Book Review: WanderLust by Lauren Blakely

Title: WanderLust

Author: Lauren Blakely

Genre: contemporary romance, friends to lovers, travel

Publication Date: 2018

Page Count: 334

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

In the opening chapter of “WanderLust,” we meet Joy as she embarks on a journey to Paris for work. Her initial interactions with a flight attendant and her French seatmate are charming, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the scene lingered a bit too long. It drew out what could have been a more dynamic introduction to Joy’s character and set the tone for her Parisian escapade. That Joy struggles with French is shown early, making her relatable and hinting at potential problems ahead.

In Chapter 2, we are introduced to Griffin, who presents a more intriguing figure. His storyline revolves around the drama of his job, concerning an unpaid bonus that he desperately needs to fund a promised trip. This subplot offers an engaging twist to the narrative, presenting Griffin as a character with depth and personal stakes. His situation intrigued me, but I also thought the chapter was too slow, which didn’t make the most of Griffin’s potential as a captivating main character.

By Chapter 3, we return to Joy’s point of view, and she reflects on her experiences in Paris. From the views outside her window to the rich tapestry of sounds and sights that define her new environment. The chapter falls flat for me. While poetic, Joy’s introspection is excessive, which slows down the story. It became a slog to get through, and by this point, I struggled to connect with her character. My enthusiasm dwindled, so I put the book down after the first three chapters.

As I contemplated my feelings about “WanderLust,” I turned to Amazon to see if other readers shared my sentiments. It was comforting to find that many reviewers echoed my thoughts about the slow pacing and the lack of gripping plot developments even as they expressed their fondness for Lauren Blakely’s previous works. This made me reflect on the author’s storytelling abilities and left me with a glimmer of hope for future reads.

I am curious to hear from readers who count themselves among Blakely’s fans. What are your thoughts? Do you have recommendations for which of her other novels I should explore? I’m willing to give her work another chance.