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Thousand Mile Love Story #1-3
The Thousand Mile Love Story
Would you take a thousand-mile road trip with your best friends…and the ex-girlfriend who broke your heart?
Meet Andee Shaw. A decade ago, her heart was broken by a devastatingly beautiful woman–the woman she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with. Now, ten years later, two of her oldest friends, Elizabeth and Heather, are getting married in Vermont. And they have a request: They want the old gang to take that infamous road trip they always talked about in college but never set into motion.
The brides’ not-so-secret goal: to enable Andee and her ex, Robin Barnes, to finally patch things up.
So, four college friends hop in a green convertible and begin a thousand-mile road trip that Andee isn’t quite sure she’ll survive. They visit the strangest places and encounter some wild adventures, and throughout it all, Andee struggles to come to terms with her conflicting feelings for Robin.
Because, despite her misgivings, Andee is falling in love with Robin all over again.
This is the complete collection of the three “Thousand Mile Love Story” novellas about two women who reconnect, forgive and forget, and love again; and the funny mishaps a thousand-mile road trip can bring. It contains “Road Trip Reunion,” “Roadside Attractions” and “Destination: Love,” and is approximately 70,000 words long (the length of a novel, providing many hours or a few days of romantic reading).
Meet Andee Shaw. A decade ago, her heart was broken by a devastatingly beautiful woman–the woman she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with. Now, ten years later, two of her oldest friends, Elizabeth and Heather, are getting married in Vermont. And they have a request: They want the old gang to take that infamous road trip they always talked about in college but never set into motion.
The brides’ not-so-secret goal: to enable Andee and her ex, Robin Barnes, to finally patch things up.
So, four college friends hop in a green convertible and begin a thousand-mile road trip that Andee isn’t quite sure she’ll survive. They visit the strangest places and encounter some wild adventures, and throughout it all, Andee struggles to come to terms with her conflicting feelings for Robin.
Because, despite her misgivings, Andee is falling in love with Robin all over again.
This is the complete collection of the three “Thousand Mile Love Story” novellas about two women who reconnect, forgive and forget, and love again; and the funny mishaps a thousand-mile road trip can bring. It contains “Road Trip Reunion,” “Roadside Attractions” and “Destination: Love,” and is approximately 70,000 words long (the length of a novel, providing many hours or a few days of romantic reading).
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 18, 2013
4 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Vivien
41 books58 followersI’m an author of lesbian romance and lesbian fiction. I have two great loves: my wife, and writing. I’ve been writing for years, always about two women who find each other and fall deeply in love, romantic stories that reflect how I feel about my wife and our own connection.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 29, 2018
Very Nice book.
I found the books from this author really sweet, now this one has The Road trip concept which is good, the second chance in love was well executed, also points for me for finding out who was the "bad" since the beginning ( Go me),
The only reason I did not give 5 stars to this books was
But really the story was good, I will recommend this to romance fans and of course Road Trip story fans.
I found the books from this author really sweet, now this one has The Road trip concept which is good, the second chance in love was well executed, also points for me for finding out who was the "bad" since the beginning ( Go me),
The only reason I did not give 5 stars to this books was
But really the story was good, I will recommend this to romance fans and of course Road Trip story fans.
August 14, 2017
Fantastic!
Being in love since college and feeling heartbroken for a decade, now she must confront the one she tried to avoid for a long time. This trip is full of surprises, vivid scenery, humor and with great characters. Robin is my favorite one. She is absolutely irresistible, quirky, fun, solid and reliable. I really enjoyed meeting this friends and riding with them during this journey full of highs and lows. A great story about strong friendship, emotional struggles, heartbreak and true love. Get your copy and enjoy the ride.
Being in love since college and feeling heartbroken for a decade, now she must confront the one she tried to avoid for a long time. This trip is full of surprises, vivid scenery, humor and with great characters. Robin is my favorite one. She is absolutely irresistible, quirky, fun, solid and reliable. I really enjoyed meeting this friends and riding with them during this journey full of highs and lows. A great story about strong friendship, emotional struggles, heartbreak and true love. Get your copy and enjoy the ride.
June 10, 2016
My first book by this author. I'd been eyeing her for a while, though, because I'd read and loved many works written by her wife. Bridget Essex. I like checking out 'related' people. There's Felix Francis, and whatever WEB Griffin's son name is - both in a slightly different category since they wrote with their fathers, and once Dick Francis died, Felix wrote in the style of his father. This is different than someone like Phil Lovesey (son) and Peter Lovesey (father). Who, as far as I know, have never written anything together. Though to get closer to this specific situation, I should probably mention, instead, Dick Francis and his wife Mary Francis (who, despite not having her name on the cover as an author, apparently wrote the books together); or Janet Asimov and Isaac Asimov. Both of whom wrote separately, and together.
Well. That was a lot of words just to say what I said in the second sentence.
I read this book about a road trip entirely on a train. Their road trip wandered around for a thousand miles, in a car, with the ultimate destination of Vermont, for a wedding. And involved four women who were friends in college and were in a group called 'Adventure Lezzies'. While mine involved just me. On a train. Traveling only, roughly, 307 miles. So, that was kind of neat. Reading a road trip book while on a . . . well, trip. Added something to look up and see country side moving past my window. Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York - while the people in the book wandered by car. Some of said wandering over the same states.
I do not recall if I had known beforehand that this book had been previously published in smaller parts. I think I knew, but maybe not. I mention this now because I can’t really imagine how this book could have been broken up. I didn’t really see any natural breaks, and because of the nature of the story, I’d probably have been annoyed if I had to stop reading at some point and wait for the next segment. Granted, some of the transition type of stuff - the stuff put in to end a segment, and start the next, might have been removed. At least I hope so as there didn’t seem to be any natural breaks, as I’ve mentioned.
I liked the book but . . . there were certain issues that kind of push my boundaries. Taking a trip with an ex who, even after ten years, you still haven’t gotten over. A cruise on a boat? Maybe. Separate cars on a train? Maybe. But inches away in a car? Um, no. It worked for the story, but was something of a constant reminder of how different these women were, form, say, me. And then there’s the whole underlying ‘issue’ that caused the break-up. It was, quite frankly, stupid. I can see how the issue came about, but to have it stay an issue for 10 years? !0 long years. Apart. Because of stupidity.
‘I’m going to tell you something that you might have learned if we gossiped, but, we don’t gossip. The kind of thing, if you had known ten years ago, you probably wouldn’t have taken ten years to fight through the problem. Okay, here it is . . ..” - um. Seriously? You know something that could help keep two lovers together, or, at least, have them get back together in a shorter period of time apart, but you don’t say anything for ten years because . . . you . . . don’t . . . gossip? Seriously, what the fuck? Do you, vague unnamed person, not actually care about these two ‘friends’?
Right. There are some issues I had with some of the underlying backbone to the story, but, despite what I’ve written here, and how I might normally react to said issues in other books, I still rather enjoyed this book here. And I actually did like most of the people involved. Though there’s yet more ‘apartness’ caused by miscommunication that occurred here. No, sorry, not miscommunication – lack of communication and outright lying. That’s a different level than miscommunication.
Well. That was a lot of words just to say what I said in the second sentence.
I read this book about a road trip entirely on a train. Their road trip wandered around for a thousand miles, in a car, with the ultimate destination of Vermont, for a wedding. And involved four women who were friends in college and were in a group called 'Adventure Lezzies'. While mine involved just me. On a train. Traveling only, roughly, 307 miles. So, that was kind of neat. Reading a road trip book while on a . . . well, trip. Added something to look up and see country side moving past my window. Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York - while the people in the book wandered by car. Some of said wandering over the same states.
I do not recall if I had known beforehand that this book had been previously published in smaller parts. I think I knew, but maybe not. I mention this now because I can’t really imagine how this book could have been broken up. I didn’t really see any natural breaks, and because of the nature of the story, I’d probably have been annoyed if I had to stop reading at some point and wait for the next segment. Granted, some of the transition type of stuff - the stuff put in to end a segment, and start the next, might have been removed. At least I hope so as there didn’t seem to be any natural breaks, as I’ve mentioned.
I liked the book but . . . there were certain issues that kind of push my boundaries. Taking a trip with an ex who, even after ten years, you still haven’t gotten over. A cruise on a boat? Maybe. Separate cars on a train? Maybe. But inches away in a car? Um, no. It worked for the story, but was something of a constant reminder of how different these women were, form, say, me. And then there’s the whole underlying ‘issue’ that caused the break-up. It was, quite frankly, stupid. I can see how the issue came about, but to have it stay an issue for 10 years? !0 long years. Apart. Because of stupidity.
‘I’m going to tell you something that you might have learned if we gossiped, but, we don’t gossip. The kind of thing, if you had known ten years ago, you probably wouldn’t have taken ten years to fight through the problem. Okay, here it is . . ..” - um. Seriously? You know something that could help keep two lovers together, or, at least, have them get back together in a shorter period of time apart, but you don’t say anything for ten years because . . . you . . . don’t . . . gossip? Seriously, what the fuck? Do you, vague unnamed person, not actually care about these two ‘friends’?
Right. There are some issues I had with some of the underlying backbone to the story, but, despite what I’ve written here, and how I might normally react to said issues in other books, I still rather enjoyed this book here. And I actually did like most of the people involved. Though there’s yet more ‘apartness’ caused by miscommunication that occurred here. No, sorry, not miscommunication – lack of communication and outright lying. That’s a different level than miscommunication.
September 12, 2018
Worst. Friends. Ever.
August 6, 2016
I could not empathize with the main character. I did not buy her reasons or her attitude.
April 26, 2020
Live and love well
Following the journey of the Adventurous Lezzies was quite a ride. The characters were well developed and relatable. Trust was a huge issue for Andee and rightly so. To be betrayed by a friend to end her loving relationship with Robin was painful to experience. But, there’s always hope and true love, of the most honest and passionate kind ... wins. Some hearts are healed and repaired. Some splinter and are destroyed by lies and deceit. I love Natalie’s writing style and have enjoyed several of her works. I’m now on to “Indiana”! I enthusiastically recommend any and all of Natalie’s books. Thank you. Peace
Following the journey of the Adventurous Lezzies was quite a ride. The characters were well developed and relatable. Trust was a huge issue for Andee and rightly so. To be betrayed by a friend to end her loving relationship with Robin was painful to experience. But, there’s always hope and true love, of the most honest and passionate kind ... wins. Some hearts are healed and repaired. Some splinter and are destroyed by lies and deceit. I love Natalie’s writing style and have enjoyed several of her works. I’m now on to “Indiana”! I enthusiastically recommend any and all of Natalie’s books. Thank you. Peace
April 20, 2024
i did enjoy the book, the miscommunication of it all really got to me though
i mean, i am all for helping your friends out but AND HEAR ME OUT for a friend who is
1) cheating on their girlfriend
2) continue to cheat after saying they made a mistake and won’t again
3) portrays to YOUR girlfriend that YOU have been the one doing the cheating for months
4) lets their best friends who love each other waste years of their lives for a mistake that didn’t even happen????
and robin my girl, you deserved better and MORE
i mean, i am all for helping your friends out but AND HEAR ME OUT for a friend who is
1) cheating on their girlfriend
2) continue to cheat after saying they made a mistake and won’t again
3) portrays to YOUR girlfriend that YOU have been the one doing the cheating for months
4) lets their best friends who love each other waste years of their lives for a mistake that didn’t even happen????
and robin my girl, you deserved better and MORE
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2020
Overall this was enjoyable! Usually I hate miscommunication stories, but I liked the road trip element and all of the friends. I think it could have used a little editing (in one paragraph someone will be taking a one piece bathing suit out of her suitcase and then later on a page she’s in a bikini, stuff like that).
A fun book if you need to relax.
A fun book if you need to relax.
January 9, 2024
Faithless (And in Need of Trigger Warnings)
The more I think about this book, the more it is kind of horrifying. Warning for some vague spoilers!
I like stories about road trips, like "The Trip" by Robin Alexander for example, and wanted to enjoy this book, but I didn't like how the central relationship was executed. Robin (no relation to Ms. Alexander), despite being portrayed as some ideal sporty love goddess, is a terrible girlfriend. She's self-absorbed, smug, patronizing, and condescending. There is actually a scene in this novel where Robin literally gaslights Andee into believing that the only thing that matters between them is whether or not Robin physically cheated on her, like a judge giving instructions to a jury. Honestly, I think Natalie Vivien should have made a trigger warning regarding this scene, because I can only imagine how many scenes like it have played out in abusive relationships, straight, gay or otherwise. Robin is an archetype of an ex-girlfriend, and she should have stayed that way.
The concept of "fidelity" doesn't just mean not having sex with someone else, but also putting one's partner first in one's life. Robin was willing to let the woman she supposedly loved suffer for ten years - let's not even talk about the fate of the actual cheater's girlfriend - rather than violate some arbitrary lesbian bro code. Not to mention that when they finally get back together just before the end of the book, it's because Andee decided to simply believe that Robin didn't cheat based solely on her word - the word of someone who consistently refuses to tell her the truth - despite the fact that, for the rest of their lives, they'll always have always have that big question mark between them, had it not been for the convenient coincidences at the end of the book that bring about the happy ending.
Robin does nothing but wreak destruction and havoc in her wake. She is one of those characters who claims she always wants to do the "right thing", which means that, WITHOUT FAIL, she always does the WRONG thing each and every time. She's indirectly responsible for several of her friends having to endure ten years of suffering and consoles herself by thinking she had "no choice" but to keep her word to a CHEATER. Robin asks a LOT from Andee and doesn't give much of anything back, because the author makes it clear that she's just too cool for school. At every step of the way, Andee reiterates how much better Robin is than her, how much cooler, sexier, and how amazing it is that Robin chose her, and how much Andee regrets the fact that Robin's lies, duplicity and bankrupt sense of ethics prevents them from being together. It's always /Andee/ who has to overcome the obstacles, Andee who has to "get over it" and give Robin the chance she deserves, because she's so totally cool or something. As if!
Andee's friends, the "Adventure Lezzies", aren't too much better. Despite the author painstakingly explaining how great they are, Andee's friends, particularly Tiffany, are shrill, loud, belligerent and demanding and they constantly violate Andee's boundaries and her personal space, not to mention how Tiffany constantly lectures her on why she should take Robin back. These "friends" drain the humanity, sense of calm, and self-respect out of the main character so badly that it's not surprising when she finally gives in and takes Robin back. She's just exhausted. In short, the Adventure Lezzies just plain suck.
The book ends with the two lovebirds living "happily ever after", at least, I assume, until something else comes up that Robin feels is more important than their relationship, Andee's happiness, love or well-being. It took ten years, but Robin finally succeeded in getting what she wanted: for Andee to know her place. Why would Natalie Vivien write something like this? Is this something she had to live through herself? Is she trapped in an abusive relationship of her own? Is this entire novel a cry for HELP? Reading this book was actually like watching the eventual triumph of an abusive relationship over someone who had tried to get away. I just can't possibly imagine someone treating someone they love this way, or why someone would particularly want to read it. I was sort of hoping that Andee would finally come to her senses and start dating her assistant Danielle from the beginning of the book.
In conclusion, this is a book that is sad and unpleasant to read and tries to normalize the act of infidelity. As a straight man, I understand that I don't have the standing to criticize the nuances of a lesbian relationship, but as a human being, all I can say is this: ladies, you deserve so much better. You deserve fidelity, love, respect, and support from the person you love, no matter who you or they are or where you all come from, and you deserve to be first in their lives, because that's what you're giving them. When they refuse to compromise, or they try to tell you to accept less because they're such a prize, or that sometimes you have to accept being second best, then let me tell you this: they are WRONG, and you are RIGHT. And maybe it's time to block your ex's number once and for all and take your assistant out for a Starbucks.
The more I think about this book, the more it is kind of horrifying. Warning for some vague spoilers!
I like stories about road trips, like "The Trip" by Robin Alexander for example, and wanted to enjoy this book, but I didn't like how the central relationship was executed. Robin (no relation to Ms. Alexander), despite being portrayed as some ideal sporty love goddess, is a terrible girlfriend. She's self-absorbed, smug, patronizing, and condescending. There is actually a scene in this novel where Robin literally gaslights Andee into believing that the only thing that matters between them is whether or not Robin physically cheated on her, like a judge giving instructions to a jury. Honestly, I think Natalie Vivien should have made a trigger warning regarding this scene, because I can only imagine how many scenes like it have played out in abusive relationships, straight, gay or otherwise. Robin is an archetype of an ex-girlfriend, and she should have stayed that way.
The concept of "fidelity" doesn't just mean not having sex with someone else, but also putting one's partner first in one's life. Robin was willing to let the woman she supposedly loved suffer for ten years - let's not even talk about the fate of the actual cheater's girlfriend - rather than violate some arbitrary lesbian bro code. Not to mention that when they finally get back together just before the end of the book, it's because Andee decided to simply believe that Robin didn't cheat based solely on her word - the word of someone who consistently refuses to tell her the truth - despite the fact that, for the rest of their lives, they'll always have always have that big question mark between them, had it not been for the convenient coincidences at the end of the book that bring about the happy ending.
Robin does nothing but wreak destruction and havoc in her wake. She is one of those characters who claims she always wants to do the "right thing", which means that, WITHOUT FAIL, she always does the WRONG thing each and every time. She's indirectly responsible for several of her friends having to endure ten years of suffering and consoles herself by thinking she had "no choice" but to keep her word to a CHEATER. Robin asks a LOT from Andee and doesn't give much of anything back, because the author makes it clear that she's just too cool for school. At every step of the way, Andee reiterates how much better Robin is than her, how much cooler, sexier, and how amazing it is that Robin chose her, and how much Andee regrets the fact that Robin's lies, duplicity and bankrupt sense of ethics prevents them from being together. It's always /Andee/ who has to overcome the obstacles, Andee who has to "get over it" and give Robin the chance she deserves, because she's so totally cool or something. As if!
Andee's friends, the "Adventure Lezzies", aren't too much better. Despite the author painstakingly explaining how great they are, Andee's friends, particularly Tiffany, are shrill, loud, belligerent and demanding and they constantly violate Andee's boundaries and her personal space, not to mention how Tiffany constantly lectures her on why she should take Robin back. These "friends" drain the humanity, sense of calm, and self-respect out of the main character so badly that it's not surprising when she finally gives in and takes Robin back. She's just exhausted. In short, the Adventure Lezzies just plain suck.
The book ends with the two lovebirds living "happily ever after", at least, I assume, until something else comes up that Robin feels is more important than their relationship, Andee's happiness, love or well-being. It took ten years, but Robin finally succeeded in getting what she wanted: for Andee to know her place. Why would Natalie Vivien write something like this? Is this something she had to live through herself? Is she trapped in an abusive relationship of her own? Is this entire novel a cry for HELP? Reading this book was actually like watching the eventual triumph of an abusive relationship over someone who had tried to get away. I just can't possibly imagine someone treating someone they love this way, or why someone would particularly want to read it. I was sort of hoping that Andee would finally come to her senses and start dating her assistant Danielle from the beginning of the book.
In conclusion, this is a book that is sad and unpleasant to read and tries to normalize the act of infidelity. As a straight man, I understand that I don't have the standing to criticize the nuances of a lesbian relationship, but as a human being, all I can say is this: ladies, you deserve so much better. You deserve fidelity, love, respect, and support from the person you love, no matter who you or they are or where you all come from, and you deserve to be first in their lives, because that's what you're giving them. When they refuse to compromise, or they try to tell you to accept less because they're such a prize, or that sometimes you have to accept being second best, then let me tell you this: they are WRONG, and you are RIGHT. And maybe it's time to block your ex's number once and for all and take your assistant out for a Starbucks.
August 17, 2016
The concept and general idea of the novel is very good.
Plus, road trip!
Except there is a big problem to the general structure of the plot. And that problem is Andee. And Andee happens to be the main protagonist, so that's a really big problem for the story.
Andee is a problem because she is just so, well, tiresome. And self-centered. Her best friends are about to get married after 10 years and another one of her best friend just got dumped by her partner after being together for also 10 years, but no, everything has to be about her, and her childish 10 years old heartbreak.
I mean, most of us have been there, our own first heartbreak. It's devastating alright, and since we usually still lack the emotional tools to properly deal with the shock and agony of that first experience, it's always a sad memorable moment. Yet, ten freaking years after that, even if we are still harboring a huge crush for the person that managed to crush your hearts, we usually do not act as a lovesick immature and insecure teenager.
Or okay, maybe some people might, but they sure as hell don't end up being compelling and remotely interesting main protagonists of novels.
For me, this book started with a bang but then it progressively fizzled out. Andee needy, immature, selfish and boring persona made me lose interest. And don't get me wrong, I love books with deeply flawed protagonists, just as long as they also have some kind of redeeming qualities to their personality. Which Andee unfortunately did not have.
In the end, it's not a bad book, it just loses a lot of the storytelling impact because I could not, no matter how much I wanted or tried, sympathize with the main protagonist.
Plus, road trip!
Except there is a big problem to the general structure of the plot. And that problem is Andee. And Andee happens to be the main protagonist, so that's a really big problem for the story.
Andee is a problem because she is just so, well, tiresome. And self-centered. Her best friends are about to get married after 10 years and another one of her best friend just got dumped by her partner after being together for also 10 years, but no, everything has to be about her, and her childish 10 years old heartbreak.
I mean, most of us have been there, our own first heartbreak. It's devastating alright, and since we usually still lack the emotional tools to properly deal with the shock and agony of that first experience, it's always a sad memorable moment. Yet, ten freaking years after that, even if we are still harboring a huge crush for the person that managed to crush your hearts, we usually do not act as a lovesick immature and insecure teenager.
Or okay, maybe some people might, but they sure as hell don't end up being compelling and remotely interesting main protagonists of novels.
For me, this book started with a bang but then it progressively fizzled out. Andee needy, immature, selfish and boring persona made me lose interest. And don't get me wrong, I love books with deeply flawed protagonists, just as long as they also have some kind of redeeming qualities to their personality. Which Andee unfortunately did not have.
In the end, it's not a bad book, it just loses a lot of the storytelling impact because I could not, no matter how much I wanted or tried, sympathize with the main protagonist.
October 19, 2013
Was amazingly written. Fell in love with the characters from the get-go, especially Tiffany and Robin. The only downside was not figuring out what happened with Danielle the assistant, would be nice for loose ends to be tied up there, but otherwise.. AMAZING! Would love to read any follow-on stories with these characters, they just captured me.
Also, if you are on Authorgraph, I would love an autograph for my kindle :)
Also, if you are on Authorgraph, I would love an autograph for my kindle :)
August 27, 2013
College friends reuniting for one couples wedding. The road trip, the relationships and the emotions are all very heartfelt and believable. The two main characters, had a bad breakup and this story is about the break up and if they can find forgiveness. I recommend this story.
September 1, 2017
A fun, light-hearted read -- imagine if Hallmark made lesbian romance dramas. I liked that the super-girly femme was the most sensible, level-headed character! Wouldn't mind a sequel exploring what happens to poor Jill.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews