Along for the Ride

by Sarah Dessen

[mary]

Though I do enjoy YA novels, I tend to shy away from YA contemporary. I know, but surprisingly a long time ago I did read a majority of Sarah Dessen's novels. This one I never got around to though.

This is a typical romance plot which is sort of given away by the light and airy cover. So I would have been disappointed with anything else.

For the most part, I liked Auden. I related to her. Though not to the same degree. I am also sometimes baffled by "girl things" - vapid chattering about boys, details regarding makeup, hair, nail polish, or clothes, and certain social conventions regarding other people.

There are just some things I didn't understand about Auden, especially surrounding those events that occur in the beginning of the book (don't want any spoilers). Mostly her actions seemed so contradictory to her character. So I was confused.

Also I would like a contemporary book where being completely stupid and illegal isn't advocated... I understand it's realistic but it sort of makes a point of how geeky teens do not participate in such activities, which isn't always the case. Sorry I just don't enjoy that aspect of most contemporary YA.

Mostly I was just irritated with the main character. Frustrated with her decisions. But I do recognize that dysfunction is really hard to see from within the dysfunctional unit, but I still feel like it took Auden forever to realize that her family is seriously screwed up.

It may seem like I'm being awfully harsh on this book, but that's only because of my tastes and expectations. I do enjoy more fantasy/dystopian novels when it comes to YA literature. I enjoy more exciting, complex characters, and try to avoid most cliches.

This is not Sarah Dessen's best contemporary romance novel.
But it was good. It was light. It was fluffy. It deserves to stay on the summer reading list, but may not be the first Dessen book I recommend to others