Open Road Summer is a comfort read that features all my favorite things – the bonds of friendship, a summery backdrop, and a music theme. This debut is packed with emotion and heart to keep you company during your sun-filled adventures.
Book: Open Road Summer by Emery Lord, Walker Childrens, On Sale April 15.
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Open Road Summer: Greatest hits -Thanks to Taylor Swift for the song title inspiration below.
The Story of Us – Dee (aka superstar Country singer Lilah Montgomery) takes her best friend Reagan on tour with her one summer. They are both getting over bad break-ups and could use some BFF time.
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Reagan’s breakup left her nursing a broken heart and a broken arm, and served as a wake up call that left her gun-shy. Dee, meanwhile, lost her true love and best friend Jimmy so she could pursue her music career. And that will take some time to get over.
Highway Don’t Care – Dee and Reagan take to the road on the “Lilah Montgomery” tour bus. Reagan wants to be a photojournalist and she’s documenting the tour for her portfolio. Dee and Reagan have fun adventures on the road and get in some quality bonding time.
Sparks Fly – Dee’s career is skyrocketing and with that brings some unwanted rumors and speculation. To keep the reporters off of her ex Jimmy’s trail, friend and ex- boy bander Matt Finch is brought in as Dee’s opening act/fake boyfriend. His feelings are less than fake for Reagan, however, and they soon find romance on the road.
Teardrops On My Guitar – Matt is reinventing himself as a solo artist and puts his heart into his songs, writing about the loss of his mother, his ex-girlfriend, and his best friend. Dee is a young artist with a heavy load on her shoulders. She feels responsibility for her crew and does her best to keep her image clean but still wants to let loose sometimes. Like Matt, she wants to keep her artistic integrity.
A Place in This World – I’m not necessarily a country music fan per se, but the TV series Nashville has opened my eyes to the country music scene, and that’s part of what drew me to ORS. Dee and Reagan are from Nashville and that’s where they embark on their tour and return at the end. There’s not as much drama in this book as in the TV series but you do get some of that Nashville flavor.
I Knew You Were Trouble – The bus tour hits a few bumps in the road in the form of misunderstandings, rumors and heartache. The story is not too angsty though.
Our Song – Matt and Dee work out their feelings through song. The title Open Road Summer is from a song Dee writes about her friendship with Reagan. Since Reagan is name-checked in the song, she has a little notoriety of her own. Matt may write her a song as well.
Everything Has Changed – Reagan, Dee and Matt’s summer is transformative for all of them. They each work through some of their baggage and come out of the tour stronger and wiser.
You Belong With Me – ORS is as much a friendship story as it is a love story. I loved Dee and Reagan’s friendship. They really lean on each other and their personalities balance each other out – Dee is feisty yet sweet, while Reagan is a little prickly and guarded but sensitive. Their friendship is one of my favorites in YA.
If This Was a Movie – Check out this ode-to-best-friends themed book trailer!
Tell Me Why – Fans of Contemporary YA, road trip books, and music-themed stories, will want to hit the road with Open Road Summer in tow. Emery Lord’s writing reads effortlessly and her strong voice made it easy for me to connect with the characters. This author is one to watch.
I received a review copy of Open Road Summer from Walker Childrens via Netgalley, and no bribes of horseshoe necklaces, Matt Finch penned songs, Lilah Montgomery backstage passes, or high-end cameras were exchanged.
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Sounds perfect for the warm weather.
I love the sound of this because there’s such a focus on friendship, that’s always a really great topic to explore in YA!