This is the third book by this author that I have read and it is definitely a much more mature and thought provoking one, featuring not only Beth O’Leary’s trademark humour but serious issues such as mental illness and homophobia.

The book is told by Addie and Dylan, who meet one summer and begin a whirlwind affair which becomes so intense that it has a profound effect on them and those around them. The timeline switches to then and now and we discover what has happened to the couple as they travel to a wedding in the now as a very ex couple, with an odd assortment of others.

The characters are well written and either loveable or hateful and I particularly liked the amusing Rodney who sneaks into the car and turns out to be someone quite different is hilarious.

The road trip concept woks well and the desperate attempt to get to the wedding at the end leads to a nice conclusion. The way that more serious topics are covered makes this a much less light hearted book than the previous ones and some readers may be surprised by this. I was, but in a good way.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Addie and her sister Deb have just set off early in the morning, for the long trek to the Scottish countryside for their friend Cherry's wedding. They expect it'll be a fun road trip, (even if they are giving a lift to stranger Rodney who is also going to the wedding) with plenty of time to get to BBQ on the day before the wedding. However the plans changes when early into the trip, there is a fender bender with another car. Unfortunately, the two people in the other car are Addie's ex Dylan and his obnoxious best friend Marcus! Both of who she hasn't seen since her relationship ended and who are also going to the wedding. With Marcus and Dylan's car now out of action, they squeeze into Deb's Mini Cooper so they can all reach the wedding on time. But this road trip turns out to be anything but easy!

The plot has two parts: the current timeline of the gang trying to make it to Scotland on time as well as the flashback timeline which starts at Addie and Dylan meeting and works it way up to their breakup. Addie and Deb were working as housekeepers in Cherry's family's French villa, which was being rented out to wealthy families. Dylan ends up staying there and this is where he and Addie start their relationship. This setting, as well as the road trip plotline, makes for a fun summer book. Living in the French countryside and being on a road trip are two very summery things in my mind, so I really enjoyed reading this book, outside in the sun. I liked the road trip element a lot, there's lots of things that go wrong, I also like the tension of two exes being forced to share this small space and reflect on their relationship. Rodney, being a bit of an odd character and also a stranger to the others, adds an element of comedy and bizarreness. I found the flashback plot a lot slower at times, it's obviously needed to show why the couple broke up but it slowed down the road trip plot, which I felt more invested in. Overall I liked the characters though Marcus confused me a bit at times, how nasty he is to Addie felt almost unwarranted. I felt like compared to The Flatshare and The Switch, this book didn't have as much charm and feel good energy. I do think that if you liked Beth O'Leary's other books, then you'll enjoy this one as well though, the road trip portion is super fun

After loving The Switch, I was thrilled to be approved for the ebook of O'Leary's latest. I had such huge expectations, that I wonder if I was letting myself up for a fall.
This had a different feel and wasn't the uplifting book I was expecting, but I still enjoyed the majority. The dual timeline and different POVs drove me crazy though and I struggled to follow it and I wasn't as engaged as I was during the actual road trip scenes.
I didn't really like the characters, they seemed a bit entitled and I hate that quality in someone! I liked the connection between Addie and Dylan though.
This took me longer to read than I thought it would!

I have just finished The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary. I read her other book, The Flat Share, last year, which was a much-needed fun and uplifting read during the first lockdown, so I was excited about this new release!

The story has two clear protagonists, Addie and Dylan. Following their traumatic break-up two years earlier, they find themselves unexpectedly thrown together on a road trip to a mutual friends wedding in Scotland.

The first person POV of the two character, switches between the current drama, the intensity of a small mini packed with luggage and plenty of snacks, and the past, their first meeting through to their break-up.

Accompanying them is Dylan's best friend Marcus, Addie's sister Deb and some random guy who asked for a lift on the Wedding parties Facebook page. I found Marcus to be a dislikable character and his relationship with Dylan toxic. I am sure this was the author's intention, and her writing nailed this perfectly! The Road Trip had a great mix of characters and there is so much drama to keep you hooked!

Another entertaining read and the perfect companion for your next getaway or staycation

Thank you, Quercus Books and NetGalley, for kindly sending me an ARC for my honest review.

Addie and her sister Deb are on their way to the wedding of Addie's university friend, Cherry. They've got a snack-filled, country music singalong packed journey planned, with plenty of time on the long journey for Addie to psych herself up for seeing her ex, Dylan, at the wedding. That is until, only a short way into the journey, Dylan and his friend Marcus crash into the back of Deb's car. Deb's hardy mini is none the worse for it but Marcus' father's Merc doesn't fare so well. Against her better judgement, Addie agrees to let Dylan and Marcus travel with them up to the wedding, but a mini is a small place and there's not quite room for the four of them, their tag along passenger Rodney, and all the issues that still linger between Addie, Dylan and Marcus.......

As with the previous two Beth O'Leary books, this one is very readable.; you're sucked into the story right away. The alternating timelines between the journey to the wedding and the story of Addie and Dylan's relationship, from first meeting to breaking up, also keeps you turning the pages as you seek to find out what has led to the situation they currently find themselves in.

There's humour here too, I particularly enjoyed the story line surrounding Rodney and his odd comments along the way were amusing.

Its hard not to compare this to O'Leary's previous books, but inevitable. The characters in The Flatshare and The Switch were so very charming and both books were fairly uplifting. There is some of that here, I liked Deb particularly, but I found myself failing to root for Addie and Dylan, a situation which didn't change even as I finished the book. Honestly, I just kept thinking how they were probably right to break up.

O'Leary writes well rounded characters usually and I haven't previously had any issues believing them and forming a picture of them but Addie seemed a little all over the place to me. One minute she's plain and fading into the background, next minute all eyes are on her.; in some parts she's described as having a "darkness" to her but I wasn't really convinced of that either. I accept that some of that will be due to the switching perspectives and the differences between how Addie sees herself versus how others see her, but as the reader, I was never entirely sure of who she was.

This was still a really enjoyable read that I devoured in a few days, but I wouldn't say its as good as her previous.

Another cracker from Beth O'Leary! Loved the premise, the characters. There were some proper laugh out loud moments that were balanced by more serious subject matter. I couldn't put the book down.

3.5 Stars!!

The thing I liked best about this book was the writing style. It's super easy to read, flows nicely and I found it quite witty. I have previously read The Flatshare by this author and enjoyed that so I was pretty happy to get my hands on this one.

Beth O'Leary does a great job of blending heavy subject matter with romance and humour. The premise of this story was great and I really felt the love between Addie and Dylan. Debbie was a hoot and I chuckled at a few of Rodney's lines.

The only thing that knocked points off for me was the pacing. At the start I was engaged but the middle dragged a little before a relatively rushed ending. I really enjoyed the present day chapters but felt the past ones slowed it down. I would have been happy to just have the whole book set in the present day and have the past shown through internal monologue and conversations between characters.

All in all it was a cute story with some hilarious moments. If you're looking for an easy read this one's for you.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC for review.

Beth O’Leary has done it again with this feel good, wholesome story. I loved the dynamic between the group and I especially warmed to deb, she’s everything you need in a sister/friend.

I loved uncovering the story of Addie and Dylan through both of their POV

I did find the Rodney storyline a bit predictable but that didn’t take anything away from the story for me

Beth O'Leary is a favourite author of mine so it is no surprise that I devoured this book over two days. I loved it. Maybe not quite as much as the flatshare but that book got me back into RomCom's so I think it'll always be number one!

The Road Trip is a split narrative over a dual timeline - Then and Now. Showing the beginning, middle and end and possibly another beginning of Addie and Dylan's relationship. I loved it. I loved the characters and the supporting characters - I loved to hate Marcus! I also love how O'Leary weaves twists and turns into the narrative to keep you on your toes... and then jumps in time so you have to wait for a few chapters for a resolution.

I don't have anything bad to say about this book - definitely one to pick up!

Beth O'Leary has done it again, and firmly cemented herself as one of my "must-read" authors. The Road Trip is such a fun read and I really felt like I was right there with the characters throughout this journey up to Scotland in their little Mini Cooper! The switch between "now" and "then" drew me in, as I wanted to learn more about what went wrong for our characters in their past relationship - pushing me on to want to know more about whether they could then have a future. This is the perfect summer read, particularly as we all prepare for more holidays within our own country over the next year or so.

I am such a massive Beth O'Leary fan - gobbling up her previous two books. I jumped at the chance to read this, the cover and premise are SO GOOD?? Two exes forced to take a trip together? Drama? YES PLEASE.

Addie and her sister Deb are on their way to Scotland for their friends wedding. all set for a smooth sailing road trip, with a odd man called Rodney. That is until someone smashes into the rear of Deb's Mini Cooper and who pops out of the totaled car? Dylan, Addie's ex and his friend Marcus. Going to the same place, Addie agrees to let them ride in the Mini Cooper up to Scotland. 5 people, luggage and tension in a Mini... sheesh.

Throughout the journey and hours of driving Addie and Dylan end up reflecting on their relationship - is there any way to rekindle what was lost?

The book flicks from THEN and NOW - filling in the gaps from Dylan and Addie's past. While I am a HUGE fan of Beth's, I struggled to really connect with the characters in this. I wanted more warmth from Addie and less of Marcus - who just really annoyed me the whole way through: he was seriously seriously self centered and I just wanted him to TAKE A BACK SEAT and left these guys and their relationship alone. While there was still some really lovely moments and charm, I didn't feel like the charm was on same level as with the previous two novels.

Obviously - you must read this if you're a Beth O'Leary fan. I also recommend this to people who haven't read Beth's writing before - always enjoyable, and always such a hug in the form of a book. Also that it will prompt you to read her backlog....

Thanks to Quercus for the ARC!

Perfect book to escape with. Fun and light. The characters are likable and its easy for the reader to get lost in the romance.

Enjoyable and light, a perfect holiday day read. I didn't enjoy this ones as much as the author's 2 previous books, but it definitely had its place and I'm sure it will do well

Eddie and her sister set if on an epic road trip to a friend's wedding in Scotland giving a lift to another guest, Rodney, whi they didnt previously know. They are involved in a car crash and end up giving Dylan(Eddie's ex) and Marcus a lift as they were also on their way to the wedding. The story follows their eventful journey up north.
The book was highly entertaining and the best I have read so far by the author.

Relationship backwards and forwards, from the inside and out.

3.5 stars.

This is both a little dark and quite funny. But there is also something not quite whole about it. I loved O'Leary's other two titles, particularly her debut. And this continues a 'breezy' and sophisticated feel of an author who knows how to thread together characters into a slightly quirky plot and weave in some romance.

Certainly, the idea of a pair of former lovers stuck together for hours with two best friends and a hitchhiker on the way to a wedding up the slowest moving motorway in the country... in a Mini... has its funny side.

I liked the structure: in the present-day there's a wedding catastrophe as two pairs of people, two sisters and two best friends, connected by the previous relationship between Dylan and Addie are forced into a Mini on their way to the nuptials of a mutual friend. Which means there'll be forced conversation, revelation, heart-spilling and discomfort. Especially as there's a fifth person, a random wedding guest there for a lift.

And there's the story revealed from a few years before, of how the couple met, Addie the summer caretaker of a large property in France, Dylan a summer resident, and post-adolescent 'what am I doing with my life', trust-fund son. With a playboy best friend, Addie with a bolshy sister.

The scene is set. Or rather, the two scenes are set.

I loved seeing the fledgling relationship get off the ground, some very realistic scenes of longing, of physical intimacy and falling in love. And the squirmy nature of meeting years later and the latent feelings it brings up, enjoyed this too. But some other elements didn't gel - I didn't really like Dylan's backstory, his struggles with his 'purpose', Hamlet-like procrastination, and his total reliance on his best friend took a lot away from the character in my eyes.

The Big Revelation as well, afraid it really didn't work for me, either as a scene of shock-disgust and relationship-ending explanation, or how it is handled by anyway, or even the motivation behind it. Didn't like Marcus much, the best friend with his own 'secrets' (saw that coming a mile off) and Deb's own story was barely touched on, and she could have been quite interesting. Though it did mean a lorry driver gets to conveniently help out several times (I'll leave that nugget of randomness out there to savour). Marcus gets a scene or two devoted to showing him in a better light, but I didn't buy into either of them, he's just not a very convincing character, or genuine.

Kind-of liked the eventual conclusion, could see where it was heading, I'm still not convinced by Dylan, that someone like that would have been so attractive to Addie. But I liked the general premise and the two time spans working around each other. Oh and the wedding hitchhiker - unnecessary I thought. Just daft.

Enjoyable enough, but didn't give me the high the authors others have done.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

Beth O’Leary has done it again! Such a gorgeous and pretty romantic book which I completely devoured and honestly didn’t want to end! Of course, parts of the situation are too-good-to-be-true and convenient, but that’s the fun of a book such as this. I think the quartet of main characters were really well fleshed out, and I didn’t expect such a strong exploration of co-dependency, toxic masculinity and mental health (especially in the male characters) but these themes really elevated the novel and turned it into quite a gripping drama (I assumed it was just going to be quite sweet). Stellar work once again by O’Leary - she’s definitely one of my will-read-everything authors!

I became so engrossed in this novel that for a few days I forgot the rest of the world existed. Needless to say it’s a compelling book and I couldn’t put it down. Dylan and Addie and their respective friends are heading out on separate journeys to a mutual friends wedding in Scotland. Dylan catches glimpses of the girl in the car in front and imagines it’s his ex-girlfriend. A flash of her face in the rear-view mirror, her eyes, her eyebrows behind square glasses, are all vaguely familiar, but he knows for utter certainty it’s her when he catches sight of her bracelets, the ones she never takes off. He is so mesmerised he fails to notice when her car slows down and he bumps into the back of it. Dylan and Addie find themselves face to face again after two years of separation. Five people subsequently end up squashed into a mini and this explosive combination proves for an very interesting and eventful car journey. The suffocating heat and tension in the car is palpable and you definitely get a sense of the strained atmosphere within, it’s like a time bomb waiting to go off. This opening scene is a fantastic introduction to the story and completely drew me in from the onset.

The characters are all amazing and I really enjoyed the dynamics and the mix of people involved. The intricacies of Addie and Dylan’s relationship is very cleverly done and following their story arc is heartfelt and emotional. While the story focuses mainly on Addie and Dylan, it is also the side characters that add depth and humour and make this novel more interesting. I adored our hero lorry driver, Kevin, always coming to the rescue as well as the supportive relationship Addie had with her half sister, Deb.

A beautiful novel, which starts off all warm and romantic and becomes progressively more intense as the story unfolds. We explore the issues that brought Dylan and Addie together as well as the issues that drove them apart, interwoven with the present situation. The two separate timelines and narratives worked well and kept the reader guessing about the consequences of the breakup until the end.

A well written and thought out book with a clever plot and its fair share of twists and turns. I loved the story, the characters and all it’s complexities and I particularly enjoyed the initial scenes of them falling in love and the gorgeous setting in France. The Flat Share and The Road Trip are now my two favourite Beth O’Leary reads and very worth of my 5 star rating. There is a wonderful blend of engaging storyline, romance and humour in her books and I’m obsessed.

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for my eARC to review. I definitely need to get myself a hard copy for my collection!

The road trip you really don't want to be on. As Addie and her sister Debs set out for friend Cherry's wedding in Scotland, with passenger, fellow guest Rodney they bump into Dylan and Marcus, heading to the same place. As Marcus' car is a write off, they join forces for a very awkward journey. Addie and Dylan were a couple who split 18 months previously and are clearly both still very upset and in love with each other. Marcus was behind much of their problems. As the hilarious journey continues complete with break downs. trips to A&E, much pumping of breast milk and the discovery that Rodney is not all he appears, we see the relationship between Addie and Dylan and Marcus healing. The story is told in two time frames, then and now, and alternately in Addie and Dylan's voices, which works well. I would love to see this made into a TV programme - with Kevin the Trucker in a starring role. Priceless! #netgalley #theroadtrip

Thank you to @betholearyauthor, @QuercusBooks and @Netgalley for the advance e-ARC of 'The Road Trip'. This was published on Thursday and I enjoyed such a heartwarming and funny read after a few thrillers of late. @betholearyauthor has such a lovely written style; creating characters who stay with you after turning the last page. In 'The Road Trip' we have sisters Addie and Deb, on their way to a wedding in rural Scotland when Addie's ex-boyfriend Dylan crashes into their car. He is also on his way to the same wedding with his friend Marcus. We have flashbacks to what went wrong and the unravelling of Addie and Dylan's relationship two years ago as well as moving to the present disaster of a road trip - 400 miles across the length of the UK with an ex-boyfriend. This is enough to send shivers up your spine as it is without the numerous issues all passengers (including the mysterious Rodney) encounter - from physical, emotional and metaphorical breaks. Some sensitive subjects are handled well and there is that depth there to this contemporary piece of fiction. Lovers of Beth's previous books will enjoy this.


#bookstagram #bibliophile #bookworm #book #booknerd #bookstagrammer #kindle #instabook #reader #bookobsessed #instareads #currentlyreading #bookchat #bookish #mayreading #books #readersofinstagram #books #TheRoadTrip

What Can Possibly Go Wrong....?
Five diverse individuals, a very small car and a four hundred mile road trip to Scotland. What can possibly, possibly go wrong? Entertaining reading broken up by flashback chapters for the characters all of whom are credible, if not all entirely completely likeable. Some very enjoyable escapism.