Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, by: Morgan Matson

       Amy Curry is not looking forward to her summer. Her mother decided to move across the country and now it's Amy's responsibility to get their car from California to Connecticut. The only problem is, since her father died in a car accident, she isn't ready to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger. An old family friend, he also has to make the cross-country trip - and has plenty of baggage of his own. The road home may be unfamiliar - especially with their friendship venturing into ​uncharted territory - but together, Amy and Roger will figure out how to map their way.

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My Rating: ★★★★★

       What a fantastic summer road trip story. I have to say, I am all about three things:

1. Books
2. Summer Road Trips
3. Morgan Matson

        Admittedly so, I am a little partial to this book, but I'm telling you, it was AMAZING! It had a sense of adventure, a little romance, and just an overall quirky vibe.
       First of all, the fact that the author did such a great job creating a very real trip and didn't make it too over the top is fantastic. She also played up little moments throughout Amy and Roger's journey highlighting that this adventure could (and should) happen to any one of us. I also enjoyed how Morgan Matson included a few pages before each chapter and made them into snippets of Amy's "road trip diary". It added some fun visuals and really rounded out the story.
       Secondly, I loved reading about all of Amy and Roger's stops. The way that Matson describes some of the firsts that they experience is unique. She makes even the small firsts a really big deal, and I could feel the significance as a reader. Everything from wardrobe changes to a new burger was a unique experience, and it really made every moment standout. Even though this was a very fun and lighthearted read, it still showed the characters growing as people as they experienced things outside of their comfort zones.
​       Amy has made her way into my top female character list for sure. She is a little nerdy, and absolutely loves musicals. For me (as a lover of musicals myself), it was a very welcome surprise to find a character who shares the same interests as me. The little moments throughout the book where Amy and Roger made playlists together was something I found really funny. Amy keeps telling Roger that they should listen to his music, because she knows he won't want to listen to musical recordings. When he finally makes her play some of her music, it's such a cute moment, and something you won't fully appreciate unless you listen to musicals yourself.
       I also have to point out ALL THE LOVE I have for Roger as a wholesome character. Can you take me on a road trip? Fair warning, if you asked, I WOULD SAY YES. (Also if any one of you guys want to road trip it with me, that answer is also a yes. So much spontaneity and book loving all in one post.)

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       If you are looking for a book to wrap up your summer reading, be sure to pick this one up! Have you already read it? Let me know what you thought of it in the comments below!

The soon-to-be junior in high school,
Ashton

The best discoveries always happened to the people who weren't looking for them.

― Morgan Matson, Amy & Roger's Epic Detour