The Reluctant RV Wife Paperback – August 5, 2019

I really enjoyed the writer's story filled with humor and reflection on RV travelling. It also provides a thoughtful narrative on what matters in life particularly as we age and deal with this process. Also made me want to try RVing at some point with my cat!

The author sounds a lot like me. I had my doubts when we began rving, but I found I loved it. The RV problems were old familiar friends which we’ve also experienced.Anyone who has been an rver will love this book, and those thinking about the possibility will, too.I enjoyed it so much I expect to read her next two books soon. Additionally, she’s from Tampa, and we made our home just down the road in Sarasota, where we still winter.The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because I wasn’t fond of the way it sometimes jumped around to the point I wasn’t sure, for a moment, to which trip she was referring. But it was only a minor aggravation and didn’t hurt the book that much.I love her writing style and her clear-eyed looks at herself. I feel like I know her, and I definitely hope she uses the rv shower, potty and black tank as it is intended in the next phase of her RV life. Traipsing to the campground bathrooms for showers and, uh, other things, is silly and inconvenient.

Review by Cheryl Winegar. This book is a must-read for anyone considering purchasing an RV and embarking on an RV journey. The information presented by the author is relevant for both the vacationing RVer and the full time RVer. The author humorously takes the reader through her vacillating decision-making process to go along with her husband's desire to purchase an RV, although she is adamantly against it. Traveling along with the author on her initial RV journeys, she describes the many trials and problem-solving dilemmas the couple must face as they learn to operate their new home-away-from home. There are many laugh-out-loud situations the reader will enjoy. If you have traveled in an RV (or even a camper) you will appreciate the perplexing situations one faces when cooking and living in small quarters, toileting problems, constant rainy weather,and other circumstances that arise when one is on the road. If you are thinking of starting a new life-adventure, you will really appreciate reading this book. It explores the joys, advantages and challenges of extended vacationing in an RV.

First, the positives: I learned a lot about RV life. My husband and I sometimes toy with the idea and the book had a lot of info about it. It was also well written... Descriptive and funny. She's a really good writer and you can tell she loves doing it. That always makes for a better book. As for negatives, there's only one... The complaining was absolutely over the top! This woman's husband is a saint... I would've tossed her out of the RV by day 2, Lol. But seriously, just wow. I had to read in short spurts because her constant complaints about literally everything irritated me. I really hate to say this because everyone is different, but i don't understand how she was in such excruciating and agonizing pain (her words) a year and a half after knee replacement. In my experience the relief was very nearly instant and was walking, running, and climbing stairs within maybe 6 weeks, and felt great. I think she needs a new doctor. She clearly hated everything about being on the road, then suddenly in the last chapter she's moving in to an RV full time? It just didn't make sense.Now, having said all that, I'm intrigued enough that I just bought the second book in the series. HahahaIf you can get past the ridiculous complaints and get constant "screaming", again her word, at her hubby, this book is worth the read. Thank you Gerri for sharing!

Gerri Almand penned a delightful romp down one of life’s crossroads with herThe Reluctant RV Wife. Recently retired, and with encouragement from her hubby albeit strong-armed, she entered the RV lifestyle. The book offers laugh out loud moments, been-there-done-that episodes, and tips on how to maintain a marriage when you’ve backed into a telephone pole, destroyed two bikes, and busted the RV in the middle of your trip.Organized in slices of RVing living, Almand covers everything from community showers to weather, Coleman burner cooking, and living among folks traveling with their waaaay-too friendly dog. She opines “RV trips created stress for me…it felt schizophrenic…as the reality of travel became more complex.” She may have started out reluctantly but with time, mileage, and compromise, she found she “was having the experience of a lifetime and it was changing…” her. The book includes a special dedication to the author’s mother and a collection of wayfarer photographs. An Erma Bombeck of the road read, The Reluctant RV Wife makes for an entertaining read while dreaming of the open road or a great gift for new RV owners. Look for follow-up adventures.