Book: Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Release date: May 4, 2010
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
From: S&S and Big Honcho Media
Summary:
Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew–just in time for Amy’s senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she’s always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy’s mother’s old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she’s surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road–diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards–this is the story of one girl’s journey to find herself.
*****
Morgan Matson’s debut novel was fantastic. I know I have been saying that about a lot of debut novels but I honestly do love them. Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour was one that I actually hadn’t heard much about so I was super excited to read it. I was even more excited when I got into the story and it was amazing!
Amy won’t drive so when she has to get her mother’s car from California to Connecticut, Roger steps in. He is an old family friend but he is nothing like Amy remembers. Now he is tall, cute, and friendly. Just what Amy doesn’t need, or at least that is what she thinks. But when she and Roger decide to take a detour, she starts to see that maybe he is exactly what she needs.
At first, I did not like Amy at all. Ever since the death of her father she separated herself from everybody. It was rather annoying. Then Roger arrived and she was forced to interact with him seeing as they were stuck in a car together for days. He actually made her come out of her shell and she started to change. I loved seeing how each person they met along the way helped her slowly get over her grief but what was even better was that the people didn’t change her. Roger and the people along the way only helped her see how she could change but Amy had to make the decision herself.
I will admit though that I was a little bored at the beginning. Once I got about 50 pages in it picked up so nothing really major. And there are tons of fun pictures and playlists throughout the book. I have to go add some new music to my ipod now. =]
Overall, Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour is more than just a fun road trip book. It has true meaning to it and fabulous characters. I cannot wait for more from Morgan Matson.
First line: I sat on the front steps of my house and watched the beige Subaru station wagon swing too quickly around the cul-de-sac.
Writing: 5
Characters: 5
Plot: 4
Ending: 5
Originality: 5
Overall: 24=A
Cover: 5=A++
This looks really good! I think I’m going to go get this…
I just bought this I am soo excited to read it especially now with that awesome review, thanks!
This looks great! Thanks for the review.
Awesome review! This sounds amazing, definitely something I would enjoy 😀
You’ve won an award over at my blog!
http://sarasbookjourney.blogspot.com/2010/05/awards.html
I read so many good reviews and now I want this badly
I so would love to read this book. It get’s so many great reviews and now I want to read it even more. Thanks for the review!!!!!!!!!
I think 2010 is a great year for great books. Of all of the debut books I’ve read this year, I’ve only disliked ONE( and it wasn’t too much dislike either)! I’m glad you enjoyed this book! I’ve been hearing great things about it and I really don’t want to be dissapointed!
Awesome review! I can’t wait to read this 🙂
This one is in my TBR pile – I love road trip books! Now I’m really looking forward to reading this one – thanks for the great review!
Sue
Aww, Amy and Roger sound like such wonderful characters. This book is getting so much love from the blogosphere, I can’t wait to read it for myself. 😀
LOVE your review. I’ve been dying to read this. I read the preview on Borders.com and it was amazing! Thanks for making me want to read it even more. 😛
I’ve followed the blog tour EVERYWHERE and have heard nothing but good things of this book! Can’t wait to read it!
THIS book sounds so amazing! This is exactly the kind of read I am looking for and its so cool that they’re are playlists and pictures throughout the book. When my family and I traveled on the west coast I started writing a book idea about a road trip. ROAD TRIPS = WIN!
Anyways I loved your review!
I absolutely love the cover for this one! I actually added this one to my wishlist awhile back. I’m very excited to read it, now more than ever with your wonderful review. Way cool about the playlists, I love music so this is exciting, can’t wait! Fantastic review, Katie =)
OH I want this book so badly! I’ve heard nothing but great reviews on it and I have seen a LOT of reviews for this. I love the fact that Amy has to make the decisions to change and not just other people changing her. Much more realistic. The pictures and playlists sound really cool too. Awesome review. 😀
~Briana
This book looks amazing! Thanks for sharing that it gets better after the first 50 pages, because sometimes I put down a book if I’m bored with it. Great review!
Thank you for the information on the book. I have been reading about this one and couldn’t make up my mind if I wanted to read it or not. Now I think I will.
seriousreader at live dot com
I freaking love the cover! And any book that includes playlists and that kinda thing makes it all the better! I can’t wait to read it!
The storyline is excellent! This sounds like a book I’d enjoy reading.
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
This book looks really good. Great review! I love the cover. 🙂
kghobbs(at)gmail(dot)com
I loved this book! Everything you said was just right. I love how everything is such a mess in the beginning but then in the end it’s all so resolved that it leaves you at the end with great satisfaction