#AmReading YA

Where the Road Leads Us
Robin Reul
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

Jack is on the verge for leaving for college, but before he does, he wants to track down his estranged brother, Alex and find some closure in the wake of their father's death. Meanwhile, Hallie has just found out some upsetting news about a friend in Oregon, and she has a small window to go see him before it's too late.

Jack and Hallie are practically strangers. They shared a class together years ago and haven't seen each other since, though they have more in common than they'd ever imagine. And when fate puts them into the same rideshare to the bus terminal, it kicks off an unconventional and hilarious adventure that may lead them to their own true selves…and maybe to each other.

Jack had been struggling with his father's death, and upon finding a letter from his father addressed to his estranged brother, he set out to locate him. Hallie was racing against the clock and had to get to Oregon to see her terminally ill friend. They felt alone in their struggles until a rideshare brought the two almost-strangers together just when they needed someone most. 

What a wonderful and touching physical and emotional journey! Both Hallie and Jack were at a crossroads and dealing with some major concerns. This unexpected excursion resulted in a surprising friendship that helped them both find some clarity. 

The story started with Jack, who was NOT having the best birthday ever. He was due to leave for his internship in New York prior to starting his freshman year at Columbia, and he just could not muster any excitement about this big life change. He had been trying to fill the emptiness left by his father's death, but could not. With an absent mother, an estranged brother, and a dead father, Jack was left on his own to deal with his feelings, and I think that's why I was so happy when the universe brought him and Hallie together. 

Hallie was also unsure about her future, but for very different reasons. Her health issues forced her to finish high school via home schooling and left her parents with a great amount of debt. College didn't seem like a possibility and the things she was passionate about before her illness lost their luster. This forced Hallie to stop looking ahead to a life she believed she would never have. I shed some tears for Jack, but Hallie's story really made my heart ache. 

This road trip unfolded in quite an entertaining and emotionally satisfying way. It started off rather comically with some over the top antics. Then it settled into a series of beautiful and meaningful moments, where Hallie and Jack got into deep soul-baring exchanges. I love the idea of fate intervening right when you need it most, and that's what happened here. 

Chance brought these two together, but it was with the other person's assistance that they were able to reclaim some control over their lives. Jack and Hallie were dealing with their own issues, but that insight and understanding translated to each of them finding a way to understand themselves. Overall, this was a rewarding expedition which was filled with warmth, hope, and heart. 

My Epic Spring Break (Up)
Kristin Rockaway
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Underlined
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

A fun and upbeat paperback original romance about a girl who finds a cheat sheet for love.

Spring break . . . heartache?

For coder extraordinaire Ashley, high school is all about prepping for college. Her love life? Virtually nonexistent. She's never been on a date. Never been kissed. Never been in love.

When her plans veer off course, Ashley realizes she might be missing out on her high school experience. Now that spring break is finally here, Ashley vows to have fun . . . and, for the first time, follow her heart.

Starting with Walker Beech, her gorgeous, maybe-not-so-unrequited crush. But with Jason Eisler--her childhood friend turned prankster--in the picture, trouble is bound to follow. Will Ashley's epic spring break lead her to love, or will her heart crash and burn?

Ashley was laser focused on her future. She worked to keep her grades up and engaged in activities that would pad her resume. When her plans were slightly derailed, she decided to throw caution to the wind and expand her horizons. After a few questionable decisions, she wondered if this was really what she thought she was missing out. 

When I think of spring break, I imagine easy breezy fun, and Rockaway did a fantastic job capturing its essence for me. Here are five things I loved about My Epic Spring Break (Up).

1. Ashely was a great character. I love a girl with goals and determination, and Ashley had it in spades. She was a hard worker, a good daughter, and a great friend, but she wasn't perfect. She made some ill advised decisions over the course of this book, but she paid the price and learned from them. 
2. STEM for the win! This is the first time in my life where I am NOT science-ing, but my love for all that is STEM runs deep. Ashley's adoration of math and coding endeared her to me, and it was a delight attending the Hackathon. 
3. Jason won my heart. My first impression of him was not that stellar. He seemed like a trouble-making prankster, who didn't always take time and place into consideration. Over the course of the book, he showed there was a whole other side to him, and I loved getting to know him better. 
4. Friendships were important in this book. Ashley was part of a fantastic programming girl gang. Her friends shared her zeal for coding and were her staunchest fans and supporters. It was also wonderful seeing the once strong relationship between Jason and Ashley revived. I loved hearing about their past and watching them slip back into their familiar friendship. 
5. This book was fun and feel-good. I read for entertainment and feels, and Rockaway delivered both. There was lots of whip-smart dialog, witty banter, and amusing bits throughout the story which made me happy. I also relished those sweet and tender moments, as well as the events that had me cheering Ashley on. 

Ashley's break may have only been two weeks, but they were two really meaningful weeks in her life. She worked though some issues regarding her father, made big decisions about her future, and even fell in love for the first time. Overall, I enjoyed this epic spring break.  

**ARCs received in exchange for honest reviews.

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