(Review) Wanderlost

Wanderlost by Jen Malone

Publication Date: May 31, 2016

Pages: 352 (paperback) 

Genre: Contemporary/Young Adult

My Goodreads Rating: 3.5 Stars 

Goodreads Synopsis:
Not all those who wander are lost, but Aubree Sadler most definitely is on this novel’s whirlwind trip through Europe.

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.

My Review: 

This book was cute, I'll give it that. Totally far-fetched and a little silly, but definitely cute. 

Aubree, at first, seems a little timid and childlike. Her big sister Elizabeth is the smart, take-charge sibling so, when Elizabeth takes the fall for something that Aubree did and Elizabeth can't fulfill her summer job duties...Aubree steps in. 

This is the part that is far-fetched, the rest is okay. It doesn't take long for the sisters to set up the switch. Aubree will pretend to be Elizabeth and lead a group of senior citizens on a tour through Europe. Which sounds fine until Aubree leaves (after borrowing a sleeping pill from a stranger) her tour binder and her cell phone on the plane. 

After that, she's kind of screwed. Luckily, the tour is full of fun people who don't really notice that she has no idea what she's doing. 

Of course, things change with Sam, the son's owner, shows up. 

Sam is adorable and charming. He and Aubree have been flirting on the phone with each other for days...only Sam thinks that Aubree is her sister Elizabeth. 

The relationship (though it's built on a lie) is super cute, even if it does feel a little shallow. They have fun together and with the other tourists, which is, well...adorable. I love Sam's spontaneity and how much he instantly cares for everyone on the trip. Honestly, I liked him more than I did Aubree. At first she's a little annoying, but she grows on you...a little. 

This was a fun, easy read. There are definitely some sad parts, but I won't spoil that for you. I was a little surprised at the turn it took toward the end; I understood, though. It was nice to see how much Aubree grew throughout the book and how much the tourists came together. 

Put this on your summer reading list!