From the author of One for the Road: Awaking confused and alone in a sweltering desert landscape, Miguel finds shelter in what he thinks is the crumbling ruins of a small bar. However, this rundown shack has a dark secret and a terrifying purpose. A festival unlike anything Miguel has ever experienced is about to begin, and he is powerless to escape it. As night falls and the celebration begins, Miguel has until dawn to complete his part in the night or become lost for eternity. A race against time begins, where Miguel will have to determine if the bar’s staff is with him or against him.

Can Miguel solve the mystery that brought him to this shape-shifting bar? Will he be able to flee this place before dawn? What do the shadowy creatures watching Miguel want from him? Night has fallen, and the Death Night Festival is about to begin.

First Impressions: Thank you, Jeremy, for gifting me a copy of One for the Road! I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for a long time, and it was definitely worth the wait. It is richly imaginative, and even though it has bleak undertones, it is by no means a gloomy story. I appreciated how it took the concept of death and made it meaningful rather than frightening.

Cover and Setting: The book cover is so beautiful! I love the bright colors and the festive atmosphere, but the image is dark and mysterious at the same time. The story takes place primarily in a magical bar that changes as time passes. It was delightful to see the different rooms through Miguel’s eyes. I also enjoyed catching glimpses of Miguel’s former life. Anything could happen in One for the Road! There is always a new place to explore and new things to discover.

Plot: One for the Road is a touching story about Miguel, a man searching for meaning. He starts the story in a haze of confusion and slowly takes steps to understand what has happened to him. I never felt bored while reading this book. The story moves quickly, and Miguel’s quest for answers takes him on a journey of self-discovery, where he learns things about himself that he never knew before. The ending was surprising and satisfying at the same time—definitely not what I expected!

Characters: Miguel is the main character. He finds himself in a baffling situation with no frame of reference, and even after he realizes what is happening to him, he is plagued by uncertainty. He seems like a good person—a family man capable of recognizing his own faults. I liked him right away, and I was impressed with his ability to cope when confronted with the awful possibility of being lost. The bartender Raquel was a fascinating character. Her brusque attitude made me curious about her, and when I learned the reasons for her aloof behavior, I came to appreciate her more. Juan Pedro, the musician, was equally interesting; his carefree attitude initially made him seem shallow, but as the narrative progressed, I realized there was more to him than met the eye. Finally, Madame Muertos was the star of the show; her tragic backstory tugged at my heart.

Final Thoughts: From what I understand, One for the Road is Jeremy’s first book. I hope he continues writing! The premise of the story is unique, and the writing style is clear and enjoyable to read, with a perfect balance of description and dialogue. The characters feel like real people, and the plot kept me guessing. Overall, One for the Road is an excellent book that deserves a large audience!

FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book reviewed above.

You can purchase a copy of One for the Road on Amazon!

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