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A review by thebritishbibliophile
The Wrong Road Home by C.E. Johnson
5.0
'Sometimes the wrong road taken home is the very exact one in which leads us down the right path, in the end. Another delightful, and sweet romance from the delightful author herself, C.E.Johnson'
Thank you to Grey's Promotions for sending me an ebook Advanced Reader's Copy for me to read and leave an honest review.
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What a pleasure it is to dive back into my second C.E.Johnon novel! I first came by her by way of Grey's Promotions last year thanks to the then pre-release promo of her novel 'Watch Me Breathe', which was a knockout introduction into an author whom I've never had the pleasure of reading before. I was wondering when I would get my next chance to sample a C.E.Johnson novel, and the chance has finally come with The Wrong Road Home.
And what a way to dive back into C.E.Johnson than with a trope that is both beloved and critiqued at the same time, than an enemies-to-lovers romance! By far one of the more popular tropes with more and more authors tackling it by the day, I was keen to see how C.E.Johnson would do the same and I'm very much happy to report that you won't be sorry or disappointed by this novel. Not one bit. It's got the 'tug-of-war' between Sam and Oliver, neither relenting but both equally as stubborn and determined, but neither were immune to the true feelings that both of them harboured below the surface. That moment of it all coming together, literally, oh I loved it! Sam and Oliver were just a couple with chemistry to the nines!
Let's talk main characters! Starting with the leading lady herself, Sam!
Sam is one of those characters you find yourself championing because as I've noted before in other reviews for authors, she is not a wallflower who lets anyone walk over her or shies away from being her own hero. Sam is an independent, strong-willed, determined, firecracker of a 'boss lady' who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to let her tongue fly. Yes, a little reactive with the 'act now think later' attitude, but that isn't necessarily a negative. If anything, it sets into play to bring her back onto the right path and the person to do that is none other than our leading man, Oliver.
Now, onto the man himself. Normally I find myself resonating and connecting with the female characters, relating to them more so than the men, but that wasn't the case here. Oliver is the typical to himself, introverted type who is more than happy to live his own life by his own means and more than anything, quietly and in peace. Not to be disturbed or entered into anything that makes him feel uncomfortable. Suffocated. Cue Oliver shifting locations that thrusts everything into his life, and into his face, that he wants nothing more than to stay away from. A small town where for want of a word 'everyone knows your name', gossip spreads faster than wifi speed is fast, and everything you do is seen by at least one set of eyes at all times. Dear Oliver was in way over his social head, and I knew exactly how he feels. C.E.Johnson captured a personality type a lot of us feel like and can connect to with Oliver, who is a parallel opposite to Sam. Talk about when two worlds--or rather, personalities--collide.
Main characters aide, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to the supporting characters who no doubt, readers will for sure find a favourite in at least one of them. My personal top three have to be Madison, Crew and Burt. Each possess something that makes them enjoyable, emotional and amusing to read and all provide moments of relief and distraction from the attention that Sam and Oliver bring to every scene they are in.
As I found with 'Watch Me Breathe', The Wrong Way Home is a book full of those sneaky twists and turns that when we find a moment we are comfortable to relax and rest before the next mini arc came along, would surprise you and have you sitting bolt-upright staring at the page. Simultaneously, in the moments where these things weren't happening, C.E.Johnson has carefully crafted a super angsty, sweetly romantic and breathtaking read that will melt the coldest of hearts, toy with your feels and emotions, and will give you the journey of a lifetime.
Sit down and buckle up, because the wrong road certainly leads to the destination that is truly unforgettable.
Five stars for Sam, Oliver and of course, C.E.Johnson!
Thank you to Grey's Promotions for sending me an ebook Advanced Reader's Copy for me to read and leave an honest review.
---------------------------
What a pleasure it is to dive back into my second C.E.Johnon novel! I first came by her by way of Grey's Promotions last year thanks to the then pre-release promo of her novel 'Watch Me Breathe', which was a knockout introduction into an author whom I've never had the pleasure of reading before. I was wondering when I would get my next chance to sample a C.E.Johnson novel, and the chance has finally come with The Wrong Road Home.
And what a way to dive back into C.E.Johnson than with a trope that is both beloved and critiqued at the same time, than an enemies-to-lovers romance! By far one of the more popular tropes with more and more authors tackling it by the day, I was keen to see how C.E.Johnson would do the same and I'm very much happy to report that you won't be sorry or disappointed by this novel. Not one bit. It's got the 'tug-of-war' between Sam and Oliver, neither relenting but both equally as stubborn and determined, but neither were immune to the true feelings that both of them harboured below the surface. That moment of it all coming together, literally, oh I loved it! Sam and Oliver were just a couple with chemistry to the nines!
Let's talk main characters! Starting with the leading lady herself, Sam!
Sam is one of those characters you find yourself championing because as I've noted before in other reviews for authors, she is not a wallflower who lets anyone walk over her or shies away from being her own hero. Sam is an independent, strong-willed, determined, firecracker of a 'boss lady' who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to let her tongue fly. Yes, a little reactive with the 'act now think later' attitude, but that isn't necessarily a negative. If anything, it sets into play to bring her back onto the right path and the person to do that is none other than our leading man, Oliver.
Now, onto the man himself. Normally I find myself resonating and connecting with the female characters, relating to them more so than the men, but that wasn't the case here. Oliver is the typical to himself, introverted type who is more than happy to live his own life by his own means and more than anything, quietly and in peace. Not to be disturbed or entered into anything that makes him feel uncomfortable. Suffocated. Cue Oliver shifting locations that thrusts everything into his life, and into his face, that he wants nothing more than to stay away from. A small town where for want of a word 'everyone knows your name', gossip spreads faster than wifi speed is fast, and everything you do is seen by at least one set of eyes at all times. Dear Oliver was in way over his social head, and I knew exactly how he feels. C.E.Johnson captured a personality type a lot of us feel like and can connect to with Oliver, who is a parallel opposite to Sam. Talk about when two worlds--or rather, personalities--collide.
Main characters aide, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to the supporting characters who no doubt, readers will for sure find a favourite in at least one of them. My personal top three have to be Madison, Crew and Burt. Each possess something that makes them enjoyable, emotional and amusing to read and all provide moments of relief and distraction from the attention that Sam and Oliver bring to every scene they are in.
As I found with 'Watch Me Breathe', The Wrong Way Home is a book full of those sneaky twists and turns that when we find a moment we are comfortable to relax and rest before the next mini arc came along, would surprise you and have you sitting bolt-upright staring at the page. Simultaneously, in the moments where these things weren't happening, C.E.Johnson has carefully crafted a super angsty, sweetly romantic and breathtaking read that will melt the coldest of hearts, toy with your feels and emotions, and will give you the journey of a lifetime.
Sit down and buckle up, because the wrong road certainly leads to the destination that is truly unforgettable.
Five stars for Sam, Oliver and of course, C.E.Johnson!