What do you think?
Rate this book
The Road Not Taken: A Friends to Lovers Christmas Roadtrip Romance
One ring, three exes, and two secretly pining friends on an epic winter road trip—what could go wrong?
Ruby doesn’t do relationships. After her grandmother’s first cancer diagnosis, it was clear how much love could cost. Keep it light, keep it fun, then move on. No muss. No fuss and no one gets hurt.
But when she finds a ring in her box of breakup mementos with a note that says marry me, she starts to question if maybe one of her exes had deeper feelings for her than she thought.
Not wanting to ambush them at the holidays with a text out of the blue, she decides to go see them in person and pretend to “run” into them. Then ask about the ring. The only problem, she doesn’t drive.
Kyle, her close friend, co-worker, and all-around good guy, offers to drive his truck, as long as they swing by his sister’s and are back in Fortune Falls by Christmas.
As they navigate one roadblock after another—a winter solstice festival blocking the roads, snow closing the pass, and hotels with only one bed—the two get closer both physically and emotionally. Kyle is upfront that he wants to be more than he has for years. While Ruby has strong feelings for Kyle, and their chemistry is undeniable, she’s not sure she can overcome her fear of losing someone close to her again. Can she open her heart to let love in?
Friends to lovers
He falls first
Roadtrip
Small town
Forced proximity
Cinnamon Roll MMC
The third book in a series of interconnected standalone novels set on the Oregon coast in the small town of Fortune Falls.
Ruby doesn’t do relationships. After her grandmother’s first cancer diagnosis, it was clear how much love could cost. Keep it light, keep it fun, then move on. No muss. No fuss and no one gets hurt.
But when she finds a ring in her box of breakup mementos with a note that says marry me, she starts to question if maybe one of her exes had deeper feelings for her than she thought.
Not wanting to ambush them at the holidays with a text out of the blue, she decides to go see them in person and pretend to “run” into them. Then ask about the ring. The only problem, she doesn’t drive.
Kyle, her close friend, co-worker, and all-around good guy, offers to drive his truck, as long as they swing by his sister’s and are back in Fortune Falls by Christmas.
As they navigate one roadblock after another—a winter solstice festival blocking the roads, snow closing the pass, and hotels with only one bed—the two get closer both physically and emotionally. Kyle is upfront that he wants to be more than he has for years. While Ruby has strong feelings for Kyle, and their chemistry is undeniable, she’s not sure she can overcome her fear of losing someone close to her again. Can she open her heart to let love in?
Friends to lovers
He falls first
Roadtrip
Small town
Forced proximity
Cinnamon Roll MMC
The third book in a series of interconnected standalone novels set on the Oregon coast in the small town of Fortune Falls.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
5 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
N.C. Barton
4 books22 followersNicole Barton received a BFA in mixed media studio art. With a degree in the arts and no solid plan, Nicole has had the opportunity to hold many different jobs; video store manager, barista, photographer’s assistant, toy store clerk, and yoga instructor at a retreat in Puerto Rico are just a few. Hands on research for her books.
Currently, when Nicole’s not writing, you can find her working at a title one elementary school library, crafting with her little girl, or hosting the podcast, So I Wrote a Book…Now What, where she interviews fellow authors about their revision process.
Currently, when Nicole’s not writing, you can find her working at a title one elementary school library, crafting with her little girl, or hosting the podcast, So I Wrote a Book…Now What, where she interviews fellow authors about their revision process.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
November 2, 2025
“I can’t pretend that I don’t love you, wholly and completely, with my entire being.”
Plot: 1 found engagement ring in Ruby’s breakup box, 3 possible ex’s it could have come from & 1 road-trip with the best friend who’s always pines for her.
What I liked:
🌲Friends to lovers, forced proximity
🌲The roadtrip setting and adventures it led to due to bad weather
🌲The banter, chemistry and familiarity between Riders by and Kyle
🌲Kyle! Great cinnamon roll hero who also tries to get Ruby to face her fear of commitment and doesn’t put up with her bs
Plot: 1 found engagement ring in Ruby’s breakup box, 3 possible ex’s it could have come from & 1 road-trip with the best friend who’s always pines for her.
What I liked:
🌲Friends to lovers, forced proximity
🌲The roadtrip setting and adventures it led to due to bad weather
🌲The banter, chemistry and familiarity between Riders by and Kyle
🌲Kyle! Great cinnamon roll hero who also tries to get Ruby to face her fear of commitment and doesn’t put up with her bs
November 2, 2025
We’re going on a road trip, road trip! Best friends and co-workers Kyle and Ruby are heading out on a track and trace mission and just might find something else on the way.
Ruby finds an engagement ring in her breakup box and wonders if one of her exes felt stronger than she thought. There are only 3 contenders, one still in town and two further afield. When her other best friend, Heather, cancels, Kyle steps in to help Ruby with her trip to find the other 2 exes.
Ruby and Kyle are great with each other; they have a brilliant camaraderie and the closeness that only a deep friendship can bring, but it also gives them great chemistry together, even if it’s hard for Ruby to see a future with anyone, let alone Kyle.
Kyle is such a sweetheart. He’s obviously been in love with Ruby for a long time, yet he’s still willing to go with her on the trip to find her exes, in case one of them had marriage on their mind, and there’s a chance Ruby will give them a second chance. I felt so bad for him with the Nick incident, and I really didn’t like how far Ruby let that go, considering where she and Kyle had gotten to in their relationship.
I always enjoy reading friends-to-lovers; there’s the established bond already and of course, when you add forced proximity and only one bed, it’s so much fun.
Ruby finds an engagement ring in her breakup box and wonders if one of her exes felt stronger than she thought. There are only 3 contenders, one still in town and two further afield. When her other best friend, Heather, cancels, Kyle steps in to help Ruby with her trip to find the other 2 exes.
Ruby and Kyle are great with each other; they have a brilliant camaraderie and the closeness that only a deep friendship can bring, but it also gives them great chemistry together, even if it’s hard for Ruby to see a future with anyone, let alone Kyle.
Kyle is such a sweetheart. He’s obviously been in love with Ruby for a long time, yet he’s still willing to go with her on the trip to find her exes, in case one of them had marriage on their mind, and there’s a chance Ruby will give them a second chance. I felt so bad for him with the Nick incident, and I really didn’t like how far Ruby let that go, considering where she and Kyle had gotten to in their relationship.
I always enjoy reading friends-to-lovers; there’s the established bond already and of course, when you add forced proximity and only one bed, it’s so much fun.
November 10, 2025
It third and final book in the series however you read them as standalone. I enjoyed its nice pace book!!
Blurb
One ring, three exes, and two secretly pining friends on an epic winter road trip—what could go wrong?
Ruby doesn’t do relationships. After her grandmother’s first cancer diagnosis, it was clear how much love could cost. Keep it light, keep it fun, then move on. No muss. No fuss and no one gets hurt.
But when she finds a ring in her box of breakup mementos with a note that says marry me, she starts to question if maybe one of her exes had deeper feelings for her than she thought.
Not wanting to ambush them at the holidays with a text out of the blue, she decides to go see them in person and pretend to “run” into them. Then ask about the ring. The only problem, she doesn’t drive.
Kyle, her close friend, co-worker, and all-around good guy, offers to drive his truck, as long as they swing by his sister’s and are back in Fortune Falls by Christmas.
As they navigate one roadblock after another—a winter solstice festival blocking the roads, snow closing the pass, and hotels with only one bed—the two get closer both physically and emotionally. Kyle is upfront that he wants to be more than friends: he has for years. While Ruby has strong feelings for Kyle, and their chemistry is undeniable, she’s not sure she can overcome her fear of losing someone close to her again. Can she open her heart to let love in?
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
He falls first
Roadtrip
Small town
Forced proximity
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Blurb
One ring, three exes, and two secretly pining friends on an epic winter road trip—what could go wrong?
Ruby doesn’t do relationships. After her grandmother’s first cancer diagnosis, it was clear how much love could cost. Keep it light, keep it fun, then move on. No muss. No fuss and no one gets hurt.
But when she finds a ring in her box of breakup mementos with a note that says marry me, she starts to question if maybe one of her exes had deeper feelings for her than she thought.
Not wanting to ambush them at the holidays with a text out of the blue, she decides to go see them in person and pretend to “run” into them. Then ask about the ring. The only problem, she doesn’t drive.
Kyle, her close friend, co-worker, and all-around good guy, offers to drive his truck, as long as they swing by his sister’s and are back in Fortune Falls by Christmas.
As they navigate one roadblock after another—a winter solstice festival blocking the roads, snow closing the pass, and hotels with only one bed—the two get closer both physically and emotionally. Kyle is upfront that he wants to be more than friends: he has for years. While Ruby has strong feelings for Kyle, and their chemistry is undeniable, she’s not sure she can overcome her fear of losing someone close to her again. Can she open her heart to let love in?
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
He falls first
Roadtrip
Small town
Forced proximity
Cinnamon Roll MMC
November 3, 2025
What a cute Christmas story.
Ruby finds an engagement ring in her breakup suitcase and a comment from her best friend Heather sends her on an adventure to see which ex it belonged to.
When Heather ditches Ruby last minute, she invites Kyle, her boss and friend, who is the sweetest cinnamon golden retriever, what could go wrong?
Oh our FMC is anti-relationships and so pessimistic. Their banter is cute, and we see the ice queen melt a little.
I loved the letter from her grandma 😍
Bless Kyle for not putting up with her nonsense.
The ending was so sweet too!
Ruby finds an engagement ring in her breakup suitcase and a comment from her best friend Heather sends her on an adventure to see which ex it belonged to.
When Heather ditches Ruby last minute, she invites Kyle, her boss and friend, who is the sweetest cinnamon golden retriever, what could go wrong?
Oh our FMC is anti-relationships and so pessimistic. Their banter is cute, and we see the ice queen melt a little.
I loved the letter from her grandma 😍
Bless Kyle for not putting up with her nonsense.
The ending was so sweet too!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2025
I'm a day late for release day but N.C. Barton has released ANOTHER book! Now I was firmly in my spooky fall era and knew I had this ARC to read that's a Christmas novella. And on top of that it's a friends to lovers story which is rarely my jam. But I trusted the process and this was just delightful. Ruby, who's allergic to relationships, finds a ring in her box of situationships past. She and her (super hot and nice) best friend Kyle agree to go to all her past flings to see who was going to propose. She's seeking closure but might find a new opening.
This was just a sweet little Christmas/winter novella. It was nice to revisit Kyle after his intro in The Now In Forever. It was such an easy read and a little spicier than her previous stories in a great way. My only quibble was so many of Ruby's exes were from when she was a teenager. Girl none of those boys were going to propose to you. But it was still fun.
This was just a sweet little Christmas/winter novella. It was nice to revisit Kyle after his intro in The Now In Forever. It was such an easy read and a little spicier than her previous stories in a great way. My only quibble was so many of Ruby's exes were from when she was a teenager. Girl none of those boys were going to propose to you. But it was still fun.
December 17, 2025
Thank you to N.C. Barton and Happily Booked for this heartwarming story.
I really grew to like Ruby as time went on. She grew into the person her grandma knew her to be.
Kyle is a cinnamon roll, so sweet.
Their relationship developed into something beautiful.
I recommend to people who love romance or are skeptics. You will believe in love after this.
-roadtrip
-mystery
-noncommittal fmc
-fun moments (line dancing, lip sync battle)
-winter
I really grew to like Ruby as time went on. She grew into the person her grandma knew her to be.
Kyle is a cinnamon roll, so sweet.
Their relationship developed into something beautiful.
I recommend to people who love romance or are skeptics. You will believe in love after this.
-roadtrip
-mystery
-noncommittal fmc
-fun moments (line dancing, lip sync battle)
-winter
October 23, 2025
ARC Review!!! Thanks @ncbartonwrites for this book
This holiday friends-to-lovers road trip was exactly what I needed. It’s a Cozy, high-stakes romantic comedy with a dash of serious emotional depth.
Their banter was electric and the slow burn chef's kiss. Their feelings were so palpable and I was rooting for them from page one. It definitely delivered on all the classic romcom road trip fun snow delays, single-bed struggles and deep conversations in the car.
Although, the climax felt a tiny bit rushed after all that slow burn buildup but it still left me with a huge smile.
Grab a cup of hot cocoa and curl up with this one. It's a heartwarming, festive journey about choosing to take a chance on love. Definitely adding N.C. Barton to my must read list
This holiday friends-to-lovers road trip was exactly what I needed. It’s a Cozy, high-stakes romantic comedy with a dash of serious emotional depth.
Their banter was electric and the slow burn chef's kiss. Their feelings were so palpable and I was rooting for them from page one. It definitely delivered on all the classic romcom road trip fun snow delays, single-bed struggles and deep conversations in the car.
Although, the climax felt a tiny bit rushed after all that slow burn buildup but it still left me with a huge smile.
Grab a cup of hot cocoa and curl up with this one. It's a heartwarming, festive journey about choosing to take a chance on love. Definitely adding N.C. Barton to my must read list
November 1, 2025
I always love a friend’s to lovers book around the holidays. This was such a good book.
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
January 5, 2026
A friend to lovers romance with some spice. This book is a cute light read. it's a book about finding oneself and moving on. perfect for romance readers, 3 on a spice scale.
November 8, 2025
If you’ve ever wondered whether friendship can quietly blossom into something breathtaking, The Road Not Taken by N.C. Barton will steal your heart like a love letter tucked between miles of winter roads. It’s a tender, funny, and deeply human story about taking the scenic route to forever.
Ruby doesn’t believe in “happily ever after.” She’s seen what love can cost, and she’s not willing to risk that kind of pain again. But when she finds a ring in her old breakup box with a note that says marry me, she can’t stop wondering if one of her exes might have loved her more than she ever realized. The only problem? They live miles apart, and Ruby doesn’t drive.
Enter Kyle—her best friend, co-worker, and the kind of man who always shows up, even when he knows he might get his heart bruised in the process. When Ruby decides to track down her exes for answers, Kyle offers to drive her. What follows is a cross-country adventure filled with snowstorms, small-town detours, and one very inconvenient one-bed situation.
As they navigate roadblocks both literal and emotional—a winter solstice festival that halts their path, a snowed-in mountain pass, and an awkward encounter with one ex too many—Ruby and Kyle’s friendship starts to shift. The jokes get softer, the silences warmer, and Kyle finally admits what readers will have known from page one: he’s been in love with Ruby for years.
But Ruby’s fear runs deep. She’s lost before, and she’s terrified of losing again. Her heart is like a frost-covered window—wanting the warmth but afraid to let it in. Watching her struggle between safety and surrender is both heartbreaking and beautiful, because Barton writes her not as broken, but as human.
Kyle, though, is the true cinnamon roll hero—steady, patient, and impossibly kind. He’s the guy who fixes the truck, remembers her favorite coffee, and drives through blizzards just to see her smile. Even when Ruby falters—especially when she falters—he’s there, quietly proving that love isn’t about chasing grand gestures. It’s about staying.
The Road Not Taken is more than a road trip romance—it’s a journey of healing, courage, and choosing love even when it scares you. Barton’s writing hums with authenticity, humor, and heart, making this story feel like a soft blanket on a cold night: warm, comforting, and exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
So buckle up for a trip full of laughter, longing, and second chances. Because sometimes, the love you’ve been searching for has been sitting in the passenger seat all along.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ruby doesn’t believe in “happily ever after.” She’s seen what love can cost, and she’s not willing to risk that kind of pain again. But when she finds a ring in her old breakup box with a note that says marry me, she can’t stop wondering if one of her exes might have loved her more than she ever realized. The only problem? They live miles apart, and Ruby doesn’t drive.
Enter Kyle—her best friend, co-worker, and the kind of man who always shows up, even when he knows he might get his heart bruised in the process. When Ruby decides to track down her exes for answers, Kyle offers to drive her. What follows is a cross-country adventure filled with snowstorms, small-town detours, and one very inconvenient one-bed situation.
As they navigate roadblocks both literal and emotional—a winter solstice festival that halts their path, a snowed-in mountain pass, and an awkward encounter with one ex too many—Ruby and Kyle’s friendship starts to shift. The jokes get softer, the silences warmer, and Kyle finally admits what readers will have known from page one: he’s been in love with Ruby for years.
But Ruby’s fear runs deep. She’s lost before, and she’s terrified of losing again. Her heart is like a frost-covered window—wanting the warmth but afraid to let it in. Watching her struggle between safety and surrender is both heartbreaking and beautiful, because Barton writes her not as broken, but as human.
Kyle, though, is the true cinnamon roll hero—steady, patient, and impossibly kind. He’s the guy who fixes the truck, remembers her favorite coffee, and drives through blizzards just to see her smile. Even when Ruby falters—especially when she falters—he’s there, quietly proving that love isn’t about chasing grand gestures. It’s about staying.
The Road Not Taken is more than a road trip romance—it’s a journey of healing, courage, and choosing love even when it scares you. Barton’s writing hums with authenticity, humor, and heart, making this story feel like a soft blanket on a cold night: warm, comforting, and exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
So buckle up for a trip full of laughter, longing, and second chances. Because sometimes, the love you’ve been searching for has been sitting in the passenger seat all along.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 5, 2025
I have absolutely no words at all for this book because it is written so beautifully and it’s a masterpiece! A true example of a slow-burn romance between two friends and the journey of knowing that maybe love is worth it all. This is the third book in the series titled “Fortune Falls”, and each book is interconnected with each other, but can definitely be read on its own.
This is the story of Ruby, who doesn’t believe in love and thinks it’s better to be straightforward, have fun and call it quits before it becomes deeper. While rummaging through her luggage that keeps her past memories and gifts from exes, Heather finds a ring box and a piece of paper saying “Marry Me?” Ruby, shocked, can’t think of which of her exes would have been ready to propose to her. She makes the choice that she is going to find out which ex was ready to take the next step but she doesn’t want to go alone or drive. So she ends up asking someone she is the closest to and considers him as a best friend….
Kyle, who is her best friend and co-worker at the bar they work at, has been in love with Ruby since the first time he has met her. He has always loved her from afar and supported her whenever she needed him. When she asks him to come along on her journey to find her exes and ask them who wanted to marry her, he conceals his true feelings and agrees to go with her. He thinks that with the amount of time spent together in a car, may open Ruby’s eyes to the possibility of giving him a chance to love her. What he doesn’t know is that Ruby also has feelings for him and she is too scared to do anything about it. At the end of the day, she doesnt want to compromise a friendship she truly loves having and is afraid of falling in love, when she hasn’t had the best experiences of all time.
This is the journey of Ruby, a journey only she can take on her own, mentally and emotionally, to figure out why she is the way she is. And if she can open herself up to the chance of love falling on her doorstep. Despite Kyle wanting to confess his feelings towards Ruby, he holds back and is a friend first to ensure that Ruby finds the closure that she desperately needs and figure out if she wants to keep love out of her life forever. Kyle is sooo sweet, kind, patient and doesnt rush Ruby at all! Which I absolutely loved about him!
Rating: 5/5
Steamy scenes: 🔥🔥🔥
This is the story of Ruby, who doesn’t believe in love and thinks it’s better to be straightforward, have fun and call it quits before it becomes deeper. While rummaging through her luggage that keeps her past memories and gifts from exes, Heather finds a ring box and a piece of paper saying “Marry Me?” Ruby, shocked, can’t think of which of her exes would have been ready to propose to her. She makes the choice that she is going to find out which ex was ready to take the next step but she doesn’t want to go alone or drive. So she ends up asking someone she is the closest to and considers him as a best friend….
Kyle, who is her best friend and co-worker at the bar they work at, has been in love with Ruby since the first time he has met her. He has always loved her from afar and supported her whenever she needed him. When she asks him to come along on her journey to find her exes and ask them who wanted to marry her, he conceals his true feelings and agrees to go with her. He thinks that with the amount of time spent together in a car, may open Ruby’s eyes to the possibility of giving him a chance to love her. What he doesn’t know is that Ruby also has feelings for him and she is too scared to do anything about it. At the end of the day, she doesnt want to compromise a friendship she truly loves having and is afraid of falling in love, when she hasn’t had the best experiences of all time.
This is the journey of Ruby, a journey only she can take on her own, mentally and emotionally, to figure out why she is the way she is. And if she can open herself up to the chance of love falling on her doorstep. Despite Kyle wanting to confess his feelings towards Ruby, he holds back and is a friend first to ensure that Ruby finds the closure that she desperately needs and figure out if she wants to keep love out of her life forever. Kyle is sooo sweet, kind, patient and doesnt rush Ruby at all! Which I absolutely loved about him!
Rating: 5/5
Steamy scenes: 🔥🔥🔥
November 23, 2025
Ruby’s outlook on romantic relationships is that they should be brief, fun, and noncommittal. She has a fear of commitment following her grandmother’s cancer diagnosis.
When going through a box of items from previous relationships, she finds a ring and wonders if one of her exes had deeper feelings than she originally thought. As she doesn’t drive, she asks her friend Kyle to drive her. He agrees but needs to get back to his family in time for Christmas.
This book shows the impact of individual moments balanced with how growth takes time. Moments can shape how we think about love, relationships and connection. This story also shows how it takes time to heal and time to evolve. I liked how this story presents Ruby’s evolution on relationships. We see Ruby’s humanity and sensitivity.
Kyle has been a steady and stable presence in Ruby’s life. He complements Ruby well. This relationship has been the most consistent in her life. It’s natural for her to feel fear about wanting to move forward with a romantic relationship with Kyle.
While Ruby is hesitant, Kyle has known for years that he and Ruby are meant to be together, more than friends. He’s not only an honest friend for Ruby, but his feelings were displayed honestly. Not just his love for Ruby, but also moments where he is frustrated. He knows his feelings for Ruby, wants her to see how he feels and realizes that she feels the same about him.
In contrast to Ruby who wants to protect her heart, Kyle’s past experience shows how he wants to have love and knows that Ruby is the one.
Seeing the title of the book, I also thought about two poems: Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken as well as Wind-Wafted Wild Flowers by Muriel Strode. It’s a story not only about how we think about choice or the fear of regret about whether we made the right choice but also the bravery of being a trailblazer in our own life. Creating our own path, taking a risk, and knowing that being in love has joyful times and hard times.
This book is a great read during the holidays, but I think it could be read anytime of year. The themes of opening oneself up to love are evergreen. The holiday season amplifies these themes.
I highly recommend this book! I also highly recommend NC Barton’s other novels: The Now in Forever and The Art of the Meet Cute!
Her next novel, Meet Me at the Loch, is releasing in early December!
Thank you to NC Barton & Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read and review The Road Not Taken!I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
When going through a box of items from previous relationships, she finds a ring and wonders if one of her exes had deeper feelings than she originally thought. As she doesn’t drive, she asks her friend Kyle to drive her. He agrees but needs to get back to his family in time for Christmas.
This book shows the impact of individual moments balanced with how growth takes time. Moments can shape how we think about love, relationships and connection. This story also shows how it takes time to heal and time to evolve. I liked how this story presents Ruby’s evolution on relationships. We see Ruby’s humanity and sensitivity.
Kyle has been a steady and stable presence in Ruby’s life. He complements Ruby well. This relationship has been the most consistent in her life. It’s natural for her to feel fear about wanting to move forward with a romantic relationship with Kyle.
While Ruby is hesitant, Kyle has known for years that he and Ruby are meant to be together, more than friends. He’s not only an honest friend for Ruby, but his feelings were displayed honestly. Not just his love for Ruby, but also moments where he is frustrated. He knows his feelings for Ruby, wants her to see how he feels and realizes that she feels the same about him.
In contrast to Ruby who wants to protect her heart, Kyle’s past experience shows how he wants to have love and knows that Ruby is the one.
Seeing the title of the book, I also thought about two poems: Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken as well as Wind-Wafted Wild Flowers by Muriel Strode. It’s a story not only about how we think about choice or the fear of regret about whether we made the right choice but also the bravery of being a trailblazer in our own life. Creating our own path, taking a risk, and knowing that being in love has joyful times and hard times.
This book is a great read during the holidays, but I think it could be read anytime of year. The themes of opening oneself up to love are evergreen. The holiday season amplifies these themes.
I highly recommend this book! I also highly recommend NC Barton’s other novels: The Now in Forever and The Art of the Meet Cute!
Her next novel, Meet Me at the Loch, is releasing in early December!
Thank you to NC Barton & Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read and review The Road Not Taken!I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
November 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
A wonderful story of opening your heart to love and being willing to take a chance on someone. NC Barton delivers a wonderful story about seeing what’s been right in front of you the whole time in her latest release The Road Not Taken, book 3 in her Fortune Falls series. This is the first book by NC that I have read, but I will be reading her other works. I loved this story and the journey it took our MCs on.
Ruby doesn’t trust in love. After losing her grandmother, she saw how much loving someone can actually cost you. When she finds an engagement ring among her belongings, she sets out to find out which one of her ex-boyfriends meant to propose. The one person she does trust is Kyle. Having a crush on him since high school has nothing to do with her ability to open up to him and let him past her walls. What she doesn’t know is that Kyle has feelings for her too, but won’t share them.
He wants Ruby to find her happy ending, but truly wants it to be with him. Agreeing to go on the road trip with her gives him the opportunity to find the perfect time to share his feelings.
I couldn’t get enough of these two while reading. Their friendship was pure joy as they tiptoed around each other at the same time. I fully enjoyed how NC wrote Ruby’s inner monologues. They fully depict the mess that Ruby truly is and how she slowly begins to allow herself to heal. Kyle is beyond sweet to Ruby and holds her hand through every step of their road trip.
Full of witty banter, fun flirting, and some pretty fun spicy moments, this short read filled my heart with joy. I am excited to read more of NC Barton as this book exceeded my expectations.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🥰 Friends to Lovers
🛏️ Only One Bed
💋Cinnamon Roll MMC
🛻 Only One Truck
💕 He Falls First
🎄Christmas Vibes
A wonderful story of opening your heart to love and being willing to take a chance on someone. NC Barton delivers a wonderful story about seeing what’s been right in front of you the whole time in her latest release The Road Not Taken, book 3 in her Fortune Falls series. This is the first book by NC that I have read, but I will be reading her other works. I loved this story and the journey it took our MCs on.
Ruby doesn’t trust in love. After losing her grandmother, she saw how much loving someone can actually cost you. When she finds an engagement ring among her belongings, she sets out to find out which one of her ex-boyfriends meant to propose. The one person she does trust is Kyle. Having a crush on him since high school has nothing to do with her ability to open up to him and let him past her walls. What she doesn’t know is that Kyle has feelings for her too, but won’t share them.
He wants Ruby to find her happy ending, but truly wants it to be with him. Agreeing to go on the road trip with her gives him the opportunity to find the perfect time to share his feelings.
I couldn’t get enough of these two while reading. Their friendship was pure joy as they tiptoed around each other at the same time. I fully enjoyed how NC wrote Ruby’s inner monologues. They fully depict the mess that Ruby truly is and how she slowly begins to allow herself to heal. Kyle is beyond sweet to Ruby and holds her hand through every step of their road trip.
Full of witty banter, fun flirting, and some pretty fun spicy moments, this short read filled my heart with joy. I am excited to read more of NC Barton as this book exceeded my expectations.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🥰 Friends to Lovers
🛏️ Only One Bed
💋Cinnamon Roll MMC
🛻 Only One Truck
💕 He Falls First
🎄Christmas Vibes
October 26, 2025
The Road Not Taken is a cozy holiday romance. It’s a feel-good story that is charming and sweet.
Because of her past Ruby is afraid of serious relationships. When she finds a mystery engagement ring in a box of old memories, she decides she needs to visit her three ex-boyfriends to find out who it belongs to.
Ruby needs to knock some serious sense in to her best friend. She dumps her when Ruby needs her, and makes some very questionable decisions.
Kyle has been secretly in love with Ruby for a long time. As they travel through snowy roads and face typical road trip problems they are forced to spend a lot of time together. This is where their friendship starts to turn into something more.
I loved the chemistry and banter between Ruby and Kyle. Kyle is a supportive friend, a "cinnamon roll" hero. For Ruby the trip has forced her to reflect on her past and previous relationships, something I think she's been avoiding for a long while. It was unusual to have the FMC being relationship adverse for a change, and I enjoyed the change.
The story is a classic "friends-to-lovers" romance with a lot of heart, showing that sometimes the love you are looking for has been right beside you all along. If you are looking for a low-stress, sweet holiday adventure with a happy ending, this is one to pick up.
🚘Christmas road trip novella
❄️friends to lovers
🚘he falls first
❄️cinnamon roll MMC
🚘only one bed
Because of her past Ruby is afraid of serious relationships. When she finds a mystery engagement ring in a box of old memories, she decides she needs to visit her three ex-boyfriends to find out who it belongs to.
Ruby needs to knock some serious sense in to her best friend. She dumps her when Ruby needs her, and makes some very questionable decisions.
Kyle has been secretly in love with Ruby for a long time. As they travel through snowy roads and face typical road trip problems they are forced to spend a lot of time together. This is where their friendship starts to turn into something more.
I loved the chemistry and banter between Ruby and Kyle. Kyle is a supportive friend, a "cinnamon roll" hero. For Ruby the trip has forced her to reflect on her past and previous relationships, something I think she's been avoiding for a long while. It was unusual to have the FMC being relationship adverse for a change, and I enjoyed the change.
The story is a classic "friends-to-lovers" romance with a lot of heart, showing that sometimes the love you are looking for has been right beside you all along. If you are looking for a low-stress, sweet holiday adventure with a happy ending, this is one to pick up.
🚘Christmas road trip novella
❄️friends to lovers
🚘he falls first
❄️cinnamon roll MMC
🚘only one bed
October 27, 2025
🚘 Christmas road trip novella
❄️ friends to lovers
🚘 he falls first
❄️ cinnamon roll MMC
🚘 only one bed
The Road Not Taken is a cozy holiday romance. It’s a feel-good story that is charming and sweet.
Two friends. One truck. A cross-country holiday trip that changes everything.
I loved the chemistry and banter between Ruby and Kyle. Kyle is a supportive friend, a "cinnamon roll" hero. For Ruby the trip has forced her to reflect on her past and previous relationships, something I think she's been avoiding for a long while.
The story is a classic "friends-to-lovers" romance with a lot of heart, showing that sometimes the love you are looking for has been right beside you all along. If you are looking for a low-stress, sweet holiday adventure with a happy ending, this is one to pick up.
Ruby is the FMC who is afraid to open up and find love and doesn’t believe in soulmates. Kyle is her best friend who she works at the bar with and has always had a thing for her.
When Ruby finds a mysterious engagement ring in her “breakup suitcase” she is determined to find out if it is one of the three guys she dated in the past. Her and Kyle go on a road trip to find her exes and confront them about the ring, but as the two spend more quality time together, they both realize there is something much more between them.
❄️ friends to lovers
🚘 he falls first
❄️ cinnamon roll MMC
🚘 only one bed
The Road Not Taken is a cozy holiday romance. It’s a feel-good story that is charming and sweet.
Two friends. One truck. A cross-country holiday trip that changes everything.
I loved the chemistry and banter between Ruby and Kyle. Kyle is a supportive friend, a "cinnamon roll" hero. For Ruby the trip has forced her to reflect on her past and previous relationships, something I think she's been avoiding for a long while.
The story is a classic "friends-to-lovers" romance with a lot of heart, showing that sometimes the love you are looking for has been right beside you all along. If you are looking for a low-stress, sweet holiday adventure with a happy ending, this is one to pick up.
Ruby is the FMC who is afraid to open up and find love and doesn’t believe in soulmates. Kyle is her best friend who she works at the bar with and has always had a thing for her.
When Ruby finds a mysterious engagement ring in her “breakup suitcase” she is determined to find out if it is one of the three guys she dated in the past. Her and Kyle go on a road trip to find her exes and confront them about the ring, but as the two spend more quality time together, they both realize there is something much more between them.
November 2, 2025
Our third trip to Fortune Falls is another breath-taking journey, and it’s with Kyle! He’s not just the bartender at The Vern, or the sometimes-real-estate-agent. He’s the dreamy Superman-looking book boyfriend who is close with his family, is there when his friends need him, and will tie you to a bedpost if that’s what you like. We also meet Ruby, who’s got some pretty thick walls around her heart, who doesn’t mean to shatter her situationship partners, who can rely on Kyle. Because aside from that crush she had on him in high school, they’ve been nothing but great friends.
Until a little road trip changes everything.
What a beautiful story of self-discovery NC Barton takes us on. Ruby’s inner monologue is just as messy and imperfect and heart warming as we hope our inner monologues are. And with each mile that she and Kyle drive, I fall in love with these two a little bit more. Once again, we readers are treated to a journey that proves that home can be a person, that the fear of loss is not squelched by the absence of love, and that sometimes being brave starts with a kiss in a carriage on a cold night.
With each book by NC Barton, I feel warmer and more wistful. Like both the first and last sip of the perfect cup of coffee on a cool morning, when the possibilities are endless and love is right next to me.
What a wonderful book. What a wonderful story.
Until a little road trip changes everything.
What a beautiful story of self-discovery NC Barton takes us on. Ruby’s inner monologue is just as messy and imperfect and heart warming as we hope our inner monologues are. And with each mile that she and Kyle drive, I fall in love with these two a little bit more. Once again, we readers are treated to a journey that proves that home can be a person, that the fear of loss is not squelched by the absence of love, and that sometimes being brave starts with a kiss in a carriage on a cold night.
With each book by NC Barton, I feel warmer and more wistful. Like both the first and last sip of the perfect cup of coffee on a cool morning, when the possibilities are endless and love is right next to me.
What a wonderful book. What a wonderful story.
November 2, 2025
The Road Not Taken by N.C. Barton is a heartwarming, snow-dusted friends-to-lovers holiday romance that hits all the right notes. Ruby, still healing from past heartbreak and the loss of her grandmother, stumbles upon a mysterious engagement ring tucked away in her breakup box. Determined to return it before Christmas, she sets off on a cross-country road trip with her best friend Kyle, who’s been quietly in love with her for years.
What follows is a cozy, slow-burn journey filled with festive charm, emotional depth, and classic romcom tropes: snow delays, one-bed dilemmas, and long car conversations that peel back layers of guarded hearts. Ruby’s emotional growth and Kyle’s cinnamon-roll sweetness make their chemistry irresistible. Their banter sparkles, and the gradual shift from friendship to something more is beautifully done.
Though the climax feels a touch rushed after such a delicious slow build, the story still lands with warmth and satisfaction. Barton’s writing blends Hallmark-style comfort with genuine emotional stakes, making this novella feel both familiar and fresh.
If you’re looking for a feel-good holiday read with low angst, lovable characters, and a romance that proves sometimes love has been sitting beside you all along, grab a blanket, a cup of cocoa, and enjoy the ride. I’m definitely adding N.C. Barton to my must-read list.
What follows is a cozy, slow-burn journey filled with festive charm, emotional depth, and classic romcom tropes: snow delays, one-bed dilemmas, and long car conversations that peel back layers of guarded hearts. Ruby’s emotional growth and Kyle’s cinnamon-roll sweetness make their chemistry irresistible. Their banter sparkles, and the gradual shift from friendship to something more is beautifully done.
Though the climax feels a touch rushed after such a delicious slow build, the story still lands with warmth and satisfaction. Barton’s writing blends Hallmark-style comfort with genuine emotional stakes, making this novella feel both familiar and fresh.
If you’re looking for a feel-good holiday read with low angst, lovable characters, and a romance that proves sometimes love has been sitting beside you all along, grab a blanket, a cup of cocoa, and enjoy the ride. I’m definitely adding N.C. Barton to my must-read list.
November 1, 2025
ARC Review
❄️ The Road Not Taken ❄️
Book 3 of The Fortune Falls Series
Written By: NC Barton
Overall: 3.75/5
Overall plot: 3.75/5
Character development: 3.75/5
Pace: 3.75/5
World building: 3.75/5
Spice 🌶️: 2/5
First off, thank you, NC Barton, for letting me be part of your ARC team and read The Road Not Taken ahead of release!
Ruby doesn’t do relationships — after her grandma’s cancer diagnosis, she learned just how high love can cost. So she keeps things light, fun, and temporary. But when she finds a ring in her “breakup case,” she sets out on a road trip to find out who gave it to her and maybe find a little closure, too.
Kyle, her friend, co-worker, and old high school crush, offers to drive — as long as they’re back in Fortune Falls by Christmas. Cue a 1.5-week road trip, forced proximity, one bed, and a whole lot of feelings Ruby wasn’t planning on catching.
I loved the premise and how relatable Ruby’s growth was, though I wished for a bit more payoff when they finally got together. Still, if you love a quick, friends-to-lovers holiday romance with a cinnamon roll MMC and a touch of spice 🌶️, this one’s for you.
Tropes:
❄️Friends to lovers
❄️He falls first
❄️Roadtrip
❄️Small town
❄️Forced proximity
❄️Cinnamon Roll MMC
❄️ The Road Not Taken ❄️
Book 3 of The Fortune Falls Series
Written By: NC Barton
Overall: 3.75/5
Overall plot: 3.75/5
Character development: 3.75/5
Pace: 3.75/5
World building: 3.75/5
Spice 🌶️: 2/5
First off, thank you, NC Barton, for letting me be part of your ARC team and read The Road Not Taken ahead of release!
Ruby doesn’t do relationships — after her grandma’s cancer diagnosis, she learned just how high love can cost. So she keeps things light, fun, and temporary. But when she finds a ring in her “breakup case,” she sets out on a road trip to find out who gave it to her and maybe find a little closure, too.
Kyle, her friend, co-worker, and old high school crush, offers to drive — as long as they’re back in Fortune Falls by Christmas. Cue a 1.5-week road trip, forced proximity, one bed, and a whole lot of feelings Ruby wasn’t planning on catching.
I loved the premise and how relatable Ruby’s growth was, though I wished for a bit more payoff when they finally got together. Still, if you love a quick, friends-to-lovers holiday romance with a cinnamon roll MMC and a touch of spice 🌶️, this one’s for you.
Tropes:
❄️Friends to lovers
❄️He falls first
❄️Roadtrip
❄️Small town
❄️Forced proximity
❄️Cinnamon Roll MMC
November 8, 2025
This is a most beautiful story by N.C. Barton it really is a jewel. Excuse the pun . When she finds a ring in her box of exes,no not the exes in a box compartmentalised and not. No it’s a break up box with all the possessions appertaining to their relationships. The only one she’s entertaining lately is friendships. Ruby’s grandmother died and she’s not sure she wants to lose her heart for it to be broken into pieces so she’ll gladly stay in the friend zone with her bestie Kyle ,though he has got quite a dazzling smile…Kyle is her friend her coworker and now it seems her chauffeur because she doesn’t drive and her friend has derived a plan of attack ,there’s three possible leads but one is far away so Kyle takes out his truck and they’re away. Navigating roadblock after roadblock b3 cause of the snowy weather . They’re pushed further together ,even one room one bed in one homestead they lay their hat . Well it’d be all he was wearing if he was alone . He’s not caring but she’s got a glimpse of him without his shirt and anyway it doesn’t hurt to look she’ll brook…I adore everything about this feel-good story. This book in all its glory. A treat indeed and I page turned with greed. Very well written and these characters ? Truly smitten
November 15, 2025
Super cute friends to lovers, he falls first story. This is the third book in the Fortune Falls series, and Kyle and Ruby are co-workers and friends who have always had a special connection. When helping her bestie through a breakup, Ruby pulls out her breakup suitcase and finds a ring box with a ring she’s never seen before. Shocked as she’s always been a casual, no hard feelings, we are just having fun gal, she can’t forget about the ring as much as she tries.
Determined to find out which ex was going to propose and thus who she might have inadvertently hurt, Ruby goes on a road trip to talk to her exes and gain some closure. Her bestie was supposed to go with her, but a series of circumstances equals Ruby needing a ride and Kyle comes to her rescue.
Ruby has always maintained that she and Kyle are just friends, and nothing has ever actually happened between them, but while on the road she starts to allow herself to feel the depth of her attraction and feelings for him. Still terrified to make herself vulnerable to another person, will Ruby find a way to get past her own issues and have a shot at happily ever after?
Thanks so much to NC Barton and Happily Booked PR for the ARC!
Determined to find out which ex was going to propose and thus who she might have inadvertently hurt, Ruby goes on a road trip to talk to her exes and gain some closure. Her bestie was supposed to go with her, but a series of circumstances equals Ruby needing a ride and Kyle comes to her rescue.
Ruby has always maintained that she and Kyle are just friends, and nothing has ever actually happened between them, but while on the road she starts to allow herself to feel the depth of her attraction and feelings for him. Still terrified to make herself vulnerable to another person, will Ruby find a way to get past her own issues and have a shot at happily ever after?
Thanks so much to NC Barton and Happily Booked PR for the ARC!
October 24, 2025
🚗❄️✨ ARC Review: The Road Not Taken by N.C. Barton
Two friends. One truck. A cross-country holiday trip that changes everything.
Ruby isn’t looking for love she’s still healing from heartbreak and the ache of watching her grandmother’s illness take its toll. When she finds an old ring from an ex and decides to return it before Christmas, her best friend Kyle offers to drive. What should’ve been a quick road trip turns into a slow-burn journey filled with cozy detours, snow-covered highways, and the kind of “one bed” tension that makes you blush and grin at the same time. 😏❄️
Barton captures that Hallmark-meets-real-heart magic perfectly. The banter feels genuine, the friendship believable, and the small-town holiday setting is pure comfort. This story isn’t about grand gestures it’s about quiet moments, emotional courage, and realizing sometimes the love you’ve been avoiding has been sitting in the driver’s seat all along.
If you’re in the mood for a sweet, low-angst, friends-to-lovers holiday romance, grab a blanket, some cocoa, and take this road trip with Ruby and Kyle. You’ll finish with a full heart and maybe a new favorite holiday read.
Two friends. One truck. A cross-country holiday trip that changes everything.
Ruby isn’t looking for love she’s still healing from heartbreak and the ache of watching her grandmother’s illness take its toll. When she finds an old ring from an ex and decides to return it before Christmas, her best friend Kyle offers to drive. What should’ve been a quick road trip turns into a slow-burn journey filled with cozy detours, snow-covered highways, and the kind of “one bed” tension that makes you blush and grin at the same time. 😏❄️
Barton captures that Hallmark-meets-real-heart magic perfectly. The banter feels genuine, the friendship believable, and the small-town holiday setting is pure comfort. This story isn’t about grand gestures it’s about quiet moments, emotional courage, and realizing sometimes the love you’ve been avoiding has been sitting in the driver’s seat all along.
If you’re in the mood for a sweet, low-angst, friends-to-lovers holiday romance, grab a blanket, some cocoa, and take this road trip with Ruby and Kyle. You’ll finish with a full heart and maybe a new favorite holiday read.
October 31, 2025
In this road trip, novella you get Ruby, who discovers a ring in her box of breakup Momentos with a note attached to it that says marry me. I mean, who could possibly miss that well Ruby did she was the kind of girl who was not in long-term relationships I mean her motto was no muss no fuss and no one gets hurt. By finding that ring, she discovers that maybe one of her exes had deeper feelings, and so she is determined to find out who it was. She embarks on a road trip with one of her close guy friends by the name of Kyle. Taking this road trip presented her with a lot of barriers and obstacles, but it only brought Ruby and Kyle closer together. Forced to stay together at close proximity and one bed. Ruby, however, is not sure if she should open up her heart because she is afraid to lose people that are close to her.
This is a classic friends to lovers romance with a lot of heartfelt moments and a lot of Christmasy vibes. The road now taken as a feel good story that is both charming and sweet. It captures all the fields of a heartfelt the hallmark movie that you can kind of watch cozied up on a sofa with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa.
10 out of 10 would recommend!!
This is a classic friends to lovers romance with a lot of heartfelt moments and a lot of Christmasy vibes. The road now taken as a feel good story that is both charming and sweet. It captures all the fields of a heartfelt the hallmark movie that you can kind of watch cozied up on a sofa with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa.
10 out of 10 would recommend!!
October 21, 2025
This was a cute and cozy book for the holiday season. Ruby is the FMC who is afraid to open up and find love and doesn’t believe in soulmates. Kyle is her best friend who she works at the bar with and has always had a thing for her.
When Ruby finds a mysterious engagement ring in her “breakup suitcase” she is determined to find out if it is one of the three guys she dated in the last. Her and Kyle go on a road trip to find her exes and confront them about the ring, but as the two spend more quality time together, they both realize there is something much more between them.
There was one part in the book where I wanted to slap Ruby because she made me so mad, but she does wind up coming to her senses. There is a bit of a twist as to who the ring belonged to and I kind of had a feeling it would go that way.
If you like the following tropes, I recommend reading this one for the upcoming holiday season♥️
🚘 Christmas road trip novella
❄️ friends to lovers
🚘 he falls first
❄️ cinnamon roll MMC
🚘 only one bed
When Ruby finds a mysterious engagement ring in her “breakup suitcase” she is determined to find out if it is one of the three guys she dated in the last. Her and Kyle go on a road trip to find her exes and confront them about the ring, but as the two spend more quality time together, they both realize there is something much more between them.
There was one part in the book where I wanted to slap Ruby because she made me so mad, but she does wind up coming to her senses. There is a bit of a twist as to who the ring belonged to and I kind of had a feeling it would go that way.
If you like the following tropes, I recommend reading this one for the upcoming holiday season♥️
🚘 Christmas road trip novella
❄️ friends to lovers
🚘 he falls first
❄️ cinnamon roll MMC
🚘 only one bed
November 11, 2025
Book Rating:⭐️ 4.75/5
Spice Rating:🌶️ 3/5
The Road Not Taken is the perfect cozy holiday romance. Ruby and Kyle have been best friends for years, dancing around their feelings, and this epic winter road trip finally forces them to face what’s been right in front of them all along. The banter between them is playful, the chemistry is undeniable, and Kyle is the ultimate cinnamon roll hero who will make your heart melt with every thoughtful gesture.
I loved the festive setting, the snowy roads, the forced proximity, and the “only one bed” moments that made the tension delicious. Ruby’s journey to confront her past, navigate exes, and open her heart was so satisfying to read. This friends-to-lovers story is full of laughs, warmth, a touch of spice, and all the holiday charm you could ask for. Kyle’s patience, support, and quiet devotion make him swoon-worthy, and their slow-burn romance is utterly heartwarming.
If you love friends-to-lovers, sweet holiday adventures, and a cinnamon roll hero you’ll adore, this novella is a must-read.
Spice Rating:🌶️ 3/5
The Road Not Taken is the perfect cozy holiday romance. Ruby and Kyle have been best friends for years, dancing around their feelings, and this epic winter road trip finally forces them to face what’s been right in front of them all along. The banter between them is playful, the chemistry is undeniable, and Kyle is the ultimate cinnamon roll hero who will make your heart melt with every thoughtful gesture.
I loved the festive setting, the snowy roads, the forced proximity, and the “only one bed” moments that made the tension delicious. Ruby’s journey to confront her past, navigate exes, and open her heart was so satisfying to read. This friends-to-lovers story is full of laughs, warmth, a touch of spice, and all the holiday charm you could ask for. Kyle’s patience, support, and quiet devotion make him swoon-worthy, and their slow-burn romance is utterly heartwarming.
If you love friends-to-lovers, sweet holiday adventures, and a cinnamon roll hero you’ll adore, this novella is a must-read.
November 18, 2025
ARC Review
*3.25*
This is my first NC Barton read & I thought it was a cute little Novella. Kyle and Ruby are best friends. Ruby seems to not date anyone too seriously, but somehow keeps a box with items from previous break-ups. She finds an engagement ring in the box and it throws her world for a loop. She's determined to find out which of her past relationships was serious enough to consider a ring, and embarks on a road trip with her best friend.
Ruby and Kyle's relationship was sweet. Their path to love was a slow burn, but their banter was fun and their chemistry was hot. I do enjoy a friends to lovers story, and this delivered.
Where I had issues- the previous relationships she visited were literally from high school. It was really hard to believe that any of these relationships would have resulted in a ring. That portion of the plot took me out of the story. Also I feel that once we finally make it to Kyle & Ruby being together, everything felt rushed to get it to the finish line.
Overall, I still enjoyed this read and appreciate the opportunity!
*3.25*
This is my first NC Barton read & I thought it was a cute little Novella. Kyle and Ruby are best friends. Ruby seems to not date anyone too seriously, but somehow keeps a box with items from previous break-ups. She finds an engagement ring in the box and it throws her world for a loop. She's determined to find out which of her past relationships was serious enough to consider a ring, and embarks on a road trip with her best friend.
Ruby and Kyle's relationship was sweet. Their path to love was a slow burn, but their banter was fun and their chemistry was hot. I do enjoy a friends to lovers story, and this delivered.
Where I had issues- the previous relationships she visited were literally from high school. It was really hard to believe that any of these relationships would have resulted in a ring. That portion of the plot took me out of the story. Also I feel that once we finally make it to Kyle & Ruby being together, everything felt rushed to get it to the finish line.
Overall, I still enjoyed this read and appreciate the opportunity!
November 9, 2025
Just finished The road Not taken by NC Barton. It is a novella about Ruby. A woman who is scared to take chances in her personal life, from following her dreams to her relationships with men. She prefers no strings and no emotions. So when she was going through her break up case she finds an engagement ring, her best friend Heather is determined to find out what one of Rubys ex’s was planning on proposing. They plan a trip to hunt down the 3 more serious relationships. But when Heather bails last minute Ruby asks her male best friend/co worker Kyle to go with her. While one the adventure ruby and Kyle grow closer. So what happens when a happy easy going man is alone with a woman who’s scared of commitment goes on a road trip? You gotta read it. This is my 1st book I read by NC Barton and I loved it. It was short quick read, a lot of hurry up and kiss moments. The spice was good. The plot and the flow of the story also pretty good.
November 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this and it was a quick read which is just what I was looking for!!
When Ruby finds a ring she has never seen before in her breakup box, she sets off on a winter roadtrip to speak to past beaus to see if one of them had mysteriously left it after she broke their hearts.
When her original roadtrip buddy bails on her, she enlists the help of her friend and workmate Kyle. It’s rather obvious to the reader that Kyle and Ruby would be wonderful together but the black cloud over Ruby to do with relationships makes her completely obtuse to this fact.
Over the course of the roadtrip with stops in little villages and outing to festivals you see the cloud start to lift and Ruby realize that she’s letting fear and what ifs dictate her future.
I enjoyed the banter, spice scenes and watching Ruby have her moments of clarity throughout the book. I read it in one evening, and would definitely recommend
When Ruby finds a ring she has never seen before in her breakup box, she sets off on a winter roadtrip to speak to past beaus to see if one of them had mysteriously left it after she broke their hearts.
When her original roadtrip buddy bails on her, she enlists the help of her friend and workmate Kyle. It’s rather obvious to the reader that Kyle and Ruby would be wonderful together but the black cloud over Ruby to do with relationships makes her completely obtuse to this fact.
Over the course of the roadtrip with stops in little villages and outing to festivals you see the cloud start to lift and Ruby realize that she’s letting fear and what ifs dictate her future.
I enjoyed the banter, spice scenes and watching Ruby have her moments of clarity throughout the book. I read it in one evening, and would definitely recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2025
🚗The Road Not Taken by NC Barton🚗
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Some roads break you. This one rebuilt her.”
Tropes:
🚗Christmas Road Trip Novella
💗Friends To Lovers
💫He Falls First
🛏Only One Bed
💞Cinnamon Roll MMC
I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas novella — spicy, sweet, and full of that holiday-magic ache.
After finding an engagement ring in her 'break-up suitcase', Ruby decided to embark on a journey to track down her exes and find out who was planning to propose to her.
What starts as a simple winter road trip with her longtime bestfriend Kyle, quickly turns into a journey of tension, forced proximity and the slow realisation that sometimes the person you’re meant to end up with has been beside you the whole time.
And our cinnamon-roll MMC? He falls first, he falls fast, and he falls hard. The “only one bed” moment is everything you want from a festive friends-to-lovers story.
If you’re craving a cozy, heartfelt holiday romance to curl up with, this novella delivers!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Some roads break you. This one rebuilt her.”
Tropes:
🚗Christmas Road Trip Novella
💗Friends To Lovers
💫He Falls First
🛏Only One Bed
💞Cinnamon Roll MMC
I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas novella — spicy, sweet, and full of that holiday-magic ache.
After finding an engagement ring in her 'break-up suitcase', Ruby decided to embark on a journey to track down her exes and find out who was planning to propose to her.
What starts as a simple winter road trip with her longtime bestfriend Kyle, quickly turns into a journey of tension, forced proximity and the slow realisation that sometimes the person you’re meant to end up with has been beside you the whole time.
And our cinnamon-roll MMC? He falls first, he falls fast, and he falls hard. The “only one bed” moment is everything you want from a festive friends-to-lovers story.
If you’re craving a cozy, heartfelt holiday romance to curl up with, this novella delivers!
October 30, 2025
The Road Not Taken is book three of the Fortune Falls Series.
Ruby is a commitment phobic individual as she doesn't want to suffer a great love loss. She keeps everyone at a distance. But things change when she finds an engagement ring in her breakup suitcase and wonders which one of her exes gave it to her. She goes on a journey with her close friend, Kyle, as they confront some of her exes to figure out which one was more invested in the relationship than previously thought. Along the way, the friendship between Kyle and Ruby turns into something a little bit more. Ruby has to decide if she wants to risk her heart on Kyle or end things before they go to far. We see a lot of growth with Ruby as she goes on this journey. She realizes things about herself that she didn't realize before. It was a great story about finding love through friendship and growth.
Ruby is a commitment phobic individual as she doesn't want to suffer a great love loss. She keeps everyone at a distance. But things change when she finds an engagement ring in her breakup suitcase and wonders which one of her exes gave it to her. She goes on a journey with her close friend, Kyle, as they confront some of her exes to figure out which one was more invested in the relationship than previously thought. Along the way, the friendship between Kyle and Ruby turns into something a little bit more. Ruby has to decide if she wants to risk her heart on Kyle or end things before they go to far. We see a lot of growth with Ruby as she goes on this journey. She realizes things about herself that she didn't realize before. It was a great story about finding love through friendship and growth.
November 1, 2025
Thank you to Happily Booked for this ARC.
The Road Not Taken is a cosy, friends-to-lovers Christmas romance with just the right sprinkle of spice.
Ruby is a certified love skeptic. When she finds an engagement ring hidden in her old “break-up box,” she sets off to uncover who once planned to propose to her. Her best friend Kyle tags along - the same Kyle who has been secretly (and hopelessly) in love with her for years.
What Ruby refuses to see is obvious to everyone else: sometimes the right person has been beside you the whole time. Add in a heartfelt letter from Ruby’s late grandma, a snowy road trip, and a little festive magic, and you’ve got a story about second chances, healing old wounds, and finally choosing love.
Sweet, warm, a touch emotional, and yes - a little spicy. Perfect for anyone who loves holiday romances with heart.
The Road Not Taken is a cosy, friends-to-lovers Christmas romance with just the right sprinkle of spice.
Ruby is a certified love skeptic. When she finds an engagement ring hidden in her old “break-up box,” she sets off to uncover who once planned to propose to her. Her best friend Kyle tags along - the same Kyle who has been secretly (and hopelessly) in love with her for years.
What Ruby refuses to see is obvious to everyone else: sometimes the right person has been beside you the whole time. Add in a heartfelt letter from Ruby’s late grandma, a snowy road trip, and a little festive magic, and you’ve got a story about second chances, healing old wounds, and finally choosing love.
Sweet, warm, a touch emotional, and yes - a little spicy. Perfect for anyone who loves holiday romances with heart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews