AN AMAZON TOP 40 BESTSELLERWhat makes you happy?That was the question Emery Reed asked me the day we met, and I couldn’t give him a single answer. I could have said my dog, or my books, or yoga — but I just stared.And then, I got in his car.It was crazy to take a road trip with a stranger, but after years of standing still, he was my one-way ticket to a new life, and I wasn’t going to miss it.We … new life, and I wasn’t going to miss it.
We shared the same space, the same car, the same hotel room — and still, we were strangers. One day we’d be laughing, the next, we wouldn’t speak. Emery was surrounded by impenetrable walls, but I wanted in.
Discovering his journal changed everything.
I read his thoughts, words not meant for anyone’s eyes, and the more I learned about him, the harder I fell. It turned out nothing made Emery Reed happy, and I wanted to change that.
I earned his trust by violating his privacy, and as wrong as it was, it worked — until one entry revealed a darkness I never knew existed, a timer I never knew was ticking.
Suddenly, what made me happy was saving Emery from himself. I just didn’t know if I could.
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I’m so drawn to the raw imperfection of Kandi Steiner’s characters and stories. The thing that underpins their faults and struggles is that they are ultimately fighters who keep pushing forward toward something brighter. So, yes, there are elements of idealized romance, but the fact that it’s set against a backdrop of realism makes it the perfect combination.
What makes you happy? Kandi Steiner asks this of her characters in On the Way to You and has you asking the same of yourself.
Cooper is on a road trip with a stranger, but she doesn’t want Emery to remain a stranger. He won’t open up to her and in an effort to know him better, she peeks at his journal. The more she reads the more she falls for him and he becomes more to her than a stranger. But after she reads one dark and concerning entry, she becomes determined to bring some happiness to Emery and maybe find some for herself along the way.
Captivating and emotional, this book takes on a disease that society pushes under the rug and refuses to acknowledge. Depression is something that affects almost everyone, directly or indirectly, and it is embarrassing that it is seen as shameful to talk about, let alone confess to experiencing. We should encourage others to be open to express how they feel and help them to cope, instead we make them feel ashamed of things that are out of their control.
Thank you, Kandi, for writing a beautiful story with the ups and downs and all the emotion that comes from living with a very scary illness. Thank you for giving those who can’t speak up a voice to be heard. I loved that while reading this, you get an up-close look at the symptoms and how friendship and love can make all the difference in the world. One kind act, one listening ear. That’s all it takes to change the course of someone’s life.
I am still reeling from the emotions that this book made me feel. I have tears in my eyes as I write this and think back to all that happen with Emery and Cooper. I want to blame it on allergies and the changing of the seasons, and to anyone that asks I will, but the truth is this story has twisted my heart and made me a blubbering mess. I suggest that if you plan to read this that you keep some tissues handy. FIVE find your happy stars.
On the Way to You by Kandi Steiner has left me blown away, utterly speechless, and adding another KS book to my all time favorites list!
This was the perfect bingeworthy weekend read, and I simply could not get enough! On the Way to You will move you heart and soul – I will not be forgetting these characters any time soon. A MUST read.
Audio Review
On the Way to You touched me on so many levels, I think it was because Ms Steiner wasn’t afraid to talk about depression and it was written and narrated with compassion, as a person that has dealt with depression for many years I really related to this story and the characters. This is a beautifully written love story that I highly recommend to all romance lovers.
Emery and Cooper are two broken people dealing in their own way with demons and through this road trip we see them grow, emerge and fall in and out of love as they get to know each other. This trip also makes them realise that together they will be stronger, together they will be complete and together they can deal with the demons that haunt them…..
This audio book has all the feels and I went through every emotion as I listened to Lacey Gilleran bringing the characters and their journey to life. The journey wasn’t easy, there were plenty of bumps in the road for this couple but I was so glad I got the opportunity to join Emery and Cooper on the road to a HEA. This romance took my breath out away and to be honest I was blown away by the emotions I felt in this heartfelt wonderful romance. Great story, great characters and great narration.
This book is emotional, and sweet and all the things a good romance book should be. I really enjoyed it!
I liked this very much. I could relate to both characters, and I understood their actions. At times, it was hard reading, but so worth it.
This book touched my heart and soul and if you grew crushing on Holden Caulfield, you will love it too.
This road trip, coming of age, hurt me deep before you make it better romance hit me directly in the feels (which is the point, yes?) There’s no way to accurately describe how I felt about Emery and Cooper. Even when I knew where the story was going, even when I knew exactly how the characters were going to react the writing bodyslammed my feels and I couldn’t stop reading.
Ms. Steiner has an incredible gift. Can’t wait to discover more of her stuff!
Really beautiful and heartbreaking story. Kandi Steiner did a wonderful job writing Emery’s character and addressed depression. Even still Emery and Cooper were great character that I really loved. Their road trip was one of discovery and finding what makes you happy.
I loved how Cooper handled Emery’s good and bad days. No doubt it was hard on her and she often had to remind herself it was of no fault of her own, but she supported him as best she could. I loved her for that. I couldn’t image being in Emery’s shoes and feeling what he feels. We see how his depression affects Cooper and him. The journal entries were a great touch and Emery’s thoughts were so raw.
On the Way to You was a great read. I’d say its my 3rd favorite book by this author. Its filled with lots of emotion, romance, and adventure. Cooper and Emery were amazing. It will definitely stay with me long after reading it.
“What makes you happy?” Such a simple question but also a very powerful question. It definitely makes you question it and I loved this about the book.
A very emotional read that has you thinking and feeling everything along with Cooper and Emery. A beautiful thought provoking story that I was hooked with from the beginning.
I really enjoyed this story. It is well written. I loved Cooper and Emery. Actually, I liked all the characters. This story deals with some very serious issues but in a very sensitive way. I will definitely be reading this story again. I would highly recommend it.
I loved this book, the road trip was beautifully written, I’ve been NOLA and the few chapters they were there, I could picture everything. That to me made me love the writing, how I could picture the places so clearly in my mind. Also they way she tackles depression in this book, it really helped me understand it better and take a look at the people in my life who battle this disease. The story Cooper and Emery was amazing, I had a hard time with her just hopping into a car with someone like that, but that was quickly let go by the way Cooper handles everything. This was my first book by Kandi thanks to it being in a book box subscription, I can’t wait to read more.
This book opened doors and crashed boundaries. I love this book.
*4-4,5 stars*
My first book by this author and I have to say I really enjoyed reading it. The story was heartwarming, fun and heartbreaking to read but it’s so worth it! It was also very relatable for those who went through emotions that both Emery and Cooper went through. I for one can truly identify with the things Emery went through in his life ‘cuz I have been there too and although there are days you don’t know whether to get up and fight, there comes a time you’ll have to choose…
A story of hope!
Cooper is in a rut and can’t seem to get out of it. She has been through a lot in life but doesn’t let it get in her way of happiness but she just seems stuck in the little town she’s in and her parents are no help at all. One day Emery walks into the restaurant she works at and makes her an offer she can’t refuse. The more they are together, the closer they get but the secret Emery is hiding looms above them and may be more than she can handle although in the end everything they’ve been through on the road can end up being more than both have ever dreamed off…
Reread August 25 2018
Sometimes you get in a certain mood for a book and you can’t move past it. I tried researching other similar books, but nothing stood out. I needed to revisit Emery and Cooper; I needed to relive their story again. And it was just as superb as the first time I read it. I even picked up on some small details that I had missed on my first read-through. Totally worth it.
First Review
It’s midnight. While most people are sleeping, I am awake. My eyes are going between my computer screen and my new favorite book, On the Way to You. My cheeks are still tear-stained and slightly wet, but all I can think about is starting this book over again.
What makes you happy?
Cooper and Emery were total strangers. Yet, he had invited her on a road trip and she had accepted. The unlikely pair are making their way from Alabama to Washington. Cooper tagged along to be closer to the dream she’s had for a while. Emery, however, seemed to be heading towards an unknown destination. No matter how hard Cooper tried, she couldn’t get Emery to reveal his plans. They spent endless hours driving without talking. Desperate to make a connection, she starts to read his journal. Cooper is ashamed, of course, but she needs to know what makes Emery tick. It is only a matter of time before Cooper realizes her spontaneous decision is leading her to a life altering one.
I think I knew, even then, that the greatest adventure of my life was about to begin.
Kandi Steiner drove it home with this one. Admittedly, I may be a little biased as it covers a topic that I am all too familiar with. I, however, like to think it makes me a little harder to impress. Most books like to glamorize or dramatize this topic. They use it to make the protagonist a damsel in distress so her knight in shining armor can swoop in and rescue her. Their struggles miraculously end afterwards. Well, Kandi broke that uneducated stereotype. All the while, I was cheering her on.
So thank you, Kandi Steiner. This book will never be just another book on my “read” shelf. I promise. #notalone
5 stars!
Blog
This book will leave you speechless. I’m still trying to come up with words. I wanted to cry with all the emotion with Emery and Coopers journey. This book will forever be with you.
Another incredible story by Kandi Steiner! This book was full of emotion, heartache, suffering, self loathing and hope. The content for both main characters was a little darker than usual for this author but I felt it really added to the emotional depth of the story. Both Cooper and Emery were broken and suffering but in very different ways. The entire read was spent peeling away the layers one by one until they were fully exposed to one another and at a major crossroads in their relationship.
The end of this book was heart breaking, soul crushing and tear jerking. Despite this, the author found a way to heal my wounds and bring me the HEA I so desperately needed from this couple. The dog was a damn good addition to the story too! I felt Kalo helped bring back some innocence and happiness to the read!
This is a must read. I loved this book. Literally brought tears to my eyes. Not usually topics I read in my normal romance books. Great job !!! Wonderful characters.
Wow!
On the Way to You by Kandi Steiner is an emotional, slow burn, new adult, road trip romance. It’s told from the single perspective of the main character, Cooper, as she travels from Alabama to Washington with Emery, a handsome and mysterious stranger.
I fell in love with both characters and was fully invested in their journey from start to finish. Despite experiencing many hardships, twenty-year-old amputee, Cooper, is an eternal optimist with a sunny, upbeat personality. Twenty-three-year-old, Emery, is quite the opposite. Despite a seemingly perfect upbringing, he lives with the turmoil of a dark, raging internal storm. I was completely captivated as their bond developed while travelling together and as Cooper invaded Emery’s privacy by secretly reading his journal.
Kandi Steiner has a way with words that is nothing short of mesmerizing. Lyrical, poetic, and deeply rooted in raw emotion, I felt every tragically painful, angst-filled moment. This heartbreaking tale is breathtakingly beautiful and full of hope. I loved it!