Title: WanderloveAuthor: Kirsten HubbardPublisher: Delacorte Books for Young ReadersPublishing Date: March 13th 2012Length: 352 pagesGenre: YA contemporary romanceSource: NetgalleyIt 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.Summary by Goodreads
One day I went through the list of e-books on my e-reader and my eyes fell on WANDERLOVE. By then I didn’t know why I had requested it in the first place and didn’t expect too much of the book. I started reading it… and suddenly couldn’t stop. I’m more than glad that I got the chance to read such a hyper awesome book!
Bria and Rowan are two of the most wonderful YA protagonists of all time. And we get to experience Central America together with our protagonist Bria. This trip during which she literally leaves well-explored and well-known roads and follows a different path is her chance to make new experiences and discover herself. She’s definitely someone I would appreciate as company on my travels (Rowan is of course more than welcome to join me, too). She’s bright and talented, but yet has to become a lot more self-confident and believe in herself.
Rowan’s her company on that trip, travel guide, friend and maybe more?
He is a character with depth. Rowan is very secretive, a character trait which stands in contrast with his urge to wander the wide world and explore new territories.
We’ll also find out more about him in the course of the story. I liked how Bria and Rowan began to trust each other and confide in the other more and more with each new stop on their journey. And I so wished for them to come together, to experience a wild new love burning between them in front of the exotic background of Central America. I suggest you read WANDERLOVE yourselves to find out what really happens;)
All the places Bria and Rowan visited felt so incredibly special and vibrant with life thanks to an excellent writing by Kirsten Hubbard.
The story is further illustrated with skilled and beautiful drawings that show moments of the trip. I was happy every time I turned the next page to find another drawing.
Where do the drawings come from? Bria of course! Drawing is one aspect of her past that you will also learn more about during her big adventure.
WANDERLOVE felt very personal and alive and I guess that comes from Kirsten Hubbard’s strong connection to the story and main elements of travelling and drawing which are part of her life, too. You’ll never want this journey to end!
1) of our own stories
2) of a sparkling Central American scenery you cannot but fall in love with
3) of a very sexy muscle study
4) of a sketch book filled with pretty moments
5) of the antidote to wanderlove
5) of the antidote to wanderlove
5/5 ***** WANDERLOVE- A truly wonderful & vibrant story made of pieces of dreams, memories and a colourful rush of love for every tiny miracle on this planet. I’m in love with Rowan and Bria’s adventure!
One of the early reads in 2012 that made a strong impression on me that will last. WANDERLOVE fuelled my travel desire and definitely left me longing for the whole wide world. I cannot wait to backpack through Central America one day. Thank you Kirsten for gifting this beautiful story to us readers!
* Want to read another novel by Kirsten Hubbard? Check out her debut LIKE MANDARIN!
* Read an excerpt of WANDERLOVE here.
* See one of the beautiful drawings of WANDERLOVE here.
* Follow Kirsten’s post series of WANDERLOVE locations on her blog.
* Visit www.kirstenhubbard.comfor further information about Kirsten Hubbard and her books.
* Thanks to Delacorte Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for granting me access to the E-ARC of WANDERLOVE!
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