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Along for the Ride
THIS ROAD TO LOVE MAY HAVE A FEW SPEED BUMPS…
Former hot mess Jolene Baxter is committed to doing better. It’s why she offered to help her sister and brother-in-law move across the country. However, her goodwill is tested when last minute changes—mainly her father ditching her for an all-expenses paid vacation—forces her to make the journey with a man who is the human version of a pebble in her shoe.
Jason Akana operates on lists and bitter coffee, but none of those things will help him on a sixteen-hour trip with the most infuriating woman. Maybe they can get along and forget their heated confrontation five years ago at his best friend’s wedding…when pigs fly.
But the addition of vehicle problems, an unplanned pit stop in a small town, and chemistry that inconveniently tags along, shifts their perspectives. And once the dust settles after their trip, a tentative friendship emerges.
Will these two stubborn people successfully navigate the unexpected feelings that follow close behind? Or will they hit a roadblock before reaching happily ever after?
Content Warning:
1. Deceased parent (died long before the start of the book)
2. Verbally pushy person who's romantically interested in the heroine (NOT the hero)
Former hot mess Jolene Baxter is committed to doing better. It’s why she offered to help her sister and brother-in-law move across the country. However, her goodwill is tested when last minute changes—mainly her father ditching her for an all-expenses paid vacation—forces her to make the journey with a man who is the human version of a pebble in her shoe.
Jason Akana operates on lists and bitter coffee, but none of those things will help him on a sixteen-hour trip with the most infuriating woman. Maybe they can get along and forget their heated confrontation five years ago at his best friend’s wedding…when pigs fly.
But the addition of vehicle problems, an unplanned pit stop in a small town, and chemistry that inconveniently tags along, shifts their perspectives. And once the dust settles after their trip, a tentative friendship emerges.
Will these two stubborn people successfully navigate the unexpected feelings that follow close behind? Or will they hit a roadblock before reaching happily ever after?
Content Warning:
1. Deceased parent (died long before the start of the book)
2. Verbally pushy person who's romantically interested in the heroine (NOT the hero)
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2019
154 people are currently reading
5972 people want to read
About the author
Mimi Grace
5 books1,049 followersHi, I’m Mimi! I write fun & sexy romance. Welcome!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 382 reviews
August 20, 2019
I LOVE roadtrip romances, and this is a fabulous one. It has all of the trope’s greatest hits: Oh No, We’re Stranded; Oh No, We’re Sharing a Hotel Room and There’s Only One Bed; Oh No, I Accidentally Saw Your Butt.
This is also an enemies to lovers romance, so it includes such epic themes as I Still Don’t Like You But Christ Why Are You So Sexy????
AND it has an amazingly badass heroine with a very cool career, and a wonderfully family-oriented hero (I am soft for soft boys). So, basically, this book has EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED.
I was especially thrilled with the direction of the story post-roadtrip, when Jolene and Jason go back to their ordinary lives - except they no longer hate each other and Things Start Changing. Watching them both panic-flail into love was… magnificent. Bravo!!!
This is also an enemies to lovers romance, so it includes such epic themes as I Still Don’t Like You But Christ Why Are You So Sexy????
AND it has an amazingly badass heroine with a very cool career, and a wonderfully family-oriented hero (I am soft for soft boys). So, basically, this book has EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED.
I was especially thrilled with the direction of the story post-roadtrip, when Jolene and Jason go back to their ordinary lives - except they no longer hate each other and Things Start Changing. Watching them both panic-flail into love was… magnificent. Bravo!!!
September 26, 2022
3 stars?
I was super excited for this book. I mean come on? A grumpy sunshine romance between two people that do not really like each other but they are stuck together in a car for multiple hours because he is the best friend of the guy that her sister married??? I am in love.
So I did indeed really like the first half of the book. Jolene was not only funny but I loved her backstory and how she was working for her dream. She acted maturely but was really funny at the same time and this is a rarely good executed combination so I was really content while reading her about her.
Jason was a grumpy guy that had his own softer side that we get to know more about in the second half of the book. I could definitely tell that he improved over the course of the book especially with his feelings towards Jolene.
However, I think it was really fast paced. The first kiss happened really quickly and half way through the book the car ride adventure was over. That sadly ended my favourite part of the book. During the car ride and the other scenes the chemistry was there as well as the overall fun between them.
There was an interesting side plot that made this book really good and made me stay hooked.
After that ended I was disappointed when another plot line was introduced that I cannot say because #spoiler that felt unnecessary.
There was a lot more focus on both of their private lives and more individual scenes but sadly that third plot tear was introduced to throw the to back together just didn't work for me personally.
I was so happy with the chemistry they had built during the first 50% percent and then the second half was just completely different than the first.
It felt like a new book.
However I still really liked both Jason and Jolene as characters I just wish the plot was less full in the end and this is still a god book for people who really like grumpy sunshine.
I was super excited for this book. I mean come on? A grumpy sunshine romance between two people that do not really like each other but they are stuck together in a car for multiple hours because he is the best friend of the guy that her sister married??? I am in love.
So I did indeed really like the first half of the book. Jolene was not only funny but I loved her backstory and how she was working for her dream. She acted maturely but was really funny at the same time and this is a rarely good executed combination so I was really content while reading her about her.
Jason was a grumpy guy that had his own softer side that we get to know more about in the second half of the book. I could definitely tell that he improved over the course of the book especially with his feelings towards Jolene.
However, I think it was really fast paced. The first kiss happened really quickly and half way through the book the car ride adventure was over. That sadly ended my favourite part of the book. During the car ride and the other scenes the chemistry was there as well as the overall fun between them.
There was an interesting side plot that made this book really good and made me stay hooked.
After that ended I was disappointed when another plot line was introduced that I cannot say because #spoiler that felt unnecessary.
There was a lot more focus on both of their private lives and more individual scenes but sadly that third plot tear was introduced to throw the to back together just didn't work for me personally.
I was so happy with the chemistry they had built during the first 50% percent and then the second half was just completely different than the first.
It felt like a new book.
However I still really liked both Jason and Jolene as characters I just wish the plot was less full in the end and this is still a god book for people who really like grumpy sunshine.
August 2, 2020
Ugh, I loved this.
I thought I was getting a road-trip romance story only but we got that and more.
I want to read everything Mimi Grace writes.
I thought I was getting a road-trip romance story only but we got that and more.
I want to read everything Mimi Grace writes.
July 18, 2020
i was a little conflicted about how i should rate this book, if i rated each half of the book on it's own the first would get five stars while the other would get maybe two? so does that mean 3 stars? four stars?? I HAVE NO IDEA. in the end i settled on three stars, maybe three and a half.
the first half of the book was literally all i could ask for!! enemies to lovers?? check. ohhh maybe you're not that bad?? check. forced proximity? check. only one bed? check. age gap? check check check. there was a little bit of fake dating thrown in there too AND I WAS HAVING THE TIME OF MY LIFE.
the second half though was after their roadtrip ended so i kinda expected that it would be a little different since they won't be spending every second of the day together and that we would get a closer look at their lives individually,, but i felt it was A LOT different. the vibes, the pacing, it felt like a different book altogether and i felt kind of meh about it (not that there weren't any cute parts,, they cooked and danced together once and my heart turned to mush!!!!) and we see more of jolene's job and i loved how much she loved it and was kickass at it!!!!
but i think the author was focusing on jolene's job and jason's family and other things and we didn't see their relationship develop the way i wanted it to?? they have multiple fights and conflicts and they just sort of forgive each other? without talking about it at all?? also jason said some comment that affected jolene’s job and i thought it was very childish?? like why…..he didn't gain anything and wasn't actually defending her and it felt so unnecessary.
anyways this was pretty enjoyable and i had so much fun reading it!! especially the first half!!!
the first half of the book was literally all i could ask for!! enemies to lovers?? check. ohhh maybe you're not that bad?? check. forced proximity? check. only one bed? check. age gap? check check check. there was a little bit of fake dating thrown in there too AND I WAS HAVING THE TIME OF MY LIFE.
the second half though was after their roadtrip ended so i kinda expected that it would be a little different since they won't be spending every second of the day together and that we would get a closer look at their lives individually,, but i felt it was A LOT different. the vibes, the pacing, it felt like a different book altogether and i felt kind of meh about it (not that there weren't any cute parts,, they cooked and danced together once and my heart turned to mush!!!!) and we see more of jolene's job and i loved how much she loved it and was kickass at it!!!!
but i think the author was focusing on jolene's job and jason's family and other things and we didn't see their relationship develop the way i wanted it to?? they have multiple fights and conflicts and they just sort of forgive each other? without talking about it at all?? also jason said some comment that affected jolene’s job and i thought it was very childish?? like why…..he didn't gain anything and wasn't actually defending her and it felt so unnecessary.
anyways this was pretty enjoyable and i had so much fun reading it!! especially the first half!!!
March 8, 2021
3.5*
Fun dual PoV romcom read for fans of Talia Hibbert style steamy scenes 😈 🥰
A road tripping sort of enemies-to-lovers via aquaintances-cum-friends-with-benefits...yes I see what I did there. No I have zero shame because it is what is it & I wouldn't call them friends at the start 😇
F-w-B is not always a believable storyline for me, but I did like how this one worked as both characters have busy work/life balances. Some of their conversations flirted with my bug-bear lack-of-communication...they were never quite ships in the night and one or the other would say the thing they'd been holding back thereby mostly keeping cards on the table. Altho some interactions/conflict in the second half of the book felt a little repetitive at times yet they didn't feel too out of character for what each is dealing with.
Ultimately their interactions were enjoyable with how they sparked off of & actually complimented one another 🤗
Friends & fam as always were absolute bonuses for me and there is the always enjoyable "only" one bed trope way earlier than it has appeared in any other similarly situated read so again 👍😎
Where this lost a bit of its shine for me was in the early Gregory Lake chapters...I'm not sure quite so much *had* to happen there to get these 2 on the same page but it was funny in a bit of TV-movie way but mostly the Mark storyline contributions rather got my goat. There should have been more fall out from this even if he wasn't directly responsible for the ripple effects - maybe this is a cultural misunderstanding on my part tho because . However, having a sis working in the US she has witnessed just such occurrences and I cannot wrap my €uro-head around it at all 😱
On the upside I am glad this didn't go in too hard on the unwanted advances storyline - I think this walked the line better than other books as it didn't try to go too deep on any of the TW topics mentioned in the authors note at the start. Which while I'm thankful for it on the one hand as it kept this a lighter read; on the other hand, that in and of itself is a slight double edged sword as sometimes it felt a little superficial and like we weren't really getting all that we could...but I'm being nit-picky here, because as I mentioned I did also like the fact this didn't go too hard or too dark into heavier topics 😅
Characters of colour written by an author of colour living their lives is the kind of storytelling I am 100% here to support and love seeing it pop up more and more.
In fact I have already checked out this authors newest book to see her next MCs explore some fake dating 🤩 🤞
This was just the read I NEEDED after a stupid busy week. I am very glad I picked it up and am looking forward to seeing what Mimi Grace writes next...Also also, did y'all see the absolutely adorbs cover?!
💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
I am such a sucker for cute, colourful, illustrated covers & lowkey love my booksta pic for this - even if I am still 100% peak #lazybookstagrammer 🙃
Fun dual PoV romcom read for fans of Talia Hibbert style steamy scenes 😈 🥰
A road tripping sort of enemies-to-lovers via aquaintances-cum-friends-with-benefits...yes I see what I did there. No I have zero shame because it is what is it & I wouldn't call them friends at the start 😇
F-w-B is not always a believable storyline for me, but I did like how this one worked as both characters have busy work/life balances. Some of their conversations flirted with my bug-bear lack-of-communication...they were never quite ships in the night and one or the other would say the thing they'd been holding back thereby mostly keeping cards on the table. Altho some interactions/conflict in the second half of the book felt a little repetitive at times yet they didn't feel too out of character for what each is dealing with.
Ultimately their interactions were enjoyable with how they sparked off of & actually complimented one another 🤗
Friends & fam as always were absolute bonuses for me and there is the always enjoyable "only" one bed trope way earlier than it has appeared in any other similarly situated read so again 👍😎
Where this lost a bit of its shine for me was in the early Gregory Lake chapters...I'm not sure quite so much *had* to happen there to get these 2 on the same page but it was funny in a bit of TV-movie way but mostly the Mark storyline contributions rather got my goat. There should have been more fall out from this even if he wasn't directly responsible for the ripple effects - maybe this is a cultural misunderstanding on my part tho because . However, having a sis working in the US she has witnessed just such occurrences and I cannot wrap my €uro-head around it at all 😱
On the upside I am glad this didn't go in too hard on the unwanted advances storyline - I think this walked the line better than other books as it didn't try to go too deep on any of the TW topics mentioned in the authors note at the start. Which while I'm thankful for it on the one hand as it kept this a lighter read; on the other hand, that in and of itself is a slight double edged sword as sometimes it felt a little superficial and like we weren't really getting all that we could...but I'm being nit-picky here, because as I mentioned I did also like the fact this didn't go too hard or too dark into heavier topics 😅
Characters of colour written by an author of colour living their lives is the kind of storytelling I am 100% here to support and love seeing it pop up more and more.
In fact I have already checked out this authors newest book to see her next MCs explore some fake dating 🤩 🤞
This was just the read I NEEDED after a stupid busy week. I am very glad I picked it up and am looking forward to seeing what Mimi Grace writes next...Also also, did y'all see the absolutely adorbs cover?!
💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
I am such a sucker for cute, colourful, illustrated covers & lowkey love my booksta pic for this - even if I am still 100% peak #lazybookstagrammer 🙃
July 13, 2025
4.25⭑
This was a super cute romance and reminded me a lot of Talia Hibbert’s books. So if you are a fan of her work, you will definitely enjoy this book.
Along for the Ride follows Jolene and Jason who have hated each other from the moment they met. He always thought she was immature and she the thought he was too stuck up and judgemental.
They avoid having to interact as little as possible until they are both roped in by her sister and her husband-in law, Jason’s best friend, to help them move across the country. Meaning they spend hours in a truck with some tense and awkward silences. Until… they break down and have to stay at the small town’s only motel… with only one bed. Hehehe what do you think happens next?
The development between the main characters going from enemies to friends (with benefits) to lovers was very well executed and at no point did any of the relationship development feel rushed.
With that being said, I loved the concept of enemies being stuck in a car for hours together but the enemies part of the plot didn’t really last as long as I would’ve liked it to.
However all the other tropes make up for it and overall it was a highly enjoyable read.
This was a super cute romance and reminded me a lot of Talia Hibbert’s books. So if you are a fan of her work, you will definitely enjoy this book.
Along for the Ride follows Jolene and Jason who have hated each other from the moment they met. He always thought she was immature and she the thought he was too stuck up and judgemental.
They avoid having to interact as little as possible until they are both roped in by her sister and her husband-in law, Jason’s best friend, to help them move across the country. Meaning they spend hours in a truck with some tense and awkward silences. Until… they break down and have to stay at the small town’s only motel… with only one bed. Hehehe what do you think happens next?
The development between the main characters going from enemies to friends (with benefits) to lovers was very well executed and at no point did any of the relationship development feel rushed.
With that being said, I loved the concept of enemies being stuck in a car for hours together but the enemies part of the plot didn’t really last as long as I would’ve liked it to.
However all the other tropes make up for it and overall it was a highly enjoyable read.
Read
July 29, 2022Book of two halves, almost literally. It's an enemies to lovers road trip romance for the first 40% or so, which goes marvellously, with bickering, attraction, apologies, working together, only one bed, and all sorts of goodness. After they get home, though, the romance continues very sweet but loses a bit of oomph, or direction, with the loss of the driving elements (pun semi intended). There are a couple of hanging plot threads that could have been woven in to hold it together a bit more, and provide more of a narrative direction for the story. All of which said, it's an enjoyable read, just not as assured as the author's other work, which makes sense since this looks like it was her first book. Fair do's.
Want to read
June 5, 2020this COVER??? road trip romance??? enemies to lovers ????im ???
August 25, 2023
2.5
this books is sold as road-trip book, and for the first 80 pages it is. but then the book just gives up on its premise and becomes a run of the mill "will they won't they, no communication" book and becomes boring. Everything great about the book is lost quickly.
this books is sold as road-trip book, and for the first 80 pages it is. but then the book just gives up on its premise and becomes a run of the mill "will they won't they, no communication" book and becomes boring. Everything great about the book is lost quickly.
August 23, 2022
decent
excellent smut excellent
the actual road trip part was the highlight
had all the right parts but was put together a little hap hazardly if that makes sense
i wish mark had died but that is wishful thinking on my part not anyones fault
excellent smut excellent
the actual road trip part was the highlight
had all the right parts but was put together a little hap hazardly if that makes sense
i wish mark had died but that is wishful thinking on my part not anyones fault
August 8, 2020
The first part when they are on the road trip was amazing...banter, plot, pace, and all road trip shenanigans were marvelous. The second part of the book was a bit disappointing the pace was off and they did 180*. Solid debut novel! I am excited about future books by this author!
3,5 stars
3,5 stars
December 9, 2019
2019 Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo: Road Trip
I don’t want to discourage you from trying/reading the book, especially if the road trip and enemies-to-lovers premise appeals to you. I’m just someone who doesn’t enjoy romance novels when the majority of the conflict is external and not focused on the relationship, but I also know readers like it when the relationship is angst free and has less problems. So it all has to do with what kind of reader you are. As always, my rating isn’t gospel and your mileage may vary. A lot of people liked this book and you might be one of them, so I encourage you to pick it up and see for yourself.
**
First impressions
I really struggled with this read despite how excited I was for the premise. Not going to do a full-fledged review, so here is a brief accounting of pluses/minuses:
Pluses:
- Terrific depiction of consent, use of condoms, and confirmation that they were both clean before engaging in sexual activity (I really liked the scene where they exchanged phones and showed each other a STI report).
- Classic road trip shenanigans: breaking down in the middle of nowhere, "oh, no, we have to share one bed in this room." I love forced proximity.
- Jolene's relationship with her sister, and how supportive it was despite Jolene f'ing up years ago and ruining her sister's wedding (the main source of animosity between Jolene and Jason)
- Jason's relatives were adorable. The podcast! I had tears streaming down my face.
Minuses:
- The main problem is that after the road trip ended (at 40%), the romantic relationship began to stagnate. In a romance, I prefer a strong emotional arc in the relationship, and here it felt like the relationship wasn't advancing or changing. Most of the conflict (e.g., Jolene's annoying client) was external. In the actual relationship, nothing happens. They go on dates and agree to be friends-with-benefits (something they were already kinda doing on the road trip), and that's it. It's very cute. But there's almost no exploration of the fact that Jolene has commitment issues due to the ex-marriage (something that is mentioned a couple times, but is never really tied to Jolene's fear about her current relationship). They hang out with very little relationship advancement. More attention was given to Jolene's annoying client and Jolene's pushy suitor than the relationship between Jolene and Jason.
- And because there is a lack of build up to the relationship climax (e.g., there is no strong emotional arc), the Black Moment isn't earned. Here, the Black Moment occurs because Jason admits his feelings (e.g., he doesn't want to stay friends-with-benefits forever) and Jolene freaks out and says she can't commit. This comes out of the left field. Intellectually, I know that Jolene must have commitment issues because I was told early on that she has an ex-marriage. But in her actual relationship with Jason, this fear isn't really verbalized or brought up. Their entire relationship is so cute and angst-free that their eventual falling out makes no sense. There needs to be some kind of build up for me to accept that the conflict is believable.
- No spoilers, but I was really ticked off by something Jason does in the very end. Unbelievably stupid and out-of-character. And worse, he doesn't properly apologize for it so I was left being angry at him at the end of the book.
So, I struggled a lot with the book but I also know it's a debut. I think there's a lot of promise in the writing, and I look forward to trying the author again.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t want to discourage you from trying/reading the book, especially if the road trip and enemies-to-lovers premise appeals to you. I’m just someone who doesn’t enjoy romance novels when the majority of the conflict is external and not focused on the relationship, but I also know readers like it when the relationship is angst free and has less problems. So it all has to do with what kind of reader you are. As always, my rating isn’t gospel and your mileage may vary. A lot of people liked this book and you might be one of them, so I encourage you to pick it up and see for yourself.
**
First impressions
I really struggled with this read despite how excited I was for the premise. Not going to do a full-fledged review, so here is a brief accounting of pluses/minuses:
Pluses:
- Terrific depiction of consent, use of condoms, and confirmation that they were both clean before engaging in sexual activity (I really liked the scene where they exchanged phones and showed each other a STI report).
- Classic road trip shenanigans: breaking down in the middle of nowhere, "oh, no, we have to share one bed in this room." I love forced proximity.
- Jolene's relationship with her sister, and how supportive it was despite Jolene f'ing up years ago and ruining her sister's wedding (the main source of animosity between Jolene and Jason)
- Jason's relatives were adorable. The podcast! I had tears streaming down my face.
Minuses:
- The main problem is that after the road trip ended (at 40%), the romantic relationship began to stagnate. In a romance, I prefer a strong emotional arc in the relationship, and here it felt like the relationship wasn't advancing or changing. Most of the conflict (e.g., Jolene's annoying client) was external. In the actual relationship, nothing happens. They go on dates and agree to be friends-with-benefits (something they were already kinda doing on the road trip), and that's it. It's very cute. But there's almost no exploration of the fact that Jolene has commitment issues due to the ex-marriage (something that is mentioned a couple times, but is never really tied to Jolene's fear about her current relationship). They hang out with very little relationship advancement. More attention was given to Jolene's annoying client and Jolene's pushy suitor than the relationship between Jolene and Jason.
- And because there is a lack of build up to the relationship climax (e.g., there is no strong emotional arc), the Black Moment isn't earned. Here, the Black Moment occurs because Jason admits his feelings (e.g., he doesn't want to stay friends-with-benefits forever) and Jolene freaks out and says she can't commit. This comes out of the left field. Intellectually, I know that Jolene must have commitment issues because I was told early on that she has an ex-marriage. But in her actual relationship with Jason, this fear isn't really verbalized or brought up. Their entire relationship is so cute and angst-free that their eventual falling out makes no sense. There needs to be some kind of build up for me to accept that the conflict is believable.
- No spoilers, but I was really ticked off by something Jason does in the very end. Unbelievably stupid and out-of-character. And worse, he doesn't properly apologize for it so I was left being angry at him at the end of the book.
So, I struggled a lot with the book but I also know it's a debut. I think there's a lot of promise in the writing, and I look forward to trying the author again.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2024
🥰
This was a good story. I loved the close proximity and the way Jolene and Jason came together. Their “situationship” was done well. It was clear they wanted more but they had to get out their way. Enjoyed this one.
This was a good story. I loved the close proximity and the way Jolene and Jason came together. Their “situationship” was done well. It was clear they wanted more but they had to get out their way. Enjoyed this one.
August 11, 2022
I stay away from enemies-to-lovers' novels because most times, I find the execution tacky and the whole trope annoying. This book is sweet and sensuous and I loved how interconnected the leads were with each other.
Although it seemed like the author focused on everything but the actual growth of the relationship, I understand that external elements can be quite instrumental to growth as a person, and particularly influence how we approach our relationships.
The writing is simple, concise, and I especially loved that the characters weren't so many I wasn't able to keep up. Jason's wry wit peppered all over the pages made this even more entertaining. I have come to appreciate how this trope features the most open conversations between couples. No hiding, pretending, or shaming. They just come as they are and avoid the initial awkward madness.
— — —
Although it seemed like the author focused on everything but the actual growth of the relationship, I understand that external elements can be quite instrumental to growth as a person, and particularly influence how we approach our relationships.
The writing is simple, concise, and I especially loved that the characters weren't so many I wasn't able to keep up. Jason's wry wit peppered all over the pages made this even more entertaining. I have come to appreciate how this trope features the most open conversations between couples. No hiding, pretending, or shaming. They just come as they are and avoid the initial awkward madness.
— — —
Links: Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Reedsy
June 21, 2020
I loved this! The forced proximity road trip with an added mini-mystery in the beginning was hilarious! Jolene and Jason played off each other so well, and their witty banter had me grinning more times than I could count.
I also loved the focus on Jolene’s career and friendship with Yvonne post-road trip, and how there was so much more to her than just being a love interest. The humor, steam, and romance was perfectly balanced and kept me glued to the page. The only thing I was sad about was that Mark didn’t get his just desserts, but Jolene deserved more than to waste any more time on him than necessary, so that’s just the vindictive side of me talking. 😈
This was an amazing debut novel, and I’m excited for more from this author!
I also loved the focus on Jolene’s career and friendship with Yvonne post-road trip, and how there was so much more to her than just being a love interest. The humor, steam, and romance was perfectly balanced and kept me glued to the page. The only thing I was sad about was that Mark didn’t get his just desserts, but Jolene deserved more than to waste any more time on him than necessary, so that’s just the vindictive side of me talking. 😈
This was an amazing debut novel, and I’m excited for more from this author!
October 23, 2020
The book was cute! I LOVEDDDD that it featured a black woman and a Polynesian man. My relationship has the same dynamic so I just loved reading about that in a romance book. I loved Jolene and Jason as individuals and together. However........it moved entirely too fast. It’s called along for the ride but the road trip ended a third of the way into the book. There wasn’t enough angst or slow burn or sexual tension for me. They weren’t even really enemies. The relationship and the rep saved it for me but I still really enjoyed it and I’m planning on reading more from the author.
3.75 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
3.75 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
February 17, 2020
This book was super cute and had a fair amount of steam. I am a sucker for an enemies turned lovers trope, and this book made that trope very fun! I will definitely check out Mimi Grace’s next book!!
March 5, 2022
This was cute but the pacing of the book was so strange? Based off of the cover and the plot summary, I thought the entire book would be about Jolene & Jason's road trip but the trip lasted less than ten chapters. The rest of the book was just them back in their daily/personal lives so I feel like that was misleading.
There was also 0 build up or slowburn to the first "romantic moment" in the book considering they're enemies--they literally kissed not even 25% into the book and started their relationship, which felt super rushed to me. I did really like the Polynesian rep though! I feel like there's barely any Pacific Islander rep in romance books.
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There was also 0 build up or slowburn to the first "romantic moment" in the book considering they're enemies--they literally kissed not even 25% into the book and started their relationship, which felt super rushed to me. I did really like the Polynesian rep though! I feel like there's barely any Pacific Islander rep in romance books.
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February 6, 2022
I can’t stop smiling after reading this book! Wow this story was so freaking cute!
Jolene and Jason started off as enemies and then after the road trip together everything changed!! hehehe 😜
Jolene was a funny, beautiful, MC trying to build enough confidence to truly pursue her dreams. And Jason was so sweet gosh he made me swoon and he was continuously trying to coupe with losing a family member in the past.
Jolene was more laid-back while Jason had a more organized approach to things but they balanced eachother out perfectly!
This was a beautiful enemies to friends (with benefits) to lovers!!💕
And the spice!! Omg the spice was spicy and fun and oh soooo romantic!❤️🔥🌶
Definitely pick this book up if you’re looking for a funny, steamy, relatively quick read, with GORGEOUS MCs of color!! I mean…LOOK AT THAT COVER Y’ALL!-A beautiful Black female MC and a beautiful Polynesian male MC!
(I don’t think I need to convince you any further!) 😌
My TikTok Review on: @hello.abby.here https://www.tiktok.com/@hello.abby.here
Jolene and Jason started off as enemies and then after the road trip together everything changed!! hehehe 😜
Jolene was a funny, beautiful, MC trying to build enough confidence to truly pursue her dreams. And Jason was so sweet gosh he made me swoon and he was continuously trying to coupe with losing a family member in the past.
Jolene was more laid-back while Jason had a more organized approach to things but they balanced eachother out perfectly!
This was a beautiful enemies to friends (with benefits) to lovers!!💕
And the spice!! Omg the spice was spicy and fun and oh soooo romantic!❤️🔥🌶
Definitely pick this book up if you’re looking for a funny, steamy, relatively quick read, with GORGEOUS MCs of color!! I mean…LOOK AT THAT COVER Y’ALL!-A beautiful Black female MC and a beautiful Polynesian male MC!
(I don’t think I need to convince you any further!) 😌
My TikTok Review on: @hello.abby.here https://www.tiktok.com/@hello.abby.here
January 30, 2023
This book started off so strong. Then something happened after the road trip that slowed the pace way too much too many mundane problems kept happening that didn’t allow the characters to work it out. It was almost like a reverse slow burn but nonetheless, I truly enjoyed it. This book has really great banter. I think my favorite banter was when they were on the road trip but the steamy scenes were really delightful as well. I like the way, Mimi Grace writes friend groups. She makes you feel like you’re in there making fun of your fellow friends as well.
September 8, 2022
The first half of this book had a really great tension and incredible potential as a road trip romance. That all disappears about halfway through. The road trip ends, and then it’s a very generic friends with benefits to lovers situation. That alone would’ve gotten it a three, but then there was the wholly unnecessary secondary conflict. A man came between you and your money and you just… forgive him?? NAH
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
July 29, 2019
Mimi Grace writes beautifully, with plenty of humor and steamy sexual tension. The tropes hit the right spot for me as well: opposites attract, close proximity, second chance, and sweet meddling maternal figures, lol! Definitely reading more from Grace!
January 12, 2023
Trigger warnings: theft, racial tension (IDK how to describe it - the two POC leads walk into a rural gas station, get super creeped out by the white people there and bail ASAP), sexual harassment, workplace harassment, hospitalisation of a parent.
11/1/2023
Yeah, I'm bumping this down to 3.75 stars this time around. I still thoroughly enjoyed it, and I still enjoyed the diversity, the dynamic and the romance. But there were times when this felt really slow, and given that it's a 240ish page book, that shouldn't really be the case...
8/8/2019
4 stars.
So somehow I have managed to read two books back-to-back with an African-American heroine and a Pacifika hero and I need to review them both ASAP so I don't get the details confused.
ANYWAY. I didn't like this one quiiiiiiite as much as The Right Swipe (although this cover is ten thousand times cuter) and I think part of it is that I expected more of the story to be the road trip. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of road trip fun times. But I think about half the book is what happens between them AFTER the road trip, and while I enjoyed that side of things, the cover had me thinking it was going to be mostly road trip shenanigans and a teeny bit of their everyday lives afterwards. Maybe that's a Me Thing though???
Still, this was the level of smut I was expecting from The Right Swipe based on what I know of Alisha Ray's writing and I did NOT expect that level of smut given how cutesy this cover is.
Minor gripe: I giggled every time he said her name a lot when they banged because you cannot say the name Jolene multiple times in a row without bursting into song.
Minor gripe #2: Jason was a dentist???? That...is not a profession I associate with romance book heroes. I...kind of didn't want to read about him doing dental stuff while thinking about Jolene because no thank you.
11/1/2023
Yeah, I'm bumping this down to 3.75 stars this time around. I still thoroughly enjoyed it, and I still enjoyed the diversity, the dynamic and the romance. But there were times when this felt really slow, and given that it's a 240ish page book, that shouldn't really be the case...
8/8/2019
4 stars.
So somehow I have managed to read two books back-to-back with an African-American heroine and a Pacifika hero and I need to review them both ASAP so I don't get the details confused.
ANYWAY. I didn't like this one quiiiiiiite as much as The Right Swipe (although this cover is ten thousand times cuter) and I think part of it is that I expected more of the story to be the road trip. Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of road trip fun times. But I think about half the book is what happens between them AFTER the road trip, and while I enjoyed that side of things, the cover had me thinking it was going to be mostly road trip shenanigans and a teeny bit of their everyday lives afterwards. Maybe that's a Me Thing though???
Still, this was the level of smut I was expecting from The Right Swipe based on what I know of Alisha Ray's writing and I did NOT expect that level of smut given how cutesy this cover is.
Minor gripe: I giggled every time he said her name a lot when they banged because you cannot say the name Jolene multiple times in a row without bursting into song.
Minor gripe #2: Jason was a dentist???? That...is not a profession I associate with romance book heroes. I...kind of didn't want to read about him doing dental stuff while thinking about Jolene because no thank you.
June 6, 2020
3.5/4
I love a road trip romance and combining that with enemies to lovers I was so excited!! The beginning was great and I really loved these two characters but once the road trip was over (I felt like it was too short) their relationship became a little stagnant and the story seemed to drag on.
** I do plan following this author and I want to see what else she comes up with**
I love a road trip romance and combining that with enemies to lovers I was so excited!! The beginning was great and I really loved these two characters but once the road trip was over (I felt like it was too short) their relationship became a little stagnant and the story seemed to drag on.
** I do plan following this author and I want to see what else she comes up with**
January 19, 2024
in a word, hot.
August 29, 2019
4.5
More thoughts to come!
More thoughts to come!
October 1, 2020
3,5 Sterne (= gut, empfehlenswert, sweet)
Jolene ist eine Granatenhauptfigur, Jason hingegen ein bisschen lahm. Die Dynamik zwischen den beiden war super. Leider nimmt der Roadtrip nimmt nur das erste Drittel ein. Hätte gerne mehr Wumms haben dürfen. Gut war die Geschichte trotzdem allemal :)
Jolene ist eine Granatenhauptfigur, Jason hingegen ein bisschen lahm. Die Dynamik zwischen den beiden war super. Leider nimmt der Roadtrip nimmt nur das erste Drittel ein. Hätte gerne mehr Wumms haben dürfen. Gut war die Geschichte trotzdem allemal :)
January 31, 2023
2.75 stars
I wish this story had truly stayed road trippy and not frustrationville. It was tough getting to the finish line, but I did. Umm, thank you, next.
I wish this story had truly stayed road trippy and not frustrationville. It was tough getting to the finish line, but I did. Umm, thank you, next.
June 6, 2020
With her sister moving across the country, Jolene lends a helping hand by agreeing to brave the sixteen-hour drive in a moving truck alongside Jason Akana, a man she’d rather avoid let alone be stuck in forced proximity with.
After a mechanical problem arises, the trip is halted as Jolene and Jason are forced to share a room in Gregory Lake, the closest town with a mechanic shop. Here, with nothing but time to kill, the two begin to unravel their five year tension.
“What I’m trying to say is, like the clownfish and anemone, we just work. We’re people with different temperaments and approaches to life, but you inspire me to be bold, thoughtful, and indulge my feelings ...”
Enemies to lovers combined with a road trip seemed like the perfect concoction. And it was! The chemistry between Jason and Jolene definitely pulled me in. With Jason described as somewhat of a loner with a passion for list making, I naturally adored him.
The plot for me, however, started to fizzle out around 40%, which is coincidentally when the road trip ends. The secondary plot of Jolene working as an account manager for a public relations agency didn’t have enough excitement to keep me interested, although I absolutely loved the friendship with her coworker, Yvonne.
I was so devoted to the road trip that the everyday grind of life felt a bit like a standstill. Perhaps going into this knowing the road trip aspect is merely a portion of the romance, I would have enjoyed this more.
Overall it was really cute and I’m definitely picking up her next book, which she announced features a main character who is a baker. Count me in!
After a mechanical problem arises, the trip is halted as Jolene and Jason are forced to share a room in Gregory Lake, the closest town with a mechanic shop. Here, with nothing but time to kill, the two begin to unravel their five year tension.
“What I’m trying to say is, like the clownfish and anemone, we just work. We’re people with different temperaments and approaches to life, but you inspire me to be bold, thoughtful, and indulge my feelings ...”
Enemies to lovers combined with a road trip seemed like the perfect concoction. And it was! The chemistry between Jason and Jolene definitely pulled me in. With Jason described as somewhat of a loner with a passion for list making, I naturally adored him.
The plot for me, however, started to fizzle out around 40%, which is coincidentally when the road trip ends. The secondary plot of Jolene working as an account manager for a public relations agency didn’t have enough excitement to keep me interested, although I absolutely loved the friendship with her coworker, Yvonne.
I was so devoted to the road trip that the everyday grind of life felt a bit like a standstill. Perhaps going into this knowing the road trip aspect is merely a portion of the romance, I would have enjoyed this more.
Overall it was really cute and I’m definitely picking up her next book, which she announced features a main character who is a baker. Count me in!
February 6, 2020
I loved this. It unfolded from enemies to lovers and road trip to just one favorite trope after the other.
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