In this book, we follow Lila on a journey of adventures and discoveries. After spending her whole life listening to her overprotective mother she finally decides to go on an adventure on her own. This is where she meets the crew of the Eik and more particularly Eivind. Together they embark for 25 adventurous days at sea.

I found this book really sweet, entertaining and educational. We can feel that Liz Alden knows what she is talking about when it comes to sailing. The adventure is at the front of the story and the sweet romance between Lila and Eivind is a great bonus.

When you read this book one of the main thing you notice is the credibility of the characters. They feel real and believable, almost like they could be your friends.

In addition to this story, there is a bonus epilogue and a prequel if you subscribe the the author’s newsletter !

It was a great book and I look forward to reading the adventures of the rest of the crew.

*This ARC was provided to me by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Being from Panama, I was pretty excited to read a romance that takes place in my country. A story about a female hitchhiker that decides to cross the Panama canal on board a sailboat where she meets a man she starts to fall for, it sounded interesting! Sadly, I did NOT enjoy this book.

It's narrated in first person POV and it's pretty bothersome to read from this perspective when our main character lacks any sort of personality. Her head is empty and she only narrates what she does during the day, no type of thinking or monologue to take advantage of the POV. Because of this, the romance did not have any type of chemistry and felt extremely rushed. The synopsis said that it's a slowburn and that's a complete LIE. They get in each other's pants from the get-go, don't build up their relationship, spend their time having sex or sleeping and by the end... They're in love?
Also, the "conflict" was... Unnecessary, the drama that it created at the very end of the book just felt forced in.

The book is not just for me. From the simplistic writing style to the lack of chemistry or personality and the shallowness of everything, it was tedious to get through.

The Hitchhiker in Panama

3.8 ⭐️

Stepping out of ones comfort zone isn’t always easy, and the adventure that awaits isn’t always the one we expected to take.

This book was a fun easy read. While there was some fairytale/seems unlikely aspects of it, I really felt like I could connect with Lila and her journey. I found it cool that because the author has actually done some of this in real life, you get a feel like what’s happening on the boat and through the canal is real. Also Eivind seems dreamy.

As the description states, “The Love and Wanderlust series is contemporary romance for everyone who likes their wanderlust to continue into the happily-ever-after”

PS. There was a bonus epilogue available that added to the ending satisfaction.

Some scenes are for mature audiences.

Thanks netgalley for the arc in exchange for this honest review.

3 stars for a beautiful backdrop and a really original story!

not sure this is my kind of book... it's a lil too steamy 😅 it's pretty much all about Lila and Eivind's mutual attraction.

I really wasn't expecting to learn so much about sailing and Aussie slang! I feel like I could navigate through the panama canal now lol

This was a very surface level book -- it was exactly what the Goodreads synopsis said it would be. It's a great read to satisfy your need for a Central American adventure, and would be a great quick read to get you out of a reading slump! All of the characters were pretty one-dimensional, but the sailing background was really well fleshed out.

Pretty good read, just not my style.

The Hitchhiker in Panama is Liz Alden's debut novel, but it feels like she's been writing for years.

It was very evident that Liz Alden knew what she was talking about in terms of knowledge about sailing and the Panama Canal. I loved that at the end she discusses her experience sailing and the characters that inspired the crew. At time the details felt too intricate, but I do appreciate that they were there and lead to the authenticity of this story.

This book made me wish that I didn't get sea sick and that it was safe to travel, because I would love to traverse the Panama Canal. I did think that the relationship between Lila and Eivind developed pretty quickly, but when you're spending all your time with someone that's bound to happen. I enjoyed watching the two of them grow and learn together.

This is the first book in the Love and Wanderlust series and I can't wait to read the rest. Especially after reading the short prequel novella, The Night in Lover's Bay. I need more Marcella!

This one wasn't what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I loved the setting and the adventure of the story. It did feel a bit slow at times, but it paid off as Lila had her adventure.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.