Book excerpt: While trekking through South America, first-time backpacker Ellie Bartlett finds a mysterious guidebook that changes the course of her journey-and her life. Ellie Bartlett dreams of a life away from the sharp edges of New York City. Away from her creepy boss, shoebox apartment, and nights spent alone eating ice-cream. She's desperate to find happiness-and love. After losing out on yet another promotion, Ellie quits her job and buys a ticket to South America to trek up the flat-topped Mount Roraima. Arriving at her hostel as a first-time backpacker, she finds a mysterious guidebook filled with cryptic messages about life and love. Intrigued, Ellie contacts the previous owner, Bella, who wrote her name under the heading THIS BOOK BELONGS TO. The email lands in the inbox of Jerry Townsend, an architect and widower living in San Francisco. Jerry is barely keeping his life together as he juggles raising three daughters alone and construction of a museum in memory of his late wife-Bella. Ellie and Jerry start messaging, sharing their fears, hopes and desires. Following Bella's advice, Ellie embarks on a six-month solo adventure through South America, and over the course of emails, texts, phone calls and video chats, Ellie and Jerry's pen-pal friendship develops into something more... But can you fall in love with someone you've never met?