The Mother Road – Meghan Quinn
Content Notes:
Published/Pages: 2016/360
POV: Dual – Hero & Heroine
Trope: Brothers Best Friend, Friends to Lovers, Second Chance
Goodreads Bookshelves: best friends sibling, brother’s best friend, contemporary romance, favorites, forced proximity, friends to lovers, rom com, second chance, siblings best friend
HEA: Yes
Steam Level: Extra Steamy
Swearing: Adult
Trigger Warnings: Alcohol, Death, Grief
My Rating
Book Description: Never in a million years would I have pictured myself as an axe-wielding, dragon lady, chopping up multi-colored flannel shirts into my very own plaid mulch. But here I am, chopping away my frustrations. It all started when my brother, Paul, convinced me to go on one last family road trip across the Mother Road with him and my dad.. Just like old times, right? Wrong. What Paul fails to mention is his best man, Porter, will be joining us, who just so happens to be my childhood crush and the man who broke my heart four years ago. What is supposed to be a fun, family bonding experience across Route 66 turns into a war of pranks, awkward moments and bathrooms full of dirty flannel shirts and day old beard clippings. Paul’s know-it-all attitude and Porter’s devilish charm brings me to the brink of my sanity on my seven day trek across the United States with three bearded men in a small 1980’s RV.
My Goodreads Review (No Spoilers)
My Review (w/spoilers):
I have to say, this is legitimately THE funniest book I have ever read. I was laughing my ass off the ENTIRE time. It’s one of the many reasons I love reading Meghan Quinn novels. They’re always full of a good amount of laughter, family and romance. This book was the second Quinn book I read and if I thought I was hooked after the first one I read (Not So Meet Cute), I was seriously mistaken.
I really liked this novel because it was more than a romance between the Hero & Heroine, it was truly a book about family. Bernie and Paul were amazing side characters and I quickly fell in love with them.
I grew up with a lot of older brothers, so Marley’s and Paul’s relationship was 1000% relatable and had me laugh crying… really hard. Their prank war was GOLDEN. I read a review that someone thought the pranks were too much and they found themselves skimming the book until they found the meat. But THAT was the meat to me. Maybe it’s because I grew up with pranky brothers that were utter turds growing up, but it really built the relationships for me. The firecracker prank was probably my favorite. Paul’s reaction was honestly better than I could’ve imagined! “Porter will you… powder my butt for me?” Bernie grunts and walks away… “Please Porter? It’s so sensitive.” Dead. 😂👏🏼
“There comes a time in a girl’s life when she has to reach deep down into her soul, clear the pathways of her inner goddess, and let out her nuclear Satan.” – Marley
Now let’s talk about Bernie. Bernie was a top-notch Dad. He could’ve fallen apart after the love of his life died, but he kept it together for himself and for his kids. Respect. I loved that when he got really upset, he cursed in the President’s names. “Jumping George Washingtons!” Or that he occasionally took sides with his kids, but usually stayed in the middle. And his sage advice. He was a good dad and reminded me a lot of my Pops.
I liked the relationship between Marley & Porter. We know they grew up as friends and it wasn’t until High School that something finally happened. I understand where Porter was coming from when he thought that letting Marley go was what she needed. “Do you know what the most devastating thing about being in love? You would do pretty much anything for that person, even if it meant setting them free so they can grow and be the person they’re meant to be. My love for Marley is strong enough for me to let her go.” -Porter I just don’t agree with it the second time. He was just scared, and so was Marley. When Bernie gave them each the letters from Mama McMann, I cried the whole time. As a mom, of course she saw the special relationship Marley and Porter shared. And I loved that she was the one that brought them together, even though she wasn’t there.
“WOMEN WEREN’T PUT ON THIS EARTH TO PLEASE US NOR SERVE US. WOMEN WERE FORMED TO BE COMPANIONS, PARTNERS IN CRIME, AND COMPASSES TO GUIDE US THROUGH RIGHT AND WRONG. THEY ARE HERE TO BE OUR ROCK, OUR BEST FRIEND, AND THE ONE PERSON WE TURN TO IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD.” -BERNIE
Watching Marley & Porter fall in love again through the entire trip was beautiful. It was even better because Paul and Bernie knew the entire time even though they were trying to hide it.
Altogether, I LOVED this book. It is currently sitting at number four on my Favorite Books List. Right under another Meghan Quinn novel, I might add. And I will DEFINITELY read it again. I loved how the book came full circle. Yeah, Marley and Porter were idiots and didn’t just talk to each other. But after those beautiful letters, they realized they loved each other and that’s all that matters. A beautiful ending. And the epilogue… Perfect. Paul really is an idiot. And I’m glad they decide to get married on the farm under her moms tree so she could be with them. 💕
“Like my mom said, it’s about fusing your soul with another.” -Marley
Diary of a bookworm 
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