Oh what a joyride this book was!! After the loss of her sister,Joy takes a roadtrip on Route 66 in her memory. Who knew the man of her dreams would walk into the dinner where she was eating. In walks Dylan, the car he was driving had broken down and he needed a telephone. He had seen her watching him while he was trying to get the car started. So, he knew when he went into the diner that he was going to talk to her. They struck a deal together. As they drove across the country they decided to take side trips along the way to their destinations. 

What an amazing love story. I fell in love with Joy and Dyland. As always the author delivered another top notch book.  

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I am a fan of the author's previous work and was pleased to review this . Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.  My review opinions are my own. 

Joy is a complex likable charcter who has a past she regrets. She lives with blinding guilt over the bad decisions she made in her life and how they framed her life. When her sister passes she decides to take her sister's road trip on Route 66  that she never had the opportunity to try. In a diner she meets a young man she connects with who needs a ride. As they talk she becomes more comfortable with him and they find they have much in common. Joy makes a decision to take him on her trip . Dylan is also carrying immense guilt and burdens of his own. As they follow route 66 they become close and find their lives intersecting in many ways. 

I enjoyed this book and found it quite heartwarming to read. Its about starting over, trusting others and growing up.

Lonsdale shines as a master of relationship what-ifs play out in this two-sided story of love, growth, and loss!

Joy Evers has been carrying her sister’s death on her shoulders since it happened.  She gave up her interests of skateboarding and surfing to make her late sister’s dreams come true.  She went to UCLA and achieved a degree in chemical engineering and has lined up a job to develop a new line of lipstick for a large cosmetic firm in New York.  She decides to take a road trip down Route 66 on her way to New York from LA to check off the items from her sister’s bucket list before she begins the life she never wanted.

Dylan Westfield loves writing music, but he hates performing.  His dad and uncle were well known musicians and he has always been in the shadows except when his dad made him perform on stage.  Hid dad recently died and to obtain his inheritance, Dylan must travel along Route 66 and play the same dive bars that his dad did on his way to LA before he made it big.  Not only that, but he must drive the same car his dad did, which doesn’t even make it out of California.

By chance, both Joy and Dylan are at the same diner in Ludlow, California.  He manages to convince her to drive him to his gigs, but she has three rules.  1. No last names.  2. What happens on the road, stays on the road.  And 3. If they take a side trip, both parties have to agree.

Every year in July I look forward to a new Kerry Lonsdale book, which frequently shows up on my top 10 books of the year.  This year was no exception!  Readers are suddenly thrown into Joy and Dylan’s wild ride and find themselves tagging along for the adventure.  This book was both exciting and heart wrenching.  Readers will easily connect with either Joy or Dylan.  Told from both perspectives, it’s easy to get lost in both of their back stories, present stories, and future stories.

Joy carried the guilt of her sister’s death by herself and wouldn’t let anyone truly see her for who she was.  Dylan never wanted a serious relationship because the life of a musician isn’t kind to relationships, which proved true of his parents.  But when they are together, something special happens.  In her true fashion, Lonsdale’s books have an epic ending that nobody will see coming.  At first, I was really angry for what happened because I was cheering for both of them and then I was broken hearted.  But maybe a silver lining promise will keep readers fully engaged until the end!

There was a little difficulty at times when the story suddenly shifted between past and present without any kind of visible break, but it didn’t take long to figure out.  There is also a lot of language and well as implied sex that makes the book suitable for mature audiences.  

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher.  The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Side Trip, by Kerry Lonsdale, is a pure romance with one big twist ... WHAT IF the characters had chosen differently at any of several key moments of their lives.  Lonsdale is a talented and creative writer who chose a challenging theme with which to work. By going back and forth in time, the reader is afforded understanding of what led to certain choices and the consequences that flowed from them. I found the book interesting, but ultimately unsatisfying.  Life doesn’t give us “do-overs,” nor do we get the chance to see alternative paths that might have resulted from different choices.  Clearly, the subtext is to live your own best life.  It sounds simple, but of course, it is not.  We are different at different times of our life, and what is best at 22 is not visible to the 14-year-old we once were.

This very romantic novel has a complexity that prompts reflection.  Thanks so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a fantastic book!!! I was so vested in these truly well developed characters and their story. I didn't want it to end! Joy is on a guilt driven journey through Route 66, living through his sisters bucket list. Her final destination is New York where she will start her life with her fiancee and live out another of her sisters dreams. Enter Dylan, the son of a musician who's car just broke down at the same diner Joy is stopped at. 

The two hit it off and come up with a plan to share the ride to New York together, one catch is that they won't share last names and what happens on the road stays on the road, and if they want to venture on a side trip they have to both agree. 

Their love story is followed for 10 years. The idea of what if is explored if they had broken their deal. This story stuck with me, it is so well written. I highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

WOW, OMG and any other expletive you can think of. This book is the best yet and I have loved each one by Kerry Lonsdale that I have read. This book is a ride waiting to happen. It’s truly a laugh out loud, tearjerker, heartbreaking, heart fulfilling, story of love, loss, love found and new beginnings all in one. One that will stick with you.

Joy is living her life for her sister not for herself. She has blamed herself for her sister’s death since it happened all those years ago. She doesn’t see that she was only a child and most certainly could not possibly be responsible for what happened. The story of exactly what happened with leave you breathless and it will rip your heart right out too. It’s a sad story for sure but not one that a young girl needs to feel such guilt about. Joy is a kind, caring, compassionate, loving and truly free spirited person who deserves to live her own life. 

Dylan is traveling cross country for his own reasons when he meets Joy and the two decide to travel together. They make a pact and stick to most of it. Dylan has a lot going on and is a somewhat private person and doesn’t want what he is doing to be made public. He has his reasons and you will learn what and why he is doing what he is doing. He’s also a very kind, caring and compassionate, loving person who is afraid of falling in love. He’s seen a lot in his life that makes him feel this way. 

This is a very emotional book. Well written and filled with such hope for the characters. They will feel like people you know and love. You will hurt with them and for them. Cry with them and for them. The scenery feels so beautiful all the way from California to New York. The side trips are exceptional and will leave you breathless. You will feel like you are right there in the middle of it all. 

I absolutely loved this book and didn’t want it to end, though that ending floored me. Wonder characters, plot, scenes, build. It was one of those books that makes you feel and you will love all those feels. This author outdid herself. No wonder it came so easy to her writing this one. 

Thank you #NetGalley, #KerryLonsdale, #LakeUnionPublishing for this ARC. This is my heartfelt review.

I gave it 5/5 stars and a high recommendation to all.

This one sounded very interesting and I enjoyed the parts about the real places along Route 66. The actual story was a little to "romancey" for me with the main character causing me to roll my eyes. The last 20% however really saved the book for me. It was a unique perspective and I don't want to give anything away, but I thought it was excellent! The author really surprised me and I loved the ending of the book. I would recommend this to people who enjoy romances and love stories.

What if? You will probably start asking yourself that question throughout this adventure of Side Trip by Kerry Lonsdale. What if I went left instead of right? What if I said yes instead of no? For Joy Evers a mistake made 13 continues to haunt her as she graduates college and embarks on a road trip across Route 66-her late sister's bucket list in hand.  Newly engaged Joy meets musician Dylan at a diner.  An unorthodox agreement takes place-she'll drive him to NYC as long as they don't exchange last names or search for each other after they arrive in New York. What follows is a windy trip filled with music, tension and discovery. Reaching JFK and saying goodbye to Dylan, Joy begins asking what if she had told him the truth?

If you are familiar with Kerry Lonsdale you know you're in for an adventure-I was wondering if this novel was a bit of a departure from her other books-and heartbreak and redemption. It's not a departure but a deeper examination of the road taken and not taken.  Be prepared for a journey that you will stay up late to finish!  

The music references are a great technique and create a soundtrack of sorts for the novel-this is a great summer read-4.5 stars!

Thank you to Kerry Lonsdale, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Two kindred souls both on their own journey's ,meet one fateful day. Joy and Dylan connect through music as they drive to each destination and a few side trips along the way .Their friendship helps Joy shed her past and Dylan slay his demons. This lovely eye opening road trip will resonate with every reader .

I just finished Kerry Lonsdale’s new book and my emotions are all over the place. This book is amazing!! It is a character driven love story and it is one of the best books in this genre I have read. Joy is traveling across the country as a bucket list tribute to her late sister. Her sister Judy had decided on the bucket list just before she died and Joy is completing it as she makes her way along Route 66 from California to NYC. Joy has just finished college and is moving to NYC to be with her fiancé and begin her career there. By chance Joy meets Dylan, a singer/songwriter, in a diner after his car breaks down. He is also heading to NYC and is performing in small town bars along the way. They decide to drive together and put certain rules into place. They aren’t going to learn each other’s last names etc and once they part ways that will be the end of their contact. They also agree if one of them decides to take a side trip along the way they both have to agree to it. Both Joy and Dylan are carrying a lot of emotional baggage and as they travel they build an amazing connection with each other. They are a great couple and I loved their rapport. The book is told by both Dylan and Joy and is told before, during, and after the road trip. They both experience regrets, doubts and what if’s about their lives throughout the book. I just loved this book which kept me filled with anxiety and anticipation until the end. If you are only going to read one romance book this summer make this one it. After having my heart ripped out and thrown around I can’t stop thinking about these characters. Definitely a book you will want to read!

This is a nice light summer romance to get lost in. We immediately get immersed in the lives of Joy and Dylan and watch their friendship grow. It’s a book of what ifs and living your own full life. Side Trip is an entertaining love story to quickly devour. #SideTrip #KerryLonsdale #NetGalley

What did I love about this book -- the question should be what didn't I love about it!!  It has the perfect main female character - Joy -- and the perfect male main character -- Dylan!!  Then there are the chapter headings -- before and after from each character!!   So much fun Kerry!!!

Side trip was a fun summer read. Joy is moving to NY to be with her fiance Mark, but first she needs to embark on a cross country road trip to honor her older sister. Guilt over past mistakes creates a maniacal drive in Joy to complete her sister's bucket list as she drives across the country. There's one small hiccup in her carefully laid out plans: Dylan. At her first stop, Joy runs into Dylan who's car has broken down and asks Joy for a ride. Dylan is on his own cross-country road and their stories intertwine in a heart-breakingly beautiful manner. 

I really enjoyed reading this book. There were a number of twists that you don't expect. I think we could have seen a little more growth in both Dylan and Joy along their road trip but overall I was quite please with this book. It's a standalone book so you don't have to read any of her other stories. I would certainly recommend this to anyone looking for a light summer read.

I was looking for a light and easy read to enjoy on a hot day and this book fit perfectly!  The story of Joy and Dylan's romance was fun to get lost into.  The old "opposites attract" was evident, but I enjoyed this one!  I am going to look for more by this author!

I adored this book. I thought the author artfully tackled the themes of guilt and grief. The story was engaging, quickly pulling me in, and I found the main characters captivating and likeable. Each of them is struggling in his/her own way with issues of grief and guilt, and Lonsdale portrayed that struggle realistically. The book also has a romance where each of the characters in drawn to the other, but each of them have a reason that makes them fight that attraction. Initially not acting on that attraction allows them to develop a delightful friendship along the trip where each of them helps the other one. It's hard to talk about a part of the book that had a huge impact without giving it away ( I always hate when that happens). I will say have your tissues ready. This also had a very unique ending to the book which I appreciated.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this passionate, raw, emotional Side Trip! The characters were fabulous, relatable, and suffering in their own ways, sacrificing themselves and their true love for doing the right thing, or trying to make up for mistakes from the past. Very good, complex, well built up and enjoyable Joy Ride. Thank you to Kerry Lonsdale, publisher and NetGalley for the e-reader for review. All opinions are my own.

<b><i>The tune made her think of love and loss and life’s unexpected routes, like the road that had led her to him.</i></b>

The only thing that I feel I can say is that this book left me wanting more, I went into reading it thinking it was going to be a quick beach read, when in actuality it is so much more than that. While it still has that quick pace and catchy writing that keeps you engaged, it is an ideal story with the complex emotional lives of adults. It's an incredibly thoughtful and intelligent book. 

I love books that focus on the characters and their relationships beyond just the plot of the book. It leaves you wanting to know more about these relationships, more about Joy and her fiancé and more about Dylan. Through her writing, Kerry Lonsdale has an amazing ability to bring her characters to life and Side Trip is a great example of the power of writing that allows readers to feel and empathize with the characters. Not to mention it is also a page turner with a romantic plot that is realistic and relevant--with blurred lines, lines crossed and everything in between. The story itself is so relatable, and you will quickly be swept away on the road thru route 66. It's so hard to describe in an eloquent way how one feels about traumatic life experiences and how they bury them deep within themselves and Ms. Lonsdale did just that in this story.

Although, this book was a little slow at the beginning, soon I was caught up in Joy’s cross country drive towards her fiancé when she meets stranded Dylan and agrees to let him travel along to drop him off at JFK airport. This trip, meant to be cathartic as Joy grieves the loss of her sister, turns into much more as their daily side trips heal the many hurt places in both of their souls. The ending was quite a surprise and left me wanting to read more from this author.

Some Twizzlers, a cherry coke, an iPod, a guitar, a ring, a map, a list ... what could go wrong or completely right? 10 days and only moments....

I loved reading this story with the different points of view and the interchanging of “before” and “after” 

I enjoyed reading about these characters and who they are and how they became who they are. It was an interesting trip. I’m excited about how the story ended. 
Can’t wait to see what Kerry Lonsdale comes out with next.

I had heard so much hype about Side Trip and I was excited when I finally got the opportunity to read it myself. I definitely could see what the hype was all about! Who wouldn’t love to do a solo road trip On Route 66 with a bucket list in hand that you want to complete by the end of the trip? How fun! And empowering! The reason behind the trip, whose bucket list it is, and why it is being completed is what really makes this novel even better. Of course there is a bad boy romance, a conflict of emotions, and some happily ever after. A bit on the edge of YA, but completely enjoyable and luring to adults, too. I truly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more by this author.