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Road Trip
For as long as Boyd can remember, he's been pushing pins into a map. Carson City, Las Vegas, Albuquerque—all places he wants to see, for a dozen different reasons that wouldn't mean a thing to anyone else. When he finally gets a chance to purchase the '69 Road Runner of his dreams, at a price that even he can manage, Boyd jumps at the opportunity.
Oliver seems like just another kid with a broken dream when their paths cross in Vegas. Against Boyd's better judgment, he offers to let Oliver hitch along for the ride when Oliver confides the need to get out and get gone.
But it's not long before Boyd realizes Oliver's reasons for running are more complicated—and more dangerous—than Oliver let on. But Boyd doesn't like people who play hardball, and he definitely doesn't like people messing with a man who's managed to light a fuse that Boyd forgot he had.
Oliver seems like just another kid with a broken dream when their paths cross in Vegas. Against Boyd's better judgment, he offers to let Oliver hitch along for the ride when Oliver confides the need to get out and get gone.
But it's not long before Boyd realizes Oliver's reasons for running are more complicated—and more dangerous—than Oliver let on. But Boyd doesn't like people who play hardball, and he definitely doesn't like people messing with a man who's managed to light a fuse that Boyd forgot he had.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2015
About the author
A.F. Henley
38 books215 followersHenley was born with a full-blown passion for run-on sentences, a zealous indulgence in all words descriptive, and the endearing tendency to overuse punctuation. Since the early years Henley has been an enthusiastic writer, from the first few I-love-my-dog stories to the current leap into erotica.
A self-professed Google genius, Henley lives for the hours spent digging through the Internet for ‘research purposes’ which, more often than not, lead seven thousand miles away from first intentions but bring Henley to new discoveries and ideas that, once seeded, grow like weeds.
A self-professed Google genius, Henley lives for the hours spent digging through the Internet for ‘research purposes’ which, more often than not, lead seven thousand miles away from first intentions but bring Henley to new discoveries and ideas that, once seeded, grow like weeds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 4, 2015
4 NoRegrets Stars
"The road trip is what's important. Not the destinations."
Boyd is a 35 year old man, who finally manages to get the car of his dreams, after many years of savings. He instantly decides to make a road trip to places that he used to mark with red pins on a map, ever since he was a little boy. With his new car and a map, he begins his journey.
Meanwhile, in one of his stops in Vegas, he meets Oliver, a 23 year old man, who seems lost and desperate to get away from that place. Boyd offers him a ride and their story begins.
I haven't read a lot of M/M books, I believe this may be the second one I laid my hands on. I will just say that I really really enjoyed this one!
The writing was excellent, I loved their dialogues and I laughed out loud a couple of times with their banter. I also thoroughly enjoyed that it was completely realistic. In only less than 100 pages you could see the steps of their relationship. Hesitation, friendship, attraction. I had a stupid smile on my face, while reading their story.
A random moment, a chance encounter, no regrets.
I also liked the fact that the characters had their own insecurities, without making such a big deal out of it. They could make you understand their thoughts, their feelings. Like their age difference, even though, Boyd was feeling old and ugly because of it, the teasing back and forth between them, it was simply epic. I also appreciated that it was almost drama free.
I think people should give this novella a try. It was a really nice and light read. And let's not forget to mention the steamy moments that had me drooling.
Arc kindly provided by Less Than Three Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
"The road trip is what's important. Not the destinations."
Boyd is a 35 year old man, who finally manages to get the car of his dreams, after many years of savings. He instantly decides to make a road trip to places that he used to mark with red pins on a map, ever since he was a little boy. With his new car and a map, he begins his journey.
Meanwhile, in one of his stops in Vegas, he meets Oliver, a 23 year old man, who seems lost and desperate to get away from that place. Boyd offers him a ride and their story begins.
I haven't read a lot of M/M books, I believe this may be the second one I laid my hands on. I will just say that I really really enjoyed this one!
The writing was excellent, I loved their dialogues and I laughed out loud a couple of times with their banter. I also thoroughly enjoyed that it was completely realistic. In only less than 100 pages you could see the steps of their relationship. Hesitation, friendship, attraction. I had a stupid smile on my face, while reading their story.
A random moment, a chance encounter, no regrets.
I also liked the fact that the characters had their own insecurities, without making such a big deal out of it. They could make you understand their thoughts, their feelings. Like their age difference, even though, Boyd was feeling old and ugly because of it, the teasing back and forth between them, it was simply epic. I also appreciated that it was almost drama free.
I think people should give this novella a try. It was a really nice and light read. And let's not forget to mention the steamy moments that had me drooling.
Arc kindly provided by Less Than Three Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2015
Boyd is a 35 year old mechanic, who, after years of saving, finally buys the car of his dream.
He decides to leave for a road trip and visit all the places he pinned on a map.
During one of his stops, he meets Oliver, a 23 year old boy. When Boyd gives him the opportunity to join him on his trip, he immediately accepts it, because he has nothing to lose and nobody there waiting for him.
They're just two strangers on a road trip.
I liked the age gap. And oh boy, sex scenes were really steamy.
The premises for this book were really good, unfortunately it wasn't as good as I expected it to be.
I really liked some parts, but for the rest, this story kind of fell flat. I was expecting for something more..I guess I didn't connect with this story and the characters..
Overall, it was an okay read, and I hope you give it a try and love it more than I did!
Arc kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2015
This story is tinged with shadows.
Boyd, a lonely 35-year-old auto mechanic, goes on the road trip of a lifetime. He buys the one classic car he's been saving to buy for 20 years and drives her across the country.
In Vegas, he meets the beautiful but haunted Oliver, who looks younger than his 24 years, and spontaneously offers him a ride.
Boyd likes things just so, but Oliver forces him to slow down, enjoy the scenery. The heat builds between them, but there are no tender words, few lingering glances.
This is not a traditional romance. Boyd and Oliver get to know each other during the their seven-day adventure, but there is an inherent monotony to the drive.
Henley's writing has appeal, but it's more abstract than I prefer in a romance novel. There is so much about these men, particularly Oliver, we don't know.
There is a sweetness to Oliver and Boyd's relationship, a tenderness in their touches. The ending is lovely, a strong HFN, but the connection never materialized for me.
Boyd, a lonely 35-year-old auto mechanic, goes on the road trip of a lifetime. He buys the one classic car he's been saving to buy for 20 years and drives her across the country.
In Vegas, he meets the beautiful but haunted Oliver, who looks younger than his 24 years, and spontaneously offers him a ride.
Boyd likes things just so, but Oliver forces him to slow down, enjoy the scenery. The heat builds between them, but there are no tender words, few lingering glances.
This is not a traditional romance. Boyd and Oliver get to know each other during the their seven-day adventure, but there is an inherent monotony to the drive.
Henley's writing has appeal, but it's more abstract than I prefer in a romance novel. There is so much about these men, particularly Oliver, we don't know.
There is a sweetness to Oliver and Boyd's relationship, a tenderness in their touches. The ending is lovely, a strong HFN, but the connection never materialized for me.
June 12, 2015
Arc kindly provided by Less Than Three Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2015
3.5 stars
I saw the title “ Road Trip ” and my heart went pitter-patter. I always love the idea of a road trip romance. There is something very intimate for two people in small spaces like cars, visiting places, and it decreases the sense of instant-love. So yes, I saw the title and I just jumped on it.
It was a decent read – unfortunately, I thought the road trip element was slightly disappointing. I knew that Boyd had wanted to visit those places for a long time but I felt that it didn’t have any significant impact to the story. I mean, yes, Boyd did some things, like going to the farm and ride horses, but it was not powerful enough to make the visiting places memorable to me. Maybe if Boyd took Oliver on the balloon ride, or he actually did some splurging in Vegas … just something big, you know? I just didn’t get the excitement of the road trip element much. Heck, even maybe if Boyd visited that old girlfriend of his, that would have added more “punch” to the story.
Having said that, I did like Boyd and Oliver’s relationship … I liked reading about the progress from strangers to something more in those seven days. I liked the age-gap (Boyd was 35 while Oliver was 24) that made Boyd hold back a little bit. I liked that while Oliver was a posture of destitute in the beginning, his story was not the usual “rent-boy” angst plot (I was worried there a little bit, but I was happy to be proven wrong).
Oh, and I also loved that Boyd and Oliver didn’t immediately fall forever in love after that seven days. No worries, we still have our hopeful happy ending. It was a good one too and I thought it was done in a believable way (in terms of the progress of their relationship). I felt satisfied; it was a lovely ending.
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
I saw the title “ Road Trip ” and my heart went pitter-patter. I always love the idea of a road trip romance. There is something very intimate for two people in small spaces like cars, visiting places, and it decreases the sense of instant-love. So yes, I saw the title and I just jumped on it.
It was a decent read – unfortunately, I thought the road trip element was slightly disappointing. I knew that Boyd had wanted to visit those places for a long time but I felt that it didn’t have any significant impact to the story. I mean, yes, Boyd did some things, like going to the farm and ride horses, but it was not powerful enough to make the visiting places memorable to me. Maybe if Boyd took Oliver on the balloon ride, or he actually did some splurging in Vegas … just something big, you know? I just didn’t get the excitement of the road trip element much. Heck, even maybe if Boyd visited that old girlfriend of his, that would have added more “punch” to the story.
Having said that, I did like Boyd and Oliver’s relationship … I liked reading about the progress from strangers to something more in those seven days. I liked the age-gap (Boyd was 35 while Oliver was 24) that made Boyd hold back a little bit. I liked that while Oliver was a posture of destitute in the beginning, his story was not the usual “rent-boy” angst plot (I was worried there a little bit, but I was happy to be proven wrong).
Oh, and I also loved that Boyd and Oliver didn’t immediately fall forever in love after that seven days. No worries, we still have our hopeful happy ending. It was a good one too and I thought it was done in a believable way (in terms of the progress of their relationship). I felt satisfied; it was a lovely ending.
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
January 28, 2015
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
Ever since he was a little boy, Boyd, an auto mechanic from Syracuse, New York, has been saving his dollars and cents with the goal of one day owning a classic ’69 Plymouth Road Runner for the sole purpose of visiting all of the places in the United States that have come to have meaning to him over that time. For years, he’s been marking the US map with pushpins as new places seemed to call to him for many reasons—a location from a favorite TV show, or the place where his grade school sweetheart moved, or even because it’s a well known place like Las Vegas or Nashville.
When he finds his ideal car through a classic car website, he gathers his savings and flies out to California to pick her up. She’s a beauty, just as he expected, and as he starts the journey home, he heads to a few places in California which were pushpins on his map and then on to Las Vegas. He decides to spend a little time there watching people, and it’s lucky he does because when he spots the young man who seems to be about to place his last bill in a slot machine, something about the guy screams destitute while something also seems to grab Boyd and not let him go.
The young man, Oliver, is indeed destitute and is ready to head back east as well, though he doesn’t have the means to get there. On impulse, after a brief conversation and a cup of coffee, Boyd offers Oliver a ride to Oliver’s stepmother’s place in Towson, Maryland, with the caveat that Oliver is not to scratch or mar his car in any way, shape or form. When Oliver seems like he’s going to refuse, Boyd promises him that he won’t take advantage of him in any way, and that he’s not interested in the sex, just offering to give Oliver a ride home.
As they travel the country, the two talk and laugh and learn a bit more about each other. When Oliver spots balloons in the sky near Albuquerque, New Mexico, Boyd pulls over so they can watch closely. And when Boyd hesitates to make a stop at a horse ranch where’s he’s always wanted to ride, it’s Oliver who encourages him to take the time to fulfill his dreams. Oliver continues to offer encouragement even later in the week when Boyd is running behind schedule and is not likely to make it back to his job in time. The two have established a friendship and maybe a bit more, though Boyd holds out little hope for anything long term since he’s 35 and Oliver’s 24. Boyd doesn’t give himself much credit in the looks department either, at least not compared to Oliver who Boyd thinks is gorgeous.
When they get to Maryland, they discover that Oliver’s simple reason for leaving Vegas really wasn’t so simple after all, and when his past catches up to him, it’s Boyd who comes up with a solution to get them out of a tight spot. These two MCs are unlikely and seemingly mismatched, but in reality they totally complement each other, and the author provided just the right mix of angst and humor to make the story believable.
This is one of the nicest road trips I’ve been on in quite a while and the best part was that I got to experience the trip with Boyd and Oliver. Along the way, in addition to being reminded of how very beautiful the US is, I got to experience a sweet, slow-building romance, with two MCs who were rather ordinary people but with extraordinary dreams. There is, as I hoped, a HEA for the guys and it’s a story that I would recommend to those who enjoy the classics—from cars to music, and to those who like an age-gap story and/or a slow-building relationship drama. It’s definitely going in my re-read pile. Highly recommend.
Ever since he was a little boy, Boyd, an auto mechanic from Syracuse, New York, has been saving his dollars and cents with the goal of one day owning a classic ’69 Plymouth Road Runner for the sole purpose of visiting all of the places in the United States that have come to have meaning to him over that time. For years, he’s been marking the US map with pushpins as new places seemed to call to him for many reasons—a location from a favorite TV show, or the place where his grade school sweetheart moved, or even because it’s a well known place like Las Vegas or Nashville.
When he finds his ideal car through a classic car website, he gathers his savings and flies out to California to pick her up. She’s a beauty, just as he expected, and as he starts the journey home, he heads to a few places in California which were pushpins on his map and then on to Las Vegas. He decides to spend a little time there watching people, and it’s lucky he does because when he spots the young man who seems to be about to place his last bill in a slot machine, something about the guy screams destitute while something also seems to grab Boyd and not let him go.
The young man, Oliver, is indeed destitute and is ready to head back east as well, though he doesn’t have the means to get there. On impulse, after a brief conversation and a cup of coffee, Boyd offers Oliver a ride to Oliver’s stepmother’s place in Towson, Maryland, with the caveat that Oliver is not to scratch or mar his car in any way, shape or form. When Oliver seems like he’s going to refuse, Boyd promises him that he won’t take advantage of him in any way, and that he’s not interested in the sex, just offering to give Oliver a ride home.
As they travel the country, the two talk and laugh and learn a bit more about each other. When Oliver spots balloons in the sky near Albuquerque, New Mexico, Boyd pulls over so they can watch closely. And when Boyd hesitates to make a stop at a horse ranch where’s he’s always wanted to ride, it’s Oliver who encourages him to take the time to fulfill his dreams. Oliver continues to offer encouragement even later in the week when Boyd is running behind schedule and is not likely to make it back to his job in time. The two have established a friendship and maybe a bit more, though Boyd holds out little hope for anything long term since he’s 35 and Oliver’s 24. Boyd doesn’t give himself much credit in the looks department either, at least not compared to Oliver who Boyd thinks is gorgeous.
When they get to Maryland, they discover that Oliver’s simple reason for leaving Vegas really wasn’t so simple after all, and when his past catches up to him, it’s Boyd who comes up with a solution to get them out of a tight spot. These two MCs are unlikely and seemingly mismatched, but in reality they totally complement each other, and the author provided just the right mix of angst and humor to make the story believable.
This is one of the nicest road trips I’ve been on in quite a while and the best part was that I got to experience the trip with Boyd and Oliver. Along the way, in addition to being reminded of how very beautiful the US is, I got to experience a sweet, slow-building romance, with two MCs who were rather ordinary people but with extraordinary dreams. There is, as I hoped, a HEA for the guys and it’s a story that I would recommend to those who enjoy the classics—from cars to music, and to those who like an age-gap story and/or a slow-building relationship drama. It’s definitely going in my re-read pile. Highly recommend.
February 6, 2015
"Road Trip" was a decent read, but there wasn't anything that I really found thrilling about the story.
Thirty-five year old mechanic, Boyd, has been saving for decades to buy a '69 Road Runner to drive cross country and visit destinations that he's pinned on a map over many years.
I felt like the pins in a map idea was underutilized in the story, with the most memorable reason for a pin being something along the lines of "Bugs Bunny should have taken a left here once." *Pin*
And the least exciting reason was something like "I had a childhood girlfriend that moved there back in the day." *Pin*
Dude, you don't even like girls and you aren't going to look her up, so huh??? *Scratchin'-My-Ass-Confused*
If the story had made each stop on the trip at least somewhat sentimental or poignant (remembrances of his deceased parents, perhaps?), I think that would have taken the book to another level vs. "I heard that a guy once farted himself to death there." *Pin*
[Insert emotional investment here, please.]
Our other main character, Oliver, was cute and adorable with a 'big secret', from which he was fleeing Las Vegas, vehemently avoiding the topic whenever asked, as if he'd had boinked a mob boss' boyfriend or something equally interesting.
But the 'big secret' (yawn) felt like a complete after thought, as did 'the bad guy', who only appears for about 3 pages toward the end -- never to be heard from again.
I did like the story and the interactions between Boyd and Oliver, but this felt kind of like being all riled up to watch Sam and Dean Winchester driving around hunting monsters.
Except in this episode of Supernatural, while they're both really cool guys, they drive and drive and drive -- but never actually find any monsters to decapitate. *sigh*
3 stars for a "pleasant", but not overly exciting read.
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** My copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley for a fair, unbiased review.
Thirty-five year old mechanic, Boyd, has been saving for decades to buy a '69 Road Runner to drive cross country and visit destinations that he's pinned on a map over many years.
I felt like the pins in a map idea was underutilized in the story, with the most memorable reason for a pin being something along the lines of "Bugs Bunny should have taken a left here once." *Pin*
And the least exciting reason was something like "I had a childhood girlfriend that moved there back in the day." *Pin*
Dude, you don't even like girls and you aren't going to look her up, so huh??? *Scratchin'-My-Ass-Confused*
If the story had made each stop on the trip at least somewhat sentimental or poignant (remembrances of his deceased parents, perhaps?), I think that would have taken the book to another level vs. "I heard that a guy once farted himself to death there." *Pin*
[Insert emotional investment here, please.]
Our other main character, Oliver, was cute and adorable with a 'big secret', from which he was fleeing Las Vegas, vehemently avoiding the topic whenever asked, as if he'd had boinked a mob boss' boyfriend or something equally interesting.
But the 'big secret' (yawn) felt like a complete after thought, as did 'the bad guy', who only appears for about 3 pages toward the end -- never to be heard from again.
I did like the story and the interactions between Boyd and Oliver, but this felt kind of like being all riled up to watch Sam and Dean Winchester driving around hunting monsters.
Except in this episode of Supernatural, while they're both really cool guys, they drive and drive and drive -- but never actually find any monsters to decapitate. *sigh*
3 stars for a "pleasant", but not overly exciting read.
------------------------------------------------------------------
** My copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley for a fair, unbiased review.
February 11, 2015
5 star review by Amber
This book was absolute PEREFECTION!!! I can’t think of one thing I didn’t love about it. This is the second book I’ve read from this author and their 2nd 5 star review from me. So, its official AF Henley is an auto-buy author for me. This author is ridiculously good. They’re able to take subjects like vintage cars and road trips, which hold absolutely no interest to me, and make them enthralling. I felt like I was on this trip with Oliver and Boyd and I loved every single minute of it.
Boyd is a self proclaimed grease monkey. All he’s known in his 35 years of life is cars, driving them, fixing them, and wanting them. His dream car just became available for a steal and he jumps on the opportunity to get it. It’s across the country from his home state of New York so he figures this is an opportunity for him to take a road trip and see some cities he’s always dreamt of.
After picking up his baby, a black on black ’69 Road Runner he heads out on his adventure. On his drive through Las Vegas he decides to stop at a casino and take in the sights. Having his fill of the excitement and despair on his way out he notices a beautiful young man walking through the doors and he’s immediately intrigued considering the man looks absolutely devastated.
Oliver left home to set out and make his own way. Finding nothing but pain and desperation he’s dejected and hopeless. Boyd offers him hope when he proposes he join him on his trip and to take him back home. Having nothing and no one, Oliver accepts.
What starts as a sweet friendship almost like best friends, slowly develops into something more. Boyd attraction to Oliver was never a secret but Oliver is blown away by how selfless Boyd is and his attraction starts to blossom as well.
Boyd is the ultimate good buy. He doesn’t have much to his name but he willingly will give anything he has for someone else. He’s incredibly selfless and he never wants anything in return. I fell head over heels in love with him.
The way these two ended could not have been better. It was so unbelievable fulfilling. I love how this author writes these real characters with flaws and huge amazing hearts.
Without a doubt a must read for everyone!!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
This book was absolute PEREFECTION!!! I can’t think of one thing I didn’t love about it. This is the second book I’ve read from this author and their 2nd 5 star review from me. So, its official AF Henley is an auto-buy author for me. This author is ridiculously good. They’re able to take subjects like vintage cars and road trips, which hold absolutely no interest to me, and make them enthralling. I felt like I was on this trip with Oliver and Boyd and I loved every single minute of it.
Boyd is a self proclaimed grease monkey. All he’s known in his 35 years of life is cars, driving them, fixing them, and wanting them. His dream car just became available for a steal and he jumps on the opportunity to get it. It’s across the country from his home state of New York so he figures this is an opportunity for him to take a road trip and see some cities he’s always dreamt of.
After picking up his baby, a black on black ’69 Road Runner he heads out on his adventure. On his drive through Las Vegas he decides to stop at a casino and take in the sights. Having his fill of the excitement and despair on his way out he notices a beautiful young man walking through the doors and he’s immediately intrigued considering the man looks absolutely devastated.
Oliver left home to set out and make his own way. Finding nothing but pain and desperation he’s dejected and hopeless. Boyd offers him hope when he proposes he join him on his trip and to take him back home. Having nothing and no one, Oliver accepts.
What starts as a sweet friendship almost like best friends, slowly develops into something more. Boyd attraction to Oliver was never a secret but Oliver is blown away by how selfless Boyd is and his attraction starts to blossom as well.
Boyd is the ultimate good buy. He doesn’t have much to his name but he willingly will give anything he has for someone else. He’s incredibly selfless and he never wants anything in return. I fell head over heels in love with him.
The way these two ended could not have been better. It was so unbelievable fulfilling. I love how this author writes these real characters with flaws and huge amazing hearts.
Without a doubt a must read for everyone!!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
March 29, 2015
Boyd finally gets the car of his dreams.
He is going to drive from California back to New York, stopping at all the places that he has wanted to visit.
When he gets to Vegas, he meets Oliver and ends up offering Oliver a ride back to the East Coast.
I really enjoyed this book. Had it not been for MM bingo ,I probably wouldnt have even known about it. It was published by a publishing house that I gad never heard of.
He is going to drive from California back to New York, stopping at all the places that he has wanted to visit.
When he gets to Vegas, he meets Oliver and ends up offering Oliver a ride back to the East Coast.
I really enjoyed this book. Had it not been for MM bingo ,I probably wouldnt have even known about it. It was published by a publishing house that I gad never heard of.
March 3, 2015
3.5 stars
The writing and story for this novella was fantastic. I loved the character development and their believable problems and the banter...so, so good. It had humor and steam and a great story all rolled up in this little package. What a great way to spend a free afternoon with this fun, light read!
The writing and story for this novella was fantastic. I loved the character development and their believable problems and the banter...so, so good. It had humor and steam and a great story all rolled up in this little package. What a great way to spend a free afternoon with this fun, light read!
July 19, 2015
a kind of different read for me
but I liked it a lot.
The story takes you in and you cannot wonder about what is going to happen
the writting is great and there is a real story there
so a very complete fascinating read for sure!
but I liked it a lot.
The story takes you in and you cannot wonder about what is going to happen
the writting is great and there is a real story there
so a very complete fascinating read for sure!
February 11, 2015
A.F. Henley’s story is drawing strength from two different things. Its very likable and relatable characters and the scenery.
Boyd’s life is a very desillusioned one. He is working as a car mechanic day in and day out. He earns just enough money to pay the bills and to put aside a little bit of money from time to time.
Being only 35, he feels like he has nothing to expect from his life. But for years, Boyd has this dream of going on a Road Trip. He has a map, marked with stops from the west coast to the east coast. He placed those marks for no other reason because of a memory, something he saw on tv as a kid or for no other reason just because he wants to go there.
I love the kind of duality that shows in Boyd’s character. While he is cautious to do anything daring, because he thinks that at his age life is all about responsibility and not chasing dreams, he is carrying this seed inside him. Maybe it can even be called an urge. To break out of this boring life. Doing something for no other reason because HE wants to do it and not what others expect him to do.
So when the opportunity arises to buy the car of his dreams in California, he jumped at it. Flying over from the east coast to get the car and taking the car back home on a road trip! It is a one in a million chance and he is not going to miss it!
But we all know Karma. You take her small finger when she offers it and what you get is the full load of adventure!
Boyd, while being grumpy on the outside has a true heart. So when he makes a stop in Las Vegas, Fate let Oliver cross Boyd’s path.
Oliver, 24, is the kind of character who sparks the need to instantly cuddle and protect him. Although he can be cocky he is also adorable. When Boyd meets him, Ollie is beaten, with no money in his pocket and seemingly nowhere to go. Although his mind strongly suggest to stay out of trouble, Boyd feels the need to offer help. Oliver reacts unapproachable at first, believing that Boyd is a john. This line of thought combined with Oliver’s distressed appearance tells the reader a lot about Oliver’s situation and makes one contemplate what happened to the boy in the past that he thinks the way he does.
Finally Oliver agrees to Boyd’s offer to take him home to the east coast. Without either of them being aware of it, they are at the beginning of an adventure that ends in a shocking revelation of Oliver’s past.
When they take off to their trip back to the east, Boyd is always expecting that Oliver might be more trouble than he is worth it and Ollie in return is not sure that all Boyd wants from him is his body. Very slowly they begin to develop a cautious friendship.
A.F. Henley wrote an awesome story in so many ways! While Boyd’s and Oliver’s chance meeting slowly develops into a friendship, he never allows the reader to be sure if this is ending into a happy ever after. Oliver is hiding something about his past from Boyd and the reader will not know until the end which makes for a constant tension during the whole story. Although there are happy moments between the two, I could never stop that feeling how a shadow is hovering over their happiness and I was honestly worried about the ending.
Henley did a brilliant job! On one hand Road Trip is a delightful and fast paced story, on the other hand Boyd’s and Oliver’s relationship is progressing at a very realistic pace. There is no love-at-first-sight. There are no rainbows or unicorns. Instead Henley, during the course of the story, makes the reader realize how both men, as different as they are, are the same side of the coin. Or to use a more popular phrase, they are like ying and yang.
Not being naive, Oliver still has the ability to dream and has a very strong opinion that life should not be only about duties and obligations. There are some wonderful moments between Boyd and Oliver and Boyd begins to understand how Ollie embodies what Boyd has long lost along the way.
Something else I loved about the story is the humour! A.F. Henley has a wonderful sense of humour! And it shows in such a wonderful way when it comes to the age difference between Boyd and Oliver!
Another big plus is the background Henly provides; the trip back to the east coast. It was so easy for me to feel a breeze on my face while listening to awesome music and feeling the car’s engine roaring! A wide open landscape, blue skies and beautiful sunsets add a lot to the good vibes the story is sending.
A beautiful and exciting story with great characters and a thrilling end! I absolutely, highly recommend this novel which was very hard to put aside once I started reading it! :D
Boyd’s life is a very desillusioned one. He is working as a car mechanic day in and day out. He earns just enough money to pay the bills and to put aside a little bit of money from time to time.
Being only 35, he feels like he has nothing to expect from his life. But for years, Boyd has this dream of going on a Road Trip. He has a map, marked with stops from the west coast to the east coast. He placed those marks for no other reason because of a memory, something he saw on tv as a kid or for no other reason just because he wants to go there.
I love the kind of duality that shows in Boyd’s character. While he is cautious to do anything daring, because he thinks that at his age life is all about responsibility and not chasing dreams, he is carrying this seed inside him. Maybe it can even be called an urge. To break out of this boring life. Doing something for no other reason because HE wants to do it and not what others expect him to do.
So when the opportunity arises to buy the car of his dreams in California, he jumped at it. Flying over from the east coast to get the car and taking the car back home on a road trip! It is a one in a million chance and he is not going to miss it!
But we all know Karma. You take her small finger when she offers it and what you get is the full load of adventure!
Boyd, while being grumpy on the outside has a true heart. So when he makes a stop in Las Vegas, Fate let Oliver cross Boyd’s path.
Oliver, 24, is the kind of character who sparks the need to instantly cuddle and protect him. Although he can be cocky he is also adorable. When Boyd meets him, Ollie is beaten, with no money in his pocket and seemingly nowhere to go. Although his mind strongly suggest to stay out of trouble, Boyd feels the need to offer help. Oliver reacts unapproachable at first, believing that Boyd is a john. This line of thought combined with Oliver’s distressed appearance tells the reader a lot about Oliver’s situation and makes one contemplate what happened to the boy in the past that he thinks the way he does.
Finally Oliver agrees to Boyd’s offer to take him home to the east coast. Without either of them being aware of it, they are at the beginning of an adventure that ends in a shocking revelation of Oliver’s past.
When they take off to their trip back to the east, Boyd is always expecting that Oliver might be more trouble than he is worth it and Ollie in return is not sure that all Boyd wants from him is his body. Very slowly they begin to develop a cautious friendship.
A.F. Henley wrote an awesome story in so many ways! While Boyd’s and Oliver’s chance meeting slowly develops into a friendship, he never allows the reader to be sure if this is ending into a happy ever after. Oliver is hiding something about his past from Boyd and the reader will not know until the end which makes for a constant tension during the whole story. Although there are happy moments between the two, I could never stop that feeling how a shadow is hovering over their happiness and I was honestly worried about the ending.
Henley did a brilliant job! On one hand Road Trip is a delightful and fast paced story, on the other hand Boyd’s and Oliver’s relationship is progressing at a very realistic pace. There is no love-at-first-sight. There are no rainbows or unicorns. Instead Henley, during the course of the story, makes the reader realize how both men, as different as they are, are the same side of the coin. Or to use a more popular phrase, they are like ying and yang.
Not being naive, Oliver still has the ability to dream and has a very strong opinion that life should not be only about duties and obligations. There are some wonderful moments between Boyd and Oliver and Boyd begins to understand how Ollie embodies what Boyd has long lost along the way.
Something else I loved about the story is the humour! A.F. Henley has a wonderful sense of humour! And it shows in such a wonderful way when it comes to the age difference between Boyd and Oliver!
Another big plus is the background Henly provides; the trip back to the east coast. It was so easy for me to feel a breeze on my face while listening to awesome music and feeling the car’s engine roaring! A wide open landscape, blue skies and beautiful sunsets add a lot to the good vibes the story is sending.
A beautiful and exciting story with great characters and a thrilling end! I absolutely, highly recommend this novel which was very hard to put aside once I started reading it! :D
February 10, 2015
Note: This ARC was provided by Less Than Three Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Boyd Matthis has always dreamed of going on a road trip, visiting the very cities and towns he's been marking on a map of the United States, behind the wheel of a 1969 Plymouth Road Runner. Now thirty-five, Boyd finally has the opportunity to do just that when the car of his dreams is available to him at a price he can actually afford. He takes time off work and heads off to start his road trip in his newly acquired and surprisingly cheaper than expected classic car.
After a couple of days checking out a few places in California, Boyd makes his way to Nevada and visits Las Vegas. While there, a young man grabs his attention, not just because he happens to be good looking but also because he seems to look lost and hopeless. After watching the guy lose what appears to be his last dollar bill in a slot machine, Boyd takes pity on him and offers to buy him a cup of coffee. He ends up extending an invitation to join him on the road trip.
Oliver Martin is down on his luck but a chance encounter with a man in a casino gives him the opportunity to get as far away from Vegas as he can. Oliver isn't exactly sure what Boyd's motivations are but as the days pass, he sees the kindness and generosity that this former stranger has extended him. He tries to express his gratitude in rather unexpected and creative ways, much to Boyd's surprise. However, Boyd doesn't want Oliver feeling as if he has to perform certain favors just to repay him.
As the days pass and the more places they end up at, Boyd and Oliver get to know each other better and begin to build a friendship based on mutual trust and respect. Oliver encourages Boyd to not merely drive by a location or to stop for a few minutes but to truly experience something. The road trip begins to become more meaningful, not just for Boyd but for Oliver as well. But when whatever Oliver is running from catches up with him, what he and Boyd have together is tested.
Road Trip is the second novella by author A.F. Henley that I've read and it's par for the course so far. ^.^ I enjoyed this tale of two seemingly different men whose lives change in ways they never imagined when they first agreed to be on a road trip together. I liked that it didn't rely on the usual insta-love formula that can often be found in novellas and short stories. And yes, indeed, there is a story here, one that progresses rather nicely, never feeling rushed or lacking.
Just like with the author's previous release, The Chase and the Catch, one of my favorites for 2014, this novella is never boring and draws you in from the very beginning and latches on 'til you're done. Boyd and Oliver were a unique but entertaining pair, both not necessarily looking for companionship but finding that and more during a memorable journey spent together. If you're looking for a quick but well-written read, look no further than Road Trip. I'm giving it five stars. ♥
Release Date: 11 February 2015
Boyd Matthis has always dreamed of going on a road trip, visiting the very cities and towns he's been marking on a map of the United States, behind the wheel of a 1969 Plymouth Road Runner. Now thirty-five, Boyd finally has the opportunity to do just that when the car of his dreams is available to him at a price he can actually afford. He takes time off work and heads off to start his road trip in his newly acquired and surprisingly cheaper than expected classic car.
After a couple of days checking out a few places in California, Boyd makes his way to Nevada and visits Las Vegas. While there, a young man grabs his attention, not just because he happens to be good looking but also because he seems to look lost and hopeless. After watching the guy lose what appears to be his last dollar bill in a slot machine, Boyd takes pity on him and offers to buy him a cup of coffee. He ends up extending an invitation to join him on the road trip.
Oliver Martin is down on his luck but a chance encounter with a man in a casino gives him the opportunity to get as far away from Vegas as he can. Oliver isn't exactly sure what Boyd's motivations are but as the days pass, he sees the kindness and generosity that this former stranger has extended him. He tries to express his gratitude in rather unexpected and creative ways, much to Boyd's surprise. However, Boyd doesn't want Oliver feeling as if he has to perform certain favors just to repay him.
As the days pass and the more places they end up at, Boyd and Oliver get to know each other better and begin to build a friendship based on mutual trust and respect. Oliver encourages Boyd to not merely drive by a location or to stop for a few minutes but to truly experience something. The road trip begins to become more meaningful, not just for Boyd but for Oliver as well. But when whatever Oliver is running from catches up with him, what he and Boyd have together is tested.
Road Trip is the second novella by author A.F. Henley that I've read and it's par for the course so far. ^.^ I enjoyed this tale of two seemingly different men whose lives change in ways they never imagined when they first agreed to be on a road trip together. I liked that it didn't rely on the usual insta-love formula that can often be found in novellas and short stories. And yes, indeed, there is a story here, one that progresses rather nicely, never feeling rushed or lacking.
Just like with the author's previous release, The Chase and the Catch, one of my favorites for 2014, this novella is never boring and draws you in from the very beginning and latches on 'til you're done. Boyd and Oliver were a unique but entertaining pair, both not necessarily looking for companionship but finding that and more during a memorable journey spent together. If you're looking for a quick but well-written read, look no further than Road Trip. I'm giving it five stars. ♥
Release Date: 11 February 2015
March 12, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
I’m a car girl. A classic car is always going to turn my head, and I will admit that the car was as much of a draw as the storyline was for me. But reading the blurb, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this story. But oh, it was good. In turns sweet and emotional, Road Trip had all the elements of a wonderful little story.
Boyd is our narrator, and he’s the perfect man for the job. He’s a no bullshit, kindhearted, wonderful man. We get to know him incredibly well, right from the start, as he shares his dreams of his road trip and the reasons behind it. And as the story progresses we get to see so much of his heart and character. What I really loved about him was that he was utterly and perfectly consistent. He was exactly who he is on every step of his journey. A character like that could have been stagnant, but the author did a fantastic job of showing his steadfastness as well as his growth. Boyd is just fantastic, and I loved taking the journey with him.
Oliver is a bit more of a mystery. We get to know him in pieces, as he shares bits of his past and experiences with Boyd. It’s clear he’s in trouble and trying to correct it. Maybe running away isn’t the best solution, but Oliver is good at that. What I loved about him is watching him start to heal and come out of his shell, a little at a time. He was the guy I was rooting for from the very beginning, and I wanted nothing more than to find his way.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
I’m a car girl. A classic car is always going to turn my head, and I will admit that the car was as much of a draw as the storyline was for me. But reading the blurb, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this story. But oh, it was good. In turns sweet and emotional, Road Trip had all the elements of a wonderful little story.
Boyd is our narrator, and he’s the perfect man for the job. He’s a no bullshit, kindhearted, wonderful man. We get to know him incredibly well, right from the start, as he shares his dreams of his road trip and the reasons behind it. And as the story progresses we get to see so much of his heart and character. What I really loved about him was that he was utterly and perfectly consistent. He was exactly who he is on every step of his journey. A character like that could have been stagnant, but the author did a fantastic job of showing his steadfastness as well as his growth. Boyd is just fantastic, and I loved taking the journey with him.
Oliver is a bit more of a mystery. We get to know him in pieces, as he shares bits of his past and experiences with Boyd. It’s clear he’s in trouble and trying to correct it. Maybe running away isn’t the best solution, but Oliver is good at that. What I loved about him is watching him start to heal and come out of his shell, a little at a time. He was the guy I was rooting for from the very beginning, and I wanted nothing more than to find his way.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
February 19, 2015
I do not think I can overstate how much I loved this book. There is not one thing about it that I do not love. I love both characters, I love age-gaps, I love road trips, I love happy endings. I love finishing a book and then wanting to cry to everyone that it’s over. There’s no more. I want to forget I read it so I can go back and read it again.
[Full review on Keysmash]
[Full review on Keysmash]
February 4, 2015
I received this book in exchange of a honest review. Who would not want to go on a road trip with the car of your dreams. On the way Boyd picks up Oliver and then things just go from there. The trip is not all plain sailing as there are some people after Oliver. The car gets messed up and it has to be repaired by there is a happy ending as Boyd & Oliver find a home together. A great read my first MM book
March 21, 2020
This wasn’t a bad little story. It’s a story of two different men finding their way in life and maybe finally finding their dreams. And it all starts with a car.
For as long as Boyd can remember, he’s had a map with pins in it, for places he wants to visit one day. But he wants to do it in a certain car, but the job he works as a mechanic barely pays him enough to do every day stuff, much less try to save. But he’s saved a little bit and keeps looking for that special car, when one day he finds it. On his way back home, he decides he’s going to make the trip he always wanted. Even if he couldn’t stay at the places long, he had his car and he visited. But in Vegas things changed, when his eyes caught on a bruised young man who looked like someone had shot his puppy. Boyd decides to give Oliver a new start and take him where he needed to go. Plus it gave him company on his trip. But what he didn’t expect from this prickly young Oliver, was to grow attached. And attached he did. So when trouble came to find Oliver, Boyd refused to let anything happen to him. But it means giving up a dream. Or does it?
A little bit of warning. There is a mention of thugs and abuse, but it isn’t a drastic thing until they try to hold up Boyd and Oliver at the end. And even then it’s not too bad. But just in case…
I grew up appreciating classic cars. The one thing I can actually say I appreciate from my father was the beauty of a classic car. So I get where Boyd is coming from with his dream. And when you find that dream, you will do all you can to grab it with both hands. Or at least I would. You might be eating ramen for a long long time after, but hey, you followed a dream. But what I love about Boyd, is as gruff and miserable as he may be, he took compassion on someone who looked like he really needed help. And Oliver did. He didn’t tell Boyd what the deal was totally. Only that he was running. And the bruises showed Boyd, he didn’t blame Oliver a bit for doing so. But because of Oliver’s past, and Boyd’s gruffness, they kind of got off on the wrong foot. But little by little, Boyd was showing Oliver it was ok to trust that there are some good people still out there and they grew closer. All because of a car and a dream, these two found something new in their lives they never thought they’d have. Friendship and possibly something more. And a new start to life.
It’s just a romantic story. With a little bit a trouble here and there, but it’s two men learning to cope with life and trying to live their dreams. No matter how hard they are.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
For as long as Boyd can remember, he’s had a map with pins in it, for places he wants to visit one day. But he wants to do it in a certain car, but the job he works as a mechanic barely pays him enough to do every day stuff, much less try to save. But he’s saved a little bit and keeps looking for that special car, when one day he finds it. On his way back home, he decides he’s going to make the trip he always wanted. Even if he couldn’t stay at the places long, he had his car and he visited. But in Vegas things changed, when his eyes caught on a bruised young man who looked like someone had shot his puppy. Boyd decides to give Oliver a new start and take him where he needed to go. Plus it gave him company on his trip. But what he didn’t expect from this prickly young Oliver, was to grow attached. And attached he did. So when trouble came to find Oliver, Boyd refused to let anything happen to him. But it means giving up a dream. Or does it?
A little bit of warning. There is a mention of thugs and abuse, but it isn’t a drastic thing until they try to hold up Boyd and Oliver at the end. And even then it’s not too bad. But just in case…
I grew up appreciating classic cars. The one thing I can actually say I appreciate from my father was the beauty of a classic car. So I get where Boyd is coming from with his dream. And when you find that dream, you will do all you can to grab it with both hands. Or at least I would. You might be eating ramen for a long long time after, but hey, you followed a dream. But what I love about Boyd, is as gruff and miserable as he may be, he took compassion on someone who looked like he really needed help. And Oliver did. He didn’t tell Boyd what the deal was totally. Only that he was running. And the bruises showed Boyd, he didn’t blame Oliver a bit for doing so. But because of Oliver’s past, and Boyd’s gruffness, they kind of got off on the wrong foot. But little by little, Boyd was showing Oliver it was ok to trust that there are some good people still out there and they grew closer. All because of a car and a dream, these two found something new in their lives they never thought they’d have. Friendship and possibly something more. And a new start to life.
It’s just a romantic story. With a little bit a trouble here and there, but it’s two men learning to cope with life and trying to live their dreams. No matter how hard they are.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
July 13, 2015
I really quite enjoyed this book. I struggled to get into it at first, the beginning was very slow for me. But this is nothing new, Henley's books have always had a rough start for me. This is purely personal, people. I'm not knocking the author not his ability to write gripping intros. I know many people who really love his openings. But for me they're just starting points. It's not the beginning that grabs me, it's the characters.
Everyone loves something different about Henley's novels. For me, it's the characters. His description of a desert highway, various cities and sites are alright. But his characters, they pull me into what is going around. And it's the reason I push through those slow beginnings. Because the prize is always worth it.
Boyd is a 35-year-old goat. Man doesn't smile, and is the odd mixture of cynic and dreamer. Considers himself a realist, but rarely looks at the "real" portion of any situation. There is a slant, a bias. Even the trip he takes while romantically "about the journey, not the destination" is so dull and empty of experience making the journey just an excuse to say "I did it." This character, being only 5 years older than I, really got me because of his various references that I picked up on so easily. Again, Henley's portrayal of characters is one of his strongest points. And the way he made Boyd just really grabbed me.
Oliver is the dreamer. The hopeful, ray of sunshine with awesome hair. Which once again seems at odd with everything else we find out about him. Henley's love of conflicting character attributes is glorious. They are never just what they seem.
When he first appeared Oliver seemed so flat and obvious I was shocked and dubious all at once. It seemed so out of character from what I'd read so far. And when Henley made his own joke about Oliver's similarity to Twist I just about groaned. I was afraid he'd done so much on purpose just for that joke alone. xD But I reserved that judgment because I knew better than to take anything he did at face value.
Oliver's character was both awesome and a bit perplexing. Honestly though he was 24 he acted so much younger sometimes. And for a while this bothered me. But I think it's one of the better parts of this character. With all of the troubles, feelings, and situations he'd gotten himself in that lack of growth actually seemed to make sense as they went on.
The interactions were fun, especially as Boyd tried to convince himself he wasn't a creep while having all of these creep reactions and feelings. I laughed every so often.
I grew to love both of them by the middle. It was so much fun to read them react and talk. And certain scenes were very very nice.
When one of their first real big conflicts arose I actually had to put down the book because one of the things that upsets me the most is good friends arguing. Well, anger and yelling of any kind makes me want to duck into my shell (if I had one, darn lucky turtles). Of course that only lasted five minutes because I had to keep reading.
I rarely read a book in a single day. I'm slow, and so even a short book like this would take me three to five days to finish normally. But I couldn't put it down. It was a delight to read. And the resolution at the end made me laugh a lot. It was a clever way to go. I really enjoyed this book.
I'd recommend it to anyone except my parents. Because I'll never recommend a book with hot sex scenes to them.
Everyone loves something different about Henley's novels. For me, it's the characters. His description of a desert highway, various cities and sites are alright. But his characters, they pull me into what is going around. And it's the reason I push through those slow beginnings. Because the prize is always worth it.
Boyd is a 35-year-old goat. Man doesn't smile, and is the odd mixture of cynic and dreamer. Considers himself a realist, but rarely looks at the "real" portion of any situation. There is a slant, a bias. Even the trip he takes while romantically "about the journey, not the destination" is so dull and empty of experience making the journey just an excuse to say "I did it." This character, being only 5 years older than I, really got me because of his various references that I picked up on so easily. Again, Henley's portrayal of characters is one of his strongest points. And the way he made Boyd just really grabbed me.
Oliver is the dreamer. The hopeful, ray of sunshine with awesome hair. Which once again seems at odd with everything else we find out about him. Henley's love of conflicting character attributes is glorious. They are never just what they seem.
When he first appeared Oliver seemed so flat and obvious I was shocked and dubious all at once. It seemed so out of character from what I'd read so far. And when Henley made his own joke about Oliver's similarity to Twist I just about groaned. I was afraid he'd done so much on purpose just for that joke alone. xD But I reserved that judgment because I knew better than to take anything he did at face value.
Oliver's character was both awesome and a bit perplexing. Honestly though he was 24 he acted so much younger sometimes. And for a while this bothered me. But I think it's one of the better parts of this character. With all of the troubles, feelings, and situations he'd gotten himself in that lack of growth actually seemed to make sense as they went on.
The interactions were fun, especially as Boyd tried to convince himself he wasn't a creep while having all of these creep reactions and feelings. I laughed every so often.
I grew to love both of them by the middle. It was so much fun to read them react and talk. And certain scenes were very very nice.
When one of their first real big conflicts arose I actually had to put down the book because one of the things that upsets me the most is good friends arguing. Well, anger and yelling of any kind makes me want to duck into my shell (if I had one, darn lucky turtles). Of course that only lasted five minutes because I had to keep reading.
I rarely read a book in a single day. I'm slow, and so even a short book like this would take me three to five days to finish normally. But I couldn't put it down. It was a delight to read. And the resolution at the end made me laugh a lot. It was a clever way to go. I really enjoyed this book.
I'd recommend it to anyone except my parents. Because I'll never recommend a book with hot sex scenes to them.
February 19, 2015
If I had to give a tagline to Henley's latest novel, it'd be, "The Universe gives you what you need, not always what you want."
Boyd thinks what he wants is as simple as a car and a road trip. What he gets is second lease on life; a new lens through which he can see the beauty living has to offer.
To say nothing of one wounded-yet-hopeful, smart-mouthed, adorable lover who will, we dearly hope, keep inspiring Boyd for years to come.
Henley's novels are always to some degree about not only love, but hope. This book is no exception. Every second from Boyd's discovery of the car to his chance meeting with Oliver to the stops on the road to the showdown with the bad guys is infused with hope. It makes Road Trip a peaceful read; one that inspires in the reader a desire to seize the moment and remember that every day is as good as we make it.
I loved getting to know Boyd so well and so fast in the first couple of chapters. He's a kind-hearted soul with an eye for misery and the will to ease it if he can. I adored staying in his perspective and meeting/seeing Oliver through his eyes. Oliver's willful naivete is endearing as opposed to unbelievable. The desperation that leads him to take Boyd up on the offer to drive Oliver home is the same desperation which fueled his bad decisions and made him run away in the first place.
Boyd makes similarly in-character choices. I got the feeling while reading the book that we were getting to see Boyd at a rare moment in his life. One that was going to change it forever. It was a delight to follow along knowing Oliver had Boyd well in hand.
As proven by the scene in the backseat of the car... Whew. I do love an intimate scene fueled by angst as well as desire. Thank you, Henley; you kept me warm in February.
The climax of the novel (no,not THOSE climaxes, the other one to do with the plot) left room for surprise. I wasn't sure how Boyd was going to get Oliver out of trouble, but the solution presented itself handily. I thank Henley for getting us through that sequence without it lingering too long for drama's sake and without unduly focusing on the "mystery" while the men were busily getting to know the real truth about one another. I like my love stories focused on the characters, and that's exactly what Henley delivers time after time.
Were there minor inconsistencies to do with cars and the details therein? Perhaps. Could it have been longer, with more focus on the stops and good times to be had between Oliver and Boyd? Maybe. On one hand I enjoyed the realism of a man in blue collar work who had to make it back on time. On the other, once the timeline became less of a problem, I would have liked to see the plot slow down and linger in the Opryland Hotel restaurant or go through a sequence similar to the horseback riding lesson in real time instead of hearing about it later.
Then again, that might just be me wanting more, which isn't such a bad place for an author to leave a reader.
Thank you, Henley, for the latest dose of hope. I recommend this one to anybody who understands how fulfilling a lifelong dream can change your life in so many unexpected and wonderful ways.
Boyd thinks what he wants is as simple as a car and a road trip. What he gets is second lease on life; a new lens through which he can see the beauty living has to offer.
To say nothing of one wounded-yet-hopeful, smart-mouthed, adorable lover who will, we dearly hope, keep inspiring Boyd for years to come.
Henley's novels are always to some degree about not only love, but hope. This book is no exception. Every second from Boyd's discovery of the car to his chance meeting with Oliver to the stops on the road to the showdown with the bad guys is infused with hope. It makes Road Trip a peaceful read; one that inspires in the reader a desire to seize the moment and remember that every day is as good as we make it.
I loved getting to know Boyd so well and so fast in the first couple of chapters. He's a kind-hearted soul with an eye for misery and the will to ease it if he can. I adored staying in his perspective and meeting/seeing Oliver through his eyes. Oliver's willful naivete is endearing as opposed to unbelievable. The desperation that leads him to take Boyd up on the offer to drive Oliver home is the same desperation which fueled his bad decisions and made him run away in the first place.
Boyd makes similarly in-character choices. I got the feeling while reading the book that we were getting to see Boyd at a rare moment in his life. One that was going to change it forever. It was a delight to follow along knowing Oliver had Boyd well in hand.
As proven by the scene in the backseat of the car... Whew. I do love an intimate scene fueled by angst as well as desire. Thank you, Henley; you kept me warm in February.
The climax of the novel (no,not THOSE climaxes, the other one to do with the plot) left room for surprise. I wasn't sure how Boyd was going to get Oliver out of trouble, but the solution presented itself handily. I thank Henley for getting us through that sequence without it lingering too long for drama's sake and without unduly focusing on the "mystery" while the men were busily getting to know the real truth about one another. I like my love stories focused on the characters, and that's exactly what Henley delivers time after time.
Were there minor inconsistencies to do with cars and the details therein? Perhaps. Could it have been longer, with more focus on the stops and good times to be had between Oliver and Boyd? Maybe. On one hand I enjoyed the realism of a man in blue collar work who had to make it back on time. On the other, once the timeline became less of a problem, I would have liked to see the plot slow down and linger in the Opryland Hotel restaurant or go through a sequence similar to the horseback riding lesson in real time instead of hearing about it later.
Then again, that might just be me wanting more, which isn't such a bad place for an author to leave a reader.
Thank you, Henley, for the latest dose of hope. I recommend this one to anybody who understands how fulfilling a lifelong dream can change your life in so many unexpected and wonderful ways.
May 4, 2015
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
For the full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-4mU
From that review: "A. F. Henley's marvelous Road Trip brought up so many emotions and memories for me. Boyd's dream car, what is now referred to as a historic vehicle was a car of my youth, along with 8 tracks, wide tires, and call of the road trip and the idea that your dreams could be realized somewhere along the way of that smooth, wide asphalt. It was also a known "next stage" of adolescence. From a boy and a dog, to a boy and his car, although in my case it was girl and a dog, to girl, dog, and a car. It didn't seem to matter that was a Ford Mustang '65 or in this case a '69 Plymouth Roadrunner, black on black. To be the ruler of the road and master of your dreams, your ride needed to be powerful too…"
For more reviews, author interviews and guest posts, visit http://www.ScatteredThoughtsandRogueW...
January 10, 2016
Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance
I get my inspiration to read certain books from all kinds of sources. Sometimes I don't even know why I want to read a particular title. I get upwards of 400 review requests in any month. To be honest, many of them don't even hit my radar. Road Trip by AF Henley was just such a title. It was in the request list I send my team weekly, but it wasn't on my individual radar. However, AF Henley was recently a guest on Prism Book Alliance. In the process of formatting and posting Henley's guest post, I became intrigued by this book.
February 6, 2015
Received from: Less Than Three Press
Received Via: NetGalley.com
THE REVIEW
Why this book?
I love stories about road trips
What I thought
This book was enjoyable and I really liked the characters. I was rooting for romance from the beginning and when I got some I couldn't get the smile off my face. It wasn't insta love which is refreshing they got to know eachother first and share life experiences. The road trip was also fun I couldn't wait to see where they ended up next. Overall an enjoyable read.
Received Via: NetGalley.com
THE REVIEW
Why this book?
I love stories about road trips
What I thought
This book was enjoyable and I really liked the characters. I was rooting for romance from the beginning and when I got some I couldn't get the smile off my face. It wasn't insta love which is refreshing they got to know eachother first and share life experiences. The road trip was also fun I couldn't wait to see where they ended up next. Overall an enjoyable read.
March 28, 2015
Super cute story with very little angst. Lonely 35 yr. old guy finally gets his dream car and decides to visit all those places he has marked on his map. He meets a 24 yr. old boy/man in Vegas and they take the trip together. It did have one part that squicked me out a little bit but otherwise, just a feel good read.
May 5, 2015
I liked this book. Great characters and the descriptions of the scenery was amazing. I really liked how they got to know each other before sex and how Oliver got Boyd to stop and see things along the way. Cute story!
May 4, 2015
cute entertaining read...enjoyable
March 17, 2015
I liked Boyd.
March 8, 2020
Loved it. One funny thing...Boyd misspelled is Body.
December 15, 2015
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
Boyd's mother taught him that if he saw someone who needed help, to offer it. When Boyd, of 'Road Trip' by A.F Henley, meets Oliver during a long-planned road trip, he heeds his mother's advice. What Oliver needs most is a ride out of town, so Boyd offers him one. He doesn't realize how different the trip will be with Oliver along for company.
Boyd is a good man. He works hard, barely scraping by, but his needs are simple. His dream, since he was eleven, is to own a '69 Road Runner vintage automobile. When his golden opportunity arrives, he can hardly believe it. Boyd only has a week to pick up the car and drive back home before he has to be back at work, so his trip is carefully planned. But driving alone, seeing the places he's dreamed about for years, just doesn't bring him the satisfaction he thought it would. Las Vegas is one of the places circled on his map to visit, but he's not going to gamble; he's there to see the sights. A desperate young man, Oliver, catches his attention. Against his better judgment, Boyd offers Oliver a ride, no strings attached.
Thrown out of his house at eighteen, Oliver has made a lot of bad decisions in his life. His most recent one has involved him with very unsavory characters who are chasing him. Oliver needs to get out of Las Vegas quickly and Boyd's offer, although he's still wary, seems like his best alternative. As the trip goes on, Boyd's good nature and generosity become apparent and Oliver can't help but be attracted to him. More than once in the journey, Boyd makes an extra stop to please Oliver; for instance, to watch hot air balloons sail overhead, or walk around a race track instead of just driving by, even though it puts him behind schedule. Oliver gives Boyd a new perspective on his life, making him realize that the trip is a one in a life time event which should be savored rather than rushed through. Oliver knows Boyd is falling for him, but adamantly denies that he feels the same way. From past experience, Oliver knows that something seemingly so good can't last. He tries to prepare himself and Boyd for that inevitability, but he isn't very convincing. Boyd is possibly the first person in Oliver's life who puts his welfare first, and he will be forever grateful.
'Road Trip' is a journey of two hearts as much as it is miles; both men are in a lonely, dead-end life-style, needing motivation and direction. Under normal circumstances, they never would have met, but Boyd's dream of owning his vintage car and Oliver's flight from trouble lead them to something so much better. If you enjoy stories about road trips, vintage cars, suspense, angst, and hope, you may enjoy this story. Thanks, A.F., for making Boyd and Oliver's dreams come true.
NOTE: This book was provided by Less Than Three Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Boyd's mother taught him that if he saw someone who needed help, to offer it. When Boyd, of 'Road Trip' by A.F Henley, meets Oliver during a long-planned road trip, he heeds his mother's advice. What Oliver needs most is a ride out of town, so Boyd offers him one. He doesn't realize how different the trip will be with Oliver along for company.
Boyd is a good man. He works hard, barely scraping by, but his needs are simple. His dream, since he was eleven, is to own a '69 Road Runner vintage automobile. When his golden opportunity arrives, he can hardly believe it. Boyd only has a week to pick up the car and drive back home before he has to be back at work, so his trip is carefully planned. But driving alone, seeing the places he's dreamed about for years, just doesn't bring him the satisfaction he thought it would. Las Vegas is one of the places circled on his map to visit, but he's not going to gamble; he's there to see the sights. A desperate young man, Oliver, catches his attention. Against his better judgment, Boyd offers Oliver a ride, no strings attached.
Thrown out of his house at eighteen, Oliver has made a lot of bad decisions in his life. His most recent one has involved him with very unsavory characters who are chasing him. Oliver needs to get out of Las Vegas quickly and Boyd's offer, although he's still wary, seems like his best alternative. As the trip goes on, Boyd's good nature and generosity become apparent and Oliver can't help but be attracted to him. More than once in the journey, Boyd makes an extra stop to please Oliver; for instance, to watch hot air balloons sail overhead, or walk around a race track instead of just driving by, even though it puts him behind schedule. Oliver gives Boyd a new perspective on his life, making him realize that the trip is a one in a life time event which should be savored rather than rushed through. Oliver knows Boyd is falling for him, but adamantly denies that he feels the same way. From past experience, Oliver knows that something seemingly so good can't last. He tries to prepare himself and Boyd for that inevitability, but he isn't very convincing. Boyd is possibly the first person in Oliver's life who puts his welfare first, and he will be forever grateful.
'Road Trip' is a journey of two hearts as much as it is miles; both men are in a lonely, dead-end life-style, needing motivation and direction. Under normal circumstances, they never would have met, but Boyd's dream of owning his vintage car and Oliver's flight from trouble lead them to something so much better. If you enjoy stories about road trips, vintage cars, suspense, angst, and hope, you may enjoy this story. Thanks, A.F., for making Boyd and Oliver's dreams come true.
NOTE: This book was provided by Less Than Three Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
April 13, 2016
There's just something about a road trip book that really appeals to me and this book was very appealing indeed.
Boyd Matthis is a 35 year old mechanic from Syracuse has been mapping out his dream trip for as long as he can remember. After years of scrimping and saving, he finds the deal of a lifetime on the ultimate road machine, a 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, and takes off for sunny California to bring his baby home the best way he knows how - a road trip.
Oliver Martin looks like any other down on his luck street kid when Boyd spots him in a Las Vegas casino feeding a $5.oo bill into a slot machine. When the slot machine doesn't pay out, Boyd offers a distressed Oliver a ride back to Oliver's hometown, no-strings attached. Although initially reluctant, Oliver agrees to the lift and sets out with Boyd on a road trip that will change everything.
I loved Boyd. Despite having reasons to be bitter about his life, he's not. He's kind and generous and gives Oliver his word and his trust and gains Oliver's trust in return. I think they're lovely together and the age difference really works for me, because they both bring something to the table that the other person has been lacking.
If you like stories about road trips then you should definitely give this one a shot. I don't think you could possibly be disappointed. 4 stars
Boyd Matthis is a 35 year old mechanic from Syracuse has been mapping out his dream trip for as long as he can remember. After years of scrimping and saving, he finds the deal of a lifetime on the ultimate road machine, a 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, and takes off for sunny California to bring his baby home the best way he knows how - a road trip.
Oliver Martin looks like any other down on his luck street kid when Boyd spots him in a Las Vegas casino feeding a $5.oo bill into a slot machine. When the slot machine doesn't pay out, Boyd offers a distressed Oliver a ride back to Oliver's hometown, no-strings attached. Although initially reluctant, Oliver agrees to the lift and sets out with Boyd on a road trip that will change everything.
I loved Boyd. Despite having reasons to be bitter about his life, he's not. He's kind and generous and gives Oliver his word and his trust and gains Oliver's trust in return. I think they're lovely together and the age difference really works for me, because they both bring something to the table that the other person has been lacking.
If you like stories about road trips then you should definitely give this one a shot. I don't think you could possibly be disappointed. 4 stars
October 9, 2015
I forget how much I love Henley books until I start reading one and I think, gosh, why have I waited so long in between books!
And this one was no different. Have to confess, wasn’t sure how or where we were going in the beginning but that soon changed after Vegas. And asking about sharp objects and pointy butts.
Boyd finding his dream car and doing his cross country trip, Oliver getting into a tight spot and finding a angel just in the nick of time.
I loved that stopping at these places didn’t have any real historic value. just at one time in Boyd’s life something happened and he said I’m going to visit, so he does. That’s it.
I liked that we had this like to learn about Oliver, but I wish we had learned more about Boyd. I like in the end with out saying the L word he was willing to give it all up.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Crystals Many reviews
And this one was no different. Have to confess, wasn’t sure how or where we were going in the beginning but that soon changed after Vegas. And asking about sharp objects and pointy butts.
Boyd finding his dream car and doing his cross country trip, Oliver getting into a tight spot and finding a angel just in the nick of time.
I loved that stopping at these places didn’t have any real historic value. just at one time in Boyd’s life something happened and he said I’m going to visit, so he does. That’s it.
I liked that we had this like to learn about Oliver, but I wish we had learned more about Boyd. I like in the end with out saying the L word he was willing to give it all up.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Crystals Many reviews
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