Burning the Map | Reviews

"This debut novel from Laura Caldwell won us over with its exotic locales (Rome and Greece); strong portrayal of the bonds between girlfriends; cast of sexy foreign guys; and, most of all, its touching story of a young woman at a crossroads in her life.

Picking up a first novel is a bit like unwrapping a present, an exciting peek into the unknown. Laura Caldwell's debut invites readers along on a special trip -- a voyage of self-discovery, with plenty of adventure (romantic and otherwise) and a chance to explore friendships, new and old. Casey Evers is at a turning point in her life. She's just finished her law boards, she's about to start a new job, her workaholic boyfriend is about to pop the question and she's desperate for a last taste of freedom before she settles down to mapping her course through her new, grown-up, self-supporting life. That's why she's talked her two best girlfriends (whom she's seen much too little of since getting serious about John) into a gals-only trip -- a few days in Rome, then a few weeks in the Greek islands. This is Casey's chance to recapture a part of herself she's nearly forgotten -- the wild, fun-loving, passionate woman she may never be free to be again. Casey, Lindsey, and Kat had been like sisters for a decade and little more than passing strangers for the past two years. They've come to make up for all the special times they've missed in the past two years, to try to build a new friendship on the foundations of the old. Far from home, in exotic settings, with plenty of sexy guys and no responsibilities, these three friends learn that emotional baggage is a lot lighter when it's shared."
-Barnes & Noble.com

"Casey Evers is on a dream vacation to Italy and Greece with her two best friends, Kat and Lindsey, but it isn't quite turning out the way she expected. Kat and Lindsey resent the fact that Casey has distanced herself from them since she started dating John two years ago, and Casey is hurt that Kat and Lindsey don't seem to include her the way they used to back in college. Kat and Lindsey are furious when Casey ditches them on their last night in Italy to spend a romantic evening with a handsome Italian man; then, when Casey finds her feelings for John growing murkier, she can't even turn to her two best friends. Things seem to improve once the girls get to Greece, but when a guy Lindsey is interested in turns his attention to Casey, their friendship faces yet another challenge. At its best when it focuses on the girls' friendship and not on the myriad men who strain it, Caldwell's debut is a fun, snappy read."
-Booklist

"Burning the Map is a fast, funny and heartfelt journey into a young woman's life. With all the choices which women face today, readers will certainly be able to identify with Casey's inner (sometimes hilariously neurotic) dialogue as she muses over her future. The backgrounds of Rome and Greece are vividly portrayed, as are the characters of Kat and Lindsey. Ms. Caldwell also explores the theme of the importance of female friendship in women's lives. This is a fast-paced, funny and sexy novel which is sure to garner first-time author Larua Caldwell a devoted following."
-Readers Read

"Burning The Map is an interesting character study, done in the "chic" mode. The story line mostly focuses on the lead protagonist especially her doubts, but also provides insight into her friends, boyfriend, and parents at least from Casey's perspective. Genre fans will empathize with Laura Caldwell's intriguing look at a young lady at the threshold of adult decisions and responsibilities."
-The Best Reviews

"A good summer read for those winter holiday blues, Caldwell's newest book, Burning the Map, is the story of a nubile law student who leaves her boyfriend and family behind for a vacation to Greece and Rome."
-Portland Mercury

"Author Laura Caldwell has successfully drawn realistic characters and the theme of love, in all its forms, is written with truth and realism. The story captures the essence of a young woman searching for something significant in a sometimes superficial world. If you're looking for a modern tale of friendship, love, and the search for personal bliss, Burning The Map will undoubtedly satisfy your craving."
-A Romance Review

"In this first person accounting of a woman finding herself, Laura Caldwell has done a marvelous job of delving into the mind of a woman. Through the twists, turns, and doubts that Casey faces during her amazing trip across Europe, Caldwell shows the readers that the well-beaten path is not always the one for you. With beautiful, specific, and true-to-life descriptions of Rome and Greece, Caldwell allows the reader to feel that they are on the journey with Casey. Burning the Map is an excellent read for anyone who would like to escape to an exotic location and forget their troubles for a little while."
-Word On Romance

"This first novel from Laura Caldwell is a delightful story of three women trying to find themselves while they try to hold on to each other. Ms. Caldwell has found a way to give these ladies true voices. I felt as though I were eavesdropping on each conversation. The landscapes are described with such care that I felt as if I were truly on the beach in Ios, Greece. With all the island hopping, the story moves along at a good pace, deliberately stopping when a moment is too crucial to miss. Each character is well rounded, lovable, and quite simply, real. For a first novel, Ms. Caldwell has really captured the essence of friendship, and the personal pressures we all put on ourselves everyday. She has a mature voice for a new fiction writer, and I look forward to her future writing endeavors. You'll need an exotic drink and some sunscreen while you enjoy Burning The Map from Laura Caldwell. I thoroughly recommend this purely entertaining look at friendship and love."
-Romance Reviews Today