Book Review: The Highway Ride

My rating: 5 fabulous stars

A heartfelt romance full of feeling. Real, relatable and so so good! 

"Sometimes we are dealt a hand in life that seems unfair, that seems like crap at the time. But that's just it... at the time.
...
Let life play out, see what else is in the cards for you, and I promise, you'll be stronger on the other side simply for not giving up."



At a random diner in Conneticut, a father and son sat at Table 10. And their life was never the same. Because of Charlotte Grandy, the awkward and cute waitress, who captivated not only the father, but his son as well.

Over 150 miles of distance separate Jake from his son. After his divorce, for over three years, Jake packed up every other Friday and made an hours-long journey to be with little LJ. It’s a sacrifice he's accepted as obligations beyond his control keep them apart, but that doesn't mean he's really happy about it.

They say time heals all wounds, but some run deeper than what time can heal. 'Some wounds, like scars, seem to be permanent.' And Jake has quite a few of them. Especially after his divorce. And without the help of his brother's wife, Jake wouldn't have been able to get himself together at all.
Caroline came into their lives at a time when they needed her the most. Jake's brother may have her heart and she is his, but she's the one who picked Jake up off the floor in his roughest times. She's the one who dusted him off and set him straight. And not just once.

So Jake can't help wondering when and if he will ever find a 'Caroline' of his own. But hope is a frail thing difficult to hang on to. Until Charlotte Grandy.

Jake rode for his son year after year. But after that fated dinner and a chat with the charming waitress, he may very soon ride for her.

A relationship is the furthest thing for both of them and yet, they can't seem to stop thinking about each other. And sooner rather than later, friendship blooms into much more.

Jake will look forward to his highway rides for an extra reason, while Charlotte will start dreaming about her Highway Ride. :)

"Highway Ride?"
"Well, I gotta say I've been called a lot of names, but that's a new one."

The Highway Ride is unlike any other contemporary romance I've read. It's both slow and fast, gentle and intense, completely relatable and yet with that lovely ethereal feel that only great romance stories have. It gives you a love that, even from miles away, is able to make butterflies take flight in a belly. Not only the love between man and woman, but also that between father and child.
A love where emotions run high while both characters and setting leap off the page.
It's not a tale full of twists and turns or villains that do unspeakable deeds. It's a tale about real life and real people, with lots of heart and feeling.

Every single character in here, main and secondary cast alike, could literally be anyone's next door neighbor. Imperfect, broken and real. Human in the best of ways. And I admit I fell a little bit in love with each and every one of them. And the setting is so vivid you can practically see the scenes unfold.

This was my first book by Taylor Delong and it will certainly not be the last. Because damn! This woman can write!
The Highway Ride was one of those books I simply didn't want to set down.

It's a MUST read for all romance fans out there!


Hugs and light everyone
and even when

'Sometimes life doesn't go as we plan. In fact, most times it doesn't.'
always remember
'Rule number two: Don't question it; just go along for the ride.'

Check out this book and more of Taylor Delong here