Book Thoughts: Along for the Ride

“What defines you isn't how many times you crash but the number of times you get back.”

- - - - -

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. -Goodreads summary

- - - - -

Along for the ride is my third Sarah Dessen novel (I’ve read This Lullaby and Lock & Key, which I have yet to write a review.).  And upon reading it, I became an absolute Dessen fan.  She is definitely one of my favorite YA authors to date and along for the ride my favorite amongst her novel I have read so far.

Auden is the loner type who acts like an all-grown-up girl focusing intensely on her studies.  She’s never really had a normal childhood. She didn’t have much of a social life and she rarely sleeps at night.

What made Auden's journey so endearing to read is the way she slowly learned to make friends, have fun, and finally let loose. I especially loved those Auden-Eli nights.  Their interactions felt natural as they are comfortable around each other.  I liked how their relationship progressed over time and how they helped each other grow. 

I also enjoyed her moments with Maggie, Esther, and Leah.

The thing I really like about Sarah Dessen’s novel is the way the different relationships in her story develop. I enjoyed how Auden gradually became friends with her co-workers and with Eli and how her relationship with her father, her stepmom, and her mother grew. These were all thoughtfully written.

Also, the characterization is great. It's not just the main characters who shine—every side character feels distinct, with their own personalities and stories to tell.  

Reading this novel made me wanna dive into the rest of Dessen's novels. Along for the ride has earned a spot on my favorite YA books list, definitely 5 stars.

 - - - - -

My Along for the Ride Playlist:

• Brighter at Night - Ash Koley
• "What do we do when the sun comes down? When all that we do. We do when it's brighter at night."
• Gift of a Friend - Demi Lovato
• "You'll change inside when you realize. The world comes to life and everything's bright... when you have a friend by your side."
• Two Worlds Collide - Demi Lovato
• "You have your dreams, I have mine. You have your fears, I was fine. Showed me what I couldn't find. When two different worlds collide."