Ok, wow. This was not what I was expecting... and not in a good way. The cute and colorful cover, the synopsis, the other books Beth has written... all these things pointed to The Road Trip being a fun, light rom-com. It wasn't light or rom-comy at all. It focuses on some really heavy subjects that left me feeling melancholy and mopey. I actually gave up about halfway through and will not be reviewing this anywhere else for that reason. I would encourage readers to adjust their expectations, read reviews, and maybe look up some trigger warnings before embarking upon this reading journey.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback. I read both the e-arc and a physical copy of this book. I am not used to reading romance, but I read a different book by this author at the suggestion of social media. I think that this romance book is appropriate for people like me who don't really consider themselves fans of the genre. There are some books that are cheesy, or they're inappropriate... I think this one managed to be sweet, funny, appropriate, and heartwarming. I would suggest it to anyone.

I adored this book! It had ALL of the things I love in a story and the scenic descriptions were fantastic. This made my heart smile and break but I adored it!

Okay. That's the word that comes to mind for me when I think about THE ROAD TRIP -- just 'okay.'

I adored Beth O'Leary's other books, but this one just didn't hit the same. Where I was captivated by her characters in her previous works, I couldn't drum up an ounce of care for Addie and Dylan in THE ROAD TRIP. Honestly, I found them quite unlikeable most of the book and, as a character-driven reader, that made it difficult for me to feel anything about their pasts or presents.

I liked the concept of the book enough with the chaotic road trip to their friends' wedding intertwined with the flashbacks in a duel timeline to give readers an understanding of the dynamic among the group, but again, because I didn't care for the characters, the story fell flat. There were moments I enjoyed, but overall it was just okay.

I am still a big fan of Beth O'Leary's writing, and although THE ROAD TRIP wasn't my favorite, I am looking forward to reading more from her.

** sort of spoiler alert ** Disappointed. Loved her first two books. I felt like Dylan and Marcus (and Grace) were from the Great Gatsby or something. I don’t know why Addie was interested in Dylan in the first place. Marcus was very toxic, and I don’t think he really redeems himself and it’s hard to tell if he has improved by the end.

I listened and read, and the narrators were excellent.

For me this book was a big ol bore and the dual time lines were not done well. I just didnt like it.

I really likes this one! I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what happened between the two main characters, and the pay-off at the end was worth it.

The cast was hilarious and fun, but it also explored some deep things like alcoholism, abuse, and more.

Another winner from Beth O'Leary.

The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary was a surprising read. I went in expecting a light chick-lit / romance style book that played on the second chance lovers and forced proximity tropes. What I got instead was a much more weighty book about two people whose relationship crumbled under the weight of toxic friendships, dysfunctional families, and mental health issues. This wasn't a bad thing, and O'Leary is a very talented writer, it just wasn't the book that I was expecting or even really hoping for.

Such a cute read. I enjoyed the now and then concept. Although sometimes a silly read it was truly heartbreaking light romance read

Wow. I always adore Beth O’Learys books and this was no exception.

Beth has this way of writing that feels so special, especially when you consider that the stories she has shared with us are all situations I feel like I could find myself in as a normal person!
She takes something so ordinary and pairs it so well with heavier topics, hope & hilarity giving us readers something rather magical!

This story time hops between “Then” and “Now” and I personally LOVE when authors do this! It builds up so much suspense as you try to work out what the breaking point is and how the characters can come back from it for their second chance romance!

This book has humor, romance, a hilarious cast of characters, some cringy moments, some tearful moments, and lots of heart!

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this ebook!

Forced proximity + second chance = a great romance trope! I like the characters and the plot overall, but the story moved a little too slow for me. I liked that they jumped between the past and present, so the audience got to learn more about the characters back stories.

Wasnt my favorite but was pretty good. I wouldnt read again. But it wasnt the worst book ive ever read.

I loved The Flat Share so I decided to give this one a read as well. It kept me entertained the whole way through, but it lacked much of the charm and pizazz of the other book.

THIS BOOK. Beth O'Leary has quickly become one of my favorite writers. Literally everything she writes is quirky, unique, and completely lovable.

I am a sucker for road trips and trips gone wrong, so naturally this was right up my alley. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Although I slightly started rooting for some other couples throughout the book, I still full-heartedly loved this one.

Addie and her sister are beginning a road trip to a friend's wedding hundreds of miles away. Not long into the trip they are rear ended by a car driven by other wedding guests, including Addie's ex, Dylan and his best friend. Since Dylan's car is totaled from the accident, Addie feels she has no choice but to offer the ex she's been avoiding for years a ride to the wedding. It is obvious very quickly that this tripped is jinxed and they have to struggle to try to make it in time.

Stuck in a car with her ex - let the awkwardness ensue! There are so many enjoyably cringeworthy moments in this book. This is a complex book that is funny, annoying, intense, heart warming and a tear jerker all rolled in one. If you are a fan of Jodie Silver or Jill Mansell, you will enjoy this.

“I know as soon as our eyes meet that I’m not going to leave him here. He knows it too. I’m sorry, he mouths at me. If I had a pound for every time Dylan Abbott’s told me he’s sorry, I’d be rich enough to buy that Mercedes.”
It’s hard to categorize The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary because while it is a classic second chance romance, it’s also one of the few books that I’ve read that is hard to nail down all the different aspects that are deftly woven together to create a truly vibrant, and gorgeously written story. The Road Trip is more than just a forced proximity second chance romance, it’s full of heart and friendship too.

The Road Trip tells the story of how Addie and Dylan fell in love under the hot, French Provincial sun, and instead of following their hearts, they let their heads get twisted around by the words of their friends. Not necessarily “forced” to cram into Addie’s sister Deb’s tiny Volkswagon Beetle, Addie and Dylan can’t help but to reflect on their windswept romance, as well as their abrupt breakup and the deafening radio silence ever since. The drive ends up becoming a boiler pot with tensions running as high as the British summer temperatures. With comedic relief coming in the form of Deb’s random run-ins with a besotted lorry driver, as well as odd man out Rodney, and even Marcus’ surliness adds extra tension but also comedy in the ridiculous things that come out of his mouth.

“If one could harness secrets for energy, we wouldn’t need petrol—we’d have enough grudges in this car to take us all the way to Scotland.”
Addie is so likable. I admire her tenacity, because not everyone would willingly go on a road trip with their ex. Dylan is more complicated and that comes to light immediately. Their chemistry plays out well on the page, but it’s the tension that really makes you glued to the page. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to Mark from Love Actually (the man with the carol singers and iconic posterboard notes), then you’ll really enjoy the entire character arc of Marcus— Dylan’s best friend and all-around rabble-rouser, or if you’re like me you will rage internally because Marcus is actually really insufferable, but Beth O’Leary is crafty at giving him an incredible journey that truly settled well in the end.

Told through flashbacks to the beginnings of their relationship, Addie and Dylan’s romance unfolds between the past and present. Their characters become more defined with each snapshot of the past, and the implications of family expectations become clear, but they also muddle and mutate when combined with outside pressure. The Road Trip is full of dealing with the emotional fall out from big decisions, and there are themes that are quite dark as well. Drug usage, mental illness, as well as sexual assault are present in the story. Each of the characters in the car have their own storylines (some more prominent than others) but I liked that each of those storylines got followed through to their final destination at Cherry’s wedding in Scotland. I’m trying really hard to avoid spoilers, but I think every romance reader will agree that the ending is well worth the journey.

“Do you know what it takes to be a good man when someone’s always told you you’re not good enough?”
If you can’t tell, I really enjoyed The Road Trip. I think Beth O’Leary is a fantastic storyteller. Consider this your nudge to read The Road Trip if you haven’t already. Available everywhere in ebook, audiobook, as well as paperback, so you should add it to your TBR immediately.

I adore Beth o learys books ever since the switch. She really has a way of
Writing a great rom com with depth. I liked how the two lead characters were forced into close proximity to relive their breakup amongst friends, packed into a car on the way to a wedding. Genius.

This was my second Beth O'Leary novel, and after adoring The Flat Share, I was nervous that The Road Trip wouldn't live up to it for me. I had no reason to be concerned, as I loved it JUST as much.

O'Leary has a fantastic way of writing humour and heart into her character's and the back and forth setting and POV kept the narrative fresh and well paced. Dylan had so many flaws but I couldn't help but love him and laughing out loud multiple times, I just loved the way O'Leary wrote his voice.

I could easily see this being made into a film, and if it were I know it would be a favourite of mine. I can't wait to read more from Beth O'Leary in the future.

I recommend this one. It's a good book and everyone should read. Of course I would love to have this book in my bookstore.

I just got back into reading romances in May and was so glad to be granted an ARC for this one! I really like both the forced proximity trope and the story told in two time periods.