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Wanderlust
Monica Prescott, writer and world traveler, has everything she wants ... except a man who's free-spirited enough to join her for a life on the road. But when she bumps into Jason, the guy who broke her heart in college, she lets him think she's engaged. It wouldn't take much to fall for him again--and that's one road she doesn't want to go down.
Jason is everything she's not and doesn't want to be. He's settled down in snowy Chicago and focused on his high-powered desk job, while Monica longs for foreign shores and sunshine. But the more time she spends with Jason, the more she starts to question her career and lifestyle.
Monica has two weeks before a new assignment starts in Bangkok, and time is running out for her to make the biggest decision of her life.
Jason is everything she's not and doesn't want to be. He's settled down in snowy Chicago and focused on his high-powered desk job, while Monica longs for foreign shores and sunshine. But the more time she spends with Jason, the more she starts to question her career and lifestyle.
Monica has two weeks before a new assignment starts in Bangkok, and time is running out for her to make the biggest decision of her life.
242 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2015
14 people are currently reading
1667 people want to read
About the author
Thea Dawson
17 books133 followersWorld traveler, vegetarian, salsa dancer, film fanatic, lover of happy endings. In an alternate steampunk universe, Thea travels by dirigible and gets in sword fights with dashing villains.
In this one, she lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband/salsa partner, three antic children, and an agenda-driven cat. She writes at the intersection of sweet and steamy, and hopes her stories will melt your heart and brighten your day.
In this one, she lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband/salsa partner, three antic children, and an agenda-driven cat. She writes at the intersection of sweet and steamy, and hopes her stories will melt your heart and brighten your day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
no-dnf-zzz-avoid
June 23, 2016DNF..H is an immature cheating wimp:(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2015
This was a quick read that will leave you wanting more. I didn’t quite fall in love with Jason and Monica nor did I hate them. I was just in like with them. No real connection for me.
Obviously, Jason and Monica were meant to be together; they were both leftys. What were the odds?
Anywho, thanks to a little immaturity and dishonesty their college romance didn’t last, and the two went their separate ways eventually running back into each other as adults in a local Chicago coffee shop.
Fate brought them together again, but what would they do when given a second chance? Will history repeat itself? That’s the big question. I’m a sucker for a happily ever after ending, true love, and second chances. This book had all three.
What I liked about this book? Her friend Stephen and his fraternity brother Chip’s personalities. So refreshing and honest. Oh, I also appreciated the fact that we got to experience them as college students in love then as adults who were both a little unhappy with their lives.
My rating: 3.5 stars
Time it took to read: a few hours
If you’re into second chance romances, this book is for you. Overall, it was okay. I’ve never read a book by Thea Dawson, and I wasn’t disappointed. I would read something else.
P.S. I was given this book in exchange for my honest review.
Obviously, Jason and Monica were meant to be together; they were both leftys. What were the odds?
Anywho, thanks to a little immaturity and dishonesty their college romance didn’t last, and the two went their separate ways eventually running back into each other as adults in a local Chicago coffee shop.
Fate brought them together again, but what would they do when given a second chance? Will history repeat itself? That’s the big question. I’m a sucker for a happily ever after ending, true love, and second chances. This book had all three.
What I liked about this book? Her friend Stephen and his fraternity brother Chip’s personalities. So refreshing and honest. Oh, I also appreciated the fact that we got to experience them as college students in love then as adults who were both a little unhappy with their lives.
My rating: 3.5 stars
Time it took to read: a few hours
If you’re into second chance romances, this book is for you. Overall, it was okay. I’ve never read a book by Thea Dawson, and I wasn’t disappointed. I would read something else.
P.S. I was given this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 11, 2015
Read the complete review at Wanderlust > Review
This book is different because of the freshness in writing style. This book is different because although the story line is age-old, the feelings that the protagonists go through is something anyone can relate to in their lives. Many instances in this book are so much common in our lives that we feel the story can very well happen to us too.
It is a sweet and cute romantic novel. The characters have their flaws in totally relatable manner. The way they react to situations are very much like anyone would do. That gives the story authenticity. It is a beautiful read and something which should be tried when someone is feeling low during the day. Totally beautiful.
This book is different because of the freshness in writing style. This book is different because although the story line is age-old, the feelings that the protagonists go through is something anyone can relate to in their lives. Many instances in this book are so much common in our lives that we feel the story can very well happen to us too.
It is a sweet and cute romantic novel. The characters have their flaws in totally relatable manner. The way they react to situations are very much like anyone would do. That gives the story authenticity. It is a beautiful read and something which should be tried when someone is feeling low during the day. Totally beautiful.
February 10, 2015
I usually have a hard time reading second chance romances. I think it’s because of the murky in between years where our two leads are separated leading different lives. Wanderlust starts by taking us back to when Jason and Monica initially meet, becoming friends and progressing into that beautiful first love phase, where it’s all consuming and brand new. Thea perfects this segment of Wanderlust by capturing the naivety, innocence and realism of meeting your first love. The dialogue is sweet and often times funny with Frat boy Jason coming across as an intelligent and thoughtful man rather than the lewd and obnoxious quintessential pledge. Monica too is delightful; she’s quite quirky and kind with a deep sense of where she wants to go in her career which ultimately leads to the cataclysmic downfall of their epic romance. Action and consequence comes in to play, bad decisions and bad behaviour inevitably leading to the second part of Wanderlust where several years have passed and Jason and Monica reconnect.
“I couldn’t look away from those beautiful eyes. Still the same deep brown, bright and clear and fringed with thick, dark lashes that stood out against her creamy skin, now flushed and rosy from the cold. A wisp of chestnut brown hair had escaped from beneath her wooly winter hat, but I couldn’t tell if it was still as long as it had been in college...”
The second half delves into the reconnecting portion of this love story. How do you forgive and forget a past that led to your first heartbreak and how do you find redemption from the one person who has had your heart from the beginning but you wronged so thoroughly? Again Thea navigates the complexities of the human mind and heart with her two characters, dissecting how they think and why they do the things they do. A series of misunderstandings and miscommunications break up the rekindling sparks of the old lovers leading to more problems before they reach a happily ever after. It’s a slow burning romance but it was so beautiful to watch both Jason and Monica gravitate towards one another again and discover things that had changed over time and things that still remained the same. Wanderlust felt like a bit of a nostalgic read, it inadvertently takes you back in memories to your own first love and how things could have turned out differently or maybe how things turned out exactly how you dreamed they would. It’s very well written, you connect with all the characters and the storyline pulls you in mercilessly but only gripe about the whole thing is I would have liked one of those miscommunications to have been remedied quite a bit sooner.
Nicole
“I couldn’t look away from those beautiful eyes. Still the same deep brown, bright and clear and fringed with thick, dark lashes that stood out against her creamy skin, now flushed and rosy from the cold. A wisp of chestnut brown hair had escaped from beneath her wooly winter hat, but I couldn’t tell if it was still as long as it had been in college...”
The second half delves into the reconnecting portion of this love story. How do you forgive and forget a past that led to your first heartbreak and how do you find redemption from the one person who has had your heart from the beginning but you wronged so thoroughly? Again Thea navigates the complexities of the human mind and heart with her two characters, dissecting how they think and why they do the things they do. A series of misunderstandings and miscommunications break up the rekindling sparks of the old lovers leading to more problems before they reach a happily ever after. It’s a slow burning romance but it was so beautiful to watch both Jason and Monica gravitate towards one another again and discover things that had changed over time and things that still remained the same. Wanderlust felt like a bit of a nostalgic read, it inadvertently takes you back in memories to your own first love and how things could have turned out differently or maybe how things turned out exactly how you dreamed they would. It’s very well written, you connect with all the characters and the storyline pulls you in mercilessly but only gripe about the whole thing is I would have liked one of those miscommunications to have been remedied quite a bit sooner.
Nicole
February 10, 2015
3.5 STARS
A great Debut novel by Thea Dawson.
When Jason & Monica meet in their freshman year at College they are instantly attracted to each other but are both a little shy and inexperienced in the relationship department. When they finally get together they can't imagine spending their life with anyone else. When Jason can't support Monica's desire to travel they start to drift apart and end on an emotional and humiliating night.
Seven Years later, and Destiny intervenes, making these two ex lovers cross paths again. With their unresolved history and the emotional scars from their past, Monica and Jason navigate through the idea of friendship while both try to deny the feelings that have never gone away over the years.
When forced to face what they have both been avoiding will their newly found relationship survive or will history end up repeating itself?
While I enjoyed Jason's character and found him lovable he wasn't the strong alpha male that I usually love when reading. Monica is a strong & confident heroine who goes after what she wants, living an adventurous life.
If you enjoy a light-hearted, fast paced, contemporary romance with a storyline that evolves over a 10 year period and has a HEA then I recommend you read Wanderlust now.
A great Debut novel by Thea Dawson.
When Jason & Monica meet in their freshman year at College they are instantly attracted to each other but are both a little shy and inexperienced in the relationship department. When they finally get together they can't imagine spending their life with anyone else. When Jason can't support Monica's desire to travel they start to drift apart and end on an emotional and humiliating night.
Seven Years later, and Destiny intervenes, making these two ex lovers cross paths again. With their unresolved history and the emotional scars from their past, Monica and Jason navigate through the idea of friendship while both try to deny the feelings that have never gone away over the years.
When forced to face what they have both been avoiding will their newly found relationship survive or will history end up repeating itself?
While I enjoyed Jason's character and found him lovable he wasn't the strong alpha male that I usually love when reading. Monica is a strong & confident heroine who goes after what she wants, living an adventurous life.
If you enjoy a light-hearted, fast paced, contemporary romance with a storyline that evolves over a 10 year period and has a HEA then I recommend you read Wanderlust now.
March 16, 2018
I was given an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I really enjoyed this novel. I read a fair bit of this type of fiction and I thought this one was really well done. The writing flowed nicely and the author got me invested in the characters. My only complaint was that it felt a little bit rushed at the end and I was left wanting more. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing I definitely look forward to reading more from this author. A great debut novel!
I really enjoyed this novel. I read a fair bit of this type of fiction and I thought this one was really well done. The writing flowed nicely and the author got me invested in the characters. My only complaint was that it felt a little bit rushed at the end and I was left wanting more. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing I definitely look forward to reading more from this author. A great debut novel!
February 12, 2015
This is how I felt while reading this book. Such a warm and fuzzy heartfelt story.
Monica and Jason met their first year of college. After Jason built up the courage to finally ask her out they fell deeply and madly in love. Their relationship blossomed until Jason screws up royally and Monica moves to France to live abroad her Freshman year. Their young budding relationship never recovers and they graduate and move on with their lives.
Fate steps in ten years later in a little coffee shop in Chicago. Monica has become a travel writer where she has traveled to over 100 countries. Jason is an account rep and secretly hates it and wants to start his own company.
After their brief encounter she stalks him the internet and finds out he is engaged. She is heartbroken and decides to fake her own engagement to her very handsome and very gay roommate.
The feelings the two share are overwhelming and Monica is dying to tell him to truth. Once she finds that Jason is not engaged anymore she is torn. Does she tell him and hide in guilt and embarrassment or just let him think she is because she is living for Bangkok and will not be back for a very long time. Time is against them but fate is on their side but will it be too late for this star-crossed lovers?
January 22, 2015
Great job Thea Dawson! This book has many, many things I love in a read! It was sweet without giving the toothache. It was fast-paced, although told with parts of their lives 10 years before. It left me with no questions, no curiosity, no longing to know what happened. With no need to fill in the blanks.
Monica is a 29 year old travel writer. She's been to numerous countries and lives... well no where really. She's always ready to navigate her next adventure. But 10 years ago, she made a decision that changed everything. She was in a very happy relationship with Jason. But when faced with the thoughts of a long distance love - he broke. She was headed to study abroad and he was begging her to stay. When Jason goes too far - there's no break-up... they just sort of go their separate ways. No real closure.
The dual POV in this book was very insightful! Great call by the author!! It gave me an opportunity to feel what Monica and Jason felt, to figuratively live, breath, and walk in their shoes. Really brilliant!
So here we are 10 years later... And when they meet again, what happens is crazy! When he thinks she's engaged - she doesn't correct him! She's starting her own business and he has a good job, but he hates it. Jason never stopped loving her. He compared everyone to her. And seeing her again is like heaven until he 'learns' she's engaged. What ensues is a full-circle, time-doesn't-matter love. It's beautiful, full of angst, jam packed with misunderstandings and the best epilogue - one year later! The only thing to make this better - more of it!
Monica is a 29 year old travel writer. She's been to numerous countries and lives... well no where really. She's always ready to navigate her next adventure. But 10 years ago, she made a decision that changed everything. She was in a very happy relationship with Jason. But when faced with the thoughts of a long distance love - he broke. She was headed to study abroad and he was begging her to stay. When Jason goes too far - there's no break-up... they just sort of go their separate ways. No real closure.
The dual POV in this book was very insightful! Great call by the author!! It gave me an opportunity to feel what Monica and Jason felt, to figuratively live, breath, and walk in their shoes. Really brilliant!
So here we are 10 years later... And when they meet again, what happens is crazy! When he thinks she's engaged - she doesn't correct him! She's starting her own business and he has a good job, but he hates it. Jason never stopped loving her. He compared everyone to her. And seeing her again is like heaven until he 'learns' she's engaged. What ensues is a full-circle, time-doesn't-matter love. It's beautiful, full of angst, jam packed with misunderstandings and the best epilogue - one year later! The only thing to make this better - more of it!
May 21, 2015
5 Stars From Sammy's Book Obsession
MY THOUGHTS~
I was provided with a Review Copy/ARC for review.
Wanderlust was a gratifying and refreshing read from front to back. I wasn't entirely sure what to think going in because this was my first experience with this author. I believe that Wanderlust is her debut novel, but don't quote me, because I'm not 100% on that. I was impressed to say the least! I really loved this story from cover to cover. I'm a sucker for second chance love and this book personifies that.
The writing in Wanderlust is very well done. The characters are well developed and are totally relatable. Whether it's the first love -first everything- aspect, the second chance aspect, or even the self discovery aspect, there is something in this book for absolutely everyone. I didn't want to put it down at all throughout the whole thing.
I will definitely be on the lookout for more from author Thea Dawson. She made an awesome impression on me with her talent for writing!
MY THOUGHTS~
I was provided with a Review Copy/ARC for review.
Wanderlust was a gratifying and refreshing read from front to back. I wasn't entirely sure what to think going in because this was my first experience with this author. I believe that Wanderlust is her debut novel, but don't quote me, because I'm not 100% on that. I was impressed to say the least! I really loved this story from cover to cover. I'm a sucker for second chance love and this book personifies that.
The writing in Wanderlust is very well done. The characters are well developed and are totally relatable. Whether it's the first love -first everything- aspect, the second chance aspect, or even the self discovery aspect, there is something in this book for absolutely everyone. I didn't want to put it down at all throughout the whole thing.
I will definitely be on the lookout for more from author Thea Dawson. She made an awesome impression on me with her talent for writing!
February 9, 2015
For lovers of a light romance, this book is right up your ally. For those who more so fancy the drama of New Adult, I would advise you to proceed with caution. Wanderlust is the story of Monica and Jason who once had love and are now re-finding it in the future. This was not a life-changer in terms of reading, it was light, quick, and easy on the eyes.
Monica and Jason fall in love in college and then life and dreams essentially tear them apart. Flash forward to the future and they run into each other in a coffee shop. Old feeling reappear and they both begin to believe this is there chance to love again or let it go for good. This book was just okay for me, it was an enjoyable read but I am not going to have a book hangover from it and to tell you the truth, I will probably forget about these characters half-way into my next read. As a debut novel for Thea Dawson, I would have liked to see some more drama and passion and I found myself skipping parts because it felt slightly dragged out. So a light read and definitely for contemporary romance readers.
Monica and Jason fall in love in college and then life and dreams essentially tear them apart. Flash forward to the future and they run into each other in a coffee shop. Old feeling reappear and they both begin to believe this is there chance to love again or let it go for good. This book was just okay for me, it was an enjoyable read but I am not going to have a book hangover from it and to tell you the truth, I will probably forget about these characters half-way into my next read. As a debut novel for Thea Dawson, I would have liked to see some more drama and passion and I found myself skipping parts because it felt slightly dragged out. So a light read and definitely for contemporary romance readers.
January 23, 2015
**I received this book for a honest review**
Wonderlust is a sweet romance that makes you just sigh. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves light romances. The characters are fully developed and you get a nice background on their history from ten years before and what has happened to each of them in between. It is well written and doesn't leave any unanswered questions. Jason and Monica fell in love in college but their paths took them separate ways. Years later they run into each other and start talking and spending time together. They have some questions that need clearing up and some little white lies that need the truth to be told. Is their love still there or is it truly time to move on?
Wonderlust is a sweet romance that makes you just sigh. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves light romances. The characters are fully developed and you get a nice background on their history from ten years before and what has happened to each of them in between. It is well written and doesn't leave any unanswered questions. Jason and Monica fell in love in college but their paths took them separate ways. Years later they run into each other and start talking and spending time together. They have some questions that need clearing up and some little white lies that need the truth to be told. Is their love still there or is it truly time to move on?
February 10, 2015
**I received this book for a honest review**
Wonderlust is a sweet romance that makes you just sigh. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves light romances. The characters are fully developed and you get a nice background on their history from ten years before and what has happened to each of them in between. It is well written and doesn't leave any unanswered questions. Jason and Monica fell in love in college but their paths took them separate ways. Years later they run into each other and start talking and spending time together. They have some questions that need clearing up and some little white lies that need the truth to be told. Is their love still there or is it truly time to move on?
Reviewed by Raychel
Wonderlust is a sweet romance that makes you just sigh. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves light romances. The characters are fully developed and you get a nice background on their history from ten years before and what has happened to each of them in between. It is well written and doesn't leave any unanswered questions. Jason and Monica fell in love in college but their paths took them separate ways. Years later they run into each other and start talking and spending time together. They have some questions that need clearing up and some little white lies that need the truth to be told. Is their love still there or is it truly time to move on?
Reviewed by Raychel
January 31, 2015
Received an ARC for an honest review
Congrats Thea Dawson on your first book! The story of Monica and Jason is told in two parts Book One- their college years and Book Two-their grown up years. The story moves quickly and at first in Book One I was kinda not into it. I wasn’t feeling the connection between the two characters until the end of Book One. Then Book Two came along and the story truly began. The chemistry of the characters came out and the story came alive. The no nonsense get to the point story came together and ended up being a great book with a true to life love story. I will be anxious to see what else this new author comes up with.
Congrats Thea Dawson on your first book! The story of Monica and Jason is told in two parts Book One- their college years and Book Two-their grown up years. The story moves quickly and at first in Book One I was kinda not into it. I wasn’t feeling the connection between the two characters until the end of Book One. Then Book Two came along and the story truly began. The chemistry of the characters came out and the story came alive. The no nonsense get to the point story came together and ended up being a great book with a true to life love story. I will be anxious to see what else this new author comes up with.
February 6, 2015
I was provided with an ARC for review.
Thea Dawson's debut novel is a sweet, "where did it all go wrong" romance steeped in adventure and travel. In a funny mix up compounded with a lot of understandable self-consciousness, Monica and Jason are busy thinking the other isn't interested - when nothing could be further than the truth... hilarity ensued in this funny and touching love story with several steamy hot sex scenes.
A great companion for chilly nights - curl under the blanket on a stormy night with this fun, romantic novel. And don't be surprised if a bit of your own wanderlust gets stirred up as a result.
Thea Dawson's debut novel is a sweet, "where did it all go wrong" romance steeped in adventure and travel. In a funny mix up compounded with a lot of understandable self-consciousness, Monica and Jason are busy thinking the other isn't interested - when nothing could be further than the truth... hilarity ensued in this funny and touching love story with several steamy hot sex scenes.
A great companion for chilly nights - curl under the blanket on a stormy night with this fun, romantic novel. And don't be surprised if a bit of your own wanderlust gets stirred up as a result.
February 9, 2015
What a treat from Thea Dawson! Wanderlust is a very sweet story about the rekindling of a college romance years after the relationship had ended. The characters are believable and likable and I cared very much about what happened to them. Indeed, I cared so much that I couldn’t put the book down until I had finished it the wee hours of the morning! It is also a joy to read such a well-written and crafted story. I am looking forward to to reading more from this author!
I received an advanced review copy for this unbiased review.
I received an advanced review copy for this unbiased review.
April 9, 2016
*Received an ARC in exchange for honest review*
Monica & Jason are both likeable characters (well, except for Jason's brief time acting like a jerk in college hence the couple's split) & written well. I liked the flow between their two perspectives especially getting to see the dramatic irony of both of them thinking the other is involved with someone else.
The plot moved along timely and I just had to keep reading to see these two finally get it together.
Monica & Jason are both likeable characters (well, except for Jason's brief time acting like a jerk in college hence the couple's split) & written well. I liked the flow between their two perspectives especially getting to see the dramatic irony of both of them thinking the other is involved with someone else.
The plot moved along timely and I just had to keep reading to see these two finally get it together.
January 11, 2015
Story that makes you think about the one that got away. Revisiting an old romance can sometimes spell bad news, falling into old habits and old heartaches, but sometimes when people grow beyond who they used to be.... there may be opportunities for new love to blossom. Really enjoyable fast-paced story. I received an ARC for this story in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2015
This is a story about college sweethearts and one moment of insecurities causes years of heartache. What happens when their paths cross again years later?...Well, you'll just have to read this book and find out!
February 21, 2015
Sweet N Sassy Book A Holics Rating: 4.3
~~~~~~~~~~Zarah's ★★★★✰ Review~~~~~~~~~~
I received this title courtesy of Sweet and Sassy Book-Aholics for an honest review.
Well written, well paced, well edited, sweet romance. Jason and Monica meet in college, fall in love, drift apart after a stupid decision, miscommunication and 10 years has them thrown together again.
Quick and easy to read, Wanderlust ticked all my boxes for a romance novel with characters that were easy to relate to in both personality and situation.
I really enjoyed it.
~~~~~~~~~~Sharlene's ★★★★✰ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Wanderlust is such a sweet romantic story. The storyline was so easy to read and moved right along. The characters were well developed, even the secondary ones. I absolutely fell in love with Stephen, the funny and witty gay best friend of Monica. He actually made me laugh out loud a couple of times during the story. Monica and Jason made me root for them the more I read the story. Although at times, I wanted to strangle both of them for the lies and secrets they kept but that just added to the suspense. The story is told in the POV of both Monica and Jason. Monica is your typical girl-next-door midwesterner who just wants to get out there and explore and be adventurous. Jason is the sweet boyfriend all little girls dream of but not so adventurous.
This story is a stand alone and does have an HEA. They do get their acts together at the end. Safe travels to Monica and Jason!
~~~~~~~~~~Dee's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
This love story of Monica and Jason was pure pleasure and heart warming. We meet the couple during their first year of college. We watch their relationship grow into love and we see the obstacles that separate them. Ten years later, they accidentally run into each other and the old feelings rise again. But this time there are even more secrets, past regrets and shame and seemingly impassable blockages that they must deal with if there is any hope of their bonding once again. Their journey is entertaining and a joy to behold. Excellent writing that flows smoothly, draws the reader in and develops the characters. I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. I heartily recommend this story to anyone that loves a sweet, good love story. Five Stars!
~~~~~~~~~~Zarah's ★★★★✰ Review~~~~~~~~~~
I received this title courtesy of Sweet and Sassy Book-Aholics for an honest review.
Well written, well paced, well edited, sweet romance. Jason and Monica meet in college, fall in love, drift apart after a stupid decision, miscommunication and 10 years has them thrown together again.
Quick and easy to read, Wanderlust ticked all my boxes for a romance novel with characters that were easy to relate to in both personality and situation.
I really enjoyed it.
~~~~~~~~~~Sharlene's ★★★★✰ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Wanderlust is such a sweet romantic story. The storyline was so easy to read and moved right along. The characters were well developed, even the secondary ones. I absolutely fell in love with Stephen, the funny and witty gay best friend of Monica. He actually made me laugh out loud a couple of times during the story. Monica and Jason made me root for them the more I read the story. Although at times, I wanted to strangle both of them for the lies and secrets they kept but that just added to the suspense. The story is told in the POV of both Monica and Jason. Monica is your typical girl-next-door midwesterner who just wants to get out there and explore and be adventurous. Jason is the sweet boyfriend all little girls dream of but not so adventurous.
This story is a stand alone and does have an HEA. They do get their acts together at the end. Safe travels to Monica and Jason!
~~~~~~~~~~Dee's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
This love story of Monica and Jason was pure pleasure and heart warming. We meet the couple during their first year of college. We watch their relationship grow into love and we see the obstacles that separate them. Ten years later, they accidentally run into each other and the old feelings rise again. But this time there are even more secrets, past regrets and shame and seemingly impassable blockages that they must deal with if there is any hope of their bonding once again. Their journey is entertaining and a joy to behold. Excellent writing that flows smoothly, draws the reader in and develops the characters. I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. I heartily recommend this story to anyone that loves a sweet, good love story. Five Stars!
March 22, 2015
Wanderlust by Thea Dawson is such a sweet, heartbreaking, and romantic story. It was by far one of the sweetest stories I’ve read in a long time.
I loved the chemistry between the characters. It was so beautiful. You know instantly that they have a connection like no other. The more you read the more you know it’s a once in a lifetime kind of love. It is just breathtaking.
Monica is an inspirational character. I loved that she didn’t let anyone hold her back from her dreams. She followed them to her heart’s desire. I loved that she got to do so much traveling to different places; I’ve always wanted to do that. My heart broke for her when Jason wasn’t in her plan anymore.
Jason is definitely a remarkable guy. I’ll admit at one point I wasn’t sure about him, but the more I read the more I loved him. I had a love hate relationship with his character at first, and then grew to just love him. The older he gets the more he learns from his mistakes and grows as a person.
These two are destined to be together. But will they be? You’ll have to read this beautiful story to find out for yourself. The ending is just precious and I loved this book from beginning to end. A breathtakingly sweet story that leaves you in awe.
I give Wanderlust by Thea Dawson 4 out of 5 Sweet Stars
“You still smell the same.” I whispered when we broke apart for a few moments later. I felt his lips on my earlobe. “And you’re just as beautiful.” He answered. His voice hoarse.
I loved the chemistry between the characters. It was so beautiful. You know instantly that they have a connection like no other. The more you read the more you know it’s a once in a lifetime kind of love. It is just breathtaking.
Monica is an inspirational character. I loved that she didn’t let anyone hold her back from her dreams. She followed them to her heart’s desire. I loved that she got to do so much traveling to different places; I’ve always wanted to do that. My heart broke for her when Jason wasn’t in her plan anymore.
Jason is definitely a remarkable guy. I’ll admit at one point I wasn’t sure about him, but the more I read the more I loved him. I had a love hate relationship with his character at first, and then grew to just love him. The older he gets the more he learns from his mistakes and grows as a person.
These two are destined to be together. But will they be? You’ll have to read this beautiful story to find out for yourself. The ending is just precious and I loved this book from beginning to end. A breathtakingly sweet story that leaves you in awe.
I give Wanderlust by Thea Dawson 4 out of 5 Sweet Stars
“You still smell the same.” I whispered when we broke apart for a few moments later. I felt his lips on my earlobe. “And you’re just as beautiful.” He answered. His voice hoarse.
February 14, 2015
This book was captivating. I’m not even joking. The story of Monica and Jason. Former college sweethearts. Her attempts to protect her heart from further damage. His attempts to impress her. The cleverly woven humour, sadness, and hope laced throughout the book will simply wrap you up in the story. I pretty much finished it in one sitting. A real gem of a debut novel.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
February 12, 2015
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really fun romantic read! I enjoyed the story a lot and came to really like both Monica and Jason. Recommended read, perfect for a cold winter night.
This was a really fun romantic read! I enjoyed the story a lot and came to really like both Monica and Jason. Recommended read, perfect for a cold winter night.
September 1, 2017
What a fun story about college sweethearts who drift apart and bump into each other ten years later
only to find out they both believe the other one is engaged to someone else. I enjoyed the chemistry between the two main characters and how the reader is never sure how the story will turn out. This is a well written emotional story that may have you wonder about the one that got away. The title Wanderlust is very appropriate.
only to find out they both believe the other one is engaged to someone else. I enjoyed the chemistry between the two main characters and how the reader is never sure how the story will turn out. This is a well written emotional story that may have you wonder about the one that got away. The title Wanderlust is very appropriate.
September 6, 2017
This is the second Thea Dawson novel I have read. I really enjoyed following Jason and Monica in their search for love. I love the fact that after many years Jason and Monica end up in the same coffee shop, and strike up their friendship once again! Jason is engaged?! Monica is engaged?! You will have to read this book to see if they find a HEA with each other, or with their fiancés! I think you will enjoy this book; I did!
August 21, 2017
I love second chance romance, no matter how much time has passed. Thea Dawson didn't disappoint in Jason and Monica's story. If you're looking for a romance that is well written, you definitely need to one-click Wanderlust.
August 21, 2017
3.5☆
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Dual POVs
Part of a series: Love & Coffee Adventure
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading more from this author.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Dual POVs
Part of a series: Love & Coffee Adventure
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading more from this author.
February 18, 2015
What can I say? I’m a sucker for second change romances. They always bring to mind the one that got away and spark hope that we will meet again someday.
In Wanderlust the reader gets to experience the initial meet between Jason and Monica when they were young college students. We follow them after their initial meet as it grows from a friendship to young love. Jason is crazy about everything Monica except her plan to study in Paris for her Junior year. Sadly he felt her desire to study abroad was a declaration that she didn’t feel the same for him as he did for her. Jason became more of a jerk as the next two years passed and the couple never recovered after Junior year.
Wanderlust is divided into two sections. The college romance is about twenty percent of the story. The second part picks up about ten years later when the couple are adults and working on their careers and life after college. Jason is in a job he doesn’t like but he isn’t sure what he wants to do. Monica has her own business and doing very well but she is also wondering about some of her choices. After their brief encounter in a coffee shop Monica and Jason meet and begin to work on getting back together.
It is a nice journey following Monica and Jason as they try to heal and forgive the mistakes made in college. They have some false starts after the coffee shop meet due to misconceptions they each have about one another. It takes time for Monica and Jason to get over the fear of more heartache and admit that they are still interested in each other.
I like the college year’s romance but the real story happens when the couple gets back together. We see the true love grow even though the couple seems to have life working against them. (Some of this is their own fault because of lies of omission.)
I also really like the great support characters in the book. Chip is Jason’s friend from college. He is a former frat brother and confidant. Chip is a great addition to the story and often acts as Jason’s conscience in college and as an adult. Stephen is Monica’s friend and roommate. He is fun on occasion and dramatic at other times.
Wanderlust is a lighthearted romance with a dash of angst. The story is told from both Jason’s and Monica’s point of view. This technique is handled perfectly giving us the opportunity to experience and understand the underlying feelings of the main characters.
I love a good epilogue to round out a story and this book has that too. Yea!
Wanderlust is Thea Dawson’s first novel. She is a good writer and I expect to see a lot more from her in the future. I recommend this book if you like a good second chance romance.
In Wanderlust the reader gets to experience the initial meet between Jason and Monica when they were young college students. We follow them after their initial meet as it grows from a friendship to young love. Jason is crazy about everything Monica except her plan to study in Paris for her Junior year. Sadly he felt her desire to study abroad was a declaration that she didn’t feel the same for him as he did for her. Jason became more of a jerk as the next two years passed and the couple never recovered after Junior year.
Wanderlust is divided into two sections. The college romance is about twenty percent of the story. The second part picks up about ten years later when the couple are adults and working on their careers and life after college. Jason is in a job he doesn’t like but he isn’t sure what he wants to do. Monica has her own business and doing very well but she is also wondering about some of her choices. After their brief encounter in a coffee shop Monica and Jason meet and begin to work on getting back together.
It is a nice journey following Monica and Jason as they try to heal and forgive the mistakes made in college. They have some false starts after the coffee shop meet due to misconceptions they each have about one another. It takes time for Monica and Jason to get over the fear of more heartache and admit that they are still interested in each other.
I like the college year’s romance but the real story happens when the couple gets back together. We see the true love grow even though the couple seems to have life working against them. (Some of this is their own fault because of lies of omission.)
I also really like the great support characters in the book. Chip is Jason’s friend from college. He is a former frat brother and confidant. Chip is a great addition to the story and often acts as Jason’s conscience in college and as an adult. Stephen is Monica’s friend and roommate. He is fun on occasion and dramatic at other times.
Wanderlust is a lighthearted romance with a dash of angst. The story is told from both Jason’s and Monica’s point of view. This technique is handled perfectly giving us the opportunity to experience and understand the underlying feelings of the main characters.
I love a good epilogue to round out a story and this book has that too. Yea!
Wanderlust is Thea Dawson’s first novel. She is a good writer and I expect to see a lot more from her in the future. I recommend this book if you like a good second chance romance.
May 28, 2015
Monica and Jason were college sweethearts, they shared that first innocent and passionate love affair, until Monica is offered a chance to study abroad. She wants to discover the world, Jason is already set on his career path and doesn't want to give up what he has worked so hard to achieve.
Fast forward ten years. Their lives have moved on in their own separate ways, both having achieved their dreams and yet neither fulfilled, until a chance meeting in a coffee shop stirs the old sparks to life again. Due to a misunderstanding Monica allows Jason to believe that she is engaged, with only two weeks until her next assignment as a travel writer in Bangkok does she tell him the truth or allow him to continue believing she is about to get married?
This book is told in two parts, the first half focusing on their college years and how their relationship develops and blooms and how it also falls apart. The second part is following their coffee shop encounter 10 years on. Narrated in duel perspectives gives the reader more of an insight to each of the characters.
This is a very well paced, easy read and sweet love story. I had hoped with Monica being a travel writer that there would have been more written on her travels but the book sticks very closely to their love story. However their characters are very well developed and easy to connect with, neither one is perfect, both have their flaws and played their own part in their relationships demise. Yet, despite at times being frustrated with them and wishing that they would just get their acts together and be honest, you can't help but root for them. I love a happily ever after with that feel good factor and this certainly delivers.
Reviewed by Laura - Books Chocolate and Wine
Fast forward ten years. Their lives have moved on in their own separate ways, both having achieved their dreams and yet neither fulfilled, until a chance meeting in a coffee shop stirs the old sparks to life again. Due to a misunderstanding Monica allows Jason to believe that she is engaged, with only two weeks until her next assignment as a travel writer in Bangkok does she tell him the truth or allow him to continue believing she is about to get married?
This book is told in two parts, the first half focusing on their college years and how their relationship develops and blooms and how it also falls apart. The second part is following their coffee shop encounter 10 years on. Narrated in duel perspectives gives the reader more of an insight to each of the characters.
This is a very well paced, easy read and sweet love story. I had hoped with Monica being a travel writer that there would have been more written on her travels but the book sticks very closely to their love story. However their characters are very well developed and easy to connect with, neither one is perfect, both have their flaws and played their own part in their relationships demise. Yet, despite at times being frustrated with them and wishing that they would just get their acts together and be honest, you can't help but root for them. I love a happily ever after with that feel good factor and this certainly delivers.
Reviewed by Laura - Books Chocolate and Wine
April 8, 2016
I loved how the story developed. I really felt attached to the characters and felt like I understood them. The viewpoints switched between the male and female protagonists each chapter and that helped both understand the characters and the entirely of the story. The transitions truly felt seamless. The dialogue was also realistic. In some ways, it was extremely casual... but somehow not cheesy, and that can be a difficult task, especially when you're trying to write dialogue for a slightly awkward, small-talk-heavy conversation. But Dawson wrote it in a way that felt natural and believable, I could really hear the characters' tones. This made it a quick read, but in a good way, because the story just flowed.
The plot itself was interesting, based on the idea of the "one who got away." The deeper theme I saw was that the characters really matured through the story. They felt human from the beginning and their development was quite natural. Looking at their places in life at the beginning, their actions and feelings made a lot of sense, and this continued as the story jumped forward.
Overall I thought the story itself was compelling and the writing quality was lovely, I truly enjoyed reading this book. I definitely intend to read more by The Dawson.
The plot itself was interesting, based on the idea of the "one who got away." The deeper theme I saw was that the characters really matured through the story. They felt human from the beginning and their development was quite natural. Looking at their places in life at the beginning, their actions and feelings made a lot of sense, and this continued as the story jumped forward.
Overall I thought the story itself was compelling and the writing quality was lovely, I truly enjoyed reading this book. I definitely intend to read more by The Dawson.
November 20, 2015
In the first part of the book, Monica and Jason meet freshman year in college. Paths cross a few times, flirting...then he finally gets up the nerve to ask her out. They fall in love, are each other's firsts, pretty cute together. Monica already knows she'll be studying abroad in Paris her junior year and it turns Jason in a complete jerk. He's jealous that she's "leaving him" so he acts like a petulant child. I kept wondering why she just didn't dump him, especially after the whole "if you really loved me you'd have a threesome" fiasco. But instead of breaking up, they just sort of drift and ignore each other and pretty soon a decade has passed.
Present day Jason is much less of a tool than college Jason, but he still has some growing up to do. Monica seemed so much more put together, at least career-wise. The whole engagement nonsense was like a bad episode of "Three's Company", it dragged on way too long. Their friends, Chip and Stephen, seemed to be the voices of reason and I just kept wanting Jason and Monica to listen to them!
There wasn't really any doubt that Jason and Monica would get their HEA, but it was a quick, mostly sweet read for me.
Present day Jason is much less of a tool than college Jason, but he still has some growing up to do. Monica seemed so much more put together, at least career-wise. The whole engagement nonsense was like a bad episode of "Three's Company", it dragged on way too long. Their friends, Chip and Stephen, seemed to be the voices of reason and I just kept wanting Jason and Monica to listen to them!
There wasn't really any doubt that Jason and Monica would get their HEA, but it was a quick, mostly sweet read for me.
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