Jen Malone

Not all those who wander are lost, but Aubree Sadler most definitely is on this novel’s whirlwind trip through Europe. A romantic and charming YA debut perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins and Jenny Han. Aubree can’t think of a better place to be than in perfectly boring Ohio, and she’s ready for a relaxing summer. But when her older sister, Elizabeth, gets into real trouble, Aubree is talked into taking over Elizabeth’s summer job, leading a group of senior citizens on a bus tour through Europe. Aubree doesn’t even make it to the first stop in Amsterdam before their perfect plan unravels, leaving her with no phone, no carefully prepared binder full of helpful facts, and an unexpected guest: the tour company owner’s son, Sam. Considering she’s pretending to be Elizabeth, she absolutely shouldn’t fall for him, but she can’t help it, especially with the most romantic European cities as the backdrop for their love story. But her relationship with Sam is threatening to ruin her relationship with her sister, and she feels like she’s letting both of them down. Aubree knows this trip may show her who she really is—she just hopes she likes where she ends up.

Wanderlost

Colleen

4.5 Stars

Wanderlost was a thoroughly enjoyable and totally cute story. Parts of it were a little far-fetched at times, but overall it was fun and gratifying. I love most books relating to travel (both fiction and nonfiction). Since How to Be Single managed to traverse the world without fulfilling a drop of wanderlust, I was left desperately wanting some armchair travel. Wanderlost combined that with delightfully fun romance. 

Granted I could not totally relate to Aubree's outlook on things. I spent all of my childhood dreaming of traveling, but Aubree had to be coerced into going on a trip. She did not have an adventurous bone in her body. She wouldn't try bratwurst for crying out loud! Like Aubree, I have a sister who is four years older than me. And you had better believe that if she had been going on a trip to Europe at that age (and if we looked anything alike), it would not have required any coercion to get me to switch places with her. In fact, my seventeen-year-old self might have considered a little harmless sabotage to facilitate that. Hypothetically speaking, of course. 

But she got better as the story went on and the romance was so stinkin' adorable. It was just a great feel-good story. And I ate it up! (view spoiler)[I was not completely satisfied with the ending. It was just too far fetched that the parents let their seventeen-year-old daughter stay abroad alone after she pulled off such a big deception. But I still loved the book overall. (hide spoiler)] 

RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 4 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 4 Stars
Level of Captivation: 5 Stars
Originality: 4 Stars

Kaley Catron

This book was adorable. It took me awhile to get into it but once Sam became a character i was sitting there laughing my freaking butt off okay. Also, it bothered me so much she didn't tell him earlier and he forgave her way easy but like I'm not mad because I ship it! Anyways! This was adorable and I loved it. Maybe a more detailed review to come #hereshoping

Naza

Aleena Korell

I almost dnf'd because there were a few cringe moments and I can't do that kind of book. But I did some skimming ahead and it picked up immediately. Overall, funny and cute but a pretty far-fetched scenario, and I really dislike the lying trope. Mr. Fenton was done dirty. 3.5*

Averi Hobbs

I've been thinking about whether to give this 4/4.5 or 5 stars but you know what, I really reallyyyyy enjoyed this book and while most would say this is unrealistic and cheesy I love stuff like this. The reasons I like this is because it revolves a trip through Europe which is a dream of mine; a slightly geeky girl who I can relate to on so many levels; a cute boy which is super sweet and nice which is a key point in a contemporary; and old people on a tour through Europe who are sweet and fun and amazing despite their age. I loved this and it was such a fun easy read for the last little part of summer.

Samantha Seney

One word: ADORABLE!

The perfect summer fluff you were thinking about. Everyone should read this!

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


The first thing that captured my attention about Wanderlost was, of course, the cover. I loved the colors and the font and, honestly, everything about it. It looked fun. It screamed "READ ME! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!" The synopsis drew me in further, and the number of raving 4 and 5 star reviews from bloggers I trust finally pushed me over the edge and made me pick this one up when I did. It lived up to the cover and the synopsis and I adored just about everything about it.

I love a good road trip book. They're, like, my kryptonite. (Especially if there's a swoony boy involved.) Of course I was going to read this book. (At some point.) I was totally hooked on this book from the moment Aubree agreed to take her sister's place on the European senior citizen bus tour. There might not have been a swoony boy in sight at that point, but I knew I liked Aubree's spunk and I was ready to follow her adventures. (Even if the whole thing was a bit far-fetched.) I wanted her to prove her sister wrong and I hoped she would learn a little more about who she really was during her travels.

I loved Aubree. She was in an impossible situation, but attempted to make the best of it and enjoy the opportunity she'd been given. (Forced into by guilt?) Either way, she's obviously in over her head since she a) isn't who everyone thinks she is, b) isn't qualified or trained to lead such a trip, c) doesn't speak the language of the tour's bus driver and d) lost the binder her sister prepared with ALL THE INFO. Obviously she wasn't all that great at her job in the beginning. But she learned and she grew. She wasn't sullen. It took a little while for her to fully fall into the groove and really get to know the others on the trip. When she did, the book became that much better. And none of it wouldn't have happened without the mishap that led swoony Sam (the owner's son) to join the tour. (YES! Swoony boy!)

Sam was wonderful. I loved the phone flirtation they had going on early on in the book. You know when you read a book and just have a huge, cheesy grin on your face? That was me reading their initial phone conversations and then, of course, later with their face-to-face interactions. I loved the pairing of these two, even if I knew there would be a certain amount of drama once he found out she wasn't really Elizabeth/Lizzy... because I knew he had to find out one way or another. As Sam has issues with liars, I knew it was possible that it would totally derail what they were building, but I had to hope otherwise. Naturally, I'm not going to tell you any more about that. You'll have to read to find out what happens.

So, I loved the main characters and the romance. The road trip aspect was fantastic. It made me want to get my passport and go somewhere. Anywhere. Everywhere. (This is the real danger with road trip books!) All this aside, one of my FAVORITE things about the books was the group of senior citizens on the trip. They didn't just blend into the background. Each of them was unique and special and they played an important part in Aubree's growth during this book. They were funny and spunky and meddlesome. Their personalities shown through and they felt so much like people I've had the pleasure of knowing in my life. They were so good that, dare I say even if there WASN'T a swoony boy involved, I'd probably have been totally enthralled with the story. Yes, it was that good. 

I can't rave enough about this book. Sure, you need to suspend reality a bit to start when it comes to the whole setup with Aubree taking her sister's spot on the tour and NOT telling their parents. But it was so easy to do that because the writing was that good and the progression of the storyline so perfect otherwise. I fell in love with each and every one of the characters and it was a totally happy-making book. There were a few tears along the way, too, but they didn't last long. I loved how Aubree's character developed and grew over the course of the story. I liked her to begin with, but by the end I was all but standing up shouting "You go girl!" as she came into her own. The only thing I wish different was that there was an epilogue. I mean, I'm really happy with the ending, but I'd have been even happier with just a little bit more as I'm a totally greedy reader. I guess this way I can imagine it all continued however I want, which isn't the worst thing in the world. Regardless, if you're looking for your new favorite YA contemporary book, one that combines romance and some "issues" without being a true "issues book" AND you want to giggle and swoon the whole time you're reading... look no further. Wanderlost is that book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

Nicole

Rating: 4 Stars

I really liked this book. The plot, most of the characters, and the setting were very well written. It really made me feel as though I wanted to be in Aubree's place. I, personally, have always dreamed of doing a grand tour of Europe. I hope someday I get that chance.

What gives this book 4 stars?
1.) I loved the plot, however it was somewhat slow in hooking me. I found that I would read part of it and then read something else because it didn't grab me in the very beginning. I also thought that Aubree was very immature in the beginning, wining about having to take her sister's place. In my opinion, she should have been thrilled, given the circumstance surrounding her opportunity, to go to Europe period.
2.) I loved the setting. I thought the author did a good job of describing each place. Her descriptions really made me feel as though I was there.
3.) I loved all the characters. I especially loved the seniors, I adored all their quirks and personalities. Sam, was the total dream boy, perfect in every possible way. If only boys in reality could be like fictional Sam. Aubrey, was very annoying in the beginning, but towards the middle and end of the story, I actually really liked her and how she was being more mature.

All in all, a good read. I liked it!

courtofkayla 

This book honestly surprised me, a lot. I went into it barely knowing anything, and inferring a little based on the synopsis. I was expecting a heart felt tale of a girl who travels all over Europe in her sisters place. And, yes, that did happen. But this book ended up being so much more. Not only is her family situation very complicated, but very relatable. As the youngest child in my family, I could relate to her views on comparing herself to her older sister-- all the time. She struggles with her view of herself, in comparison to her world renown sister. It isn't until she is forced across the world, and to lead a tour of major European cities to old people, that she realizes how valuable she actually is. As she uncovers each new city, from Paris to Prague, you see her go on a inner journey. It seems that at every stop she uncovers more and more about herself. She begins to believe that she is actually capable, and worthwhile. As her summer continues, she realizes that her sister isn't perfect, and she needs to stop comparing herself to her. Also, can we talk about the romance in this book?! IT'S SO GOOD. The chemistry is on point, and the relationship is actually believable! 
In conclusion, this book was extremely enjoyable and a lot deeper than I expected. Not only does it feature amazing countries, and historical sites, but it forces to you take a step out. You read as the main character discovers herself, and you feel like you discover more about yourself too.

Milana Marie Waller

** spoiler alert **
           the beginning of this bok was pretty slow. mostly because sam wasn't actaually involved seriously involved in the plot until about halfway through the story, and all the characters were confusing me, mostly because there were just so many so abruptly. but once sam got involved more the stor was a lot more eventful and fast paced. yes , it was insanely easy to predict that Aubree would fail to tell Sam who she really was until the worst moment possible when she had plenty of easy moments, but that's just with any plot like this. is pretty obvious but in a good, cute, light hearted hallmark movie kinda way: you gotta love em. anyways this was pretty cute just not ... amazing . didn't really give me the feels like warner lol

Wanderlost

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