This book wants to be a fun and romantic story about travel, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. The idea of winning a travel contest sounds exciting, but the story feels more like a setup than a real adventure. The romance doesn’t have much chemistry, and the characters feel more like stereotypes than real people. The conversations try to be clever but often feel awkward. In the end, the book is easy to read but doesn’t leave a strong impression.

As a traveler, the title alone drew me in. I was excited for a fun enemies to lovers and forced proximity, light travel romance. The story itself was a bit heavier than I expected based on the premise and the cover. When I think of The Unhoneymooners and People We Meet on Vacation (as the blurb for the book compared it to) it just didn't hit that way for me. The Unhoneymooners was laugh out loud hijinks. People We Meet was two people with a history and a past. I didn't really get the negativity from Jack in the beginning of the book. And Dylan not telling him the truth about her work situation and the trip was veering toward the miscommunication trope. I didn't feel the chemistry between the two as much as I would have liked to really feel connected to the story and characters. With Dylan's article and the resulting negative publicity she received, along with minimal relationship with her parents between her sexuality, it just veered more toward women's fiction as opposed to romance. Which isn't bad, but coming into the story anticipating something lighter and it being billed as a romance, it was hard to reconcile.
3.5 rounded up to 4

I received this book as an ARC way back in 2023, but never read it after a seeing low ratings for it. I don’t know why because I really enjoyed this novel! I love a travel romance and this has a fun radio station strangers twist to it. It set up the novel really well and I loved hearing about the places they traveled. I have no idea who planed their itinerary because it didn’t make sense location-wise and I do with the author had focused more on certain locations. The time jumps of one location being chapters where another being a sentence or two was not my favorite. I did love the depth that went into both the characters. Dylan was written with beautiful complexity and I loved the romance that slowly bloomed throughout the story. I only wish I would’ve read this one earlier! 4⭐️, 2🌶

I love the concept of this book and the author wrote it so well! I loved the characters and the topics they hit on. This story is much more than you would first assume! Looking forward to reading more from Elle Everhart!

This book is cute but misleading. Based on the cover, I assumed it was going to be a cute, lighthearted romance. Yet, upon reading it, I found it relatively heavy. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the pacing. Regardless, I liked this book and would give it a 3/5 stars.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to @netgalley and @putnambooks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @prhaudio for a free download of the audiobook.

Elle Everhart's "Wanderlust" offers a unique premise: Dylan wins a global trip and is forced to invite Jack, a near-stranger, along for the adventure.

I was immediately drawn in by the book's swift pacing, which quickly launched into their whirlwind tour of nine diverse cities. Everhart's vivid descriptions of each location ignited my own wanderlust, and I appreciated the inclusion of thought-provoking themes such as online harassment, consent, and the impact of climate change.

The book also thoughtfully incorporates queer representation. However, the romance aspect was less successful for me. Dylan's repeated withholding of crucial information created unnecessary tension, veering into frustrating miscommunication territory. While I understand the need for internal conflict, the repeated delays felt contrived and hindered my enjoyment of the romantic arc.

"Wanderlust" felt more like a compelling exploration of personal growth and global awareness than a traditional romance.

Olivia Dowd's engaging narration, featuring a variety of English accents, made the audiobook a pleasant experience.

4 stars

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I found myself enjoying this book more than other romances I've read recently - and I think it was because of the way Dylan went about her problems with adult solutions and pragmatism. Despite being described as the more free-willed person in the book, I found myself relating to Dylan in deeper ways that were empowering when I reflected deeper.

On a lighter note, the premise of the book: winning a radio contest and traveling the world with a leftover man from a night out - was hilarious to me, and I have a soft spot for travel romances because my dream meet cute will happen in an airport.

Spoilers below!

I liked how Dylan handled her strained relationship with her parents, especially at the end, she was making efforts to repair what she wanted to while also abiding by clear personal boundaries. I think that was a big step for her developmentally, and I appreciated the representation of this in the romance genre because so often we get a "woe is me," character without them taking action to improve their woes.

I loved Jack - I really did. I thought he was funny and quirky and I adored how shy he was at the start and the way he warmed to Dylan as their relationship grew. I think they had a great opposites dynamic that shows healthy support between friends and then (of course) lovers.

Overall, this book surprised me! The supporting cast was good, and the relationships throughout the book were well cared for and served purposes. I don't like when we get mentions of unfruitful characters! I would recommend this book to friends that are looking for that next romance, and possibly even to some who just need examples of healthy relationships!

This book was not exactly what I was expecting. It is not a fluffy romance and covers a lot of sensitve and deep topics. I did have a hard time connecting with the characters because Jack was not very nice. I mean, I love a grumpy, growly, surly MMC, but Jack came across more as unapproachable, cold, sarcastic. Maybe it was just me that felt that way.

Overall, for a debut novel, there is a lot going on. I would still pick up other books by this author, but this one was not really for me.

Wanderlust follows Dylan, a magazine writer who wins a trip around the world, but with the catch that her travel partner must be a random contact from her phone. Naturally, the contact is Jack, a posh guy she once ghosted. The premise offers plenty of potential for an enemies-to-lovers romance, but I found the chemistry between Dylan and Jack lacking, and the pacing uneven. While the book touches on deeper themes like Dylan’s past and the fallout from a viral article about her, I was hoping for more of the lighthearted travel and adventure.

Although the novel explores self-discovery and emotional growth, it didn’t quite deliver the escapism I was expecting. The heavier themes, while meaningful, didn’t mesh well with the fun, adventurous tone I anticipated. Wanderlust has a unique premise but ultimately didn’t strike the balance between romance, travel, and deeper reflection that I was hoping for.
My rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

3.5 Stars but rounding up to 4 because the vibes gave it the leg up. This truly was a great combo of The Unhoneymooners and People we Meet on Vacation (but like the best parts of that because I didn’t LOVE that like everyone else did). So kudos to them for really nailing the comps. :) I love the forced proximity trope, especially with this concept, girl meets boy (off paper a while before), girl wins radio contest for a trip around the world with someone random that the station selects from her phone contacts, station selects rando boy she never called back… off they go on a trip of a lifetime when they wish they weren’t there with each other. Loved this. Loved watching Dylan and Jack find themselves in this story, both together and separate. Overall, the vibes were there, the story was pretty good and I’d read this author again, no doubt.

In this sparkling debut, "Wanderlust," readers are taken on a whirlwind journey as magazine writer Dylan Coughlan wins a contest for a trip around the world—with an unexpected travel partner, Jack the Posho, an uptight guy she once ghosted.

Dylan, feeling stuck in her career and longing for adventure, must navigate the challenges of traveling with someone so different from herself. The trip is not just about exploring the world; it's also a chance for Dylan to revive her writing career after a viral article derailed her aspirations. As they embark on their journey, tensions rise, but so does an unexpected bond between the two.

The author skillfully captures the heart of their evolving relationship while exploring themes of ambition, self-discovery, and the complexities of love. With witty dialogue and engaging characters, "Wanderlust" is a delightful read that combines adventure with romance, making it a perfect escape for readers.

Fun and swoony romance with rich character development and a conclusion that will leave you feeling wonderful. It's a must-read for anyone who loves stories about love, growth, and the joy of finding your perfect match.

Why did I wait so long to read this book? I absolutely loved it! A trip around the world with a guy you went out with once? Yes, please. Sign me up. I also loved how deep this one got and how you got to see both MCs journeys to discovery.

I kept seeing people say this book was “Unhoneymooners” meets “People We Meet on Vacation” but it just missed the mark for me. Maybe because it was too unrealistic? I had high hopes and just don’t think it was necessarily for me but I did enjoy parts of it.

I absolutely loved Wanderlust by Elle Everhart! It’s the perfect mix of humor, heart, and adventure. The dynamic between Dylan and Jack had me hooked from the start—full of sharp banter and hilarious tension that builds into a deeper, more meaningful connection. Their enemies-to-lovers journey felt fresh and fun, with real emotional growth that made me root for them all the way.

The travel aspect adds so much vibrancy to the story, and the descriptions of each destination are so vivid, it’s like you’re traveling with them. This book gave me all the feels—romantic, funny, and uplifting. If you love a rom-com with adventure, this one’s a must-read!

Wanderlust by Elle Everhart is a delightful slow-burn rom-com that beautifully captures the essence of travel and self-discovery. The story follows Dylan, a relatable protagonist navigating her life against the backdrop of stunning international locales, which adds a vibrant flair to her journey. Everhart skillfully weaves entertaining banter and complex character backgrounds, making it an engaging read, especially for fans of the forced proximity trope. With a mix of humor and heartfelt moments, this debut novel is sure to charm readers looking for a romantic escape.

Wanderlust by Elle Everhart. Pub Date: July 4, 2023. Rating: 2 stars. The premise of this novel seemed so fun and fresh with an around the world trip provided by a radio station with the catch of they get to pick a random contact from the winner's phone to travel with that person. I think readers go into this book thinking it will be a romance, but unfortunately I felt the characters did not mesh well and honestly I thought the author added too much of a political front to this storyline as well. I also am not a huge fan of the lack of communication trope, which this book highlighted. This was a miss for me. Thanks to #netgalley and #penguingrouputnam for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I had to DNF this after attempting to read it multiple times in spite of the writing and plot being good. I feel that I am not the intended audience for this story, and that others will be able to relate to the main character in a way that I was unable to.

I thought this was a really cute summery travel story! I have not read anything like it before so I liked that. It wasn’t my favorite book I’ve ever read, but it was cute!

"Wanderlust" by Elle Everhart is a charming but uneven read. It follows Cassie, a travel blogger, on her journey across Europe. The vivid descriptions of destinations are a highlight, making you feel like you're right there with her.

Cassie is a fun and spirited protagonist, and her interactions with locals and fellow travelers are heartwarming. However, the pacing is uneven, and some parts of the story drag. Cassie’s character development feels superficial, and the self-discovery aspect doesn't go deep enough.

The romance subplot is sweet but lacks depth and complexity, making it feel predictable.

Overall, "Wanderlust" is enjoyable for its beautiful settings and adventurous spirit but falls short in character development and pacing.