Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler

This book’s title is quite unusual for a rom-com road trip novel. Thwarted when their flight from Washington to Miami is cancelled, acquaintances Millie and Hollis agree to drive south together, on a journey that takes much longer than expected. Millie, short for Millicent, is delightfully weird, and loves 80s music and movies. Due to a TV role as a kid and young teen, she was a minor celebrity growing up. She is taking some of the ashes of her elderly friend Rose Nash to Key West, where Rose’s World War II sweetheart, Elsie, is in declining health in a nursing home.

Some familiar rom-com tropes are used, especially when Hollis and Millie are stuck in a small town in South Carolina for car repairs and the last vacant room in the local bed and breakfast has only one bed. The characters are not cookie-cutter stereotypes, or even always likeable. Hollis, a writer on his way to Miami for an annual fling, is annoyed by Millie’s taste in music and is often grumpy, but is supportive when the redhead is asked to ride in a parade while they’re stuck in Gadsley, South Carolina. Millie has trust issues, but is fascinated by Hollis, especially his different colored eyes, while Hollis avoids serious relationships, afraid of heartbreak. They become friends, then lovers, but fight the notion of love and happily ever after. Rose and Elsie’s past relationship is slowly and charmingly revealed. This banter-filled first novel is poignant, funny, and quirky, and is an engaging read. I would have liked more Key West atmosphere and description, but this story is mostly about the journey, not the destination. Books by Jennifer Crusie and Talia Hibbert are readalikes.

Brenda