The Road Trip

This was my second exposure to the sharp insights and sparkling wit of Beth O’Leary and I am forevermore her fangirl. Not only were the premise and storylines original, smirk-worthy, and entertaining; but this tale involved an extremely interesting and extraordinary mix of odd and eccentric secondary characters. The character of Marcus was complicated, deeply damaged, and obnoxious, yet also quite fascinating, he was basically a train-wreck laden with hazardous materials. I’ve noticed that Ms. O’Leary’s characters tend to be complex and multi-layered and while not always likable, they remain strangely endearing and uniquely appealing. These characters were on the go in multiple timelines with the current period being the most fraught with tension and peril as well as being highly eventful as the travelers faced a series of snags and challenging mishaps while make their way across England’s roadways to attend the wedding of a mutual friend. While the characters were stressed and struggling with each other as well as the journey, their adventures and problem-solving methods were quite comical and engaging. I vastly enjoy Ms. O’Leary’s writing style and tend to lose myself in her storytelling. I am already looking forward to her next contrivance.