Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Along for the Ride

Author: Sarah Dessen

Pages [hardcover]: 383

Memorable Quote: It was so weird, because usually I was totally nervous talking to guys. But Eli was different. He made me want to say more, not less. Which was maybe not a good thing.

Favorite Characters: Maggie & Auden

Summary:

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.

Review:

I love all of Sarah Dessen’s books, and this is one of the few that I haven’t read yet. Along for the Ride is as sweet, funny, romantic, and fun as every other novel written by this author.

I really liked how Auden wasn’t the only one who needed her life to change for the better. Eli is still attempting to pick up the pieces of his life, and one summer of sleepless nights with Auden could help him heal. They both rely on each other evenly.

This book didn’t put as much emphasis on the minor characters as others by Sarah Dessen have. Instead, the plot circles around Auden, focusing on the miniscule changes in her life. I like how the reader can see each step of her transformation, even when that step is backwards.

I really enjoyed Along for the Ride and already have another Sarah Dessen book lined up on my to be read pile. I recommend this for any previous fans of her work or anyone looking for a light, fun summer read or romance. I give it 5/5 stars.