Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Speak
Pub. Date: June 11, 2009
Length: 399 Pages
Summary ( from goodreads):
It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.
A job in a clothing boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.
A job in a clothing boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.
My Thoughts: I seem to have a love/hate relationship with Sarah Dessen books, some I really enjoyed and others I just couldn't stand. I'm always hesitant about buying her books, because even if the summary makes it sound like a good read, I may not end up liking it. I'm happy to say that I enjoyed Along for the Ride, it just didn't amaze me or blow me out of the water. In fact, it falls somewhere in the middle of those two categories of her previous works.
I don't know exactly why I didn't fully enjoy this book. If I had to guess, I would say it just seemed too average for me: it didn't do much emotion wise, the writing wasn't amazing, and the characters didn't stand out. I don't mean to complain but it feels like most of Dessen's stories are all too similar, and that's starting to become a real downer for me. ):
Overall, Along for the Ride was a cute read, but also predictable with a story that's been done before. Yes, I did enjoy it, but I was also left wishing that Dessen would write something more unique.
It does seem really average and I might even say the characters weren't very well developed. I loved it all the same and I think it was because I could relate to Auden really well. Still, I do agree. It does have the same tone as all of Dessen's other books.
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This one really took my heart i loved it so so much and i know people say that her stories are all alike but so what each girl has a differernt story and each girl is unique, if you really like this one then you should also read lock and key another sarah dessen novel. I have read all of sarahs books and i never get bored.
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