If you enjoy stories with messy, realistic relationships and all the drama that comes with past heartache, "The Road Trip" delivers! Beth O'Leary brings her signature humor to a tale of forced proximity and second chances, mixing laugh-out-loud road trip chaos with deeper explorations of love, forgiveness, and personal growth. The dual timeline and alternating perspectives keep things fresh, and there are plenty of quirky side characters - think awkward wedding guests and a random rideshare - which add another layer of fun. Perfect for fans of character-driven romance who appreciate a blend of heartfelt emotion and witty banter.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers found the characters a bit too flawed or unlikable, with certain storylines (such as toxic friendships and serious trauma) feeling oversimplified or not fully explored. If you're looking for a light, escapist rom-com, be aware this book touches on heavy themes like emotional abuse, addiction, and assault, which aren't always handled with the depth they deserve. The back-and-forth timeline and focus on past events over present growth might also slow the pace for those eager for a tidy romantic arc.

A witty, sometimes messy second-chance romance with plenty of heart and some unexpectedly serious twists - just know it isn't all laughs, and the romance may not be for everyone.

About:

"The Road Trip" by Beth O'Leary is a comedic and romantic story that follows Addie and Dylan, two exes who find themselves trapped in a car together on their way to a wedding. The narrative alternates between the past and present, exploring the complexities of their relationship, the reasons behind their breakup, and their journey towards reconciliation. Filled with humor, banter, and unexpected twists, the book delves into themes of love, redemption, and forgiveness, all while keeping the reader entertained with quirky characters and witty dialogue.

Characters:

The characters are complex, with Addie and Dylan navigating their flawed relationship, while Marcus represents toxicity, and Deb provides comic relief and support.

Writing/Prose:

The author's writing style effectively intertwines humor with deeper emotional themes, making use of alternating perspectives to develop characters and advance the plot.

Plot/Storyline:

The story follows ex-lovers Addie and Dylan, who are forced to confront their unresolved relationship issues while stuck together on a road trip to a wedding, with a complicated past involving another character, Marcus.

Setting:

Set against the backdrop of a road trip in the UK, the story's setting enhances the dynamics between the characters, particularly during the wedding event.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate, alternating between a fast-paced road trip and slower, reflective flashbacks, creating a balance of tension, humor, and character development.

My head whips up so fast my glasses go flying backwards off my ears and over the headrest. Someone screams. Oww, fuck – a pain shoots up my neck, and all I’m thinking is God, what did I do? Did I hit ...

Notes:

The Road Trip is Beth O'Leary's third novel, following The Flatshare and The Switch.

The story alternates between two timelines: the present ('Now') and the past ('Then').

It features two main characters, Addie and Dylan, who are exes forced to road trip together to a wedding.

The book touches on serious themes like sexual assault, emotional abuse, and mental health.

Comments indicate that readers had mixed feelings about the portrayal of toxic relationships, particularly regarding a character named Marcus.

Many readers found Addie's character to be strong yet questioned her decisions regarding toxic relationships.

Dylan is depicted as coming from wealth but struggles with direction and mental health issues, leading to some readers questioning his character growth.

Reader feedback noted that humor is present throughout, particularly in the road trip situations.

The book also introduces side characters, including Addie's supportive sister, Deb, and a random ride-share passenger named Rodney.

Some reviewers felt the narrative was cluttered with unresolved character relationships and issues by the end of the book.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of sexual assault, emotional abuse, depression, and toxic friendships.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate level of romance, as it explores both the characters' past and their attempts to reconnect.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

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.

June 2021

•

410 pages

Ratings (36)

Incredible (6)
Loved It (9)
Liked It (10)
It Was OK (7)
Did Not Like (4)

Reader Stats (73):

Read It (39)
Want To Read (28)
Not Interested (6)

1 comment(s)

Adtalker

Did Not Like

4 months

2.5 stars... interesting but not captivating

I only enjoyed it whenever I picked it up but as soon as I closed it, I forgot about it. There was nothing pulling me back to read the book, I literally had to keep it by my bedside as a reminder that I was reading the book.

What can you read after
The Road Trip?

See the list (100 books)

About the Author:

Beth O'Leary is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than thirty languages. She wrote her debut novel, The Flatshare, on her train journey to and from her job at a children's publisher. She now lives in the Hampshire countryside and writes full-time.

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

The Road Trip

Beth O'Leary

Who Would Like This Book: