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.
Along for the Ride is the first Sarah Dessen book I have read and it won't be the last. I really enjoyed listening to this audio book.
This book deals with real life issues. Divorce and the effect it has on everyone. Parenthood and the difficulty of having a newborn. Relationships and all their complexities. Along for the Ride is a realistic portrayal of life with all its challenges and triumphs.
I enjoyed seeing Auden transform during the summer after her senior years when she goes to live with her father and step-mother. The characters are well developed and all have unique personalities and quirks making them people that I could relate to.
This is a really light, easy read. Great Chick-lit.
Content: There is some language but otherwise cleaner than many of the YA books I have recently read.
Rating: 4 Stars
