It’s filled with beautiful scenes, Caribbean parties and serious bites from The Travel Bug. Still, I think that it will appeal to people who have traveled, will travel or who simply dream of traveling. I think that there were parts that resonated with me more since I’ve been in that area and have lived for months at a time in south America. Because of the memory of the Grade A Jerkwad, she does some fairly self-deprecating, self-destructive things but then, we all go down those roads at our low points. Much of that has to do with a former boyfriend who I wanted to drop kick for the entirety of the book. From the start of the story, we get bits and pieces of what seems to be a very rocky relationship she carries on with art. I liked Bria for the most part but there were parts where I just wanted to reach into the book and shake her. Obviously, because this is a book and not my personal nightmare, Bria manages to remedy the situation but I can’t tell you how or I’d have to kill you.īasically, know that she befriends some super funky and fun backpackers (who my mom will recognize as the troupe of backpackers from our Costa Rica trip) and life changing hijinks ensue. As she watches hip, carefree backpackers saunter off into the city, she finds herself bogged down by a bunch of loser adult tourists who are totally uncool. Upon arrival, it becomes clear that her “play it safe” strategy found her playing it way too safe. After a bitter break up, she signs herself up for a guided group tour through Guatemala for a change of pace before beginning her next leg of school. The story is centered around soon-to-be college freshman Bria. However, the book is better taken as a Magic Eye painting, you know? Like, cool if you stop paying attention to the details and let your eyes go blurry for a little bit. I should start with a disclaimer that it has to be taken as fantasy since some basic details about, you know, parents…go missing as they do in most YA novels. Add in boats, bikes and backpacks and you may never get me home.įor this reason, I felt totally connected with Hubbard’s Wanderlove.

If it involves getting on a plane, it’s safe to assume I’ve already fallen in love. Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young ReadersĪs my mother is fond of pointing out, most of my experiences, especially having to do with traveling, are “the best ever!”

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard