I must say that I truly enjoy Lonsdale's writing and her ability to tell a story. This story has heart, loss, and a wonderfully addictive quality as the reader takes the journey with these two characters.

Light, romantic and at times a tad unrealistic~ but hey, who wouldn't want to pick up a hot musician on a road trip through Route 66? Especially when "whatever happens on the side trip, stays on the side trip"!
Joy is on a mission to complete her deceased sisters "bucket list",  when she meets Dylan at a diner on Route 66- where his car broke down. Ultimately this is a story about "What if's", with an ending that sure surprised me! Would be a good vacation book.

I was completely enthralled with this book and it's main characters, Joy and Dylan. I loved the what-if aspect of the plot and the journey the characters and story took us on.

Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale

Brief Summary: Joy leaves California on a cross-country drive with her deceased sister’s Route 66 bucket list in hand; fiancée awaiting her in New York. At one of her first stops, she meets Dylan, a musician on his own cross-country mission. They agree to drive together with an agreed upon list of rules; what follows in a touching love story. I’m a longtime Kerry Lonsdale fan and when I first heard about the premise of this book, I was not very interested. I was so wrong; I absolutely loved this book.  

Highlights: I was quickly and unexpectedly sucked into this book. Joy and Dylan are very raw, relatable, and likeable characters and as a couple. I loved the themes of living a life of comfort and expectation or living the life you want. Do you live your life for someone else or do you live for yourself? Forgiveness of others and yourself is another salient theme. 

Explanation of Rating: 5/5; this is one of my favorite Kerry Lonsdale books, comparable to her fabulous Everything series. 

Psychology Factors: Kerry Lonsdale has a tradition of writing on mental health issues; which she continues with Dylan’s anxiety and panic attacks. I thought it was an interesting aspect of the story and she portrayed it realistically. 

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

I can think of very few recent novels that have completely gutted me.  Kerry Lonsdale’s Side Trip tore me to shreds.  It is an outstanding, heartfelt, emotional novel that is not to be missed.  A bit of a love triangle story, with tragic repercussions that will keep you glued to the pages until the very end.  I am raw, my husband was legitimately concerned when he saw how hard I was crying.  Kudos, Kerry.  Perhaps my favorite of hers to date! 
I received this novel as an e-book ARC from #netgalley and the publisher
#sidetrip #kerrylonsdale

A light romantic read that didn't really surprise me but I enjoyed. I loved reading about their adventures on Route 66.

Normally I am a huge fan of Kerry! This novel fell short for me. I got 1/3 of the way into the book and I didn’t want to put it down. Dylan and Joy were so fun to read about and I wanted more of their happily ever after. Sadly at some point the book takes a turn and their road trip ends - as expected. From there the rest of the book didn’t make sense to me. I have no idea which ending was the “real” ending and depending on which ending it was I wasted pages and pages on something that didn’t happen. I guess it was interesting to see both sides of what could have happened. It was also slightly annoying Joy did everything for Judy because of the guilt she felt. All in all - this book fell a little short for me.

This has been my all time favorite book by Kerry!! The characters were amazing. It felt like you were on their trip with them. You will have every emotion going through your heart with this book.

Side Trip left me with all the feelings of love, loss, laughter and tears.  For me, Joy’s journey started out slow but it certainly was worth the wait. After a few light hearted encounters and a several serious nights, I was hooked. I am ready for a side trip of my own. I recommend this book to all book lovers. Thank you Kerry Lonsdale. I can’t wait for your next adventure.

4.5 stars - I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I love Kerry Lonsdale's writing and storytelling ability.  I see a new story from her and it's an immediate one click.  And this one is no different.  While this one didn't have the angst that I've come to expect, I was immediately drawn into the characters and their backstories.  It was so much fun to go on their road trip with them.  Sure, I figured out their secrets pretty quickly, but not the whole story behind them.  And then there was one final twist that was so very clever.  I didn't see if coming.  Kerry best be writing her next story, because I'm (im)patiently waiting.

Oh my heartstrings! I absolutely loved this book! I needed a warning for that ending - wow! A great book to remind you to live your life - tomorrow isn't promised so don't live with regrets or coulda, shoulda, woulda. A definite read that you will want to read in one sitting!

This emotionally charged road trip story is thought provoking, full of heart-warming characters and beautiful settings. Joy and Dylan are wonderful characters to get to know and I hope to see more of them in the future

I absolutely loved this story. Kerry Lonsdale did not disappoint in her latest read. Told in alternative point of views, I fell in love with both of the main characters. I truly didn’t want this book to end. Highly recommend. Thank you so much Net Galley for the advanced copy.

As always with Kerry's books, this was a joy to read (no pun intended)!  I laughed, I cried, and as usual - it made me yearn for true love for myself.  I found the main characters to be likeable, but not too unbelievable.  I like when you can see a character's flaws as well as their strengths, and Kerry is very talented at making hers come across this way.  I received an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review, and my thoughts are my own.  Since most of us are stuck inside for a while anyway, why not take a road trip with Joy and Dylan?

Unforgettable! 

Fasten your seatbelt, double check it, because you are about to go on an amazing ride!! Once you dive into this story, you won’t want to put it down. I was completely riveted. My heart, was  completely invested. Kerry Lonsdale creates an emotional, heartfelt tale. I thoroughly enjoyed and loved every single second of this book. 

This is my absolute favorite Kerry Lonsdale book! It is an absolute MUST READ!!!

How would my life have turned out if I had chosen another path at some point in the past? This is the question that came to mind as I read Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale. When Dylan's car breaks down, he hitches a ride with Joy who is also heading east on Route 66. They are both grappling with their own personal demons as they make the journey together along with a few side trips on the way. It's been a while since I've read a story that produced such a roller coaster of emotions. I can't wait to read this author's other books that are waiting on my Kindle. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy to read and review.

There was a lot about this book that I really wanted to like but just couldn't get into. 

It's totally more on the contemporary romance side that a lot of that I've read from this author previously, but I couldn't get into the characters or their choices. It was all so high school complicated to me.

Overall it was an okay read!

I have been all about the book with alternating timelines recently and this one did not disappoint. Actually, I have not been disappointed by a Kerry Lonsdale book yet and I think this one is my favorite of hers. Joy and Dylan were characters I wanted to meet, wanted to join along on their road trip, and was absolutely rooting for. The before and after chapters were pretty much equally strong, and the ending left me confused, crying, and hopeful. The idea of someone trying to live as the one who she lost, that really got to me. I wanted to shake Joy at points but also to sit in therapy with her and find out why she was the way she was. Why Dylan was on the road trip also equally got to me, though I won't say why and spoil anything for you. I flew through this book in just a few short days and towards the end, didn't want to put it down. I give this one 4 - 4.5 stars. In a time where we can't travel physically in the way we're used to, you'll enjoy the road trip through this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy.

It's 2010 and Joy has never forgiven herself for what happened the night her beloved older sister, Judy, died tragically. Convinced that the accident that claimed Judy's life was her fault, Joy has never confessed her involvement to her parents. Instead, she has devoted herself to living the life that Judy never got to live. In college she majored in the subject Judy loved, when she gets to New York City she will begin working at Judy's dream job, and she has adopted Judy's way of dressing while taking the road trip Judy planned for herself. Along the way, she is seeing sights and eating foods that appealed to Judy, and listening to the music Judy loved. It's all in the name of atoning for her own behavior and, hopefully, assuaging her shame and guilt.

Joy accepted Mark's marriage proposal and the ornate engagement ring he presented her. She does love him, and has convinced herself that she wants to have children with him and they will have a happy marriage. Like Joy's parents, Mark has no knowledge of Judy's list or why Joy is determined to check off every enumerated item. He wanted to join her on the road trip to New York, but she insisted on making the journey alone. 

She has barely commenced her cross-country trek when she stops at a retro-styled diner for a cheeseburger and fries, consistent with Judy's love of 1950's culture and clothing. Seated at a table, she looks out the window and notices a handsome guy in the parking lot who is clearly exasperated because his car won't start. Joy holds her breath as he enters the diner and approaches her table. Judy would have called him "dreamy." Joy permits him to use her cell phone, but finds him rude and presumptuous as he grabs the list and studies it. Still, she's intrigued because he's a musician and Joy is obsessed with music. When Dylan explains that he needs to get to Flagstaff because he has a gig there in the evening, Joy agrees to give him a ride. 

Dylan also has secrets. He is actually on a journey dictated by his late father as a term and condition of receiving his inheritance. Dylan suffers from stage fright, a condition that baffled and frustrated his hard-drinking, hard-loving musician father. Dylan has dreams and goals for his own place in the music industry, and completing the trip plotted by his father is the key to realizing them. 

After their first stop in Flagstaff, Joy and Dylan embark on a companionable sojourn along Route 66 in her convertible Volkswagen that will change both of their lives. As they negotiate side trips and navigate from town to town where Dylan must perform each night -- and notify his father's lawyer as soon as he has survived another nerve-wracking gig -- the two travelers learn about each other and themselves. Dylan questions Joy's commitment to living a life that isn't really hers, seeing beyond her fussy blouses and ponytails to the beautiful former daredevil competitive surfer and skateboarder who is incapable of freeing herself from the past and living her own authentic life. Joy sees beyond the man who claims that he has no interest in a relationship because it is impossible for a professional musician to successfully meld endless years on the road and a family life. She recognizes Dylan's talent and vulnerability, and finds herself drawn to the man who can deliver a flawless performance if he can just look out into the audience and see her there, supporting him. Of course, as they draw closer to New York, they develop deep feelings for each other.

To Lonsdale's credit, her characters are honorable and admirable. Neither of them wants to hurt Mark, the worried fiancee who has no idea that Joy has picked up a stranger with whom she is spending every waking moment as she makes her way to him and the life they are about to share. Hence, the agreement that their friendship will end when they reach their destination. Predictably, however, parting is not easy and they negotiate another contract term because embarking on the separate lives they planned before meeting.

In the hands of a less skilled writer, Lonsdale's magical story could have felt contrived and cloying. But Lonsdale deftly paces the development of Joy and Dylan's growing attraction to each other so that their inevitable acknowledgment of their feelings is believable. Less credible is the subsequent deal they make, but Joy is committed to Mark and their relationship, and not yet ready to abandon her determination to heal her own emotional turmoil through steadfast adherence to her carefully constructed trajectory. As the truth about Judy's death and Dylan's tumultuous upbringing take their toll over time, Joy and Dylan each reach their own breaking point and must finally come to terms with their pasts and choices. Of course, both Joy and Dylan know each other's true identity and keep track of one another as time passes. Lonsdale says she "was fascinated not only with the concept of two strangers meeting on the road who decide to travel together, but what happens after the road trip ends" and she plumbs those details over the course of an ensuing decade. 

Joy and Dylan are endearing, sympathetic, and likable, and Lonsdale's compassion for her characters' struggles is evident. Side Trip does suffer from what reads like an inability on Lonsdale's part to pick an ending for her story and fully commit to it. For that reason, readers may find themselves resenting that Lonsdale manipulates their emotional reaction to her characters' plight a bit. She can be forgiven, however, when the arc of the story is revealed, along with the message she wants readers to take away from a tale that she readily and accurately characterizes as "pure escapism reading." 

Lonsdale's goal is for her readers to "realize that life is short and shouldn’t be lived with regrets. That we should live the life we want to, and not the life others think we should live." And that message is clearly and lovingly conveyed through a conclusion that may feel like a concession but is, ultimately, richly satisfying. Side Trip is engrossing and entertaining -- a perfect book to read by the pool or on the beach, immersed in the lives of two people who are clearly going to find their way to their true feelings and each other, and savoring and pondering the numerous what ifs along the way. In one's own life, as well as in Joy's and Dylan's.

Story is amazing. So in love with this book. Lonsdale pulled on my heart strings more than once. This is so well-written and truly had me captured in this “trip” the whole way. Five stars. Perfection.