kasiabrenna's review
2.0
This was okay, there is just something about Dessen's stories that always leave me a bit cold. I just never feel all that invested in her main characters, they never feel all that real to me. That said, this one has a pretty good story and some unique characters that seemed to step outside the YA novel box (the parents and Maggie, specifically). However, be warned... the father in this book pissed me off so much I wanted to throw the book at some point. I've read so many YA books with really terrible, abusive parents, but for some reason this guy just being a self-obsessed, entitled ass almost pushed me over the edge!
lrector's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Super cute read! Auden has been the brainy always studying girl. She missed out on a lot of socializing and right of passages growing up. The summer before she starts college she goes to stay with her dad, stepmom and brand new baby sister. Eli a fellow insomniac takes Auden on a journey to complete all the things she should have growing up. Paper route, bowling, party, sneaking into a club, food fights and most importantly making friends. Auden learns, " what defines you isn't how many times you crash, but the number of times you get back on the bike. As long as it's one more, you're all good."
_tabae's review
5.0
Super Buch! Sehr zu empfehlen- wie alle Bücher von Sarah dessen vermittelt auch behause of you ein Mega Feeling am Ende und lässt sich super lesen!
ematheis27's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
kateleos's review
5.0
Maybe my favorite Dessen yet. A perfect end-of-summer story, and everything with Isby felt so true to life. Lovely.
jbojkov's review
4.0
This was my first Sarah Dessen "experience" and I really liked her style. I can see why so many young women enjoy reading her stories. I liked the main character and found the story line to be compelling enought to hold my interest. At 300 plus pages, I think some younger readers or readers who like a little more action and a little less introspection might find it dragging a little, but might hold out in hopes of seeing the romance pan out. My biggest beef with this story was the stereotypiocal surrounding cast and the pat kind of ending with most of the people learning their lessons.
remain_ari's review
3.0
Along for the Ride was nothing like what i have come to expect from Sarah. The book had the usual thread, girl meets boy, screws it all up, then figures it out in the end. However the thread of this story is weaved around so many other realtionships it's almost like the background of the novel. The story is first and foremost about second chances, and experiencing as much of life as possible.
maron123's review
1.0
When I read this book the first time I honestly couldn’t tell you what made me enjoy it… maybe age I’m not sure? I’ve read the truth about forever not too long ago and still loved it, but this one wasn’t for me. The book was very character driven and I did not connect with either of the main characters so maybe that’s the issue. I did enjoy the side characters. Overall, I think I will like the movie better than the book (unheard of I know) but I do think the pace will be quicker which will better.
kle105's review
4.0
This was a cute story, it moved along quickly. Auden decides to spend the summer with her father and his new family. She discovers her stepmother isn't as bad as she thought, but her Dad is just as clueless. While she has always been focused on her studies she ends up on a quest to experience the life she missed out while studying. Eli is a boy she happens upon in the middle of the night and he decides to help her experience what she has been missing, while he is recovering from his own painful past.
The summer proves to be a learning experience for the whole family, and she figures out just how to live!
The summer proves to be a learning experience for the whole family, and she figures out just how to live!