The Road Trip

The Road Trip

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  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-06-11 06:51:34
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Beth O'Leary
  • ISBN:0593335023
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Two exes reach a new level of awkward when forced to take a road trip together in this endearing and humorous novel by the author of the international bestseller The Flatshare。

What if the end of the road is just the beginning?

Four years ago, Dylan and Addie fell in love under the Provence sun。 Wealthy Oxford student Dylan was staying at his friend Cherry's enormous French villa; wild child Addie was spending her summer as the on-site caretaker。 Two years ago, their relationship officially ended。 They haven't spoken since。

Today, Dylan's and Addie's lives collide again。 It's the day before Cherry's wedding, and Addie and Dylan crash cars at the start of the journey there。 The car Dylan was driving is wrecked, and the wedding is in rural Scotland--he'll never get there on time by public transport。

So, along with Dylan's best friend, Addie's sister, and a random guy on Facebook who needed a ride, they squeeze into a space-challenged Mini and set off across Britain。 Cramped into the same space, Dylan and Addie are forced to confront the choices they made that tore them apart--and ask themselves whether that final decision was the right one after all。

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Reviews

Julie Carlson

I am having a difficult time deciding on a ranking, but I would probably say 4。5。 "The Road Trip" is a great read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as "The Switch" or "The Flatshare," which were both 5 stars。 The story alternates between Then and Now。 Four years ago, Addie and Dylan fell in love while Addie was a summer caretaker for an estate in Provence and Dylan was a guest。 Something went terribly wrong and they haven't seen each other until they find themselves in the same car traveling to a f I am having a difficult time deciding on a ranking, but I would probably say 4。5。 "The Road Trip" is a great read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as "The Switch" or "The Flatshare," which were both 5 stars。 The story alternates between Then and Now。 Four years ago, Addie and Dylan fell in love while Addie was a summer caretaker for an estate in Provence and Dylan was a guest。 Something went terribly wrong and they haven't seen each other until they find themselves in the same car traveling to a friend's wedding in Scotland。 Also in the car are Marcus, Dylan's best friend and we gather a trouble maker, and Deb, Addie's sister。 Rodney, a random wedding guest and stranger to the other four, is catching a ride。 The Now parts of the book are ridiculous but fun (how serious can five people squashed in a Mini be?), but the Then chapters of the book are much darker。 I do think this is another solid entry for O'Leary and if you enjoyed her other two books, then you will like it。 。。。more

Heather O'Mara

I loved FlatShare and was eager to read this。 I was immediately pulled in by O’Leary’s ability to describe emotion and settings。 There were bits that I questioned, loved the comedic parts that gave some light were things were tense。 I definitely loved it as a whole。

Liz Towery

This book turned out to be great, not as great as her other two books in my opinion。 But, mainly that is because the beginning felt to gimmicky。 After I reached the second half though, it was wonderful and very gripping。

Colby

First of all, thank you so much to Penguin for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!While I wanted to like this one, I really struggled。 The book flips between "Then" and "Now", when Addie and Dylan first meet, and when they're forced to share a carride to a wedding。 I struggled to like either of them, honestly。 Addie was sort of flat and boring, and Dylan as a character was all over the place。 Overall, I just couldn't get into this romance。 First of all, thank you so much to Penguin for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!While I wanted to like this one, I really struggled。 The book flips between "Then" and "Now", when Addie and Dylan first meet, and when they're forced to share a carride to a wedding。 I struggled to like either of them, honestly。 Addie was sort of flat and boring, and Dylan as a character was all over the place。 Overall, I just couldn't get into this romance。 。。。more

Liz

I've loved everything Beth O'Leary has written so it was a no-brainer that I would buy this one as soon as it came out。 The premise seemed really interesting and something I haven't read before, but for some reason it didn't wow me。 I preferred the past timeline much more than the current road trip, and I was wanting to scream at the characters a lot。 Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad by any stretch, it just didn't make me feel like The Flat Share or The Switch did。 At some points, it seemed a b I've loved everything Beth O'Leary has written so it was a no-brainer that I would buy this one as soon as it came out。 The premise seemed really interesting and something I haven't read before, but for some reason it didn't wow me。 I preferred the past timeline much more than the current road trip, and I was wanting to scream at the characters a lot。 Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad by any stretch, it just didn't make me feel like The Flat Share or The Switch did。 At some points, it seemed a bit too。。。 "extra", if that makes sense。 Over-the-top。 。。。more

Victoria Ferreira

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Uh-oh Rodney was definitely NOT the best character

Bobbye

A true road trip story, complete with sexy times with a stranger, a non-emergency emergency room visit, and five people in a mini cooper。 The Road Trip is a story of falling in love when you are not quit mature enough (or in the right place emotionally) to handle it and what might happen if you reconnect again years later on your way to a wedding with four other people in a mini cooper。

Shaina

The Road Trip is almost 2 books in one, a coming of age, new adult story。 And while I read it quickly and the pace was good, this one wasn’t it for me。 It could be that I’m admittedly not a big fan of new adult (too much inner dialogue most of the time), but I also had a hard time with the story and all the other stories in the book。 What worked was the pace of the book, the Then/Now chapters and the cast of characters。 Although Rodney could have been left out and the story would have still been The Road Trip is almost 2 books in one, a coming of age, new adult story。 And while I read it quickly and the pace was good, this one wasn’t it for me。 It could be that I’m admittedly not a big fan of new adult (too much inner dialogue most of the time), but I also had a hard time with the story and all the other stories in the book。 What worked was the pace of the book, the Then/Now chapters and the cast of characters。 Although Rodney could have been left out and the story would have still been the same。 Plus, more room in the mini。 What didn’t work was the weaving of too many stories and issues。 There’s Addie, Deb, Marcus, Grace, and Cherry as the “main” group。 Then there are parents and fiancé’s and lots of other people that went into several subplots that I’m not sure were needed。 In the end, I don’t find that anything was truly resolved。 There’s still so much for the characters to work on, but it seemed like they were ok with “good for now。”It’s probably my old age talking on this one。  I’m sure if I was in my 20s, I would have found the book more compelling。  。。。more

Sharlene

If you have the time, I would recommend reading this in one or two sittings。 The story goes back and forth in time, over a period of 4 years。 The story is an emotional read, but satisfying。 Friendship and family are important, in the way they effect the main romance。 There are a couple of twists, as well。

Nikki

I’m a big O’Leary fan。 Absolutely loved her first two novels, but I was surprisingly disinterested in this one。 I ended up skimming the last half。 Seemed almost YA-ish。

Andrea

I was giddy with anticipation for this book。 FLATSHARE was phenomenally heartwarming and Beth O’Leary is my kind of author。 THE ROAD TRIP wasn’t a bumbling jaunt across the land peppered with hijinks。 It was unexpectedly serious, which threw me for a bit of a loop。 But it was funny and tender and certainly worthwhile。

Ashley

Okay - in the beginning I was like。。 this book is silly like。。 I don't understand。。 but the 14 was riveting and I really enjoyed that bit! made up for the slow pace Okay - in the beginning I was like。。 this book is silly like。。 I don't understand。。 but the 14 was riveting and I really enjoyed that bit! made up for the slow pace 。。。more

Lena

Wow。 This was actually really really bad。 I absolutely loved Beth O'Leary's other books, The Flatshare and The Switch so I was super duper excited for this one。 Well, I was in for a disappointment。 This book did nothing for me。 I disliked or hated every single character, I was missing chemistry between characters and most of the characters were toxic people and their storylines very unbelievable and fabricated。 I also did not really care。。。? Like。。。 a lot was happening in the story but I did not Wow。 This was actually really really bad。 I absolutely loved Beth O'Leary's other books, The Flatshare and The Switch so I was super duper excited for this one。 Well, I was in for a disappointment。 This book did nothing for me。 I disliked or hated every single character, I was missing chemistry between characters and most of the characters were toxic people and their storylines very unbelievable and fabricated。 I also did not really care。。。? Like。。。 a lot was happening in the story but I did not feel any attachment or fondness toward any of the characters。 (The loveable characters were what I loved about the author's other books) The whole story is ridiculous and I was not rooting for any characters - except maybe Addie's sister Deb。 I felt like the two love interests should not even be partners and I did not really feel that they were really in love。 There was a lot of tell and no show。 We just have to believe that there is chemistry because we cannot actually witness it。 Hm。 More criticism (spoilers):(view spoiler)[The ending was so weird and such a stretch。 The author clearly tried to force a happy ending despite all the toxicity of the characters。 Super unsatisfying。 And why was Rodney portrayed as such a "funny" character when he is a stalker with major issues who needs help? It does not sit right with me。 Also, they way how the aftermath of the almost-rape was written。。。 excuse me, what? It seemed like the topic was kind of "brushed off" with Dylan saying "we will take it slow"。 No nonononono。 Just no。 This book is such a good example for how NOT to incorporate heavy topics (toxic friendships, relationships, sexual assault and stalking) into romance novels。 This is just not how to do it。 (hide spoiler)]I really cannot think of anything positive 。。。 well, the cover is cute。 。。。more

Kaitlynne

So this was slightly similar to People We Meet On Vacation。。。 except for me, this one didn't quite hit the mark。Minor spoilers ahead, so stop reading now if you haven't read the bookI loved the road trip aspect of the book。 It's one of my favorite types of reads。 And I actually really liked the part where they find out Rodney is an interloper and they have to figure out how to stop him。 And Deb was freaking amazing and hilarious。But I wasn't sold on Dylan and Addie。 To me it seemed that they wer So this was slightly similar to People We Meet On Vacation。。。 except for me, this one didn't quite hit the mark。Minor spoilers ahead, so stop reading now if you haven't read the bookI loved the road trip aspect of the book。 It's one of my favorite types of reads。 And I actually really liked the part where they find out Rodney is an interloper and they have to figure out how to stop him。 And Deb was freaking amazing and hilarious。But I wasn't sold on Dylan and Addie。 To me it seemed that they were frighteningly too dependent on each other。 And one argument should not leave them terrified that their relationship is over。 You add in Marcus, and everything just felt very toxic。 And when Dylan believed a complete stranger over someone he claimed to love? No thanks。This one wasn't my favorite, but lots of people I know love it。 Give it a read and decide for yourself。 。。。more

Sofía

Okay。 Minor spoilers ahead。 But they're obvious in romance books。This book resembles to me a bit to Normal People, which at the same time I find similar to Norwegian Woods。 And I didn't like those books。If there's a thing alike between them is the unlikable characters。 God。 I hated Dylan。 I hate men like him, who are honestly so infuriatingly clueless that you can't blame them。 I admire him for working on himself after breaking up with Addie, but I'm also mad at both of them for going back to th Okay。 Minor spoilers ahead。 But they're obvious in romance books。This book resembles to me a bit to Normal People, which at the same time I find similar to Norwegian Woods。 And I didn't like those books。If there's a thing alike between them is the unlikable characters。 God。 I hated Dylan。 I hate men like him, who are honestly so infuriatingly clueless that you can't blame them。 I admire him for working on himself after breaking up with Addie, but I'm also mad at both of them for going back to that。 I'd personally wouldn't ever forgive a man for what Dylan did, and even if I would, I certainly wouldn't get back together with him。 It's just resetting all your progress。 So even if the ending was nice and all, I would have appreciated it a lot more if they had taken the mature choice and just not。 gotten back。 together。 I mean, they don't always have to end up together, right? But, well, that's me。If there's a positive thing about this book is the author's ability to carry the storyline back and forth while making the evolution of each character distinguishable。 I also really liked Deb and Grace and Cherry, even if we don't get much of them。 Also, now that I think about it, it reminded me of Normal People but even more so of the TV show, and that that one I loved。 So there's that。 Not totally bad。 Quite entertaining, really, just infuriating at the end。 But also great job in getting me so invested in this。 。。。more

Krissy

This was a very middle of the road book for me。 As always Beth writes a love story while still exploring very important and real topics。 But this one just did not give me a feeling of loving it or believing the chemistry between the characters。 The characters all had great arcs, and really grew as people but it was not enough to give me a 4 star felling。

Em

AAR audio review to come。

Maddie McDermott

Addie and Dylan broke up eighteen months ago。 They haven't seen each other since -- until Dylan and his friend Marcus rear end Addie and her sister Deb while both pairs are en route to their mutual friend's wedding。 Trapped together in a tiny car on a road trip where nothing seems to go right, Addie and Dylan choose to face the reason for their heartbreaking split and see if it's truly past repair。I've loved all Beth O'Leary's books so far, and this one isn't an exception there。 But while this b Addie and Dylan broke up eighteen months ago。 They haven't seen each other since -- until Dylan and his friend Marcus rear end Addie and her sister Deb while both pairs are en route to their mutual friend's wedding。 Trapped together in a tiny car on a road trip where nothing seems to go right, Addie and Dylan choose to face the reason for their heartbreaking split and see if it's truly past repair。I've loved all Beth O'Leary's books so far, and this one isn't an exception there。 But while this book technically satisfies the one rule to be a romance novel, I really don't think it is one。 TRT has all of O'Leary's trademark sharp wit, funny banter, and delightful characters, but it also dials the serious stuff all the way up to eleven。Addie and Dylan are a "right person, wrong time" couple。 The first time they dated, they were both emotionally immature, and Dylan was embroiled in some very toxic relationships with other people in his life。 Because you get present and past alternating until a good two-thirds or three-fourths of the way through the book, the strides each character has made to become a better person are really apparent。 But it also means that the worst parts of them are front and center for a lot of the book。 I spent a long time trying to reconcile the Marcus who seems like a vaguely decent person with the Marcus who's so in pain that he can't stop lashing out at the people he loves, and the Dylan who seems emotionally aware with the Dylan who can't see what's plainly in front of his face。 Because O'Leary's two previous books have a much more even balance of humor and heaviness, I think this book will be off-putting to some。 There's still a lot of wonderful road trip rompiness, but this book leans a lot more into the ideas of what and who is forgiveable, loving toxic people, and working through trauma than her earlier ones。 Because I expected more of a rom-com, there was an adjustment period, but once I got into the swing of it I was totally enthralled。 Dylan is a poet, too, which makes his narration so, so gorgeous -- we've gotten snippets of O'Leary's ability to write some truly gorgeous prose in the past but having a character that's also a writer really gave her some room to run with things and it is wonderful。I think this is a book that's going to stick with me for a while。TWs: (view spoiler)[minor car accident, drug use and abuse, alcoholism, attempted sexual assault, emotionally abusive parents, homophobia, a mistaken case of infidelity (hide spoiler)] 。。。more

Kathy

Super cute book。 Love this author。

Caitlin Hannah

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 What an utter disappointment。 The underdeveloped plot and characters were bad enough, and then the plot twist turned out to be a miscommunication about sexual assault in a way that retraumatized the female protagonist and excused the shitty, creepy, stalkerish behavior of one of the male characters。 The rest was contrived and boring and wow I could not be more disappointed。Oh! Lest I forget: a) the main characters fall in love which you only know because they tell you repeatedly。 All telling, no What an utter disappointment。 The underdeveloped plot and characters were bad enough, and then the plot twist turned out to be a miscommunication about sexual assault in a way that retraumatized the female protagonist and excused the shitty, creepy, stalkerish behavior of one of the male characters。 The rest was contrived and boring and wow I could not be more disappointed。Oh! Lest I forget: a) the main characters fall in love which you only know because they tell you repeatedly。 All telling, no showing。 I did not buy it or care at all 2) the female protagonist is miniature and faery-like but it’s okay bc she tells the love interest NOT to make her his manic pixie dream girl。 They fall in love in one week anyway。 D) I skimmed the last 60% to bring you this review, goodbye 。。。more

Hillary

Not Flat Share or The SwitchI loved Beth’s other two books。 Flat Share was odd to start with but once you get into it your gripped。 The Switch made me laugh all the time。 I thought this would be as good as the other books。 This is tedious in places and boringly dull。 I’m just hoping her next book is nothing like this

Catarina Pimenta

RTC

librosydestinos

Una historia sin gracia, personajes sin dimensión。 Termine salteando la mayor parte para llegar al final。 Muy aburrido。 Una pena porque “El intercambio” me había gustado mucho。

María

3,75/5este libro me daba miedo porque era el que iba a decidir si seguía leyendo a la autora o no y, definitivamente, voy a leer todo lo que escriba。 no suelo leer romance porque me cuesta encontrar libros del género que me acaben gustando de principio a fin, pero tengo que admitir que Beth O’Leary lo hace demasiado bien。 la autora en este libro presenta una historia interesante, que ya sabes cómo va a acabar, pero no sabes el cómo ni el por qué。está narrado desde el punto de vista de ambos prot 3,75/5este libro me daba miedo porque era el que iba a decidir si seguía leyendo a la autora o no y, definitivamente, voy a leer todo lo que escriba。 no suelo leer romance porque me cuesta encontrar libros del género que me acaben gustando de principio a fin, pero tengo que admitir que Beth O’Leary lo hace demasiado bien。 la autora en este libro presenta una historia interesante, que ya sabes cómo va a acabar, pero no sabes el cómo ni el por qué。está narrado desde el punto de vista de ambos protagonistas, Dylan y Addie。 y aunque sé que ambas perspectivas eran importantes y relevantes para la historia, la parte de Dylan me costaba más leerla porque no me gustaba mucho ver su forma de pensar y, por decirlo de alguna forma, “estar dentro de su cabeza”。 aunque esto no quita de que no me haya gustado el personaje, porque gracias a las partes de Addie me ha gustado bastante。a parte de las diferentes perspectivas, también tenemos dos espacios temporales: el presente (now) y el pasado (then)。 y me ha pasado lo mismo que antes, la parte del pasado la he disfrutado menos que la del presente。 es una parte MUY importante de la historia, porque sin saber y entender lo que ha pasado antes es imposible que entiendas lo que está pasando ahora mismo, pero ha habido partes que se me han hecho bola y me habría gustado que se centrara más en el presente (cuyas partes eran por lo general más cortas)。ahora, la historia en sí desde un punto de vista más general es muy buena。 la parte del presente sobre todo se me ha hecho de lo más entretenida y muy muy divertida。 había veces que los personajes llegaban a situaciones de lo más absurdas, pero a la vez no eran tan descabelladas, y eso me hacía reírme un montón。 además, a parte del romance ha habido muchas más tramas y aspectos, lo que he agradecido mucho porque cuando solo hay romance me acaba aburriendo。y para terminar, deciros que ha sido un libro más intenso de lo que esperaba。 yo pensaba que iba a ser un libro ligero para pasar el rato y poco más y, aunque ha cumplido su función, ha ido más allá。 los personajes han acabado siendo mucho más profundos de lo que parecía en un principio, y eso ha hecho que la trama a su vez sea también más profunda e interesante。 el desarrollo y evolución de los personajes ha sido brutal, y está todo muy bien explicado para que se entienda ese cambio a la perfección。 aunque este no haya sido mi libro favorito de la autora, sí que puedo decir que ha sido el mejor。 y esto me gusta mucho porque estoy viendo una evolución no solo en su escritura sino también en su forma de crear las historias, y me muero por leer lo próximo que escriba。 。。。more

Cathi

This is a delightful rom-com that scratches the surface of deeper issues like depression and failed communication in a relationship。 There are hints of Donna Tart's "The Secret History" in the way the characters interact and manipulate one another, though the plot is kept light-hearted and compelling by alternating timelines, one a single day road trip, and the other 2 years prior。 Beth O'Leary captures how friends, strangers, and loved ones talk to each other in her witty dialogue。 This is a delightful rom-com that scratches the surface of deeper issues like depression and failed communication in a relationship。 There are hints of Donna Tart's "The Secret History" in the way the characters interact and manipulate one another, though the plot is kept light-hearted and compelling by alternating timelines, one a single day road trip, and the other 2 years prior。 Beth O'Leary captures how friends, strangers, and loved ones talk to each other in her witty dialogue。 。。。more

Sami

4。5? 5? IDK i just know i loved it

Chelsi

DNF。 I absolutely LOVED The Flatshare, and really enjoyed The Switch。 I was truly excited for this novel, but unfortunately it simply wasn't for me。 For some reason the characters rubbed me the wrong way, and the prose just didn't quite satisfy me the way the other novels did。 DNF。 I absolutely LOVED The Flatshare, and really enjoyed The Switch。 I was truly excited for this novel, but unfortunately it simply wasn't for me。 For some reason the characters rubbed me the wrong way, and the prose just didn't quite satisfy me the way the other novels did。 。。。more

the。bookish。mom

[Thank you @berkleyromance for the gifted copy of The Road Trip]This second chance romance, forced proximity was the biggest surprise for me in the best way! I couldn’t get enough of Addie and Dylan’s story, as well as their friends。 I found myself staying up late and finding time to sneak in reading as much as I could to get back to this book。 I loved how Beth not only did dual POV, she also told their story present day as well as past and what happened in their relationship to get there where [Thank you @berkleyromance for the gifted copy of The Road Trip]This second chance romance, forced proximity was the biggest surprise for me in the best way! I couldn’t get enough of Addie and Dylan’s story, as well as their friends。 I found myself staying up late and finding time to sneak in reading as much as I could to get back to this book。 I loved how Beth not only did dual POV, she also told their story present day as well as past and what happened in their relationship to get there where they are now。 There was so much going on but in a great way that never left a dull moment and kept me turning the page for more。  This is one of those books that you can really feel their angst, hurt, anger, and love so  SO much。 Beth did an exceptional job。 There were times I definitely wanted to scream at Addie or Dylan, and punch Marcus in the face。 I think there’s a bit of steam and some description, but not a ton。 I will say this book was a little more serious and a lot more emotional than I expected, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way after reading it (but it’s definitely my emotional limit for books)。 This is the best surprise of a book for me in as long as I can remember and definitely should be on your TBR!TW: depression, sexual assault, alcoholism/drug use, homophobia 。。。more

Catie Doughty

O'Leary has done it again。 Yet another non cheesy romance that leaves me feeling warm, fuzzy and complete。 O'Leary has done it again。 Yet another non cheesy romance that leaves me feeling warm, fuzzy and complete。 。。。more

Haley - hailsbooknook

3。50 stars-TW; Alcoholism, Sexual Assault, Toxic Relationship, Stalking, Mental Illness, Rape, Emotional Abuse-I went into this one blind thinking it would be a fun/lighthearted rom-com about two past lovers forced to travel together on their way to a wedding, let me tell you, by the end, my heart was shattered。 Warning that this book deals with some pretty dark topics, and some of them aren't really well dealt with。 Years ago Dylan and Abbie fell in love and were inseparable, after a messy brea 3。50 stars-TW; Alcoholism, Sexual Assault, Toxic Relationship, Stalking, Mental Illness, Rape, Emotional Abuse-I went into this one blind thinking it would be a fun/lighthearted rom-com about two past lovers forced to travel together on their way to a wedding, let me tell you, by the end, my heart was shattered。 Warning that this book deals with some pretty dark topics, and some of them aren't really well dealt with。 Years ago Dylan and Abbie fell in love and were inseparable, after a messy breakup the pair haven't spoken since - until fate brings them back together on their way to a mutual friend's wedding。 My main issue with this book is the toxic relationship that the two of them have, the chapters in the book flip between the summer the pair met (and leading to their split), and the present。 It acknowledges that their relationship wasn't the healthiest, but for plot movement, it seems as if they'll be able to put everything aside to rekindle the romance。 I had a huge issue with Marcus, he was a garbage character (although we do see him redeem himself near the end), the star of the show was Addie's sister Deb who brought in a lot of comedic moments。 Overall, this was a cute read that had me sobbing by the end, it did feel like it dragged a little at times。 I think it could have been a little shorter (some of the chapters from the past were a tad long), and still would have been a great book! -I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own! 。。。more