Book Review: Once Upon a Road Trip by Angela N. Blount

Quick Facts

My Rating: 4 stars

Date Read: September 28, 2013

Source: Review copy from author

Publication Date: November 1, 2013

Publisher: Artifice Press

Genres: Young adult, contemporary, romance, memoir

Summary (taken from Goodreads): Eighteen-year-old Angeli doesn't "fit in." She's never been on a single date, and she lives vicariously through an online world of storytelling. With the pressures of choosing a practical future path bearing down, she needs a drastic change. Too old to run away from home, she opts instead to embark on a solo 2-month road trip. But her freedom is tempered by loneliness - and anxiety tests her resolve as she comes face-to-face with her quirky internet friends.

Aside from contracting mono and repeatedly getting herself lost, Angeli's adventure is mired by more unforeseen glitches - like being detained by Canadian authorities, and a near-death experience at the hands of an overzealous amateur wrestler. Her odyssey is complicated further when she unwittingly earns the affections of two young men. One a privileged martial artist; the other a talented techie with a colorful past. 

Bewildered by the emotions they stir, Angeli spurns the idea of a doomed long-distance relationship. But she is unprepared for the determination of her hopeful suitors. In the wake of her refusal, one man will betray her, and the other will prove himself worthy of a place in her future.

Angeli sets off in search of a better understanding of herself, the world, and her place in it. What she finds is an impractical love, with the potential to restore her faith in happy endings.

A true story with an unapologetically honest outlook on life, love, faith, and adventure - Once Upon A Road Trip is a coming-of-age memoir.

Review

This book is a memoir, but it read a lot like fiction. I'm not a big reader of non-fiction, but this didn't feel like much of a transition from my regular contemporary reads. I would definitely recommend it for those trying to ease into non-fiction.

The story of Angeli's road trip was written so honestly. It was easy to relate to the characters, and they were all portrayed in a way that felt real. I feel like it would have been so easy to leave out some of the negatives, some of the flaws, throughout the writing, but this book captured both the good and the bad very well. The writing style was wonderful and allowed the reader to feel as if they were along for the trip.

Reading about a real experience gave the book a natural, genuine vibe that most fiction books strive towards, but rarely achieve. And although I was unsure about picking this one up at first, I'm very glad I gave it a chance.