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One Last Joyride
Earl Evans is losing his memory. Or at least that’s what his daughter tells him. He can admit he’s a little forgetful from time to time, but that’s normal for someone who’s nearly ninety, right? He doesn’t want to go to the memory care unit, nor does he think he needs to. But his family and the staff at his assisted living facility are not giving him options.
Earl’s quiet life is disrupted when an outspoken, tale-spinning man named Teller moves into the facility and convinces Earl to go on a road trip with him. To escape the dreaded memory care unit and to have one final adventure, Earl and Teller hatch a plan to escape the assisted living facility and drive across the United States. This might be the last big road trip for these two octogenarians—but along the way they’ll discover adventure, friendship, maybe even the meaning of life.
Earl’s quiet life is disrupted when an outspoken, tale-spinning man named Teller moves into the facility and convinces Earl to go on a road trip with him. To escape the dreaded memory care unit and to have one final adventure, Earl and Teller hatch a plan to escape the assisted living facility and drive across the United States. This might be the last big road trip for these two octogenarians—but along the way they’ll discover adventure, friendship, maybe even the meaning of life.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2022
32 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Dean Hughes
167 books348 followersDean Hughes is the author of more than eighty books for young readers, including the popular sports series Angel Park All-Stars, the Scrappers series, the Nutty series, the widely acclaimed companion novels Family Pose and Team Picture, and Search and Destroy. Soldier Boys was selected for the 2001 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age list. Dean Hughes and his wife, Kathleen, have three children and six grandchildren. They live in Midway, Utah.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
April 14, 2022
I LOVED THIS BOOK! The two main characters are so lovable and relatable. The storyline is sweet and a joy to read because it feels like you are on the road trip with the two characters! Teller is funny and exaggerates every story he tells while Earl is practical and lives a safe life. This is an unlikely duo but they help each other learn that there is a lot left for them to live for. I highly recommend it!
May 30, 2022
I didn't think I would like this book, but I waz wrong. Two new friends, Earl and Teller, bust out of an assisted living home, to take a road trip. A fun read, that had me laughing.
August 26, 2024
A friend told me this book was hilarious! I did not quite see the same thing but did find myself having compassion for "Teller" who told "stories" constantly. I usually have a very hard time with those that are less than truthful but I did learn that we all have weaknesses and to have compassion for him. In spite of his weakness he was still a good man! I gave it 3 stars as it was worth reading but not a favorite. I only give 5 stars to books that have classic quality, 4 stars meaning I absolutely loved it but not classic quality.
October 11, 2025
Earl is approaching the sunset of his life. Eighty-nine years old and in an assisted living facility, he's about to be moved to the memory care unit. So when Teller, a younger (but not young) resident suggests busting out of Valleyview and hitting the open road, Earl decides to do it -- what other excitement will he have in his life? Together, they elude the police (Earl's daughter Becky has called them, worried for her dad) and embark on a road trip east, taking them all the way from Salt Lake City to New England.
I have loved Dean Hughes' books for decades, especially his Children of the Promise series as well as his more recent historical duologue Muddy and River -- but I also liked his contemporary novel Midway to Heaven. This isn't my favorite of his books, but it did remind me just how much I love this author.
I've been reading a lot of road trip novels the past few months (The Poppy Fields, West with Giraffes, Run for the Hills), but this is the first one taking me through South Dakota!
I have loved Dean Hughes' books for decades, especially his Children of the Promise series as well as his more recent historical duologue Muddy and River -- but I also liked his contemporary novel Midway to Heaven. This isn't my favorite of his books, but it did remind me just how much I love this author.
I've been reading a lot of road trip novels the past few months (The Poppy Fields, West with Giraffes, Run for the Hills), but this is the first one taking me through South Dakota!
June 29, 2022
Two friends, Earl and Teller, take an un-authorized road trip away from an assisted living facility to see the country one last time and adventures ensue. Cute story about finding purpose in life. The audio book had a good reader.
June 24, 2022
Not as gripping as other Dean Hughes books. Still an okay book with a good message.
September 5, 2023
Enjoyable story about two old guys. However, this is another Christian-based fiction that I'm not a huge fan of.
September 3, 2024
What a cute, fun story. It made me chuckle.
December 18, 2022
5 stars simply for the audiobook and the LOL character “Teller”. We have someone in our family who is very much a skilled and practiced storyteller who keeps us in stitches from side-splitting laughter. I hope you do, too. (Christian themes)
July 8, 2023
Such a cute, short read! I enjoyed it.
January 3, 2023
An elderly friend at the gym lent me his copy of this book to read… he thought it might help me understand how seniors feels about care centers. It did give me some helpful insights about my dad’s future care, but it I found the majority of the book incredibly cheesy… fluffy Christian lit is not really my thing haha.
March 3, 2023
A fun, light read that deals with the heavy topic of aging parents and protective adult children in a light-hearted manner.
July 22, 2022
I enjoyed this story about two nearly 90 year old men who escape their Assisted Living Center to take a cross country journey. The stories are wild. The adventures are hilarious. But the friendship formed between these two is so sweet. In the end both men are able to reconnect with their families. A strong reminder that our grandparents still have life worth living and knowledge worth sharing! I felt for the daughter who wanted to do the right thing, and for the father who didn't want locked in a room and left to die.
Favorite quotes,
-"I just remember things better than most people do. And you have to realize, every story starts with reality and then takes shape into something better. Reality isn't all that it's cracked up to be." (pg 99)
-"When we stop believing in miracles, we're lost, my friends. These great men were miracles of a sort, so why couldn't Mother Nature respond by carving. tribute for all the world to see?" (pg 102)
-"There's no use looking back. Our experiences combine to make us what we are. It's better to cling to the best things we've learned and take joy in what might come next--not question earlier decisions." (pg. 134)
Favorite quotes,
-"I just remember things better than most people do. And you have to realize, every story starts with reality and then takes shape into something better. Reality isn't all that it's cracked up to be." (pg 99)
-"When we stop believing in miracles, we're lost, my friends. These great men were miracles of a sort, so why couldn't Mother Nature respond by carving. tribute for all the world to see?" (pg 102)
-"There's no use looking back. Our experiences combine to make us what we are. It's better to cling to the best things we've learned and take joy in what might come next--not question earlier decisions." (pg. 134)
January 18, 2023
Sweet and tender story of love, friendship, forgiveness, and making change for the better. Plenty of humor and adventures too. Although some might find it difficult to read as it might remind them of a aged loved friend of family member.
June 22, 2022
Fun! Very different than what I normally read so I was worried I wouldn't like it but I LOVED it! Such a fun story, and a reminder of how important family and keeping in touch with them can be.
November 18, 2025
1.5 stars **a few spoilers **
The plot was boring. The character development was shallow. The “humor” wasn’t funny and not realistic either… an 89 year old man crawling on his hands and knees past a nurses station and making it out the door without her realizing it? Not at all likely. The prose? It was non-existant. There was a lot of potential for this story but I didn’t think any of it was fleshed out. I could summarize the entire book into one small paragraph, even providing details of the characters most meaningful personal developments. The “growth” each character experienced was not anything inspiring. I found it utterly saddening that one of the biggest takeaways the main character had after 89 years of a supposed fulfilling life with wife, family, career and faith, was that it was ok to be vulnerable enough to receive help from a friend cutting his toenails. Everything felt VERY stereotypical and surface level. There didn’t seem to be a lot of well thought out content and it was clearly written from a white, male, Christian perspective with zero wiggle room for any consideration that there are actually differing perspectives out there, different things to learn that could possibly expand one’s worldview. The opportunity to explore some of those concepts was absolutely present, but probably not even recognized. As an example: the idea that Mount Rushmore is actually more than a national monument that “every American ought to go to at least once” but with zero explanation as to why. There’s no recognition that the site, while perceived by many to be a monument representing the greatness of American values and patriotism (virtues which I have NO problem with) was actually a very disrespectful desecration of a sacred place used by Native Americans for thousands of years. I really didn’t like that the main character was very judgy towards others, particularly women, simply based on their appearance. I read it for a book club with family members and they are all loving it, laughing all throughout it. I’ve read other work by Dean Hughes years and years ago such as children of the promise and recall enjoying it. I’m now curious about re reading those to see if these types of things that bother me now in his writing just weren’t on my radar twenty years ago or if this particular work was just poorly executed. All I know is this one really wasn’t my cup of tea.
The plot was boring. The character development was shallow. The “humor” wasn’t funny and not realistic either… an 89 year old man crawling on his hands and knees past a nurses station and making it out the door without her realizing it? Not at all likely. The prose? It was non-existant. There was a lot of potential for this story but I didn’t think any of it was fleshed out. I could summarize the entire book into one small paragraph, even providing details of the characters most meaningful personal developments. The “growth” each character experienced was not anything inspiring. I found it utterly saddening that one of the biggest takeaways the main character had after 89 years of a supposed fulfilling life with wife, family, career and faith, was that it was ok to be vulnerable enough to receive help from a friend cutting his toenails. Everything felt VERY stereotypical and surface level. There didn’t seem to be a lot of well thought out content and it was clearly written from a white, male, Christian perspective with zero wiggle room for any consideration that there are actually differing perspectives out there, different things to learn that could possibly expand one’s worldview. The opportunity to explore some of those concepts was absolutely present, but probably not even recognized. As an example: the idea that Mount Rushmore is actually more than a national monument that “every American ought to go to at least once” but with zero explanation as to why. There’s no recognition that the site, while perceived by many to be a monument representing the greatness of American values and patriotism (virtues which I have NO problem with) was actually a very disrespectful desecration of a sacred place used by Native Americans for thousands of years. I really didn’t like that the main character was very judgy towards others, particularly women, simply based on their appearance. I read it for a book club with family members and they are all loving it, laughing all throughout it. I’ve read other work by Dean Hughes years and years ago such as children of the promise and recall enjoying it. I’m now curious about re reading those to see if these types of things that bother me now in his writing just weren’t on my radar twenty years ago or if this particular work was just poorly executed. All I know is this one really wasn’t my cup of tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2022
Who did Dean Hughes write this book for?! Does he think old people have lost their ability to read, to think, to process long sentences and fun, complicated words?!
I loved Hughes' Children of the Promise series, read many year ago, but I am sorely disappointed in this novel about two old men who take off on one last adventure. Even though the two main characters are fairly well developed, they are very predictable and stereotypical. I cheered when they started their journey, but like so many roadtrips, it became repetitive and predictable as well. My biggest disappointment, though, was the weak prose, written at a much lower reading level than I expected. I am not a intellectual snob, but I do enjoy well-developed prose. Even a simple story can use complex, compound sentences and interesting word choices.
In all fairness, the characters and the plot were enjoyable, the book was very easy to read, and I did not have to think too hard. But I was glad when the old men's trip and the book finally ended.
I loved Hughes' Children of the Promise series, read many year ago, but I am sorely disappointed in this novel about two old men who take off on one last adventure. Even though the two main characters are fairly well developed, they are very predictable and stereotypical. I cheered when they started their journey, but like so many roadtrips, it became repetitive and predictable as well. My biggest disappointment, though, was the weak prose, written at a much lower reading level than I expected. I am not a intellectual snob, but I do enjoy well-developed prose. Even a simple story can use complex, compound sentences and interesting word choices.
In all fairness, the characters and the plot were enjoyable, the book was very easy to read, and I did not have to think too hard. But I was glad when the old men's trip and the book finally ended.
June 17, 2022
This was a cute story. The beginning-middle I wasn't sure what to think since I felt bad for the dad but I also felt bad for the daughter... The running from the cops seemed a bit much, but the way the story developed, it was cute. There were a few parts I wasn't a huge fan of but it was still fun. I really liked at the end where he sets his goals and talks about what he still has to contribute... It also made me think a lot about the idea of quality of life when a person gets old. Some people modern medicine can keep alive for a long time but their quality of life is so diminished. I loved the idea of these old guys joyriding around and if something happened to them, they died doing what they love. The main fear I know is safety of others, esp in a car, but still... Anyway, cute book. If you need a break from romances :) It has a few sad parts and a some laugh out loud parts. It could be disturbing for those who have had to care for elderly parents though...
July 9, 2022
Eighty-nine-year-old Earl doesn't want to move from the assisted living area of Valleyview into the memory care unit, but no-one is listening. The thought of being locked in for the rest of his life is unbearable. When new friend, Teller, a loud bragadoccio, suggests the two of them sneak away and head east on a road trip, Earl decides he's up for it.
They initially head for Mt. Rushmore, but when Earl's daughter reports him to the police as missing and that she suspects Teller has kidnapped him, they spend as much time looking for police cars as they do the scenery through which they're traveling.
As they tell their life stories to one another, Earl discovers that this isn't just a joyride but a trip with a definite destination - Teller hopes to make it to Connecticut to reconnect with the son he hasn't seen in decades.
It's a sweet story of friendship, the importance of family, and of making the most of the ride.
They initially head for Mt. Rushmore, but when Earl's daughter reports him to the police as missing and that she suspects Teller has kidnapped him, they spend as much time looking for police cars as they do the scenery through which they're traveling.
As they tell their life stories to one another, Earl discovers that this isn't just a joyride but a trip with a definite destination - Teller hopes to make it to Connecticut to reconnect with the son he hasn't seen in decades.
It's a sweet story of friendship, the importance of family, and of making the most of the ride.
July 10, 2023
Two elderly men, residents of an assisted living facility in Northern Utah, break out to have one last joyride, one more adventure before one of them gets sent to the memory care area where there is zero leaving ever after.
Blegh. Makes my heart hurt to think about that. Especially after reading Atul Gwande’s Being Mortal.
This was exactly the book I needed. It was recommended by a bookseller as fitting my requirements of happy, funny, not fluff, happily ever after, and just JOYFUL. Glory. There are so many sad and angst-filled books out there, and I had had it with them. Bring on the joy, Floyd!
It wasn’t Floyd that delivered. It was Earl and Teller and the wildest ride I’ve read of recently.
Dyed hair? Check.
Fake tan? Check.
Chased by cops? Check.
Love of family? Check. Check.
Love of faith? Check.
Yep. It was joyful. It made me laugh. It made me hurt and hope for the characters. And it made me want to take a joyride too. Minus the cop chase, thank you.
Blegh. Makes my heart hurt to think about that. Especially after reading Atul Gwande’s Being Mortal.
This was exactly the book I needed. It was recommended by a bookseller as fitting my requirements of happy, funny, not fluff, happily ever after, and just JOYFUL. Glory. There are so many sad and angst-filled books out there, and I had had it with them. Bring on the joy, Floyd!
It wasn’t Floyd that delivered. It was Earl and Teller and the wildest ride I’ve read of recently.
Dyed hair? Check.
Fake tan? Check.
Chased by cops? Check.
Love of family? Check. Check.
Love of faith? Check.
Yep. It was joyful. It made me laugh. It made me hurt and hope for the characters. And it made me want to take a joyride too. Minus the cop chase, thank you.
November 16, 2022
🎧 This is a sweet, humorous, yet sometimes sad story that warmed my heart towards seniors. You’ll love Teller, a flamboyant and outrageous storyteller with humorous antics; and Earl, a reserved, contemplative, and introspective individual who goes along for one last joyride. During their travel across the United States, they have moments of fun, fear, a whole lot of crazy, and self-discovery.
Children of Teller and Earl offer a different point of view that one can relate to as decisions are being made for seniors.
The LDS religious aspect added into the book was lovely, but also didn’t seem to quite fit right into the story. It felt like it was more thrown in there without it taking flight. But it was good for introspection, which Teller seemed to do.
Content: (S) No sex. (L) No swearing. (V) No violence. An all around clean read.
Children of Teller and Earl offer a different point of view that one can relate to as decisions are being made for seniors.
The LDS religious aspect added into the book was lovely, but also didn’t seem to quite fit right into the story. It felt like it was more thrown in there without it taking flight. But it was good for introspection, which Teller seemed to do.
Content: (S) No sex. (L) No swearing. (V) No violence. An all around clean read.
January 22, 2023
Earl and Teller are residents at Valleyview Assisted Living Center. Earl is quiet and a rule follower, while Teller is the exact opposite. Teller has a way of making everything he has ever done sound like an adventure. Earl's daughter notices that he is starting to forget things and wants to move him into memory care, which Earl views as prison. Teller cooks up a plan where both he and Earl can "escape" Valleyview and go on a cross country trip to see the fall leaves along the East coast. Their escape takes on epic proportions as they outrun the police and learn what it means to really live.
It was just ok. The story was alright, but the whole thing seemed predictable and contrived. I did think about the loss of so many freedoms that elderly people face and how frustrating and demoralizing that must be. This book brought that out in a humorous way.
It was just ok. The story was alright, but the whole thing seemed predictable and contrived. I did think about the loss of so many freedoms that elderly people face and how frustrating and demoralizing that must be. This book brought that out in a humorous way.
March 27, 2024
This is a humorous, but bittersweet tale of two old men who meet while living semi-independently in a Senior Care Center. Earl, is a widower with children who love and visit him, but worry about his downward mental capabilities, and the other man, Teller, is a slightly younger, and apparently "care-free" individual who doesn't seem to have any family, but loves to tell fantastic stories about his life.
They decide to "escape" the care center and go on a road trip in Teller's old convertible. The situations they get into are very funny with Teller's tale tales keeping them out of trouble along the way. Meanwhile, Earl's family is worried that Teller has coerced their father into running away and is financing the whole adventure. As they cross the country, the two men find real friendship and Teller, with Earl's help finds his long lost son and the real meaning of life.
They decide to "escape" the care center and go on a road trip in Teller's old convertible. The situations they get into are very funny with Teller's tale tales keeping them out of trouble along the way. Meanwhile, Earl's family is worried that Teller has coerced their father into running away and is financing the whole adventure. As they cross the country, the two men find real friendship and Teller, with Earl's help finds his long lost son and the real meaning of life.
March 8, 2023
Delightful story for your entire family to enjoy. We read this before a family reunion and then had a "book club" meeting at the reunion about this book. It brought the generations together and made it easy to talk about things that can sometimes be difficult as parents age. We enjoyed this so much, including our Mom and Dad who advancing in years. We laughed and cried over this very touching story. And, we are now taking a Last Joyride with our parents this summer on an Alaskan Cruise. So good~! I love Dean Hughes writing and have read his other books. Always such superb storytelling!
May 8, 2023
The cheesiest, most predictable... ugh. My book club does not share my tastes and this book was not for me. The dialogue was so bad. The story was EXACTLY like you thought it was going to be. No surprises. Just a whole lot of awful (at least it was short).
I think the thing I hated the most was HOW MUCH information these characters were giving each other. Hi, I just met you, but let me share with you my deepest regrets, and all the other secrets of my heart and oh yes, I went to this school for x number of years and then married my wife, had two kids, blah blah..no one does this. So awful.
I need a new book club.
I think the thing I hated the most was HOW MUCH information these characters were giving each other. Hi, I just met you, but let me share with you my deepest regrets, and all the other secrets of my heart and oh yes, I went to this school for x number of years and then married my wife, had two kids, blah blah..no one does this. So awful.
I need a new book club.
May 29, 2022
Because I needed a fun “Sunday” book and this one was getting a lot of attention at Deseret Book.
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It was a fun story. Highly unlikely and unrealistic, but fun, and funny. A very clever way to experience old age with a sense of frivolity.
And it does bring up those aging problems that absolutely plague families, and most importantly - individuals. Old age isn’t pretty, and at least in this country it’s almost a taboo topic, and poorly handled. Aging is frightening and uncertain at best.
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It was a fun story. Highly unlikely and unrealistic, but fun, and funny. A very clever way to experience old age with a sense of frivolity.
And it does bring up those aging problems that absolutely plague families, and most importantly - individuals. Old age isn’t pretty, and at least in this country it’s almost a taboo topic, and poorly handled. Aging is frightening and uncertain at best.
June 16, 2022
What a fun book full of adventure for 2 older men who decide to take a trip--a road trip--away from the assisted living center they were in. Good ole Teller told many tales along the way and knew how to escape police, who were looking for them along their journey. Earl lived a "boring life." Teller lived a life of adventure, at least in his stories he told. They developed a very close relationship along the way. Earl shared the Gospel with Teller. For Teller, Earl was a great example to him. It was a book full of adventure. It was a delight to ride along with them.
July 21, 2022
OK, so I consider myself a discriminating Mormon fiction reader. I have read other Dean Hughes novels--this is my favorite! Not only is Hughes a great storyteller, he CREATES a great storyteller--Teller. Two old guys on an epic road trip. Teller plans and mostly carries out the biggest senior living escape ever!
Teller disrupts Earl's quiet (read boring--as per Teller) life and both men learn incredible lessons about honesty, faith, and friendship.
I laughed, I cried, and I related to much of what these two characters experience.
A must read!
Teller disrupts Earl's quiet (read boring--as per Teller) life and both men learn incredible lessons about honesty, faith, and friendship.
I laughed, I cried, and I related to much of what these two characters experience.
A must read!
October 6, 2022
If you want an entertaining tale to read, then look no further than Dean Hughes’ latest book. It’s not a romance or mystery, but it’s a story of adventure.
You’ll love Teller and wish that Earl was your grandpa. But what I loved most of all were the hidden messages throughout the book. I learned a lot from reading this book and the thing that stuck out to me the most is that relationships are important and that it’s never too late to live your life differently.
I highly recommend this read to anyone who wants to be entertained and inspired.
You’ll love Teller and wish that Earl was your grandpa. But what I loved most of all were the hidden messages throughout the book. I learned a lot from reading this book and the thing that stuck out to me the most is that relationships are important and that it’s never too late to live your life differently.
I highly recommend this read to anyone who wants to be entertained and inspired.
May 25, 2022
This may be my new favorite Dean Hughes book. I could not unplug from the audiobook, and I finished it in one day with only a few breaks for chores that did not lend themselves to sharing attention with an audiobook. Numerous times, I laughed out loud, yet this book also focused on meaningful portrayals of relationships and spiritual themes. The narrator deserves recognition for his excellent performance of both male and female voices.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews