Review by Abeeha

Title: Highway of Lights
Author: softyhartz
Reviewer: @Abeeha_32

Cover + Title:

Honestly though, I fell in love with your cover the moment I saw it. It's so professional and cute, especially with the animated hint. It perfectly sets a merry journey-like atmosphere. The fonts used and the spacing are so nicely done, they're drool-worthy. The author's name is also clear and easy to read and does not merge with the background tint. There is a line below the author's name which I couldn't read. If it is something like a tagline/subtitle for your story, I suggest you to enlarge it. Apart from that, you can also shift the Author's name to the bottom. This is a trivial opinion but since there is nothing at the bottom, it can make the book cover look a bit flat. That's just my opinion though, you can stick to the way you want. With this, I conclude by saying that the cover is very well thought of. Good job mate!

Coming to the title here, I feel it's so captivating. HIGHWAY OF LIGHTS. It's short and sweet and it gives off a vibe which is weirdly intriguing. It's a bit vague but that only adds to the curiosity of your readers so I'm pretty much fine with that. The word 'lights' is strong and deep (in this context) and greatly enhances your novel, giving off an inviting ambience.

Blurb:

The blurb is short and to the point. It's so interesting, smooth and engaging, I bet it can hook any reader (including me, haha).
There are some things I felt, which I thought I should point out.

*In which Riley Ran's flight gets cancelled...
The way you have started it looks a bit haphazard (though I know that it's more related to style than grammar) I suggest you to rephrase it. I don't encourage starting it in stereotypical, cliché ways but then again, you can use your imagination for writing something out of the blue and nice, which also sounds grammatically structured.

With only thirty-two hours, they drive pass highways and highways.
Correction: With only thirty-two hours, they drive 'past' highways and highways.

Consider replacing the word 'pass' with 'past.'

The rhetoric question at the end is clever and mysteriously portrayed. I found hard to resist my urge to explore your book.

Just try to be clear with the implied meaning of the context and do some corrections and the blurb will be good to go. The blurb is extremely short but I nonetheless like it because in your case, it's nicely executed. There wasn't even one point when I felt that the blurb became clumsy or redundant.

Grammar + Writing Style:

Most of your writing is well done with grammar and vocabulary. There were a few things I'd however like to point out:

Chapter-1

Even though talking to my mom over text messages make me feel...

Correction: Even though talking to my mom over text messages 'makes' me feel...

The scene when she gets the slip for the number 246 and it's 190 going on, was a bit rushed. What I felt is that you can maybe make Riley do something which is actually time-consuming so that it seems realistic.

I didn't hear a single respect in your attitude
Correction: I didn't hear a single ounce of respect in your attitude.

You can add the word 'ounce' to make it more grammatically structured but it will be better if you can rephrase it like:
"How can you be so disrespectful? " Or something else like this which fits.

His eyes so brown as to almost be black

Correction: His eyes so brown, that they almost appear black.

I don't know why but 'be black' sounds a bit off...

Chapter-2

He changes the topic 'so' fast that it kind of catches me off-guard.

The use of the word 'so' here makes the text grammatically correct.

He references back to me describing myself.

Correction: He 'refers' back to me describing myself.

He returns me with a smirk.
Eradicating 'with' will make the sentence sound better.

...I should give up the chances to see 'one of the' world's greatest natural wonders.

It is so because there are many natural wonders in the world and The Grand Canyon is only one of them.

Chapter-4

It will be ' I had fallen asleep' and not 'I've fallen asleep'.

I feel a tingling sensation slowly 'corroding' into my skull.
The word 'corrodes' is not the correct form in this sentence.

Chapter-5

Puts his camera back to his backpack
Correction: Puts his camera back 'into' his backpack.

I feel that the preposition 'to' is not fairly appropriate for this sentence.

Chapter-6

...just like how he shook mine in the airport

First of all, I believe that it should be 'just like he shook mine' since the word 'how' seems abrupt.

Secondly, consider switching 'in the airport' with 'at the airport.' That way, it flows round better and is also grammatically more solid.

Eyeing me for the first time since the conversation has started.

The word 'has' will be replaced by 'had'

Chapter-7

He sits down onto the ground, crossing his legs and look across the view.

Correction: He sits down onto the ground, crossing his legs and looks across the view.
Add a little 's' to look.

Honestly, the vocabulary is top-notch and the writing has improved so much from the first to the eighth chapter.

Coming to the writing style, I feel it's so fascinating, especially with the philosophical touch. When Ran talks about solitude and how she feels, how traveling helps her feel better and how she is still unaware why she is so fond of traveling, is so well-presented. It's a clear indication that you've thought through the each and every dialogue as well as scene in great detail, paying attention to every minute feeling.

Character:

Riley Ran (beautiful name).
She is actually so adventurous and confident and I love her. Riley's character caught my eye the moment the story started and trust me, you've written it very consistently and beautifully. It flows so well!
She has a complex personality with flaws and quality traits and her imperfections and scars are gorgeously put together.

Noah Clermont
His persona is so fascinating, it makes me want to explore every little thought that his mind has. Your writing style has the art of showing-instead-of-telling, which I found a total thumbs up. He is so filled with wanderlust and it's beautiful and mesmerizing how his dialogues portray the bliss of solitude perfectly. When he meets his ex-girlfriend, how strangely and awkwardly he acts is very well brought-up.

When Noah and Riley crossed paths, it did not look unnatural at all. It has been framed perfectly, their conversation and everything else. Specially when she asks him to pronounce her name, I loved the way you've written that. It's so pure and genuine!
Also, their first meeting wasn't cheesy at all. It was super realistic and it is honestly something I became a fan of.

Plot:

Amazing storyline! I have seen a movie like that before, but it still seems so new and exciting to me. I love how you've managed to keep the mystery going with little things about Noah's past and then of course, Riley's mother. I feel the plot has so much more to tell us readers and this is just the beginning. It is very effectively conveying a soothing message about how traveling helps us to deal with stress and improves mental health. Your eight chapters were anything but intoxicating! The use of philosophy and the hints of poetry really have my heart.

Overall enjoyment:

I loved your book. Till the end, there was not even one dull moment. I enjoyed reading it so damn much. You have tons of potential as an author. Try working on prepositions (really annoying) and remember to go slow and stay inspired. If you have any queries ever, remember that I am just a PM away. Lots of luck for your future writing. I'm surely looking forward to what will happen next!

Until next time.♥️