by Jeff Zentner
First published 2026
Sylvie drives her van across the country with her golden retriever, trying to escape whatever she left behind. She has money and freedom, but she cannot outrun her problems. Knox grew up isolated from society without a phone or formal education. He never attended school and lacks even a real name. On one of Sylvie's worst days, her dog gets into trouble and Knox injures his arm while helping to rescue the animal. Sylvie feels responsible and offers Knox a ride to make up for his injury. Knox accepts, but both travelers carry secrets they hide from each other. As they spend time together on the road, they face a difficult question. Each must decide whether the other person would still care about them if the whole truth came out. Their journey becomes about more than miles traveled. It becomes about whether two people running from their pasts can build something real together.
Genres: fiction, coming-of-age, young-adult, poetry, contemporary-romance, road-trip
Vibes: emotional, hopeful, intimate, introspective, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: forced-proximity, found-family, friends-to-lovers, second-chance
Period: 21st-century
432 pages · Hardcover · Quill Tree Books