'Let's Get Lost' was lost on me

Adventures, a road trip, Northern Lights, love and friendship. Let's Get Lost promised all these and delivered... But fell short on other things.

Hype surrounded this book when it came out last year. And like a double-edged sword, the hype was both a blessing and a curse; anticipation along with expectation, and for some, disappointment.

Right from the start, the book felt off for me because of the insta-love. Don't get me wrong, I do believe that people can be attracted to each other at first sight. But to feel in love, like really in love? That's highly unlikely. It was so annoying, how Hudson pined for Leila within minutes of seeing her for the first time. One annoying instance is this:

He only allowed himself a quick glance at her, knowing as soon as he saw her that she was the kind of girl who could make you think your life was not complete unless she was in it. She was a jumble of contradictions: short but with long legs, fierce green eyes but a kind expression, baby-faced but wise. She was wearing a snug, plain red T-shirt that matched her car. Her hair was down, the black locks reaching just past her chin.

A quick glance made him see all those details. Huh.

But that's not the only unrealistic thing in this book. All four people that Leila met on the road were going through some big crisis. How convenient was it that this sort of manic pixie dream girl was present to help them with their problems?

As with anthology books and novels that are told from multiple POVs, the challenge is always character development. There are only 5 parts (Hudson, Bree, Elliot, Sonia, Leila) and each part was long enough for the author to be able to develop the characters and hopefully make the readers empathize with said characters. Unfortunately, I was not able to connect with these characters. I didn't care for them. I found Hudson's insufferable attraction to Leila to be irritating but Bree's part was the worst for me. Bree was reckless, a wandering adrenaline junkie who lives to seize the day. All of that rush from her dangerous escapades blocked her from thinking that her sister (her only living relative) might be worried about her. As she crossed paths with Leila, her recklessness soon rubbed off on Leila and I found myself shaking my head, I though I was going to break my neck. I think you can seize the day without being careless and thoughtless and inconsiderate of other people.

I can't say that I hated Sonia's short story but I didn't particularly love it either. I did enjoy Elliot's part. It kind of reminded me of The Perks of Being a Wallflower (if you've read both, you'll understand).

Leila's story is the most lame of all. It's just so... far-fetched. Which is probably why I couldn't care less if she succeeds with her mission or not.

Let's Get Lost tried to communicate important values such as love, friendship, family, and personal growth but the execution was lackluster. But despite its flaws and my complaints, this book is very quotable.

"People hurt each other. It happens to everyone. Intentionally, unintentionally, regretfully or not. It's a part of what we do as people. The beauty is that we have the ability to heal and forgive."

"It felt as if the city itself was laughing at him or, worse, indifferent to his heartbreak."

"It was time to let go of the mad desire to remember. It was time to start living whatever life would come. In the present, not the past. It was time to go home."

Let's Get Lost is not a bad read. There were parts that I enjoyed. Although I'm not in a hurry to recommend this, if you're just looking for a quick, light read that doesn't require you to think much, then go ahead.

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