Sarah Dessen's Along for the Ride is praised for its relatable characters and engaging storytelling. Reviewers appreciate the authentic exploration of personal growth and relationships. However, some critics point out predictable plot elements and wish for deeper character development. Overall, it's a heartwarming read with meaningful life lessons.

Readers who enjoy Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen are typically teens and young adults who appreciate contemporary romance with themes of self-discovery and personal growth. Fans of Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before or Stephanie Perkins's Anna and the French Kiss would likely find this book engaging.

In Sarah Dessen's Along for the Ride, academically accomplished and introverted teenager Auden West, who struggles with insomnia and the effects of her parents' divorce, spends her summer before college with her father, stepmother, and newborn half-sister in a small beach town, where she meets Eli, a fellow insomniac and professional biker, and embarks on a journey of personal growth, discovering friendship, love, and the importance of embracing new experiences. The book includes themes of parental neglect and the aftermath of a car accident involving a fatality.

Sarah Dessen

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Along for the Ride reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Along for the Ride | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Along for the Ride and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Along for the Ride Summary and Study Guide

Background

Along for the Ride Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Along for the Ride Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-8

Along for the Ride Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-12

Along for the Ride Chapters 9-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-16

Along for the Ride Chapters 13-16 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 17-19

Along for the Ride Chapters 17-19 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Along for the Ride Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Along for the Ride Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Along for the Ride Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Along for the Ride Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Along for the Ride Essay Topics

Along for the Ride

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Along for the Ride?

Reading Age

Book Details