The premise of the memoir spoke to me as a hopeless romantic who adores travel, and I appreciated how the structure consistently married the author’s travels with her love life (in varying degrees of the good, the bad, and the shallow). There were multiple instances where the account felt redundant, however, and I wanted a fresh perspective or new level of awareness. Vargas clearly has a knack for storytelling, so I enjoyed her memoir overall - even in moments where I wanted more commentary on her relative privilege despite the challenges/setbacks.

While not covering maybe a span of years long enough to feel like a memoir, the amount of life lived in that time surely qualifies. Vargas lets us in on a wart’s-eye-view of parts of her life, which feel at once vicariously embarrassing and yet cringely relatable. Although the discussions of her career are somewhat repetitive, the descriptions of travel and wanderlust are insightful and engaging- she made me, much like her younger self- want to run out and leap onto the next train to anywhere, lol.

Thanks to NetGalley for my copy!

If you have a love for travel that can’t be satiated, you need to read this one. Nikki endlessly pursued her dreams of being a travel writer after many setbacks. I loved learning more about her journey and seeing her perseverance and the way she kept pushing through to get what she truly desired. GREAT memoir!

Thank you NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for this advanced copy 🥳

Niki Vargas has written an open no holds barred memoir sharing her travels but most of all her lives up and downs.She writes about her love affairs her professional life her creativity her magazine.I found her life story interesting and enjoyed her memoir #netgalley#harlequinbooks.

Hmm, I guess I expected this book to be heavier on the travel and much lighter on the author's relationship drama. I had no clue who the author was prior to reading this book so someone who is already a fan (perhaps from her blogging days) will likely enjoy it more... as long as you're interested in her love life. The failed magazine, Unearth Women, sounds like an interesting premise, but having to slog through the drawn out story of her first failed engagement and calling off the wedding mere days before the big day kind of ruined this for me. I can't even say this book could be encouraging for others hoping to break into travel writing as most people don't have someone else to pay their living expenses (especially in NYC!) while they ignore their own debts, taking free press trips in exchange for blogging about a place while only earning a minimal amount for paid articles. I did enjoy what travel stories were included, but this book is certainly much more memoir than travel book.

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Nikki is an excellent writer. I enjoyed this book and the connections she shares within the story. It was easy to read and I felt like I was part of her world as she flowed from one part to the next. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars!