The Switch is still my favorite work of Beth O'Leary's, but this is a close second. The story progresses nicely with showing growth of each of the characters. There are a few that was almost a side thought, but it was great to see the relationships between the main characters grow and evolve.

Parts of this (the present-day road trip) were DELIGHTFUL. I laughed out loud so many times.

Parts of it (the flashbacks to two years before) were good... and parts were really painful. There was one character in particular who made me SO ANGRY. And I was so annoyed that another character couldn't see through their machinations.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Holy rollercoaster, batman! THE ROAD TRIP by Beth O'Leary had me up and way way down. For about 70% of this book, I planned to give it two stars. It's only because I've loved the author's other novels that I pushed through to the finish. And I'm glad I did. The novel comes together with consummate skill. Note to self: don't doubt the O'Leary.

If I'm being honest, this wasn't a wholly pleasurable read. But even while I was hating this book, I absolutely respected the fact that O'Leary was accurately describing real personality types. And she was very, very good at it. In fact, I think her portrayal of that whole world of the super rich seemed quite authentic. Unfortunately for both of us, I don't have much patience for rich offspring trying to find themselves.

O'Leary also dips a toe into the murky waters of mental health issues. I think she could have gone further in this regard, and that's one of the reasons this book isn't getting a five star rating from me. There is some astonishingly bad behavior in this book, but the reckoning that brings about the HEAs (and there is more than one) happens almost entirely off-page. I would have liked to see a little more of the effort and hard work that the offenders expended in order to redeem themselves. I think it would have made it even easier to swallow the HEAs. And I think it would have shone a light on mental health in an accessible way.

Overall, I think THE ROAD TRIP is a well-crafted novel, and the author's talent is unquestionable. It really comes down to whether you can stomach the plot. Some people won't be able to; I almost couldn't. But I'm glad I stuck it out and would recommend that others do too.

I’m not sure where to start with this review, the synopsis caught my eye and I decided to give this new to me author a chance. I’m a lover of road trips and have read a few books with a road trip theme, but this one wasn’t fun, or exciting, it was disasterous and quite frankly, sad. I wasn’t all that pleased with the outcome to be honest. This book contains toxic people, toxic relationships, homophobia, sexual assault, and very few likeable characters. Add in the never ending flashbacks, the insta-love at the beginning which wasn’t at all believable, a hero who is quite honestly a wimp, his best friend who is the worst areshole on the face of the earth, and basically no plot and this book just didn’t work for me.

As life has started to get overwhelming again, I have tried to offset the stress with some romcom reads to lighten my mood. That is why I instinctively gravitated towards The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary in the hopes of finding a cozy, fun, romance.

Let me tell you that that is not what I found at all, and yet…It was amazingly so much better and so much deeper. This novel follows a group of 5 people who are unexpectedly stuck taking a long road trip to a friends wedding. Two of the passengers previously dated and it ended disastrously, one is a wild-card, one is a sibling, and one is a complete stranger who needed a lift. As if the forced proximity wasn’t enough, calamity ensues each step of the way and forces the characters to work through their issues.

While I must admit that I was expecting this novel to be bold and hilarious (which it definitely was), I did not expect the exploration of difficult topics nor the nuanced discussion about how trauma and mental health can impact many relationships in direct and indirect ways. This was so much more than a love story, it was a story about depression, substance abuse, class differences, prolonged trauma, and surviving sexual assault. However, this was also a story about healing, recognizing toxic relationships, being accountable, and nurturing love.

If you want to experience an emotional rollercoaster that is cathartic for the soul, then I highly recommend you check out this novel. I promise that you will laugh, you will cry, and you may even come to understand yourself/those close to you a little bit better. Easily a 4.5 star read for me.

I’ll admit this book made me an instant O’Leary fan, so I will be checking out her other novels soon.

I really enjoyed this one! However, it wasn't quite what I was expecting...I am a big fan of Beth O'Leary's two previous books so I was expecting the same kind of sweet romance story. While The Road Trip had that sweet romance aspect to it, it also had more serious themes woven into it which I wasn't expecting. I found it definitely added to the story and the character development but it took me a bit longer to finish as I was expecting something light and fluffy. The back and forth storyline told from the two main character's perspectives was really well done. I really liked knowing how both characters were feeling about certain situations. The story was a bit slow in some parts but overall I would definitely recommend giving this one a read!

Addie and her sister Deb are on their way to a wedding when they are rear ended by none other than Addie’s ex (who she may or may not still be in love with) Dylan (who or may or may not still be in love with her) and his slimy best friend Marcus, who are headed to the same wedding and now in desperate need of a ride. It’s only for eight hours right? But as the road trip from hell drags on, Addie and Dylan both find themselves thinking back to where it all began, where it all went terribly wrong, and whether or not it’s possible to start again.

This is one of those books where you want to give most of the characters a huge hug and a little light slap on the face at various points throughout the book, often in the same scene. Dylan and Addie both felt so human and so vulnerable as narrators and moving back and forth between their first meeting and their eventual reunion two years after their break up was a genius move that let us see both how profoundly they’d changed—but also how they hadn’t. I also really appreciated the complexity to their relationship that Marcus’ character brought to the table (both their relationship to each other and their relationship with him). I don’t think I can say more without giving it away, but his presence added a tension that is critical to understanding the relationship, trauma, and love that these characters have for each other and the way we create family. Beth O’Leary doesn’t leave us hanging in the serious deep end though (CW: stalking and sexual assault). Between Deb and rescue trucker Kevin, the mysterious Rodney—the fifth passenger crammed into the mini, and all the mishaps with the trip itself, there are more than enough laughs to go around. Another delight from Beth O’Leary, who’s fast becoming another must purchase, must read, must recommend to everyone author from me!

This book captivated me from the start. I found myself highlighting passages and saying yes! I understand that; that is such a truth. It's the story of Addie and Dylan and their magical first summer together, and about how very hard it is to keep love alive after those first magical weeks. It's the story of youth, discovery, how vastly different all of our lives are - and it is a reminder that each of us has a unique story to tell based on all of our life experiences.

The writing is beautiful, and the main characters, though severely flawed are endearing. The storyline switches back and forth from "Then" and "Now" as it builds the story of Addie and Dylan's heartbreak from their first meeting until their inevitable sad ending. Dylan's best friend, Marcus, is a classic rich-boy with attitude, too much money and too much hedonism in him. He is filling Dylan's head with his own jaded point-of-view about Addie, and Dylan, who is a follower, not a leader is trying to appease both his best friend and the woman he is in love with. Addie's sister Deb is a take-charge', tell-no-lies strong woman. She wants to support her sister, but she also sees the debauchery surrounding that life that Marcus and Dylan live. The road trip itself is about all the characters headed to the wedding of their mutual long time friend Cherry. It is comical and tragic, filled with tension, and sorrow as we learn the truth of everyone's entwined relationships - and the fun twist about Rodney (and Kevin) really keeps the drama light, despite it's serious nature.

I loved getting lost in this story. It has everything in it I like to read - comedy, romance. tragedy, adventure.


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I am so torn about this one. I wanted to love it because I really enjoyed O’Leary’s first two books. Unfortunately it just didn’t live up.

That to say, I didn’t hate it. There were things I liked. I loved the scenes during the road trip, all the ridiculous things that happened along the way. I loved Addie and Deb’s relationship.

I couldn’t connected to Addie and Dylan’s relationship. It just didn’t feel like it warranted the intensity of the ‘Now’ period. Perhaps it’s because their relationship was very surface level for so long, and so much of the relationship wasn’t them together but each character talking about the problems they were dealing with after their summer fling.

Overall this was just okay for me. I liked some of it and didn’t like others. I am not sure I would recommend it, but I wouldn’t discuourage you from reading it if you want to try it.

I LOVE Beth O’Leary’s writing. There is something so addictive and engaging about it. The characters in The Road Trip were complex, flawed characters that I didn’t love all the time but I sure was glued to their stories. Not only were the two main characters, Addie and Dylan, well developed but so were the side characters of Deb and Marcus. And I really enjoyed Rodney, Kevin, and Cherry too. They certainly supplied a lot of laughs. This book was just the right balance of emotional and funny and it was a second chance romance that was done in a way that made the reader understand not only why they broke up in the first place but also why they could possibly get back together at the end. Not that they do...you’ll have to read and find that out on your own.

4.5 stars
I loved The Switch, so I got so excited when I was approved for this one.
I absolutely loved these characters. My favorite was probably Deb. I loved getting to know then in the "then" part since we were thrown into the "now" part and all these characters had baggage. Dylan and Addie's relationship unfolding was well done and it seemed very real.
This book was broken up into a "now" and a "then" part. In the "then" part, Addie and Deb were the caretakers of an elaborate house in the French countryside. In the "now" part, Addie, Deb, Dylan and Marcus (and Rodney who asked for a ride through a Facebook group) are thrown together into one car on their way to mutual friend Cherry's wedding. At first, I liked the "then" part better. I loved living in France through Addie and her relationship with Dylan and making new friends just seemed like the perfect summer. As we got along, I liked the "now" part because of how completely ridiculous it got and I was laughing constantly. But there were some really dark parts too. This book deals with addiction, sexual abuse, depression among other things. No one in this book is perfect and they do really hurtful things and I think the way each one dealt with it was amazing. It's obvious from the beginning that this will be a second chance love story, but almost more importantly in my opinion, it also became a second chance friendship story.
It took me longer than usual to read this book and I thought it was just because I was in a slump, but I really think it was because it deals with so many heavy topics. But I really ended up enjoying it. If you are looking for a book that deals with heavy topics incredibly well, but has so much humor, definitely give this one a try!

Would you survive an 8+ hour road trip with your ex?
That is what Addie Gilbert and Dylan Abbott are forced to endure after a random car accident.
Along for the ride:
Addie's lactating sister, Deb.
Dylan's friend, Marcus, who may have played a role in the couple's breakup.
And a gangly/awkward man named Rodney.
The journey is full of a series of delays, making the already long trip almost unbearable for the riders, but full of laughs for the reader.

The story alternates from past to present, told from Addie and Dylan's POVs.
In the past, we learn what brought them together . . . . lust, and what drove them apart. Personally, I thought they were a good couple, and they just needed to sort out some of their personal issues before moving forward. But Marcus was a huge distraction to them both. I kept wondering what his motive was for trying to tear them apart, and let's just say, I was a little off the mark on my guess.

In the present is where the book was a bit lighter, if you can imagine 5 adults trapped in a Mini for hours on end. From a breakdown that leads a roadside hookup, to a pee break that leads to a missing person, I had to wonder if this crew would ever make the wedding they were all traveling to. And through it all, would Addie and Dylan ever get the chance to put the past behind them?

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, with a good mix of charm, angst and humor. And it's a read I'd recommend if you are a fan of the romance genre.

Having read The Switch and The Flatshare I was looking forward to reading The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary hoping it would be just as good and it did not disappoint. Her books are very witty, well written, and very insightful. They are not just frothy romcoms but tackle bigger subjects in this case emotional abuse, sexual abuse and mental health, while still being light reading but without oversimplifying those subjects. The characters are believable but not boring, and you find yourself completely involved in their lives.

Addie and her sister Deb are making the very long drive up from Chichester on the southern English coast to a friend's wedding in Scotland. They have already agreed to take a guy from the wedding Facebook group with them, but three becomes a tight five in a mini when they are involved in an accident and the other car has Addie's ex boyfriend Dylan and his best friend Marcus and their car is wrecked too badly to make it up to the wedding.

The story alternates between 'then' - when Addie met Dylan and their journey into and out of their relationship, and 'now' - the road trip and all its complications. A second chances love story beautifully done!

It's a fun quick read. Witty warm and intelligent. It won't break your heart, but will leave you feeling good with a smile on your face. It could make a great beach read for the summer.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review !

DNF @ 30%.

This makes me so sad but I cannot read any more of The Road Trip. I absolutely LOVED The Flatshare and The Switch - both were sweet, compelling, and I didn't want those stories to end!

The Road Trip is so different. I do not necessarily think different is bad - I can re-frame my O'Leary preset if I must, but after 100+ pages of this book, I know it's not going to work for me. I do not like the insta love, there is zero chemistry between Addie and Dylan, the supporting characters are confusing and contrived, and I have no clue where the story is going. And frankly, I don't care enough to find out...
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This was one of my most anticipated books of the year so I am definitely just bumming hard that I disliked it so much.

Dnf. The writing isn’t for me. The story line wasn’t for me. I just couldn’t get into it unfortunately.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fun romcom read that, while somewhat predictable, is a fun read.

I didn't like having the two parallel stories, one in the present and one in the past. For the first half I enjoyed it, even found it compelling and wanted to keep reading. About 70% through I really hated the story in the past. I was disgusted with the characters and how stupid they all were. So when the story flipped back into the present day, I still had that frustration. By the end, I disliked them all. Addie and Dylan are back together, but my brain is still stuck in the past on how horrible Dylan and his friend were to Addie. It left a bad after taste.

Also, how is reading about stupid twenty-somethings getting drunk and high ALL THE TIME and making stupid decisions entertaining? It's not.

I’m an O’Leary fan for life!

Addie & Deb have the best sisterly relationship. (I confess I wish my sisters and I had a relationship like this)

Talk about a road trip from hell. Anything that could happened happened. Your ex-boyfriend literally runs into you? Check! His awful (you want throat punch him repeatedly) best friend is with him? Even better.

I loved the then and now but would have preferred a concrete time frame for the then.

Over the last few years I have read O'Leary's other novels, The Flatshare and The Switch, and adored both of them. While I did not enjoy The Road Trip quite as much, I still think this novel is very charming. I really appreciate O'Leary's writing style and believe she creates wonderful worlds and characters. I have been reading a lot of novels of this particular formula and genre in recent months and have struggled to connect to the characters in many of these books. However, I never have trouble connecting with and investing in O'Leary's characters. Addie and Dylan are flawed, they are sometimes bumbling, but they are endearing. That's what I love about her writing.

I thought, initially, that the flashbacks would drive me crazy, but I did appreciate them in this context. The romance is a bit insta-lovey, but O'Leary's writing could make me believe just about anything. This was a fun, cute read that also contained a bit heavier subject matter at times. For me, O'Leary has definitely become an author that I have to read everything she publishes.

A few months ago I listened to The Switch by Beth O’Leary and thought it was so cute. I had high hopes for this one but it just didn’t do it for me like The Switch.

I mean, it was cute and an easy read. Here’s what I liked:
•Deb was hilarious.
•Addie was great. I really liked her. I loved her relationship with Deb.
•Rodney was a weirdo but also so funny.
•Kevin the lorry driver.

What didn’t work for me:
•I don’t understand why Dylan and Addie were together. We were told they were in love, but I didn’t feel any real chemistry between them. I think insta-love is probably my least favorite tripe. Their relationship felt very forced until right at the end and I don’t understand why Addie would even take him back after the way he treated her when “it” happened.
•Marcus was the worst. I’m here for an unlikeable character but he was intolerable. I couldn’t stand the way Dylan let Marcus treat him and that he never stood up for Addie.
•The Rodney storyline never really went anywhere. It was kind of funny at first but then just went to ridiculous land and fizzled out.
•Dylan was pathetic. He let Marcus and his dad walk all over him and was kind of a shitty boyfriend. Addie deserved better.
•It was slow. Just thing after thing happening to make them later to the wedding but it almost became too much and the pace didn’t pick up until over halfway, then I felt everything resolved too easily.

It was fine. I didn’t hate it. I didn’t love it. I’d definitely still read future books by the author.