Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Title: Open Road Summer
Author: Emery Lord
Pages: 342
Genre: YA
Publisher: Walker/Bloomsbury/ Razorbill CA 
Release Date: April 15, 2014

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Summary (Goodreads) 

After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes.

Review: 

This has to one of my favorite books of this year!! Emery did an amazing job capturing the characters as well as learning a few lessons on the way. I was blushing throughout the entire book (Matt Finch) as well as some swoon-worthy moments. You can really connect with these characters (like cry a little). Open Road Summer was a perfect read compared to my weather situation (snow in April) There will be some gushing in this review because I loved this book SOO much! I will now read ANY of Emery Lord's future books. 

Open Road Summer was fun, and will make you smile while reading it. I was either laughing at some of the things going on or I couldn't wipe the smile off my face when good things were happening. This was the perfect road trip book especially if it involves musicians and hot boys. Perfect blend of everything. Some moments there was pure emotion where I was either sad with Reagan or feeling her anger. Big Rollercoaster for sure! 

It opens up with Reagan going on tour with her best friend, Delilah who is a country music star. She is fresh out of a breakup, and is ready to turn her life around. Both of them go on a journey to reflect on their life and determine what they want to do. Their relationship was a true friendship that has its up and downs. They have been with each other through the good and the bad, support each other's decisions and genuine loyalty. It is when good boy Matt Finch shows up on tour with Delilah that there is another dynamic that opens up for Reagan. He is the perfect fit because he is there for both of them, either to help out Dee's social media and to help Reagan with her stress and image. 

Reagan is a smart, tough 17 year old who is sarcastic and tough, after her breakup with an older man. She has both secrets and a tough wall to break. As she turns her life around she does become independent and confident while on tour. I loved how Dee also has problems of her own with her own breakup and her past. She reminded me of Taylor Swift (for fame) as her songs are about the heart. Even Matt Finch is adorable at times, I loved how he can write a song (swoon) and about his story with his mom. 

The romance was beautiful and Reagan really did need this to fix her heart and let people in. At first she was hesitant but Matt can really get in there with all his effort to catch her attention. They are so fun together and he doesn't hold her back from who she wants to be. As hard as she tried to push him away his character was perfect (in my eyes) I loved how they get together! The tension was so fun to read. 

"As I walk next to Matt, I feel a flutter beneath my rib cage that hasn't been there in months. I'm nervous. Worse than that. I actually find myself wondering if he'll reach over and grab my hand. Such a simple gesture-- one I normally don't think about." (178, Open Road Summer)

Emery Lord writing was flawlessly beautiful and addicting. I am looking forward to her next book whenever it comes out. Open Road Summer is a MUST READ for those in need of a road trip book with a  great romance and friendship. I almost felt like crying at some parts including the end because that ending was by far one of my favorites in a contemporary novel. It was realistic and its also a story of strong bonds of friendship and a sweet romance that will make you wish there were more pages. Pick this one up today!

"I want to feel the way they pool together – his touch and smell, the sound of his voice. I want the tipsiness, the giddy ache that comes as he slides his thumb across my lower lip, as his eyes fixate on my mouth."

5/5