I have auto approval for Bloomsbury on NetGalley, so I pretty much download everything they have to offer because their books are usually pretty amazing. That’s how I found Open Road Summer by Emery Lord. And while it isn’t the most snowflake-special back story, it’s mine. Besides, it got me to read this particular book and that’s what counts, right?
Anyhoo. I read it in one sitting [as usual], loved every single page of it [not completely shocking], swooned all over Matt Finch [surprise, surprise] and proceeded to shove it down everyone’s throat. Yeah, it’s that good. So of course, it goes without saying that I wanted to get Emery on the blog. Thankfully she didn’t shy away from my fangirling and agreed! But, before we get to her answers, let’s check out the book.
After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes.
Sounds good, right? [Hint: it absolutely is.]
1. Where did the idea for Open Road Summer come from?
The premise started after I passed a few country tour buses on the highway. Reagan came to me as I spent a lot of time thinking about how no one ever narrates from the perspective of the beautiful, cold girl who gives you a bitchy once-over just for walking into the room. I wanted to give that girl a voice…is she really a bad person? Or has she just been through some really hard things? Does her story not deserve to be told? Should we hat her for being mean to other girls? Or try to understand and connect with her anyway? And can she change, even if it’s only a little bit in the course of a few summer months?
2. I know why I love Reagan and Dee and Matt [especially Matt]. Why do you love them and why should we root for them?
Wow! What a great question. Well, they’re all suffering privately (Matt’s grief, Dee’s heartbreak, and Reagan’s smorgasbord of slut-shaming/body-shaming, abandonment, betrayal, abuse etc.) and using a public shield to cope (Matt and his charm, Dee and her stage presence, Reagan and her bitchiness, misdirected anger and tiny clothes, etc.), but they’re all genuinely trying. That’s why I love them, and that’s why I hope people root for them.
3. What’s the weirdest thing you googled while researching?
Very specific gas stations in Nashville, Tennessee? ;)
4. What was your favorite part about writing this book?
That I had fun celebrating things I love (best friends! Fourth of July festivals! banter!)…while getting to address issues that truly matter to me (how slut and body-shaming is horribly cyclical, what it means to be a “strong” girl, how to keep from letting mistakes define you, etc.)
5. Describe Open Road Summer in 5 words.
Forgive yourself; forgive others too! Or: BFFs on the open road. :)
Speed [ish] round:
1. You get the call/email/letter that says you’re being published for the first time. What happens next?
CHAMPAGNE HAPPYTEARS DANCING AROUND WITH BOYFRIEND
3. What three things would you take to a desert island?
iPad (full o’ books & music) & my two best girl friends. Instant vacay!
4. You can only read one book for the rest of your life. What is it?
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
4. Who are your favorite swoony boys?
Jonah Griggs, John After, Travis Stephenson, Logan Echolls…it seems I like ’em broody. Also Prince Char :)
5. What is the one thing about publishing you wish someone would have told you?
That the publishing path is even harder than you think, but the friends you make along the way make every late night, every anxiety, every hurt and every tear shed worth it.
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Huge thanks to Emery for taking the time! Make sure you’re checking out her website [go watch her author video, its’ adorable], following her on Twitter and adding her book to your Goodreads shelf.
Now. Open Road Summer is definitely one of my favorites of 2014 and I want to make you read it share it with you. So, I’ve got one up for grabs. The plan is to see Emery at Festival of Books this coming Sunday, so if life cooperates, I’ll be giving away a signed copy. If not, then the book will be coming from The Book Depository. Either way, it’s international and additional rules are here.
**Good Luck**
The Great Escape by Boys Like Girls. It’s not really a summery road trip song, but it’s about escaping a town and leaving everything behind and my friend and I always think of that as our Great Summer Adventure song.
THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING GIVEAWAY *GRABBY HANDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*
Dave Matthews Band, Lie in our Graves.
Anything Taylor Swift. I love listening to her music any time, but there are certain songs that are totally better when they play on the car radio.
Thanks for the giveaway! Crossing my fingers that life will cooperate. ;)
I’m drawing a blank on a roadtrip song, at least a favourite one. We started our last roadtrip to pick up Cooper with Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood.
Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!
Great interview questions and answers! I loved this book as well and can’t wait for everyone else to read it!
Perfect question for me, because I’m ALL about “car-aoke” (as I like to call it)! My VERY favorites to sing along to are Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey, Piano Man by Billy Joel & Weightless by All Time Low.
And of course, anything by 1D & John Mayer, just because they’re my fave artists. ;)
I’m SO looking forward to this book. TY for the giveaway!
I like listening to country music! Thank you for the giveaway! It really sounds amazing :)
anything relaxing, really :) thanks for this awesome giveaway! :D
Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince ….Yes, I know that probably dates me. :)
Party in the U.S.A…. I just love that jam!! HAHA
How about “Highway to Hell?” (; Great interview and thanks for the giveaway! I’ve heard such great things about this book, and Emery will be here next month!
any Fall Out Boy song will do! :)
Life is A Highway by Rascal Flatts?
gah!! I don’t really know I suppose It depends on what i’m in the mood for, but I can always listen to coldplay :)
xo
jaime
Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood! Such a hard choice to make.
Fav road trip song has to be License to Chill by Jimmy Buffet, unless I’m going to Baton Rouge, then Callin Baton Rouge by Garth Brooks takes the cake.
Thanks for the giveaway! So excited about this book!
Sunburn by Owl City.. the most random and totally great holiday song ever!! Love it:)
There are too many songs to name, but anything 80’s is usually good. Although a good boy band song never hurt either.
You could never go wrong with a little bit (or a lot) of Kings of Leon. :) Thanks for a giveaway! :)
That is a HARD question! I can’t pick a favorite song. I usually make mixed playlists for my road trips. They usually have a lot of The Ramones and Against Me! on there. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by the Proclaimers instantly pops to mind (probably because of HIMYM.)
A Thousand Miles :)
Roadtrips are the best! Lately, I’ve loved Disney throwback music because I can just sing my heart out. (Namely, Hannah Montana, HSM, Jesse McCartney, Hilary Duff, and the Jonas Brothers). I can’t sing, and my taste in music is mediocre, but I sure have a lot of fun :-)
My favorite road trip song is anything by Britney Spears. Not a Girl Not Yet a Woman makes me think of Crossroads, but there’s so many other great songs to sing at the top of your lungs to while you’re driving down the highway!
In my fantasy, we’re road trippin’ together and scream-singing “I BELONG WITH YOU, YOU BELONG WITH ME, YOU’RE MY SWEEEEEEEEEEET-HEEEEEEART!” jsjs
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity, pretty!
~PrancyPA