Are You Ready For a Rip Roaring Good Time?



Today I have the honor of sharing Beth Harbison’s latest novel Driving With the Top Down.  I won this novel from Goodreads First Read  and St. Martins Press in exchange for an honest review.  I really enjoyed Beth’s last novel that I had a chance to share here.  So I couldn’t wait to share this one!

Synopsis: 

Colleen is debating about taking a business trip to find new pieces of furniture or trinkets for her shop.  She turns junk into treasure.   Since her husband Kevin is taking Jay their son to the Baseball Hall of Fame.  What could she do with her time?  She decides to go on a trip down the east coast visiting various auctions for work. There is one catch she must take her niece Tamara along, because her father doesn’t want her left alone at home.  Will this be the road trip from hell or a good time?  When the ladies leave and start traveling all starts as planned. They suddenly they find themselves in Colleen’s college hometown at a favorite diner. Who should be there but her old college friend Wilhelmina Camalier (Bitty).  What is one more for the trip?  Will they make their destination?

My Thoughts: 

I really enjoyed this novel by Beth Harbison.  She has been a hit or miss for me in the past.  I am glad that I gave her another shot.   I enjoyed the humor between the characters in the novel.  I think the character that I enjoyed the most is Biddy.  She definitely brought a lot of humor to the story and was an excellent addition.  The character that I had a hard time liking initially is Tamara.  I thought that Colleen explained Tamara’s family situation pretty well later in the novel.  How many of us know people who don’t know what is truly missing in their lives?  Many assumptions are made about why Tamara is the way she is, but it often misses the truth. 

Colleen’s job as an antiques dealer is something that I have read about before.  I didn’t think it went into a lot of detail in what she does with making antiques shine or turning it into something new. 

The setting is the east coast from Maryland to Florida.   A journey that will be enjoyed by all!

Rating: 

4.5/5

Please visit Beth on her Facebook Page, Twitter, and her Website.

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