A Rhode to Love: Wayfinder Series

by Manda Mazanec

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2026

Reviews

[Carolyn]

A Rhode to Love is the second book in the Wayfinder series and it was a great read. It is a story about second chances, misunderstandings, and learning to love. This story follows Jamison and Violet as they reconnect and learn how to trust and love.

When these two solo travelers end up on a romantic road trip forced to relive a memory from their past, the tension builds quickly. This story made me laugh and there were so many heartwarming moments. On the other hand, the tension was real with this book. This book was emotional on so many levels and had so much depth to it. The way the characters interacted with each other had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I’m so happy I got the chance to read this book!

[Rebekah Bertram]

Absolutely gorgeous 🤩🩷 loved every page of this story! Jay and Violet are amazing and their love was so infectious

[Elly Ando]

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)
🌶️ 1/5 (fade to black)

A Rhode to Love was such a wholesome, feel-good romance that completely reminded me why I love road trip romances.

The chemistry between Violet and Jamison didn’t rely on spice—it was built through banter, shared experiences, and being forced together long enough to really see each other. The forced proximity was done so well, and watching two people with so much history slowly break down each other’s walls made this impossible not to root for.

One of my favourite moments had to be when Jamison’s ex threw crab legs at them, knowing Violet was allergic. It was chaotic, unexpected, and had me laughing while also wanting to jump into the book. And the meddling sister-in-law insisting they share a room? Peak forced proximity, and I loved every minute of it.

Jamison is the definition of a cinnamon roll hero. He’s patient, thoughtful, and exactly the kind of MMC who proves you don’t need a broody billionaire or morally grey antihero to completely steal the show.

Despite being fade to black, the romance never felt lacking. The emotional connection carried the story beautifully, and the road trip setting gave their relationship the perfect amount of time to develop naturally.

If you love road trips, one-bed moments, forced proximity, strangers-to-lovers with a shared past, and romances that make you smile more than blush, this is absolutely worth picking up.

[Nicole]

Thank you Manda Mazanec for an ARC read of A Rhode To Love. This is such a beautiful story.

Summary:
Violet is on a couples’ romantic road trip alone after ending her relationship with the boyfriend who was supposed to join her. She is struggling with the loss of her aunt, who helped raise her, as well as complications at work. Things take a turn when she runs into Jay/Jamison, the man she had a one-night stand with five years earlier. He is on the road trip in hopes of rediscovering himself and finding inspiration to write romance after suffering a huge loss that still haunts him. The two are paired together so she can enjoy the experiences and he can do research. Feelings begin to intensify as they work through their grief and take part in couples’ activities.

Thoughts:
• Some of the moments in this book are heart-wrenching. I had to stop and pause a few times because there were some incredibly emotional scenes.
• Jay is such a strong MMC, considering how much loss he has experienced. I love his strength and his willingness to find love again after everything he’s been through.
• The dancing scene in Chapter 23… 🫦🔥🥵 Be ready, because it’s so good!
• The chemistry between Violet and Jay is amazing! I loved them together right away.
• This is a short read that I couldn’t put down.

[Katerina Kuhlmann]

ARC review

Violet filled with grief after losing her aunt, goes to group therapy. She ends up meeting Jamison in a not so meet cute situation. They have a one night stand, she leaves without a word. Five years later, they run into eachother on a couples road trip.

I’ve never had a book hit me in the chest so hard. Violet and I have a lot of parallels. We’re both in the medical field. Both had an aunt that was our constant. Both had our aunt pass away from pancreatic cancer. Even the time that’s passed is a year different. I did have to put this book down and really let it sink in before I picked it up again. For the sake of healing through the grief just as Violet and Jamison had to do, I dove in.

Jamison is so sweet and so patient. He knows exactly what Violet needs. Violet is stubborn and lost in grief. During the road trip she starts to peel layers away. It’s beautiful to see them both take back parts of their lives. There’s a couple funny parts as well and violets inner monologue cracked me up at times.

While this book can be a little heavy, it was a good story. I honestly could’ve had more of it!

[Katie]

When you need a flip of the script and find yourself a salt and pepper, late 30’s, romance writer MMC😍😍 Jamison Rhodes is a 10/10🔥 Even with this book being a fade to black romance,(usually not my thing but Manda might have made me a fan🤯) it had so much depth and emotion wrapped up in such a romantic steamy story.

A one night stand turns into a repeat meet cute when Violet goes on a couples roadtrip, alone, and finds the only other singular person on the trip is Jamison…the guy she had one night with and ran the next morning after seeing pictures of a pregnant woman on his walls😳

The grief and loss that both Violet and Jamison were going through broke my heart but it made them finding eachother so much better! With every situation they are thrown together, it helps them realize they are able to help one another start to enjoy life and live again💕

Thank you to Manda for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Isabelle Gorton]

This was such an endearing romance book that focused on the meaning of love when you are brought up in different environments, and the true impact that loss and grief can have on your life.

From the start Violet and Jay have overwhelming chemistry. Their story is paced perfectly, showing flash backs to 5 years prior to give the reader the full backstory.

The Romantic Road Trip Excursions idea really allowed the story to take form. There characters got to experience adventure, whilst taking themselves out of their comfort zone, and allow them to push and support each other.

[🧸🎀Tiff]

oh my goodness, I was absolutely ✨addicted✨ to this story and the characters! it hooked me in from the first couple chapters & had me hating to put my tablet down. I LOVED Jamison & Violet soooo freaking much! this was one of those romance stories that hits you straight in the feels & I loved how sweet & wholesome it was! it was fun, it was funny, sweet, tragic, & tbh, it was a big inspiration because it teaches us that even when you’ve suffered through grief & loss, sometimes, even though we’ll always carry it with us, happiness & love both can still be found in darker times in our lives. sometimes, it’s hiding just around the corner.

I adored Manda’s writing, her way of weaving a story is brilliant & her writing hooks you in, sets its claws in you, & hits you in all the feels and I loved that! highly recommend this one — it released yesterday & is free to download on KU! also check out the others in this series! I know I’m going to!💛

🌾 roadtrip romance
💛 age gap
🌾 closed door
💛 forced proximity
🌾 cinnamon roll mmc
💛 grief & healing
🌾 repeat meet-cute
💛 duet pov

4.5⭐️

🫶🏼 thank you so much @mandamazanec.author for the #gifted arc

[Jenny Lynn Curry]

“He paid me to have s*x with him!!!” Or at least that’s what Violet thinks when she finds $15k dollars in a manilla folder on the table with her name on it.

She can’t believe it!! She is beside herself and runs!!

But five years later never suspects she will run into the same man on a couples vacation that she ends up taking as the only single because she broke up with her boyfriend.

This book was so good!!! It kept you flipping pages so quickly because you just wanted them together!! The slow burn was real!! The heartbreak was real!! The loses were real, and the love….was real!!

Such a perfect ending to a perfect story!!!

[Samantha]

I really liked Jameson's and Violets story.They were both surviving losing someone important and due to a communication issue they then parted ways and found each other 4 years later.

[Ashley Passopulo]

I had such a fun time with A Rhode to Love. It’s a light, feel‑good romance with charming characters and an easy pace that makes it perfect for a weekend read. Jay and Violet’s relationship is sweet, engaging, and refreshingly straightforward. I especially appreciated that the author didn’t drag out the drama - the conflict feels natural, it resolves without unnecessary angst, and you’re never stuck waiting for the characters to “just figure it out already.” It was a nice change of pace from romances that lean too heavily on drawn‑out misunderstandings. If you’re looking for something cozy, upbeat, and genuinely enjoyable, this one delivers.

[Angela Durand]

Thank you to the author/PR team for the opportunity to read A Rhode to Love as an ARC! ❤️

I really enjoyed this road-trip romance! Violet and Jamison definitely had some history to work through, and I liked watching them find their way back to each other while dealing with everything life had thrown at them. The forced proximity and road trip made this a fun, easy read, and I really liked the emotional side of their story too. A cute second-chance-ish romance with a little bit of everything!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Sarah Parker-Fullmer]

This is a second chance romance between Jamison and Violet. Starts in a dual timeline so we can see their first encounter with each other 5 years ago. I enjoyed the banter between the two during their couples roadtrip. I felt the chemistry between them even when they were trying to fight their feelings. The journey Jamison and Violet took to get there was beautiful. Lots of walls and misunderstandings to uncover and breakdown.

Second chance romance, road trip with excursions and forced proximity makes this book a must read.

[Heather Weir]

In a story about finding love through grief, Manda Mazanec has created a magnificent story, "A Rhode to Love."

No matter how you lose someone, grief can be all consuming if you let it, but it can also be a flower; growing anew in the seed of your garden. You don't just lose yourself when a person dies, you lose who you were with them. A part of you dies and you have to rediscover who you are as a whole.

That is one of the reasons I can relate to the main male character (MMC), Jamison, so much because I have lost a spouse, and you fall into this empty void and trying to find inspiration to live does not come easily. So, when you find it, you must hold onto it.

However, grief can come in different forms, and we each handle them in our own way. This story follows Violet and Jamison as they find who they are as a single person and as someone who wishes to find love again without the ones they loved most before.

Mazanec's writing is flawless when it comes to the detail and pace of this story. It captivated me into sitting down and reading this book in almost one sitting. Work got in the way otherwise I would have done it.

Violet is a hospice nurse who loses her aunt to cancer, and it takes a huge toll on her. She stops traveling and living life to the fullest and dives deeper into her work to numb the pain. Completely isolating herself and denying herself true love when it comes to men.

So, when she breaks up with her boyfriend of the moment and loses another patient five years after her aunts passing it completely shatters her life. Her patient's family is suing for wrongful death and for someone who puts her entire life into her work to make patients as comfortable as possible while they die, how much of you is left in the end?

Violet ends up taking the couples retreat trip that her boyfriend had paid for in order to get away to figure out her life. Little did she know that she would run into her one-night stand, Jamison, on this trip.

Romance author, Jamison, follows his sister and brother-in-law on their romantic bus getaway tours to find inspiration for his new books. He thought that watching different couples from afar would be enough to keep him distracted from his own pain. However, when his one-night stand walks onto the bus everything changes.

Mazanec did an outstanding job keeping this a closed-door romance while also being a forced proximity. It added a layer of spice that sparked the fire between these two characters.

It is funny, heartbreaking, bittersweet and everything I was looking for in a romance novel.

One of my favorite quotes from Jamison is "I can't help it. There's something unequivocally beautiful about her when she's flustered. Maybe it's because she's usually so bold. SO unreserved. And this small hint of vulnerability feels like an accidental secret she's let slip. A secret I want to uncover."

However, no matter how into Violet, Jamison is, she can't seem to let her guard down enough to let him in. Will she finally leave the grief behind and allow the one thing she has been missing in her life to happen or will she run away from happiness all together?

Overall, this book had everything I was looking for and made me look at my own self and the grief that has consumed my life. I never expected to see myself inside a romance character as vividly as I did this one. My heart aches for these two and it is because of this that I am rating this book four out of five stars and because of the spicy dance scene and the closed-door forced proximity that I am rating it three out of five chili peppers.

Thank you, Manda Mazanec, for the ARC (Advanced Ready Copy) and allowing me to review this book for you.

[C_C]

ARC REVIEW

"A Rhode to Love"
(Wayfinders Series)

by Manda Mazanec


How lucky am I that my list of favorite books of 2026 keeps growing and growing? Because this book? F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E.

Jamison, the MMC? A new book boyfriend.
The story? Heartbreaking. Unforgettable.
And so well written, so believable, so real.

It contains so much pain, so much grief, so many moments you just want to curl up into a ball and stay there like that.
The plot twist made my eyes fill with tears. My heart was racing and I just couldn't not feel so much for these characters.
But it also has so much light. So much hope. So much love.
In fact, it is a map to the way of love.

Violet is grieving. When her therapist suggests group counseling, she gives it a try. In her first session, a series of events later that day lead her to a one night stand with a stranger. But she runs away.

Fast forward 5 years. Her ex-boyfriend booked a road trip with this tour company. She broke up with him, but she’s still going on the trip. And when she gets there, it’s all couples only. She’s paired with a man who’s also alone. That’s when she realizes the grumpy guy is the same one from 5 years ago. They both start this journey of self-discovery that will lead them to accepting live deserves to be lived and not just survived.

The anticipation. The angst. The banter. The side characters. The realness. The road trip. The smiles.


Releasing August 11

Thank you to the author for this incredible ARC.

---

some of my favorite quotes:
💛
It is in this moment, when our eyes meet, that realization hits me, like a tidal wave crashing hard enough to take out the Statue of Liberty.
💛
It's the tension in his jaw and the weariness in his expression that suggest he's seen more than his age lets on.
💛
I glare at him, remembering how easy it is to get lost in his eyes.
💛
A spark. A current. A pulse of electricity. It hums through me, straight through my bones. And I swear she must feel it too, because her hand drops suddenly, like the air between us is too intense to tolerate.
💛
"Do not look at me like that. Do not smile. Do not flirt. Do not - "
💛
I know - God, I know - that this is the part where a reasonable person would take a step back. Create distance. Restore oxygen to their brain. Maybe remember that this man is still a stranger.
💛
As soon as his bright eyes linger on me, they start unearthing things I worked hard to bury.
💛
He's stupidly attractive. Not just good-looking, not just movie-star gorgeous, but the kind of handsome that makes you lose your train of thought mid-sentence.
💛
It's the kind of trouble that tempts, entangles, and inevitably leaves wreckage behind.
💛
"The right beard, it can say ´I chop wood. I drink whiskey. I own lots of flannel.´"
💛
"And from my experience, people who are careful usually feel the deepest."
💛
This isn't tentative. It's raw. It's need and desperation slamming together. Five years of hunger condensed into a single, breathless moment.
💛
"You can run as many times as you want, and I'll still be here," I whisper
💛

[Dulaniii]

We have Violet, a traveling hospice nurse and Jamison, a very handsome romance author who has hit a significant writer’s block. The story unravels when these two solo travellers accidentally end up in a romantic road trip that becomes the perfect foundation for them to bond.

Violet carries a lot of baggage from a lonely childhood that forced her to loose trust in love, grief from the death of the only person who showed her the world, her aunt. Jamison, on the other hand is carrying his fair share of grief with the loss of his closest loved ones (no spoilers here). Both of them choosing to be alone in this world, meets each other at I’d say the perfect time!

I really enjoyed this book! This was a perfectly balanced story and is soooo easy to read.
The slow burn wasn’t too slow or too fast, the romance was just the right amount, the spice was fade to black which was my first time reading such.
This book has very heavy themes like death, grief and most of the times when there are themes like these in books, the authors tend to dwell so deeply in it for a larger part of the book, at times overpowering the story underneath. But Manda Mazanec had it smoothened in a perfect ratio.

The yearning, the angst, the fears, the joy, the second chances…all of these were explored beautifully between Violet and Jamison. Their story was very beautiful and emotional. Violet is very stubborn and has been carrying grief for so long, she doesn’t believe in love, she has proven to be flight risk and just doesn’t want to settle down. Enter Jamison Rhodes. It’s not everyday you find a MMC who is patient, sweet, understands what his girl needs. Jamison is exactly all of that and more. It also helps when he is a romance author. I mean??? Their dynamic is something that I loved from start to finish.

The progression of their story was very realistic, relatable and understandable. Nothing too fast or too slow. Like I said, perfect amount of rhythm!

Another thing that I loved about this book is how perfectly these two communicated. Like that’s so rare in most books. The lack of explanation and misinterpretation is too much. But not here!!! And I absolutely loved that about this book and this couple! I loved the chaotic scenes with Jamison's ex - gave me a good laugh!

This is a book with heavy themes but the author made it so easy and smooth for the reader to explore. I wished we had more to read about these two.

Manda, thank you so much for the ARC and i loved reading this book so much. You have done an amazing job writing about these two which i can genuinely feel must have been difficult with the heavy themes but you have done a wonderful job bringing them to life.

[yue]

Ever since I started doing ARC reads, I somehow started to notice how I have a thing for road trips so imagine how happy I was when I saw the ARC listing for the Wayfinder Series. I didnt even realize I am signing up for eight wonderful novellas but here I am totally hooked.

There is nothing more refreshing than reading a romance story that has road trip between the two characters was one of the main plot point. I loved how each of the stops, each people they met contributed to their love story. The setup is wonderfully awkward. Violet ends up using the couples vacation her ex had already paid for, and then Jamison walks into the picture. Of course, these two already have history, which makes the whole situation even more complicated.

Their one night stand and everything that followed was CHAOTIC. And honestly, so much of it could have been resolved so much faster if they had just talked. 😂 Was it frustrating? YES. Did I want to shake them and tell them to communicate? ALSO YES. But it was also realistic because misunderstandings like this really do happen when people make assumptions instead of talking about what actually happened.

I really enjoyed Violet and Jay's dynamic. They push each other, irritate each other, challenge each other, and slowly start breaking through those defenses. Their banter feels natural, and I loved watching them slowly let each other in.

I also really appreciated how the book handled grief and moving forward. Charla's role in Jay's life was one of my favorite parts, and I loved that she understood that moving forward doesn't mean forgetting someone you lost.

And of course, I was STILL very excited about the fact that the male lead was an author. 😂 Normally, it is the female lead who is the author in the books I read, so I really enjoyed seeing the roles switched here. I also particularly loved the scene where Violet was reading Jay's book in front of him and then got shy after she found out he was the author. 😂

Overall, A Rhode to Love gave me a romance with real heart, characters who felt like actual people, plenty of frustrating moments where I wanted them to just TALK, and a road trip that genuinely mattered to the story.

For longer review : pagesofyue.com

A huge thank you to Manda Mazanec for trusting me with an advance review copy of A Rhode to Love. It truly means a lot! As always, every thought and opinion shared in this review is completely honest and my own.

[Jennifer Amaral]

This one made me want to pack a bag, turn off my phone, and go on a completely unplanned road trip. 😂🚗❤️

What I really enjoyed here was the second-chance feeling without it becoming overly heavy. Violet and Jamison have history, but their connection doesn't feel like it's stuck in the past. There's this sense of two people meeting again after they've both changed and realizing there might still be something worth exploring.

Violet was especially relatable to me. She's at that uncomfortable point where the life she thought she was building has fallen apart, and she doesn't really know what comes next. I liked watching her slowly rediscover pieces of herself that had gotten buried under everything she'd been dealing with.

Jamison brought a completely different energy. He's funny, charming, and just enough of a troublemaker to keep things interesting. 😂 I really enjoyed the way he tries to pull Violet out of her shell without making her feel like she has to become someone else.

And the road-trip setting was such a good choice.

There's something about being stuck in a car with someone that makes it impossible to hide behind your normal routines. Conversations happen differently. You notice little things. You start seeing someone outside the version of them you remember.

The romance also has that lovely feeling of rediscovering joy. Not everything has to be dramatic or life-changing. Sometimes healing looks like laughing at something stupid, stopping somewhere you weren't planning to stop, or realizing you're actually looking forward to tomorrow.

I also loved the connection between Jamison's writing and Violet. There's something really sweet about two people inspiring parts of each other that they thought were gone for good.

This was a fun, heartfelt, road-trip romance with second chances, old chemistry, humor, and two people finding their way back to something neither of them expected.

Sometimes you don't need to know exactly where the road is taking you.

You just need the right person sitting beside you. 🚗❤️

[Victoria York]

ARC COPY RECEIVED FROM AUTHOR

I just want to say thank you to Manda Mazanec for the opportunity to ARC- Read this book! That being said all reviews and comments and all thoughts/opinions are my own!

Violet, a sweet hospice nurse who loves to run as soon as things get hard in life. Especially after the Aunt, who raised her passes away with her life in shambles, her therapist convinces her to go to group therapy. Where she happens to me a very handsome romance book author. What a perfect meet cute right?!Only for them to have an amazing one night stand. So what’s the best way to leave a random man’s house who you’ve just slept with and found photos of him hugging a pregnant woman with a ring. The obvious answer would be to leave no note and ghost him, right?!

Five years later after breaking up with her not so serious boyfriend. Violet finds herself still taking the vacation they planned. What could go wrong? On a COUPLES ONLY week long roadtrip on a bus.

Problem #1 she is now forced to go on all couple activities with one hot stranger, whom she had a one night stand with.

Problem #2 - Why is she now starting to fall for him.
I’m not gonna lie guys I absolutely loved this book. It was a cute little road trip novel. I absolutely loved the characters and the growth between them. Jamison was so sweet. He’s honestly a golden retriever in the man department. All he wants to do is push her out of her comfort zone and let her re-experience life, not being tied down to her grief while fighting his own.
If you love, road trip romances where two strangers have to share a bed (little to no spice at all) then this book is definitely for you!!!

Tropes:
Forced Proximity
Second chance romance
Grumpy sunshine – she’s a grump
One Bed
Strangers to lovers
Fake Fiancé

**Note: This is book 2 of 8 in a multi-author series of rom-coms with varying spice level. All are part of A Wayfinder Series**

[Charlene's Bookish Archives]

This book was such a fun mix of second chances, forced proximity, road-trip chaos, and two people who clearly have a lot of unfinished business between them!

Violet is at a crossroads in her life. After everything falls apart, she decides to take the vacation her ex paid for and use it as a chance to escape, clear her head, and figure out what comes next. What she definitely doesn't expect is to come face-to-face with Jamison Rhodes,the man from one unforgettable night five years ago.

And then, because apparently fate has a wicked sense of humour, they're stuck spending a whole week together. 😂

Jamison was such a great character. He's charming, infuriating, funny, and underneath all that, he's carrying his own wounds and disappointments. I loved watching him and Violet slowly break through each other's walls. Their chemistry is obvious, but what really worked for me was seeing them rediscover the parts of themselves they'd lost along the way.

The road-trip setting made this even more enjoyable. The tourist stops, forced couple activities, unexpected moments, and all the little situations that push them closer together gave the story a really fun atmosphere. There are plenty of laughs, but also some genuinely emotional moments as both of them have to confront their pasts and decide what they actually want for their futures.

I especially loved the second-chance aspect. These two aren't simply picking up where they left off five years ago,they've changed, they've been hurt, and they have to figure out whether there's still something worth fighting for.

A Rhode to Love was a sweet, entertaining and emotional romance with great chemistry, plenty of humour, and that delicious "we absolutely should not fall for each other again" tension. If you enjoy forced proximity, second chances, road trips, and characters finding their way back to each other, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.

[ravenblackbird74]

📘 A Rhode to Love (Wayfinder Series) by Manda Mazanec
📚 Format: Ebook
💫 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I’ve come to realize it’s okay to grow. It’s okay to move forward in life without forgetting my past.”

🚗 Road Trip Romance
💞 Forced Proximity
⏳ Age Gap
💜 Grief Representation
🌲 Adventure
🌙 Fade-to-Black Romance

💜 Violet's life is unraveling. She's grieving the loss of a patient, facing trouble at work, looking for somewhere to live after the end of a relationship, and carrying memories of a loss from years before.
Jamison is carrying a different kind of grief. He loved his wife, Felicity, and lost the future they were supposed to share. Violet was the unexpected connection that came afterward—and one he hasn't been able to forget.

🚗 When circumstances bring Violet and Jamison together again, their road trip gives them a chance to see one another differently and confront some of the assumptions, guilt, and grief standing between them.

🌲 My favorite part was their time in the Catskills. With a funny nod to Dirty Dancing, an unexpected rainstorm, plenty of mud, and an ex-girlfriend who simply will not take a hint, Violet and Jamison finally begin laughing together. Beneath all the chaos, Violet also starts to recognize something important: Jamison has been looking out for her all along.

I enjoyed the underlying message of their story—that moving forward doesn't mean forgetting the people or experiences that shaped us. Sometimes it simply means allowing ourselves to grow around them.

💞 A sweet, adventurous, fade-to-black romance about two people discovering that honoring the past doesn't mean they have to stop living in the present.

🎧 Broken Wing Soundtrack:
🎶 Wayfinder Bus Playlist
🍹 Escape (The Piña Colada Song) — Rupert Holmes
💜 The Story — Brandi Carlile

#BrokenWingBooks #BookTok #ARCReviewer #Bookstagram #MandaMazanec #ARhodetoLove

[Sally S]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and I honestly couldn’t put it down. From the very first chapter, I was completely invested in Jamison and Violet’s journey.

What starts as an unexpected road trip turns into a beautiful, emotional love story that neither of them saw coming. Their chemistry, growth, and the way they learn to trust each other made this such a heartwarming read. It reminded me that the best love stories are often the ones you never expect.

One of my favourite things about this book was the meaningful quotes sprinkled throughout the story. They felt genuine and stayed with me long after I finished reading.

Some of my favourites were:

❤️ “I’ve got you. I’m not going anywhere.”

❤️ “Love isn’t meant to be perfect.”

❤️ “If you find someone who gets you, who sees beyond your flaws and still wants to stay, then that’s real. That’s worth believing in.”

❤️ “It’s like love is a plant. You have to nurture it in order for it to grow.”

❤️ “When you love someone enough, you make it work.”

❤️ “Life’s too short to be afraid of taking risks.”

❤️ “Sometimes when you know you’re in love, you just know.”

That last quote is definitely my favourite.

If you’re looking for a heartfelt, emotional romance with unforgettable characters, plenty of swoon-worthy moments, and a story that reminds you to believe in love, I highly recommend picking this one up. It releases on August 11, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience Jamison and Violet’s story.

[Rachel Foraker]

Violet is a hospice nurse who had recently broke off things with her boyfriend needing an escape she decides to still attend the Romantic Road Trip Excursion solo. Jamison is a romance novelist but has been dealing with writers block and goes on the Romantic Road Trip Excursion as a soloist for inspiration from other couples attending the trip.
Both main characters have had unimaginable grief experiences due to loss of loved ones Jamison has dealt with his in a much different way than Violet. Although his experiences with grief have left him patient when it comes to Violet and he allows her space when she needs it. Over the course of this Romantic Road Trip Excursion these two are pushed together both by default (the only two singles on the trip) as well as being drawn to one another. This story shows how grief/loss can shape/change your outlook on life it has led Violet to avoid attachment for fear of being hurt. Jamison is patient and kind in a way that Violet needs and has a quiet understanding of Violet; what she’s experiencing emotionally giving her the space she needs to heal. The characters throughout the story are relatable, the banter between them had me laughing out loud at times.
A Rhode to Love was a realistic feel good love story that showed how opening yourself up to love doesn’t always end in heartbreak.

[Merriann Wright]

Review of advance copy received from the Author.

Thank you Manda Mazanec for eARC and opportunity to read your book prior to release.

Loved this quick, engaging read with perfect pacing! Violet, a hospice nurse and Jamison, a romance writer end up solo on The Romantic Roadtrip Excursion trip 5 years after a one-night stand. The reason for their hookup back then was both funny and sad, and they never thought they'd run into each other again.

Emotional Depth: Violet didn't grow up in a loving family, so she's skeptical about love. The story beautifully explores how deep grief from past losses shapes our outlook on life and love. It also shows that everyone deals with grief in different ways.

Fantastic MMC: The way Jamison dealt with his own grief taught him to be patient and kind, and he gives Violet the space she needs to heal on this trip.

Great Chemistry: Their connection feels authentic, and the "fade to black" romance is both steamy and touching.

Funny Moments: Heavy healing moments are balanced by a few funny moments. My favorite is when one of Jamison's past hook-ups goes on a jealous rampage.

Highly recommend adding this to your August TBR list if you love second-chance romance and emotional healing!

**Note: This is book 2 of 8 in a multi-author series of rom-coms with varying spice levels. All have a road-trip theme. All are part of A Wayfinder Series**

[Shelly]

Putting Violet and Jamison on a road trip together was the perfect way for them to get their second chance. Obviously they had a previous connection as they had a one night stand, but this trip was a chance for them to realize that there was a lot left to be discovered!

Jamison's energy was fun and charismatic. He has an incredible sense of humor that is simultaneously charming and captivating. My favorite part about him was that he had a mischievous side that added to the fun. Reminded me of my husband!

Violet was almost like a shell of her former self. She feels like her entire life has fallen around her and she's barely standing. She avoids forming deep relationships with others out of fear of losing them. Completely relatable and understandable!

These two find a way -- together -- on this road trip and it unfolds at a realistic pace. Jamison is patient and gives her enough room to process things as they happen, but he also gives her the little pushes she needs through laughter. Especially when they run into one of his exes and deal with her temper tantrum. What a hoot!!

This is a fade to black romance, but trust me -- it doesn't leave you feeling unfulfilled. The emotion is top notch for capturing your heart!

[Itsmep]

A great choice for anyone who enjoys road trips, forced proximity and second chances.



This was such a fun, emotional road-trip romance! I really enjoyed the forced proximity between Violet and Jamison, especially seeing them navigate the complicated history and unresolved feelings between them. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I enjoyed the MMC (Jamison) slowly break through FMC (Violet’s) walls and bring some happiness back into her life.

The road-trip setting added plenty of fun moments, with the tourist stops and forced-couple activities giving them opportunities to reconnect and rediscover each other. I also really enjoyed Jamison’s character and the way Violet inspired him to find his way back to the writing he had left behind.

There were some emotional moments as both characters dealt with heartbreak, uncertainty, and the fear of getting hurt again. While a few parts felt a little rushed for me, overall this was a sweet, entertaining second-chance romance with plenty of chemistry, humor, and heart. A great choice for anyone who enjoys road trips, forced proximity, second chances, and falling in love all over again!

I received this book as an eARC, although it had no effect on my ability to provide a thoughtful and honest review.

[Renee K]

Note: I was provided an advanced copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars, rounded up. A Rhode to Love is the second in the Wayfinder series, a multi-author, road trip themed collection. The FMC finds herself newly single on a couples-themed bus trip, fresh off of a work experience that leaves her without a place to live and whether or not she has a job. The MMC is also on the trip without another half and it turns out these two met 5 years earlier.
Both are dealing with lasting grief and are drawn to each other from their interactions 5 years ago. They are also forced together a bit with the couples-themed outings.
The FMC is scared and does not believe love can exist; The MMC has had great examples of love in his life and had found love before that ended tragically.
What works:
Grief responses that ring true
Both characters facing the challenge to live again after grief
Some fun side characters with the road trip
Fade to black
What didn’t work:
Assumption on why there was extra cash in the FMC’s envelope 5 years ago

Spoiler: MMC saying that the FMC can “run anytime” and he will still be there. Um, no.

[Coffeenbooks]

- Second chance, of sorts
- Miscommunication
- ONS to more
- Close proximity
- Road trip romance

I was not expecting this book to make me so emotional. I fully related to both Jay (Jamison) and Violet (Vi) as they navigate a world in which their loved ones are no longer part of. Both of their losses are still impacting their current lives as well.

The two connect as single riders on a couples road trip, quite by accident. Jay frequently rides along to get inspiration for writing and Violet has recently become single and her bestie convinced her to go on the trip. Violet hasn't travelled since losing her aunt, who was her travel companion and best friend. Jamison was a novelist before losing his fiancee and has struggled to write more than short articles since then.

Once they see each other, they remember the night they shared 5 years ago...after which Violet took off without leaving any contact information.

I loved watching these two heal and reconnect, finding joy in life again.

[Julie]

ARC review 
Anecdotal thoughts while reading 
Wayfinder series
I love the relationship between Meredith and Violet.  ❤️
Vi, I hope you find the innr strength or someone else to do these adventures with.
Yah, Harper is a bestie in this book also.  We were introduded to her in Professionally Yours.
Oh dang, a lawsuit.   
🚶‍♀️ 1 at a time
Will the leaves be changing?
Oh snap!  Jay/Jamison...
Ultimatum: group or inpatient ... Oh wow, that was a 💩 show!
He remembers her.
What happened to you?  Was it Fred?
Oh snap, who is Felicity?
Why is the cover familiar? Felicity connection?
Wade...straight to the point 🤣
Is he the author??
Oh for real 💩,  them??
Why would he pay her put for it? Chop shop / junk yard of sorts?
Oh what a sad story 😢 😱
Chin and eye?!?!
Paid you?  You mean for your car right??
1 step forward 2 steps back 
Clark sharing the wisdom. 
⛺️ truths and lies exposed 
❤️ 🛏  🌸 🕯 🔥 🪞 🪞 🪞 🪞 😆

[Wydow]

The story is a second-chance romance that follows Violet, a traveling nurse, and Jamison, a romance writer battling writer's block. After five years apart following a brief past encounter, they accidentally cross paths again when they end up on the exact same couples' road trip vacation. Because they are both traveling solo, they get thrown into forced proximity and have to participate in all the corny couple activities together.

What I loved most about this book was the sheer depth of emotion. Both characters are dealing with heavy themes of grief and loss, but the author does a brilliant job of balancing the emotional weight with sweet, funny, and heartwarming moments. The chemistry between Violet and Jamison builds beautifully, and their banter kept me smiling the whole way through. Plus, it is a fade-to-black romance, which lets the focus stay purely on their deep emotional connection and healing journey.