What a fun ride this romance book is. Gigi’s life is in a stall pattern after the death or her parents! She lives in the past and anything to hold onto her parents memories. A sudden birthday gift from her book club friends sends her overseas on a bus tour where she hopes to meet the voice she thinks is her soul mate but a twist turns everything around and has her learning to leave the past behind and look to a new future. I loved the characters we meet on the bus …..they all have issues they are dealing with and the author does a really great job incorporating them into the story. …..my favourite was Francis’s story having been down that road with my mom. , I love how we do t find out until near the end why he does what he does and it all makes sense . I would love to see these characters in anouther story down the road.

I voluntarily received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

I would recommend this book to my family, friends and book clubs

Thank you too Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for the ARC on Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

A fun and light hearted novel about Gigi an American Romance book store owner who travels to the UK for a guided tour. Convinced that the guide is her soul mate based on his narration of her all time favourite audiobook. What unfolds is a trip that does not turn out the way Gigi planned.

I enjoyed the details the author uses to describe attractions around the UK and references to other lighthearted novels.

“Two for the Road” is a fun, charming, light-hearted, entertaining, zany good time. Gigi is more in tune with the romances in the books she reads in her Romance themed shop than with the rest of her life. Essentially, Gigi is a girl stuck in love and in life and needing to sort things out, though she doesn’t know it yet. For her 30th birthday, her best friends surprise her with a trip to Britain on a 10 day bus tour led by the one and only Zane, who voiced her favourite romance novel and whom Gigi is in love with. Alas, “the course of true love never did run smooth,” (William Shakespeare, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’) and when Gigi arrives, harried and breathless, he is nowhere to be found. I was disappointed that Gigi skips out on different parts of the tour and contemplates flying back home to the Zane isn’t there - this seemed melodramatic as this is clearly a once in a lifetime trip for her and she was willing to throw it away. Fortunately Taj, the witty and handsome bus driver steps in and forces her out of her comfort zone. With a quirky cast of characters the with as many problems and issues as they have toes, there is rarely a dull moment and though Gigi initially sulks, she can’t help but begin to enjoy herself, thanks in part to a new friendship with seat-mate Charlotte, Angus the stand-in tour guide, and Taj.  Will Zane appear and will he be all that Gigi has fantasized he will be?  

With moments of poignancy and laughter, wisdom and life lessons, a journey around Britain and finding home where you are, this is a lovely novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. As this is a contemporary work, it contains references to well known authors of today. I appreciate that the back of the novel includes a list of the novels and music referenced throughout.

Thank you to Penguin Random House, Doubleday Canada, and NetGalley for gifting me this eARC. You can pre-order your copy today or pick up a copy on March 28!

@doubledayca @penguinrandomca #netgalley #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #canadianbookstagrammer #earc #arc #romanticcomedy #romanticcomedybook #contemporaryromancereads #fiction #romancefiction #twofortheroad #chantalguertin #femalewriter #femaleauthor

First, I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I like a cheesy rom com as much as the next person, but there was something about this one that wasn’t sitting well. It’s basically a woman who has a parasocial obsession with a guy who narrates one single audiobook and thinks that he’s her soulmate. Her friends then encourage this by gifting her a trip to England to go on a tour that he’s a guide for.

Reading the summary I thought it could be fun, but it just comes off as creepy, unfortunately, and the dialogue between characters is really unnatural at points.

A really sweet closed door romance about an American bookstore owner travelling in the UK, hoping to find love with the audiobook narrator who read her favorite book. Things don’t go according to plan, and as the trip goes on, she finds herself reevaluating her life in a variety of ways while drawing closer to the tour bus driver who she can’t get out of her head. I really enjoyed it and will definitely recommend to customers looking for a lovely, more gentle romance.

A pleasant romance road trip story that follows Gigi, a somewhat neurotic bookshop owner, who leaves her comfort zone to take a trip to meet the audiobook narrator who she thinks might be her soulmate. Joining her on bus trip around England are a diverse cast of misfits, each with their own secrets and intriguing backstories.

Comfortingly predictable, the novel, like the guided tour Gigi takes, is more about the journey than the destination. The charming characters, gentle humour, and beautiful, thoroughly researched, descriptions of her adventures in the English countryside make for an enjoyable, unchallenging read.

Gigi and her quirks and hangups were at times unbelievable, but I think the author did authentically allow the character to grow. I could not however get over the whole premise that came down to her essentially hunting down and stalking the narrator.

I also struggled at times with some excessive descriptions — I don't need every item of clothing described, even once right down to the blend of materials in her t-shirt — and felt they tended to drag the story to a standstill, especially during the opening chapters.

Overall, it was a light and fun read, but not one that will stay with me for long.

I loved the main character, Gigi, whom owns a bookstore, has great friends, and likes the same books as me. I loved the idea that she would travel to England and take a bus tour, just to meet the person behind the voice of an audio book. It was fun being introduced to all of the quirky individuals with Gigi on the tour bus and I felt like I was touring England with them. The trip does not turn out the way Gigi imagined that it would, of course. The story line is light and sweet, and it would make a fantastic movie. I'm very thankful to have received an advanced digital copy from NetGalley and I'll be buying my own copy and a bus tour of England in the near future.

DNF. The premise of the book is…. interesting. The main character’s obsession with this fictional character is honestly quite terrifying. Read the first 5 chapters and it wasn’t grabbing me at all. Didn’t find it worth finishing since I detested most of the characters.

This was such a sweet, fun, Hallmark-esque novel!

Gigi’s friends buy her a trip to London and book her on a bus tour so that she can meet the man from the audiobook she loves. The audiobook version of the story that changed her parents lives.

Chantel does an amazing job of describing all of the towns and cities in the UK that Gigi goes to, without being so descriptive that it’s boring. I felt like I was there.

I love Gigi’s story, and the growth she goes through when some unexpected things happen on her trip. The ending was perfect.

4.5⭐️

Thank you to Chantel Guertin, NetGalley and Doubleday Canada for the advanced aARC of this wonderful book!

3.5
Two for the Road (CAN) / Gigi, Listening (USA)

This book was SO CUTE! Admittedly, the premise of our MC falling in love and obsessing over a man simply because of the sound of his voice was a bit whack for me. Like, sure, I can understand an attraction... But this girl was straight up OBSESSED. Neurotic and obsessive!! There were parts of the novel where I was a little done with how weird she was getting - it was almost too much at times. But after reading the whole book, I think I can forgive the overkill obsession because I feel as though it showed how wildly blinded by grief this poor girl was, and how she was coping in the most extra, misdirected way. I probably would've enjoyed the book a bit more if there wasn't so much weird infatuation through the story (like having to listen to the audiobook to calm herself down, or while she was actively on tour waiting for said man to show up), but it was still an enjoyable read.

Taj and the supporting characters were such a treat. I loved all of their mini story lines and character developments along the way. I really found myself invested in each of their backstories and resolutions. This book was so dang sweet, and I loved the growth of everyone involved. I would also like to purchase a Taj. Where can I purchase my own Taj? I was yearning for some *spice*, but sometimes it's good to pace yourself with a cheeky slow burn, with absolutely no spice. Keeps ya humble.

Guertin writes about the countryside of England beautifully... and now I've got a hankering to get on a random tour bus for 10 days, and roam the vast landscapes of the UK.

Overall easy fun quick read, and I would recommend!!

Thanks Penguin Random House, Doubleday Canada and Netgalley for the ARC! Catch this book on its release date, March 28th!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. I’ve never read anything by Chantel Guertin so I went into this completely unbiased (at least as far as authors go). I’m always a fan of these types of books set in England and while this wasn’t as great as some; it was a cute, quick read. Some parts we’re definitely a little cringy (completely obsessing over someone’s voice to the point you believe your destiny is to meet him and immediately fall in love) other parts had me thinking a little deeper about what love can be, the different types of love and how sometimes the best things happen when you don’t expect it to. Gigi is the hopeless romantic, longing for the perfect beginning to her own love story. Follow her as she takes a ten day trip across the pond looking for her ideal man( that mystery voice). If you’re looking for something simple, something sappy and something you don’t have to give a ton of thought to definitely check this out.

I was really optimistic but unfortunately, it fell flat.

The heroine, Gigi, is a hopeless romantic and romance bookshop owner who embarks on a “cross country” English tour to meet the host of the tour who she has fallen for because he’s the narrator of her favourite book.

While the concept overall was adorable, the references to England and other romance novels was enjoyable, I found myself skimming chunks of the plot and going straight to the dialogue. I didn’t feel the chemistry between Gigi and her love interests, the side characters were random and one-dimensional, and I wasn’t as invested as I had hoped.

Not a favourite but I’m thankful to both Penguin Random House Canada (Doubleday Canada) and NetGalley for a physical and e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book because the main character, Gigi, is the owner of a romance book store in the states, and she mentions many romance novels throughout the book. I also really enjoyed the book as she visits many places in England that I also have been able to visit.

Gigi has been given the trip of a lifetime from her friends, a 10 Day Bus tour, the guide being the audiobook narrator that she has fallen in love with, sight unseen. Zane narrates the book that her late parents fell in love with, and now Gigi feels she will create her love story, her future with him.

While Zane does not show up to the bus tour as their guide the first few days, Gigi gets to meet other people and enjoy time with them. She waits patiently for Zane, and when he does arrives, she slowly realizes that perhaps her love story is not meant to be with him..... but if not him, then who?

I really enjoyed this book, it is well written and I liked the mix of characters in it. I wanted to go on the tour that Gigi went on and it made me remember my trip to Spain and travelling around the country. I enjoyed Gigi's journey on the tour physically and mentally and loved how it ended. I would read it again!

ARC received from NetGalley

Gigi ventures off on an English bus tour gifted and encouraged by her friends. The catch? The tour guide is "Zane Wilkenson" - the voice narrator of a very special book in her life and Gigi's dream. Her plan to put fate to the test is challenged when Zane is late for the tour. Instead she meets a quirky group of travelers and an unexpected handsome bus driver named Taj.

Overall, Two for the Road is cute story, but it ultimately fell flat for me. To be honest, I skimmed a lot of this book between the romance portions. I had a hard time connecting to the side characters - except Charlotte and Angus - and found it a bit boring. I was left wanting more - more excitement, more romance, more anything. Gigi's growth over the trip was evident and the ending made me smile. I would maybe recommend this book to something looking for a light summer read without any spice.

There are many elements of this story I enjoyed (the romance bookstore owner, Gigi’s travel mates, the locations, Taj, etc) however the initial premise of Gigi travelling across the world for a man she has “fallen in love with” was very hard to move passed for me. If this was a male lead, we would be waving those red flags madly.

Gigi is obsessed with a man she has never met. She obsessively listens to his voice and then initiates in certain solo behaviours after hanging up her headphones (did we need to know this?) and her friends and remaining family fully fund and enable a trip to stalk - I mean meet - him. What?!?

Where her story goes is actually quite sweet, but it’s still very hard to get over how she got there. I’m glad Gigi grew, but I do wish she could have reflected more on how inappropriate her behaviour towards this man she did not know was. That would mean more to me than just her realizing maybe this wasn’t the love she was looking for.

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

Two For The Road delivered what its cover and blurb promised. A romantic American bookshop owner who is coping with lingering grief by fantasizing about an audiobook narrator has a chance to meet him on a bus tour through Britain. For some reason he doesn't show up at the tour, but there are other opportunities for both romance and growth. This was a relaxing read. Above average cast of fellow bus traveler characters whose individual stories Chantal Guertin weaves in effortlessly. The catalogue-like descriptions of the places the bus tour visited left me a bit cool, but that is my only quibble. Nice read for Anglophiles (guilty) and people hoping for a light escape from the chilly winter (also me). 
Thanks to #netgalley, publisher and author for this advance e-copy. Canadian pub date March 28. Marketed in USA as Gigi, Listening.

I didn't finish this. The heroine's obsession with the hero is odd, and I found her overall behaviour immature. Also, the author's constant reference to other romantic novels was alienating--I don't understand why some writers do this. Maybe the plot and characterization improve, but I couldn't bring myself to keep going. Disappointed as the cover copy sounded fun (and I love Emily Henry).

As an audiobook listener it's interesting to see a story based around a female flying across the country to meet her favourite audiobook narrator.
This Rom-com follows Gigi who owns a bookstore which she inherited from her parents. She is consumed with work and her social life, and her last relationship ended years ago. Gigi is surprised by her friends with a trip of a life time to go on a tour in Europe, with her tour guide being none other than her favourite narrator Zane, who narrates her favourite book of all time that is extremely important to her family. Gigi adventures out of her small town leaving her brother in charge only to reach London at the start of the tour and find that Zane isn't there. Gigi takes a risk and joins the tour hoping he will join later.

My favourite laugh out loud moment was Gigi saying her favourite bird was chicken because it's tasty.

This book has pop culture references such as friends. Another thing being all the different books Gigi refers to, which are listed on a guide at the end of the book.
I rated this book 4/5.
The story loops around with the details of the beginning becoming important to conclude the story. Gigi learns to take risks and has personal growth through the story. The writing is well done and has humour and whit to it. Side characters also have their own growth which is refreshing to see their own conflicts be resolved. I also enjoyed learning about all these famous places in the UK and all the cute tales.
My main issue is that this book could have been a bit shorter with some quiet points going on for a bit too long.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys romcoms with a witty FMC and loveable side characters.
I received this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I struggled to get into this book despite all the amazing things it had in it, but once I hit the 65% mark there was no turning back or putting it down. I loved the premise for the novel and found myself taking my own tour through memories of travels past !

Gigi is. A young bookstore owner, a romance bookstore, and she’s on a bus tour in England for her 30th birthday to meet the audio book narrator Zane who also gives bus tours. But when Gigi shows up, bleary eyed and late, Zane is no where to be found. Instead there’s Taj, the Turkish bus driver who senses her dislike for churches, makes sure she gets her morning coffee even when she misses breakfast and seems to share her passion for books and reading.

But then Zane does show up and Gigi let’s anything that might have been about to happen with Taj disintegrate in favour of time with Zane. Recipe for disaster, as I’m sure most romance novel readers would anticipate!

This novel has such a lovely cast of characters, all finding their own way in love, different types of love stories with lots of diffferent happy endings, or beginnings, or restarts.