Along for the Ride

Hands down, my favorite Sarah Dessen book! Auden and Eli are so relateable, I feel like I have known them my whole life! I think everyone should check this book out, you won't regret it.

Setting: A small beach town

A Few of the Characters:
·
Auden –College bound girl who grew up too fast. She did not have the typical childhood. Academics is where she feels safe because that is what she is good at, and she doesn't like to fail. While spending the summer with her dad she meets some people who help her see life differently.
·
Eli - A mysterious boy who had had some hardships in his life, but who helps Auden regain some things she never experienced in life.
·
Maggie, Esther, and Leah - Unlikely friends to Auden, who turn out to be just that and more.
·
Heidi - Auden's stepmother, who proves to be more than Auden first thought she was.
What made me keep turning the page?

Watching Auden grow and learn about herself
Seeing how Eli helped Auden, but also how Auden helped Eli without realizing it
Wanting Auden to find a balance in her life between fun and school
Observing Auden and her mother becoming closer


Any complaints?

Nope

Recommendation:

Contemporary/Realistic YA Fiction Fans

·
Final Thoughts…
This was my first Sarah Dessen book, but won't be my last! I loved this book! It was such an easy read, but it was also complex. It made me reflect on things in my life as I read. The characters were so easy to fall in love with! I quickly began to care for Auden and her family. Along for the Ride was hard to put down, and I could have read it in one sitting if life hadn't gotten in the way. :)

very good

a review by alee

I loved this book, even though I don't usually read realistic fiction. What I liked most about the book was it was easy to relate to. The beginning of the book talks about the main character, Auden, who is very dedicated to her school and doesn't have many friends because of that. I liked auden the most because she was easy to relate. I think Auden was the perfect example of what teenage girls feel like sometimes which that they have to be perfect. I think as the book goes on, she begin to realize she has to be perfect, and in a way she shes that she should enjoy herself before college. By the end of the book she changes alot and becomes more herself without worrying about who her parents want her to be. I think the changes and realization she had from big events that happened made the book more relatable.

It was also just a fun book to read. It was fun because at first when Auden arrives in her father new town she doesn't know anyone, seeing how she interacted with the other girls around her funny because all of the girls were interested make up and girly stuff, while Auden is more interested preparing for college.

Another thing I liked about the book was the love story of it. It's one of the things I like about Sarah Dessens novels. She includes a love story, but the book isn't completely based on it. I think when meets Eli she changes a little bit. I think eli plays a large role in how Auden realizes everything she missed out on. Through out the book he shows her alot of things she missed in her high school years, and they share those experiences. I think Auden and Eli liked each other so much because they have so much in common but are so different at the same time. they both have insomnia and spend many nights together and they both are running away from their problems. But Auden is very dedicated to school and what people think while Eli doesn't care much about college and doesn't care about what people think and is very open about everything.

this book was great because it really did seem to reflect on alot of issues teenage girls have. it was also a great book because in only a few words it was funny, relatable and sweet.

Reader reviewed by Jewelie

This review is about the book "Along for the Ride" by Sarah Dessen. I have read other Sarah Dessen books before, this being my third. I wasn't too sure what it was going to be like, because I loved the cover, but I'm told that's not how you're supposed to chose a book :). So I started reading this book, and I have to say that it definitely on my top ten favorite books I've read in 2010. I love love LOVED the characters in the book, and the plot was awesome too! I read it page by page, always looking for more clues to how it was going to end, and when it finally did, Dessen didn't let me down. From the beginning to the end, she had me falling in love with a new fictional character. This book is definitely worth reading if you love a good love story, or if you just love Sarah Dessen!!!

Reader reviewed by Lia

This book is AWESOME! I couldn't even think
to put it down!
but hey! of course i couldn't the author is Sarah
Dessen, I mean what else can i say??? who hasn't loved all her books?
this
book is written as well and good as the others, and i just can't help
learning all the time from her writing and amazing stories.
It really
a great book and I really recommend it, a great read, i cant even find
words to say how truly good it is! Read for yourselves!
This is another amazing book by a great author

Reader reviewed by Adrienne (Addicted Book Reader)

Sarah Dessen always writes amazingly, great books and this one is
just as wonderful. All of her stories are similar: girl and boy fall for
each other then something happens where they stop talking, so then they
either get back together or they don't. I couldn't stop reading and
really wanted Auden and Eli to be together! I was worried they wouldn't
be together, but the ending was perfect.

The story is
cute, funny, and pretty good. I love all the characters because they all
are unforgettable and very easy to relate to. Auden goes through a lot
in one summer, and it great how much she grew during then. She makes new
friends, learns to let loose a little, and even to love and forgive.
This wasn't my favorite Dessen book, but I still like it a lot. If
you're looking for a nice, quick, summer read this would be perfect. I
can't wait to read future books from such a great author!

Reader reviewed by Adrienne (Addicted Book Reader)

Sarah Dessen always writes amazingly, great books and this one is
just as wonderful. All of her stories are similar: girl and boy fall for
each other then something happens where they stop talking, so then they
either get back together or they don't. I couldn't stop reading and
really wanted Auden and Eli to be together! I was worried they wouldn't
be together, but the ending was perfect.

The story is
cute, funny, and pretty good. I love all the characters because they all
are unforgettable and very easy to relate to. Auden goes through a lot
in one summer, and it great how much she grew during then. She makes new
friends, learns to let loose a little, and even to love and forgive.
This wasn't my favorite Dessen book, but I still like it a lot. If
you're looking for a nice, quick, summer read this would be perfect. I
can't wait to read future books from such a great author!

Reader reviewed by Carly

As always I loved this book!!! The plot was great, no suprise there. Sarah Dessen is a great author who knows exactly what teens like. I read this book in about a day or two and there was nothing she could have done better. The writing was great and so was the message she always sends to young girls. Overall, GREAT READ!!

Reader reviewed by ReggieWrites

Auden has never done anything spontaneous. She's always locked up in
her room, studying or getting ahead of her work. When her parents get a
divorce, she becomes all too friendly with the night and becomes an
insomniac. But when she arrives in the little town of Colby--where she
makes new friends and does things she has never done before--everything
changes. She changes. She meets new people and finds sanctuary with Eli
in a laundry store away from her fighting dad and step-mom. Auden
realizes what she missed as a child, and grows out of her shell.

Sarah
Dessen delivers an entertaining, contemplating read that will absorb
readers into Auden's complicated life. Dessen develops the story in the
cozy setting that readers will adore. The vivid descriptions of the
small, intimite town of Colby is accomplished flawlessly; even through
Auden's point of view. Who can't help but love endless summer nights
with the bright, sunny mornings?

In Colby, Auden is surrounded
by a humourous, eclectic cast of characters. Each one is unique and
dynamic with their own previous summer adventures and traditions.
Almost everyone's past in Colby is connected somehow. As the new town
girl, attentions are focused on Auden. And slowly, Auden starts to fit
in and become more sociable and appreciative of her friends.

Auden's
revalation is also a way for her to find who she really is; without the
books. She finds herself through her quest to do everything she's
missed as a child. Throughout the story, she discoveres--little by
little--that the people of Colby, at first glance, aren't what they
seem. They're unpridictable and trustworthy--very different from how
they seem on the surface. Another issue in Along for the Ride,
is the frequent debate whether or not people can or cannot change.
Dessen impressively connects this issue to Auden's life throught
different examples on both sides.

Dessen has accoplished an
amazing novel full of friendship, love, and many firsts. As Auden
embarks on her late-night (almost early morning) adventures and goes
through her daily routine, readers will enjoy watching her make
mistakes and get back up on her feet. Along for the Ride's slow, relaxing pace, will allow readers to relate to Auden and reminisce about their own summer experiences.

The
Bottom Line: Along for the Ride was my first time reading one of Sarah
Dessen's books and I wasn't dissapointed. Everything was
summery-perfect. I'd definitely say that this is one of my favorite
summer reads...The only thing that I wasn't really fond of, was Auden's
mom and dad. They were both--in my opinion--pig-headed. Her mom was
always nagging her while her dad didn't even care. It was either all or
nothing! Also, the cover bothered me a little bit. Auden shouldn't have
been wearing a pink dress because she isn't exactly girly in the novel.
But apart from that, Along for the Ride is a great read! A+ :-)