A review by jen1804
The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I have mixed feelings about this one. The book flicks between the ‘Then’ and the ‘Now’ which I really liked. The plot was mostly entertaining with comical almost slapstick things occurring throughout the road trip from Chichester to Scotland. Despite this however, it did feel slow at times. What compelled me to keep reading was that I wanted to find out what had happened in the past between Addie and Dylan to cause the tension in the car today. After O’Leary shares this with the reader, the last 50 pages or so were more difficult to read purely because there was no incentive to keep going. Therefore I clearly was not very invested in them as a couple, or invested in the other characters. Some of the relationships/friendships were largely unhealthy, but this is acknowledged within the book, and through use of time and therapy the characters show growth.
I did really love Deb’s character the whole way through though.
Satisfactory ending? Yes.
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