Open Road

A big no-no to me. too long and to stretched the falling in love and all the process to get to the end. quite a good book at the beginning, but then it loses impact and intensity and gets boring. 2,5 stars.

Reviewed by Erin for Diverse Reader

Best friends turned lovers, a road trip across the country, and plenty of interesting sights and people along the way make Open Road by MJ O'Shea truly a delight. There is just that something about best friends who develop into more that gets me every time, and whatever it is that's so appealing in on display in full force between Reece and Angus. They've been best friends since they were little, their families are extremely close and even though Angus's boyfriend doesn't like Reece ... at all ... it doesn't stop these two from being the go to person for the other. However much Brad, Angus's boyfriend of 10 years, wishes it was different, Angus knows Reece will be there for him, even if they don't spend as much time together as they used to. Angus never needs Reece more than when Brad callously and heartlessly breaks up with Angus—on his 30th birthday!—and then announces his engagement to a much younger man.


What follows is a drastic downward spiral for Angus. He loses his job, his apartment, and most importantly himself as he falls into a deep depression. One that only Reece can get him out of, and what better way to do that, than to take an unexpected road trip. At first Reece decides to head south from Portland, Oregon along the coast toward California. It takes a few days of mostly tense silence from Angus before things start to improve, but once Angus clears his head a bit, he realizes he has much to live for … and be grateful for.


MJ O’Shea has done a wonderful job making this story of best friends to lovers refreshing and fun. Angus did grate on my nerves more than a few times, but once he got his head out of his ass and noticed the world around him, I fell completely in love with him. Reece of course grabbed my heart right from the get to. He’s strong, fiercely loyal, and his heart is a huge as the entire country. I loved these two together, and how Reece knew just how to handle Angus—from cajoling, to lectures, to keeping things light and fun and when to be serious. Not surprising when he’s loved Angus for most of his life.


This is a story that's been told before, but MJ O'Shea does a brilliant job of giving each stop Reece and Angus make a special feeling, capturing all the ambiance and character of each city they visit. I found this especially appealing. The idea of jumping in a car and going wherever you wish is a dream for many and by the end of Open Road I have no doubt you'll add many places you must visit to your list. I know I did. This is a really fun, romantic, and sweet story that will leave you with a huge smile on your face once you get to the end. Don’t miss this one people, trust me you’ll be sorry if you do.

Open Road is such a fun, angst-free, best-friends to lovers tale. The beginning of the book was a bit intense - more than I was expecting based on the blurb, but it all made sense and was the catalyst to an impromptu road trip for Angus and Reece.

O’Shea does a good job at capturing Angus’s feelings - particularly of despair at some times. But other than those moments of insight into Angus, Reece remains a fairly surface-level character - who has put aside his feelings for over a decade, in his best friend’s best interests. While it was clear to the reader how the road trip would unfold, it was still fun to read and had a few interesting set-backs occur - keeping the book moving forward nicely and a good read overall.

This is a good read for anyone who is looking for a fun adventure, likes seeing good conquer “evil,” and of course, the “straight” best friend falling in love and getting his chance - relatively angst and drama free, once the road trip begins.

Review Copy provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Mel from Alpha Book Club.