Along for the Ride

Along for the Ride, by Sarah Dessen.

Admittedly, I am a big fan of Dessen's, and I like most of her books. This one was no exception, though I don't think it was as strong as some of her previous novels, such as This Lullaby. Auden (named after poet W.H. Auden) goes to live with her father, stepmother, and new baby half-sister, Thisbe, for the summer, in Colby, Maine, after realizing that she's never really had excitement during any of her summers. She is going to be a freshman at college in the fall, and is looking for something ... she doesn't know what ... to happen. She meets Eli, who likes to participate in bike tournaments (competing), and who hasn't really been social with anyone since the death of his best friend, Abe, the year before. The story goes on from there and, as with all of Dessen's books, includes a happy ending. She has definitely achieved mastery in the YA genre, and I love how her books include so many variables that all tie up neatly in the end. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.