"A road trip novel that gets it right from the start!"

• ASIN: ‎ B0D2DVH84D
• Publisher: ‎ Erewhon Press (May 4, 2024)
• Publication date: ‎ May 4, 2024
• Language: ‎ English
• Print length: ‎ 305 pages
• Genre: Humorous Literary Fiction

The BookViral Review:

A novel yielding surprising depth changes All Roads Lead proves a welcoming blend of close character observation, telling details and wonderful mischief.

Road trip novels almost invariably turn into boozy humanistic hang-out caper reads, but here Fragasso has given us a read that’s light-spirited, compelling and mordantly alive to the ins and outs of relationships.

The catalyst for Alex, Jeremy and Jennie’s road trip is the bittersweet revenge they levy on Alex’s wife at their wedding banquet having discovered she’s been cheating on him. When his revenge goes viral they need to distance themselves and from there on All Roads Lead invites us to come along for the ride. There are highs, lows and laughs with Fragasso getting the chemistry between the “Three Amigo’s note perfect.

His earnest narrative is crafted with just the right amount of humour and there’s an easy and affectionate banter between Alex, Jeremy and Jennie that borders on a kind of shtick. This is compounded by Jennie finding herself in the middle of her brother Jeremy who is gay and Alex who’s smarting from Nora’s infidelity and here Fragasso’s narrative has an energetic grounded centre to it. Add in Jennie’s untimely pregnancy courtesy of the despicable Tucker and her long-held attraction to Alex and the twists keep coming!

But beyond the banter novels like All Roads Lead need substance. Fragasso’s narrative certainly has it with the revelation that Alex’s biological father, who he’s never met, has only days to live. Which in turn leads to a last-minute reunion and connecting with his half-sister Becky.

Long-lost siblings are one of the many situations people either fantasize about or truly experience and family secrets often act as physical barriers between long-lost siblings. However, the emotional and mental barriers come tumbling down once Alex, Paul and Becky come into contact, and a myriad of thoughts, emotions, and secrets make the union all the more memorable.

A road trip novel that gets it right from the start, All Roads Lead proves a fine introduction to Fragasso’s novels and is highly recommended.