Patsy Hits the Road

by Christie Walker Bos

“A story about grief that lets you laugh more times than it makes you cry, Patsy Hits the Road is a cathartic romp of a novel that does what all the best road trips and books do– it leaves you satisfied while whispering that there might be something worth seeing over the horizon.”
St. George News

“Loved it. A tender and emotional road trip story about love, loss, and friendship.
Reedsy Discovery

Combine one part road trip with one part journey of the heart, sprinkle generously with humor, add a healthy dollop of compassion, and you get Patsy Hits the Road.

Seventy-five-year-old Patsy tries to outrun grief and find new joy when she hits the road with her best friend, Rosa, in a cherry red Mustang convertible. Following Route 66 through the California desert, across Arizona, north to Santa Fe, and beyond, the women rescue a tortoise, consult a palm reader, dig up sacred dirt, and sled down a dune. On the adventure, they sprinkle her husband Carl's ashes around the Southwest, as Patsy comes to terms with life without her husband. Patsy finds a dog, loses the dog, and ultimately finds herself.

For those familiar with the rugged beauty of the American Southwest and the quirky nature of Route 66, the story will evoke fond memories. For those who haven't had the pleasure of a "Yellow Line Bovine" hamburger from the Roadkill Café or the thrill of filling your shoes and pockets with sand as you slide down a giant dune, this story will inspire a road trip of your own.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2026

About the author

When looking for her soul mate, Christie Walker Bos made a “man list” with 65 items, created a “magical” ceremony and buried the list in the mountains. Two months later, her “magical man” appeared with 63 of the 65 required traits, so she had no choice but to marry the guy. Now she lives with her soul mate Robbie in a mountaintop community in California surrounded by pine trees, crazed squirrels and an orchestra of birds.

The author of three romantic comedies from Cerridwen Press, Ms. Walker Bos is also a photographer, multi-published non-fiction author, editor for the optical industry, professional jewelry maker, environmentalist and feminist. Ms. Walker Bos has embraced her love of romantic comedy, with plans for dozens of new books in the years to come.

“What is life and love without a liberal dash of humor? I want to laugh, cry and fall in love with the characters in every novel I read and write.”

Reviews

[Anthony]

The Review

This was such a profound and compelling read. The author does a remarkable job of delving into the power of friendship and working through trauma in this narrative, as the protagonist works through profound grief over the loss of her husband. The bond between Patsy and Rosa, and the way their humor and vulnerability together were moving to read, made their experiences on the road much more pronounced. The fast-paced writing and the emotional depth of the characters’ arcs were so moving to read about.

While the emotional core of the story was Patsy and her journey through grief, the prominence of the American Southwest in the narrative felt like a character all its own. The beauty and wildness of the road trip and the rich settings felt like stepping directly into American Southwest artwork, and it perfectly mirrored the experiences and personal journey Patsy and Rosa went on in this narrative, as well as the grief Patsy worked through.

The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Christie Walker Bos’s “Patsy Hits the Road” is a must-read contemporary women’s fiction novel. The emotional twists and turns the protagonist must endure, and the way the author touches on not only working through grief and allowing oneself to feel it, but also on finding a way to enjoy and embrace life again in the wake of tragic loss, made this a stellar read.

[Carolyn J Niethammer]

It’s an age-old dilemma for a widow. What are you now that you are not part of a pair? What should you do with the rest of your life? This book should be encouragement to any woman who finds herself with this contemplation. After nursing her husband for three years, Patsy starts her new life by selling the house and car. Then what? Travel? Too scary alone. Patsy solves that issue by inviting her best friend Rosa along on a wide swing through the West. In their bright red rented Mustang convertible, they are good companions both for each other and the reader. They visit some national parks, museums, and tourist sites and have an amusing and poignant encounter with a fortune teller. When a kid tried to intimidate them to hand over drugs, they offered him what they had: Lipitor, Synthroid, and Prilosec. But the real journey for these two is internal as they look back on their marriages, child raising, the challenges of caregiving and grief, and the possibility of an afterlife. When the trip ends, Patsy begins a new journey—the rest of her life. It’s sweet, upbeat, and not afraid to confront some serious questions.

[Linda Quiroz]

I loved this book and didn’t want it to end. The author captured the raw emotions one feels after a devastating loss but also the hopes of a new beginning. After losing her husband and finding herself sad and in need of a change Patsy sells her house and most of her belongings to embark on a road trip with her best friend Rosa. Their journey (in a bright red Mustang convertible!) takes them through the American Southwest. The descriptions of this beautiful area are not overly done but so realistic I almost felt as though I was along for the ride. The characters are well drawn and realistic. I laughed with them quite a number of times and also shed a few tears with them. I highly recommend this book and since I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Patsy and Rosa I sincerely hope the author will write a sequel.

[Laurie Wolfe]

I loved Christie's book; " Patsy Hits the Road." I felt like I was in the back seat with Patsy and Rosa. Having taken a similar route in our convertible I was able to relive the sights and sounds a long the way. Great choices of music! Even the food I could taste. ( Great descriptions)I love how Patsy grows throughout the book.( leaving behind her dependence on Carl's voice on the cell phone and the letters to Carl. )She finally stops looking for a sign from Carl and creates a life where she was happy with her own choices. Great character development!I am looking forward to reading ;"Rosa Breaks Free." Rosa appears to be the more confident character except in the case of her husband.....Excited to see how she grows her wings. Thank you Christie for this wonderful story of friendship and growth.

[Anisha Choudhury | A Literary Autopsy]

Disclosure: I received a complimentary Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Patsy Hits the Road is much more than a travelogue; it is a profound journey of the heart. Christie Walker Bos expertly blends humor and compassion as seventy-five-year-old Patsy navigates Route 66 to outrun grief and rediscover joy.

The strength of the novel lies in the rich emotional resonance of lifelong friendships and vivid descriptions of the American Southwest. Every moment feels deeply earned.

This is a satisfying read that beautifully illustrates the resilience of the human spirit.

[Annette]

In this novel, Patsy Hits The Road, Christie Walker Bos once again proves her gift for creating relatable, slightly quirky heroines who feel like women you could share a drink with.

After the passing of Patsy's husband, she and her best friend, Rosa, embark on a winding road trip through the Southwest - a landscape that mirrors their emotional feelings. Their banter, missteps, and moments of vulnerability give this story both humor and heart, transforming a tale of loss into one of friendship, resilience, and the rediscovery of joy in unexpected places.

Ay Dios Mio don't pass up this memorable read!

[Lisa]

It had been ages since I truly connected with the characters in a book—until this one. From the very first pages, it felt less like reading a novel and more like scrolling through emails from close friends. Traveling alongside Patsy and Rosa on their adventures completely swept me away and even sparked a serious urge to pack up the car and hit the road with my own best friend. Honestly, we might just steal their exact route. The writing is effortlessly engaging—an easy read in the best possible way—and once I started, putting it down wasn’t an option.

Full disclosure, I was given an early copy to read and review! So glad I did!

[Paula Pugh]

This is a truly engaging novel about 75 year old Patsy who takes a road trip along the old Route 66 to Colorado with her best friend Rosa. Patsy’s husband died the year before of cancer. Because of all the memories, Patsy sold everything before embarking on a trip and is intent on visiting places he wanted to see. Along the way, she distributes some of his ashes as a final resting place for him. Rosa flies home from Denver and Patsy has a trip of discovery and destinations.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Susan]

You'll wish you were riding along with these endearing characters on their adventure down life's winding road, experiencing unexpected joys and challenges with each mile. This is a bittersweet journey you'll want to be a part of.

[Terry Gold]

Take this uplifting journey with two best friends as they rediscover the strength of friendship, the joy of living in the moment, and the power of looking ahead.