Published by Dutton on September 16, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
In this swoony estranged-friends-to-lovers romance, a celebrity spin instructor and her longtime crush take a spontaneous cross-country road trip that turns into an unexpected but epic party hop, and end up en route to love.
When online cycling instructor Quinn Ray has a mid-class meltdown after a bad breakup—dramatically off-brand for someone whose vibe is sunshine and rainbows—her boss orders her to take a few weeks off work. And that’s fine. In fact, a quiet road trip through America’s most tranquil scenery is exactly what she needs.
But then Nate Reed, who’s barely spoken to Quinn since their friendship imploded two years ago, asks to hitch a ride so he can reunite with their chaotically lovable pal Logan to discuss something important. Unfortunately, Logan seems to be dodging them on purpose. Meanwhile, the internet rallies so strongly behind Quinn post-breakup that her boss orders her to seize the opportunity to rebrand herself as everyone’s favorite emblem of fun, empowered singledom.
So Quinn and Nate put aside the awkwardness between them and follow Logan 450 miles to a Las Vegas nightclub. And then chase him to a rooftop rager . . . baby shower? . . . in Denver. A rain-soaked country-western music festival in Kansas. A rowdy Nashville bachelorette party. As Quinn's peaceful road trip becomes a tour of America's biggest party spots with the guy she didn't know she still wanted, she realizes Nate might just be the silver lining she never thought to look for.
It had been years since Quinn confessed her feelings to Nate, but now she finds herself traveling cross-country with him as they search for their friend Logan. This was supposed to be a healing journey for Quinn following her breakup and public breakdown, but this trip may end with life changing results for everyone.
This was the road-trip romp I needed! I had such a good time traveling from shore to shore with Quinn and her long-time crush, Nate. Nate was tagging along to meet up with their friend Logan. This trip had some serious Where's Fluffy? vibes in the way they just kept missing him and the hilarious hijinks that ensued. Harrow had them make some hilarious stops along the way, but they also used a lot of that time to rekindle their friendship and explore their feelings for themselves and each other.
There were a lot of other things explored such as toxic work places and people, setting boundaries, found family among them. I think there was a little something for everyone, but mostly, I was enjoying seeing the country and crossing my fingers that these two would allow themselves to fall in love.
Published by PUBLISHER on DATE
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
A second chance at love crashes one woman’s tropical pickleball vacation and serves up an adorkably swoony romantic comedy.
Lulu Gardner only takes predictable shots. After faulting on tennis stardom at eighteen, Lulu, now a thirtysomething single parent, is in control of her game. But when an unanticipated blunder threatens her teaching job, Lulu’s stable, well-planned—okay, boring—world spins out. And somehow, her godparents convince her to join them for a “de-stressing” destination pickleball vacation in Costa Rica. Maybe an all-inclusive picklecation is just the pick-me-up she needs to loosen her grip.
Or it would have been if she wasn’t backhanded by the sight of her high school fling Tyler Demming on the beachside courts. Fresh off the pickleball pro tour, the reigning bad boy of paddle sports is as studly and snarky as ever. Even though his public image took a hit with a ballsy publicity stunt, Tyler seems to be the big shot he’s always been.
But Lulu’s had years to steel herself against his rugged good looks and hypnotic charm. Despite the changes she sees in Tyler since their teenage days, Lulu will have no problem keeping her head in the game and her heart on the sidelines. Or so she tells herself….
I was a fan of the first book and am a fan of the second book. It was great to reunite with some characters from the previous book for some pickle-fun, but I enjoyed this even more with its focus on the second chance romance between Tyler and Lulu while I got to travel through Costa Rica.
Tyler and Lulu had been best friends and more back in high school but had drifted apart following Lulu's parents' deaths and Tyler leaving for the pro-tour. Fast forward 15 years, and they find themselves at the same resort in Costa Rica being invited on a small group tour. Cue the close proximity. I loved the tour which was filled with plenty of fun, adventure, and rom-com moments. Though I had to be really, really, REALLY patient until I FINALLY found out what drove them apart, I wasn't mad because I was having a great time seeing Costa Rica.
Though this book has less focus on pickle ball than Long's previous book, it made up for it with a lot of adventure and featured a couple I really wanted to see reunite.
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