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Joanie Chevalier
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The Bus Ride: A Zany Busnapping Adventure Kindle Edition

by Joanie Chevalier (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 67 ratings
When Devon discovers his car stolen, he must find transportation to get to his destination before the deadline to get what’s rightfully his: the urn containing one-fifth of his deceased momma. He hops on Bus No. 255 and changes the course of the route. As the passengers’ personalities and needs emerge, they go from being strangers to a bonded family within hours as they fight for each other, and themselves… in more ways than one. Funny and sentimental, this story will grab your heart as you cheer everyone on Bus Route No. 255, maybe even the busnapper.

Meet the passengers on Bus No. 255, an unlikely group of people who have no choice but to try to get along and survive when their bus gets busnapped. Meet Devon, who has a deadline he must meet, or risk losing what’s his; Doug, a dreamer of a better life, but first must face a sad truth; Frankie, a life full of loneliness, but unexpectedly becomes a hero; Gloria, a woman who finds validation in the most unexpected place; Autumn, a girl who desires a family, and a sense of belonging; Dave, a man seeking justice and equality, learns to love himself as he is; and the Garcia family, whose family ties brings them to the brink of danger. Follow these passengers as they each fulfill their destinies, together.
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  1. Print length
    135 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    January 16, 2020
  5. File size
    1.2 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Author Joanie Chevalier leans into the comedy factor of the wild situations she creates in this short, sharp novella that puts plenty of pedal to the metal." - K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
"With its multifaceted plot deftly developed and paced, this Zany Busnapping Adventure is an entertaining and uplifting contemporary tale about ordinary people experiencing extraordinary camaraderie in trying times." - Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

"Joanie Chevalier turns an ordinary bus ride into a day that goes haywire with a harrowing adventure that's zany, funny, and completely wild. The Bus Ride will appeal to those who love silly stories, lighthearted romps, and action-adventures that will have you laughing." - Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07ZL7CQPH
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 16, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 135 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 67 ratings

About the author

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Joanie Chevalier

Joanie Chevalier

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Joanie Chevalier is a multi-genre author; founder of Connection Cafe, a place where readers and authors can meet; and founder of Our Indie Author Room FB Group, a place where writers in all stages of their career go to learn, inspire, and teach.

Joanie loves the outdoors and nature, reading, and she thinks her two Chihuahuas are adorable. Her writing is a blend of everything she likes to read: suspense, horror, crime, psychological, non-fiction, and a good short story.

Joanie would love to connect with you! Find her here:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/joaniec

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoanieChevalier

Connection Cafe: https://connection-cafe.com

Connection Cafe FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/628658504160896/

Connection Cafe Goodreads Group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1074615-connection-cafe

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
67 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining with plenty of belly laughs throughout. Moreover, they appreciate its heartwarming nature, with one customer noting how it touches on serious subjects. Additionally, the storytelling receives positive feedback for its wild and zany situations, and customers enjoy the characters. The writing quality is well-received.

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13 customers mention "Humor"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, describing it as an entertaining read full of fun and love that brings about outright belly laughs.

"...On the surface, it is entertaining in a dazed, crazy sort of way, but as you read the character’s stories and realize that all have wacky histories,..." Read more

"This was a fun, light-hearted book to read. It about a day on Bus 255 that changed from another boring day into an adventure...." Read more

"...But it is in the clever levity of the telling that keeps this an entertaining read, one that I really enjoyed." Read more

"...I realized it is a comedy, a satire in which the author gave all characters heart and soul and the readers a smile on their face...." Read more

6 customers mention "Heartwarming"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, with one mentioning it touches on serious subjects while another notes it brings smiles and tears.

"...for readers of any genre interested in a far-fetched, fun read, with deep roots." Read more

"...characters, each with their own stories, makes this a fun and at times poignant read...." Read more

"...It also touches on many serious subjects...." Read more

"This book was both funny and heartwarming. It was different from other books where you can guess the end. No guessing just a fun read!" Read more

6 customers mention "Storytelling"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the storytelling in the book, with one review highlighting its wild and zany situations, while another notes its clever writing style.

"...On the surface, it is entertaining in a dazed, crazy sort of way, but as you read the character’s stories and realize that all have wacky histories,..." Read more

"...But it is in the clever levity of the telling that keeps this an entertaining read, one that I really enjoyed." Read more

"...In fact, Joanie Chevalier delivered us a masterpiece of storytelling...." Read more

"...I throughly enjoyed this short story. Getting to know each of the characters was a delight...." Read more

4 customers mention "Character variety"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the variety of characters in the book.

"...The assortment of characters, each with their own stories, makes this a fun and at times poignant read...." Read more

"...Getting to know each of the characters was a delight...." Read more

"...All this done in a comical meaningful way. All the characters had real life problems that made them believable even in a crazy situation as they..." Read more

"...It was lighthearted and made me laugh. The characters were delightful. I think it would make a cute movie. Or maybe a sitcom." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book.

"...Great read." Read more

"...Well-written & edited, it’s a brief, unique read." Read more

"Smiles & a few tears. Excellently written and easy to follow. Recommended if you need a break from stress. A feel good book." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Clabe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun story with a (or several) moral(s)
    Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    And the moral of this story is?

    Take your pick. There are several morals in this metaphorical romp down life’s highway. Sometimes we don’t get to chose our traveling companions, and sometimes they turn out to be much more than we ever imagined. Other times, not so much. But in either event, we can never separate the silk purses from among the sow’s ears until we get to know both the both the silk purses and the sow’s ears.

    So it is that several unlikely travelers find themselves on Doug’s Greyhound bus each bound for a destination determined by his or her own story. Each has an agenda, and none of the agendas are the same until Devon imposes his agenda on the group and becomes the de facto leader. Doug, who has long ago been mentally and emotionally whipped into a passive role by an abusive wife and professional boredom, surrenders control immediately in favor of escape by taking a nap.

    One by one, the stories of each of the passengers are revealed. One by one the others, sometimes individually, sometimes collectively, subtly influence each other by encouraging each other to divert their life paths into positive directions. As that happens, good things begin happening to all of them and all of them end the trip connected in ways they never imagined.

    As a reader, I had no idea what to expect from this novella. I expected a dark comedy but never expected one with the depth The Bus Ride possesses. On the surface, it is entertaining in a dazed, crazy sort of way, but as you read the character’s stories and realize that all have wacky histories, are desperate in different ways, and have, through circumstance, been thrown together on life’s highway, the life messages hidden in The Bus Ride begin to emerge.

    The Bus Ride is recommended for readers of any genre interested in a far-fetched, fun read, with deep roots.
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  • Readingmama
    4.0 out of 5 stars A fun book to read.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This was a fun, light-hearted book to read. It about a day on Bus 255 that changed from another boring day into an adventure. By the end of the adventure, the lives of all the passengers were changed and they formed a family-like relationship.
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  • Luv2read
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clever storyline
    Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I love the premise of this cleverly-written story. Reminiscent of being on a vacation and meeting a group of strangers who each bring something interesting to your life, this story rang authentic for me. A stolen car, the owner needs to make an important appointment to receive some of his deceased mother’s urn, he lands on Doug’s bus and the fun begins. The assortment of characters, each with their own stories, makes this a fun and at times poignant read. Through the bus ride, like on a cruise ship, connections are made that move beyond the end of the ride. Through the characters themes pervasive in our society come alive lending to the richness of the storyline: homelessness, illegal immigration, loneliness, to name a few. But it is in the clever levity of the telling that keeps this an entertaining read, one that I really enjoyed.
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  • Lieve Snellings
    5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing comedy with a warm heart
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    When I started reading ‘The Bus Ride’ the buns&piping and all the passengers getting a nickname... it was a bit weard, very far from what reality could be I thought. But the more I read, the more everything made sense, the less I cared if it was real or not. In fact, Joanie Chevalier delivered us a masterpiece of storytelling. I realized it is a comedy, a satire in which the author gave all characters heart and soul and the readers a smile on their face.

    What an amazing way the author found to bring serious subjects as foster care, loneliness, bad relationships, homelessness, illegal immigration, searching to be yourself, in the storyline while, as the story goes on, you as a reader start to love and respect every character and in the mean time have a laugh and a good time.
    For sure, I highly recommend!
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  • NKN
    5.0 out of 5 stars One wild ride
    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Think Rat Race X Speed with all the laughs and heart. I throughly enjoyed this short story. Getting to know each of the characters was a delight. Seeing their lives intertwine was a great way to realize how small our world can become when we open our hearts. Every one has something they are dealing with and we have no idea by just looking at them. I thought of the line from a hymn that says “in the quiet heart is hidden, sorrows that the eye can’t see “ I love the way the passengers became a family by helping each other though their hardest moments. Great read.
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  • Dawn H
    4.0 out of 5 stars Lighthearted
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2020
    I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

    Doug drives a bus and works a lot of overtime to try to give his greedy wife the lifestyle she demands. When his bus is “busnapped” one day, he doesn’t really mind.

    Every person on the bus that day has issues of his or her own. I like how the reader learns about each person as the story unfolds. At the beginning of each chapter, the day and time are listed so that you know if it’s today on the bus or previously – usually yesterday or earlier today. By the end of the book, all of the characters have been developed, and even the busnapper is endearing. I found myself wanting the best for each person.

    The bus trip changes the lives of every passenger on the bus. Even though there is some danger and even though the people on the bus have big problems, the story is written in a lighthearted way which made it even more enjoyable. One of my favorite parts is the end when the outcome for each person is told. I definitely recommend The Bus Trip.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Papa Place
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Wild Ride
    Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Tongue placed firmly in cheek this comedy adventure takes off. It's full of satire, sly humor and outright belly laughs. It also touches on many serious subjects. Like relationships, homelessness, foster care, illegal immigration, loneliness, being yourself and redemption. All this done in a comical meaningful way. All the characters had real life problems that made them believable even in a crazy situation as they careen from one misadventure to another. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. More Please!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kim R
    5.0 out of 5 stars A rollicking, fun ride!
    Reviewed in Australia on February 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The Bus Ride: A Zany Busnapping Adventure is chock-full of entertaining, warm-hearted characters. At first a collection of strangers on a bus, each character reveals their true intent and soon the new group of friends are hell-bent on seeing each person succeed. This was such a fun read, and I found myself cheering for the characters as each one changed and grew. Well recommended!
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  • Ginger Book Geek
    5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely love discovering new authors and Joanie Chevalier is certainly a new author for me. Having enjoyed reading 'The Bus Ride' as much as I did, I will definitely be reading more of her work in the future. I absolutely loved 'The Bus Ride' but more about that in a bit.
    I absolutely loved the cast of characters in this book. In fact I ended up comparing the characters in this book to those who are regular users of the bus that I have to catch. We don't have a car so we rely on the bus to get about. Our bus is known as 'The Geriatric Express' as it is the first bus that the elderly and disabled can use their concessionary pass on. The nickname was first used by a very good friend, who is sadly missed as he died last year. Anyway back to the point. This book just goes to show that you don't know a person's history or story and appearances can be deceptive. I can honestly say that there wasn't one character that I took an instant dislike to. It's true that I favoured some over the others but that's what happens in real life too.
    'The Bus Ride' is a novella, which is longer than a short story but not a full length novel. As a result it didn't take me that long to get through this story. I did wonder if perhaps the number of pages would do justice to the story but I needn't have worried. I was drawn into the book from the synopsis and when I started reading, that was it. I couldn't put this book down. 'The Bus Ride' was a delight to read from start to finish. It was one of those books that I wanted to finish but I didn't want to finish. Bookworms will know exactly what I mean by that.
    I found 'The Bus Ride' to be really well written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the beginning and she takes you on a journey (pardon the pun) through the lives of people, who wouldn't normally associate with each other. Their only connection is this bus. Through Joanie's writing, I felt that I got a real sense of the story of each and every person. I loved Joanie's storytelling and through her descriptions I felt as though I was a character on that particular bus.
    In short, 'The Bus Ride' was a delightful read, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I will definitely be reading more of Joanie's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
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  • Ricky Reader
    4.0 out of 5 stars A fun story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This book tells the story of a group of people who find themselves on a bus taken over by an apparent kidnapper. As the plot unfolds, we learn more about each of the occupants and why they are on the bus. And of course all is not as it seems.
    A fun story.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fun ride
    Reviewed in Australia on March 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Bring a totally unconnected group together in a bus, in the middle of nowhere and watch an unlikely set of events connect and create a family.
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