Where the Road Takes Me

Find this review and more on my blog, Lilybloombooks

I listened to this book a few weeks ago, and I am still having difficulties putting my thoughts together. There were so many things I loved about Where the Road Takes Me. But there are things that really bothered me with the characters, too, and the narrators? >.<

Where the Road Takes Me starts off very clichéd, with a popular athlete and invisible girl meets and BAM. This has been used so many times it makes my head hurt. But it's so IMPORTANT to the overall plot arc and the beauty in it overall made my chest ache.

Chloe has plans. Once graduation hits, she is hitting the road and never looking back. Keeping everyone at arm's length for her entire life has been her mantra, so when Blake literally knocks into her life and turns things around, it's hard for her to let him in. I have a love/hate relationship with Chloe. In one hand, I can understand her pain, her desire to be left alone and want to remain invisible. Ultimately though, what she believes is a selfless act is one of the most selfish things I have seen in a main character and it was hard for me to be on board with.

Blake, who initially comes off as a tough jock, has so much depth and is so much MORE than what we are made to believe at first. His home life isn't the best, even though he hides it well, and the battle he has with himself over his future was a difficult one. Deep down, he is a sweet, caring and loyal guy just trying to find his way. The things he does for Chloe, his best friend Josh and everyone in between is so heart warming and touching. We need more Blake's in the world.

So their relationship starts rocky, at best. Blake is trying to break down Chloe's walls and she is not having it. If there is one thing to say about Chloe, is how tough and stubborn she is. She is determined to live her life as planned yet yearns for more. What was supposed to be a "casual" relationship turned out to be more for both, and Blake literally gives up everything for Chloe. I mean, EVERYTHING. Chloe is constantly pulling Blake close and then pushing him away. It was so frustrating and heartbreaking at the same time. Once we really get deeper into Chloe's head, I stated to understand a little bit more. It's just hard for me to understand completely, because she was so blind to what she was doing to those that loved her. You can't STOP someone from loving you, ya know?

The secondary characters were great, too. Josh, Blake's best friend. Chloe's foster family and Blake's mom. All are so loving, supportive and amazing characters. Even the Duke basketball team! I also loved how intertwined their lives were and how everything fell into place in the end. Their mom's, the letter's.. it all comes together and it was so beautiful. And the ending of the book had me bawling.

Now the narrators. Nick Podehl was decent, but I HATE how he mimicked a female's voice. It was like nails on a chalk board, for real. Laura, is a new to me narrator and I can't put my finger on it.. but her voice didn't work for Chloe's character, in my opinion. There was just something OFF the whole time.

My issues Chloe's character and the narrators aside, I did really enjoy Where the Road Takes Me. The deep, loving relationships, writing (and Blake) really made this book for me.

*I received a copy of this book from The Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*