Along for the Ride

I've read several books by Sarah Dessen, and this one is my favorite so far. The main character, Auden, is smart, and I love intelligent female characters. She's decided to spend the summer between graduation from high school and her first year at college with her father in a beach resort town. This new location and the people who come into her life there make this summer one of change and transition for Auden. Usually a loner, she starts to reach out and make friends, including a boyfriend. She's forming new relationships with her stepmother and step sister. Most important, she's confronting her own feelings about her parents' divorce.
This book has realistic characters and situations. It gets the reader to consider relationships among family members and friends, as well as how people can or cannot change.

This is turning out to be a great book. I haven't finished it yet but I had to write a review because of the narrator. The narrator is great but when she does dialogue sometimes she makes these long pauses when she switches characters. I keep thinking the audio is cutting out. It is kind of annoying but otherwise the narrator is really good and the book is fun to listen to.

The description of this book led me to believe it was a romance. Not even close. It's about a girl coming to grips with her parent's divorce and their new relationships. Just when I thought the romance might build- I was let down. There is little to no description of characters so it was impossible for me to visualize them.
The narrator has a squeaky voice. And, like another reviewer mentioned, takes awkward pauses. Not just in dialogue, but at random times. I thought it was the end of a chapter a couple times.

I wish I hadn't wasted my credit on this pick.

well written and amazing

Auden herself, like many of the people Sarah writes about I can see alot of myself in them back when I was that age and I can relate to most situations she writes about.

Maggie, I'm not sure why but I just really enjoyed her

yes

I've never been let down by any book Sarah Dessen has written they've all been good.

this book was easy relatable to and covered a multitude of situations. I laughed a lot!

So I might be too old to read this, about an 18 year old girl and her last summer before college. But I like a good coming of age story and this seemed like a good choice. I must say I really enjoyed it. The author has a subtle, patient writing style that allows a story to gracefully unfold, without feeling forced or rushed. The characters weren't totally predictable which I like. And best of all it had a wonderful ending. Total satisfaction!

I wasn't sure what to expect but it was quite a journey. I loved all the characters and all the surprises and developments.

It took me a few minutes to get into this book, as I thought the narrator was kind of annoying. I gave it a chance and her voice began to grow on me. Book was very cute, with a good story. I was pretty sad when it ended! Will download another from this author.

I have downloaded other books by this author and Along For The Ride has been my favorite so far. I felt like the characters were all well-developed and I could really visualize what Auden was going through. I think I enjoyed this story so much because it seemed believable-from her parents divorce to making friends in a new town. Many books in this genre are entertaining, but completely ridiculous and unrealistic. Great listen!

A nice surprise, very wonderful charter development and meaningful storyline. Enjoyable! Unexpected depth for Teen Chick Lit.