THE BOOK REVIEW CLUB JULY - Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Penguin Aus
Pub. Date: 29 June 2009
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages: 432

Auden has always felt like the odd one out.

Since her parents' divorce she's shied away, studying lots and staying out of the party scene.

But now Auden's realized there must be something more and, just like that, she changes everything. Moving to her dad's house opens up a whole new world of beach parties, food fights – and simply having fun.

As she gets to know herself – and a secretive boy with dark, brooding eyes – can Auden begin to let go and finally feel like she truly belongs?


This book reminds me why I love Sarah Dessen so much. With the same laid-back, elegant tone; a touch of excitement and lots of hidden messages, Along For The Ride undoubtedly makes one of the best reads for summer.

The story sounds like a step forward from The Truth About Forever. It didn't take much time to notice how alike Auden and Marcy were - they both experienced something awful in their family and then, lost themselves in their schoolwork, job just to be secure and safe; everything outside their own world was none of their business. However, while what Marcy lost was her father, Auden lost her childhood. Added to that was Auden's seemingly incurable insomnia, which makes Along For The Ride not only different from its sister, but also more interesting.

Things I like about the book? Lots. It always appeals to me how Sarah Dessen expresses the feelings of the characters. Everything is like...they fix together into a box. There was never too much of intensity but it never felt flat either. The book will stir emotions in readers, just a little bit, then leave the rest for you to relate it all to your own experience and current situations.

That's why it'll leave such great connection on everyone who decides to pick it up.

I have to say that I myself didn't find Auden amazing as a main character. She was nice and had a lot of things you wanted to know about but she still lacked something. I liked Eli though, he was unpredictable and I bet you would love to have him as a company on your journey to discover what you have missed in the past years of your life. He was inspiring and fun and artistic in his own way. That characters that impressed me were actually Auden's Mom and Dad. Their extraordinaries annoyed me so much, I mean how could Auden put up with such weird parents? Having said that, their actions provoked me too. I thought a lot about family and how it meant to be altogether under one roof.

Last thing, let me tell you why Along For The Ride stood out among other books. The bikes. They played such an important role in the story. It helped make summer more athletic and less typical. In plus, the adorable step mother who was so honest and nice to her husband's child. And don't forget the awesome names of the girls too.

Although this to me isn't Sarah Dessen's best production, it's still worth waiting for and drooling over. So, if you haven't got your copy yet, I suggest you pick one up right now and let yourself go along for the ride.

Rating: 4/5