Review: American Road Trip by Sarah Black

Title: American Road Trip

Author: Sarah Black

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Length: 86 Pages

Category: Contemporary

At a Glance: Welcome back, Sarah Black! As always, this is a strong, character driven story where the setting is a vibrant and vital aspect of the story.

Reviewed By: Sadonna

Blurb: A single moment—or a single mistake—can change everything.

When Captain James Lee Hooker and his lover, Sergeant Easy Jacobs, were in the Army, they made a mistake that got a young soldier hurt. Three years later, they’re civilians again, living far apart, haunted by what they lost. Now that young soldier needs their help.

With his grandmother’s one-eyed Chihuahua riding shotgun, James Lee climbs into Easy’s pickup for a trip across the American Southwest. They set out to rescue a friend, but their journey transforms them with the power of forgiveness.

Review: James Lee Hooker has retired from the Army. As a captain, it was his job to keep his men safe, but when the cousin of the man he loves is injured, he feels that he’s failed: as a soldier, as a man, as a lover. After his discharge, Jamie moves to Albuquerque to look after his ailing grandmother, and three years later he’s still there in a rundown house, teaching yoga and writing a Veteran blog.

Easy Jacobs, the first and only man Jamie has ever loved, comes looking for him. Turns out Easy’s cousin Austin, who was injured by what Hooker sees as his failure of judgement and leadership, has up and disappeared on a road tip—by bicycle—through the Southwest. Austin is “looking for America,” and he’s stopped communicating; his phone isn’t working, so the whole family is worried. Austin has been through New Mexico and on to Arizona, so Easy implores Jamie to help him find the wayward Austin. In the meantime, Easy would also like Jamie to find his way back to him. But, only if Jamie will stay this time and not walk away.

I’m not sure there is anyone who writes military stories that show the humanity of a soldier as well as Sarah Black does. This is another example of her clear understanding of the bond between brothers-in-arms and their willingness to support one another. As always, this is a strong, character driven story where the setting is a vibrant and vital aspect of the story. Welcome back, Sarah Black! You’ve been missed.

You can buy American Road Trip here:
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