Early Review: Off The Map by Trish Doller

February 17, 2023

by Trish Doller

Release date: March 7, 2023

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My Rating: 5 sheep out of 5

Carla and Eamon are such charming characters and I absolutely love their dynamic. They’re so laid back, easy going and lovable. And just plain cool. I loved who they were, what they wanted, where they wanted to go and how they got there. And I loved how much Carla inspired and impressed Eamon.

Carla is the NLOG FMC of Abby Jimenez’s dreams but fortunately (and to Trish Doller’s credit) she comes off more like a modern day Disney princess with a side of trauma. Having been raised by a single dad, Carla is a very independent, self sufficient woman. She has learned everything her father could teach her, from camping to car repair to emotional unavailability. And Eamon has every reason to be a toxic arsehole but he just… isn’t. He’s top notch book boyfriend material. Recently single from a bad breakup with someone he was in no way compatible with, (and only a *little* bit bitter), he immediately admires Carla for her knowledge and attitude about life.

I found their dreams of having a freewheeling world travel-based lifestyle really relatable in an wistfully idealistic kind of way. Carla is living Eamon’s dream and she shows him how he can make it his reality. Can I get in on this too?

I loved this book from the beginning for the wonderful characters, interesting story, fantastic setting, the fluid writing, and the humor but Trish Doller always brings the emotion and that’s where this book really takes off. The last 30% of the book was absolutely heart wrenching. You get double doses of pain from the Eamon/Carla story and from Carla’s dad. Doller is really good at making you FEEL stuff. The intensely emotional third act adds so much to the layered work she’s laid down here. Everything becomes deeper and more focused like a beautiful painting. She’s definitely going on my list of favorite authors. I highly recommend this book and this series. (They can absolutely all be read as standalones but you will get more out of them if you read them all - and in order - because previous characters make appearances.)

{{ Off The Map is the third book in Trish Doller’s Beck Sisters series. The first two are Float Plan and The Suite Spot. }}

Tropes & other pertinent info for Off The Map:

Best friend’s brother (in-law)

Best Man/Maid of Honor

“It’s only a fling”

He falls first

A road trip through Ireland 🇮🇪

TWO beds?!?

LotR references

Dissing Ayn Rand

CW: Dementia, death of a parent

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