Off the Map was just my cup of tea. Not only did it take me to Ireland – virtually – but it also has my favorite trope the, “let’s keep this casual OMG I HAVE FEELS”. I love it. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Carla Black’s life motto is “here for a good time, not for a long time.” She’s been travelling the world on her own in her vintage Jeep Wrangler for nearly a decade, stopping only long enough to replenish her adventure fund. She doesn’t do love and she doesn’t ever go home.
Eamon Sullivan is a modern-day cartographer who creates digital maps. His work helps people find their way, but he’s the one who’s lost his sense of direction. He’s unhappy at work, recently dumped, and his one big dream is stalled out—literally.
Fate throws them together when Carla arrives in Dublin for her best friend’s wedding and Eamon is tasked with picking her up from the airport. But what should be a simple drive across Ireland quickly becomes complicated with chemistry-filled detours, unexpected feelings, and a chance at love – if only they choose it.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
In Off the Map one of the first things I loved were the Easter Eggs for Float Plan. The world and character network Doller has created feels homey, nostalgic, and charming all at once. And Off the Map is no exception. It’s full of swooning, of characters who want to deny their own feelings, and humans who need a bit of a reminder about what’s important. Carla’s journey is one of trying to figure out who we want to spend time. To forget about all the things we think we ‘should’ do, or feel, and instead follow our heart.
To trust that we can grow, evolve, and will regret it forever if we stay silent. Sometimes a person can be a shock to a system. A reminder that there’s no better time to live than now. That we want to spend every minute with the ones we love. The narration for Off the Map was fabulous. You can hear all the feelings and fears that Sasha is trying to bury in Sarah Noughton’s narration. It’s one of the reasons that this book absolutely flew by.
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Off the Map is a story about embracing life and what is happening. About not trying to hide from the hard stuff and knowing we need the ones we love beside us. It’s a testament to the bravery to love and not know where it’s going. Find Off the Map on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, Libro.fm, and Google Play.