ALA Booklist (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

Homer knew from the moment beautiful, charming Mia arrived on the island that she could never love him back, even if she did decide to stay in his tiny hometown. Even if she wasn't pregnant. But when his dads actually agree to let him drive her from Florida to Massachusetts (dragging his genius little brother along), Homer can't help but hope he might be able to find a way to get Mia to stay. Philpot (Even in Paradise, 2014) captures the equal parts in and hope unrequited love. The classic road trip story stays fresh with the introduction of characters readers will want to stay with, even as they know the protagonists have to move along. Like Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999) and John Green's Looking for Alaska (2005), the novel can sometimes turn Mia into an unattainable, manic pixie dream girl. Nevertheless, this remains a compelling story of leaving your comfort zone to find out who you want to be. Hand to fans of Adi Alsaid's Let's Get Lost (2014).

Horn Book (Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Homer offers to drive his crush, pregnant nineteen-year-old Mia, from Florida to Cape Cod; Einstein, his socially inept prodigy of a younger brother, tags along. What follows is a series of humorous, provocative, and sometimes poignant encounters with eccentric locals on the journey. The thoughtful teens' own stories fade into a larger chorus of human experiences that gently affirms the importance of companionship and connectedness.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Brothers Homer and Einstein were adopted by gay fathers years ago; their spirited, 19-year-old drifter-friend, Mia, is pregnant and on her own. Older brother Homer is in love with Mia, so he happily signs on to drive her from Florida to Cape Cod, with the aptly named Einstein in tow, peppering their journey with science facts from the backseat. Philpot (Even in Paradise) populates her novel with a quirky and diverse cast, which sticks to a familiar road trip formula with oddball pit stops and transitory characters, who lend bits of wisdom and instruction during the trio-s journey. Philpot repeatedly interjects fairy tale-esque parables intended to fill in the backstories of major and minor characters, but these interruptions slow momentum and keep this story from feeling entirely cohesive. This aside, the author has a talent for creating many-layered characters whose depth and vulnerability make for effortless and immediate connections with readers. Einstein, Mia, and Homer are easy and entertaining traveling companions, even if this story doesn-t pack quite the emotional punch of its predecessor. Ages 13-up. Agent: Stephen Barbara, Inkwell Management. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

Gr 8 Up-A thought-provoking, meandering love story that defies the heart palpitations so prevalent in the teen romance genre. The setting for this literary gem is a road trip in which Homer, accompanied by Einsteinhis genius younger brotheris taking Mia, the pregnant girl with whom Homer has fallen in love, to the last known address of her foster sister. With careful attention to plot, Philpot introduces stops along the way in which the trio meet fascinating characters—who all have their own tales that are elaborated in parables found interspersed throughout the plot. These background snippets cleverly aid in building readers' appreciation of the uniqueness of each character. The author introduces diversity in gender identity and family structure organically and in a way that demonstrates the many layers of love. In defiance of happy endings everywhere, the end of the road signals a shift in the burgeoning romantic relationship between Homer and Mia. This is a novel to be savored and experienced, with characters who are every bit as quirky as those introduced in John Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil sans some of Berendt's more adult scenes. VERDICT Readers who delight in beautifully complex characters and evocative plots will be drawn to this work, but it is not a title that will circulate widely without librarian or educator intervention.— Jodeana Kruse, R.A. Long High School, Longview, WA

Voice of Youth Advocates

Homer fell in love with Mia at first sight, even though he knew she might never love him. Mia, a product of the foster care system, finds herself pregnant, and even though Homer, his two dads, and his genesis younger brother offer her support, she is just too restless to stay. Deciding it is time to move on, Mia readies herself to leave but Homer cannot let her go just yet and offers to drive her to meet a friend. Supplied with an ugly yellow car by his dads, and with his brother in tow, the trio set out on a cross-country drive. Staying in flea-invested motels, getting lost, meeting idols, and making new friends, the travelers find their way to an understanding of each other and the connections that love brings.Feeling like an epic myth that captures expansive journeys like The Odyssey, this novel is full of philosophical musings that stumble into the spiritual. With occasional chapters titled "The Parable" that convey the backstories of characters juxtaposed with the current story, the overall work has a mysterious feeling that is delightfully portrayed in a well-paced plot. Filled with unique characters, the novel's rich range of people and experiences all cumulate in an enchanting ending with a moral that will be assessed differently by each individual reader. With erudite musings, appealing for fans of Green and Asher, and a bittersweet love story for fans of Dessen and Rowell, this is an excellent choice for reflective readers.Rachel Wadham.