‘Open Road Summer’ by Emery Lord captures the essence of friendships, crushes, and full-fledged relationships. Even though the first few chapters didn’t flow as effortlessly as the rest of the novel, once it got into full swing, it was hard to put the novel down. Emery Lord fascinates readers with the life of Dee Montgomery, otherwise known by her stage name of Lilah, who tours the country as a music sensation with her best friend, Reagan. When Matt Finch, a friend of Dee’s and a music star in his own right, joins Dee’s tour, Reagan can’t help but fall for him. Despite her best efforts, he weasels his way into her mind – and eventually her heart.
Reagan is not too eager to get close with Matt, though, because of past relationships and the poor ways in which they ended. Her comfort level with Matt helps a lot, though, as he pushes her buttons in cute, endearing ways that make her eager to get to know him better. The problem is that he has been brought on Dee’s tour to make people think he and Dee are dating – so a relationship with Reagan seems pretty much out of the question, especially if Dee’s publicist Lissa has anything to say about it.
The mixture of learning about Reagan’s home life and how it contrasts with Dee’s, yet finds them being closer than ever on Dee’s tour, was enjoyable to delve into. The conflict that made up the last several chapters of the novel, including Matt’s girl best friend joining the tour and stirring up her own brand of trouble for the newly dating Reagan and Matt, was just the right touch to make Reagan better understand that her past doesn’t have to define her future.
Emery Lord knows how to entertain and engage readers with her well-written descriptions. The way in which the characters act around each other, from best friends Dee and Reagan and their give and take to Matt and Reagan’s summer romance and ensuing banter, readers will want more of Lord’s words running through their minds. And they can get them – just check out her other books.
You can find ‘Open Road Summer’ by Emery Lord here.