Hooked on Books discussion

Members Starting the BR: Sunflower Reads & Paige
Challenge:
Book: Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Anyone is free to join in this Buddy Read! Happy Reading!

I found the thread! Thanks for the guidance, Paige. I'm excited to start. 🙂

I'm about halfway through chapter 2, but I am already getting some strong impressions about the MC/Auden and her parents.

I am feeling a quiet sense of isolation surrounding Auden. She's living with her mother and appears to be on decent terms with both parents, but there is an emotional distance---it's a sort of neglect that's hard for me to name because it's not outright cruelty. Auden internalizes everything, and no one seems to notice her.

After learning that Auden was going to visit her father, her mom said, "Are you that eager to get away from me". That line felt like a passive-aggressive jab---and seems like the author is showing that the mom doesn't have genuine concerns, but just feels possessiveness or rivalry where her ex is involved.

Speaking of the father, his behavior seems just as selfish. He has a newborn with his new wife, who is clearly overwhelmed, but instead of supporting her, he isolates himself in another part of the house under the pretense of not disturbing the baby. It feels less like sensitivity and more like avoidance. He doesn't even realize dinner hasn't been made or that his wife assumed he had been out all day. 🙄

So far, the book is giving me a strong sense of subtle emotional neglect---nothing explosive, but the kind of neglect that can quietly shape a person's identity. Auden doesn't expect people to notice her, she keeps to herself, she's introverted, (I am an introvert too 😊 so I can relate) but I am curious to see how Dessen develops Auden's character in this book. 🙂

One last thing, I noticed Auden's silent judgment of her bubbly stepmother. I know that step-parent dynamics can be tricky and that introverts can feel uncomfortable with overly expressive personalities. I can empathize, but I still found myself wondering if this was just a situational thing. If not, I might start finding MC harder to relate to. 🤔 But so far I'm intrigued 👀

Okay, I'll stop rambling for now. ✌️

I'm a few chapters in and have been really busy lately. sorry about that 😅 and I agree especially with the introvert thing

No worries! 🙂

This is my first Sarah Dessen book, and I have to say—it’s turning out to be perfect for summer. There’s sun, the beach, waves, sand, romance, and the boardwalk vibes are strong. But what I’m loving most is the character development.

Dessen seems to have a gift for writing characters. I can visualize them, understand their motivations, and even the ones I don’t necessarily like still feel human and layered. Themes like selfishness and being judgmental pop up throughout the story, and what’s especially interesting is how even the main character, Auden, isn’t exempt. Auden can be selfish and judgmental, too. But instead of making her unlikeable, Dessen somehow makes her feel relatable, which I like.

I’ve read authors who try to make their protagonists flawed but end up losing reader connection (at least for me). Dessen strikes a balance. Auden is imperfect, but I still care about her as a reader and want to see where her journey goes. I’m about 45% in and enjoying it so far.

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