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Road Tripping with Pearl Nash
The summer is finally here, and Pearl Nash is on a mission to save her slowly disintegrating friendship with a whirlwind end-of-year road trip that is definitely, absolutely, most positively going to solve all her problems. Except, instead of her best friend Daisy's feet on her dash, suddenly Pearl ends up stuck in the middle of the desert beside Obi Okocha, a boy with a mega-watt smile and an endlessly irritating attitude. Tasked with delivering him to the most epic end-of-year party ever, located in a beach shack in literal middle-of-nowhere woop woop, Pearl Nash is certain that nothing could be worse than this. She's wrong. Add in a breakdown, multiple arguments, an AWOL nana and a kiss that was most definitely a huge mistake, and suddenly Pearl has the perfect ingredients for the perfect disaster. "Road Tripping with Pearl Nash" is a story about home and family, about breaking apart and fusing together, and, of course, about love.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2021
116 people want to read
About the author
Poppy Nwosu
6 books66 followersPoppy Nwosu is an Australian author of young adult fiction.
Growing up surrounded by cane fields and rainforest, Poppy studied music at university before living overseas in Ireland.
She is now based in Adelaide.
Growing up surrounded by cane fields and rainforest, Poppy studied music at university before living overseas in Ireland.
She is now based in Adelaide.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 20, 2021
Trigger warnings: disappearance of a grandparent, casual racism, toxic friendships.
I love Poppy Nwosu's books. Evelyn Tait is easily my favourite, but this was also lovely. I appreciate the Australian setting and the fact that she writes about teenagers who aren't necessarily following traditional education pathways. I also loved the road trip aspect of the story, Pearl's love for the country setting she grew up in, and how often it was mentioned that Obi doesn't have flawless skin. Like...there are millions of teenagers around the world who don't have flawless skin. And yet all the fictional ones do. This made for a nice change.
I love Poppy Nwosu's books. Evelyn Tait is easily my favourite, but this was also lovely. I appreciate the Australian setting and the fact that she writes about teenagers who aren't necessarily following traditional education pathways. I also loved the road trip aspect of the story, Pearl's love for the country setting she grew up in, and how often it was mentioned that Obi doesn't have flawless skin. Like...there are millions of teenagers around the world who don't have flawless skin. And yet all the fictional ones do. This made for a nice change.
September 7, 2021
RTC upon Australian Publication date, September 10th. Thank you Wakefield Press for gifting me a review copy!
September 10, 2021
I was fortunate to get an early copy of Poppy Nwosu’s latest contemporary romance for young adult (YA) readers published by South Australian small press, Wakefield Press.
Road Mapping with Pearl Nash is a contemporary Australian romance written in first-person for readers of young adult fiction
This is Nwosu’s third novel, and it is a sensitively written take on what it’s like to be heading into the last year of high school. Nwosu brilliantly captures the complexities of relationships, friendships, and family life. This is a novel less concerned with plot and more concerned with the intricacies of relationships. And it was this aspect of Road Tripping with Pearl Nash, along with Nwosu’s lyrical writing, that made this novel such an enjoyable read for me, and so different from many books written in this genre.
My five favourite things about this novel:
1. I adored the strong sense of place in Road Mapping with Pearl Nash. Nwosu captured the harshness and wild beauty of the Australian bush throughout the story. Even though I read this in winter, I could feel the heat of the hot Australian sun.
2. Pearl Nash was a relatable and flawed character. I loved her mix of vulnerability and strength.
3. When Pearl picks up a fellow student at a remote petrol station, readers are introduced to Obi. Obi was born in Australia, but he is constantly asked where he is from because he has dark skin. In my opinion, this is a widespread experience in Australia, and it’s excellent how Nwsou uses this in the story to illuminate how people can be alienated or marginalised by skin colour alone. Throughout the novel, Obi and Pearl are on a journey together, a trip to find Pearl’s grandma and get Obi to an epic end of year party on the beach.
4. Road Mapping with Pearl Nash is concerned with fractures in families and friendships, how they can be healed, and what it means to be home.
5. I love a satisfying ending, and we are indeed given one in Road Mapping with Pearl Nash. The novel has just the right amount of tying things up while leaving plenty for the reader to reflect upon.
Road Mapping with Pearl Nash was a great read, and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoyed books such as It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood and Sara Haghdoosti’s Sunburnt Veils.
Road Mapping with Pearl Nash is a contemporary Australian romance written in first-person for readers of young adult fiction
This is Nwosu’s third novel, and it is a sensitively written take on what it’s like to be heading into the last year of high school. Nwosu brilliantly captures the complexities of relationships, friendships, and family life. This is a novel less concerned with plot and more concerned with the intricacies of relationships. And it was this aspect of Road Tripping with Pearl Nash, along with Nwosu’s lyrical writing, that made this novel such an enjoyable read for me, and so different from many books written in this genre.
My five favourite things about this novel:
1. I adored the strong sense of place in Road Mapping with Pearl Nash. Nwosu captured the harshness and wild beauty of the Australian bush throughout the story. Even though I read this in winter, I could feel the heat of the hot Australian sun.
2. Pearl Nash was a relatable and flawed character. I loved her mix of vulnerability and strength.
3. When Pearl picks up a fellow student at a remote petrol station, readers are introduced to Obi. Obi was born in Australia, but he is constantly asked where he is from because he has dark skin. In my opinion, this is a widespread experience in Australia, and it’s excellent how Nwsou uses this in the story to illuminate how people can be alienated or marginalised by skin colour alone. Throughout the novel, Obi and Pearl are on a journey together, a trip to find Pearl’s grandma and get Obi to an epic end of year party on the beach.
4. Road Mapping with Pearl Nash is concerned with fractures in families and friendships, how they can be healed, and what it means to be home.
5. I love a satisfying ending, and we are indeed given one in Road Mapping with Pearl Nash. The novel has just the right amount of tying things up while leaving plenty for the reader to reflect upon.
Road Mapping with Pearl Nash was a great read, and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoyed books such as It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood and Sara Haghdoosti’s Sunburnt Veils.
November 22, 2021
An uplifting, gorgeous book that I couldn't put down.
October 11, 2021
I think I might be borderline obsessed with Poppy Nwosu now?
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4.5
Hi. I’m a YA book set in outback South Australia that addresses failing friendships, social isolation, racism, and life from the country - with a cute romance on the side. Basically, I’m incredibly interesting and fabulous.
Pearl Nash is going on a road trip with her best friend Daisy. Except she doesn’t end up going with Daisy, she ends up in a van with a boy she barely knows - Obi. Cars break down, grandmothers are lost, unexpected kisses happen and it’s all wonderful chaos.
Things I liked:
- Unlike the other books by this author, the romance kicks off early and I enjoyed the tease! Put em together, pull em away = tension to the max!
- Breaking up with friends is a tough part of life, and it was the first time I’ve read this play out in YA for a while - especially the way it was resolved
- The way the racist remarks towards Obi were addressed and reflected on. It was nuanced, and I think the “casual”ness of the remarks will make many readers think twice about things they’ve said or done
- The little things in Nwosu’s books, like the chapter names
- There’s something about Poppy Nwosu’s writing style that grips me. I can’t get enough. I get sucked in and the next thing I know three hours have gone by and I’m jealous of teenagers’ love lives
Things I didn’t like:
- I actually think this could have gone on a little longer. I wanted more of the family drama, and as per usual, I wanted more of the romance
In short: I am so freaking proud this author is local to me. I’ve read her whole collection now. Gimme more pls.
-
4.5
Hi. I’m a YA book set in outback South Australia that addresses failing friendships, social isolation, racism, and life from the country - with a cute romance on the side. Basically, I’m incredibly interesting and fabulous.
Pearl Nash is going on a road trip with her best friend Daisy. Except she doesn’t end up going with Daisy, she ends up in a van with a boy she barely knows - Obi. Cars break down, grandmothers are lost, unexpected kisses happen and it’s all wonderful chaos.
Things I liked:
- Unlike the other books by this author, the romance kicks off early and I enjoyed the tease! Put em together, pull em away = tension to the max!
- Breaking up with friends is a tough part of life, and it was the first time I’ve read this play out in YA for a while - especially the way it was resolved
- The way the racist remarks towards Obi were addressed and reflected on. It was nuanced, and I think the “casual”ness of the remarks will make many readers think twice about things they’ve said or done
- The little things in Nwosu’s books, like the chapter names
- There’s something about Poppy Nwosu’s writing style that grips me. I can’t get enough. I get sucked in and the next thing I know three hours have gone by and I’m jealous of teenagers’ love lives
Things I didn’t like:
- I actually think this could have gone on a little longer. I wanted more of the family drama, and as per usual, I wanted more of the romance
In short: I am so freaking proud this author is local to me. I’ve read her whole collection now. Gimme more pls.
August 9, 2021
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Poppy Nwosu's upcoming YA contemporary romance novel Road Tripping With Pearl Nash and I'm so grateful I got to experience this fun story before the rest of the world!
Pearl Nash is awkward, impulsive and has a secret obsession with trashy romance novels, but she loves her people. Her fiesty Nana. Her best friend Daisy (even though things have been weird between them since Daisy started dating Lachlan).
Popular, charming horror film buff Obi Okocha is definitely NOT one of Pearl's people.
So how the hell does she end up stuck with him on a road trip to locate her AWOL Nana in the middle of woop woop when they should be en route to a kick ass end of year party?
Full of adventure, humour and heart, Poppy's third novel is a delightfully fun look at the changing faces of friendship, the concept of home and learning to stand up for yourself.
Thank you again to Poppy for allowing me to read RTWPN before the rest of the world 🌺
Pearl Nash is awkward, impulsive and has a secret obsession with trashy romance novels, but she loves her people. Her fiesty Nana. Her best friend Daisy (even though things have been weird between them since Daisy started dating Lachlan).
Popular, charming horror film buff Obi Okocha is definitely NOT one of Pearl's people.
So how the hell does she end up stuck with him on a road trip to locate her AWOL Nana in the middle of woop woop when they should be en route to a kick ass end of year party?
Full of adventure, humour and heart, Poppy's third novel is a delightfully fun look at the changing faces of friendship, the concept of home and learning to stand up for yourself.
Thank you again to Poppy for allowing me to read RTWPN before the rest of the world 🌺
October 26, 2021
What a treat to sit in the sunshine, reading Road Tripping with Pearl Nash – a story of family, of friendship and ultimately of finding yourself and your people.
I think Poppy Nwosu’s real skill is in her ability to ‘capture’ moods and moments in her writing. She manages to illustrate all those insecurities of teenage years: the highs and the lows, the growing recognition of the messy adult world, the wrangling of relationships – be those relationships with family, friends or of the more romantic kind. Poppy Nwosu does it all with honesty and with humour.
Lots of lines in this made me laugh and I loved the character of Obi and the very realistic banter between him and Pearl. This is a gorgeous feel-good read, packed full of Australian flavour and told with tenderness and heart.
I think Poppy Nwosu’s real skill is in her ability to ‘capture’ moods and moments in her writing. She manages to illustrate all those insecurities of teenage years: the highs and the lows, the growing recognition of the messy adult world, the wrangling of relationships – be those relationships with family, friends or of the more romantic kind. Poppy Nwosu does it all with honesty and with humour.
Lots of lines in this made me laugh and I loved the character of Obi and the very realistic banter between him and Pearl. This is a gorgeous feel-good read, packed full of Australian flavour and told with tenderness and heart.
October 12, 2021
A road trip with the one guy she can't stand, to search for her missing Nana, on the way to a party she doesn't really want to go to - Pearl Nash is in for a bumpy ride.
This beautiful story looks at the changing face of friendships, and how sometimes they're not meant to last forever. It explores the hidden subtleties of grief, even long after the loss. And of course, in true Nwosu style, there's a simmering love story, a gentle eb and flow of two young people discovering what it means to find the one thing you need in the place you least expect to.
The third novel by Poppy Nwosu is as beautifully written and fun as her first two novels, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This beautiful story looks at the changing face of friendships, and how sometimes they're not meant to last forever. It explores the hidden subtleties of grief, even long after the loss. And of course, in true Nwosu style, there's a simmering love story, a gentle eb and flow of two young people discovering what it means to find the one thing you need in the place you least expect to.
The third novel by Poppy Nwosu is as beautifully written and fun as her first two novels, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
January 1, 2023
My first book for 2023 was one I’ve been saving for just the right moment and the last two hot days sitting by the pool have been exactly that. I adored Making Friends With Alice Dyson and think Poppy Nwosu is a brilliant #loveozya writer so I was expecting a lot from Road Tripping With Pearl Nash. It delivered on all fronts!
As the blurb so perfectly promises the book is about home and family, about breaking apart and fusing together and, of course, about love. Poppy has beautifully captured the difficulty of growing up and grieving. Pearl and Obi (and nana) are terrific authentic characters who I just loved. If you haven’t read this one, what are you waiting for?
As the blurb so perfectly promises the book is about home and family, about breaking apart and fusing together and, of course, about love. Poppy has beautifully captured the difficulty of growing up and grieving. Pearl and Obi (and nana) are terrific authentic characters who I just loved. If you haven’t read this one, what are you waiting for?
December 28, 2024
Book lacking in depth in terms of characters and plotline. Read slightly beyond halfway before dropping it completely.
Writing style is also quite shallow. You learn in high school when writing fiction to "show and not tell". There was borderline a lot of telling and does not allow the reader freedom for interpretability.
In terms of the storyline, it's quite cliche and it is quite hard to not compare it to what the author describes such books as "trashy romance".
Writing style is also quite shallow. You learn in high school when writing fiction to "show and not tell". There was borderline a lot of telling and does not allow the reader freedom for interpretability.
In terms of the storyline, it's quite cliche and it is quite hard to not compare it to what the author describes such books as "trashy romance".
September 17, 2021
Another beautiful read from one of my favourite authors! Finished it in a day- Pearl and Obi had me invested from the start. I love the family bits and the pink haired Nana and the facinating look at friendships that go wrong. The romance was gorgeously done as I would expect from a book by Poppy! Highly recommend!
October 6, 2021
This was such an amazing book.
I've loved every one of Poppy's novels so far, and this one was no exception.
I really loved both Nash and Obi, both as separate characters and I also loved their relationship dynamic.
This book is written brilliantly, and it's one I definitely recommend to those who enjoy YA!
Thank you so much to Wakefield Press for sending me a copy or this one.
I've loved every one of Poppy's novels so far, and this one was no exception.
I really loved both Nash and Obi, both as separate characters and I also loved their relationship dynamic.
This book is written brilliantly, and it's one I definitely recommend to those who enjoy YA!
Thank you so much to Wakefield Press for sending me a copy or this one.
October 14, 2021
Wow, as usual Poppy Nwosu has written something so relateable and heartwarming.
She truly has a way with words when it comes to writing relationships. Makes the reader feel like they are seen because the characters are going through things that we, the readers also have.
A great read, short and sweet, makes me nostalgic for summer time.
She truly has a way with words when it comes to writing relationships. Makes the reader feel like they are seen because the characters are going through things that we, the readers also have.
A great read, short and sweet, makes me nostalgic for summer time.
February 5, 2022
i love poppy nwosu’s books because they make me feel normal for living in urban-ish australia, not like i have to stretch to try and relate to an outback story so far away from my reality or suspend my disbelief entirely to try and follow an american one. it all feels super real, like these are things that actually happen.
March 23, 2022
Such a great adventure
I’m grinning so much right now. What a beautiful story of young adult friendship, romance, family and adulting. The bully/enemies to lovers is done so well and authentic to the way I remember teen relationships playing out. Still so much more to the story I loved. The scenery felt so real and reminded me of my childhood in outback Australia.
I’m grinning so much right now. What a beautiful story of young adult friendship, romance, family and adulting. The bully/enemies to lovers is done so well and authentic to the way I remember teen relationships playing out. Still so much more to the story I loved. The scenery felt so real and reminded me of my childhood in outback Australia.
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April 22, 2022YA CBCA Notable 2022 Romance CRF Bildungsroman
April 30, 2022
Short-listed for CBCA Young Adult Book of the Year. Really enjoyed this novel. Very descriptive. Story of friendship, family, romance and growing up.
August 10, 2022
Reviewing for Reading Time. CBCA Notabled 2021.
December 13, 2022
Wonderful contemporary Aussie YA about the changes in friendships and the places we call home, grief, discovery, casual racism, and road trips in dodgy cars.
March 29, 2023
Man, I just couldn’t get into this at all.
DNF at 13%.
DNF at 13%.
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November 29, 2024delightful writing poppy nwosu i adore you
October 21, 2021
Recently I have read both Making Friends With Alice Dyson and Taking Down Evelyn Tait by Poppy Nwosu. They’re all set at the same school but you can read any one of them without having read the others as the characters, although some from other books may be mentioned, they don’t really interact.
Pearl Nash moved to the city four years ago and she’d been friends with Daisy that whole time. Daisy rescued her when she felt out of her depth. But in the last year, Daisy has grown up faster than Pearl, gotten a boyfriend and left her behind. Now Pearl feels like a consolation prize – Daisy is only interested in spending time with her when her boyfriend Lachlan is busy elsewhere and discovering that Daisy has left her to drive to a beach house party with Obi Okocha and gone on with Lachlan instead, Pearl is less-than-impressed. Especially as she and Obi do not get along and now she’s stuck with him in her ancient car.
I love road trips and I love road trip books. It has forced proximity, which is one of my favourite romance tropes so I especially like it when the people road tripping don’t really like each other (but then end up liking each other a lot). And that is definitely the vibe between Pearl and Obi.
They’re forced into travelling together when Lachlan and Daisy leave Obi at the petrol station where Pearl is supposed to meet them and he’s forced to beg a lift with her. She’s not entirely enthusiastic about it, because as I mentioned, they don’t get along. But she also can’t leave someone abandoned in the rain at a petrol station – as Obi plainly states, that’s how horror movies start and he’s a black man – he’ll be first to die! Obi has an obsession with true crime podcasts and he is very preoccupied about the ways in which people can die that include but are not limited to: being left alone at a service station, hitchhiking, camping in the desert, a drunken high school party and many other things. It adds a lot of humour to the story.
But at the core of the book is friendship: Pearl’s changing friendship with Daisy and how she feels about it as well as Obi’s friendship with Lachlan and the friendship between Obi and Pearl which is tentative at first and more because they’re forced together but soon they start choosing to stay together when they could’ve easily split up. Pearl looks at Obi’s actions in a different light and she seems through the bright smile he often uses. There’s no denying though, that these two say some really cruel things to each other and sometimes it feels like one step forward followed by two steps back.
This time in high school is such a difficult one, especially when like Pearl, you feel you’re being left behind by your best friend. But this situation also makes Pearl think about the fact that really, she’s put a lot of effort into her friendship with Daisy and it’s been at the extent of really making friends with anyone else and she might not be as alone as she thought she was. There are other options for her, people who don’t treat her as Daisy has begun to treat her: cancelling plans if her boyfriend calls, saying nothing when her boyfriend says offensive and nasty things about Pearl (often to her face and most definitely behind her back). If that is Daisy’s idea of friendship I think Pearl realises that she could do better than putting her life on hold for when Daisy is next free to hang out with her.
I also enjoyed Pearl’s family in this – in all their messy glory. They felt so real and I often feel that families are missing in YA novels – parents that make rules, annoying younger siblings. And look, Pearl and Obi are on a road trip so the family is absent for a large portion of the story but they are always in the background, particularly as Pearl has promised to look in on her Nana, who seems to have disappeared, worrying her father. There’s some great stuff about grief in this book too and how differently Pearl and her Nana see the time since Pearl’s grandfather died. The character of Pearl’s Nana is a bit of a hoot and in some ways, she reminds me of one of my grandmothers. It’s not that they have much in common, it’s more….their manner in some circumstances. My Nan is very forthright as well. We don’t meet Obi’s family but we get to glimpse a bit of their dynamic through his comments about them and it’s actually enough to give you quite a picture. And Pearl and Obi really did have lovely chemistry, when they weren’t trying to hurt each other.
I really enjoyed this. A wonderful read that was a lovely way to pass a morning in lockdown.
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
Pearl Nash moved to the city four years ago and she’d been friends with Daisy that whole time. Daisy rescued her when she felt out of her depth. But in the last year, Daisy has grown up faster than Pearl, gotten a boyfriend and left her behind. Now Pearl feels like a consolation prize – Daisy is only interested in spending time with her when her boyfriend Lachlan is busy elsewhere and discovering that Daisy has left her to drive to a beach house party with Obi Okocha and gone on with Lachlan instead, Pearl is less-than-impressed. Especially as she and Obi do not get along and now she’s stuck with him in her ancient car.
I love road trips and I love road trip books. It has forced proximity, which is one of my favourite romance tropes so I especially like it when the people road tripping don’t really like each other (but then end up liking each other a lot). And that is definitely the vibe between Pearl and Obi.
They’re forced into travelling together when Lachlan and Daisy leave Obi at the petrol station where Pearl is supposed to meet them and he’s forced to beg a lift with her. She’s not entirely enthusiastic about it, because as I mentioned, they don’t get along. But she also can’t leave someone abandoned in the rain at a petrol station – as Obi plainly states, that’s how horror movies start and he’s a black man – he’ll be first to die! Obi has an obsession with true crime podcasts and he is very preoccupied about the ways in which people can die that include but are not limited to: being left alone at a service station, hitchhiking, camping in the desert, a drunken high school party and many other things. It adds a lot of humour to the story.
But at the core of the book is friendship: Pearl’s changing friendship with Daisy and how she feels about it as well as Obi’s friendship with Lachlan and the friendship between Obi and Pearl which is tentative at first and more because they’re forced together but soon they start choosing to stay together when they could’ve easily split up. Pearl looks at Obi’s actions in a different light and she seems through the bright smile he often uses. There’s no denying though, that these two say some really cruel things to each other and sometimes it feels like one step forward followed by two steps back.
This time in high school is such a difficult one, especially when like Pearl, you feel you’re being left behind by your best friend. But this situation also makes Pearl think about the fact that really, she’s put a lot of effort into her friendship with Daisy and it’s been at the extent of really making friends with anyone else and she might not be as alone as she thought she was. There are other options for her, people who don’t treat her as Daisy has begun to treat her: cancelling plans if her boyfriend calls, saying nothing when her boyfriend says offensive and nasty things about Pearl (often to her face and most definitely behind her back). If that is Daisy’s idea of friendship I think Pearl realises that she could do better than putting her life on hold for when Daisy is next free to hang out with her.
I also enjoyed Pearl’s family in this – in all their messy glory. They felt so real and I often feel that families are missing in YA novels – parents that make rules, annoying younger siblings. And look, Pearl and Obi are on a road trip so the family is absent for a large portion of the story but they are always in the background, particularly as Pearl has promised to look in on her Nana, who seems to have disappeared, worrying her father. There’s some great stuff about grief in this book too and how differently Pearl and her Nana see the time since Pearl’s grandfather died. The character of Pearl’s Nana is a bit of a hoot and in some ways, she reminds me of one of my grandmothers. It’s not that they have much in common, it’s more….their manner in some circumstances. My Nan is very forthright as well. We don’t meet Obi’s family but we get to glimpse a bit of their dynamic through his comments about them and it’s actually enough to give you quite a picture. And Pearl and Obi really did have lovely chemistry, when they weren’t trying to hurt each other.
I really enjoyed this. A wonderful read that was a lovely way to pass a morning in lockdown.
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
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August 6, 2022
Trigger & Content Warnings
Racism
Toxic friendship
Alcohol consumption
Disappearance of a grandparent
Racism
Toxic friendship
Alcohol consumption
Disappearance of a grandparent
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews