A Holiday Romance Novella: Room at the Inn by Ruthie Knox

Room at the Inn by Ruthie Knox
Published: November 4, 2013 by Loveswept
Source: Purchased ebook

Sometimes first loves burn bright, then flicker out. But in this heartwarming eBook novella from RITA finalist and USA Today bestselling author Ruthie Knox, it’s never too late for a second chance at true love.

Ambitious and driven, Carson Vance couldn’t wait to escape the small town where he was born. But now that Carson is back to spend Christmas with his ailing father, he must face all the people of Potter Falls he’s left behind. Topping that list is Julie Long, who’s sacrificed so much for Carson’s family, and whose heart he broke once upon a time. Now the proprietor of the local inn, Julie has blossomed from a shy schoolgirl into a successful, seductive, independent woman—everything that Carson’s looking for in a relationship. But despite several steamy encounters under the mistletoe, Julie refuses to believe in happily ever after. Now Carson must convince Julie that he’s back for good—and that he wants her in his life for all the holidays to come. [goodreads]

If a book is written by Ruthie Knox, I will read it.  This woman's writing has won me over time and time again with her adult contemporary romances.  And she's done it again, but this time with a short and sweet holiday romance!  If you've been in a bit of a reading slump, like I have been, then I highly recommend grabbing a few holiday romance novellas to pull you out of it.  Begin with this one and you can thank me later!

This holiday story will warm your heart while providing a delicious dose of romance backed by a solid, fulfilling story line.  Carson fled from small town Potter Falls, leaving behind his ill mother and head-butting father.  He also left behind his college friend, Julie, that he's shared a lot more than just study notes in their past.  For Carson he's always felt the need to prove himself, and getting out of Potter Falls was the first step.  However, when Julie calls Carson home to take care of his widowed father, he can't resist her plea... or much else.

The attraction between Carson and Julie has not died out over the years.  In fact, once they are reunited the flame flickers to life again, threatening to burn the whole town down in its path.  As Julie maintains the local Inn at Potter Falls, and Carson takes up residency in one of her vacant rooms, the temptation to pick up where things left off overwhelms the both of them.  What begins as just a physical need demanding to be met, spirals out into an emotional attraction neither saw coming.

For a romance novella, this particular story supplied just the right amount of depth to propel the story along.  Each scene flowed effortlessly into the next, avoiding obvious plot jumps.  My only critique is that I wish Carson and Julie's story would have been longer.  I could have stayed in Potter Falls, at the Inn, welcoming the warm glow of a small town Christmas for many more pages.  These characters felt authentic and fleshed out, something I definitely admire in Ruthie Knox's ability while crafting a solid, quick read.

If you're looking for a quick, one-sitting type read to get you in the spirit of the holidays I definitely recommend picking up Room at the Inn. 

Deeper (Caroline & West, #1) by Robin York

Deeper (Caroline & West, #1) by Robin York
Published: January 28, 2014 by Bantam
Source: From the publisher via Netgalley

In this New Adult debut by Robin York, a college student is attacked online and must restore her name—and stay clear of a guy who’s wrong for her, but feels so right.

When Caroline Piasecki’s ex-boyfriend posts their sex pictures on the Internet, it destroys her reputation as a nice college girl. Suddenly her once-promising future doesn’t look so bright. Caroline tries to make the pictures disappear, hoping time will bury her shame. Then a guy she barely knows rises to her defense and punches her ex to the ground.

West Leavitt is the last person Caroline needs in her life. Everyone knows he’s shady. Still, Caroline is drawn to his confidence and swagger—even after promising her dad she’ll keep her distance. On late, sleepless nights, Caroline starts wandering into the bakery where West works.

They hang out, they talk, they listen. Though Caroline and West tell each other they’re “just friends,” their feelings intensify until it becomes impossible to pretend. The more complicated her relationship with West gets, the harder Caroline has to struggle to discover what she wants for herself—and the easier it becomes to find the courage she needs to fight back against the people who would judge her.

When all seems lost, sometimes the only place to go is deeper. [goodreads]

There is one word to accurately describe this book for its plot, characters, and style of writing: INTENSE.  I kept coming back to this same reflection while reading, page after page.  From the horrific reality of how someone can be virtually assaulted to the conflicting and emotional characters that make up the structure of this story, the pressures in this novel kept growing until finally the only place to go was to bust wide open.

I know this author's work as Ruthie Knox, from her addicting adult romances that have quickly become my go-to reads.  So with that being said, I was very curious to discover her try at New Adult.  There's a formality that's become popular in this genre (though I don't even know if by calling it a genre I am being correct), a system of equations that all add up to one sum or another.  I feel that York has delved into this formula, but she's added her own touch along the way, carving her own path in a well-worn route in New Adult fiction.

New Adult fans will be eating this novel up, devouring it for its INTENSE flavors.  Some things left me unsettled, especially while reading.  I was caught between wanting Caroline and West to be together, yet knowing it was all kinds of wrong if they were.  Almost every scene they were in together was ignited by the one before.  I never found peace in their relationship, but then again perhaps that was the intention of this story.  After all, the connotation of taking their emotions and the presence of their actions deeper was the only way to survive this intense attraction between the two of them.

Robin York has peeked my interest and I am definitely curious to read more from her set in this New Adult world she's so intensely created.

DEEPER by Robin York: Serial Excerpt #1

I am honored to be featuring the first serial excerpt in Robin York's New Adult Contemporary, DEEPER.  This novel is written by one of my favorite adult authors that some of you may know as Ruthie Knox.  To say that I adore this woman's writing is just skimming the surface.  When I found out that she was writing New Adult Contemporary under the pen name Robin York, I was a bit intrigued.  After having the opportunity to read an early copy of this story, it's safe to conclude that York has definitely delivered, packing quite the powerful punch.

In preparation for the release date of DEEPER, a few blogs will be releasing excerpts from the story in serial format up until January 28th.  Today kicks off serial number one!  Be sure to visit Mundie Moms Guilty Pleasures on January 10th for the next serial excerpt.

DEEPER Synopsis:

In this New Adult debut by Robin York, a college student is attacked online and must restore her name—and stay clear of a guy who’s wrong for her, but feels so right.

When Caroline Piasecki’s ex-boyfriend posts their sex pictures on the Internet, it destroys her reputation as a nice college girl. Suddenly her once-promising future doesn’t look so bright. Caroline tries to make the pictures disappear, hoping time will bury her shame. Then a guy she barely knows rises to her defense and punches her ex to the ground.

West Leavitt is the last person Caroline needs in her life. Everyone knows he’s shady. Still, Caroline is drawn to his confidence and swagger—even after promising her dad she’ll keep her distance. On late, sleepless nights, Caroline starts wandering into the bakery where West works.

They hang out, they talk, they listen. Though Caroline and West tell each other they’re “just friends,” their feelings intensify until it becomes impossible to pretend. The more complicated her relationship with West gets, the harder Caroline has to struggle to discover what she wants for herself—and the easier it becomes to find the courage she needs to fight back against the people who would judge her.

When all seems lost, sometimes the only place to go is deeper.

Advance praise for DEEPER:

“The perfect new adult story . . . West will make you swoon!”—New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy

“Beautifully written and full of swoony tender moments, toe-curling chemistry, and delicious, twisty angst . . . Stop whatever you’re doing and read this book.”—Christina Lauren, author of the Beautiful Bastard series

The content featured below contains mature material. Please be advised before reading.

Deeper Serial 1_RobinYork

About the Author:

Robin York grew up at a college, went to college, signed on for some more college, and then married a university professor. She still isn’t sure why it didn’t occur to her to write New Adult sooner. Writing as Ruthie Knox, she is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary romance, including RITA-finalistsAbout Last Night and Room at the Inn. She moonlights as a mother, makes killer salted caramels, and sorts out thorny plot problems while running, hiking, or riding her bike.

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

 Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | DEEPER Goodreads | Amazon author page

BE SURE TO COME BACK ON THURSDAY FOR MY REVIEW OF DEEPER!

Roman Holiday (Season 1: Episodes 1-5) by Ruthie Knox

Roman Holiday (Season 1: Episodes 1-5)
by Ruthie Knox
Published By: Loveswept
Source: Purchased from B&N

Roman Holiday #1: Chained [pub. Nov. 11, 2013]
Meet Ashley and Roman—complete opposites who can’t hide their attraction—in Episode 1 of Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday.

Ashley Bowman is having a bad week. Reeling from the death of her beloved grandmother, she returns to the Florida Keys only to learn that a heartless Miami developer has gotten hold of the crappy vacation rentals she calls home. Ashley has one day to clear out before Roman Díaz destroys the only place in the world that matters to her. Chaining herself to a palm tree in the bulldozers’ path seems like a good way to stop him . . . until she realizes she should’ve brought food and water. And pants. Also, it would help if the evil developer weren’t so ridiculously hot.

The last thing Roman Díaz needs is some sun-kissed blond protester getting her picture in the newspaper and messing up his plans. He bought the property fair and square, and the resort he wants to build on the site is the key to realizing his highest ambitions. But when a hurricane blows through, Roman has to hustle Ashley to safety if he wants to protect his reputation—and that means giving in to her unreasonable demands.

Roman needs to learn a little compassion, and Ashley’s decided to teach it to him . . . even if she has to drag him all over the Eastern Seaboard to do it. [goodreads]

***
Roman Holiday #2: Hitched [pub. Nov. 18, 2013]
Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, continues in Episode 2, as Ashley and Roman flee an oncoming hurricane by hitting the highway—only to encounter some outrageous bumps in the road.

Roman Díaz isn’t thrilled about being forced to evacuate Ashley Bowman from the Florida Keys—and that’s before he sees the decrepit Airstream trailer she wants to hook up to his shiny new Escalade.

Ashley’s in way over her head, and the only way she knows to beat Roman is to get some help from a friend . . . in Georgia. She can put up with Roman’s fury at the unexpected detour, no problem. It’s the bizarre thrum of attraction between them that she could do without. And yet there’s something about being hitched to Roman that makes Ashley never want to let go. [goodreads]

***
Roman Holiday #3: Blindsided [pub. Nov. 25, 2013]
In Episode 3 of Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, Ashley has led Roman across state lines in an attempt to save her home. And he’s about to learn just how wily this wild child can be.

With his Escalade buried up to the axles in Georgia muck, Roman Díaz will do whatever it takes to put his Florida development back on track—but it never occurred to him that Ashley Bowman would start fighting dirty. Ashley figures all’s fair in love and war—and this is war, right? It can’t be love. Love doesn’t involve blackmail. So why does blindsiding Roman and forcing him to do her bidding make her feel so wrecked? [author website]

***
Roman Holiday #4: Ravaged [pub. Dec. 2, 2013]
As the road trip up the Eastern Seaboard continues in Episode 4 of Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, sparks are flying—but Ashley and Roman are farther than ever from seeing eye-to-eye about what matters most.

Roman Díaz doesn’t do love. It hasn’t worked out for him. He could never survive trying to live with his heart wide open the way Ashley Bowman does. But it’s hard to keep his walls up around this woman. Every mile he spends in her power leaves him more ravaged by memories and emotions he can’t control—and drags him closer to succumbing to an attraction he can’t afford. [author website]

***
Roman Holiday #5: Ignited [pub. Dec. 9, 2013]
Ruthie Knox’s eBook original serial, Roman Holiday, resumes in Episode 5. While Ashley’s home and Roman’s career hang in the balance, new temptations flash like fireflies in the night sky.

As the deadline for the destruction of Sunnyvale looms, Roman Díaz and Ashley Bowman find themselves cut off from the outside world and edging closer to truths neither is ready to accept. It’s stupid to fall into the arms of the enemy, but when the passion between them ignites, Roman and Ashley can’t convince themselves to be smart. Sometimes the flames are so enticing, it’s worth getting burned. [author website]

My thoughts:

You're probably wondering how many books are in this series?  Well, let me clarify that before I delve into my review.  Ruthie Knox has written a story titled ROMAN HOLIDAY, but she's published it in serial form.  This means new 'chapters', or in this case episodes, are being released each Monday to purchase for your e-reader.  Each episode consists of about 50 pages and follows along where the previous episode left off.  As of right now, the first 5 episodes in the Roman Holiday story have been published.  When will the concluding episodes be published?  Check out the end of this review for more details & links on that.

Ashley has recently learned that her late grandmother's Florida Keys resort is being demolished by up and coming developer Roman.  Even though the resort was never willed to Ashley, she has fond memories of the place and refuses to let it go without a fight.  In an act of desperation she chains herself to a tree, hoping this will stop Roman and his wrecking ball.

Roman likes order and predictability.  What he doesn't like is Ashley throwing a kink in his plans.  He thinks he's got this girl figured out and will be able to remove her from the property in a short amount of time.  In true Ruthie Knox fashion comes a story about two characters colliding as they battle their own personal demons and figure out which path will lead them down the road they were meant to follow.

Ashley's character was a hard one to figure out.  Her flighty nature made it difficult to understand her reasons at first.  It took a few episodes before I realized under all that carefree attitude was a girl who desperately wanted to be loved.  Clinging to her grandmother's resort is the last straw she can grasp on to before everything in her world comes crumbling down.  Roman on the other hand was a well guarded machine that I instantly knew had a past he was desperate to get away from.  These two were like oil and water.  One full of bright colors and mischief, while the other was hard lines and order.

Their adventures took them out of the Florida Keys, on a quest for Ashley to convince Roman not to destroy Sunnyvale.  It wasn't until episode four that I felt a true break through in the story.  The deep, emotional storyline that Ruthie Knox delivers came shining through.  With just one more episode after that, I knew these characters would find themselves in a tricky situation.  Fans of Ruthie Knox will love this new story.  The plot is engaging as always and the characters are rich with depth.  My only complaint: I'm left having to wait a few months to find out how it all ends!

On that note... Episodes 6-10 will resume in March 2014. Find out more details by visiting the author's website: http://www.ruthieknox.com/books/roman-holiday/

Truly by Ruthie Knox

Truly by Ruthie Knox
Published: First published September 3, 2013 (limited time) via Wattpad -- to be published by Random House Loveswept Fall 2014
Source: Read via Wattpad

May Fredericks hates New York. Which is fair enough, since New York seems to hate her back. Just weeks after moving from Wisconsin to Manhattan, she receives the world's worst marriage proposal, stabs her boyfriend with a shrimp fork in a very public venue, and accidentally becomes notorious. And that’s before she gets mugged.

At her wit's end, May washes up at a Packers bar in Greenwich Village, where she meets a surly, unhelpful guy who hates her shoes and calls her ex a douche.

His name is Ben. He used to be a chef. Now he's a rooftop beekeeper with anger management issues. She wouldn't even like him, but he reminds her of home … and he knows where to find all the best food in the Village.

She makes him laugh. He buys her tacos and cowboy boots. The longer they’re stuck together, the better May and Ben get along … and the harder they fall. TRULY is a quirky, modern New York love story unlike any you've read before.

*********
About the Serialization

TRULY, the first novel in Ruthie Knox’s forthcoming New York Series, will be serialized in its entirety on Wattpad. Look for chapters every Monday from September 3 through November 4! Once completed, the full Wattpad version of TRULY will be pulled, so be sure to read it while it's still available!

TRULY will be published by Loveswept/Random House in Fall 2014. Two sequels — MADLY and COMPLETELY — will follow. [goodreads]

Ruthie Knox has quickly become my favorite Adult author in less than a year's time.  I first encountered her late last spring and then went on to devour more of her work.  There is something refreshing and unique in her story telling that keeps me coming back for more.  I adore the depth of her characters and how engaging each new storyline can be.  I have yet to be bored by her words, only madly in love with them.  TRULY has been a unique reading experience because it's been given to readers through a website called Wattpad, offering new chapters every Monday over the course of two months.  Mondays quickly became my new favorite day of the week!  It's been amazing to follow Ben & May's story, and even more thrilling to discuss their moments with reader friends.  What a fun way to experience a new story!

May has just come out of a bad relationship.  So bad that it resulted in her forking her NFL football player boyfriend in front of an audience as he attempted a sorry excuse for an engagement proposal.  As if her life wasn't bad enough, she gets mugged while in New York City, attempting to avoid the paparazzi and find her bearings.  She quickly stumbles into a Packers bar, hoping to seek comfort and direction from her hometown fans in a city that's become too overwhelming and terrifying for her to comprehend.  What she meets is a brooding man who looks anything but comforting.

Ben's life is in shambles and he's trying to hold on to the pieces of what used to be his career as a professional chef, all while tapping his anger management issues down.  When he meets May she's the last person he would expect to put those pieces back together.  There was so much hostility and tension between the two that you instantly knew with all those sparks flying a fire would soon ignite.  May has lost all her identification, as well as her money, when her purse got stolen.  She refuses to go back to the ex-boyfriend, yet she needs to get home to Wisconsin for her sister's wedding.  Something inside May's eyes begin to break a part the hard edge that's coated Ben for so long.  He knows it's ridiculous to help out this complete stranger, yet he does it anyway.

In a whirlwind week of new discoveries, self revelations, and daring consequences, both Ben and May find something worth holding on to.  I loved witnessing May as she emerged from her cocoon as the girl that everyone expected her to be, only to become this beautiful vibrant woman that she kept locked inside for far too long.  Ben left his anger at bay just long enough to allow May's kindness seep into his heart.  One minute they were arguing, stirring up as much dust as possible, while the next they were feeding the fire that refused to be extinguished.  Their relationship became such an intense smoldering mess.

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to read this amazing story, through such a unique experience.  For fans of contemporary, this is the best of the best.  You don't have to be just an Adult reader of realistic fiction to enjoy it.  I believe all fans will come to appreciate the TRULY amazing journey between Ben and May.

 ***

Want to read this story?? Then head over to wattpad & start reading NOW! Visit this link RIGHT HERE and your reading experience will begin. 

It's totally free and totally worth it. 

My Love for Ruthie Knox: About Last Night + Truly

You may remember me reviewing a book by Ruthie Knox earlier this year, called Ride With Me.  I loved it so much I gave away a copy in a summer ebook giveaway & have since been pushing all my friends to read it, too.  It's such a great story that's well developed and easy to get lost in.  Ruthie Knox has become a favorite Adult Romance author of mine, sealing the deal each time I read something new by her.

I thought I'd feature not one, but two books by her on my blog today to express my love for this writer even more.  I'm hoping to gain new fans for her, and perhaps attract an audience who is hesitant to read Adult Romances, but willing to give this author a try.  (Just disregard those covers -- I know they're very stereotypical, but I PROMISE the stories inside are so much deeper and more complex. Plus just buy the ebook & you won't be embarrassed while reading them in public, hehe.)

About Last Night by Ruthie Knox
Published: June 11, 2012 by Random House
Source: Purchased ebook from B&N

What the story is about [from goodreads]: Cath Talarico knows a mistake when she makes it, and God knows she’s made her share. So many, in fact, that this Chicago girl knows London is her last, best shot at starting over. But bad habits are hard to break, and soon Cath finds herself back where she has vowed never to go . . . in the bed of a man who is all kinds of wrong: too rich, too classy, too uptight for a free-spirited troublemaker like her.

Nev Chamberlain feels trapped and miserable in his family’s banking empire. But beneath his pinstripes is an artist and bohemian struggling to break free and lose control. Mary Catherine—even her name turns him on—with her tattoos, her secrets, and her gamine, sex-starved body, unleashes all kinds of fantasies.

When blue blood mixes with bad blood, can a couple that is definitely wrong for each other ever be perfectly right? And with a little luck and a lot of love, can they make last night last a lifetime?

My Thoughts About the Book, Before I Read the First Page:

*looking at the cover* Oh my. That's a nice, umm body. Wonder what this story is about. Oh wait. I'm pretty sure I have an idea, hehe. *reads the synopsis from goodreads* A girl who's made some mistakes? I can identify with that. A story set in London? Oh yes, definitely want to read about that. In bed with a man who's all kinds of wrong? Well isn't that fun! Wait, what's this? We get to see both sides of the story (meaning, view points from both Cath & Nev)? Love that! A couple that is all wrong for each other adds some definite tension, which adds to my desire to want to read this even more. *goes to B&N and purchases the ebook ASAP*

My Thoughts After I Devoured This Book in One Day:

Oh Ruthie Knox, you are one devilishly amazing writer!  I love that this story begins with a bang, quite literally.  Once Cath stumbles into Nev's arms, drunk and completely with her guard down, she spends the night in his bed -- but has a hard time remembering what exactly happened the night before.  Good thing Nev is such a gentleman, because it took all of his willpower not to take advantage of this woman who was occupying his bed, and moving quickly into his heart.  The two begin what should be just a one night thing, but unfolds into a relationship neither saw coming.  Cath has a past and has vowed to never let another man in her heart.  Nev has a family he so desperately wants to get out from under.  Their steamy, oh so hot, relationship is set up for failure, but they might as well go down in flames since they're already this far in.

I loved the intense physical relationship that sparked between Cath and Nev immediately.  But then as their characterization progressed, I discovered their individual stories as well, which completely pulled me in.   The romance was HOT, probably the hottest I've read in an Adult Romance.  But Knox doesn't leave them just as objects, to devour the other.  She gives each character a purpose, and you begin to realize there's so much more depth than just what's beyond the sheets.  I highly recommend this novel for romance fans, as well as those wanting to dabble a bit in the genre, but unsure of where to begin.

***

What's this?! Ruthie Knox has a new Adult Romance coming out in 2014, that you can read RIGHT NOW??!  Yup. It's true.  I found this gem, thanks to Racquel at The Book Barbies. Every Monday during the months of September thru November, you can read new chapters from Ruthie Knox's upcoming novel TRULY.  It's become my Monday morning routine that I look forward to each week, discovering this new story from the amazing Ruthie Knox.

Truly by Ruthie Knox
To be published: Fall 2014 by Random House
Source: Wattpad

What the story is about [from wattpad]: May Fredericks hates New York. Which is fair enough, since New York seems to hate her back. Just weeks after moving from Wisconsin to Manhattan, she receives the world's worst marriage proposal, stabs her boyfriend with a shrimp fork in a very public venue, and accidentally becomes notorious. And that’s before she gets mugged.

At her wit's end, May washes up at a Packers bar in Greenwich Village, where she meets a surly, unhelpful guy who hates her shoes and calls her ex a douche.

His name is Ben. He used to be a chef. Now he's a rooftop beekeeper with anger management issues. She wouldn't even like him, but he reminds her of home … and he knows where to find all the best food in the Village.

She makes him laugh. He buys her tacos and cowboy boots. The longer they’re stuck together, the better May and Ben get along … and the harder they fall. TRULY is a quirky, modern New York love story unlike any you've read before.

Why You Must Go Read This NOW:

It's only available on wattpad until November 4th!  So visit this website now & begin reading this fun, lovable, irresistible Adult Contemporary Romance today.  Trust me when I say you'll be itching for the next installment of chapters each Monday.   I've already fallen in love with both characters, May and Ben, and cannot wait to find out where Ruthie Knox will take them.

CLICK HERE TO READ TRULY [it's free & you don't need an account to read]

I'm planning to read more published works from Ruthie.  Below are a few I own, and others I plan to purchase soon.  I swear this woman's writing is an addiction for me!  Let me know if you're familiar with her stories, or if you plan to read something by her for the first time.

How to Misbehave (Camelot, #1)
Along Came Trouble (Camelot, #2)
Flirting with Disaster (Camelot, #3)
Making It Last (Camelot, #4)
Big Boy

Ride with Me by Ruthie Knox

Ride with Me by Ruthie Knox
Published: February 13, 2012 by Loveswept
Source: ebook gifted from a friend

In this fun, scorching-hot eBook original romance by Ruthie Knox, a cross-country bike adventure takes a detour into unexplored passion. As readers will discover, Ride with Me is not about the bike!

When Lexie Marshall places an ad for a cycling companion, she hopes to find someone friendly and fun to cross the TransAmerica Trail with. Instead, she gets Tom Geiger—a lean, sexy loner whose bad attitude threatens to spoil the adventure she’s spent years planning.

Roped into the cycling equivalent of a blind date by his sister, Tom doesn’t want to ride with a chatty, go-by-the-map kind of woman, and he certainly doesn’t want to want her. Too bad the sight of Lexie with a bike between her thighs really turns his crank.

Even Tom’s stubborn determination to keep Lexie at a distance can’t stop a kiss from leading to endless nights of hotter-than-hot sex. But when the wild ride ends, where will they go next? [goodreads]

This book took me by total surprise!  Based on this cover and that description above, I was expecting a light, fun adult romance set along a bike trail across the US.  What I got was a captivating story with many layers, and characters that left me thinking about them long after this adventure ended.  With just under 200 pages, I was able to read this story in a day, but that's not due to the short length; it was because I literally could not put it down.  Between the humor and wit, alongside the adventure and romance, I was completely inside this story from cover to cover.

Tom's sister insists that he find a riding companion to make the trek across the TransAmerica trail, traveling west to east by bike.  He's a loner though, and he has reasons for being kept to himself.  Five years ago his world was turned upside down, which caused him to retreat physically and emotionally.  Venturing out on the open road with his bicycle took on a whole new perspective for himself, so the last thing he wanted to do was share that road with someone else.

Lexie has been planning this bike trip for most of her life.  After all, it's how her parents met and fell in love.  She's a school teacher who is spending her summer biking it across the country.  Lexie is looking for a riding companion for safety reasons, someone to share a tent next to hers at the road side campgrounds, and be there in case of a flat.  These two characters end up at the starting line, with very different agendas, and embark on a journey that will change their paths, both figuratively and purposefully.

I don't know much about cycling, but Ruthie Knox describes things as though I was an experienced rider myself.  I never felt lost or confused, always able to imagine exactly what was happening in bike terms.  The ease of her writing carried over into the witty banter between Lexie and Tom.  At first these two characters want nothing to do with the other, but as the miles edge on, so do their feelings for one another.  The portrait that Knox creates is beautifully set against the American highways, stretching across the Rocky Mountains and into the Great Plains.  The scenery was beautiful to witness through her words, but it felt believable through the characters interpretations of it.

My favorite moments lie in the complexity of both Lexie and Tom.  I was not expecting this much depth in an adult romance.  Their personalities that challenged one another really took me by surprise, but it was a pleasant surprise that matched this story so well.  I am still amazed that Knox was able to fit so much depth and complexity into a tight fit story, and made it work so so well.

Trust me when I say you want to read this book.  Look past that cheesy cover, and believe me when I say it's a story that will surprise you.  I am now on a quest to read more by this fabulous author.  This particular story is the epitome of what I love so much in a contemporary novel.  The journey these characters take us on, both physically and mentally, is what captured my interest so much.  It's a solid interpretation of seeking love among the adventures in our hearts.

*I was doing a little experiment by posting a picture of my nook & not the actual book cover. I feel that the cover its been given portrays the book in a totally different way.  I hope my review gives a better (or should I say different? haha) description ;)