Roundabout

Detour #2

by Jeff Rake, Rob Hart

Six astronauts race against time to escape a parallel Earth before their true home is destroyed. The mind-bending adventure that began with Detour continues in the second book of this emotional thriller series from the creator of the hit Netflix show Manifest and the bestselling author of The Warehouse.

The space crew that made the historic flight to Saturnʼs moon were hailed as heroes—until they discovered a terrifying The Earth that they returned to was the wrong one. Before they can reveal that theyʼre from a parallel world, the power-hungry billionaire who orchestrated the entire mission brands the group as traitors, forcing them to flee in order to survive.

Two members of their group are immediately captured, leaving the rest of the crew off balance and scrambling for a new plan. They quickly realize that their problems transcend this terrifying nationwide manhunt, however, when unexplained and catastrophic phenomena begin to occur all over the globe.

Now on the run and unsure where to turn or whom to trust, the crew can only rely on one another to find their way home—and to save not just one world, but two.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 19, 2027

About the author

TV producer, writer, and showrunner of "Manifest" for Warner Bros. Television and NBC; graduated from Columbia University in 1990; born and lives in Los Angeles, California. -- Library of Congress Authorities

Reviews

[MarilynW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detour #2
Roundabout by Jeff Rake

You can read this book as a standalone and you will be given a bit of background along the way but I would suggest reading the first book in the series, "Detour", in order to really understand the characters and the story. Although you still might not understand the story completely because even the characters don't know what is happening to them.

In the last book, three astronauts and three civilians spend time in space but on the return to Earth something, or maybe a lot of somethings, goes wrong and the six end up in a parallel universe. Things are similar but definitely not the same in the other world and there is a chance that their real world could have another six humans that are them, but not them, trying to fit into life in the other universe. It turns out that there is a big bad guy with unlimited resources who wants to shut the six up, along with anyone who might try to help them.

So the six are on the run, things are very dangerous, and it seems that there might be a leakage between universes now that this mix up has happened. People are seeing things that aren't there, talking to people who aren't there, and dreaming dreams that might be from the other world. The six are branded as traitors and there is a world wide manhunt for them.

The entire situation seems impossible but it is going to get worse if the big baddie has his way. Do read the first book, if possible, so this book will be more understandable, although it will still be confusing in an interesting way. Just like the first book, this one ends on a cliff hanger and now I have to wait to get my hands on book three sometime in the future. Can you imagine meeting your "other" family and having to worry about what happens to them if you can ever make it back to your real universe? There is a lot to think about here although don't think too hard because I'm not sure it all makes sense.

Link to review of the first book, Detour
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Random House Worlds and NetGalley for this ARC

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roundabout
By Jeff Rake and Rob Hart
This is book #2 in the Detour series. I loved Detour and this tops Detour! A smart, sci-fi novel that keeps the characters on their toes, with unknown characters tracking the astronauts, lies being spread about them, someone is killing them, but why?
Across the world, people are having strange memories, Mandela Effects, and dreams, and it all started when the astronauts came home. The astronauts find that they didn't come home to their Earth. Exciting mirror worlds, quantum entangled worlds that had a split while they were near Titan, in the book Detour. This book goes into my favorite folder! It is definitely a must-read book for sci-fi lovers!
You could read the book without reading Detour first, but I think you would miss out on a terrific book and an amazing backstory.
I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this wonderful and thought-provoking story.

[Candance Nolen · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Roundabout picks up immediately after the events of Detour, so I definitely recommend reading the series in order. There’s very little recap, which keeps the momentum going and throws readers right back into the action alongside the Titan crew.

This installment leans even more into the thriller side of the story than the science fiction. While the parallel-world premise remains fascinating, the focus is on the characters being hunted, uncovering long-awaited answers, and trying to stay one step ahead of those determined to capture them. The pacing is brisk, the stakes are consistently high, and there are plenty of tense moments that kept me turning the pages.

I enjoyed spending more time with this cast, and I appreciated that several of the lingering questions from the first book finally received answers. That said, the ending introduces enough new mysteries to make it clear the story is far from over. I was hoping for a little more closure, but it’s also left me eager to see where the next book takes these characters.

Overall, Roundabout is an entertaining sequel that delivers action, suspense, and an intriguing continuation of the series’ central mystery. If you enjoyed Detour, you’ll likely want to jump straight into this one, and be prepared to start counting down the days until the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy

[Dale Dewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me hungry for the next book as it was just as good as the first! Looking forward to seeing how Jeff and Rob conclude everything to save the universes (universi?) a fun quick read with the same engaging characters as Detour.

I receiving an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion

[Sylthrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

6 astronauts who just returned from their mission should be celebrating their return, enjoying being reunited with their families.. but instead they're on the run. Hunted for a treason they didn't commit, with time running out for them to discover what is actually going on.. And how to save the universe.

This book was fun - I was very positively surprised because it's a big step up from the first one. The stakes definitively felt higher and believable, the plot nicely put together to be fast paced while still working on understanding what's going on. There's action, surprises, tension, and yet we're still taking time to actually get to know the characters better. The characters spend pretty much the whole book on the run and that feeling was conveyed very well. That plus the fact that there was so much going on really made for an interesting story.
The book picks right back up where we left off in the first one, the characters are the same you already know and yet they're fleshed out so much better, they're no longer like caricatures existing for their action scenes, now they're full people with ideas and problems.. The story overall just seemed to flow so much better, things just made sense and I actually enjoyed reading this quite a bit.

There's a whole lot of different point of views to follow - the 6 astronauts themselves of course, but also the vice president and the president, F, Camila, Nina, others.. It's busy but not overwhelming - you read the first book, you know the people and they're different from each other enough to easily figure out where you are. On top of that I didn't hate a single character - so there wasn't a single point of view I wanted to just get away from. I really quite like how you get to spend time on both sides of the situation, watching the astronauts try and flee and hide, figure out where to go, while the others were after them. I would've liked to know a little bit more about the motivation behind Ward's actions, that there was pretty much nothing was a little frustrating.. But at least what we got should make for an interesting book 3.

The ending is open again but much better placed than the one in the first book - it made sense to end the story here, it's still intriguing, things aren't resolved, but it just felt like a good point to quit. I do feel like this and the first one could have just been a single book though - especially with how abrupt the first one ended, splitting it didn't quite make sense.

Overall, really a solid book with an intriguing story that's got a little bit of everything - action, tension, a hint of romance, an interesting plot. The whole being on the run from the government and still having to figure out why exactly they're after you and where it is you've got to get to was just fun to read. A really nice mix of science fiction and action. This was a lot of fun to read!

Thank you Del Rey, Random House Worlds and Inklore for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[AltLovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like a 3.5 rounded up.

This book picks up immediately (and I mean immediately) from where book 1 left off. Our astronauts are now on the run, being hunted first by the government and Ward, and then later on by the government, Ward, and (plot spoilers here) a mercenary group gone rogue. Questions still need to be answered about what is actually going on, but these take a back seat to the more immediate concern about staying alive. Not only do we get the stories from the views of our astronaut friends, but there's also highly placed members in government who are none too pleased at Ward taking over and, essentially, going rogue.

This one leans way more heavily on the thriller aspect than the first book. I was really interested in the parallel worlds idea, but, amazingly, that takes a backseat in this one to more mundane activities like firefights and skulking around at night and conversations in lawn chairs outside motel rooms. There's also a great deal of coincidence and plot convenience that you have to kind of look the other way on in this one, even more than the first one, I think. I kind of didn't enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed the first book, if we're being honest here. I think a lot of that has to do with how repetitive the book feels. The astronauts are on the run, the find someplace to hole up in temporarily, they have weirdly-placed heart-to-hearts, and then something happens forcing them to find someplace else to hide. The fact that the cool sci-fi parallel worlds thing is only brought up in some vague "gee this is weird" conversations occasionally is kind of a bummer to me.

I also kind of didn't like that this book, too, ends (ending spoiler here)on a cliffhanger, and that the book in general doesn't address many of the hanging questions out there. The first cliffhanger I can excuse, but if this is the device you're gonna fall back on each time, I'm less interested.

Idk, it was okay, I generally don't like thrillers as a whole unless there's something unique thrown in the mix too, and there just wasn't enough of The Other Thing to really hold my attention. I appreciate that I was given the opportunity to read the first two ARCs for this series, but I might pass on anything that comes next.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eCopy in exchange for an honest review.

[Dave Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I really enjoyed “Detour”, the first book in Jeff Rake and Rob Hart’s sci-fi series. It was an appealing mix of hard science fiction, alternative realities, and an engaging group of misfits on an urgent trip to Saturn’s moon Titan. “Roundabout” picks up after they’ve returned home. Except they haven’t. They left Earth A and somehow returned to Earth B. It looks the same, but just enough important details are different that it’s… unsettling for the astronauts. And now their original universe seems to be bleeding into this one, with increasingly catastrophic results.

Meanwhile, the six astronauts who should have been feted as returning heroes have instead been branded traitors. Two are quickly captured, and the others are on the run, trying to stay alive while figuring out what happened and whether they can somehow get back to their own Earth. “Roundabout” consequently plays more like a chase thriller than a space adventure. It’s fast and entertaining, with some intriguing twists as the crew encounters people they knew on Earth A who are decidedly different on Earth B. The authors also keep the stakes appropriately enormous: the problem increasingly threatens both worlds, not just our stranded heroes.

Rake and Hart have a nice, accessible writing style, and the crew remains an appealing collection of characters. My biggest problem was simply getting back into their story. “Roundabout” offers few reminders of the people, relationships, and events of “Detour”. A few pages of unobtrusive recap would have helped enormously. This is definitely not a series where I’d recommend starting with book two.

But far more frustrating is that “Roundabout”, like “Detour”, ends without resolving its central story. I can forgive that in the first book of a series. Doing it again in the second book begins to feel less like ambitious serialized storytelling and more like manipulation. I still enjoyed “Roundabout” and want to know what happens next, but I deducted a star for the serial lack of resolution in the series.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this one just as much as the first. In the sequel to Detour, Roundabout has the team on the run for pretty much the entire book. From the end of the first book, we know that Ward is communicating with himself between Earth A and Earth B and that he doesn’t want anyone to know that’s such a thing is possible.

However, the longer the team is in the wrong universe, the more strange phenomena are happening to the citizens of both Earth universes. Such as having dreams of things that are actually happening on the other, having conversations with people that aren’t there, and a seemingly wave of Mandela effect scenarios where people are collectively misremembering things that they know to be true.

I would say the biggest rub in this one is that there isn’t really an advancement in plot. We don’t know anything new that we didn’t know in the last book. It feels like there were just more characters or more complications added, but nothing was really decided, if that makes sense. Like we knew the team was gonna have to go back to their version of earth, now it’s just critical that they go back for everyone sake on both universes.

The Why from book one is still the why in book 2. Why does Ward want to communicate with himself in another universe? Why does it matter? What does he wanna do? Like if they are more or less the same person on each universe, than what is the massive advantage of being able to communicate or move between the two universes? Beyond it just being like scientifically cool and revolutionary.

Also, it’s interesting that none of the team seem to have these dreams like the other people in the universes. I’m wondering if that’s because they don’t have a counterpart and therefore they don’t have any conscience that requires reconciling. So it makes me wonder if the Wards are having physical problems since there are two of them. And whether or not one will kill the other and basically be able to have two lives. Two worlds to try things on. I guess we’ll have to wait for book 3.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detour, the first book in this series, takes readers through the process of preparing civilians for a special space trip. Then, readers learn about their family's present situation and their future space ambitions. Their team expects to be debriefed after the astronauts return to Earth, but what they experience is unimaginable. The Earth they left behind is no longer the Earth they are experiencing.

The follow-up to Detour is called Roundabout. Readers then follow the same six astronauts/citizens in the first tale as they attempt to adjust to the change, search for their loved ones, and are on the run for their lives. The journey to space and beyond is thought-provoking, exciting, and chaotic. This is a great book for a reading group.

The author of this unique and moving drama book series is best known for The Warehouse and Manifest TV series on Netflix. Which is the reason I picked up this novel in the first place.

Note: I don’t normally read this genre, but this story immediately drew me in. I know it’s because I enjoyed the Netflix series this author wrote. Given the circumstances in this narrative, it's understandable that the major characters in this novel would have violence and use foul language, including the F-bomb.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com

[Stacy DeBroff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in this sci-fi Detour series centers on parallel universes. A mix of professional astronauts and civilians circled Saturn’s moon Titan on a two-year space mission only to return to an Earth similar, but profoundly different, from their own.

Billionaire, John Ward, sponsored the Titan space trip, who based on the success of the mission has been elected U.S. President. He seems to know what is going on, and disappears once the astronauts return home, much to the White House’s and his Vice President’s dismay.

Of the three astronauts on the mission, the most seasoned is a closet alcoholic, the youngest eager to prove his chops, and the third a calm, professional woman. The civilians include a scientist specializing in study Titan as a potential future human colony, a young lottery winner who’s much smarter than he appears, and a cop who saved the billionaire’s life.

As their ship approached Titan, a couple of mysterious explosions threw them off course as well as shut down their communication modules. NASA managed to guide them to back to Earth. But details and relationships have shifted in the personal worlds the astronauts enter, and nefarious power ambitions by the President seem to be behind it all.

The space team goes on the run, hunted down by private mercenaries hired by John Ward. At the same time, the general population of Earth starts have differing memories of history that cause increasingly riotous protests.

Bottom line: still unclear about all that’s happening outside of definitely involving parallel universes and advanced physics, the book ends on a cliff hanger setting up the third book in the series.

Thanks to Del Ray, Random House, Inklore and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy.

[Sharen · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Roundabout' picks up right where 'Detour' leaves off without a great deal of repeated information. We meet the same cast of characters and are immersed in the fast moving story right away. The same people, two worlds, huge problems, and a huge question about how this can be resolved in a reasonable way that the reader can appreciate. Do not let the sci-fi designation scare you off. This is more of a thriller book with some science stuff included, than a science fiction book. Anyone enjoying lots of action, high stakes tracking and adventure, is in for a fun ride. The science parts are explained and alluded to without becoming a barrier to the enjoyment of the chase.

This is a solid sequel to 'Detour' but again I found myself wanting more answers before the book ended - meaning the need for book 3 - which I did not realize was planned. This is not a stand- alone book so I strongly suggest you read the books in order.

I have been a fan of Rob Hart's independent work and I like the bits of humour that sneak up between all the action and drama.

'For the stout, doughy man who looked like he should be living under a bridge asking people riddles, the senator from Texas sure thought a lot of himself.'

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Worlds for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader’s Copy

The crew of Starblazer, returning to Earth from their historic flight to Titan, realize they’ve returned to a parallel Earth. But before they can reveal the truth, they find themselves branded as traitors who’ve colluded with the Chinese.

And now, in order to stay alive, they are on the run.

=========

Picking up the story where “Detour” ended, the narrative does not offer much backstory so does not work well as a standalone; readers are encouraged to read the first book in the series before delving into “Roundabout.” As expected, this sequel provides answers for some lingering questions, but leaves readers with some new questions [presumably to be answered in the next installment in the series].

With all the expected characters in place, the rapid pace of the narrative keeps the pages turning as fast as possible. Told from multiple points of view, the unfolding story is action-packed, an intriguing thriller with some unexpected plot twists to keep readers guessing.

Readers who enjoy thrillers, science fiction, and suspenseful, twisty tales will find much to appreciate here.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore / RandomHouse Worlds and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Roundabout #NetGalley

[Sandrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very solid sequel ! I loved Detour, which I read last year and I was very excited to get back to this world. Roundabout picks up right were we left. The 6 astronauts are on the run and separated. I really liked seeing the complicity of Ryan and Mark. The stakes were still super high, a lot of plot twists and this big conspiracy. The pacing is fast but with the multiple POVs, the story feels complete. I liked seeing how things were on Earth-B and Earth-A. The events are unraveling, and it becomes a lot harder for Ward to keep the truth unknown. While all of the astronauts know they are in a another universe, there were still a lot of questions that were unresolved and I liked how we got the explanation for it. There’s still a lot more to uncover and I can’t wait to read the next book ! Overall, all that I liked in the first book was still present in this one, high stakes, fast pace, a very interesting sci-fi concept that involves politics, multiple POVs and plot twists! It’s a very good sci-fi novel with a lot of action ! Readers that enjoyed book 1 will not be disappointed by this sequel, that’s for sure.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

Thanks Netgalley for this e-ARC!

Roundabout picks up immediately where Detour left off. The six astronauts are now on the run, desperately trying to piece together what really happened during their mission.

While the first book leaned more heavily into mystery and journey, the sequel shifts into high gear as a fast-paced action thriller. The constant action and chaotic pacing make it an incredibly quick read, but I also felt like it left a little to be desired. One of the things Blake Crouch does so well in his sci-fi novels is make complex concepts like quantum physics feel accessible and believable. In comparison, the science in Roundabout sometimes feels like it's trying a little too hard, making the story feel more confusing than immersive.

Although the book answers some of the lingering questions from the first novel, it ends with plenty still unresolved. Personally, I would have preferred a book that was 200 pages longer and wrapped up the story rather than setting up for a third installment. That said, there was enough resolution by the end that I feel comfortable imagining what happens next for the characters. While I enjoyed the ride, I'm not sure I'm invested enough to pick up an entire third novel.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Roundabout” by Jeff Rake and Rob Hart is a worthy sequel which picks up immediately after Detour’s final page. Roundabout expands the unsettling premise while raising the stakes in all the right ways!

The story once again follows an unusual group astronauts, whose ordinary lives have been forever altered by a mysterious roadway capable of transporting travelers into an alternate reality. What begins as another journey through the impossible, quickly spirals into a dangerous race against forces that threaten their future, but also the fragile boundaries between worlds.

While the series leans to science fiction, it feels more like a thriller. The pacing is relentless, the tension and mystery propels the story forward with purpose. The authors strike an impressive balance between high-concept storytelling and page-turning entertainment. It’s simply fun to read!

If Detour introduced this fascinating world, Roundabout proves the series has no intention of slowing down. A true cliffhanger leaves you impatient to have to wait for the next installment. I highly recommend to everyone who loved book one, and both books to all who enjoy this genre.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House worlds, Inklore for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Another Read by Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

🚀 🏃‍♀️ ARC BOOK REVIEW 🏃‍♀️ 🚀

Pub Date: Jan 19th 2027

My Rating : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 4 Smart Sc- Fi Emotional Action Packed Stars !

Wow and just like that Book 2 starts off right where we left off with book 1 Detour !

Roundabout was a fast paced suspenseful and energized read!

Told from multiple POV’s and alternating worlds one being Earth and the other is Earth but things are slightly different.

As these 6 astronauts try to find their way back home , but they must remain in hiding as the billionaire Ward has painted them as traitors and puts the world against them.

They remain in survival mode using their brains and bronze to navigate their next steps , and it becomes obvious very quickly they can’t trust anyone . 👀

I’m really enjoying this series and I’m not typically a series girl or a big sci-fi fan however this reads like a movie and is so cleverly written and has an emotional flare to it adding some depth and entertaining me with every page 🙌🏼

We are still left with some unresolved questions, but hopefully the third book will tie everything together!

I can’t wait for book 3 🙌🏼

Thank you NetGalley , Del Rey Random House Worlds , Inklore and Jeff Rake & Rob Hart propulsive high stakes ARC !

🚀 Side Note Must read Book 1 to understand what is happening in book 2!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went back and read my Detour review before writing this and am reminded that I'm appreciative of the author(s) for getting Roundabout published in a speedy fashion since the cliffhanger in the first book was indeed a bitch.

Right away, I was cranky trying to remember all of the plot lines and characters. And the whole "strangers tossed together to go to space" premise was so cool in Book 1, I was worried that this "stranger astronauts on the run" plot line would pale in comparison.

In some ways it did, but then--just like that!-- I got caught up in the characters again (and that cute ass side love story!) and I was flying through this book just like the first one. I really liked Earth A & B interactions/comparisons. I loved F, the evil contractor. Again, these books go down smooth and read like you're watching a movie.

So imagine my surprise when AGAIN, they threw in another damn cliffhanger! Sigh.

I guess I will wait patiently for the next one...but I'm grumpy about it!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roundabout is the 2nd book in this series, and you really have to read the 1st book to have an idea as to what is occurring. In a nutshell, a space mission goes awry, and when the crew returns home, everything on Earth is slightly “off”, with small but perceptible changes. As it turned out, the mission was actually a ruse, unknown to the astronauts, and part of a bigger nefarious plot by the shady US President who, to cover his misdeeds, has branded the crew as traitors and calls for their immediate arrests. The plot is definitely complicated with a lot of moving parts, but the sci-fi mystery in book 1 was entertaining and worth the read. However, this book is just a cat and mouse game, with the President’s goon squad chasing after the crew. We also get deep into all the characters, but there’s very little that actually moves the plot forward and all the suspense created in the first book is slowed to a crawl, replaced by one book-long chase scene. I would hope the author provides some answers in the next book, and we get that Twilight Zone vibe back.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced review copy.

If you're starting with Roundabout, go back and grab Detour first, because that's the first book in this series. And it's well worth the read.

Book two picks up where book one left off: our favorite astronauts are stranded on an Earth that is not their own. And they've made a lot of enemies in the process, including the president of the United States. Tough gig.

Roundabout is a adventure/thriller/sci fi romp as the main characters try to figure out what happened to them, why, who is responsible, and where to go from there. All of which are interesting questions when you're on a planet that isn't your own, but is so close. Their mission had more side effects than anyone realized. And John Ward is not answering questions.

If you enjoyed Detour, grab this one immediately, because it builds on all the goodness of that book and adds even more.

If you like near future science fiction, being hunted by assassins, scientific theories, and a motley crew of characters with their own life problems, do yourself a favor and read this series.

Five stars. Looking forward to finding out what happens next.

[ecastell · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Detour, I was eager to see if Roundabout would pick up where the first book left off. Unfortunately, it didn’t do much to move the overall story forward. Our brave crew spends most of the book running, hiding, getting hurt, and dodging bullets, but the central intergalactic mystery remains largely unsolved.

Since this isn’t a standalone story but a direct continuation of Detour, I think readers really need to read the first book before picking this one up. I also wish the authors had included a brief recap of the characters, their relationships, and the main conflict. It would have been a helpful refresher for returning readers and a better introduction for anyone who picked up this book first.

That said, the book is a quick, easy read with plenty of action and a few genuinely thrilling moments. Even so, I wasn’t invested enough in the story’s direction to continue with Book Three.

I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I’m sharing my honest opinion voluntarily.

[Lawrence Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the authors for early access in exchange for an honest review.

I read Detour for a local book club, and I was stoked to find the sequel on NetGalley. The first book in the series ended, literally, with “to be continued,” and the “book as a television series” vibe of Detour continues in Roundabout.

We’re following the same 6 astronauts on Earth B now, and the “we’re being hunted down in an alternate Earth” takes up most of this books. There are some memorable scenes and interactions between characters, but everything in this sequel feels rushed compared to the more thoughtful pacing in Detour. This books ends rapidly, which a sudden untangling of a very complex problem with nary a whiff of skepticism from any of the characters. Overall, it was quite unsatisfying of an ending and a middling novel overall.

That said, if you’re looking for plot and aren’t too concerned with poor pacing and characterization, this one is a good one to pick up (but you must read Detour first).

[Nikolett · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the story continues with the astronauts on the run, trying to figure out what to do when they are labeled as traitors of the nation, their faces are on every news, they don’t have the funds, they can’t get help from friends or family and by the way it would be good to know why they are persecuted. The members of the team deal with this situation differently, some of them have a hard time leaving everything behind without explanation. For Crane as a cop dodging bullets comes more naturally, so he’s leading the group, but he’s also the main focus for the leader of the mercenaries and this fuels the tension between them. The parallel worlds are intriguing, I still like the characters, but my favorite was a new one, Amber.
This book was also interesting, but too short, because yes, we got a couple of answers but some are still waiting to be solved.
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the arc.

[Tobi Laukaitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

You thought Detour killed you? Dear reader, wait until you meet Roundabout.

Luckily, Rake and Hart start us right where we left off. If it’s been a bit since you read Detour, you might want a refresher because there’s no recap. Just immediate action.

While I never watched Manifest, I did watch Lost. And what I love about this series is that it brings back that anticipation and excitement you feel when a show goes week by week instead of dropping all the episodes at once. Each section/part ends with you rushing to get to the next page and sometimes screaming in frustration.

While Ryan Crane leads the narrative, we get plenty of time with the rest of the crew. Crane doesn’t feel overbearing or super macho like some leading men do. It’s refreshing.

Long story short: if you’re looking for a fun, sci-fi series that makes you want to pull your hair out, highly recommend Detour and Roundabout.

**Thank you NetGalley for the ARC**

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Titan crew is back again with more drama, more action and all at a heart racing pace. After completing what is thought to be a successful mission, the crew realizes something is wrong and everything feels off. When they are branded as traitors by the very man who helped them into space, the crew hits the road trying to figure out what to do but soon things begin to unravel as several members are picked up and the rest are being pursued by a relentless private security firm.

This is the second book of the series and it definitely adds to the drama and action off the first book. I devoured this second book and was not ready for it to end. Well written, good character development and a story that grips you from the beginning and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Thanks to Net Galley and Del Rey Random House.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first in this series well enough to want to see how it continues. Shoutout to Past Jen for her forward-thinking in highlighting important passages in the book on my Kindle so that I could quickly catch myself up, Cliffs Notes style. She’s the best.

The first one did all the setup, with a crew returning from a 2-year mission into space to find that everything has changed… knocked into a parallel universe.

It’s very much a popcorn novel. It’s like a TV series you watch and enjoy, but you’re not obsessed with it. Sometimes you unload the dishwasher while you watch and you definitely check Instagram. Yet you don’t turn it off, so you enjoy it well enough.

And yeah it’s not over yet. So I’ll be back for next “season.” Let’s just not go on for too long, ok? Trilogy sounds good.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[sarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

while this second installment of the detour series of course answered a bunch of high concept questions that were raised and foreshadowed in the first, the meat and potatoes of it were really just a lot of political and action thriller-type scenes. less mind blowing than i had hoped (although as someone uhhhh Extremely familiar with all sorts of sf tropes and storylines) but still a good page-turner.

i do think the writing style is a bit one-note, which may be expected from tv writers who typically can leave a lot up to actor interpretation. it wasn't that bad at the beginning but towards the end characters were smirking left and right which got to be a bit much.

thanks to netgalley and random house worlds for the e-arc!

[Jim Razinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whirlwind follow-up to Detour that I got from the publisher via NetGalley. Much as with the previous, this could be serial television (the “season” dropped all at once so we can binge read it.) Also as with my review of Detour, no spoilers. Bite-sized rapid POV shifts, the mysteries of book one are not the plot drivers here… more character development. I did throw a challenge flag … twice, in the same section … over something that didn’t make sense, but the pace left them behind. In science fiction, sometimes explanations are better left vague.

The storytelling is tight, and the characters, as I said, are more developed. Fast read, and now another wait for the next season. Um, book. {grin}

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read Detour, I was super excited because I felt like this could be a truly great story. I don't feel much different after reading book two, Roundabout. While this book experiences some of the issues all second books have after a killer first book, I thought there was enough here to keep me intrigued and attached to the story. There are definitely portions of this book that didn't move the story along quite as far as I would have hoped, but understanding I am hear for the journey makes me okay with that. I am really interested to see where this goes next and cannot wait for book 3.

Thank you to Jeff Rake and Rob Hart, NetGalley, and Random House Worlds for providing me with an advanced reading copy.

[Jen Juenke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another smash hit for the authors. This was a continuation of the Detour book.

This book pushes the narrative more into what happened. I loved the quick pacing as soon as the group got back together.
The beginning was a bit rough because there was no summary of the other book so it was a bit hard to get into right away.
However, the pacing was fast, and I devoured this book within a day.

There is a lot going on in the book and the authors really keep a reader hanging onto the story.

Overall, I NEED the third book tomorrow! LOL If you liked Detour you will LOVE Roundabout.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this second installment of the Detour series, they gave the ARC, I gave the honest opinions.

[Kelly Ann C · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

After I devoured Detour, I wanted more. I wanted answers.

Then, I realized the sequel did not come out until January. So, I ran to netgalley to request and hope for an ARC. When I tell you I squealed when I got the approval email, I mean it! This book was just as exciting as the first one and I could not put it down. With more answers (and more questions), I am wondering if the series will continue.

The six astronauts are working together to figure out the truth. Rake and Hart have the best writing and back and forth between characters and timelines while perfectly intertwining the stories. I do not want to say too much and provide spoilers.

Just add this to your early 2027 TBR! Release January 19. Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!