So excited to be a part of the blog tour for this wonderful book - Wish Lists & Roadtrips

You might have seen me gushing about this book on my stories when I first read it a few months ago…it is seriously the cutest, swoon-worthiest(is that a word?!) book!

It’s got forced close proximity, it’s got roadtrips on trains, planes and automobiles, it’s got growing up and growing into who you are meant to be, it’s got enemies to lovers, it’s got a big romcom worthy ending!!

Can you tell I loved it? 😂 Truly a special book that manages to be emotional, beautiful, fun and swoony at the same time!

This is my first book from @laurenhmaeauthor and it definitely won’t be my last, I have everything she’s written on my TBR now 😂

From the blurb-
“Two stranded travellers. One unexpected journey.

Makeup artist Brit Donovan wants one thing: to prove to her overbearing family that she can be independent. After breaking off her engagement to her cheating ex, she sets off on her honeymoon cruise alone to recharge before opening her own studio.

Nick Callaway isn't on a pleasure trip. Armed with his brother's ashes and a list of places, he's on a mission to fulfill a dying wish. Burdened with survivor's guilt and on a countdown to get home in time to help his family's company, the only thing he wants is to get this trip over with.

When they're both stranded in Costa Rica after missing their cruise ship, Nick and Brit team up to make their way back to the US. Complete opposites, their initial frustration - heightened by the obstacles of grounded flights and delayed trains - gives way to a searing attraction, and the feeling this may be a journey that neither will want to end.”

This comes out on the 18th of April.

Thank you to @headlineeternal for the ARC ❤️

sadly could not give feedback to this book as for some reason it disappeared from my netgalley shelf and i’m not entirely sure why

This was an OKAY read. I thought it had great promise, but sort of fizzled out in the middle and dragged. Overall it’s a book I enjoyed, but won’t remember.

A romance that was a joy to read, in particular because it had a few of my favourite tropes (enemies/lovers, grumpy/sunshine and also forced proximity). Their adventure was fun and romantic and you couldn't help but laugh along the way

I really enjoyed this book, start to finish.  I’ve found that since I’ve experienced profound loss I’m very critical of books that have grief as a main theme. This book does a great job of exploring the less than fun aspects of grief, layered between moments of levity.  It is very well done, the characters are enjoyable, and I liked seeing growth I. Both of them, especially Nick.

This book was cute, but unfortunately I read another book with basically the same premise about a month ago that had much stronger writing and character development.  This is definitely a me issue - the book was not bad, just didn't grab me as much as I was hoping.

Absolutely loved this romance. It’s got everything. It starts in Costa Rica as Nick and Brit get stranded from their cruise ship. Then you’ve got some forced proximity as they travel to get back home. It’s sweet and spicy. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Headline Eternal and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

"Wish Lists and Road Trips" was a joy to read, particularly because it had all my favorite romance tropes (grumpy/sunshine, enemies/lovers, forced proximity).

Wish Lists And Road Trips was such a pleasant surprise for me! It wasn't just your typical romcom (although it was definitely very good in that regard), but it also tackled grief, loss, alcoholism, and expectations.

Brit and Nick are such a cute couple, and both helped each other through some major difficulties in their lives. Brit brings Nick out of his shell, and Nick helps to ground Brit and see her worth. The way these two balanced each other was everything I could've asked for, and more!

Their adventure together is fun and romantic, and I couldn't help but laugh at the many things that went 'wrong' that forced them together.

Opposites attract, grumpy x sunshine and only one bed are some of the tropes in this book, but there are also a few things to be considerate about (mentioned above, grief, loss, alcoholism).

I really enjoyed this book, and I recommend it to fans of romcoms with a little extra substance.

I didn't get to finish this book because I've been busy for the past couple of months, but I read 70% of it so I can say that this was a good read but not the kind that really makes you completely into it. I think this is a rom-com with them hating each other, so the banter was just at the right amount and it makes me laugh somehow.

Absolutely loved this book.  The hurdle of events really made this a fun read.  I especially love the way the author develops the characters, they feel so.  So real I find myself say (out loud even) Brit what are you doing, LOL!  Or Nick don’t be so boring.  This is a summer must read and a permanent on my shelf of books I keep.  Can’t wait for Lauren H. Mae’s next book!

After they were both late getting back to their cruise Brit and Nick take a road trip from Costa rica to get back to the east coast 
They both come to realize that what you thought you wanted in life isn't what you need. 
Also that maybe fate is real.

Great book to read  it had a fun plot that played out well. It was fun to read. Lots of twists and turns to keep you interested

I have loved this book and everything about it! The characters are gorgeous and will steal your heart from the very beginning.

This is a book I have been eagerly anticipating and I can safely say- it has delivered on every level. This is a book that should be on everyone’s TBR.

I love how different the characters are! The chemistry between them is evident and oozes from the pages. I have loved this one from beginning to end and found myself completely caught up in the pages and unwilling to put this one down.

This is perfectly paced and as a reader, you are transported to the pages. Mae has made me feel as though I know the characters and have been with them watching this play out.

This is a brilliant read and I have adored everything about it. This is a book that should be on everyone’s TBR.

I highly recommend this gem.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was such a fun sweet book! I loved the characters and their banter and their chemistry. SO good! Right from the start I was hooked and rooting for Brit and Nick. If you love the sunshine-grump trope and are looking for a fun rom com to read this summer then definitely grab this book! I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

oh my goodness, this was the best book!! it was soooo sweet and i'm so in love with it!! as always, thank you so much to netgalley for letting me read this book early! pick it up asap!!!

Lauren H. Mae brings us a sweet romcom with added spice; this story had me swoon, laugh, and cry. This is my first book by her and I am now a new fan!

Britney, a 25-yr-old runaway bride, is trying to break away from her overbearing rich father and his demands (like marrying her cheating fiancé coz it’s good for business). Fighting her way to independence, Britney has a plan to open her own make up studio and so after taking her honeymoon cruise alone, she's in a hurry to get back for an auction to purchase her dream house/office space. Meanwhile, 29-yr-old Nick is on a quest to fulfill his last brother’s wishlist—a list that includes going to challenging places where his brother wanted his ashes to be buried. While he’s dealing with such sorrow and guilt, he also has the pressure to keep his family business—and his family—together. He’s the glue that keeps ‘em all together.

Seeing Brit and Nicky’s “weird dance between friendship and longing stares” gave me all the feels. The warmth and affection between these two melted my heart. As someone who is going through grief, regret, and a want to be more of a badass when all else directs me elsewhere, I appreciated the perspectives Lauren shares.

It taught me to relish the moments you have, not to self-suffocate in a life where you feel it limits you to your full potential. My dad always said, “stay with your people”, meaning surround yourself with the ones who build you up, and that is precisely what we yearn for in Nick and Brit.

It also taught me to mentally capture precious moments with loved ones; don’t take these little moments for granted.

“The thing about having a ticking clock hanging over your time with another person is you have to gorge yourself on every piece of them before they disappear from your life. You’ve got to dig into their soul and suck up every detail, so you can remember it when you’re alone and missing them.”

I am such a champion of Lauren H Mae’s Summer Nights Series; she is a treasured auto-buy author so I’m beyond excited for the privilege of reading an eARC of Wish Lists & Road Trips. 

After leaving her cheating ex-fiancé Brit Donovan sets off solo on a cruise, escaping in search of empowerment. Nick Callaway, on a journey of bereavement spreading his brother’s ashes, desperately wants to return home to the family dependent upon him. While at a stop in Costa Rica they don't expected to find the ship has departed, find companionship in their fellow stray sailor, nor find healing during their ensuing journey home together.

Brit and Nick are such wonderful characters. I applaud Lauren’s talent for writing them each simultaneously deeply unique but also transcendently relatable; in each of their heartbreaks, stories, fears and courage you’ll find pieces of yourself. 

Our pink-haired Brit is the epitome of a sunshine character, whirling her beautifully chaotic energy at Nick’s surly defences. Having endured unimaginable personal and professional loss, Nick operates in a state of detachment and obligation to his family at the expense of his own happiness. 

While their literal journey becomes one of planes, trains and automobiles—sprinkled with Target trips, rum-soaked gummy bears and delicious mutual pining—Brit’s personal journey is one of embracing her kind heart, vibrant spirit and fierce passion as her superpower. Nick’s voyage working through survivor’s guilt, balancing the needs of his family alongside his own and allowing his true nature to shine through will leave an indelible mark on your heart. Nick is "grump" goals and we could not get enough of the quiet, tender affection he shows Brit, revealing his true, protective, love bug heart. Still swooning over the palm kisses. 

Lauren inimitably writes with heartfelt hope, raw relatability, tangible chemistry and unparalleled humour. She handles tough topics with delicate care. Her words reach out to readers and enrapture each of your senses, wrapping you in a sunscreen-smelling, snowflake dusting, bar lights twinkling, blanket of bliss.

I'm a big fan of a grumpy/sunshine romance and this definitely gave me that.
I also really enjoyed the forced proximity.
There were also some fun plot twists and I ultimately liked the journey that this story and book took me on.
There's nice sexual tension between our two main characters too.
This would make such a great beach/holiday read and it deals with some tough subjects in a sensitive way too.
It's that bit more than your average romance or rom com.
I also liked that they brought out the best in one another.
I've not read anything by Lauren H. Mae before but I will certainly be keeping an eye out for what she does next.
I may even need to go back and read some of her previous books too.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Two stranded travellers. One unexpected journey.

Makeup artist Brit Donovan wants one thing: to prove to her overbearing family that she can be independent. After breaking off her engagement to her cheating ex, she sets off on her honeymoon cruise alone to recharge before opening her own studio.

Nick Callaway isn't on a pleasure trip. Armed with his brother's ashes and a list of places, he's on a mission to fulfill a dying wish. Burdened with survivor's guilt and on a countdown to get home in time to help his family's company, the only thing he wants is to get this trip over with.

When they're both stranded in Costa Rica after missing their cruise ship, Nick and Brit team up to make their way back to the US. Complete opposites, their initial frustration - heightened by the obstacles of grounded flights and delayed trains - gives way to a searing attraction, and the feeling this may be a journey that neither will want to end.”

**What I loved about this book:
I loved the plot of this book! I really appreciated how Brit and Nick were both healing from their own experiences. And I loved the opposites attract trope in this story!

Read if you like:
*destination romance
*forced proximity
*opposites attract
*strangers to lovers
*character healing and growth

(4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5/5 stars)