Off the Map

Starred review from November 28, 2022
Doller takes readers on a rollicking Irish road trip in her wonderful third Beck Sisters rom-com (following The Suite Spot). Free-spirited Carla Black meets Eamon Sullivan, the brother of her best friend’s fiancé, when he comes to pick her up from the Dublin airport and drive her to the countryside for the wedding—and she knows immediately that they’ll be falling into the “cliché” of the “maid of honor and the best man hooking up.” After all, just looking at Eamon is “like trying to stare directly at an eclipse and not go blind.” After a night of witty banter and hot sex, the pair set off on the road—unaware that the trip will change both their lives. Carla was raised by a single father, the loving but now ailing Douglas “Biggie” Black, who gave her the passion for adventure that’s followed her into her nomadic and spontaneous adult life. Meanwhile, Eamon has always wanted to see the world, but he’s had too many family responsibilities to find time to leave Ireland. Just a few exciting days on the road together are enough to have Clara questioning her tendency to run from her problems and Eamon ready to slough off his reputation as the “sensible lad” in his family. Doller uses this fun, adventurous romance to explore big themes of home, family, and finding happiness and purpose in life. Readers won’t want to put this down. Agent: Kate Schafer Testerman, KT Literary.