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A Guide to Falling Off the Map
Simultaneously introspective and humorous, A Guide to Falling Off the Map is a funny, tender, messy, and authentic story about two teens who fall in love on the precipice of things falling apart.
Outgoing Vinnie Smith has her NYC future planned with her best friend Lilah. Meanwhile, her childhood friend Roo Carpenter is barely getting by, having dropped out of high school to work a shady job and support his mom.
But when Vinnie's world starts falling apart - plagued by severe headaches, rejected as drama captain, and betrayed by Lilah - she decides to fix Roo's life instead. They hit the road across inland Australia in her mom's old Kombi, reliving their past adventures.
As they travel, Vinnie's unresolved grief over her mom resurfaces, her health deteriorates, and unexpected, intense feelings for Roo begin to threaten their friendship. Can they navigate their emotions and find a way forward, or will everything they've ever known come crashing down?
Outgoing Vinnie Smith has her NYC future planned with her best friend Lilah. Meanwhile, her childhood friend Roo Carpenter is barely getting by, having dropped out of high school to work a shady job and support his mom.
But when Vinnie's world starts falling apart - plagued by severe headaches, rejected as drama captain, and betrayed by Lilah - she decides to fix Roo's life instead. They hit the road across inland Australia in her mom's old Kombi, reliving their past adventures.
As they travel, Vinnie's unresolved grief over her mom resurfaces, her health deteriorates, and unexpected, intense feelings for Roo begin to threaten their friendship. Can they navigate their emotions and find a way forward, or will everything they've ever known come crashing down?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2025
2 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 2, 2025
A quick dual-POV read about two teenagers trying to find their purpose. I love that this is sectioned into three parts (before caravanning, during and after) and that it deals with a variety of grief and angst throughout. I think this was executed well. While at times, the characters were being difficult, it was done in a way that wasn’t annoying to read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
June 2, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss
More YA language than I had suspected. Interesting premise, and Australian setting.
More YA language than I had suspected. Interesting premise, and Australian setting.
March 24, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“A Guide to Falling Off the Map” by Zanni L. Arnot is an introspective yet humorous coming-of-age story that explores grief and the unpredictability of life through a heartfelt road trip across Australia. With its dual perspectives, fast-paced chapters, and emotional depth, this book delivers a messy, tender, and authentic story about two childhood friends on the brink of major life changes. I do want to provide a content warning for off-page suicide involving Vinnie’s mother.
The story follows Vinnie Smith, an outgoing teen who has her future in New York City all planned out—until everything starts unraveling. Plagued by severe headaches, rejected from her dream role as drama captain, and betrayed by her best friend, she impulsively decides to "fix" the life of her childhood friend, Roo Carpenter. Roo, who has dropped out of high school to support his mother, reluctantly joins her on a spontaneous road trip across inland Australia in her late mother’s Kombi van. As they travel, Vinnie’s unresolved grief over her mother's suicide resurfaces, her own health declines, and she unexpectedly begins to see Roo in a new light.
The book is deeply character-driven, with both Vinnie and Roo given space to narrate their experiences. Vinnie, while a flawed and often selfish protagonist, struggles with the fear that an MS diagnosis—like her mother’s—will upend her life. Her avoidance of reality and tendency to push others away can be frustrating, but her emotional growth by the end feels earned. Roo, on the other hand, is a grounded and selfless counterpart, whose quiet struggles add a poignant contrast to Vinnie’s whirlwind emotions. The tension between them is beautifully written, though the romantic shift in their relationship feels somewhat abrupt—Vinnie’s realization of her feelings happens very suddenly despite knowing Roo for years.
The book’s strongest moments come once the road trip begins. The descriptions of the Australian landscape are vivid and immersive, making you feel like you are journeying alongside the characters. I absolutely loved the road trip moments in this book. However, the trip itself doesn’t start until more than halfway through the book, which feels late given that it is a central premise of the story. A bit more time spent on their journey could have deepened the emotional impact.
While the book is often lighthearted and humorous, it also tackles heavy themes, including grief and chronic illness. Vinnie’s mother’s death looms over the story, shaping Vinnie’s fear of her own potential diagnosis. These elements are handled with care, making the book both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
The ending is bittersweet yet hopeful—Vinnie and Roo find solace in each other, accepting that life’s uncertainties don’t have to be faced alone. While the resolution feels a little rushed, it leaves you with a sense of warmth and possibility.
Overall, “A Guide to Falling Off the Map” is a heartfelt and engaging read that balances humor with weighty emotions. It’s perfect for fans of introspective YA novels with complex friendships, slow-burning romance, and stunning road trip adventures.
“A Guide to Falling Off the Map” by Zanni L. Arnot is an introspective yet humorous coming-of-age story that explores grief and the unpredictability of life through a heartfelt road trip across Australia. With its dual perspectives, fast-paced chapters, and emotional depth, this book delivers a messy, tender, and authentic story about two childhood friends on the brink of major life changes. I do want to provide a content warning for off-page suicide involving Vinnie’s mother.
The story follows Vinnie Smith, an outgoing teen who has her future in New York City all planned out—until everything starts unraveling. Plagued by severe headaches, rejected from her dream role as drama captain, and betrayed by her best friend, she impulsively decides to "fix" the life of her childhood friend, Roo Carpenter. Roo, who has dropped out of high school to support his mother, reluctantly joins her on a spontaneous road trip across inland Australia in her late mother’s Kombi van. As they travel, Vinnie’s unresolved grief over her mother's suicide resurfaces, her own health declines, and she unexpectedly begins to see Roo in a new light.
The book is deeply character-driven, with both Vinnie and Roo given space to narrate their experiences. Vinnie, while a flawed and often selfish protagonist, struggles with the fear that an MS diagnosis—like her mother’s—will upend her life. Her avoidance of reality and tendency to push others away can be frustrating, but her emotional growth by the end feels earned. Roo, on the other hand, is a grounded and selfless counterpart, whose quiet struggles add a poignant contrast to Vinnie’s whirlwind emotions. The tension between them is beautifully written, though the romantic shift in their relationship feels somewhat abrupt—Vinnie’s realization of her feelings happens very suddenly despite knowing Roo for years.
The book’s strongest moments come once the road trip begins. The descriptions of the Australian landscape are vivid and immersive, making you feel like you are journeying alongside the characters. I absolutely loved the road trip moments in this book. However, the trip itself doesn’t start until more than halfway through the book, which feels late given that it is a central premise of the story. A bit more time spent on their journey could have deepened the emotional impact.
While the book is often lighthearted and humorous, it also tackles heavy themes, including grief and chronic illness. Vinnie’s mother’s death looms over the story, shaping Vinnie’s fear of her own potential diagnosis. These elements are handled with care, making the book both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
The ending is bittersweet yet hopeful—Vinnie and Roo find solace in each other, accepting that life’s uncertainties don’t have to be faced alone. While the resolution feels a little rushed, it leaves you with a sense of warmth and possibility.
Overall, “A Guide to Falling Off the Map” is a heartfelt and engaging read that balances humor with weighty emotions. It’s perfect for fans of introspective YA novels with complex friendships, slow-burning romance, and stunning road trip adventures.
September 2, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC of "A Guide to Falling Off the Map" in exchange for an honest review.
My thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC of "A Guide to Falling Off the Map" in exchange for an honest review.
Heartbreaking thunder from Down Under? Two hurting souls, friends since childhood, finally
realizing they're in love? And on top of all that, a rollicking (sometimes poignant) road trip though scenic Australia?
You had me at all of the above. I couldn't wait to sign on. And this book didn't disappoint in delivering two lead characters you can't help but worry about and care for.
Vinnie's a born theater girl, rocked by the suicide death of her performing arts loving mother. Big dreams possess her - Julliard, a life in NYC, Broadway stardom, and for the very right now, being picked as her school's Drama Captain. Her lifelong friend Roo dropped out of school to help support his mom and hopefully make something of his gifted eye for artistic photography.
But life and cruel fate have conspired to turn their lives and dreams upside down. Vinnie feels hurt and betrayed by her best theater pal Lilah, utterly demolishing their dreams of sharing starry acting careers together. Even worse, Vinnie's struggling with the early debilitating symptoms of MS, the disease that led to her mom's suicide.
Roo's dreams of a photography career flew off the rails too, as he's been bouncing from (and losing) one dead end, low paying job after another. But one thing remains constant for him and Vinnie - their fierce, unending devotion to a loving friendship forged in childhood.
Can anything heal and redeem these two broken extraordinary young friends. What else but......(let's shout it all together).....Road Trip!)
And off they do go, in a sputtering old Kombi van once belonging to Vinnie's mom. Planning success and fame for Roo, Vinnie encourages him to take enough memorable photos for her to arrange in a public exhibition. That he does, but Roo becomes well aware of Vinnie's escalating physical deterioration while they both cope with the reality that what they feel for each other is far more than friendship.
As the book keeps you glued to it, all you'll want to do is either hug the two lead characters or just push them into each other to they can they finally comprehend what we've known all along. But then again, if we did that too early, we'd miss out on seeing them take that postcard-worthy tour of Australia (and saving us airfare and hotel money)
For everyone who favors a heart tugging visit to "love-dawns-on-best-friends' territory, here's your next stop.
(and you'll find my other reviews at www.thesandyquill.blogspot.com)
My thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC of "A Guide to Falling Off the Map" in exchange for an honest review.
Heartbreaking thunder from Down Under? Two hurting souls, friends since childhood, finally
realizing they're in love? And on top of all that, a rollicking (sometimes poignant) road trip though scenic Australia?
You had me at all of the above. I couldn't wait to sign on. And this book didn't disappoint in delivering two lead characters you can't help but worry about and care for.
Vinnie's a born theater girl, rocked by the suicide death of her performing arts loving mother. Big dreams possess her - Julliard, a life in NYC, Broadway stardom, and for the very right now, being picked as her school's Drama Captain. Her lifelong friend Roo dropped out of school to help support his mom and hopefully make something of his gifted eye for artistic photography.
But life and cruel fate have conspired to turn their lives and dreams upside down. Vinnie feels hurt and betrayed by her best theater pal Lilah, utterly demolishing their dreams of sharing starry acting careers together. Even worse, Vinnie's struggling with the early debilitating symptoms of MS, the disease that led to her mom's suicide.
Roo's dreams of a photography career flew off the rails too, as he's been bouncing from (and losing) one dead end, low paying job after another. But one thing remains constant for him and Vinnie - their fierce, unending devotion to a loving friendship forged in childhood.
Can anything heal and redeem these two broken extraordinary young friends. What else but......(let's shout it all together).....Road Trip!)
And off they do go, in a sputtering old Kombi van once belonging to Vinnie's mom. Planning success and fame for Roo, Vinnie encourages him to take enough memorable photos for her to arrange in a public exhibition. That he does, but Roo becomes well aware of Vinnie's escalating physical deterioration while they both cope with the reality that what they feel for each other is far more than friendship.
As the book keeps you glued to it, all you'll want to do is either hug the two lead characters or just push them into each other to they can they finally comprehend what we've known all along. But then again, if we did that too early, we'd miss out on seeing them take that postcard-worthy tour of Australia (and saving us airfare and hotel money)
For everyone who favors a heart tugging visit to "love-dawns-on-best-friends' territory, here's your next stop.
(and you'll find my other reviews at www.thesandyquill.blogspot.com)
April 23, 2025
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own. This is a cute and sometimes sad story about Vinnie and Roo, childhood friends who are on different paths but then reconnect to go on a road trip when they’re both not quite where they plan to be in life. You get details about Vinnie’s mom and health as Vinnie herself is struggling with health issues while we get Roo’s story in pieces as he’s trying to help his mom make ends meet. I felt like the story progressed pretty well and seemed realistic, but I didn’t love Vinnie’s way of handling things were her other female best friend. The supposed betrayal wasn’t really much to me and seemed silly. I enjoyed seeing these teens navigate their lives and struggles and their road-trip where they were fidgeting things out together. While it wasn’t a favorite I’ve read, i did think it has appeal for some teens and that it has pretty solid characters/story. Family dynamics are great in this one. FYI some triggering things with suicide and chronic illness, some profanity
August 10, 2025
thank you so much NetGalley and Hachette Australia for the ARC of this book! A Guide to Falling Off the Map was such a cute ya romance. My favourite part was definitely the Australia setting because as an aussie book girlie it’s so fun when they mention familiar shops (like kmart). The storyline itself was also good as I loved how reflective yet wholesome it was, and the childhood friends to lovers trope was so cute. My only complaints is that it felt quite rushed and I wish some plot points were explored further. The characters also kinda annoyed me, as their lack of communication really got on my nerves.
June 3, 2025
This is an ARC and is not yet out to the public,.
I really loved the characterisation, and character development. It was really sweet
I really loved the characterisation, and character development. It was really sweet
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews