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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
This book is everything you need in a good romance novel and so much more!!
As Heather travels around Europe with her two best friends, the after graduation trip with your besties that we’ve all dreamed of and even planned (but couldn’t turn into reality, thanks COVID-19) is so wonderfully written. Each destination, each adventure is described in such detail (but, not too much detail) that you can almost feel yourself right there experiencing all the things with them. Then, while on a train journey to Amsterdam she meets Jack and that’s when Heather must re-think everything she thought she knew. This story makes you realise that as important as it is to have a plan for your life and have things mapped out to give you some clarity on where you’re headed and where you want to go, it’s just as important to live in the moment and take a chance on the opportunities life offers you.
A love story that breaks your heart, but heals it too.
As Heather travels around Europe with her two best friends, the after graduation trip with your besties that we’ve all dreamed of and even planned (but couldn’t turn into reality, thanks COVID-19) is so wonderfully written. Each destination, each adventure is described in such detail (but, not too much detail) that you can almost feel yourself right there experiencing all the things with them. Then, while on a train journey to Amsterdam she meets Jack and that’s when Heather must re-think everything she thought she knew. This story makes you realise that as important as it is to have a plan for your life and have things mapped out to give you some clarity on where you’re headed and where you want to go, it’s just as important to live in the moment and take a chance on the opportunities life offers you.
A love story that breaks your heart, but heals it too.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I struggle with finding all the right words to describe just how purely beautiful this book is. It is incredibly heart wrenching. You fall in love with the characters so easily. You get pulled into the story. I can’t fully express just how much I love this book. Easiest 5⭐️ I have ever rated a book. I recommend reading this book while listening to springtime/romantic instrumental music on low volume. It really helps to get into the story.
There are so many beautiful and wonderful quotes in this book, I actually regret not tabbing and taking notes. I certainly will tab all my favorite quotes next time I read this book.
There are so many beautiful and wonderful quotes in this book, I actually regret not tabbing and taking notes. I certainly will tab all my favorite quotes next time I read this book.
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5
While scrolling through my library's e-audiobook offerings, I came across this unfamiliar novel. The cover and the title grabbed me so I placed a hold.
Sometimes, it pays to take a chance. To say this was a pleasant surprise would be an understatement. It's basically about two young Americans, Heather and Jack, who meet on a train to Amsterdam. It's a love story, complete with travelling, famous and less famous landmarks, literature discussions and falling passionately in love. I found both protagonists endearing. If I were to put on my critical-cranky-hat, I would say they were a bit too knowledgeable, too articulate and mature. The writing was so good, I didn't mind in the least that it was written in the first person, from Heather's point of view, which usually drives me bonkers in new adult/romance books.
The Map That Leads to You is a beautifully written novel, it reminded me of "Love Story".
Ah, to be young again and to travel the world ...
While scrolling through my library's e-audiobook offerings, I came across this unfamiliar novel. The cover and the title grabbed me so I placed a hold.
Sometimes, it pays to take a chance. To say this was a pleasant surprise would be an understatement. It's basically about two young Americans, Heather and Jack, who meet on a train to Amsterdam. It's a love story, complete with travelling, famous and less famous landmarks, literature discussions and falling passionately in love. I found both protagonists endearing. If I were to put on my critical-cranky-hat, I would say they were a bit too knowledgeable, too articulate and mature. The writing was so good, I didn't mind in the least that it was written in the first person, from Heather's point of view, which usually drives me bonkers in new adult/romance books.
The Map That Leads to You is a beautifully written novel, it reminded me of "Love Story".
Ah, to be young again and to travel the world ...
Didn’t do anything for me.. The heroine, Heather wasn’t very good described. I didn’t really “feel” her so to speak. She was bland. Boring.
And Jack.. Jack the drifter, Jack the Traveller. Despite the tragic plot twist, I really disliked him.
And Jack.. Jack the drifter, Jack the Traveller. Despite the tragic plot twist, I really disliked him.
I received a NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review. Like others have reported, the ARC copy was unedited and had some formatting issues that made it a little difficult to read at times. However, that should be straightened out before publication, so that didn't affect the review.
This was a romantic travelogue of the traditional post-college European tour. Heather -- 22 and newly graduated from Amherst -- encounters Jack -- 26 and dreaming -- on a train to Amsterdam. As they crisscross the continent, falling in love, Jack continually challenges the life plan Heather has waiting for her after her return home.
The opener is strong, but it quickly runs out of steam. There are flashes of brilliance in the writing and the descriptions of Europe's major cities, but they're connected by a lot of throwaway, trope-heavy action. I saw the "big twist" coming much sooner than Heather did. Some more originality would have been nice.
What really lost me, though, was the characterizations of Heather and her friends. They're supposed to be Millennials, but they read like they've just stepped off a 1950s college campus. There's no stressing over college loans or tiny apartments; one of the girls keeps flaking on a job waiting for her at home while another one suddenly has enough money to fly off to a whole new continent. Even Jack. To get through security -- especially in this era -- he would have had to purchase a ticket. There was a mention of a small inheritance, but honestly what 26 year old with no job or other discernible form of income, who is trying to last in Europe until Spring comes would be able to shell out cash on a last-second ticket and then never use it just because he didn't want to tell his girlfriend he was sick?
The book aspires to be Hemingway, but if you like that style, check out The Sun Also Rises.
This was a romantic travelogue of the traditional post-college European tour. Heather -- 22 and newly graduated from Amherst -- encounters Jack -- 26 and dreaming -- on a train to Amsterdam. As they crisscross the continent, falling in love, Jack continually challenges the life plan Heather has waiting for her after her return home.
The opener is strong, but it quickly runs out of steam. There are flashes of brilliance in the writing and the descriptions of Europe's major cities, but they're connected by a lot of throwaway, trope-heavy action. I saw the "big twist" coming much sooner than Heather did. Some more originality would have been nice.
What really lost me, though, was the characterizations of Heather and her friends. They're supposed to be Millennials, but they read like they've just stepped off a 1950s college campus. There's no stressing over college loans or tiny apartments; one of the girls keeps flaking on a job waiting for her at home while another one suddenly has enough money to fly off to a whole new continent. Even Jack. To get through security -- especially in this era -- he would have had to purchase a ticket. There was a mention of a small inheritance, but honestly what 26 year old with no job or other discernible form of income, who is trying to last in Europe until Spring comes would be able to shell out cash on a last-second ticket and then never use it just because he didn't want to tell his girlfriend he was sick?
The book aspires to be Hemingway, but if you like that style, check out The Sun Also Rises.
Love story. Unexpected. Secret. Heartbreakingly beautiful.
It’s been quite a while since I’ve read a romance novel, and this was a fine one. Not too sappy but pretty predictable, and I enjoyed that much of the book with a whirlwind European adventure dotted with Hemingway references. Jack, the dashing adventurous love interest was a bit too perfect, but what annoyed me most? The oft used word “mom-asaurus.” Ugh. And the few chapters that shifted into second person were odd. But for the most part I found the older male author’s ability to write from an early 20s female point of view pretty convincing.