Sarah Dessen is legit. For me, her books are totally carry around the house and don’t stop until you are done kinds of books. Along For The Ride absolutely lived up to my expectations and then some.
Along For The Ride
Auden has major insomnia. Ever since her parents took a visit to splitsville, she doesn’t sleep during the night, choosing to drive around and drink coffee instead. Right, so Auden goes to live with her dad and his new wife for the summer. Auden is one of those people who had to group up fast because her parents act like children, and thus she’s got to take on the adult role. Anyways, while in beachtown, she decides to act like a legit teenager instead of a grown up. With a new job at her step mom’s boutique, Auden learns the ropes on how to have a normal teenage life and makes friends with Maggie whom I totally want to be my friend, and other girls and OMG they have these awesome impromptu work dance parties. It is FABULOUS.
I really enjoyed Along For The Ride minus the baby parts, because well I dislike babies. Dessen pens an interesting and engaging plot line. The tone is occasionally serious, but it never gets too heavy handed. Auden’s exploration of teen-like activities makes for an intriguing premise in addition to dealing with her family problems. Her dad is totes selfish – i.e. he won’t take care of the baby because it’s all about him and I totally wanted to clock him in the face. Anyways, I love that drama that Dessen excels at.
Okay and OMFG Eli Stock foreva! Â He is totally one of my new favorite Sarah Dessen love interests, although he will never ever replace Dexter. He is a professional bike rider who isn’t quite into riding bikes any more. AND he has secrets!! And he is kind!! And nice!! And athletic!! Also, a night owl, hence joining Auden on her quest to be a normal teenager. YAY Eli! Pretty much hitting all my checkpoints for good love interest.
If you are looking for a solid contemporary read, you might as well pick up Along For The Ride. After all, I secretly call Dessen ‘ol’ reliable’ in my head because her books deliver what I’m looking for every single time without fail – an authentic heroine, family drama, a strong love interest, and tumble-into-prose.
Disclosure: Purchased copy.
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I feel like I’m one of the few who’s loved this Dessen book more than the others. (!!! I know!) But I think what I loved the most is how much homegirl changed! Like, that hardly ever happens it seems, actual character growth. And like you, I loved me some Eli! Oh Dessen and your swoony boys!
I really liked Along For The Ride, but it’s no This Lullaby.
Dessen does write the best boys, I love how they aren’t total assholes.
I love Sarah Dessen, and Along for the Ride is one of my favourite’s along with Just Listen and Lock and Key. I still need to read This Lullaby so Dexter still has time to capture my heart 🙂
YES! Do it sooooooon. I promise you will love him!!
Eli Stock is one of my favorite Dessen men too, I love their insomnia dates!
Right, their insomnia dates were awesome, and all that coffee, I was kind of jealous.
OK, I am totally going to buy this book because of your review. I am SOOO into YA contemporary romance right now and this just looks like what I NEED. I need a hot boy to swoon over.
I’ve only read one of SD’s books. This Lullaby. I need to check out more of her stuff.
YAYYYYY!
I hope you love it, Mary!
I love all of Sarah’s books, but there’s something really special about this one. Definitely one of my favourites, along with ‘The Truth About Forever’ (and okay, I still have a soft spot for ‘This Lullaby’ because of Dexter and Monkey and Hate Spinnerbait).
YESSS! HATE SPINNNERBAIT!
This comment wins for today.
Love this book too! You basically can’t go wrong with Dessen, plus I really like the name Auden for the main character. Sometimes she picks some kooky ones, but Auden is a winner. What’s your next Dessen?
My next Dessen read will definitely be What Happened To Goodbye, although I actually think I may not have read Keeping The Moon yet, and that’s the only other one.
Auden is such a cool name!
OMG! I loved this book! Never put it down because I was SOOO into it. Sort of jealous of the connection between Auden and Eli because like what girl wouldn’t want a relationship like that? This would have to be my ultimate favorite Sarah Dessen book. I’ve already read Dreamland, Along for the Ride and That Summer (just finished that one and doing a book review on it), now I think I’m going to read This Lullaby because it seems like a good book (from the comments I read). Sarah Desssen really knows how to really grab a reader and suck them into the book 🙂
Definitely, they had such an adorable connection.
Dreamland is SO good, although it made me really sad but I loved how realistic it was and the message behind it.
OMG OMG, read THIS LULLABY BECAUSE IT IS THE BEST EVERRR.
Yes This Lullaby is the her best book ever !
Dessen is such a reliable author; I have enjoyed most of her books and you are right….she writes the best love interests. Along for the Ride is one of my favorites and Auden is such a great character. Have you read The Truth About Forever? That’s one of my favorites too. I have been meaning to read the most recent Dessen, but haven’t gotten around to it. Great review!!
For sure, I feel like her books are like a nice sweatshirt, you can just slip right on into it at any time and it’s very comfortable, her writing, you just know what to expect.
I have read The Truth About Forever, a few years ago though.
Along for the Ride is one of my favorite of Dessen’s, BIG TIME. Hated her parents, loved her new friends and stepmom, and most importantly I was totally and completely FREAKING BESOTTED with Eli Stock. And mentioning Dexter, he’s another of my all-time favorite love interests, but I want to spit at the book for the open, realistic ending. I wanted a for certain HAPPILY EVER AFTER, DAMMIT.
But, yeah, this one is totally rereadable xD
– Asher (from Paranormal Indulgence)
SNAP! i was bored to tears in the baby parts too *yawn*
but Eli totally makes up for it.
Oh I love your excitement for this book! 😀 I haven’t read it yet, (I’m about halfway through Dessen’s works, although I do own them all) but I’m very excited for this one! It’s actually one that I am most looking forward to picking up. 🙂
Great Review! i also lOVED this book! probably my favorite Sarah Dessen book of all. I also didnt enjoy the baby parts :/ hehe
Thanks for the review!
Farah
was just searching through your reviews.. got a nice big amazon gift card for christmas, been wanting to try out some Sarah Dessen. This one caught me eye, so I had to run to your blog and see what you thought of it. ( I didnt’ literally run, more like quickly clicked. )
I’m craving some contemporary something fierce. My friend Andrea just read her first Dessen book, The truth about forever.. and loved it so I have to give her a try. 🙂 when I get home, I’ll add this one to my cart via your linky thing.. my internet at work is slow as F.