I love a good road trip romance, and this one grew on me more and more as the story progressed. It’s a debut that I knew very little about going in, and that made the experience better for me. It’s sentimental one minute and super playful the next, with a grumpy/sunshine dynamic that absolutely shines in the back half. I loved learning about the hero in bits and pieces (we only get the heroine’s perspective), and it was great to watch the self-proclaimed pessimist open up his heart a little more with every page. I also loved the heroine, who maintains her sunshiney demeanor even while grappling with grief and heartache. The two complemented each other perfectly, and the forced proximity allowed them to grow their emotional connection in a way they wouldn’t have in the real world. They’ve got fantastic chemistry, and the comedic moments with them balanced out the heavier aspects of the story. It truly did put me through my paces emotionally, and ended up being a very memorable read.
The story follows Millie, a woman who is grieving the loss of her best friend. That best friend happened to be several decades older than her, but Mrs. Nash made a lasting impression on Millie. That’s why Millie is determined to deliver Mrs. Nash’s ashes to her long-lost love, reuniting them in the only way she can. Unfortunately, Millie becomes stranded at the airport, and the only familiar face she sees is her ex-boyfriend’s professional nemesis. Millie has only met Hollis in passing, but it’s obvious that he’s a bit of a grump. He begrudgingly agrees to let Millie ride in his car only when it becomes clear that she’s out of other options. As the two total opposites embark on their adventure together, they bond in a way that neither expected. But the pessimist and the eternal optimist have very different opinions about Millie’s mission, and that causes plenty of tension along the way.
Someone recommended this to me as an excellent road trip romance with You, With a View vibes, and I definitely think this appeals to a similar audience. We get the bonus of Mrs. Nash’s queer love story, told in little moments sprinkled throughout the book. There’s also the forced proximity and the road trip aspect, which are two personal favorites of mine. I loved that Millie and Hollis had just enough history that they weren’t total strangers, but they were truly getting to know each other for the first time on this trip. Hollis grew on me a LOT as the book progresses; he starts out as this jerk of a guy who is literally on his way to a sex date with his f-buddy, but he slowly opens up and reveals a softer side of himself. I loved the way he let Millie be her true (bubbly, quirky, and vibrant) self, while also being the person who grounds her and supports her when she needs it. The back half really pulls it all together, and that’s what earns this 5 stars from me. It’s emotional and sentimental, yet also hopeful and uplifting – and funny – which made for such a multi-faceted read. I really enjoyed it!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3M1uks0
Audio Note:
The audio is good! This is my first experience with Mara Wilson, and I thought her voice was ideal for the storyline. It’s soft and relaxing, but she also brings the emotion when needed. My only (minor) complaint would be that there were a couple of moments when I wasn’t sure who was talking – her voice for Hollis wasn’t all that different from her voice for Millie. But those moments weren’t that frequent. The runtime (9-10 hours) makes for a great single-day listening experience, and the slowish burn meant that this could at least be started at the office. There are several spicy moments in the back half, so you might run into trouble with those. I think the audio definitely enhanced the reading experience for me, so I’d easily recommend the format.
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3S5S9mp
Blurb:
A starry-eyed romantic, a cynical writer, and (the ashes of) an elderly woman take the road trip of a lifetime that just might upend everything they believe about true love.
Millicent Watts-Cohen is on a mission. When she promised her elderly best friend that she’d reunite her with the woman she fell in love with nearly eighty years ago, she never imagined that would mean traveling from D.C. to Key West with three tablespoons of Mrs. Nash’s remains in her backpack. But Millie’s determined to give her friend a symbolic happily-ever-after, before it’s (really) too late—and hopefully reassure herself of love’s lasting power in the process.
She just didn’t expect to have a living travel companion.
After a computer glitch grounds flights, Millie is forced to catch a ride with Hollis Hollenbeck, an also-stranded acquaintance from her ex’s MFA program. Hollis certainly does not believe in happily-ever-afters—symbolic or otherwise—and makes it quite clear that he can’t fathom Millie’s plan ending well for anyone.
But as they contend with peculiar bed-and-breakfasts, unusual small-town festivals, and deer with a death wish, Millie begins to suspect that her reluctant travel partner might enjoy her company more than he lets on. Because for someone who supposedly doesn’t share her views on romance, Hollis sure is becoming invested in the success of their journey. And the closer they get to their destination, the more Millie has to admit that maybe this trip isn’t just about Mrs. Nash’s love story after all—maybe it’s also about her own.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3M1uks0
About the Author:
Sarah Adler writes romantic comedies about lovable weirdos finding their happily ever afters. She lives in Maryland with her husband and daughter and spends an inordinate amount of her time yelling at her mischievous cat to stop opening the kitchen cabinets. Mrs. Nash’s Ashes is her debut novel. You can find her on Twitter (@sarahaadler) and Instagram (@sarahadlerwrites).
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