Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

This book is good and I would not add anything to make this story better except I want more ROMANCE!!!!!! It only happens at the end and it feels rushed. I understand that they were strangers at the beginning and they cannot just start being lovers but the book could have been a bit longer to see the romance at the end. I love the character Roger tho and he is just so sweet and caring. This is not the first book I have read by Morgan Matson and I have read Second Chance Summer and Save the Date. This one was was my second favorite, first being Save the Date. That being said I cannot wait to read Since you been Gone and The Unexpected Everything.

This was a sweet and fun contemporary YA romance. The plot was fairly predictable, but the main characters, Amy and Roger, were likeable and interesting. Amy struggles with her grief/guilt regarding the death of her father and the upheaval of her home life, while Roger is dealing with the heartbreak of being blind sided by a break up. The story itself was not overly angsty or super heavy. I thought the inclusion of snapshots, receipts, drawings, and music play lists was also a fun addition to document the trip. It really made me feel like I was on the trip too and I enjoyed finding out little tidbits about each of the states they visited.

I liked the way that Amy and Roger's friendship and relationship developed and that through games like 20 questions they got to know each other instead of any kind of instalove. Yes, the time period was still quick (just a few days), but when you spend every minute with a person, everything accelerates. Amy and Roger helped each other deal with their emotional baggage and I enjoyed watching their friendship turn into more. Roger's gift to Amy at the end was so cute too!

*SPOILER*

One thing that I do wish though is that the author would have left their end of book hook-up out. Amy's first time with her college age boyfriend when she was devastated by the loss of her father, was handled really well and was believable. Her night with Roger on the other hand, felt sloppy and rushed (even though the book was leading up to this event). Perhaps that was the point though? That Amy was taking charge of her life and doing what she wanted? I just felt like it could have been explored more, especially after Roger's response at the end was essentially, "let's not worry to much about it and what will be, will be." I guess I was just expecting/would have liked something more definite to their relationship status at the end, but that's just me wanting a HEA.

I did like that there was a resolution between Amy and her mother as well as with her brother. I was glad to see Amy take charge and start down the road to mending their relationships and family. Overall, Amy and Roger's Epic Detour was an entertaining and quick read, that left me itching for an epic road trip of my own.

I definitely wish they realized they liked each other earlier but otherwise it was such a good book 100% recommend