It takes place the summer after Auden's high school graduation and she and most of her new friends are enjoying their last summer before they go to university, which is the same situation that I'm currently in. At the Tip she runs into a guy named Jake, with whom she almost ends up having a one-night stand with.

Along for the Ride - Sarah Dessen - Google Books

She made me feel a little more understood, which is a quality that I will always admire of many of Sarah Dessen's characters. She bikes with him to the beach, their friends join them also dressed for the prom, and they have an impromptu party. All in all, it was a well written story and satisfied what I needed: a cute summer romance that wouldn’t take too long to read.

This scene does a great job showcasing the type of person Auden is (someone who stands on the sidelines) and how she grows throughout (into someone who actively lives her life, joins in the dance parties, and has a group of friends).

Along for the Ride Movie Review | Common Sense Media Along for the Ride Movie Review | Common Sense Media

Embarrassed and defensive, Auden begins to question why Eli won't open up to her about his friend Abe's recent death.

In April 2021, Deadline Hollywood announced that production had begun on a film adaptation of Sarah Dessen's 2009 novel Along for the Ride after Netflix acquired film rights.

Along for the Ride – Book Review Along for the Ride – Book Review

Auden has just finished her senior year and looks forward to spending the summer like she usually does: staying home and studying, while occasionally attending the parties hosted by her mom for her grad students. Milovala som hádam všetky vedľajšie postavy, proste každá mala svoju osobnosť a tak trochu som chcela byť súčasťou ich partie a ísť na nejakú hotdogovú párty alebo si ísť posedieť na promenádu, či hrať kickball na pláži. When I first picked it up, I only meant to just read the first little bit but then what seemed like ten minutes passed and I was on page seventy. Since the accident, Eli has kept to himself and seemingly stopped riding his bike until Auden finds him one lonely night, and they teach each other to grow and love again. One of the main criticisms of this book from what I’ve seen is the general dislike of Auden’s character, and I absolutely have to disagree.

I loved the way all of the subplots wove together throughout the story and the resolutions of all of the smaller conflicts were so satisfying.

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen | Goodreads Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen | Goodreads

When Robert implies that Heidi asked Auden to visit to be a babysitter, Heidi states she invited her so Robert could spend time with his daughters.And so I went into this hoping I could take away something profound, and if not, then learning things from a different perspective at the very least. She's snooty and judgmental when she visits Auden at the boutique but quickly comes to the rescue when Heidi crumbles under the pressure of new motherhood, encouraging her to stand up to Robert and giving tips on taking care of Thisbe. Ultimately that’s what this story was a bout for me, some people might see it as a love story, but for me is was a story of transformation.