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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved the first half of the book, which included the actual road trip portion of the story. The second half was also enjoyable but became slightly annoying due to a misunderstanding between the hero and heroine. Of course this is common in many romance novels, but I didn’t want or need it for this particular story. The characters were cute, although I wanted to feel more connected to the hero, Jason. For a debut novel, this is pretty well-done and I’m sure Mimi Grace will be a big name in a few years.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am super bummed that Along for the Ride was not the 4- to 5-star read I was hoping this would be. Although still an overall enjoyable experience, I couldn't always find my bearing when it came to the plot or the relationship between Jolene and Jason.
The main characters are people of color: Jolene is Black, while Jason is Tongan (I cannot speak to quality of the Tongan rep, as I am not of that background). It was so nice to read a multiracial/multicultural romance that had BOTH love interests be people of color. I do not see this nearly enough.
This is an enemies to lovers, road-trip romance, with forced proximity. Many of the genre's beloved tropes. Jolene offers to help her sister and brother-in-law move cross country with the understanding that she and her father would be driving the moving truck to the new home. Come to find out, she is to make this 16+ hours trek with Jason, her BIL's best friend from dental school. Neither Jolene nor Jason are fond of each other, stemming from particularly embarrassing behaviors that happened at Jolene's sister's wedding a few years back.
They resolve to make do of the situation, because ultimately it was about helping out family, something very important to both of the main characters. Of course, much to Jason's chagrin, nothing goes as planned (he is type A and always armed with a list) and he finds himself having to relinquish some control and cooperate with Jolene if he is ever going to make it out of this trip.
The road trip is only a small part of the romance, so if you're looking for a story primarily centered on that, this may not be a good fit. It is more of the catalyst that brings Jolene and Jason closer together. Along for the Ride did not just explore Jolene and Jason as a couple, but also their individual lives: Jolene as she faces workplace dramas (including harassment) and imposter syndrome; Jason as he deals with grief and loss and feeling like a loner.
I was not truly convinced when it came to the chemistry between Jolene and Jason. I think that my "meh" reaction was heavily influenced by how much I did not like how they interacted with each other when on the road trip. I found Jason to be pretty judgmental and harsh, and Jolene to be a bit much (she needed more work on her boundaries). But, for me, enemies to lovers is a very hit or miss trope and if I am heavily vexed at the beginning, it can be difficult for the couple to feel like they have redeemed themselves.
I did become less annoyed by the couple as the story shifted to focus more on their work and personal lives. But I also felt as though the pacing was off during this second half, which made for a clunky read. I do agree with other reviewers who were not a fan of how many times the couple broke up or how the couple communicated with one another. I found some of the side characters to be more interesting than couple (such as Nadine, Elizabeth, Yvonne, Anthony).
Even though I was left a bit underwhelmed by the read, I did like the writing style and will plan on picking up the next book the author has coming out next month.
The main characters are people of color: Jolene is Black, while Jason is Tongan (I cannot speak to quality of the Tongan rep, as I am not of that background). It was so nice to read a multiracial/multicultural romance that had BOTH love interests be people of color. I do not see this nearly enough.
This is an enemies to lovers, road-trip romance, with forced proximity. Many of the genre's beloved tropes. Jolene offers to help her sister and brother-in-law move cross country with the understanding that she and her father would be driving the moving truck to the new home. Come to find out, she is to make this 16+ hours trek with Jason, her BIL's best friend from dental school. Neither Jolene nor Jason are fond of each other, stemming from particularly embarrassing behaviors that happened at Jolene's sister's wedding a few years back.
They resolve to make do of the situation, because ultimately it was about helping out family, something very important to both of the main characters. Of course, much to Jason's chagrin, nothing goes as planned (he is type A and always armed with a list) and he finds himself having to relinquish some control and cooperate with Jolene if he is ever going to make it out of this trip.
The road trip is only a small part of the romance, so if you're looking for a story primarily centered on that, this may not be a good fit. It is more of the catalyst that brings Jolene and Jason closer together. Along for the Ride did not just explore Jolene and Jason as a couple, but also their individual lives: Jolene as she faces workplace dramas (including harassment) and imposter syndrome; Jason as he deals with grief and loss and feeling like a loner.
I was not truly convinced when it came to the chemistry between Jolene and Jason. I think that my "meh" reaction was heavily influenced by how much I did not like how they interacted with each other when on the road trip. I found Jason to be pretty judgmental and harsh, and Jolene to be a bit much (she needed more work on her boundaries). But, for me, enemies to lovers is a very hit or miss trope and if I am heavily vexed at the beginning, it can be difficult for the couple to feel like they have redeemed themselves.
I did become less annoyed by the couple as the story shifted to focus more on their work and personal lives. But I also felt as though the pacing was off during this second half, which made for a clunky read. I do agree with other reviewers who were not a fan of how many times the couple broke up or how the couple communicated with one another. I found some of the side characters to be more interesting than couple (such as Nadine, Elizabeth, Yvonne, Anthony).
Even though I was left a bit underwhelmed by the read, I did like the writing style and will plan on picking up the next book the author has coming out next month.
4.5 Stars
I’m so glad I was able to get an eARC of this book. It is the contemporary romance I’ve been looking for. A Rom-com with crazy scenarios perfect for the movie screen. All the characters were fun and such a joy to read about. Ty would be perfect for the Netflix show Nailed It. And Jolene and Jason were so realistic. I was cheering for them from the beginning and I may have teared up at the epilogue. It was so cute!
I’m so glad I was able to get an eARC of this book. It is the contemporary romance I’ve been looking for. A Rom-com with crazy scenarios perfect for the movie screen. All the characters were fun and such a joy to read about. Ty would be perfect for the Netflix show Nailed It. And Jolene and Jason were so realistic. I was cheering for them from the beginning and I may have teared up at the epilogue. It was so cute!
really enjoyed this road trip romance and loved how both of the main characters were Black. i also loved their banter. such a cute story, highly recommend for anyone looking for a cute romance.
This debut novel begins with two of my favorite romance tropes: forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers. Neither Jolene nor Jason wants to be stuck with the other for a long road trip with a moving truck, but they are both trying to make the best of it on behalf of the couple who is moving (her sister and his best friend). Of course, everything does NOT go according to plan. The story sucked me right in and the plot moved along at a good, mostly-believable clip. I would've liked to have seen more of the characters' relationships with the sister/best friend, but the romance at the heart of the book really worked for me. I will be on the lookout for future books from this author.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
4.5 stars.
I had a feeling I would enjoy this book, but it was delightful! The writing is lovely, and while it's true that the road trip isn't the whole story, it's the first third of the book and establishes their connection and relationship. For me, this book wouldn't have worked if they went on a three day road trip gone awry and then BOOM, they're together.
Bothe characters had issues to work through, and I didn't mind being along for that part of their ride, either. I liked the divorce representation; it was totally believable that Jolene would be hesitant to jump into a long term relationship, given her past.
Jolene's work drama probably could have been pared down a little bit, but it didn't detract much from the story for me. And there was an epilogue, huzzah!
Very much looking forward to reading more from this author.
I had a feeling I would enjoy this book, but it was delightful! The writing is lovely, and while it's true that the road trip isn't the whole story, it's the first third of the book and establishes their connection and relationship. For me, this book wouldn't have worked if they went on a three day road trip gone awry and then BOOM, they're together.
Bothe characters had issues to work through, and I didn't mind being along for that part of their ride, either. I liked the divorce representation; it was totally believable that Jolene would be hesitant to jump into a long term relationship, given her past.
Jolene's work drama probably could have been pared down a little bit, but it didn't detract much from the story for me. And there was an epilogue, huzzah!
Very much looking forward to reading more from this author.