Well hello to you my reader chums! I'm a big fan of Beth O' Leary's books, I fell in love with her writing style as soon as whizzed through The Flat Share and went on to read The Switch. The author has this way of really connecting the audience with the characters and making them so relatable. When I heard about The Road Trip, I couldn't wait to see what another one of her books would be like.

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Whether you're new to Beth O'Leary's book or a big fan like me, here is my full review of The Road Trip.

Plotline

The plotline begins with Addie and her sister Deb heading out on a road trip to a friend's wedding in rural Scotland with a car packed full of snacks and the most exciting playlist. However, they don't get too far into the journey when a car slams into the back of theirs. The driver of the car happens to be Addie's ex Dylan and his best friend Marcus. Addie has avoided Dylan for the past few years after a very traumatic breakup. But after the car incident, as Dylan and Marcus are heading to the wedding too, Addie has no choice but to offer them a ride. The car is soon packed with luggage and awkwardness in the air.

Characters and relationships

The beauty of this book is it switches between Addie and Dylan's perspectives from past to present when they were in a relationship and what happened to now when they're heading on the road trip together. I really loved the break up of the storyline like that as not only did it add layers to the plot but it helped shape the characters even better and get a full understanding of who they are and why things happened.

I loved Addie, she had this relatable edge to her from the way she travelled to how she spoke and I connected with her thought process as the tale went on. Her relationship with her sister Deb had to be my favourite because you could tell how close they were as every page went on and that connection is the most important thing. Love was flying off the page, I could feel it. Deb is a free spirit and I adored her spunky and confident attitude and how she walked around being brutally honest.

Dylan had this insecure sense about him which prevailed throughout the whole of the novel and I liked how he was vulnerable in a way as it made him more real and human, not the perfect boy a romance novel is supposed to have. He was honest, likable, and ambitious. His best pal Marcus, I didn't like at all, he is big-headed and arrogant, but again, I think that stemmed from his insecurities and came out in a different way than Dylan's. Their bond was interesting but you can tell it was like a brotherly bond and nothing was going to change that.

My opinion of Dylan's and Addie's relationship changed as the novel went on and more was revealed by what actually happened between them, the good, the bad, and the big secret that ended it all. Their relationship was passionate and loving, and raw, something real that doesn't happen very often. And, as the pages went on, it was clear to me what the outcome should be for them both.

The funniest character was Rodney. At first, I thought it was a bit random to have him there but he really threw a humorous element into the novel. Rodney came along for the road trip as he needed a lift to the wedding and his strange ways and awkward nature made me laugh.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I loved this book in more ways and one. The characters made my heart swell and I felt part of their group as I read on and really related to many of them, especially Addie on a deeper level with what she went through. The plotline was also incredible as I love how it switched between the past and present, sharing how Addie and Dylan first met abroad in the passionate time of the summer to now, crammed in a car to Scotland. The different dynamic was written beautifully and effectively and I could have read on for days about what happened to them and their friends.

I would recommend this book to everyone, even if you aren't a fan of romances as this book is so much more than that. It has humour, friendship, travel, and touches on some important topics including therapy and sexual assault. I loved how the book was lighthearted but significant and honest all in one. 

Ending

I didn't know what to expect from the ending as my opinion changed as the book went on. However, I can say it ended on a satisfying note for every one of the characters in the novel and I closed the last page feeling content.

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