Reviews

An Unexpected Path by Megan McSpadden

annaestelle's review

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A solid, lovely romance! Like Hallmark, but with a great deal more depth and interest, and a great deal less bad acting. Very lovely to read, comfy prose, enjoyable characters.

linda_ressler's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The story line and character development kept me reading more than any book I can remember reading, as it was filled with insight and warmth throughout challenging situations. 

flowersfavouritefiction's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

chelshudsonreads's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

alexatthelake's review

5.0

I've been waiting to write this review for a few reasons. Mostly - because I'm struggling to really put into words how much this book blew me away and how proud I am of my friend, Megan. I was lucky enough to read one of the very first versions of this book and to give my honest feedback. I'm so happy to say that even the very first version of this book made me smile, made me feel so many emotions and absolutely swoon over Bennett. The final version of An Unexpected Path is simply put - incredible. Megan, your hard work has absolutely truly paid off with this wonderful debut novel. 

The very first line of this book will grab you and make you giggle. It just continues throughout the whole book plus you'll fall in love with the easy banter between Marley and Bennett. It's so easy to fall in love with both Marley and Bennett, as well as all the side characters. But mostly... the dogs. And Lloyd. But even more importantly Yogurt. You'll definitely find yourself smiling, giggling and taking a second thought about some things while reading this book. I sobbed a few times - especially when I saw my name in the acknowledgments. Congratulations, my friend, you did it!

soobooksalot's review

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I hardly know where to begin!
Well, first things first - thank you to friend and fellow Bookstagrammer Meg McSpadden for providing me with an eARC of An Unexpected Path for review.
This is her debut novel and if I didn't already know she was writing another, I'd tell her to get on it!
I truly loved this book. It's the story of Bennett and Marley, how they meet and fall in love. But it's my favourite sort of romance book - it's witty (I chuckled out loud on several occasions), steamy without being gratuitous, with great dialogue and banter. 
I adored the details that made me connect even more with the characters (yes I mean you, pupper dog Yogurt! AND the Hores lol).
But more than that, Marley and Bennett have been damaged by various elements in their lives. Their story has heart and grit. It's smart and well-paced, and you can tell our author herself is an avid reader.
We come into every relationship with our own experiences and baggage, and Meg has fully brought this to life on the page. 
Her writing feels so capable and confident, if I didn't know this was her first novel and just some of the process of writing it, I wouldn't have believed it.
I can't quite get this write-up to do justice, but the takeaway here is I 100% recommend this book. 

taya's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

lexa's review

5.0

Some of my favourite things in a romance book are: major swoony vibes, forced proximity, and the inclusion of great mental health rep. This book was all that plus incredible side characters (some furrier than others)!! A great cozy autumn read.

(I received an ARC of this book from the author; all opinions are my own.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War

Moderate: Chronic illness and Mental illness

Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content

nanderson77's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is an incredible debut novel! It’s humorous, you will laugh from page 1. It’s also heart-warming and inspiring. It will make you think and it will make you melt. Marley and Bennett have an instant connection that very easily transitions past a superficial dynamic into one that is open and honest. Marley quickly realizes she very literally stumbled onto the path of a very rare human. 

I loved Marley’s character arc and development through this story. Her journey is a familiar one, trying to figure out where she fits and how to stay true to herself. She’s already a badass but through her injury and its aftermath, she finds out that being a badass doesn’t have to come at the expense of her happiness or her humanity. I found Marley’s reflections very powerful, making me pause and examine my own perspectives on balancing a career with our core values. 

Bennett is a cinnamon roll, darling, sweetheart etc. I love him and his huge heart. The way he takes care of his dogs and of Marley warmed my heart and made me swoon. He’s a pure hearted soul and exactly what Marley needed to believe in love. 

The side characters in this book are as fantastic as the mains! The Hores and the colleagues are so fun! I loved them so much. They inject so much levity and humour into the story, but they also add a found family element that is so precious and powerful. 

It will make you stop and think, swoon and sigh, and truly believe there is still so much good to be discovered in the most unexpected places. 

Cover art by @rosimunroartist 

#AnUnexpectedPath #AuthorMeganMcSpadden

stephs_cozycorner's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Gosh this book!!! 

You know when you finish reading a book and you felt like you were wrapped in a warm hug, Ya, that’s how I feel putting this book down.  

I fell utterly in love with Bennett.    He is absolutely swoon worthy, THE perfect book boyfriend.   

And Marley is pretty bad ass.  I could never begin to comprehend what a conflict photographer goes through to bring visuals of the hard news to our front doors.  And her representation in this book was so good!  

The ‘Neighbours’, (𝘐𝘠𝘒𝘠𝘒), I looked forward to them making appearances!    Yogurt, the best companion, I would love to have him chasing me around all day!   All the dogs on the sanctuary, even the cows 😂🤣.   

In all honesty, I loved everyone in this book. 

This debut novel from our fellow beloved Bookstagrammer turned author @authormegmcspadden is truly so good.  

Meg writes with such an ease that the book flows so perfectly from each page.   I loved the banter between Marley and Bennett, the hilarity of our favourite neighbours (𝗈𝗁 𝖪𝖺𝗋𝗅, 𝖨'𝗆 𝖫𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝗍 𝗒𝗈𝗎), the forced proximity, found family, he falls first - just everything !!!!!   

I laughed, cried, swooned, and had a smile on my face as I read the last words on the page.  

You need to RUN to grab this book on 𝙉𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 17𝙩𝙝, or better yet, just pre order it now 😍.  I promise you will not be disappointed !!

And even better, this is the first in the series, I cannot wait to read more!!!  💜💜 

Thank you Meg for allowing me the privilege of reading an advanced copy for an honest review!