This was an amazing debut novel. It was so great going on this incredible journey with Amy and Roger. Amy is an instantly likable character. She's dealing with some really tough issues and I felt my heart break for her with every page. Amy was close to her Dad the way that I am, and I couldn't imagine something happening to him. I mourned with her the whole way. Roger was an excellent male lead, he was sweet and funny and totally squee worthy! Always in tune with Amy's needs, yet still on a journey of his own, to find out what happened between him and "the ex" that won't answer his phone calls.

As Amy and Roger go on this amazing detour of a trip I found myself wishing for a road-trip of my own! Their surprise and delight at discovering Chic-fil-A, Sonic, and Sweet Tea had me laughing out loud (this is all restaurants, etc. from my neck of the woods.). You don't realize how different even those small things can be from state to state. The blossoming feelings of the main characters for each other was subtle and sweet and totally realistic.

Amy's emotional journey was way more epic than the external one that she was on. It was such a delight to go with her through all of her emotions and the rediscovery of who she is and who she has become. She really did push through her hardships to become an amazingly strong young woman. I would have been happy for this story and their road-trip to just keep on going for several more books :-) I definitely recommend this read to any and all who love a story of perseverance and young love.

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AMY AND ROGERS EPIC DETOUR is a multiformat delight of a road trip read that will sweep you into these two teenagers stories.

Morgan Matsons writing is easy to read, fluid but not floral, emotional without melodramatics. There is huge potential for dramatics in the premisea death, an ex-girlfriend, a heterosexual boy and girl stuck in a tiny car for days on endbut thankfully descriptions are curtailed, emotions carefully doled outand all the more effective as a result.

Amy and Roger, while lacking in particularly definable characteristics or quirks that make them stand out in the genre, have one major quality going for them: their relationship is gradual, slowly strained, one of growing attraction, not the insta-luv formula we typically get. If youre looking for a real YA contemporary romance, one that gives the characters clashing histories and emotional obstacles instead of claiming to bring them together at the first look, you need to check this book out.

Finally, AMY AND ROGERS EPIC DETOUR provides a pleasant reading experience with its playlists, scrapbook-style layouts of pictures, and handwritten notes and doodles. These elements add to the realistic element of the story: you are made to feel as if Amy and Rogers road trip actually took place, and you can enjoy their journey as much as possible by adding in the musical and visual experience.

Overall, Morgan Matsons debut novel is a winning edition to contemporary YA. With a romance that actually develops, the multimedia supplements, and the feel-good magic that usually arises from a good road trip, AMY AND ROGERS EPIC DETOUR will feel as good as listening to a playlist of great new songs with your favorite person.

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Taken from my blog: princessbookie.com

My Thoughts: We are introduced to Amy. Shy reluctant Amy who has been through such a tragedy. She lost her father and still had a hard time adjusting. I also lost my dad so I can relate to exactly what she was feeling. She was lonely, never really being able to talk to her mom or brother about it. Everyone kept their feelings bottled up. Like things couldn't get any worst, Amy's mom pairs her up with an old friend, Roger. They haven't seen each other in years and she barely remembers him. Her family is showing the house so Amy must go meet up with her mom in another state. Roger shows up and Amy takes off with him to embark on a road trip. Things are uncomfortable at first. I mean, think about it, spending 4 days in a car with a boy you barely know! They slowly start to talk and he tells her about his ex girlfriend who broke up with him and how he didn't even see it coming! Amy starts to open up with him. I really liked how they could stay in a motel together, sleep in the same bed, but they were so tired they barely made it to the bed before they fell asleep. I liked how they faced each other when they fell asleep. Roger was such a sweetheart and I really liked him. Amy was a nice girl who just had a case of bad luck. This story was so much fun. I loved the journal she wrote on, the notes scribbled in her handwriting, and the play-lists Roger made. Most of the book I spend wondering, when are you two going to look at one another and really see each other! They had great chemistry as friends. This was a wonderful story about finding yourself and taking the next step in curing your fears, with a little romance mixed in.

Overall: Loved It! Despite it being over 300 pages I finished it in one sitting! Great book!

Cover: I really like it. I am always drawn to covers where the guy and girl are holding hands. There is just something so sweet about it.

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