Now Is the Time: A Van Life Road Trip

by Andrew Singer

Lovestruck and newly unemployed, Andrew Singer cashes in his savings to investigate a key Is #vanlife as awesome as it looks? After all, what could go wrong when two millennials—who have never used a saw before—attempt to convert a plumber’s van into a tiny home-on-wheels?

On this 13,000-mile road trip across the vast American West, Andrew and his partner Sarah battle pest infestations, escape wildfires, and have a portable toilet test every relationship boundary imaginable. Meanwhile, exploring national parks and run-ins with colorful characters make for a transformative journey. Yet, to live the life he’s always dreamed of, Andrew needs to shed more than his belongings—he has to unpack the baggage of a complicated past.

Buckle up for this hilarious and inspirational travel memoir that takes us inside the soul of a man who finds love and home through minimalism and healing. Featuring America’s most stunning natural marvels, Now Is the Time reminds us to stop scrolling and start living.

255 pages, Paperback

Published April 22, 2025

Reviews

[Annie Krieg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring, funny, and deeply moving travel story. I finished it with a renewed appreciation for the American landscape and for the people in our lives who shape us for the better. Would wholeheartedly recommend.

[Rick B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My reviews are only on StoryGraph, as I do not want to help Amazon get any larger. The only reason I keep this app is because it has my list and tally of past books read.

[Leslie Nack · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOW IS THE TIME is more than a love story during COVID—it’s a road map for anyone struck with love and wanderlust. Singer shares honestly and deeply about facing his past and the storms head-on, always moving toward the light with the one person he seems destined to be with. This is an uplifting and inspiring story as two special people find each other and the peace and adventure of a new life on the road.

[Henry G. Nadeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I know the author.

And that's very amazing to say.

Speaking of, this is an amazing book. A page turner with no idea of what's next except I know I'm going to be moving: physically, emotionally, spiritually. I felt like I was in the van with them. Along with the changing scenery, I also got an intimate view into the change and growth in Andrew as a person, partner, and man. In a culture confused in its sense of manhood, Andrew shows what honesty, willingness, and open-mindedness can bring to that voyage. So hop on in, join the journey, meet new friends, and enjoy the ride!

[Kalie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved living van life vicariously through this book. The travels and beauty of living simply - but also the struggles and reality shared openly. A refreshing balance from the highlight reel of #vanlife. So much vulnerability ranging as you hear more of where Andrew existed in addiction and how he’s choosing to live now. The healing journey his wife is on from her own prior marital trauma. This book was meaningful, witty, and laugh out loud funny in parts.

[Gerry Banks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting read. I travel a lot, camping and either tenting or sleeping in the vehicle so this book interested me.

It carried a lot of similar information to my experiences on the road.

The negative aspects were multiple reflections on his mental health several times almost telling the same story, as well as showing off his bush,,,a term usually saved for women and references to armpit hair. Not really pertinent and Just sorta took away from the van life travels story.

The mental aspects are a part of van life or traveling as there is much time to reflect and think about life. I just think his editor would have suggested different ways to incorporate that part of his past into a story about van life.

This is not about a van life road trip as much as a mental health healing process for Andrew. He should’ve written two books. One focusing on van-life and the other about recovering from the effects of childhood trama.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 stars. What a fun and refreshing read! The writing is easy, honest, and often funny — Andrew Singer has this way of making you feel like you’re right there in the van, along with him and his partner on their epic adventure. His self-awareness, humor, and attention to detail make even the small moments shine.

I loved following their ups and downs of van life during the pandemic, especially as they faced big life crossroads. You can feel how deeply he loves Sarah — every mention of her glows with tenderness. Beyond being a travelogue, this is really a story of discovery, healing, love, and the beauty of the American West.

Recommended for: anyone curious about van life, road trips, or what it means to live simply and intentionally — and for romantics who appreciate a genuine love story wrapped in adventure.

[Erika Seymour · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me such an immersive and honest look into van life—messy moments, hilarious mishaps, and all! I really admired the huge leap Andrew took in deciding to build out a van and just go. There’s something so bold and refreshing about the way he chases adventure, even when things don’t go quite as planned.

I actually read this while visiting Yellowstone, which made the whole experience even more fun. His stories about our national parks made me want to see even more of them for myself. Andrew’s writing style is easy to fall into—funny, thoughtful, and very real. I felt like I was learning about van life right alongside him, not from a guidebook, but through the ups and downs of his own journey.

It’s the kind of book that makes you want to pack a bag, step outside your routine, and see what else is out there!

[Emma Madura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute gem—equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and deeply moving. Singer weaves together meaningful stories with such emotional maturity and insight, it’s hard to believe someone so young could be so wise. Every chapter feels like a conversation with your most honest, hilarious, and inspiring friend.

And then there’s the love story: beautiful, tender, and real. You can’t help but root for Singer and his partner Sarah; I found myself cheering, tearing up, and flipping pages just to see where the story would go next.

This book is more than a memoir or a collection of essays—it’s a reminder of the beauty of vulnerability, humor, and love. I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know.

[Glen Peski]

When I read some people’s first books, I think (but don’t say) “Maybe don’t quit your day job…”. Too late for Andrew Singer, who quit his day job before taking to the road in a van and writing Now is the Time. And I’m so glad he did! Having spent over 100,000 miles in our van, much of it in the American west that Andrew and his wife Sarah explore in the book, many of the travails and joys and locales are familiar. I love the raw transparency and the engaging prose, could not put the book down. I’m a sucker for a happy ending, and have huge respect for the life that Andrew and Sarah are creating, from the pasts they’ve endured. I’m looking forward to hearing further adventures!

[Debbie Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Now is the time. The time to wander and drive. To listen and learn. To smile and accept every slow-down and u-turn. Now is the time to live.” Thankful to have come across this book at Poor Richard’s Bookstore in Colorado Springs. I appreciate the author sharing his joys and struggles of both his personal life and of his van life road trip. Books find us when we need them. Thankful for the inspiration and encouragement.

[Dwight Heirendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable account of a Van Life trip during the Pandemic! We get to follow along on the van purchase, build and initial travels all around the western states. Andrew’s openness about his own personal struggles with alcohol and with panic attacks made this book way more meaningful and relevant. His humour resulted in many, many laugh out load moments. Very well written and extremely readable. I highly recommend this wonderful book.

[Cody Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A witty and candid tale about van life! I loved reading about Andrew's journey from his POV. He offers thoughtful interjections, vivid tales of some of the great (and not so great!) adventures along the way, and even some remarks about personal growth I found interesting. This was a very well written book and was very engaging! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading about travel, personal growth, humorous tales, and well written novels in general!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 For me, the high rating is partially because it reminds me of my solo cross country trip in 1983…the people you meet, the sights you see, “sort of” camping (for me, it was carefully sleeping in my car in GoodSam/KOA campgrounds…my bucket list of a lifetime to see what the rest of the country and its residents were like…each area different. It helped me better understand “its people!”
this is a hilarious and realistic book:)

[Hikari]

I met Andrew and Sarah in Grand Canyon National Park while they were on their book tour (with the van!) in spring 2025. They were incredibly kind and welcoming. I picked up the book right after. This isn’t a book about #vanlife that you see on Instagram (though their van is super nice). It’s a thoughtful, honest look at the kind of personal growth that can come from living on the road.

[Cannon Astor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. I’m very pleased to have read it and I enjoyed getting more of an insiders scope of what it’s actually like being on the road doing van life. I’m also happy that I read this book because it got me back into reading and I’m hoping this book will kick off the start of many future books to come

[Jon Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of man in his 30s driving across the west coast and discovering freedom in a van in the early days of Covid. Great introspective thought provoking book of a former alcoholic discovering forgiveness for his father and the freedom of life on the road. Great read for any lover of adventure and getting out there.

[Edith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amazing Journey

This book combines a hilarious journey across the American west by a novice couples first attempt at van life. The book is much more, the author opens up completely about his struggles in life and his journey to find himself. It is thought provoking, inspiring and laugh out loud funny. I was sorry to see the book end.

[Rachel Beiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Thank you for sharing your amazing trip and everything you learned along the way.