Amy & Roger's Epic Detour [Kindle Edition]

I love anything to do with America. I've seen a little of it myself (though not nearly enough) so this book appealed to me immediately and I couldn't wait to start reading it.

I love road trip stories, something about taking poeple out of their comfort zone makes for very exciting stories. And this one had such a sad background with what had happened to Amy and her family, and Rogers emotional wounds was so touching. This wasn't just a adventure. It was about them discovering new things, healing raw wounds, and really finding out how stong they were, and the trip made them stronger, better people in the end.
You could really tell that the author had done this very trip. Not just because of the pictures, but her discriptive writing was what made this such a beautiful book to read. I felt almost like I had been there too and its made me really want to take a trip of my own.

I loved the layout of the book. I loved the info on the states (sometimes very humorous) and I especially loved the playlists. I intend to look up all the songs listed as I love music and how hearing a song you heard at a certain time or place sends you straight back there, lets you relive something. Everything in the book made you feel like you were part of Amy and Roger's trip. And it was a pleasure to be invited along. I think if there pictures, and reciepts and playlists hadn't been there the book would still have been amazing, but these little touches just finished it perfectly, it really was like you had got your hands on Amy's roadtrip journal.

Finally I loved the relationship between Amy and Roger. At first I thought it was going to take over the story. But it was done in such a subtle way that it didn't seem contrived or forced. You could feel these people getting closer, relying on each other and falling for each other without any sickly romance being shoved down your throat. Bravo to Morgan Matson. I almost wish they'd make it into a movie, but then again I don't. It couldn't possibly live up to the book, and I have often been disappointed when a film company in my eyes murders an excellent book.

I read this book slowly, only to make it last longer, I am sure I will read it many times in the future.
Thankyou Ms Matson it really was epic!!!

Who would I recommend it to? Everyone, but mainly those who like road trip novels and realistic, contemporary ya fiction.

Review; One of the (many) things I love about this book is that Amy suffers from anxiety, and you can tell that. She's not one of those characters that is "socially awkward" and made out to be an anxious person. No, you can see that she has actually symptoms of anxiety, and that the awkwardness is an added effect of the anxiety. As someone who suffers from anxiety, I appreciate the more true portrait.
The character development was great. We learned more and more about Amy and Roger as the book went on, and in the end I had a picture in my mind of who Amy and Roger were/are.
All of the characters were great. I fell in love with even the small characters. Because every single one of them was human. Every single one of them had flaws. But every single one of them also had a personality that you couldn't help but love. Except for maybe one character. *cough* Hadley *cough*
You know, I'm not entirely sure there was anything I disliked about this book. Sure, it has flaws, what book doesn't? But I didn't seem to notice any. Well, maybe the way Amy changed so fast. She went from Anxiety Girl to Almost Confident Girl seemingly overnight! Or maybe that the book is only set over about a week. And that there wasn't more Andrew and Derek! I liked both of their characters instantly, but they are only in the book for a few pages!
But overall this book is an amazing, slightly emotional read, that has romance, and a back story! I'd recommend it!

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???