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erinarkin20's review
5.0
In this installment Ashley and Roman are on the road. He has agreed to take her to her friend's place...little does he know he agreed to take her to a swamp community...in Georgia. All things that will make Roman wonder what the heck has he gotten himself into.
While this is just a little snippet of the story, Knox does a wonderful job of giving the reader more information about these characters. Although they are mostly in their own heads, I have been able to get a good sense of who Roman is and although he has some secrets to reveal yet, it is clear he likes order and no emotions. Even his relationship with Carmen isn't about how he feels for her, it is about the order and structure it provides him in his life.
At the exact opposite of the spectrum is Ashley. She clearly acts rashly and doesn't really think through the things she does and although it has worked for her so far, she wants more. That is really what Sunnyvale represents for her - something in her life that she knows and can impact.
I can't wait to dive into the next episode with these two. I don't see things going well for Roman at all based on the shenanigans Ashley seems to be able to cook up.
While this is just a little snippet of the story, Knox does a wonderful job of giving the reader more information about these characters. Although they are mostly in their own heads, I have been able to get a good sense of who Roman is and although he has some secrets to reveal yet, it is clear he likes order and no emotions. Even his relationship with Carmen isn't about how he feels for her, it is about the order and structure it provides him in his life.
At the exact opposite of the spectrum is Ashley. She clearly acts rashly and doesn't really think through the things she does and although it has worked for her so far, she wants more. That is really what Sunnyvale represents for her - something in her life that she knows and can impact.
I can't wait to dive into the next episode with these two. I don't see things going well for Roman at all based on the shenanigans Ashley seems to be able to cook up.
merlin_reads's review
3.5
In Roman Holiday 1: Chained we met our main characters Ashley and Roman. In Roman Holiday 2: Hitched we set off on a road trip with them through Florida up to the swamplands of Georgia. This being a serialized novel, we are getting little glimpses of each person as the series continues. The pace is very realistic and refreshing that there wasn’t insta-love that often appears in most romance novels.
I find Roman to be the most intriguing character of the two. He’s so quiet and controlled that you just know something happened in his past to make him this way. There are times when his put-together façade comes extremely close to crumbling, but he’s always managed to reign it back in (so far). He is showing some insane amount of patience with Ashley, who doesn’t even tell him where he’s taking her – just that it’s a drive.
Ashley…is interesting? Parts of her I love – her sassiness, how she won’t back down from what she believes in. But then there’s other parts that are starting to make me cringe a little. I am very curious as to how the author is going to put these two together. Right now, they tolerate each other for a separate goal but you can definitely feel the underlying attraction there.
Another solid installment and I look forward to the next one.
I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review via Netgalley.
I find Roman to be the most intriguing character of the two. He’s so quiet and controlled that you just know something happened in his past to make him this way. There are times when his put-together façade comes extremely close to crumbling, but he’s always managed to reign it back in (so far). He is showing some insane amount of patience with Ashley, who doesn’t even tell him where he’s taking her – just that it’s a drive.
Ashley…is interesting? Parts of her I love – her sassiness, how she won’t back down from what she believes in. But then there’s other parts that are starting to make me cringe a little. I am very curious as to how the author is going to put these two together. Right now, they tolerate each other for a separate goal but you can definitely feel the underlying attraction there.
Another solid installment and I look forward to the next one.
I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest opinion and review via Netgalley.
jbquinn's review
5.0
And the Roman/Ashley saga continues! In this installment it picked right up where the 1st one left off. We have Ashley & roman going on a road trip to Georgia to see one of Ashley's grandmothers friends. Ashley is hoping she can help talk Roman into keeping Sunnyvale. We get more insight into Roman here and why he is the way he is. Which is very anal & controlled. But he has a good reason he is that way. I love Ashley's personality. She's very carefree, witty, strong & tenacious. Yet, she's also vulnerable at the same time.
I will say; I'm very thankful I have all the episodes in one book. Otherwise I don't think I would've read this & I would've missed out. I'm not really into reading serial's. They're just not my thing.
I will say; I'm very thankful I have all the episodes in one book. Otherwise I don't think I would've read this & I would've missed out. I'm not really into reading serial's. They're just not my thing.
stephtregear's review
4.0
Hitched is a fantastic follow-up of Chained, where we see the characters develop and come to know each other a little more over their car journey. There's also a touch of irresistible romance and denied feelings for each other that keep us engaged and anticipating the third episode!
In Hitched we see Roman make good on his word to Ashley. After she wakes up from having passed out at the end of Chained, Ashley takes Roman to the Airstream caravan that she inherited from her grandmother, much to Roman's disgust. The thing is butt-ugly, and he does not want it to taint the perfection of his Cadillac. But he's made a promise to Ashley, so he hooks up the trailer and they start their journey together... Roman doesn't know where they're going, because Ashley is too afraid he'll break his promise if she tells him they're going to a swamp in Georgia.
On the car journey, Roman and Ashley get to know each other a little more, and although Roman is largely reluctant to divulge his personal life to Ashley, he begins to let his guard down around her. And as readers, we see him as more of a human being capable of understanding human emotions. Knox presents this through fantastically-composed wit and humour, and we see parts of Roman in ourselves. And I think that makes us like Roman a lot more, because Ashley starts to like him too - or perhaps 'tolerate' is a more appropriate word here. Either way, when silly Roman jackknifes the trailer outside Ashley's friend's house, we know that he now trusts her enough to trust that he will be okay here, even if it's the last place in the world where he wants to be.
I have contributed to the Hitched discussion on Ruthie Knox's forum, where I explained the contrasts between Ashley and Roman through the symbols of the Airstream and Cadillac. I think they're great tools for discussion Ashley and Roman's characters, so I'm going to reiterate some of my points here.
Ashley is her inherited Airstream; she's loaded with sealed boxes and old knick-knacks from her past, which no one is really very keen to open. Not Ashley, not Roman. They would both rather deny what's there, or just choose not to look at it because it would be a hassle and an unnecessary waste of their time. But those boxes contain a cherished story. The story of Ashley's life, her connection to her grandmother, and her desperation to hold onto Sunnyvale. Ashley's exterior is far from perfect, with a few dents and scratches to show just how out-of-place she is standing next to Roman. But if we treat Ashley with a little tender love and care, she proves to be strong and reliable, with a sturdy exterior to hold herself together and provide a place of warmth for others.
Roman, on the other hand, is his Cadillac. Tall, dark and handsome with a sinister edge. We can't see through him because he's put up so many shields to protect himself from his past. He craves perfection, and won't settle for anything less. So when he has to hook Ashley's Airstream onto his towbar, it's obvious how much he hates it and how much the two just do not belong together. But he's stuck in this situation, so he becomes greatly vulnerable to Ashley, even if he doesn't acknowledge it or if Ashley doesn't realise this.
It's Roman's smug ego that is really tested in Hitched. He undermines the rest of the world - the non-Cadillac-driving folk, the people who own Airstream caravans. Roman doesn't care for these people, nor does he give them enough credit. These people are just as important to the world as he is, but he refuses to acknowledge this in any way. This becomes most apparent at the end of Hitched when he jackknifes the caravan. He tries to get himself out of this mess, but only ends up in a worse situation. Ashley gets out of the car and heads inside while he continues to make his situation worse - "She had so little faith in him, she didn't even bother closing the door." But it's Roman who doesn't trust Ashley or the people she's taken him to, he doesn't trust that his car will be okay left out in the swamp; he doesn't trust anything that he doesn't know 100%.
Roman is big-headed and too proud to take advice from the non-Cadillac community. But being stuck with Ashley has been good for him, and I think that he's coming to realise that "how the other half live" isn't as bad as he originally thought.
Once again, I must commend Knox on her wonderful, witty writing. She is able to add the perfect amount of humour to the story, whilst keeping up the genuine concern Ashley has for Sunnyvale and her somewhat dire situation. The humour allows Roman and Ashley to really come to life, and in my mind, they are real people, not mere characters. Roman becomes more human in this episode, and I’m intrigued to see where this holiday with Ashley takes him.
In Hitched we see Roman make good on his word to Ashley. After she wakes up from having passed out at the end of Chained, Ashley takes Roman to the Airstream caravan that she inherited from her grandmother, much to Roman's disgust. The thing is butt-ugly, and he does not want it to taint the perfection of his Cadillac. But he's made a promise to Ashley, so he hooks up the trailer and they start their journey together... Roman doesn't know where they're going, because Ashley is too afraid he'll break his promise if she tells him they're going to a swamp in Georgia.
On the car journey, Roman and Ashley get to know each other a little more, and although Roman is largely reluctant to divulge his personal life to Ashley, he begins to let his guard down around her. And as readers, we see him as more of a human being capable of understanding human emotions. Knox presents this through fantastically-composed wit and humour, and we see parts of Roman in ourselves. And I think that makes us like Roman a lot more, because Ashley starts to like him too - or perhaps 'tolerate' is a more appropriate word here. Either way, when silly Roman jackknifes the trailer outside Ashley's friend's house, we know that he now trusts her enough to trust that he will be okay here, even if it's the last place in the world where he wants to be.
I have contributed to the Hitched discussion on Ruthie Knox's forum, where I explained the contrasts between Ashley and Roman through the symbols of the Airstream and Cadillac. I think they're great tools for discussion Ashley and Roman's characters, so I'm going to reiterate some of my points here.
Ashley is her inherited Airstream; she's loaded with sealed boxes and old knick-knacks from her past, which no one is really very keen to open. Not Ashley, not Roman. They would both rather deny what's there, or just choose not to look at it because it would be a hassle and an unnecessary waste of their time. But those boxes contain a cherished story. The story of Ashley's life, her connection to her grandmother, and her desperation to hold onto Sunnyvale. Ashley's exterior is far from perfect, with a few dents and scratches to show just how out-of-place she is standing next to Roman. But if we treat Ashley with a little tender love and care, she proves to be strong and reliable, with a sturdy exterior to hold herself together and provide a place of warmth for others.
Roman, on the other hand, is his Cadillac. Tall, dark and handsome with a sinister edge. We can't see through him because he's put up so many shields to protect himself from his past. He craves perfection, and won't settle for anything less. So when he has to hook Ashley's Airstream onto his towbar, it's obvious how much he hates it and how much the two just do not belong together. But he's stuck in this situation, so he becomes greatly vulnerable to Ashley, even if he doesn't acknowledge it or if Ashley doesn't realise this.
It's Roman's smug ego that is really tested in Hitched. He undermines the rest of the world - the non-Cadillac-driving folk, the people who own Airstream caravans. Roman doesn't care for these people, nor does he give them enough credit. These people are just as important to the world as he is, but he refuses to acknowledge this in any way. This becomes most apparent at the end of Hitched when he jackknifes the caravan. He tries to get himself out of this mess, but only ends up in a worse situation. Ashley gets out of the car and heads inside while he continues to make his situation worse - "She had so little faith in him, she didn't even bother closing the door." But it's Roman who doesn't trust Ashley or the people she's taken him to, he doesn't trust that his car will be okay left out in the swamp; he doesn't trust anything that he doesn't know 100%.
Roman is big-headed and too proud to take advice from the non-Cadillac community. But being stuck with Ashley has been good for him, and I think that he's coming to realise that "how the other half live" isn't as bad as he originally thought.
Once again, I must commend Knox on her wonderful, witty writing. She is able to add the perfect amount of humour to the story, whilst keeping up the genuine concern Ashley has for Sunnyvale and her somewhat dire situation. The humour allows Roman and Ashley to really come to life, and in my mind, they are real people, not mere characters. Roman becomes more human in this episode, and I’m intrigued to see where this holiday with Ashley takes him.
beckymmoe's review
4.0
Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books.
Ruthie Knox’s Roman Holiday continues with Hitched, the second “episode” in the serialization. Although it wasn’t quite as laugh out loud as the first (for which my daughter thanks you, Ruthie), it was still a darn good read.
Hitched begins shortly after Chained left off–okay, a while after, since we have to wait for our heroine to regain consciousness…which she does, in a different location from where she lost it. Interesting, yes? She got there somehow, and two guesses as to how… ;)
Oh, and she’s having an erotic dream about Roman just before she comes to. Delicious.
In this episode, Roman meets the infamous Airstream trailer that Ashley has tricked him into attaching to his precious Escalade. (Guys are so weird with their cars, aren’t they? I just loved watching Roman cringe throughout this one, as Ashley–and her decrepit trailer–gave him a hard time about it.) They begin the road trip that the series has promised, and Ashley manages to keep their destination a secret from him for far longer than I would have thought possible.
The banter between the two is the best part of this segment, with their internal dialogue (mostly about each other) a close second. There’s not a whole lot of meat to this part–it’s only fifty pages long, after all. The purpose of this installment is pretty much to get the two from here to there–and hint at awesomeness to come.
Given the way it ends (poor Roman! He’s in so much trouble here) I absolutely cannot wait to get to part three!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ruthie Knox’s Roman Holiday continues with Hitched, the second “episode” in the serialization. Although it wasn’t quite as laugh out loud as the first (for which my daughter thanks you, Ruthie), it was still a darn good read.
Hitched begins shortly after Chained left off–okay, a while after, since we have to wait for our heroine to regain consciousness…which she does, in a different location from where she lost it. Interesting, yes? She got there somehow, and two guesses as to how… ;)
Oh, and she’s having an erotic dream about Roman just before she comes to. Delicious.
In this episode, Roman meets the infamous Airstream trailer that Ashley has tricked him into attaching to his precious Escalade. (Guys are so weird with their cars, aren’t they? I just loved watching Roman cringe throughout this one, as Ashley–and her decrepit trailer–gave him a hard time about it.) They begin the road trip that the series has promised, and Ashley manages to keep their destination a secret from him for far longer than I would have thought possible.
The banter between the two is the best part of this segment, with their internal dialogue (mostly about each other) a close second. There’s not a whole lot of meat to this part–it’s only fifty pages long, after all. The purpose of this installment is pretty much to get the two from here to there–and hint at awesomeness to come.
Given the way it ends (poor Roman! He’s in so much trouble here) I absolutely cannot wait to get to part three!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
jaimearkin's review
5.0
In this installment, we join Roman and Ashley shortly after she conned him into giving her a ride to her friends place... only she didn't specify where her friend lived and Roman didn't think to ask, so now he's stuck with her for an extended trip. Hauling her Windstream trailer... on his fancy truck.
Let's just say that while this installment is filled with some hijinks, we're getting to know both Ashley and Roman a bit more.
Ashley lets us see that despite her bravado, she's actually a bit sensitive to what people feel and think about her. After going through life feeling like no one chooses her, she's devastated to know that her grandmother quite possibly felt that way as well.
Roman also reveals a bit more about himself too. His history and how he got where he is today and the actual depth of his debt on the property he is at war over. We also find out a tiny bit about Carmen and Heberto.
I have to say that my favorite thing about this is the banter and the interactions between Roman and Ashley. Despite the needling that Ashley does, and the way Roman tries to keep his cool, you can see that something of a friendship is developing between them. No matter how hard they try to deny it.
Definitely looking forward to the next installment to see what happens as their very loose friendship progresses.
Thank you to Ruthie and Loveswept for the advance copies in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Let's just say that while this installment is filled with some hijinks, we're getting to know both Ashley and Roman a bit more.
Ashley lets us see that despite her bravado, she's actually a bit sensitive to what people feel and think about her. After going through life feeling like no one chooses her, she's devastated to know that her grandmother quite possibly felt that way as well.
Roman also reveals a bit more about himself too. His history and how he got where he is today and the actual depth of his debt on the property he is at war over. We also find out a tiny bit about Carmen and Heberto.
I have to say that my favorite thing about this is the banter and the interactions between Roman and Ashley. Despite the needling that Ashley does, and the way Roman tries to keep his cool, you can see that something of a friendship is developing between them. No matter how hard they try to deny it.
Definitely looking forward to the next installment to see what happens as their very loose friendship progresses.
Thank you to Ruthie and Loveswept for the advance copies in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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