Review + Giveaway: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages: 343
Source: Received from publicist for honest review

Summary: Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn't seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she's coming to terms with her father's death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

My Review: Two words to describe Amy & Roger's Epic Detour - LOVED IT! It was fun, exciting and simply adorable! The combination of plot, characters and detailed writing was pure perfection. From beginning to end, I was engrossed in this road trip that Morgan created. Being she actually experienced road trips, it made the story that more real. Amy, the female protagonist and her family were going through an emotional, rough patch. Her father unexpectedly passed away in a tragic accident. This situation grabbed my heart and I found myself sympathizing and grieving with Amy. In her flashbacks, her father seemed to be an amazing person and I wished I could of gotten to know him better. Everyone seemed to have an escape from the pain. The mother decided to move them from California to Connecticut, while Amy took the car across the country with Roger, a family friend.

I absolutely loved the time between Roger and Amy. Their chemistry was hard to deny. He was one of my favorite characters because he helped Amy deal with her issues and guilt over her father's accident. Plus, he was pretty cute and had a way about himself that made people feel comfortable. Now, the places they visited were intriguing. The scrapbook helped me picture the states they stopped in. The photos and notes were an extra bonus I adored. I seriously have the urge to use this book as my plan guide for my future road trip. It was precise and full of great adventure. Amy's struggle within herself was a nice touch to the story. I truly enjoyed the raw emotion that was presented throughout. Overall, Morgan's writing was a special treat, I hope everyone takes a bite out of. This is one YA debut, you don't want to miss!

My Rating:

Read first chapter below:
Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Morgan Matson Video:

Author's Info:


Morgan Matson received her MFA in Writing for Children from the New School. A road-trip veteran, she has driven cross-country three times...so far. She currently lives in Venice, California.

For more info on Morgan, visit her site(s):
-Twitter
-Simon & Schuster Page

CONTEST IS CLOSED.

Want a chance to win a copy of Amy & Roger's Epic Detour? Look below for contest details:

-There will be one lucky winner.
-This contest is open to U.S. residents only (international readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail.)
-Prizes include a copy of Amy & Roger's Epic Detour and a $10 Starbucks gift card.

-Deadline will be June 7, 2010 at midnight EST time.

(Please enter through form and not comments, thanks!)

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FTC Discloser: I received a review copy of Amy & Roger's Epic Detour in support of this post.