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liz21's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful book. I love the characters, the rich relationships, and great messages in this book. The characters were well developed and had real problems.
The relationships in the novel were phenomenal. There was a raw and well-developed romance, the challenges of finding friendship from a place of low trust, and family relationships that can be hard or even painful at times.
I loved the faith storylines and the story overall. This is ultimately a book about life and the people who help us get through it.
The relationships in the novel were phenomenal. There was a raw and well-developed romance, the challenges of finding friendship from a place of low trust, and family relationships that can be hard or even painful at times.
I loved the faith storylines and the story overall. This is ultimately a book about life and the people who help us get through it.
arjayebrewerforestfern's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book after reading the second book in this series. I loved it!
Such a great book about faith, family coming together to support each other and help each other out. Emily makes friends with Xander who is also a gear head they soon spark up a friendship and work on the car together.
Such a great book about faith, family coming together to support each other and help each other out. Emily makes friends with Xander who is also a gear head they soon spark up a friendship and work on the car together.
danny_j's review against another edition
2.0
I had high hopes for Roadside Assistance, but I was highly dissappointed. It was flat and boring and all the characters bled into each other.
emmierose_721's review against another edition
5.0
This book was just... so good. I loved the character development of Emily and the surrounding characters. at times, it made me feel so much compassion and sympathy toward Emily and her family, more specifically, her father; at other times I could just relate to most of the characters.
I loved how the book had romance but didn't focus on the romance, and instead focused on the faith aspect of this book. I read this book when I needed it most, and I think it allowed my outlook on life to be different, pertaining to how I view my family and those I love. As aforementioned, the faith aspect was what really stood out to me the most. The fact that Emily discovered who she truly was through Christ, and that God allows things to happen for a reason, were two things that really stuck out to me for a good reason. Because I have been there. So, to Miss Amy Clipston, thank you for such a beautiful, character building, all-around awesome book. I can't wait to read the other two books!
Also, Zander is literally the best. lol
I loved how the book had romance but didn't focus on the romance, and instead focused on the faith aspect of this book. I read this book when I needed it most, and I think it allowed my outlook on life to be different, pertaining to how I view my family and those I love. As aforementioned, the faith aspect was what really stood out to me the most. The fact that Emily discovered who she truly was through Christ, and that God allows things to happen for a reason, were two things that really stuck out to me for a good reason. Because I have been there. So, to Miss Amy Clipston, thank you for such a beautiful, character building, all-around awesome book. I can't wait to read the other two books!
Also, Zander is literally the best. lol
hannahjoy91's review against another edition
4.0
After sitting on my to be read shelf for four years, I finally knocked this one off my list & let me just say, I loved every minute of it.
There's Emily, who your heart just breaks for after suffering the loss of her mum. Then there's Zander who I completely had a crush on from the moment he was introduced to the story. There's faith, truth and love and the journey Emily goes on to find her way back to God after her mum died.
There was a few cheesy moments but overall I thought it a cute contemporary romance without the plot being driven by the romance. It was clean, sweet and a perfect little summer read!
I look forward to reading Whitney & Chelsea's stories soon...
There's Emily, who your heart just breaks for after suffering the loss of her mum. Then there's Zander who I completely had a crush on from the moment he was introduced to the story. There's faith, truth and love and the journey Emily goes on to find her way back to God after her mum died.
There was a few cheesy moments but overall I thought it a cute contemporary romance without the plot being driven by the romance. It was clean, sweet and a perfect little summer read!
I look forward to reading Whitney & Chelsea's stories soon...
chrissymcbooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
I'd never heard of this book when I selected it, which I admit I did based mainly on the cover. I'd been reading a lot of YA paranormal-types series lately and wanted something more from the realistic genre this time around. I also wasn't aware it was Christian fiction, although I clearly wasn't paying attention since I recognize the publisher (Zondervan) from titles I've read in the past. I have absolutely no issue whatsoever with Christian fiction as long as it, like any other genre, is done well. I know a lot of Christian fiction, especially of the YA persuasion, tends to be too overly idealized to feel realistic, although I can still appreciate the inspirational aspect even in these cases.
Beginning with the plot, ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE basically details the spiritual struggles of a teenage girl named Emily, who is dealing with the recent death of her mother. Emily and her father have been forced to move in with a rich aunt, after the hospital bills force Emily's father to sell his worldly possessions. While her cousin Whitney is constantly praised by the family for being a straight-A cheerleader, with a seemingly unending supply of both beauty and brains, Emily feels constantly chided for being an average student who isn't quite "feminine" or "pretty" enough for the world.
It's not just that Emily isn't into makeup, fashion, and girly magazines -- she actually spends most of her time restoring and repairing cars, a hobby she picked up from her father. So while Emily has always felt that she stands out, quite unfortunately, from other teenage girls, she is feeling particularly lost after the loss of her mother and the move into a world that feels even more foreign than the last.
To make matters worse, Emily has found herself falling (of course) for the cutest guy at her high school -- who just happens to have a car obsession that just may rival her own. As Emily and Zander grow closer, Emily begins to fear that Zander sees her only as a religious project -- someone to befriend in order to bring her closer to God. While Emily has always been religious in the past, she's afraid that her mother's death and her new life changes have created a wall between herself and God that she may never be able to break. And, sometimes she's not even sure it's what she wants to do.
I actually did enjoy the storyline, likely in part due to the fact that I found Emily to be a relateable character that most teenage (and older) girls could ultimately understand. While the reader may have no interest in cars, she can certainly sympathize with feelings of alienation, confusion, and spiritual hardship -- and Emily is definitely written in a way that feels familiar and realistic for the most part.
While Emily's struggles did feel real, I'm not sure the love interest was equally realistic, nor were the friendships. What is the likelihood that someone would be "forced" to move into a beautiful mansion, which just happened to be next door to a perfect guy who just happened to have the same secret passion as their own? And, did everyone in this town go to the same church? While certain aspects of the story were absolutely heart-warming, they could hardly be called realistic based on the fact that things were just TOO perfect, even when they were awful.
Even so, I did like the characters, I enjoyed the plot, and I did find myself interested in the "love" story, despite its flaws, mainly because I could understand the insecurities that Emily displayed throughout the process. While the love story is definitely prominent here, the real story is that of Emily finding her faith. Some of the side characters may be a bit overly preachy, but they seem to be written this way on purpose, to draw a contrast against Emily as she deals with the fears and doubts of her faith.
I think the ultimate message in ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE is that it's easy to feel alone in difficult times, but that God's presence may not always manifest in a neatly packaged manner. Emily realizes in the end that she may be looking for grand gestures and easy answers as a signification of God's hand in her life -- but that God was actually always there, in ways that she had never bothered to recognize in the past.
Beginning with the plot, ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE basically details the spiritual struggles of a teenage girl named Emily, who is dealing with the recent death of her mother. Emily and her father have been forced to move in with a rich aunt, after the hospital bills force Emily's father to sell his worldly possessions. While her cousin Whitney is constantly praised by the family for being a straight-A cheerleader, with a seemingly unending supply of both beauty and brains, Emily feels constantly chided for being an average student who isn't quite "feminine" or "pretty" enough for the world.
It's not just that Emily isn't into makeup, fashion, and girly magazines -- she actually spends most of her time restoring and repairing cars, a hobby she picked up from her father. So while Emily has always felt that she stands out, quite unfortunately, from other teenage girls, she is feeling particularly lost after the loss of her mother and the move into a world that feels even more foreign than the last.
To make matters worse, Emily has found herself falling (of course) for the cutest guy at her high school -- who just happens to have a car obsession that just may rival her own. As Emily and Zander grow closer, Emily begins to fear that Zander sees her only as a religious project -- someone to befriend in order to bring her closer to God. While Emily has always been religious in the past, she's afraid that her mother's death and her new life changes have created a wall between herself and God that she may never be able to break. And, sometimes she's not even sure it's what she wants to do.
I actually did enjoy the storyline, likely in part due to the fact that I found Emily to be a relateable character that most teenage (and older) girls could ultimately understand. While the reader may have no interest in cars, she can certainly sympathize with feelings of alienation, confusion, and spiritual hardship -- and Emily is definitely written in a way that feels familiar and realistic for the most part.
While Emily's struggles did feel real, I'm not sure the love interest was equally realistic, nor were the friendships. What is the likelihood that someone would be "forced" to move into a beautiful mansion, which just happened to be next door to a perfect guy who just happened to have the same secret passion as their own? And, did everyone in this town go to the same church? While certain aspects of the story were absolutely heart-warming, they could hardly be called realistic based on the fact that things were just TOO perfect, even when they were awful.
Even so, I did like the characters, I enjoyed the plot, and I did find myself interested in the "love" story, despite its flaws, mainly because I could understand the insecurities that Emily displayed throughout the process. While the love story is definitely prominent here, the real story is that of Emily finding her faith. Some of the side characters may be a bit overly preachy, but they seem to be written this way on purpose, to draw a contrast against Emily as she deals with the fears and doubts of her faith.
I think the ultimate message in ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE is that it's easy to feel alone in difficult times, but that God's presence may not always manifest in a neatly packaged manner. Emily realizes in the end that she may be looking for grand gestures and easy answers as a signification of God's hand in her life -- but that God was actually always there, in ways that she had never bothered to recognize in the past.
foxgallagher's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed the storyline, but when I had read the back of the book at the library I didn't realize that I was going to be preached to for the entirety of the book. The religion was an integral part of the plot, I did feel that it was a bit over the top. I do believe backing off the religious aspect would have made this book more enjoyable.
stollhofen's review against another edition
3.0
I'm really glad that there are still YA authors willing to write religious fiction. It seems to be a bit of a taboo to include any religious affiliation so I'm happy that there's books available for people who want them. Unfortunately I am not one who really enjoys Christian books and found Roadside Assistance to be really preachy. I didn't like how everyone convinced Emily that the only way to cope with her mother's death was through trust in God rather than a school counselor or any other option.
I love reading about assertive, proactive, kickass female protagonists. While Emily was mostly shy and insecure, her fascination with cars was awesome! I know next to nothing about them so learning all about engines and whatnot was great. My feminist side adored Amy Clipston for making this such a big part of Emily's life. I also love narrators that appreciate and love their families, so while Emily didn't exactly fit into that category, a lot of emphasis was placed on the importance of family. It was great to read about a loving family rather than the oh-too-common alcoholic, distant, ignorant, or abusive ones in YA lit.
The most unrealistic thing were the coincidences. I know that a love interest has to be presented somehow but he the car-loving, Christian, next-door-neighbour who goes to the same high school seemed way too obvious. A few more things not in common would've been appreciated. I also thought it was highly unlikely that everyone Emily befriended or met had the same faith and went to the same church except for one girl at school. There should have been way more people of varying faiths and beliefs.
I love reading about assertive, proactive, kickass female protagonists. While Emily was mostly shy and insecure, her fascination with cars was awesome! I know next to nothing about them so learning all about engines and whatnot was great. My feminist side adored Amy Clipston for making this such a big part of Emily's life. I also love narrators that appreciate and love their families, so while Emily didn't exactly fit into that category, a lot of emphasis was placed on the importance of family. It was great to read about a loving family rather than the oh-too-common alcoholic, distant, ignorant, or abusive ones in YA lit.
The most unrealistic thing were the coincidences. I know that a love interest has to be presented somehow but he the car-loving, Christian, next-door-neighbour who goes to the same high school seemed way too obvious. A few more things not in common would've been appreciated. I also thought it was highly unlikely that everyone Emily befriended or met had the same faith and went to the same church except for one girl at school. There should have been way more people of varying faiths and beliefs.
mjessamir's review against another edition
2.0
Emily infuriated me and it was such a struggle to finish this book in her POV. I don't even want to go over the reasons why I hate her. Too many to mention. Honestly, I would've given this 1 star if it weren't for it being a Christian fiction. I understand that Emily's horrendous personality is necessary to make the story work but it is so hard to read a book when you don't even like the main character. I tried to understand where she's coming from but I just never connected with her. People kept on telling her that she's gorgeous and great and all along I was thinking, which part? Anyway, she has found her faith so I know she'll be less awful. Haha
Sometimes, we call onto God and ask for His presence in our life because we feel alone but we shun all the people God sent to fill our life. When we ask something from God, we must open ourselves to receive His answer.
Sometimes, we call onto God and ask for His presence in our life because we feel alone but we shun all the people God sent to fill our life. When we ask something from God, we must open ourselves to receive His answer.