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Along for the Ride
Between living with her demeaning ex-boyfriend, finding herself jobless, and struggling to make her dream a reality, aspiring photographer Emmy Vaughn has it rough, to say the least. Her luck changes when she bumps into Lachlan Sinclair, the charming yet rugged Scot who is about to tour Europe on his motorcycle. With no roots to tie him down, Lachlan is drifting to Prague.
With the prospect of filling her photography book full of real, varied people and visiting her family in Germany, bright and colorful Emmy seizes the opportunity. Besides, she and Lachlan agreed to be nothing more than friends.
As they travel through beautiful cities and make due with their dwindling funds, Emmy can’t deny she is blooming. And neither can deny their growing feelings. But Lachlan still can’t bring himself to be honest with Emmy about Lucie: the girl he is infatuated with and the original reason for his road trip. When Lachlan’s bike breaks down in Germany, he is forced to decide between the woman he has never met or the photographer winning his heart.
An endearing tale of whirlwind romance, friendship, and adventure, Along for the Ride is a read full of charm and personality.
With the prospect of filling her photography book full of real, varied people and visiting her family in Germany, bright and colorful Emmy seizes the opportunity. Besides, she and Lachlan agreed to be nothing more than friends.
As they travel through beautiful cities and make due with their dwindling funds, Emmy can’t deny she is blooming. And neither can deny their growing feelings. But Lachlan still can’t bring himself to be honest with Emmy about Lucie: the girl he is infatuated with and the original reason for his road trip. When Lachlan’s bike breaks down in Germany, he is forced to decide between the woman he has never met or the photographer winning his heart.
An endearing tale of whirlwind romance, friendship, and adventure, Along for the Ride is a read full of charm and personality.
151 pages, ebook
Published January 19, 2021
2 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Bowdler
20 books155 followersRachel Bowdler grew up and still lives just outside of Manchester, on the edge of West Yorkshire. Her books feature queer and plus-size characters finding their happily ever afters. You can usually find her hosting the Swords & Sapphics Podcast, writing under the pen names Bonnie Woods and Bryony Rosehurst, and working as a freelance editor.
Her festive debut novel, Honeymoon for One, was brought to readers in 2022 and became a bestseller in lesbian romance.
Her festive debut novel, Honeymoon for One, was brought to readers in 2022 and became a bestseller in lesbian romance.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 5, 2021
4.5 Stars for Along for the Ride (audiobook) by Rachel Bowdler read by Ruth Urquhart.
I really enjoyed this story. This was a fun way to put two people together. I’m planning on listening to more stories by Rachel Bowdler.
I really enjoyed this story. This was a fun way to put two people together. I’m planning on listening to more stories by Rachel Bowdler.
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September 20, 2021
“Are you sure you want tae do this, Stripes? I’m not bringing you back if you get cold feet halfway to Dover.”
Oh my gosh, this is the perfect summer romance read. Fancy a day at the beach? Bring this book. Going on a hike? Bring this book. Going to the café? Yup, this book is perfect with your iced coffee! If you want escapism, sunshine, romance and sweet joy, this is the book to read!
I really loved Rachel Bowdler’s Paint Me Yours, and I’m so happy that Along for the Ride is just as much fun. The story begins when Emmy, a young photographer seeking candid subjects on the streets, runs into Lachlan, a motorcyclist on the run from a grumpy landlord. On a whim, the pair become unintended buddies on a multi-country tour across Europe. As the days pass, their friendship grows, each realising that they are happy to be themselves around the other.
“My mum used to call me Plain Jane because I never really had an interesting face. I take pictures of all these different people, but I never feel like one of them.”
I really liked getting both perspectives and seeing how the romance was developing for both sides. Emmy and Lachlan are such lovely, relatable characters. Bowdler’s descriptions make the characters easy to like and you fall into their lives without effort. I was rooting hard for these two crazy kids from the get go.
He had no answer, no way to evade or deny or explain. Because it was true. He didn’t have a home; hadn’t for a while now. He just kept running, hiding, always looking for something better, something that didn’t exist. A better job. A better city.
Emmy was wonderful, but I do wish Lachlan had said something about his destination choice earlier in the story. He was so clearly smitten with her haha. Still, I thought the resolution was wonderful and original, and I really liked how Bowdler wrapped everything up.
Overall this is a fun, wholesome, sweet book that is definitely worth a read. And now on to my next book by Bowdler (here's looking at you Partners in Crime)! [I swear, I'm gonna end up reading her entire library before the year is through at this rate. ;)]
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
Oh my gosh, this is the perfect summer romance read. Fancy a day at the beach? Bring this book. Going on a hike? Bring this book. Going to the café? Yup, this book is perfect with your iced coffee! If you want escapism, sunshine, romance and sweet joy, this is the book to read!
I really loved Rachel Bowdler’s Paint Me Yours, and I’m so happy that Along for the Ride is just as much fun. The story begins when Emmy, a young photographer seeking candid subjects on the streets, runs into Lachlan, a motorcyclist on the run from a grumpy landlord. On a whim, the pair become unintended buddies on a multi-country tour across Europe. As the days pass, their friendship grows, each realising that they are happy to be themselves around the other.
“My mum used to call me Plain Jane because I never really had an interesting face. I take pictures of all these different people, but I never feel like one of them.”
I really liked getting both perspectives and seeing how the romance was developing for both sides. Emmy and Lachlan are such lovely, relatable characters. Bowdler’s descriptions make the characters easy to like and you fall into their lives without effort. I was rooting hard for these two crazy kids from the get go.
He had no answer, no way to evade or deny or explain. Because it was true. He didn’t have a home; hadn’t for a while now. He just kept running, hiding, always looking for something better, something that didn’t exist. A better job. A better city.
Emmy was wonderful, but I do wish Lachlan had said something about his destination choice earlier in the story. He was so clearly smitten with her haha. Still, I thought the resolution was wonderful and original, and I really liked how Bowdler wrapped everything up.
Overall this is a fun, wholesome, sweet book that is definitely worth a read. And now on to my next book by Bowdler (here's looking at you Partners in Crime)! [I swear, I'm gonna end up reading her entire library before the year is through at this rate. ;)]
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
February 25, 2021
I can't travel anywhere but this is certainly the next best thing.
April 25, 2021
Flawless! Couldn't fault this book. Gorgeous story with great humor and a well closed ending ♡
"Sometimes, the best moments in life are blurry and unfocused"
"Sometimes, the best moments in life are blurry and unfocused"
April 12, 2021
3.75 Stars for me
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and enjoyed the premise. It lost a star for me at the end though at two places.
1. The major conflict should have allowed some sort of explanation; and
2. The H doing what he did before getting back to the h was just wrong. He knew what his heart wanted.
I do know that these are young adults and they are rarely rational but I would have preferred that the second to last destination did not occur.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and enjoyed the premise. It lost a star for me at the end though at two places.
1. The major conflict should have allowed some sort of explanation; and
2. The H doing what he did before getting back to the h was just wrong. He knew what his heart wanted.
I do know that these are young adults and they are rarely rational but I would have preferred that the second to last destination did not occur.
July 17, 2021
Cynical yet very soft scot on a motorbike on his way to Prague? Yes, please and thank you.🧡
Rach’s new story was so soft and light and funny and cute and I just loved it so very much.
This book is perfect for people who miss traveling (which I believe at this point is all of us so all of you go read it).
Rach’s new story was so soft and light and funny and cute and I just loved it so very much.
This book is perfect for people who miss traveling (which I believe at this point is all of us so all of you go read it).
July 1, 2022
This was a good but short read. Em and Lachlan meet when Em asks to photograph him on the street. He agrees while prepping his motorcycle for a trip. When he spontaneously invites her along, she accepts and they travel across Europe. They get to know one another along the way. It has a happy little ending of course.
February 2, 2025
I listened to this on audio and find it okay. It has a solid plot and story, but I just didn't connect all that much with the characters. It might be a me problem because I can totally see other people enjoying this.
July 3, 2025
Emmy and Lachlan are so cute! I loved their banter and how exciting easily they fell in with one another. I loved seeing their travels - I could read a whole other book about the people Emmy meets on her travels. An absolute winner again from Rachel Bowdler!
April 21, 2021
I liked this, but I never really warmed up to Emmy. She kinda got on my nerves.
December 8, 2022
The cutest, easiest-to-read, rom-com!
April 11, 2023
I listened to the audio. It was fine. I didn't really connect to any of the characters but the stoyline was entertaining enough to listen to the whole thing.
September 24, 2023
This book was actually so cute!
December 4, 2023
Essentially DNF. The story line was okay just wasn’t something I enjoyed however I think other people would really like this book.
June 21, 2025
I really loved this book. It was short and gentle with fun characters. The dialect was a bit suspect but overall, I really enjoyed this and recommend it for a short joyful read.
October 5, 2022
I thought this was a good summer read. Complete strangers to lovers. I had a hard time liking the characters at first. I feel like that really comes from not understanding how 2 complete strangers could meet and instantly decide to travel together. I found myself routing for this couple early on.
It was a little predictable but a lot of this type of romances are. You go in knowing that they are strangers and knowing that eventually they will fall in love. But it was predictable in also knowing that a certain obstacle would arise (sorry, I don't want to spoil anything)
I would recommend.
It was a little predictable but a lot of this type of romances are. You go in knowing that they are strangers and knowing that eventually they will fall in love. But it was predictable in also knowing that a certain obstacle would arise (sorry, I don't want to spoil anything)
I would recommend.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews