The Road Home: Lost in Austin Book 2 - A Gripping Sequel to the Bestselling Novel | Perfect for Book Clubs & Travel Enthusiasts

So starting off with saying that I think this is my favorite book in the Lost in Austin series. Jake is one of those characters that is so inherently likable, even when he’s being sketchy, and his journey is incredibly emotional and I loved every second of it!Starting with the characters, this book has everything you could want. Jake is a musician, the guitar player for a local Austin band, doing guitar lessons for the wealthy people in the area to make his living. He’s Ali and Greg’s best friend, and essentially Greg’s adopted brother after the death of his parents when he was 14. This trauma and the ensuing events within his remaining family were integral in shaping his views on relationships and family. And Nicole is a guarded, badass woman, Alex’s ex (from book 1, now Ali’s boyfriend), a roller derby player nicknamed Arson Nic, and she doesn’t have the best reputation in Jake’s circle, in general.The spice hits early in this one - definitely not a will they or won’t they type of story. But neither of them really goes into their physical relationship with more than some level of release, and not always with the best of intentions. They have insane chemistry, to be sure, but a single moment rings deeper for both of them, which in turn scares the crap out of them. Between Nicole’s history with Alex, and her own past issues that we learn of along the way, Jake has his work cut out for him as he tries to figure out how to move forward with Nicole. Meanwhile, his own haunted past, and the demons and guilt that haunts him surrounding the loss of his family play prominently in the story, as the opportunity of a lifetime puts him directly in the path of confronting his past and his Cherokee family that he hasn’t seen in years.Both Jake and Nicole have their own issues to contend with. Their respective journeys, as well as their combined journey, are a wonderful emotional roller coaster. I found myself running the gamut of emotions, from laughter, contentment, and joy, to pain and tears. And Jake’s own journey even shifts the story into a bit of a rock star romance as things progress, which I absolutely loved, for him and for the book. Some of the topics this story touches on are most definitely sensitive, and all trigger and content warnings are listed in the beginning of the book, so please be kind to yourself. That said, everything was handled in the story with love and care, and with a completely realistic view.