As a team of Beth O’Leary stans, we’re never not waiting for her to write another book. Luckily for us (and you) she just has and true to form, it’s bloody glorious stuff.
The Road Trip is a sexy, page-turning, uproariously funny gem of a book, complete with a full tank of characters so expertly made, you’re convinced you’ve met them on a hard shoulder somewhere in a previous life.
Mistress of feel-good fiction and queen of Up Lit – a book trend with empathy and kindness at its core – there’s no one we’d rather get stuck in a car with tbh. Addie, Dylon, Marcus and Deb were in v good hands here.
Laced with that signature O’Leary wit and dynamite dialogue, you could say The Road Trip is Beth’s best work yet, and if you’ve read The Flatshare and The Switch, then you’ll know that’s a pretty bold statement to make.
Read the team’s reviews and block out a couple of hours in the diary to sit down with O’Leary’s latest drop because trust us, that’s all you’ll need.
Purchase the Road Trip here and cue the book hangover.
Danielle
To chalk up Beth O’leary’s books as “chick lit” would be doing yourself the biggest disservice. I can’t explain to you how much I love her writing, each novel is like if Richard Curtis and Nora Ephron made a story baby and The Road Trip is no exception, in fact, it’s my favourite so far. Dylan and Addie are so flipping loveable and listening to their story unfold was perfection, giving lots of detail and still leaving me wondering what happened?! Just like her other books each character is SO well written you feel like you know them inside out by the time you’ve finished. Marcus gave me huge Spencer from the early days of Made in Chelsea vibes and I wanted to be Deb’s best friend. There are twists, turns, and so much relatable humour packed into The Road Trip even though it’s a big book you’ll finish it in no time at all. Beth wastes no time on long indulgent landscape descriptions and packs her word count into witty real conversations that really lend themselves to audible, with Dylan narrated by Josh Dylan and Addie narrated by Eleanor Tomlinson (of Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging fame) and they played them both perfectly. This book is such a comfort I think I’ll listen to it again and again.
Rating: 5/5
Would you recommend it: TO EVERYONE!
Lareese
If Beth O’Leary hadn’t already cemented herself as one of my favourite authors of all time, she’s really gone and done it now. Something about Addie’s character and her mannerisms reminded me of Marianne from Normal People and you can sense that Beth really poured a lot of love, time and life into her. The Road Trip is the sexiest of Beth O’Leary’s novels so far and whilst I haven’t come to expect that nor need that from Beth’s writing, it was deftly handled here and if anything just cemented the fact that she is one of the best contemporary novelists of our time. This story is perfectly paced, ridiculously readable and sizzling with heartache and humour in equal measure. It’s going straight in my top 5! I can’t wait to read whatever Beth writes next… a shopping list, a weekly meal plan – I’ll read anything by her at this point.
Rating: 5/5
Would you recommend it: If you don’t read it, we can’t be friends
Darcey
Wow Beth O’Leary did not disappoint with this one! I have always been a huge fan of Beth’s work, so I was super excited to get stuck into The Road Trip. This book is just so relatable! I mean, your ex-boyfriend and the friend who drove a wedge between you crashing into your car is probably a very rare occurrence, but I’m sure it’s happened before to someone! But, we’ve all had moments of awkwardness with someone (usually an ex or someone you’ve dated) being in the same place as you, so I felt for Addie!
This book wasn’t as lighthearted as Beth’s previous novels, exploring much more complex issues and serious subjects discussed. But I actually quite liked this as it shows development and it was nice to read about a love story which isn’t all sunshine and rainbows you know? It reflected real life and real issues many of us face. This book gave me Normal People vibes, I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much! Would absolutely recommend reading The Road Trip, the perfect accompaniment for any future holidays!
Rating: 4.5/5
Would you recommend: Yes!
Holly
I absolutely loved the past 2 Beth O’Leary books so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the Road Trip. I think I loved it so much because it just feels so relatable. We’ve all been in those awkward situations with someone you don’t want to be in a confined space with. The way Addie was written it felt like I could physically feel what she was feeling. Beth O’Leary did such a great job writing from 2 different peoples perspectives. If I didn’t know better I would have said that Dylan and Addie were written by different authors. The story is also told in both past and present timelines which just gave the story such depth and really understand why their relationship broke down. I really enjoyed the secondary characters and the subplots too. I kind of wish I’d been in the car! Would definitely recommend and Beth O’Leary has a lifelong fan in me.
Rating: 4.5/5
Would you Recommend: Yes 100%
Charlotte
Beth O’Leary can do NO WRONG in my eyes. This book is one of my favourites in such a long time and one that 100% got me through the last stint of restricted socialising, making staying in all the more appealing. I loved the format of flitting back and forth in time and oh my god did those French scenes get the pulse racing. Maybe it’s because we’re all craving a holiday more than ever but I could literally feel the sunshine and heat of the summer through this book’s pages and it only added to the steamy romance which I 1000% agree with Lareese felt exactly like Marianne and Connell! The concept of the and initial car crash is such a simple idea, but don’t be fooled as the book is full of intricacy, raw, real emotion and relatability that it’s impossible not to connect to.
O’Leary’s storytelling is truly unmatched and her ability to capture the flaws and shortcomings of friendship, love and lust is remarkable. Much like Normal People, The Road Trip captures complex feelings that tug at the heartstrings and leave you constantly turning the page for more. I would love a sequel to this! I had such a soft spot for Marcus even though he was insufferable at times, and again this dynamic felt so real as most of us have experienced the difficulties that can sometimes come with the friends of a S/O. Despite it all, I think Addie and Dylan are what we all seek from a relationship- true understanding, love, care and a willingness to keep going. I wish I was in their friendship group!
Rating 5/5
Would you recommend: yes, 100%!
