Official Review: Jeep Tour by Gail Ward Olmsted
Posted: 02 Nov 2015, 12:28
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Jeep Tour" by Gail Ward Olmsted.]
4 out of 4 stars
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When I chose to review Gail Ward Olmsted’s novel Jeep Tour, I was expecting a light, romantic novel just like many of the books in the romance genre. The premise was simple enough – main character visits Arizona, falls in love with Jeep tour guide, and subsequently moves to Arizona for her chance at true love. Except it’s really not about that at all. What could have been the plot of an entirely different book is only the impetus for the real meat behind this story. While Jeep Tour is technically a romance novel, it also deals with many other types of relationships – friendships, family matters, and the most important of all, the relationship people have with themselves.
I have to admit, Jeep Tour had me fooled. I mean, the first page is the start of the fateful Jeep tour that our protagonist, Jax, finds herself on. On the second page, she gets a good look at the tour guide and realizes just how scrumptious he is. It was the typical set-up for a cheesy novel, but just as I was settling myself in for the second chapter, things changed. We got background stories, more characters, actual plot – and none of it revolved around the Greek God with a driver’s license. In fact, none of the plot revolved around him. It was purely about Jax, who used meeting him as a catalyst to thrust herself out into a world that she had previously hidden from. It was very much a story about growing up and challenging yourself, as well as letting go of the things that hold you back from doing such.
Obviously, what I liked most about the novel was that it was out of the ordinary. I picked up a romance novel and got not only romance, but also a plot that interested me and quite honestly inspired me. If I were in Jax’s shoes, I’m not sure I would have been brave enough to go through with all of the plans she made over the course of the book. Then again, she and I are very different people, with very different life experiences. I say this because we really do get to know Jax, from her family history to how she got to where she was in the beginning of the story, all the way back to past experiences that influence how she acts in the book. Jax is one of the most fully-fledged, well-written characters I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about in a romance novel. All of the characters are, in fact.
Despite the fact that Jax is so likeable, so sometimes tends to ramble on in her narrative. Also, this might be a generation problem, but she made a few references to things that I didn’t understand at all. It didn’t bother me too much, because they were just offhand comments, but there were some sections that were funnier than others. Other than Jax’s inner voice, I didn’t have any other complaints, except maybe the title. Like I said, the tour itself was the impetus for the entire book, but Jeep Tour makes the novel sound so cheesy, and I feel that it underwhelms the reader.
Overall, I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. It has so much depth to it, and all of the relationships are so important to the story. There are mentions of sexual relationships, but there’s never any vivid detail, so it’s suitable for just about anyone. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a short, raunchy read, this book isn’t for you.
Oh, and the ending? Best I’ve ever read! I was so pleased with the way the book ended; I literally could not have thought of a better way to wrap things up. Except the story itself isn’t ending, as the author has said herself about the upcoming sequel.
******
Jeep Tour
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
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When I chose to review Gail Ward Olmsted’s novel Jeep Tour, I was expecting a light, romantic novel just like many of the books in the romance genre. The premise was simple enough – main character visits Arizona, falls in love with Jeep tour guide, and subsequently moves to Arizona for her chance at true love. Except it’s really not about that at all. What could have been the plot of an entirely different book is only the impetus for the real meat behind this story. While Jeep Tour is technically a romance novel, it also deals with many other types of relationships – friendships, family matters, and the most important of all, the relationship people have with themselves.
I have to admit, Jeep Tour had me fooled. I mean, the first page is the start of the fateful Jeep tour that our protagonist, Jax, finds herself on. On the second page, she gets a good look at the tour guide and realizes just how scrumptious he is. It was the typical set-up for a cheesy novel, but just as I was settling myself in for the second chapter, things changed. We got background stories, more characters, actual plot – and none of it revolved around the Greek God with a driver’s license. In fact, none of the plot revolved around him. It was purely about Jax, who used meeting him as a catalyst to thrust herself out into a world that she had previously hidden from. It was very much a story about growing up and challenging yourself, as well as letting go of the things that hold you back from doing such.
Obviously, what I liked most about the novel was that it was out of the ordinary. I picked up a romance novel and got not only romance, but also a plot that interested me and quite honestly inspired me. If I were in Jax’s shoes, I’m not sure I would have been brave enough to go through with all of the plans she made over the course of the book. Then again, she and I are very different people, with very different life experiences. I say this because we really do get to know Jax, from her family history to how she got to where she was in the beginning of the story, all the way back to past experiences that influence how she acts in the book. Jax is one of the most fully-fledged, well-written characters I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about in a romance novel. All of the characters are, in fact.
Despite the fact that Jax is so likeable, so sometimes tends to ramble on in her narrative. Also, this might be a generation problem, but she made a few references to things that I didn’t understand at all. It didn’t bother me too much, because they were just offhand comments, but there were some sections that were funnier than others. Other than Jax’s inner voice, I didn’t have any other complaints, except maybe the title. Like I said, the tour itself was the impetus for the entire book, but Jeep Tour makes the novel sound so cheesy, and I feel that it underwhelms the reader.
Overall, I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. It has so much depth to it, and all of the relationships are so important to the story. There are mentions of sexual relationships, but there’s never any vivid detail, so it’s suitable for just about anyone. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a short, raunchy read, this book isn’t for you.
Oh, and the ending? Best I’ve ever read! I was so pleased with the way the book ended; I literally could not have thought of a better way to wrap things up. Except the story itself isn’t ending, as the author has said herself about the upcoming sequel.
******
Jeep Tour
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like katiesquilts's review? Post a comment saying so!
