while reading this book. It truly is a detour worth taking.

First off, I absolutely adored this novel. Romance and road trips are like the siren call of chocolate, I'm unable to resist. Throw in the complication of the recent loss of a father by way of car accident and you've got a story I need to read. I love a happy ending, but the struggle and pain of my main character is what makes it all worthwhile.

This novel is especially unique in that playlists and artifacts from the roadtrip are scattered throughout the book. The playlists were absolutely amazing! Roger and I (and the author!) have similar taste in music, so I was familiar with many of the bands and songs. I was intrigued by the ones I didn't know, which led to looking them up and finding many new bands and songs to love! One of my favorite road trip scraps is from early on in the novel, when Amy and Roger stop at Yellowstone. They choose to go on a guided activity hike in which they must periodically stop and write poems. Needless to say, they aren't taking their assignment very seriously and their poems are hilarious. Plus, the reader has their first peek at Amy and Roger's chemistry. Having these extras was not only fun, it added another dimension to the characters.

Morgan Matson did a wonderful job of creating her characters. So often, characters only really have one dimension or the author doesn't give the reader anything to allow them to connect and know the characters. Each and every one of Matson's characters had a story... they each had something that made them linger in my mind. It isn't often that I can finish a novel and remember each minor character as well as the main ones, especially weeks after I've read the novel. Matson's mastery makes me want to stand up and applaud! I felt such a connection to to each character, that I can honestly say that if Matson decided to write a novel about any one of the characters in Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, I'd read it in a heartbeat.

Amy and Roger's relationship is one of my all time favorites. Their back and forth banter and concern for one another completely won me over and left me smiling. I love when I'm reading a novel and I know that two characters are perfect for one another, but the characters haven't realized it yet, and then, suddenly, it clicks for one of them. You can pinpoint that moment when they know that they belong with that person and regardless of whether they began their epic detour with a completely different intention, it has delivered them to the place, and person, they really needed.

I feel that I must add, that the loss of Amy's father and the current shattered state of her family are not solved by her unexpected romance with Roger. I'm extremely appreciative of this detail, as there are novels in which the main character's problems suddenly disappear because she's met a boy. Amy finds love on her epic detour, but, ultimately, it is the people she meets and stops to see along the way that help her move forward with her life.

My Thoughts: We are introduced to Amy. Shy reluctant Amy who has been through such a tragedy. She lost her father and still had a hard time adjusting. I also lost my dad so I can relate to exactly what she was feeling. She was lonely, never really being able to talk to her mom or brother about it. Everyone kept their feelings bottled up. Like things couldn't get any worst, Amy's mom pairs her up with an old friend, Roger. They haven't seen each other in years and she barely remembers him. Her family is showing the house so Amy must go meet up with her mom in another state. Roger shows up and Amy takes off with him to embark on a road trip. Things are uncomfortable at first. I mean, think about it, spending 4 days in a car with a boy you barely know! They slowly start to talk and he tells her about his ex girlfriend who broke up with him and how he didn't even see it coming! Amy starts to open up with him. I really liked how they could stay in a motel together, sleep in the same bed, but they were so tired they barely made it to the bed before they fell asleep. I liked how they faced each other when they fell asleep. Roger was such a sweetheart and I really liked him. Amy was a nice girl who just had a case of bad luck. This story was so much fun. I loved the journal she wrote on, the notes scribbled in her handwriting, and the play-lists Roger made. Most of the book I spend wondering, when are you two going to look at one another and really see each other! They had great chemistry as friends. This was a wonderful story about finding yourself and taking the next step in curing your fears, with a little romance mixed in.

Overall: Loved It! Despite it being over 300 pages I finished it in one sitting! Great book!

Cover: I really like it. I am always drawn to covers where the guy and girl are holding hands. There is just something so sweet about it.

When I was younger, my family never flew anywhere to go visit family or friends. We always drove to wherever we were going and sometimes it took a while. In a way, this book reminded me of those trips. I really enjoyed this book and the receipts, notes and pictures that are included in the book really make the trip seem that much more enjoyable. Amy is dealing with the loss of her father, her role in his death and having to move across the country to a new place to get away from the past. Roger is going to see his father who he is not close to. These two are thrown together with Roger driving and Amy being the navigator. Even though the path is set out by Amy's Mom, they decide to take a significant detour (hence the name of the book). On the detour, Amy and Roger really learn a lot about themselves and each other. These are two really great main characters. I really felt like I was on the trip with them. Throughout, you could see their relationship building but it wasn't really the main part of the story and that made the book that much better for me. In the end, they part as better people and more. I would love for there to be a sequel or at least a companion novel to this story. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

Really enjoyed this! I wasn't quite as emotional as I expected to be but that was probably due to the environment I was reading in. Otherwise the writing was very good as I expected of Morgan Matson. I appreciated the exploration of this family after a devasting accident, although I wish it was explored a bit more. I also enjoyed the little travel journey entries and playlists interspersed. Overall this is a great road trip book that I'd recommend.

This book makes me want to travel anywhere and anytime of day. I think this book influenced me more than it should of. I related in similar experiences and it was a joy ride for me. If you're still wondering what this is about.. well it's Amy and Roger's DETOUR.

Amy Curry needs to get herself to Connecticut (while she is in Los Angeles, California). But there's a problem. She can't drive because of an incident what happened with her father. So Mrs. Curry puts Roger to the job. They haven't seen each other in A LOT TIME. So we can basically call them strangers.

And THUS the adventure road trip begins. I kind of envied their trip because I know I won't go on a road trip soon. LET ALONE A CUTE COLLEGE BOY. This might actually be a story of girl meets boy and it takes centuries for them to get together. But there were MANY little details that make that story theirs. The pictures were also fun to read. I legitimately felt like I was there with them.

THE PLAYLISTS. I actually knew some bands in Roger's playlists. I loved the little detailed pictures that came with it.

I also feel like I need to mention Lucien. As you may not know, Lucien is Roger's ex-girlfriend's brother. He is charming and very southern. Lucien understands some of Amy's experiences with family. He has a soft heart. He was a gentlemen and had some wit. What more can Amy ask?

Like all road trips, they come to an end. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour isn't your typical travel, road trip story. It shows how the characters deal with losing someone close to them, and how they come to terms with it. Like it said in the blurb, Amy did find herself. I'm so happy how all the characters overcame their problems. I am definitely looking forward to what Morgan Matson has in store.

I adored this book. Amy was such a great character. She was sweet and funny at times, but it took awhile for her to show this. I mean she slowly made amends with her past and had no clue what to do about it. I loved Roger. He made me laugh the whole book. I also loved the playlist and the scraps of details from the roadtrip. I had the same musical taste as the both characters, so I knew a lot of the songs and bands. Roger and Amy's relationship was very sweet and I liked how Matson was clear that the relationship wouldn't fix everything about Amy's life. The minor characters all left a huge impression on you and were all well developed in the little time that you read about them.
The plot of Amy & Roger's Epic Detour was epic. I love road trips. I found the book to road trip to be very awesome. I found the book to be very sweet, touching, and posistive. I found this book to be a fantastic debut that was just so amazing. I honestly didn't know what to suspect when I read this book, but quickly feel in love with Matson's amazing presentation of this book. I reccomend this book to fans of Sarah Dessen and Lauren Barnhouldt.

Finally, a Morgan Matson book that I enjoyed. I did not overly love it, but I did enjoy it. I related to Amy as far as losing her father and the feelings that come along with that loss.
I enjoyed the media content in the book as it brought a cute factor to the story as well. Overall, this was cute and I enjoyed it.

“Tomorrow will be better.”
“But what if it’s not?” I asked.
“Then you say it again tomorrow. Because it might be. You never know, right? At some point, tomorrow will be better.”

When I was 16, I got this book. I fell head over feet in LOVE with this book. The playlists (I now own almost every song mentioned), the travels (I can't wait to go on my own epic roadtrip and find some detours along the way...It's on my list to visit the longest road in america), the trivia and the love story. All Epic. <3 I strongly suggest reading this book. You will fall in love with not only it but also Morgan Matson's writing style.

Beautifully written, this story of two almost-strangers who get to know each while driving across America, breaks from the usual, stereotypical road-trip story where the couple start off hating each other before they fall in love. In contrast, there was an easy friendship between Roger and Amy from the start.

Like a scrapbook, the memorabilia collected on the way brings life to the story, while the shared secrets and playlists allow the characters to shine through.
@crushingcinders

This was an amazing debut novel. It was so great going on this incredible journey with Amy and Roger. Amy is an instantly likable character. She's dealing with some really tough issues and I felt my heart break for her with every page. Amy was close to her Dad the way that I am, and I couldn't imagine something happening to him. I mourned with her the whole way. Roger was an excellent male lead, he was sweet and funny and totally squee worthy! Always in tune with Amy's needs, yet still on a journey of his own, to find out what happened between him and "the ex" that won't answer his phone calls.

As Amy and Roger go on this amazing detour of a trip I found myself wishing for a road-trip of my own! Their surprise and delight at discovering Chic-fil-A, Sonic, and Sweet Tea had me laughing out loud (this is all restaurants, etc. from my neck of the woods.). You don't realize how different even those small things can be from state to state. The blossoming feelings of the main characters for each other was subtle and sweet and totally realistic.

Amy's emotional journey was way more epic than the external one that she was on. It was such a delight to go with her through all of her emotions and the rediscovery of who she is and who she has become. She really did push through her hardships to become an amazingly strong young woman. I would have been happy for this story and their road-trip to just keep on going for several more books :-) I definitely recommend this read to any and all who love a story of perseverance and young love.

Amy Curry is suffering. She's just lost her father in a car accident. Her brother is in a Carolina Rehab facility. Her mother is in Connecticut setting up their new home. She is alone. Her palpable grief is her only companion as she finishes her junior year. The seventeen year-old is content with hiding her grief, because she believes it's her fault that her family and their California home is no more.

To Amy's dismay, her mother has arranged for a friend's son, Roger, to drive Amy and their Jeep to Connecticut. Amy doesn't drive. Armed with a travel scrapbook and her mother's itinerary, Amy and Roger set out for where Amy is to live; she can't call it home. Soon into the trip, the pair decides to make a few detours - taking the scenic route to where neither teen wants to be. Each will eventually come to grips with their loss. Roger still has feelings for the girl who dumped him before he left Colorado College.)

The story is rather formulated with a predictable ending. But what disturbed me the most is how closed Amy was. I did not like her, and I did want to like her. Morgan's use of hand-written play lists and scrapbook pages (complete with Roger's doodle drawings) were cleverly done and enhanced the teens' story. I'm ready for a road trip at my age! The physical descriptions of Yosemite National Park, Colorado Springs, Kansas, Louisville, and even Charlie's Carolina facility were spot on. I loved the people they met along the way, but something about Amy was off. Maybe it is just me and the story targets a YA audience, but I don't think so since I have really enjoyed other YA novels.

A light easy read with a very addictive snack quality element to it, I could not put it down & was absolutely delighted by all the scrapbook details that each chapter contained. Also the whole time I was reading it, I kept thinking of friends or aquaintances that I needed to loan it to because it just felt like it had to be shared with other readers. Such a perfect birthday present that my bestie gave me this year.
The only downside is that now I want to restock my Itunes with the mixes from this book & so want to go on a cross country road trip & check out all the fun food places mentioned but alas both options are not in my current budget....