Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the arc. All opinions and statements are my own.

Blurb
“Ophelia Dahl has just buried her beloved father when she finds among his personal effects a blindsiding document. The mother Ophelia thought died thirty years ago isn’t dead after all—she abandoned her. But how could she, and where is she now? With some neighborly help, Ophelia’s going to find out.

Beau Augustin is an acclaimed author and Ophelia’s childhood bestie turned teenage nemesis, still chafing after all these years. As luck would have it, Beau’s current project—family deceptions—is set to take him across the West Coast. Ophelia has a brilliant idea: Beau’s book. Her life. Win-win. In a Subaru filled with baggage, they hit the road.

Despite detours, dead ends, and old grudges, Ophelia is desperate to unravel a lifetime of lies. And Beau’s research is a little more personal than he’s letting on. Mile by mile, they’re getting closer to their truths—and to each other—than they ever thought possible.”

My Thoughts
What a fun yet interesting book! I love a romance book that has sad and challenging moments/plot points that the main character has to face in order to grow. It adds so much more depth and feeling into novels, in my opinion.

I related to Ophelia a lot. She was insecure, self-deprecating, and holding onto a lot of hurt and pain from the past. I still need to work on myself, but it was nice to see a character work through that and come through stronger and bolder. 💪🏼

The story was entertaining, the romance was pretty cute, and Ophelia’s journey to finding herself was probably my favorite part of the book. I will say, though, that Beau growls too much (I get it, he’s a grumpy guy, but he’s not a dog 😅) and Ophelia was always trying not to “project.” And I agree with what another reviewer said about the writing: there was more telling than showing. But not too much to where you feel like your ear is being talked off by someone who is dying to share their life story in one sitting. And the miscommunication drove me crazy! I honestly cannot stand miscommunication in books, especially the kind where it is obvious the characters need to flipping talk in order to resolve their problems and not have internal monologues about the awkward situation they can pull themselves out of. Oh, and this book has some spice in it, fyi. 😉

But I will say, I did love the banter and the rekindled friendship between Ophelia and Beau that somewhat quickly turned into a romance. They were cute together. 🥰 Beau’s parents and friends were also the best, but I cannot say the same about Ophelia’s friends. 😅 And the ending was great! I loved it and wanted to cry at the happy ending I was hoping for. This book was just so fun and easy to read, so I highly recommend it if you need a good, summer book with the friends-to-enemies-to-lovers and grumpy and sunshine trope, roadtrips, healing, and forgiveness.

Content Warnings
Loss of a parent, grief, mental illness, death, miscarriage

#TheTruthisintheDetours #Netgalley

Thank you to Mara Williams and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. ♡

₊˚⊹⋆ first thoughts: this book description sounds as though i am about to be hit with a ton of emotional turmoil when beau and ophelia head on the road to uncover their truths. i am so excited to crack this one open!!

Thank you Netgalley the publishers and the author for the e-arc of this book.

This was hoestly quite bingeable, icl. Every time I put it down, I would keep thinking about how it would progress, not just in terms of the mystery, but also for the mending and improving of the relationship between the 2 main characters. This was exactly what I expected it would be, a classic lit fic. book, which was the type of story I was in the mood for as well. It was quite a poignant look at how 2 close friends drifted apart due to their different priorities in their teenage years, with 2 polar views on what happened, and the story of them reuniting after years and finally trying to sink back to their dynamic and mend their broken friendship while also talking out what had happened all those years back.
Tbh, it did make me tear up a bit at the end. It was a quite nice read, and pretty true to life in its depictions of specific feelings everyone has experienced at least once in their life. But I will leave you the joy of reading and relating to that if you decide to pick this story up.

4.5 stars

What a wonderful debut with so many touching and poignant moments. This road trip romance features two estranged best friends - Ophelia searching for the mother she thought was dead, and Beau researching his book on how lies change personal histories.

What I found fascinating is how Ophelia (frustratingly slowly) comes to realise that how she behaved towards Beau in high school rightfully meant he felt used by her. Conversely Beau understanding she was blithely unaware and that she saw him as a safe harbour. Pace-wise, there were a few times that it lagged, I also wish Ophelia came to realisations earlier about how toxic her other friendships and stopped acquiescing to them, but otherwise I was glued to this story.

I adored tender-hearted, nerdy Beau and felt broken hearted for how he felt in high school. If I had any quibbles, I think I needed Ophelia’s growth to come a bit earlier to make their reunion feel like it could stick more. That said it was so satisfying to watch the lightbulb finally go off, and watch her make the grand gesture.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was my first ARC book experience and all I have to say is WOW! This book had me hooked from the very beginning. Her writing style lures you in and I love the character development. I definitely got lost in this book in the BEST way! It had me feeling all the feels and the journey of the characters was raw and real. Definitely a top read for this year! I will definitely be purchasing it when it comes out! Wonderfully written from beginning to end.

I enjoyed reading this debut novel. It’s perfect for the summer for a little escapism or even a palette cleanser. And while the writing was decent, there was still a lot more telling than showing. Like I would have honestly preferred if we had flashbacks scenes between the two main characters showcasing their love for us to feel the yearning between them.
In that aspect, the relationship between the main characters didn’t really interest me. It felt a bit flat.

There was also miscommunication in this book. And while I’m a lover for miscommunication tropes in books, this one just didn’t hit for me. They only ever really opened up and started communicating towards the end and throughout the whole book, I just felt frustrated and unsatisfied.

That does not go on to say that I didn’t enjoy the book don’t get me wrong. I think if we were to ignore the romantic element, I’d say that the story of how our fmc deals with the passing of her father, grief, and uncovering family secrets was way more entertaining and interesting to me!

Set on a road trip from San Diego up California and into Oregon, Ophelia Dahl finds out her mother she thought had died gave up custody months after her "death". Struggling to understand why her dad kept this secret but unable to ask him, she joins her childhood best friend turned rival Beau Augustin on his research trip. Beau is working on a new book, but Ophelia feels like there is more going on with her former friend. Along the way, they confront truths and lies, motivations and consequences, intent and desire, and seeing life in a new way.

I felt like there was so much to consider and talk about from this book! I got frustrated with Ophelia and Beau at different times, but they are going through so much pain and grief. Their inability to communicate (miscommunications) felt natural to their characters, even if I wish they would just talk to each other. I think a book club that enjoys Emily Henry, Jessica Joyce, or Beth O'Leary would have lots to discuss here too.

This ended up at a lower rating for me as I wish their physical relationship had progressed more slowly. With all the chaos around them, it stressed me out to see them struggle by adding this on top of everything else. That said, I liked how the book closed out after road trip ends.

While predominantly set in California, I loved the Oregon settings: Bend/Sunriver/La Pine (Central Oregon) and Medford/Ashland (Southern Oregon).

This novel features:
🚗 Second chance romance
🚗 Childhood friends to rivals to lovers
🚗 Road trip (with a hot professor)
🚗 Forced proximity (one tent!)
🚗 Family secrets
🚗 Grief and loss and lies

Open door / spicy

3.25 / 5 stars

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for this eARC!

It’s my first time reading an exploration slash travel kind of romance so it’s new to me. But Phe and Beau’s story made me hooked. I may not be a huge fan of childhood friend’s to lovers too but they both made it so warm in the heart. The dynamics made me relate to their story. It is not just romance, but deep in a sense that it talks about the other kind of relationship, not just the romantic kind of way, but family and friends, and everyone around us. I love it, and hope to read more books from the same author.

And thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC!

This book was such a gorgeous surprise. The writing is rich with warmth and humor, but it’s also sharp and deeply introspective in a way that quietly tugs at your heart. The banter, the tension, the slow unwinding of their past; it had me hooked. I love stories where resentment and affection blur, where the chemistry is tangled in old wounds, and this had that in spades. Every mile felt like a reckoning, but also a healing. And by the end, I didn’t want to let them go.

In her bio, Mara Williams says she's been writing since the third grade, and honestly, it shows. "The Truth Is in the Detours" is sharp, poignant, filled with equal parts heart, gravitas, and tension. Did I stay up too late reading it the first night I received it? Yes. Did I regret it but stay up past my bedtime the next night as well? Also yes. How could I not?!? The general plot (no spoilers, I promise):

Ophelia Dahl has just buried her beloved father when she finds among his personal effects a blindsiding document. The mother Ophelia thought died thirty years ago isn’t dead after all—she abandoned her. But how could she, and where is she now? With some neighborly help, Ophelia’s going to find out.

Beau Augustin is an acclaimed author and Ophelia’s childhood bestie turned teenage nemesis, still chafing after all these years. As luck would have it, Beau’s current project—family deceptions—is set to take him across the West Coast. Ophelia has a brilliant idea: Beau’s book. Her life. Win-win. In a Subaru filled with baggage, they hit the road. Despite detours, dead ends, and old grudges, Ophelia is desperate to unravel a lifetime of lies. And Beau’s research is a little more personal than he’s letting on. Mile by mile, they’re getting closer to their truths—and to each other—than they ever thought possible.

Phe, as she's known, is messy, relatable, and a character I rooted for. Beau tugged at my heartstrings with his depth and past. I simultaneously wanted to keep reading and skip to the end to see how it all turned out. Highly, highly recommend "The Truth Is in the Detours."

Loved the friendship between Beau and Phe. Loved that we were able to experience how the characters evolved. Lani was “home” for Phe and I loved that ,most of her fond as well as sad memories, Lani was there to capture it as well offer insight when necessary. I also loved how this book shed some light on mental health and how important it is to protect and help the people we love.

First, I wish to thank Netgalley, Publisher Lake Union Publishing and Author Mara Williams for the e-arc of The Truth is in the Detours.

When Ophelia Dahl's father passes away and she goes through old paperwork, she discovers a secret that may change everything she's ever known. One day, her old childhood friend Beau Augustin knocks on the door, offering his assistance with clearing out the house. Beau is researching for a new book he is writing, and Ophelia joins, ready to research her own family secret.

Ophelia and Beau's character development was well written and thought through. The events that unfolded, not only in present time, but in the past, made sense and added a new layer of feelings, heartbreak and love to the story.

The reason for the 4 star review is that the story was slightly drawn out in the middle, leaving me to lose focus and pause it for a bit!

I’m a big fan of a road trip/travel romance and this was great! Ophelia and Beau were so cute. Childhood friends to lovers is my favorite romance drama so I really enjoyed this! Plus there were other things going on that made this book deeper and very thought provoking.

Ophelia and Beau had been besties for their whole lives until in high school they ‘drifted apart’. But when both enter into crises at the same time, their friendship gets rekindled.

I appreciated the undertones of this book. How life is realistically hard, and people often don’t tell the whole truth. This leads people to have trust issues which played out realistically in this book. I appreciated Ophelia’s wrap up of sorts, although it felt a bit rushed. How she dealt with everything that had happened seemed appropriate and real.
As always, if the characters would just talk to each other, they’d be able to work through way more with way less drama, but where’s the book in that😂

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed reading this debut novel. It’s perfect for a little escapism or even a palette cleanser in the summer. And while the writing was decent, there was still much more telling than showing. I would have honestly preferred if we had flashback scenes between the two main characters, showcasing their love for us to feel the yearning between them.
In that aspect, the relationship between the main characters didn’t interest me. It felt a bit flat.

There was also miscommunication in this book. And while I’m a lover of miscommunication tropes in books, this one just didn’t hit for me. They only ever really opened up and started communicating towards the end, and throughout the whole book, I just felt frustrated and unsatisfied.

That does not go on to say that I didn’t enjoy the boo,k don’t get me wrong. I think if we were to ignore the romantic element, I’d say that the story of how our fmc deals with the passing of her father, grief, and uncovering family secrets was way more entertaining and interesting to me!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"The Truth Is in the Detours" by Mara Williams is a captivating debut that masterfully blends romance and self-discovery with the charm of a road trip adventure. The story follows Ophelia, who embarks on a cross-California journey with her estranged childhood friend Beau after uncovering shocking truths about her family. Williams crafts an engaging narrative filled with humor, emotional depth, and the complexities of second chances. The vivid settings and well-developed characters, especially through Ophelia's perspective, make the story both relatable and immersive. While the plot follows some familiar tropes, Williams' fresh voice and the heartfelt exploration of identity and resilience make it a standout. This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of romance and introspection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for the ARC.

I received an ARC from #NetGalley for this wonderful, wonderful book ‘The Truth is in the Detours.’ I’m always interested in trying out new authors (and find new favorites) and the book sounded interesting. This book absolutely sucked me in from the first chapter. The humor, humility, grief, and hope that were found throughout this story was *chef’s kiss. I stayed up way too late into the night trying to finish this because I just couldn’t put it down. I read a lot of books but this is (honestly) one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. Great job! Thank you for the ARC. 100% recommend this as a 2025 read!

Wow, Mara Williams comes out strong with this debut novel. I loved absolutely everything about this book. I read it in one sitting since I was so invested in the story.

Beau and Ophelia, childhood neighbors who used to do everything together, grew apart once high school hit. Now, they don’t even speak. So when Ophelia’s father dies, she’s surprised to find Beau showing up, offering to help her go through her father’s belongings. What they discover not only challenges what she thought she knew about her dad—but leads her to believe that her mother, long presumed dead, might still be alive

Meanwhile, Beau is facing struggles of his own. Now an author, he’s planning a cross-California road trip to interview people for his next book. Ophelia decides to tag along, hoping to follow up on leads about her mother’s last known addresses.

What follows is a heartfelt road trip filled with great music, snacks, and of course—the one-bed hotel room trope. Through twists and emotional turns, Beau and Ophelia are forced to confront their past and figure out who they want to be to each other now.

This book had everything I love in a romance: emotional depth, well-developed characters, and just the right amount of drama. Can't wait to see what Mara does next.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel that’s half romance, half coming into one’s own, with a big dash of roadtrip to uncover secrets and lies. And also, a love letter to California. I loved how fully fleshed out both characters were even though we only get Ophelia’s POV. The second chance romance hits its stride with friends to frenemies to lovers and a good bit of steam. I enjoyed the writing - beautiful, clever, and romantic. Queer rep: lesbian friend.

Short summary: Ophelia’s dad is dead and to make matters worse, she’s just discovered her mother is alive. With few clues, she tags along on a roadtrip with her former best friend who’s researching lies for his latest book. But they’ve packed more baggage than luggage and only the truth can set them free.

Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advanced copy for this book from Netgalley, and I'm very glad I did!

The story starts with a bang, with Ophelia, whose father has just passed away, discovering that a huge chung of her life is actually based on a lie. That, in itself, already feels like an understatement: indeed, her father has just died. And her mother, who was supposed to be dead for years, actually is not. Instead, she chose to give up her parental rights, effectively abandoning her daughter.

Now, that's a brutal way to start any story, but don't worry, it gets better.

Because Ophelia is not alone. She's accompanied through this story by none other than Beau, her childhood best friend and teenage nemesis, who happens to be in town for a short while. The two of them have obvious history, but they have not been friends for a while.

They are brought together by the revelation about Ophelia's mother, and their journey will continue together through a road trip for Beau's research, where they'll learn to reconnect more honestly than ever before.

I really enjoyed this story. It was honest and well-paced, with characters that feel fleshed-out in a way that had me wonder about them during my day, in-between chapters when real life got in the way of my reading. Actually, both Ophelia and Beau are deeply flawed, and that's perhaps what made me connect even harder to the plot.

Beyond grief and its many complexities, this story is really about choices and secrets, and I found the themes deeply interesting. It made me wonder about my own family's secrets. Towards the end, Ophelia truly learns to accept and respect herself, which I found both beautiful and a nicely figured-out arc for her character.

In short, The Truth is in the Detours is a lovely, honest, moving story, and you would do yourself a disservice by not picking it up when it comes out, on August, 12, 2025.