A good book about a quiet girl who falls for a bad guy. The portrait of fiery, irrational young love is well done, but the fiery, irrational senior citizens who help our heroine find her way are what makes this story stand out. (I personally enjoyed that the heroine's mom was a public librarian.) ( )

Honestly it was a struggle to finish this book. I was so bored and irritated with it through out. On top of that it was also quite predictable. In the very beginning I liked the main character. I liked how she was described as a quiet girl, someone I would more so have related to back when I was her age, but that quickly changed. Not only did she keep making idiotic decisions in regards to Travis, but she also seemed to have a misogynistic view toward other girls. There was this entire vibe of “Yeah, I’m the quiet girl, but at least I’m not any of these shallow blonde bimbos.” which reappeared in the story a few different times. I honestly hate this trope so much. I get that this could be seen as a realistic POV of a teenage girl suffering from internalized misogyny which I feel is something that a lot of girls go through at one time or another, but this idea was also repeated by several other characters (Sydney, Chip Jr. and Travis all made comments) in the story and not just by Ruby. I am just so tired of seeing this girl hate.

The book did get a little better on the journey when the characters were bringing Lillian to meet Charles. It was heart warming at least to see the connections between them all, the fun of the journey and the final reunion. It showed that you’re never too old for love. It was the one part of the story I enjoyed. ( )

I really like this author based on the following two books. She’s local – living in Issaquah and Seattle. Books are set in Puget Sound region. ( )

"... it was cute ... but nothing great to report about."

Read more of this review post here: https://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2009/10/tis-life-in-slow-lane.html

A coming of age book that at first I thought would be light chick reading. I did not like the boy that turned Ruby's head but what will get her to realize that he is bad news with a capital B?!! It seems that an adventure with the older crowd is just what is needed and I loved that part. Ruby and her mother grow closer through this fantastic adventure. ( )