Author: Kirsten Hubbard
Source: Gift from @Luvdaylilies
Goodreads Summary:
It all begins with a stupid question:
Are you a Global Vagabond?
No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.
Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward.
But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.
Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry to this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story.
My Take:
Oh, how I wish I could try to walk away from everything for a few weeks and roam around. Granted, my idea of roaming around would be rolling luggage, hotels, hot showers, and shampoo and conditioner!
I know there are people out there who backpack. I kind of envy that. Kind of! Hubbard definitely gave great descriptions and made me feel like I could be in the story. Skittering lizards and all. *shudder*
When Bria decided to ditch her travel group to join in with a couple of backpackers, it was more of an emotional decision than a rational one, but it worked! Along the journey across Central America, the most important thing that Bria realizes is that she is the only person holding her back -- not her parents, not her art, and not the jerky, self-centered, egotistical ex-boyfriend any longer. I'm glad she was able to close that chapter and be able to move on.
I reaaaalllly enjoyed the conversations that Bria and Rowan had. They were always so peaceful and open to conversation at night. Downtime!
My Rating:
I really enjoyed the trip with Bria and Rowen!
This book is part of the StandAlone Reading Challenge! Wooo! I'm quite a bit behind on that. :)
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