“Why does childhood sweethearts to estranged friends to lovers have to go SO HARD? I loved all the history between Ophelia and Beau in Mara Williams’ The Truth Is in the Detours, and I loved watching them fall for each other as adults with all the complications that come with having more life experience. By the time they finally hooked up, when I tell you I was dying for it to happen — these two were always meant for each other! Mara Williams is definitely a romance writer to watch.” —Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of Never Been Shipped
“Clever, funny, and wonderfully romantic, The Truth Is in the Detours tells the story of a woman who finally gets to know herself. It delivers all the best story elements: delicious banter, tension, a road trip, gorgeous California settings, and hot romance. I devoured this sharp story. Mara Williams is a talent.” —Sierra Godfrey, author of A Very Typical Family and The Second Chance Hotel
“A rare gem of a book that captures the beauty and pain of grief, love, and finding yourself, while still feeling like a hug. With sentences that sing and settings that feel like characters, The Truth Is in The Detours is the perfect blend of frenemies-to-lovers road trip romance that will steal your heart and set it racing, and a woman’s journey to finding herself as she searches for the truth about her family. An outstanding debut.” —Holly James, author of The Big Fix
In this sharp-witted and poignant novel, two former friends with a complicated history are thrown together on an unexpected road trip, where old lies unravel and new truths emerge with every mile marker.
Ophelia Dahl has just buried her beloved father when she finds among his personal effects a blindsiding document. The mother Ophelia thought died thirty years ago isn’t dead after all—she abandoned her. But how could she, and where is she now? With some neighborly help, Ophelia’s going to find out.
Beau Augustin is an acclaimed author and Ophelia’s childhood bestie turned teenage nemesis, still chafing after all these years. As luck would have it, Beau’s current project—family deceptions—is set to take him across the West Coast. Ophelia has a brilliant idea: Beau’s book. Her life. Win-win. In a Subaru filled with baggage, they hit the road.
Despite detours, dead ends, and old grudges, Ophelia is desperate to unravel a lifetime of lies. And Beau’s research is a little more personal than he’s letting on. Mile by mile, they’re getting closer to their truths—and to each other—than they ever thought possible.
To celebrate the release of Mara Williams’ wonderfully romantic debut, THE TRUTH IS IN THE DETOURS, we are hosting a virtual book tour from mid-August through mid-September. These marvelous book influencers will be sharing exclusive reviews, excerpts, Q&A, feature spotlights, and giveaways. Follow along for lots of fun!
Tuesday, August 12 – ASHLEY HASTY and BOOKS AND BIEWERS
Wednesday, August 13 – PAGES AND PUPS
Thursday, August 14 – NIKKI H. ROSE
Friday, August 15 – THE BOOK COVER LOVER and FISH GIRL LOVES BOOKS
Saturday, August 16 – JEN’S TOWERING TBR
Monday, August 18 – MEOWSKINS BOOKSKINS
Tuesday, August 19 – WORD NERD BOOK WORM
Wednesday, August 20 – DANISH MUSTARD READS and MARY MARY LIBRARY
Thursday, August 21 – MY BURSTING BOOK BAG and MELANN ROSENTHAL
Friday, August 22 – BOOKALONG
Monday, August 25 – LOVE MY DANE DOLLY
Tuesday, August 26 – DEA’S BOOKSHELF
Wednesday, August 27 – BRIANA’S BEST READS
Thursday, August 28 – AMY’S BOOKET LIST
Friday, August 29 – ARMED WITH A BOOK and A BLUE BOX FULL OF BOOKS
Tuesday, September 2 – ANDREA C. LOWRY READS
Wednesday, September 3 – BOOKS WITH COURTNEY
Thursday, September 4 – WUTHERING VINES and MEG’S BOOK CLUB
Friday, September 5 – BOOKPHILE BELLE
Sunday, September 7 – NISSA THE BOOKWORM
Monday, September 8 – ALI BOOKS OF PLENTY and BOOKS AND COFFEE MX
Tuesday, September 9 – THE UNWINED
Tuesday, September 9 – LEXIJAVA
Wednesday, September 10 – 2 MANY BOOKS 2 LITTLE TIME
Thursday, September 11 – AUDREY OAKS READS EVERYTHING
Friday, September 12 – CAROL DOSCHER READER and BIBLIOLAU 19
