I LOVE the majority of the other books written by Sarah Dessen. And I wanted to love this one too, but in the end it was just a little flat for me.
In this book Auden decides to spend the summer living with her father, stepmother, and new half sister instead of her mom. While in Colby (the town she moves to) she meets new friends and a guy who is an insomniac like her. They, both intentionally and unintentionally, help her to do things that most people do as children that she never really got to.
It felt like a lot of issues were raised in the book that were only skimmed over or rushed into a happy ending at the end. The charachters were a little boring for me, and my biggest complaint is that there was not enough of Eli. He was pretty central to the story, but I feel like I never really got much of a personality for him.
I think that I might have like the story better if it had felt to me that the story logically culminated in the ending it was given.

First of all, I rooted for Dessen throughout this book, fully knowing as I divulged further and further into it that it had no potential or charm. I knew, as I continued to read page after predictable page, that I would ultimately believe it to be a waste of time. I had a hint of what banal writing was to come at the opening line: "The emails always began the same way." That right away makes this book unrelatable to future readers. With technology changing every single day, this will soon sound very dated. This shows that Dessen is not writing to create lasting literature, albeit Young Adult literature-- she's writing to make a profit.

I was outraged at the amount of times Dessen describes a voice as "flat"... was a thesaurus not within reach while she wrote this? If you haven't noticed this, I doubt you read the book at all. The characters, especially Auden, are extremely one dimensional. The bike theme is ridiculously cheesy. I'm honestly getting angry as I write this review. I do not understand how an author can acquire more fame and popularity and then write in such a sloppy manner for her latest book. I am disappointed in Dessen's lack of growth from her first to her last novel. Maybe she shouldn't try to insubstantially write two books in two years just because she knows people are interested in her at the moment.

This review may sound harsh and critical, but please, ask yourselves: did you really enjoy this book because it is fantastically written? Or did you enjoy it because the author is Sarah Dessen and she's popular and you like her? Whether you admit it to yourself or not, it may very well be the latter. Respect your own intelligence and pick up a better read, and find a new favorite author.

'Along for the Ride' is another great piece of work by Sarah Dessen. Definitely worth a read.

The summer before she starts college, overachiever Auden West makes the unexpected decision to spend her vacation with her father, stepmother Heidi and newborn baby sister Thisbe in their beachside town of Colby. Since her parents' divorce two years ago, Auden has thrown herself completely into education and ignored any pull at having a social life. Without friends and tired of trying to get the attention of her intense mother, a well-respected college professor, Auden decides to get on "beach time."

But any hope she'd had of spending time with her father -- a once-successful novelist -- are thwarted as Robert West holes himself up in his office daily, trying to grind out chapters of a new book which will catapult him back into literary stardom. And there's another problem bringing down the walls of the West beach home: baby Thisbe just can't stop screaming. Ever. Overworked, exhausted and at her wit's end, Heidi comes to rely upon Auden for assistance in navigating the troubled waters of new motherhood and a tense relationship with Auden's dad. She can only do so much, though -- and when she meets Eli, a fellow insomniac who also wanders the town's sleepy streets late at night, Auden begins to see just how much she have missed while spending her life trying (in vain) to gain her parents' approval and attention.

What I loved about ALONG FOR THE RIDE -- and all of Dessen's works -- is her uncanny ability to blend family stories with romance, friendship and, in many cases, a larger "social issue." In this novel we're talking about the children of divorce -- and I think she explores that well without it ever becoming treacly. For me, Dessen's works feature characters about as authentic as they come. I loved watching Auden change, trying more and more of what she never thought she could do, or would be interested in -- and watching her friendships develop with Maggie, Leah and Esther. Life with Eli seemed very real, too, and though I knew ultimately what would probably work out between them, I was still excited to get there. The novel didn't focus exclusively on family dynamics -- nor did it talk about the love interest nonstop. Everything was in balance, producing a fun, thoughtful read.

While I have to admit that Along For The Ride lacked the emotional resonance of some of Dessen's other works -- like JUST LISTEN, my personal favorite -- I read it very quickly and really felt for many of the characters, especially Heidi. Definitely recommend her work to anyone looking for a great read with very memorable characters.

Loved reading it. The trailing off of the main character's though got annoying, but the story was great and it was a great book. Can't wait for Sarah Dessen's next book =)

I finished this in two hours--that's how good it was! Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors, and with Along for the Ride, she does not disappoint. If you're looking for the perfect summer beach read, this is it.

Sarah Dessen is one of the grand dames of YA literature for a reason. While I don't think this title is as good as my favorite Dessens, it is well worth picking up. (If I weren't doing a full review of it it would be the sixth book on my Books of Summer list.) One of the things that made me instantly empathize with Auden is simply how much she was like me. My parents divorce was far less dramatic and I'm far less socially awkward, but there are similarities. As I love reading books as escapes, it's nice to see something that seems like my life through a fun house mirror.

After discovering her mother has a lover, Auden decides she's going to shake things up and live with her father, his new life, and their infant this summer. Upon getting there, she discovers that Heidi is about to snap and her father is just as bad at parenting as her mother always claimed. Surprisingly, she begins to enjoy live in Colby as she carves out a niche for herself. It helps that she's made a connection with Eli, a fellow insomniac, as the roam about the town at night.

I liked the balance between the romance and the other aspects of the book. Auden's family issues are interesting, though I often felt sorry for Thisbe, who can't really control anything going on when a lot of it is going to affect the way she is raised. It's not a happy plotline, but Auden's associations with the local girls give it balance. That is a happy plotline, as Auden discovers how to recognize and navigate social currents. Likewise, her relationship with Eli balances between the light and dark due to his baggage.

And, while it is done in an exceedingly unsubtle manner, I love the message that girls can be into makeup and clothes as well as being incredibly smart. Being feminine - even hyper-feminine - has nothing to do with intelligence. Not to mention that liking to be girly doesn't mean the patriarchy wins. It just means you like to be girly. Nothing wrong with that.

If you haven't read a Sarah Dessen book, this one would be a fine place to start. If you have read one, you know what to expect. She does have a formula, but I don't mind as long as she keeps writing books that are sweet, entertaining, and not dumbed-down. ALONG FOR THE RIDE has romance, drama, and a positive, hopeful message. I can go along with that.

This is one of my favorite Dessen novels. Though they all have (roughly) the same outline, this one seemed a bit different than all of her other novels - though I don't exactly know why. I loved how it was set on the beach. It was written really well so that I could feel like I was there at the beach.

I also loved the idea of riding a bike - how so many people know how, but she doesn't know how, because of her upbringing. There are more things like this that she didn't learn, which are talked about in the book, but this is the one that comes up over and over again, and I like it.

Overall, one of Dessen's best novels. Recommend it 100%.

It's a Sarah Dessen book. Just with that information, you should be able to foretell that Along for the Ride will be a charming, sweet-and-to-the-point type of story, chockfull of winning characters that you can also relate to. And it is.

Dessen's latest young adult masterpiece delivers everything you could ask for in a teen novel, and in a style that is completely her own. Her mastery with the prose is shown in how she makes big statements with simple constructions. I don't think I've ever encountered bogged down writing from Dessen before, and she keeps up the good work. This novel is an enjoyable, unobstructed read.

The story itself is charming, but I began to feel as if I'd read it all before. Auden is a normal girl with a few issues (she can't sleep at night, and she has had no childhood/social life to speak of) who vacations to Colby, North Carolina to visit her father and his new wife and baby. While there, she gets an accounting job for her stepmother's boutique and meets three other colleagues: Leah, Esther and Maggie. And Eli, the bike-riding, fellow insomniac determined to help Auden make up for her lack of childhood. Together, they teach Auden the true meaning of friendship and love.

It sounds good, and it certainly is, but Dessen is covering familiar ground, ground that was already covered in Keeping the Moon (my favorite of her books, as it happens). This is the only reason I have decided to give Along for the Ride four stars instead of five. It's main characters are new, but the whole premise was somewhat predictable.

Otherwise, Dessen again writes a memorable piece of fiction with colorful personalities and earnest, believable dialogue. Four and a half stars!

I absolutely love Sarah Dessen! She is my favorite author by far, and I was so excited for this book to come out! It was such a good book, and it kept your reading all the way until the end.

Auden is a high school graduate, so looking forward to going to college. She is in-between, in-between her divorced English professor mother and her literary father, in-between her world weary brother and his hi-jinks,and most of all, in-between the places in her life. Sarah Dessen, the author, has the ability to draw us in to a story of how lives change when we least expect them to.

Auden has been invited to spend the summer with his father and his new wife, Heidi and their baby. She realizes this is a chance to spend time with her father and to get to know him. Her entire life she has always been the one to bow to her parents needs, their needs came first. She is an intelligent young woman who works and studies hard and is always found with a textbook. She has lost her childhood and doesn't know it. Auden goes to Colby, a beautiful town by the sea. Here, Auden learns that life can be fun. She bonds with her baby sister, Thisbe. She finds a boyfriend and starts to live the life she missed. Auden and Heidi establish a warm relationship and in the midst, Auden realizes her father is a selfish man who puts himself first, that her mother has a deeper self and that she can do whatever she wants. She overcomes obstacles and finds her true self.

Sarah Dessen has given us a novel that shows that everyone can grow up, that love can be real, there are second chances and learning the lessons of life can be difficult but facing the truth is necessary.

Recommended. prisrob 07-20-09

Lock and Key

Someone Like You

I enjoyed this book. It had depth and was also entertaining. The characters were well developed. I would recommend this Sarah Dessen book.

I really want to gush about how awesome this book is, but sadly, I don't think I can. I wanted to like it, I really really wanted to like it, and as a book, it was pretty decent, but I'm getting so sick of the standard Dessen formula. It was cute the first time. And maybe the second. But by now, it's gone way too far. It's always the same: Annoying, messed up family situation, girl doesn't know how to deal with it, girl meets boy, boy fixes everything in girl's hypothetical world, and then there's always that really annoying cringey moment when you just know that Dessengirl and Dessenboy are going to have a falling out, but you also know that they'll be back together by the end. The story moves along quickly, which is what I've always liked about Dessen, but I'm reading the same story over and over and over again. I'd like some change! I love all her characters, but why is it always the same outline? Character-wise, Auden's a sweetheart, and I definitely sympathize with her. Eli is not as well developed as the other Dessenboys, but he's still someone you can get to like. The family situation is aggravating, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one really wanting to pummel Auden's dad with a baseball bat (and what happened to that, anyways? Dropped storyline, much?). I'm glad Jake wasn't used as the character to come between Eli and Auden, as that would have made me flip out even more. I don't know, I really want to be enthusiastic and tell you to buy the book and read it and love it, but it's all the same. Pick up any Dessen novel (and do pick one up, they're fantastic and should be read by every teenage girl out there) and you'll get the same story with minor changes. I want some more originality. I know she can do it, she's done it before, why the rut? She's such a fantastic writer, and I want to see more of her writing, but I'd like a new story next time, okay?

Rating: 3/5

I have a confession to make: With the exception of Along for the Ride, I've never finished reading a Sarah Dessen novel. I've started plenty, of course, but I usually get bored with them and move on to another book. I know, I know, Sarah Dessen writes fantastic books! And now I can say that and agree with it, because I loved Along for the Ride.

As far as the plot goes, the characters--rather than the events--dominate Along for the Ride. It's less about things happening and more about people changing. And speaking of people, I loved the characters of Along for the Ride, even if I didn't always like them. They were all fully drawn and a joy to spend time with.

Moreover, as I read Along for the Ride, it occurred to me that creating a detailed realistic world can be just as--if not more-- difficult than inventing a fantasy realm. Dessen deserves a round of applause for the world of Along for the Ride. It was perfectly real, and I didn't want to leave...which is odd, considering that reading usually provides a break from reality. The setting--a beach town--is definitely half the fun of the novel, and I'm still amused by the town's quirks.

Along for the Ride isn't all fun characters and settings, though. It's about getting to know people before judging them--learning that people can do more than one thing, be more than one way. It's about the friendship that can grow between girls, not to mention falling in love, growing up, and changing. Auden, the main character and first person narrator, did her best to act the grown up and please her parents as she grew up. This meant missing out on things like dodge ball, bowling, making friends, and, of course, learning how to ride a bike. She spent her time studying instead. As a result, she feels socially uncomfortable with the people her age in Colby, and I think many readers will identify with her feelings of isolation. It's not that Auden doesn't want to make friends with the other kids; it's that she doesn't know how. As if this weren't enough, Auden also became an insomniac when her parents began to fight before becoming divorced. Over the course of the summer, she makes friends with another insomniac, Eli, who helps her in her quest to reclaim her childhood with late night trips to the bowling alley, among other things.

My recommendation? Along for the Ride isn't a blazing fast book. It's quiet and occasionally slow. And I believe it's totally worth the time.

(In light of this, I plan to give Sarah Dessen's other books another whirl. Pinkie swear.)

Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors, and I have enjoyed all of her previous books. Along for the Ride is a great book that I would recommend. It is a page turner. I read this book in two days and could hardly put it down. I stayed up until 2 in the morning before I finally had to put the book down to sleep! Read this book you will not regret it!

This was the best Dessen has ever done by far. I was so happy to see it come out. READ THIS BOOK!!

Along for the Ride is my second Dessen novel, the first being Lock and Key. I definitely think Along for the Ride was more enjoyable for me, I connected with the main character Auden a great deal more than Ruby in Lock and Key. Instead of just being a nice book it made me feel something.

This book has a wonderful message, it's never too late to live your life the way you want to and you are never too old for anything. I admittedly probably cannot ride a bike. I learned when I was young and had a nasty encounter with one in my early teens I believe, never touched one again. I really applaud Auden's determination to make up for the things that she missed earlier in her life when she was acting more like an adult than a child.

Another really interesting thing the book has going for it is what can two kids getting to know each other do in the middle of the night? Where can they go what can they see? I loved reading about Auden and Eli's routine they fell into. And Eli, what a sweet boy. I definitely can say I'm on Team Eli. I think most boys would never take the time to help Auden on her journey but Eli does. I loved how they both came to lean on each other and help each other through some tough times.

I really liked the secondary characters as well, from Auden's mom (I kind of hated her dad) and her stepmother Heidi and her little baby half sister Isby to the boys at the bike shop and the girls that worked at Heidi's boutique. They all helped her on her journey and really rounded out the story.

Since I've read only one other book this probably isn't saying much but this is by far my favorite Dessen book so! I'm excited to dig into her back list and find some other stories that really speak to me as well!

Auden hasn't slept at night in a long time. Ever since her parents started fighting and so did the divorce. Auden has the chance to spend a carefree summer on the beach in Colby, before she goes off to Defriese University... with her dad and his new family, his wife Heidi and his new baby Thisbe.
Auden decides to help Heidi with the books at her clothes shop, Clementines. Auden finds friendship with a group of girls. She also finds a crush with Eli, a loner and fellow insomniac. Eli becomes a guide to the nocturnal world of Colby. Auden is finding her way throughout her childhood, she missed and Eli comes to terms with the guilt that he felt for a friend's death.
I love Sarah Dessen. I have read all of her books at least once, many I have revisited multiple times. Along for the Ride is not an exceptions.
One of the best thing about her novels are the lively characters. Auden is looking for the approval of her parents and has missed out on her childhood, because of this. I could totally relate to this. I didn't learn how to ride a bike until I was thirteen. I think that a lot of teenager girl can relate to this. Eli was so sweet and dreamy. I wanted to learn more about him. The plot is amazing. It had a ton of originality. Dessen is a wonderful writer. I love how she has cameos of previous characters. I recommend this book to anyone. I love this book.

truth about foreverhas always been my favorite sarah dessen book but along for the ride is right there with it. I loved Eli he is one of my all time favorite heros. the background story about Audens family was interesting and good for filling in the days. it was also nice to see her growing and learning to interact with people in social settings. i can highly recommend this book to any fan of sarah dessen.

Auden is not your typical teenage girl. Ever since her parents divorce, Auden doesn't sleep. Instead she wanders around town, finding new ways to entertain herself. She spends a lot of time at the local diner and other times just reading. Unlike most girls her age, Auden is more focused on her schooling then on the boys. It's not that she doesn't like the boys, it's that she doesn't know how to act around them. Auden has never been the type to make friends so she doesn't know much about being a teenager. Everything changes, though, when she spends the summer with her dad, step mom, and her new baby sister.

As Auden gets settled into her new life on the beach, her feelings start to change. Suddenly school isn't as important as she thought and the people she thought she knew begin to show their true side to Auden. Her new step mom isn't as bad as she thought and she even finds herself making some friends when she decides to help out at her boutique.

On one of her late night jaunts, Auden meets Eli. Eli is a fellow insomniac who is plagued by troubles from his past. As they spend more and more time together, Eli helps Auden reclaim her missing childhood but will Auden be able to help Eli reclaim his future?

My love of Sarah Dessen books is even stronger after reading Along For The Ride. Some may say that all of Sarah's books follow the same plot line but I don't agree. I have read every single Sarah Dessen book that is published and there may be some similarities but no two books are alike. Every new book is fresh and memorable, full of wonderful characters and stories.

Auden and Eli are even better than I expected. Their characters are so well-developed. They have their own personalities, their own quirks, and their own pasts. Sarah Dessen always does such a wonderful job of telling you everything you may want to know about a character without overdoing it. She never leaves me guessing at the end of the book and I love that about her writing.

Another really good point about this book was the whole story. Yes it's a love story but that doesn't mean it is cliche. It was definitely something I have never read before and I loved that it was different than past books. There is a bit of a subplot and another romance in bloom between other characters but the main focus is on the growth of Eli and Auden's relationship.

I don't think I can think of a negative comment about Along For The Ride. Also, if you have read Lock and Key, they are a few references in Along For The Ride. I love how Ms.Dessen always manages to do that with her stories.

In the end I would recommend this book to anybody and I plan on having this to reread again and again. Ms.Dessen has earned all 5 stars in my opinion.

this is a book you can easly manage to read in 2 days cause you can't put it down. i would recconmend it to anyone

Sarah Dessen....the one author I always name when asked who my favorite authors are. I've read every single one of her books at least once, many of them more than that, and they all continue to be among my favorites. Along for the Ride, which just came out Tuesday, is no exception.

The biggest part of what makes Along for the Ride, and all Dessen novels for that matter, so fabulous is the characterization. Dessen takes all the little things about people that no one really notices and slowly feeds them into the book, revealing so much about the characters and their identities without anyone realizing it. Auden is a character I could relate to really well and I think most teen girls will. Eli was a character you just couldn't get enough of. I wanted to know more about him, see more of him, and even if the rest of the novel had been crap (which it definitely wasn't), he would have kept my eyes glued to the page. The character relationships were also realistic, particularly between Auden and Eli and also Auden and her parental-figures.

Like most Dessen novels, Along for the Ride isn't one of those build-up and BAM! plots where everything is solved in one chapter. Everything slowly builds up as Auden realizes who she is, what she wants to do, and builds her relationships. At times, I found myself wishing things would just hurry up and happen but Dessen did an amazing job of not giving everything away but letting the plot flow forward at a decent pace.

The ending was also realistic and fit in with the rest of the novel but still leftt a bit to your imagination.

As a whole, the novel was incredibly well-written. The prose sucked you into and never let you go. It didn't feel like I was reading - it felt like I was there.

I must also mention that I love how she includes mentions of the characters and places in previous books. I always keep my eyes open for those.

Overall, this is definitely recommended. It ranks in my Top 4 Dessen Novels (after The Truth About Forever, Just Listen, and Lock and Key). If you aren't already a Dessen fan, there's no time like now to pick up a copy. You won't find much better than this in teen lit.

I picked this book up for a trip to Denver. I planned on being in the airport a while and was hoping it would keep me entertained. And it did! This was such a super great book, I hated to put it down even for a few minutes. Sarah Dessen is an amazing author. I hope she does a series with these characters!

I have read every Sarah Dessen book published. I was so excited to learn she was coming out with a new one, ALONG FOR THE RIDE, that I marked the release date on my calendar. Was the wait worth it? Absolutely. Finished it in two days time, too - it would have taken me less time but I had to factor in pesky responsibilities like work.

I love the way Dessen writes. Her characters are always real, and the storylines are believable - you can't ask for more than that!

As with other Dessen books, there are multiple lessons learned in this book. The two that I felt that were most important (and I know it sounds cliché) is "Live, Love, Laugh" and "Never judge a book by its cover."

ALONG FOR THE RIDE is about a girl named Auden, fresh out of high school, ready to embark on the next leg of life but doesn't really know how to do it. The academic part she has down pat; the fun, let loose and be free part she has a lot of trouble with. Auden didn't have the typical childhood - she was more of an adult than a kid while she was growing up, entertaining herself through countless adult dinner parties revolving around academia.

She missed out on so many rites of growing up - racing up and down her block on bicycles or skates, hanging out at the pool with friends, going on dates and even the prom. While it was great that she had such a drive to do well, her parents, now divorced, incredibly high expectations was also very damaging to her psyche.

The cherry topping - Auden is an insomniac. Nothing, no matter what, changes or cures her insomnia. Of course, this can be a good thing, too, at least in her case. I can relate to the insomnia issue - it's just too bad that I haven't met the guy of my dreams during one of my episodes. I felt sorry for her many times throughout the book.

So she escapes for the summer, leaving her overbearing mother behind, to live with her father, stepmother, and brand new sister. Is she trading one mess for another? It proves to be a summer of change and friendship and love.

Auden definitely doesn't have an easy time of it - she has a lot to face, from how the turmoil of her parent's divorce has really affected her to actually having real friendships with girls and a guy who is genuinely interested in her.

Thisbee shows Auden how to love unconditionally and the power of connecting. Eli shows her the magic of first love and where to get a great cup of coffee and a slice of pie in the middle of the night. Finally, Maggie, Leah, and Esther show how great friendships can be. Everyday brings something new and her summer in Colby teaches her to enjoy and appreciate the life she does have.

A perfect summer read.

Reviewed by: coollibrarianchick