Ophelia and Beau had been besties for their whole lives until in high school they ‘drifted apart’. But when both enter into crises at the same time, their friendship gets rekindled.

I appreciated the undertones of this book. How life is realistically hard, and people often don’t tell the whole truth. This leads people to have trust issues which played out realistically in this book. I appreciated Ophelia’s wrap up of sorts, although it felt a bit rushed. How she dealt with everything that had happened seemed appropriate and real.
As always, if the characters would just talk to each other, they’d be able to work through way more with way less drama, but where’s the book in that😂

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed reading this debut novel. It’s perfect for a little escapism or even a palette cleanser in the summer. And while the writing was decent, there was still much more telling than showing. I would have honestly preferred if we had flashback scenes between the two main characters, showcasing their love for us to feel the yearning between them.
In that aspect, the relationship between the main characters didn’t interest me. It felt a bit flat.

There was also miscommunication in this book. And while I’m a lover of miscommunication tropes in books, this one just didn’t hit for me. They only ever really opened up and started communicating towards the end, and throughout the whole book, I just felt frustrated and unsatisfied.

That does not go on to say that I didn’t enjoy the boo,k don’t get me wrong. I think if we were to ignore the romantic element, I’d say that the story of how our fmc deals with the passing of her father, grief, and uncovering family secrets was way more entertaining and interesting to me!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"The Truth Is in the Detours" by Mara Williams is a captivating debut that masterfully blends romance and self-discovery with the charm of a road trip adventure. The story follows Ophelia, who embarks on a cross-California journey with her estranged childhood friend Beau after uncovering shocking truths about her family. Williams crafts an engaging narrative filled with humor, emotional depth, and the complexities of second chances. The vivid settings and well-developed characters, especially through Ophelia's perspective, make the story both relatable and immersive. While the plot follows some familiar tropes, Williams' fresh voice and the heartfelt exploration of identity and resilience make it a standout. This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of romance and introspection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for the ARC.

I received an ARC from #NetGalley for this wonderful, wonderful book ‘The Truth is in the Detours.’ I’m always interested in trying out new authors (and find new favorites) and the book sounded interesting. This book absolutely sucked me in from the first chapter. The humor, humility, grief, and hope that were found throughout this story was *chef’s kiss. I stayed up way too late into the night trying to finish this because I just couldn’t put it down. I read a lot of books but this is (honestly) one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. Great job! Thank you for the ARC. 100% recommend this as a 2025 read!

Wow, Mara Williams comes out strong with this debut novel. I loved absolutely everything about this book. I read it in one sitting since I was so invested in the story.

Beau and Ophelia, childhood neighbors who used to do everything together, grew apart once high school hit. Now, they don’t even speak. So when Ophelia’s father dies, she’s surprised to find Beau showing up, offering to help her go through her father’s belongings. What they discover not only challenges what she thought she knew about her dad—but leads her to believe that her mother, long presumed dead, might still be alive

Meanwhile, Beau is facing struggles of his own. Now an author, he’s planning a cross-California road trip to interview people for his next book. Ophelia decides to tag along, hoping to follow up on leads about her mother’s last known addresses.

What follows is a heartfelt road trip filled with great music, snacks, and of course—the one-bed hotel room trope. Through twists and emotional turns, Beau and Ophelia are forced to confront their past and figure out who they want to be to each other now.

This book had everything I love in a romance: emotional depth, well-developed characters, and just the right amount of drama. Can't wait to see what Mara does next.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel that’s half romance, half coming into one’s own, with a big dash of roadtrip to uncover secrets and lies. And also, a love letter to California. I loved how fully fleshed out both characters were even though we only get Ophelia’s POV. The second chance romance hits its stride with friends to frenemies to lovers and a good bit of steam. I enjoyed the writing - beautiful, clever, and romantic. Queer rep: lesbian friend.

Short summary: Ophelia’s dad is dead and to make matters worse, she’s just discovered her mother is alive. With few clues, she tags along on a roadtrip with her former best friend who’s researching lies for his latest book. But they’ve packed more baggage than luggage and only the truth can set them free.

Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advanced copy for this book from Netgalley, and I'm very glad I did!

The story starts with a bang, with Ophelia, whose father has just passed away, discovering that a huge chung of her life is actually based on a lie. That, in itself, already feels like an understatement: indeed, her father has just died. And her mother, who was supposed to be dead for years, actually is not. Instead, she chose to give up her parental rights, effectively abandoning her daughter.

Now, that's a brutal way to start any story, but don't worry, it gets better.

Because Ophelia is not alone. She's accompanied through this story by none other than Beau, her childhood best friend and teenage nemesis, who happens to be in town for a short while. The two of them have obvious history, but they have not been friends for a while.

They are brought together by the revelation about Ophelia's mother, and their journey will continue together through a road trip for Beau's research, where they'll learn to reconnect more honestly than ever before.

I really enjoyed this story. It was honest and well-paced, with characters that feel fleshed-out in a way that had me wonder about them during my day, in-between chapters when real life got in the way of my reading. Actually, both Ophelia and Beau are deeply flawed, and that's perhaps what made me connect even harder to the plot.

Beyond grief and its many complexities, this story is really about choices and secrets, and I found the themes deeply interesting. It made me wonder about my own family's secrets. Towards the end, Ophelia truly learns to accept and respect herself, which I found both beautiful and a nicely figured-out arc for her character.

In short, The Truth is in the Detours is a lovely, honest, moving story, and you would do yourself a disservice by not picking it up when it comes out, on August, 12, 2025.

Buckle up as you're in for a road trip unlike any you've experienced before - this gentle romance manages to playfully use, but either subvert or have an interesting take, on all the tropes you're familiar with from the genre. There's forced proximity, tangled and complicated family relationships, a messy but thoroughly likeable fmc, and the resolution is just on the realistic side of a hea that it doesn't leave you with a too-sickly sweet taste in your mouth!

Thanks, NetGalley for this ARC!

The Truth is in the Detours is a story of love, heartbreak, and second chances. When Ophelia's dad dies, she discovers a secret that she has to get to the bottom of. She embarks on a road trip with her childhood friend turned enemy, where they discover secrets from the past.

I enjoyed reading this novel! I was intrigued by the story of Ophelia's mom and the idea of the road trip to find the truth. I really enjoyed discovering more of Ophelia's and Beau's relationship and the history they have together. There was a good balance of lighthearted, cute moments and emotional moments.

However, I did have a few qualms about this book. Although they were supposed to be nemesis, I thought there was a lack of tension between the characters. I wish that there was a bit more tension or even a grumpy sunshine element to the characters. I felt like it switched from enemies to lovers a little too quickly. I would've loved to see more of that nemesis plotline written out. Parts of the book were almost too cheesy, like Beau growling at Ophelia.

Overall, I enjoyed the book! While it is a pretty cheesy book, it was a super easy and fun read.

Roadtripsssss!!!

I love books with road trips. And this did not disappoint.

That cover is stunning.

I was hooked from page 1. Loveeee this.


Tqtqtq for this opportunity

The Truth Is in the Detours follows Ophelia stumbling upon a document revealing a long-buried family secret while cleaning out her childhood home after her dad's passing. Beau, an old childhood friend who's secretly still pining for her, shows up at her door and finds Ophelia an emotional wreck. Once she tells Beau the new revelation, he offers her help uncover this secret by his side on a roadtrip. With Beau traveling along the west coast to interview people about family deceptions, the roadtrip gives Ophelia the perfect opportunity to solve her own family lies. Though the trip is suppose to help heal Ophelia and serve as a project to Beau, old memories and buried feelings get resurfaced that reveals truths neither Beau nor Ophelia were expecting.

I had high hopes for this book based on the premise but ultimately finished reading this book feeling disappointed. I didn’t love either of the main characters which made me disinterested in their romance. Both main characters lacked development and both had deep insecurities that weren’t properly addressed. The main issue I had with this story was everything feeling told and not shown. Though Ophelia and Beau constantly reminisced over childhood memories, the memories were only told through dialogue which made the emotional/romantic aspect between them feel flat. The miscommunication trope is expected with childhood friends-to-lovers, however it dragged too long and never felt resolved between the main characters. If I got to see Ophelia and Beau work through their individual insecurities and the miscommunication between them, it would’ve added to their development and made their relationship feel earned. I did appreciate that the author tied in themes of grief and empathy with the backdrop of Beau’s project and Ophelia's journey uncovering old secrets, though both plot-lines lacked the emotional punch I was looking for. Overall, the premise and setup was perfect but the execution fell flat.

I loved this book! It’s a great story of second chance and old friendships. I love the friends to lovers aspect, and I wish we got more of the book about betrayals! Very quick read!

This emotionally rich and witty story takes readers on a heartfelt road trip with Ophelia and Beau—two once-close friends turned reluctant companions—as they chase family secrets, face long-buried betrayals, and unexpectedly rediscover each other along the way. Packed with sharp banter, slow-burning tension, and soul-searching revelations, it’s a story about forgiveness, second chances, and the courage it takes to rewrite your own history.

The Truth Is in the Detours by Mara Williams is a heartfelt story about Ophelia Dahl, who discovers the mother she believed dead is actually alive. She sets off on a cross-country road trip to find answers, accompanied by Beau Augustin—her childhood best friend turned teenage rival. As the miles unfold, so do long-buried truths, old resentments, and a spark neither of them expected.

I liked the slow build between Ophelia and Beau—the tension, the humor, and the way their history showed up in little moments. The story moved at a good pace, and I enjoyed watching them slowly let their guards down. It was emotional without being too heavy, and just the right mix of messy and hopeful.

Tropes included:

Second chance romance

Childhood friends to enemies to lovers

Road trip

Forced proximity

Family secrets

This book was so good that ten chapters in, I ran to Amazon to see if the Author had any more books and immediately followed her.

I loved the childhood besties who fell apart, so many layers to their relationship which the author did a great job unpacking. Honestly so many layers to this book period! From their relationship and trying to rebuild it and turn it into something new, to the relationship the FMC had with her Dad and was trying to figure out the mystery of her Mom. This book really had it all!

I eagerly await Mara's next book!!!!

What a debut! By 6 or 7% I had that little feeling that this one was special… and I was not wrong. If you loved You, With a View (or really anything by Jessica Joyce), Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, or earlier Emily Henry novels (particularly Beach Read), this is for you.

Ophelia and Beau’s dynamic is so good. They are brutally honest with each other in that way only lifelong friends (with a lot of unresolved history) can be. They call each other out constantly, but there’s so much care underneath. Ophelia says the most unhinged things just to make Beau squirm, and he’s such lovable grump in response. Beau isn’t one of those perfect, flawless cinnamon roll MMCs, which was frankly refreshing.

At its core, this book is about the stories we tell ourselves… about our families, about the people who hurt us, and about what love is supposed to look like. There are so many beautiful, aching layers here: Ophelia digging for the truth of her family history, Beau reckoning with a recent betrayal, and both of them finally facing the feelings they have for each other. It was intense and emotional and so cathartic.

There’s just something about Mara Williams’ writing that wraps you right into the story. It’s sharp, emotional, funny, and so deeply layered. By the end of chapter 36, I had full-body chills. And the final chapters + epilogue left me teary-eyed and emotionally gutted in the best way. Mara is one to watch for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book before its release!

Let me first start with all my good thoughts on the book before i share the few things i didn't enjoy.

I had a good time reading this book, I loved the road tripping and all the laughs and sometimes almost tears, this was a beautifully written book not only about grief but also about finding yourself and trying to understand all the reasons of why people lie. it was messy, raw, real, and relatable. Mara Williams did a fantastic job at making me feel all the highs and lows emotionally in this book and I think she captured the essence of human emotions and how messy and confusing they can be beautifully.
Considering this is Mara Williams debut novel I think she did a phenomenal job, and though this book isn't even out yet I already I can't wait to see what she writes next.
Will Absolutely recommend this too anyone who wants a romantic and funny book filled with grief and soul-searching set on a road trip between ex childhood friends.

Now onto the things i didn't like about the book

Miscommunication, there was a good amount of it in this book and it's personally my least favorite trope. It was frustrating at times and a lot of things from their childhood still felt unresolved at the end, they were both very hurt by the other because of miscommunication and although they talked some of it out it did not feel like that kind of hurt was ever really worked through in its entirety.

I won't say much about this to avoid spoilers, but Ophelias past relationship that was clearly very toxic felt a little brushed over considering it was big aspect of her life, and it clearly left her with some deep insecurities that I think that should have been addressed more thoroughly.

Cherry. What she did to beau was horrible and I strongly disliked her character from the beginning, without spoiling anything this "friendship" felt unresolved in the end, and we never got a clear answer on what happened with Ophelias other friend I think her name was Simone.

There was a good bit of cliches, for example beau growled at her too many times, like is he a bear or...? Lol

My only other criticism is that Beau pushed very hard for Ophelia to open up to him, which she did plenty of times but when she simply asked him to do the same in return he would just shut down and I found it annoying and hypocritical of him considering she was very vulnerable with him but it took him forever to do the same.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

There were aspects of this book I liked, but overall too many cliches & too spicy for me personally.

Beau was a classic man written by a woman & I ate it up. However he “growled” way too many times, felt a little overdone to me. There was a thread of miscommunication woven throughout, and while I understand why it was there & it served the plot it’s just not my favorite trope.

I thought handling grief and how it brings people together & the blessing of found family was great.

Overall not my cup of tea, but could be enjoyable for you if it is yours!

Loved the concept of this storyline. Secrets and soul searching while on a road trip across the US, I was hooked right away! The writing is excellent, and the characters are well crafted. I think this will be a popular book for discussions and clubs. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks @netgalley @amazonpublishing @marawilliamswrites for the chance to read The Truth Is in the Detours. It releases on August 12, 2025.

Are you looking for a swoon-worthy romance that includes a road trip across scenic California and ALL the secrets? Well, do I have a book for you! Mara's debut has beautiful writing at the line level with an emotional wallop.

Ophelia is preparing her late father's house for sale when she finds a blindsiding document. The mother Ophelia thought died thirty years ago isn’t dead after all—she abandoned her. Her neighbor (and former childhood friend) Beau's current project is set to take him across the West Coast. Ophelia has a brilliant idea: she'll help Beau with his book and he'll help her unravel the truth of her mother's disappearance. Mile by mile, they grow close again, but are there still secrets between them? Can they trust each other enough to find a way back to each other?

Steam: 🔥🔥
Tropes: frenemies to lovers, family secrets, road trip, only one tent